Featured Finds Thread

And the stuff you can get now is rubbish in comparison.

 

Problem is, it got into the water table.

 

Yes, I can quite see why it was banned. I was trying to strip an old metal window and it was frustratingly difficult.

 

For small bits, the recommended method is getting hold of an old crock pot/slow cooker. They may be a mostly American phenomenon. Throw the nonferrous (i.e. subject to rust) bits into the crock, add plain old water, and let cook on "low" overnight. Next day? Paint comes right off. Don't do this with one you ever want to use for food again of course. Old house restorers get junky ones or used from thrift stores/jumbles/car boots.

A window wouldn't fit alas, but it'll clean up old screws and door plates quite nicely.

 

Good tip! Thankyou

 

Yesterday's thrift shop finds.
Above, peach freshwater pearls with modern crystals.
Watercolor by Vermont artist Keith Hoffman, $3.

Plate of silver and costume, yellow ball earring are 14k, silvery long hoops Italy 925, gf elephant brooch, goldwashed 925 smokey quartz necklace, small earrings also smokey quartz, 925 aquamarine and pearl earrings, Dason GF cross, chair earrings maybe sterling. Link bracelet goldwashed sterling.

 

Posted on the jewelry thread, chrysocolla and porcupine quill necklace, most likely African.

 

Aquamarine chip necklace

$3, pink coral necklace, goldwashed 800 silver clasp, restrung on plastic wire (eww...need to.fix that.)

$3.50 graduated cultured sea pearl strand, at least 20" long, 14k clasp.

 

You may already know this, but bears repeating, steel needles are only used once and then discarded. Used needles do the most damage to your records. After one use the leading edge wears flat and becomes a tiny chisel. New ones are easily found on eBay.

James.

 

There wasn't much out there this weekend. A local antique/jewelry store had an estate sale on site. Spent $5 outside among the "stuff" only to find out the jewelry they had out there was full price. Uhmmm, no. Went inside and spent $20 on a Heidi Daus ring, some rhinestone earrings I haven't researched yet, a Lourdes rosary, and Easter Egg D&E earrings.

 

I haven’t posted much lately, too busy with getting summer rentals ready. But since these were discussed recently I thought I’d show off. Featherweight 221 from February 1945 for less than $15 after the Tuesday senior discount (not a senior yet but they still give me the discount).

 

$15????? Score!

 

Find of the week, a wall plaque, unmarked aside from a retailers paper label and an incised number so I managed to get it for a song. I've never seen one before and can't find it in the reference works, so was likely a short run custom commission. If you've seen the design before it is unmistakably by one factory and artist, dates around 1885. I'll post the maker a bit later so those who like to sleuth can have fun finding it.

 

This is beautiful.

 

It is very lovely, but I for one just want to know the answer to factory & artist. Don't have time to identify something that is already known.

 

Found this funky redwood table at $avers today for $48. Has a label from Hall’s Burlwood Table Co. of Redding, CA. Looks like amber in the middle, might just be some lucite or something but it looks awesome.

 

Somebody put that owl in Google images and see what you get. I still don't know how to do very much on the internet with an Android phone LOL.

 

We will find out. only sleuth if you like.

 

Is it Royal Worcester? I had a heart-shaped plate from 1895: