I hit the junk jackpot yesterday. There was a yard sale at my local fire hall and this guy was selling a bunch of old things from his parent’s barn. Nothing was priced, which was a little frustrating for me, because I knew the instant I showed interest in something the unmarked price would double. So, I asked how much a chicken feeder was.
“Aw…two bucks.”
I tried my hardest to keep my poker face.
“Mmm…ok. How about these pails?”
“Oh…a dollar each?”
“Ah. Ok. How about that pulley over there?”
“Five dollars.”
“And the orchard ladders?”
“One dollar per rung.”
“I’ll take the chicken feeder, the pails, the pulley and a ladder!”
This ladder is so cool and had only 6 rungs, which means it was $6.00. I know. It felt a little bit like robbery.
I am going to give it a good scrubbing, a lite sand and a coat of Poly to bring out the warmth of the wood. I think I’m going to hang it on the wall, but who knows. I went back today to buy at least one more long one and someone else bought “my” other ladders. Shoot.
The chicken feeder (isn’t that what this is?) just needs a good hose down and some poly as well. I am so excited to think of all of the uses for this thing. I set it up as a plate rack for the photos and I think this would be an awesome way to serve up plates on a buffet.
$2.00 well spent.
This pulley is huge and heavy. It has to weigh about 30lbs and it’s about 2′ long. I can’t believe it was only $5.00.
I’m going to clean it up a bit as well and think about something cool to do with it…preferably in a safe spot where my boys won’t use it as a weapon.
And these galvanized pails have some great character. I love the handle on the larger pail. The vender made sure he let me know there was a hole in the side of the larger bucket. Maybe I should’ve asked him to knock the price down…
When I called my husband to tell him about my exciting finds, I started out by telling him that I didn’t find many good yard sales today and there was mostly junk. Well, it was ALL junk, but this was my kinda junk.
51 Responses
Good finds! Happy junking!
-Danielle
You KNOW I squealed when I read this post! 🙂 That plate thing is amazing! And that ladder is so unique! I'd totally mount that to a wall in a jiffy!
Love how you just brought it in without the big scrubdown. You have NO idea how many things in my home still need that kind of attention. 🙂
Thanks for linking this up to the Junk SNS linkup!
FJ Donna
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/
Wow – great finds!!! Love them all.
I let out a little gasp at that ladder and feeder. All of your finds are awesome but those two are special. My kind of stuff!
I may have pretty sunsets where I live but boy do you have good junk where you live! The ladder is my favorite, no the pulley, no the ladder, no…
You did hit the jackpot! I'm completely jealous of your ladder!
I am diggin' the ladder! Those items go fast at most yard sales. Should clean up very nice.
DI
The Blue Ridge Gal
(New template??)
The pulley looks like it could have come from the Restoration Hardware catalog. Very cool!
That is my kind of junk too. I would pay for that also. Great finds, what will you do with the ladder?
Fantastic finds! Love it!!
T.bird
I love good junk. Well done, MMS!
Great finds!!! You hit the jackpot. And so cheap too. I know you were thrilled. Have a great weekend. Love & blessings from NC!
That's probably going to be me someday!
My in-laws have a farm with TWO barns, the bigger one is FULL of stuff like that, and they're leaving my parents in charge of their estate. Furniture, old farm equipment, tools. And I mean FULL to the brim. You can barely walk through it. I'm sure I'll find some things I like in there but most of it will have to go…
I'm no farm girl. 🙂
Good job on your finds & your poker face!
I mean my HUSBAND {Why would they leave it to my parents? Lol}
Those are some rockin' finds girl! What a steal too…yay for you!
Jamie 🙂
Wow, awesome "junk"! I found you through Funky Junk's SNS. I love your blog!
woo hoo! i'm with fj donna…"squeal"!
you did well my friend, very well.
love that chicken feeder turned plate rack.
judi 😉
the1829farmhouse.blogspot.com
Very cool junque!!! I can't wait to see what you do with the pulley… and I love your idea of a plate rack for the chicken feeder! GENIUS I say!!!
Tania
That is just adorable how you put plates in the chicken feeder! I would have never thought of that!
Have a pretty day,
Kristin
Wow! You had quite the day. Love the chicken feeder. What a unique find with so many possibilities.
Whee…cool junk. I like those buckets!
olive
Definitely good junk!! Love the chicken feeder and that ladder is so cool!!
You had too much fun for sure!
Hugs
SueAnn
Definitely good JUNK. And how dare someone come and buy your "other" ladders before you had time to get them.
tammy
I love all of your finds!! And those prices are awesome!!
Looks like you hit the jackpot!!! I went junking today and scored big time…got a sewing machine treadle base for $6!!! I paid and got the you know what out of there in the blink of an eye!
Oooo how fun! I never find great stuff like that! Wow.
Hi there!
New follower!
I would love if you would come and visit my blog and become a new follower 🙂
Have a great day!
Melanie
http://www.jonathanandmelanie.blogspot.com
Featured Spotlight Blogger for Mommies Faves
A sweet hello from Frog Hollow Farm. What great finds, you must have been feeling like you hit the jackpot or found little gold mine at that sale. Well done – remember – it's never a problem getting something for a lot less than it's worth – it's the job of the seller to do his/her job before they put something out for sale. Absolutely no guilt here Miss Mustard Seed! Ciao, bella!
OH HOLY COW, THAT'S GREAT JUNK! LOVe the idea of using the chicken feeder for plates! Or your your wrap your silver ware in the napkins and put a packet in each segment! LOVE that thing! AND that ladder,and the buckets…LUCKY LADY!!!
Don't you just love it when that happens! You come upon a great sale like that and the prices are dirt cheap…you sure know how to pick out good junk!
Love the laddar and I have never heard of selling it by the rung! That's too funny.
Can't wait to see what you do with the pulley.
hugs
Sissie
Great finds! What's funny is I bought two chicken feeders like yours at an auction a few months ago and my husband was doubtful anyone would pay cash money for one. And guess what? They were the first two items that sold at my barn sale!
OMGosh..if I lived within a hundred miles of you, I would arm wrestle you for that ladder!!
Everything is great…
Thought you might want to come over and try for a $60.00 gift card to CSN STORES…my giveaway. 🙂
xo bj
What fun! You had great luck. I'm sure you'll make everything look fantastic. That pulley is the coolest.
Wonderful finds, and a great blog! Glad I found you 🙂
Tracy
cremedelagems.blogspot.com
***Jumping up & down in excitment for you*** Honestly, I'm a little green w/envy! What great finds…and, oh, the price???
How will you poly the feeder? Will you take it apart? Brush or spray?
Enjoy them…and please let us see what you do to and with them!!!
xoxo Beth
OH MY… you did hit the jackpot! I just LOVE all your finds!
ok. I'll go junking w/you anyday. Clearly you have awesome "junk mojo." You lead us to it… I think I can take ya in an arm wrestle… Sarah will back me up. She already lurves great junk. ;-P
I have a big pulley just like yours and I love it. I put it in a room in the house, and DH hauls it out to the shed. I haul it back in and put it in a room, DH hauls it back out to the shed. Repeat. Repeat. lol
You really made out at this sale! What a great way to spend the day.
xoxo
Donna
Love the junk you found. I'm looking for a cool ladder soon as I move back to US. I have one now I but blankets and quilts on and love it.
Fabulous finds. I could also think of a dozen uses for that chicken feeder.
Loving the ladder and the chicken feeder….cool, cool junk!!!
you would love the farm auctions i go to sometimes with all the old stuff way cheap. Cool finds.
Boy did you get it right, that is the best plate rack for a buffet EVER!! Cute stuff girlie!
Hi There Ms. Mustard Seed:
My first time commenting but not my first time on your blog ~ you are fabulous! I can always count on you for some great finds, ideas and inspiration ~ if I knew how to link you to my blog, I would ~ I'm new to this but I'm loving it!
Norma
Good golly that's some good junk you got there, eh?
smiles.
Congrats on hitting the jackpot! I get so giddy when I hit a great yardsale. I went out this weekend and came home with almost nothing. It left me in a state of sheer disapointment. Oh well, there's always next weekend!
Awesome finds!!! Great deals too!
Looks like you had a great junkin day! I have never seen a ladder like that…will look great on your wall.
Hugs,
Sherry
I enjoy reading your blog, but, having raised chickens and having used identical chicken feeders, I could never bring myself to put dishes in a used chicken feeder, no matter how old it was or how long ago it was last used. Chickens are not very clean in their habits…
Oh my goodness I knew this would happen sooner or later. About two months ago, I passed up a chicken feeder thingy just like this one. They wanted $12 and although I thought it was a great find(a little high for me but I would've at least asked for a lower price) I couldnt think of what I would do with it so I left it there. I hate that type of remorse! I love your ideas and cant wait to see where it ends up:)
Sarah
HandbagsnPigtails.blogspot.com
Though I've not raised chickens like Jill has, I was thinking the same thing. YUCK. Sorry, but that baby would have to be scoured, de-rusted (is there such a word?)and then layered with about twenty coats of food safe paint before I could even think of putting anything near it that I'd be eating off of. In fact I think I'd rather buy a new one and then have the thing painted with food safe paint and leave that baby for some other non-food use. Yep, that's even a better idea.
uh, ok, 'nuther question for you! (love that ladder, btw – score!) When you say "poly" I assume you mean polyurethane? Clear? on the wire? I have an old tiered basket that is in my bathroom but am afraid to put towels in it lest they get something (rust?) rubbed off on them. Will this help?