O Canada!
Over Labor Day weekend, I went to Canada with my family. We’ve been making this annual trek since I was in elementary school, and our visit centers on two huge antique markets in Sarnia.
Before I reveal my finds from the trip, I have to say that I LOVE Canada. I love its fries slathered in vinegar, I love how nervous Timmy gets at the customs booth, I love Coffee Crisp candy bars, and I love Duty Free shops. Canada is the best, and so are its antique markets.
Our first stop was Dale’s Antiques, a cluster of little booths and barns open every Sunday.
I spotted this scale in one of the barns and of course loved it. It was huge and expensive though.
I did, however, buy a smaller kitchen scale for my collection. This one was pretty rusted up, but it’s much older than my other scales and really unique. I paid $20 for it, which is more than I usually spend on scales. I kept telling myself that this was Canadian money though, and thus not really real.
I also found an old cookie jar that was in excellent shape. I knew that I could resell it easily since it was classically “retro” and because it was a cat. I paid $15 and ended up selling it on ebay for $38. The jar is made by American Bisque which is pretty collectible among cookie jar people.
A helpful hint here is that American Bisque jars are often airbrushed, and the bottoms have raised wedge-like pieces:
After Dale’s, we visited a couple of small, independent antique shops, and then headed to a flea market called The Pinery. The Pinery is great because you can buy beef jerky, dog bones, and antiques all in the same place–while drinking an ice cold beer. I did all of these things.
My best find was probably this old cast iron still bank. I thought this was a soldier, but it turns out he is actually a boy scout. He was made prior to 1934 by AC Williams Co. I paid $25 for him, but auction listings online value him anywhere from $150-$295! My little guy has a piece missing out of one leg, but I don’t plan to sell him anyway. Right now he has a home on one of our collectible shelves.
Cute huh? He has a little backpack that you can drop coins in.
I’ll end with some treasures I didn’t buy. I am seriously kicking myself over passing on these. I have no explanation of what these felt banners mean or what they were used for, but they sure are hilarious.
“Hold It Baby It’s Too Divine”
“No-No Lady Don’t Do That!”
“Cool Me Off, I’m Steaming”
Lines from 50 Shades of Grey? Who knows.
-Erin