Dig This Treasure!

Wow, hard to believe I still have stuff to write about from my trip to South Carolina. But I do… one last entry. After we left the Summerville Antique Gallery, we headed over to this crazy hot dog place called Perfectly Franks that was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. This was enough to make me completely sold! The hot dogs at this place were crazy. Just look for yourself. 

I don’t know why none of us ordered something super crazy. I just got a Chicago style dog. In retrospect, I should have tried something more adventurous. Still, it was a… 

After our hot dogs, we headed over to an antique store next door. There were some cool things to look at. 

There were four of these hippie hangers but I liked this guy the best. 

I thought this cool print by Hatch Show Print might be valuable but it was priced correctly. 

I also loved these little Frances invites, but when am I ever going to use something like that? 

Action shot of my mom and Ann discussing something important. 

Ok, so I’ll bet you’re wondering what the hell the awesome find was here, right? Well, I noticed these adorable bisque cake toppers on a shelf, but they were all priced separately even though it was clearly a set. 

When I brought them up, I questioned the price but the guy didn’t seem willing to bargain, and the price of each was $15. I wasn’t willing to pay $45 for all of them, so I left because I figured I could find them online.

We started driving to our next destination and I started looking these guys up on eBay, and they actually seemed to sell for more than that on there, so I felt bummed that I had missed out on something I really liked at a good price. So I did what any brave person would do–I made my dad drive back there, and I sent my mom in with some cash to haggle for me. I told her I was willing to pay $30 for all three and she came out with them in her hands! Yeah mom! 

In celebration, here is a picture of me and my mom sitting on a moon in the Moon Pie shop in downtown Charleston.

Moon Pies are disgusting, by the way. But that backdrop is dope! 

-Sarah

Wow, hard to believe that over a month after my trip out there, I still have tales to tell about South Carolina. 

After our two previous treasure-seeking trips were pretty big busts, we decided to head out to another nearby town–Summerville–to see if there was anything good to find out there. Our first stop was the Summerville Antique Gallery. 

Right away, I knew it would be at least good for window shopping. It was a huge building with lots of little booths throughout. 

For the most part, prices were more reasonable than they had been at the place the previous day. Some were still pretty high. My dad was really interested in this Coca Cola stadium carrier. It had a strap that you’d wear around your neck–you know, to walk around baseball games and sell pop. 

But I looked it up for him and it was priced a little higher than what they sell for on eBay. Whomp whomp. 

I thought this was a pretty cute ways to display cards and other paper items! I loved those teeny clothespins. 

Here’s some of the cards close up. 

Cuuuuuuute! 

Does anyone know if these civil war bullets are legit? I thought they were but maybe I’m dumb. 

This thing was so cool…but what would you do with it? 

Ok, so I found a few cute things to purchase. First up is this adorable little girl sitting with her dog on a dresser. I don’t really know why I bought this or if I really need it (answer is no) but it was too cute to pass up. 

I also found a collection of these little trinket boxes. I’m almost positive that they’re new, but I still thought this one was too cute to pass up. 

Yep! When you open it up there’s a tiny little dog bone inside! 

I also bought this small, beat up chalkware dog for my mini shelf.

Anyway, we knew it was time to leave when I spotted this piece of sheet music.

I actually immediately hopped on a plane and flew home to Michigan.

-Sarah 

Time to update y'all about is the rest of my trip to South Carolina! I told you about how the flea market was a bust, so when we left, my mom looked up where we could find an actual antique shop nearby. She found one and we drove to it, but it ended up taking us to a grocery store parking lot when we followed the directions. This grocery store happened to be by a Goodwill, so of course I made my mom and Ann stop in to see if I could find a Big Hug Mug. I know. We’re obsessed. I didn’t find a mug, but I did find a brand new copy of NOS4A2, which is a badass book if you haven’t read it yet. 

Finally, we discovered that the antique store had changed locations, and were on our way. As soon as we pulled up, we were pumped. There was stuff all over outside, and the place looked pretty big! 

However, upon looking at the first few items, we knew this place was going to be mad overpriced. 

I know Dr. Pepper is mad good, but that’s a little too much for a pop crate. 

Oh well–we had to make lemonade. Even if stuff was overpriced, there was a lot to look at. It was a booth style antique store, so there were some cool rooms/areas, including this Pyrex room. 

By the way, if you’re into Pyrex (and other cool treasure seekers), be sure to check out the Pyrex Thrifter Sisters’ blog! 

Ok, back to the store. There was a lot to look at and sift through…

I wonder if that boy knows he’s now world famous. 

I really liked this old cabinet. 

I enjoyed that this Christmas postcard had a very Halloween-y font–the icicles really make it… Christmassy and not at all creepy. 

There was one thing I almost bought: 

My oldest niece had an imaginary friend when she was little, and his name was Tiko. A year later when her younger sister was of imaginary-friend-having age, she started talking about HER imaginary friend. And his name was My Tiko. I sent this to my brother and it gave him a good laugh.

You’ll be shocked to hear that my mom didn’t buy a single thing. I did buy one super teeny tiny beagle mini that I found, but that was it. 

The highlight of the day/night occurred when we went to my aunt’s new enormous house and met her two dogs. Here’s me with the super cute friendly one. OMG, he’s the cutest muppet. 

Now, here is a video of his brother. Before I got down there, my mom kept referring to him as “Cujo” and now I understand why. 

Stay tuned for a few more SC updates! 

-Sarah

Last Saturday, I hopped on a plane to South Carolina to visit my parents while they’re vacationing there during February and March. I was prepared for maximum relaxation and treasure hunting. In particular, I was convinced that I would find another Big Hug Mug. My mom’s friend Ann was also visiting while I was there, so the three of us started our treasure-hunting adventures on Sunday, where we hit up the Coastal Carolina Flea Market. 

If this doesn’t look promising, you’re right. It was bad. But it was so bad, it was good. So many things that were hard to resist. 

This giant flea market is part garage sale, part Gibraltar Trade Center, part… confusing. There are a bunch of huge buildings attached to one another where people have more permanent booths set up (like GTC), where they sell things ranging from antiques to stun guns. Also, everyone smokes inside the buildings. It’s so gross. 

The first booth we got to was filled with antiques and other treasures. At this point, Cindy was thrilled to be here. That was before she saw the rest of the offerings. 

Does your baby need a stun gun? This baby did. 

That’s not your style? How about this beautiful velvety blanket? 

Still not your style? How about these leggings on blow-up legs? 

When we were outside in the garage-saley area, I found this crazy hoarder-y person’s place with a sign that said that everything was one dollar. In the midst of all the rest of the garbage here, it sounded promising. Spoiler Alert: It wasn’t. Here’s a sample: 

I was fading fast and then noticed something we don’t have in Michigan–a taco truck! I was pumped. 

It was really good. 

On our way out, we found one other booth with “antiques” and I purchased a pair of sterling earrings with inlaid stones that were overpriced. My mom purchased something that I can’t remember, but I know she spent way too much money. What can I say? We were desperate.

Here she is again, checking things out. 

Oh I remember–she found some beaded pins that the woman who owned the booth told her were pieces of old Native American beadwork. My mom believed her… I am still very skeptical. The reason for knowing that’s what they were was that she saw something similar on Antiques Roadshow. WTF? 

Besides the tacos, I did have one other good experience–I saw this painting and was immediately able to identify the animal depicted, thanks to our super helpful readers. 

-Sarah

Hi folks! Here’s my attempt at crowdsourcing! I’m going to the Charleston, SC area for five days starting this Saturday and would love to hear any recommendations for places to hit up. My parents are renting a house down there for February and March, and I’m going to spend a few days with them in the warmer weather. Since we love treasure hunting we need your help! I’m already planning on going here because my parents checked it out and said it was cray:

But I need more good recommendations! 

Also good would be recommendations for the best SC TREATS. And anything else fun to do! Thanks! 

-Sarah