One of my favorites…

by | Aug 8, 2010 | Antiques, Favorite Finds | 17 comments

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It was my very first time ever at an auction and I really didn’t know what to expect.  I was nervous about raising my number to bid.  I didn’t fully understand what the auctioneer was saying.  I was trying to work two rooms at one time.  It was overwhelming. 
By the end of the night, I was a pro and was leaving with a lighter wallet and a van full of really neat things.  I won this gorgeous pair of side tables, which were originally joined to make a vanity.  They were already a perfect shade of aqua and I simply added some painted details and glaze to put my stamp on them. 
Trust me when I tell you that I hauled these all over my house to try to find a spot for them, but I did not have room.  I took them with me to the Lucketts fair last year.  For two days, they were drooled over and fawned upon, but, much to my dismay, they didn’t sell.  I could hardly handle the thought of taking them home.  I was so certain they would sell.
Just when I thought all hope was lost, I spotted a woman with “that look” and a tape measure.  She wanted them and knew where they were going to go and wanted to make sure they would fit.  She “hmmm’d” and “hawed” and walked away.  I started preparing myself again for the fact that they were going back into my minivan and back into our shop.  Then, she came back.  And she bought them. 
A twinge of sadness accompanied my joy.  These beautiful pieces of furniture were no longer mine.  I even gave the purchaser a business card, so she could send me a picture of them in their new environment.  Silly, I know, but it was hard to watch them ride away in her SUV.  They were going to a new home and they served the purpose I bought them for…to make money for my business. 
Such is the life of an antique dealer. 
Miss Mustard Seed

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    17 Comments

    1. Jaclyn

      I would have had a hard time saying goodbye to them too! They are so pretty!

    2. ChRiS

      Don't you just love auctions? public sales are fun also, i grew up going to auction houses sitting hrs and hrs while daddy bought things to haul south..back then things went triple the price if you took south daddy made some good $$'s not sure where them good $$'s went (lol to myself) but i have memories and isn't that more important?

    3. Pondside

      They certainly are pretty – and it sounds like they've gone to a good home!
      I went to my first auction when we lived in Pennsylvania, and thereafter was hooked! There was a favorite auctioneer who was headquartered somewhere down past West Chester. What fun we had, and what souvenirs we brought home!

    4. Charlene Austin

      Those are beautiful. I too love auctions but there just aren't many around our big city. If I am lucky there's an auction or an estate sale during the time we go home to the farm.

      I always call my successful bid "winning" the item but my hubby says I didn't "win it" cuz I now have to pay for it. haha. I find it to be such a rush to have that winning bid and go home with something you love …..especially if you would have kept bidding but the other person bows out. Score.

    5. Lori

      I accompanied my mother to auctions when I was young and learned from her the way it works. However….I never quite got the hang of the poker face required. Hiding my emotions (especially when I'm excited) does not come easily.

      It's wicked hard when you buy to sell. Of course you are going to buy what you like, that's the point to sell your style. It is really hard to part with something I think is particularly yummy. But that is one of the reasons I got into doing this, cuz there wan't enough room in my house to buy all that I like and decorate with it.

    6. Something Nice and Pretty

      Those are probably the prettiest stands I've ever seen, know wonder you felt a little sad when they sold! I guess though you wouldn't make a profit if you kept everything…have a great day!

      Rondell

    7. Pam

      Love the tables. I'm hoping that you can give me some advise. I recently painted my oak kitchen chairs with black satin finish Krylon spray paint. I'm using them with an antique oak table that belonged to my G-mother. I have oak cabinets with oil rubbed bronze hardware and an oil rubbed bronze chandelier over my table. Now for my question: Is there something I can put on the painted chairs to soften/age the black color? They look to black. Thanks, Pam

      help me out with a furniture redo question. I have an antique oak Kitchen table that belonged to my grandmother. I recently painted my oak chairs (not antiques) with black spray paint.

    8. Abby's Paperie Garden

      I can see why you'd fall in love with the pair, they are stunning!

    9. sissie

      So true. It is so hard to let go of some things and others, not so much. You never know what people are going to like and they often surprise me with their choices.

      The side tables are very beautiful.

      hugs
      Sissie

    10. COTTAG3

      My friend and I often dream of having a antique shop or at least a space in an antique mall but then we realize we actually have to sell stuff and we can't handle that. We get to sentimentally attached.

    11. Four Flights

      they sure are pretty; I can see why you had a hard time parting with them.

    12. Ann On and On...

      I love the idea of seeing the new home. That's not silly at all. 😀
      If you're silly than so am I.

    13. Lindy

      I know just what you mean. I think if I had 10 houses I would not have enough room for everything I wanted. But I don't. So I see something I'd really love to own but don't have the room for unless I get rid of something else I'd really love to keep…

      L.

    14. judi

      welcome to the world of auctions! and be careful…they can be so addicting, especially as you get the hang of it.

      love your purchases and although bittersweet, they have a new home.

      judi 😉

    15. SueAnn

      Oh! I love auctions! But I have to stay away. Alas my paddle is always in the air! Ha! My wallet becomes empty and there is no more room in the van or the house for that matter. How sad is that?
      Loved those tables…glad they have found a new home.
      Hugs
      SueAnn

    16. Erin

      Like you say, everything is for sale, but sometimes it's hard to let them go! Just makes more room for us to see your talent!

    17. Miss Mustard Seed

      Pam,
      Thanks for the question on my blog. Yes, black satin paint can look very black and flat. It can also show finger prints and scuff very easily. If you want a softer black, you can do a few things. First of all, you can knock down the edges of the chairs with sandpaper to expose some of the wood, then rub the chairs with a dark walnut stain. That will add a bit of shine and a hint of dark brown to soften the black. Another option is to pick an "off black" from a paint chip and repaint all of the chairs in a custom color. This will be a lot of work, so you may want to try the first option.

      Send me an e-mail directly if you have any specific questions. marian@missmustardseed.com

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