Shows like Endless Yard Sale (HGTV) have people wanting to get in on the hunt for antique and vintage treasures. And why not? There are plenty of great places in North Georgia loaded with loot and ripe for the pickin’.
As a general rule, the Savvy Picker doesn’t shop at yard sales – mainly because she doesn’t like waking up early on Saturdays, but also because she doesn’t enjoy trying to beat everyone else to the good stuff. Moseying through shops is more her thing. BUT she does make a few exceptions to this rule. Exception 1: Mega sales hosted by large groups of people, like the kind churches have. (Because more people means more stuff, and more stuff means better odds of amazing finds). Exception 2: Sales her friends notify her about because they’ve seen the goods and the goods are great. Exception 3: Sales that are on her route from point A to point B. (Because these don’t require detours or waking up super early on a weekend.)
So last time the Savvy Picker was in North Georgia (Point A) and heading home (Point B), she was delighted to see a Yard Sale sign on the outskirts of Elberton, Georgia. Not only was it on her route, but it was also a mega sale hosted by a large group of people, hitting two of her three yard sale exceptions at once! This particular sale was hosted by the Humane Society of Elbert County.
Even though I arrived at the END of the first day (a Friday), the huge building housing this sale still had rows and rows of tables loaded with fabulous yard sale merch for Saturday shoppers and for me. There were also a few shopping carts, one of which I happily filled up.
One of the first things I spotted here was also one of the best things I came home with.
This is an original antique oil painting. Based on the darker color of the canvas, the style of the art, and the crazing of the paint, I believe it hails from the late 19th or early 20th century. The piece has some minor issues, including the gesso on the frame needing a little repair, but it is still a great find. It’s one of those pieces that require additional research to ascertain the value, so I am going to hold on to it for a while until I can determine what that value is. Still, I am sure this oil painting is easily worth a hundred dollars and probably worth a good deal more.
Another of my finds at this sale was this humidor, purchased for $4. After a quick polish with my magic polish routine (check out the tip of the day on the Savvy Picker website for this), it was beautiful enough to sell for $32.
I also picked up this set of Italian Florentine plaques for $1.00 each. Anything Italian Florentine seems to sell these days, particularly the boxes, but plaques are popular too. I generally price them at $6 – $7 each in the shop and about twice that online.
Other finds at this amazing sale were some Santa figurines for $2.00 each that sold in the shop for around $15 each, some adorable tin Santa coasters for $1.00 that sold for $10, and a matching set of fabulous mid-century embossed glasses.
Before writing this article, I contacted The Humane Society of Elbert County on Facebook and was told this was the second year they had the sale and that it was their largest fundraiser. Last year it raised $8,000! Proceeds go toward spaying and neutering animals for people who can’t afford these procedures for their pets and also towards an emergency fund for sick or injured animals. Although decisions about a 2023 yard sale haven’t been made, I was told they would keep me posted. So, I will keep you posted!
The information below applies to yard sales in general, and not this one in particular, because you never know when you are going to come across a good yard sale.
Who should shop at yard sales: Early birds, for sure. But you can make your own rules (and exceptions) for yard sale shopping!
Can you score big at yard sales? Absolutely. Once, I purchased a trio of mid-century walnut lamps at a yard sale for $15 that I later took to a local auction house who sold them for me for $550.00.
Reseller Takeaway: It’s helpful to tell your friends who shop yard sales to give you a call if they come across a good one. Last month one of my friends notified me about a sale in her neighborhood. When I went, I found a pair of extra-large brass altar candlesticks for $40 that I have listed in my Etsy shop for $375.
Reasons to shop at yard sales: You often get the very best prices at this type of sale because once people haul their goods out on the lawn, they do not want to take stuff back inside.
Tip for Yard Sale Shopping: Sometimes, you’ll do better if you just make a pile and ask for a single price for the whole pile.
The Savvy Picker will return to North Georgia to shop the week of April 4, so if you have tips about great thrift or antique stores for her to check out, please leave a comment on the NowHabersham Facebook page under this week’s Savvy Picker posting.
The Savvy Picker publishes bi-monthly on Now Habersham. For more great reads and finds, click here. Also, visit The Savvy Picker website for additional tips on tracking vintage treasure.
