Saturday, April 14, 2012

Good Junk vs. Bad Junk

All bloggers know there is such a thing as "good" junk and "bad" junk.  We just got back from spending a few days at a friend's house on the Mississippi River.  Nearby is one of my all-time favorite places to "shop".  You never know if the elderly man who owns this place will be there so if not, you pile up your stuff, leave a note and say you'll stop back later.
This is GOOD junk.  We also stopped at a large flea market . . . BAD junk.  Over-priced, dirty and you can tell they put out the same stuff, week after week. (No pictures from that place)
There are no prices here and most of it sits outside in the elements year after year.  You don't wear open-toed shoes and you make sure your tetanus shots are up-to-date.
For the most part there is no 'rhyme or reason' to it all -- you just dig and pick through piles.
But some things are 'organized' like this pile of yummy ladders.  I didn't get any this trip but most likely will another time.
Lots and lots of lovely galvanized buckets and fishing buckets (what's the 'real' name?) Thanks friends . . . minnow buckets!
Also piles and piles and piles of chairs, chair pieces and legs.
Because the car was already full (more about my OTHER scores in another post!!) I only bought a few things.

A few of the spindles (Just look at all that glorious, chipping, paint!)  The large one is flat on one side -- wonderfulness!
Three of the galvanized buckets came home with me and one of the fishing cans minnow buckets.

I have plans for all of these things and will show you later when they're finished.  My cost for the spindles, three buckets and the fishing can minnow pail?   $10.00.  Score.  Good Junk.




35 comments:

  1. OH! Would I have a blast digging through all that. Can't wait to see what else you brought home.

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  2. They are called minnow buckets

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  3. Yay, for scoring good junk! These photos definitely get my creative juices flowing. So many possibilities with all of those spindles.

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  4. I never hit any places like this. Looks fun!

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  5. Score...I guess so, what a fun place...I'm so jealous!

    Carol

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  6. we call them minnow buckets in Texas and you sure found the good junk shopping spot.
    Lezlee

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  7. Good junk indeed, Lauren. I just bought one of the fishing cans (minnow buckets) at the D.I. in AZ. I paid $8 for just it, but it has great graphics! Love the chippy spindles. you did good girl! Darn, I have been away and missed your give away. I have one going on right now. Hop over if you get a chance and see if you are interested.
    Hugs,
    Jann

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  8. LOL, know what you mean about good junk and bad junk. Even though I love things clean, I have this weird fondness for looking through junk! Never know what you might find do you?

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  9. Now that is some good junk! What a score!

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  10. You're right! We do know what is good and what is not. Others don't know, so we get all the good junk! For a good price, usually.
    -Revi

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  11. EEK! You sure did score!! I love places like that, and around here they have become few and far between. We used to have this run down barn that sold good junk. Now, you must understand that a regular barn is big, but this was a WHOLE BARN CITY practitally! You went in, and there were 2 huge rooms. But, when you went into the third room in the back, it was so large the healthiest person couldn't do it in one day. To top it all off, they hadn't been in that room in 37 years at least. Filth like anything, but treasures like you couldn't imagine!! And no prices. If you did find a price from 1962, they took money off of it. It was my favorite place in the world!! Better than Disneyland!! but it closed several years ago. They sold the barn. saddest thing ever.
    SOOOO glad you were able to find some good old fashioned junk!!!!! It will be so gorgeous when you are done with it!
    xxD

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  12. Oh my...that looks like "Junk Heaven" to me :)Laurel

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  13. WOW! I would love to sift through all that GOOD junk. My fiance wouldn't like all I'd come home with but I'd love it :) Great finds!

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  14. I would love to go to a place like that. I can't wait to see what you do with all that good junk :)

    Dee

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  15. I love places like this! Where you can just go and dig through stuff; you never know what you'll find! Thanks for sharing your adventure! I'm jealous. ;)

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  16. What a fabulous place to hunt for the good stuff. Looks like you had a lot of fun finding great treasures.
    Mary Alice

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  17. Great finds. I also just purchased some of those chair legs. I want to cut them in half. I read somewhere if I take them to Lowes they will cut them for me. I sure hope so. Great job!

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  18. Wow, looks like a wonderful place to shop and you got a great price! Can't wait to see what you so with them, Laura

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  19. Looks like a "good" junk place. I would love to dig around there.

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  20. Thanks for the tip on saving my bulls from the squirrels! Laura

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  21. Oh, wow! I'd love to pick through that stuff! Is this anywhere close to the Quad Cities? We visit my in-laws there several times a year. I'd sure like to check this place out.

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  22. Is this in Texas? LOL

    GREAT stuff!!! I love using those buckets as herb planters.
    ♥Linsey

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  23. When I saw the name of your church it reminded me of the church we used to attend, the Hershey Free Evangelical Church in Hershey, PA. Everyone used to call it "The Free Church." Haven't lived there in over 30 years though. Love your "good junk." Thanks for joining Cowgirl up.

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  24. Oh my goodness, I can't even tell you how much I loved all of these pictures. I LOVE filtering through junk, so many fun treasures to find. :)
    Karah

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  25. Oh my goodness.....that place is my kind of place. I could explore for hours. I am really curious as to what something wonderful you will do with the spindles. :)

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  26. WOW!!! Great good junk, would love some of those ladders to use in displays for craft shows.

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  27. You found a place I thought only existed in dreams. Good junk, great prices and lots of it.

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  28. I would love to dig through all that stuff

    there is nothing like that around here

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  29. Newest linky follower, boy would I love to go to your spots for lovely junk! Nothing in site here! I will be back to check on you!
    Hope to see you visit and follow too.

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  30. This is my husband's idea of a dream vacation -- one "good" junk place after another to explore. Have to admit I have fun too -- but, like you, the number of treasures we actually leave with are also limited by car space.

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  31. Awesome finds! LOVE the spindles! I would LOVE this place!

    Lou Cinda

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  32. OOOhhh... I wish i could find some good junk like that! Sounds like a great place!

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  33. Score!! Love finding places like this!
    Kelly

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  34. OOOH I just love your blog!!!!New follower here:) That barn looks like a great place to spend some time. Can't wait to see what treasures you found on your trip and to get to know you better:)
    ~Debra xxx
    Capers of the vintage vixens

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  35. Oh holy moly! The next time I go to Chicago, I'm going to email you and figure out where this place is! Awesome.

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