What is it about lots of little drawers that we find so appealing and intriguing? Old tool chests, store displays, jewelers cabinets, places for parts and hardware.
Two weeks ago, I bought this larger cabinet (about 18" by 11") at an auction. I had pulled open the drawers, thought "that's some cool stuff, I'd like to have that".
I'd like to say that when I see a box lot or a full cabinet or anything being sold in bulk at an auction that I do all the math. I figure out how much the contents are worth, what I could sell them for, what I can afford to pay etc.
I'd LIKE to be able to say that- but in this case, I just knew I wanted it.
When I got it home, I took a quick look at the contents and decided, I'll be ok- I'm sure I won't LOSE any money. The jury is still out if I will make money.
I didn't sort through it right away- for me, a lot of the fun of getting a "treasure chest" is the going through it slowly and kind of savoring it. So that's what I did yesterday- want to see what I found?
Drawer One
Lots of little wooden compartments with a few teeny tiny watch bezels.
Drawer Two
Like Drawer One, but FULL- of little watch bezels, and little envelopes (with cool graphics) full of watch bezels.
Drawer Three
Kind of a mess... but once I cleared out all the loose "jewels" and stray bits of paper, I found
...jewels- some are just pretty pieces, some are ready to wear.
...and the biggest stash of foil back rhinestones I've ever seen. Have you ever had a piece of jewelry that's pretty, but missing a stone? Having a stash of rhinestones, a tweezer and some super glue should take of it.
Drawer Four
Watches, watch faces, watch parts, watch cases. I really like those rectangular tank type ladies watches.
Drawer Five
More watches- and those little metal containers--- they all hold the parts of a watch needing to be repaired- watch faces, watch gears and all sorts of teeny tiny other metal thingies needed to make a watch work.
NOTE: None of the boxes was actually LABELED "metal thingies"- that just's my way of saying I don't know what they are.
Drawer Six
Boxes of "Swiss Stem Assortments".
More metal thingies- but these are in COOL glass vials.
Thanks for looking through my drawers. Next time, we'll look at my basement- no, no, that would be a more like a mini series than a blog post- or maybe more like a soap opera.
I'll be selling my drawers, and some of the contents, at the Old Summit Antique Show this weekend. Come by and say hi.
What a great find! Over here such an item is almost always sold empty or with contents no one wants and you still have to pay an awful lot of money extra, like 10.000 smyrna wool samples for a whopping 250 euros or something like that. Do you know smyrna? It is a way to make carpets, like Persians carpets, so you have all small pieces of wool.
I don't like soaps nor (mini) series, but I would love to look in your basement!
Have fun and good luck at the show!
Posted by: LiLi M. | January 12, 2011 at 09:18 AM
Oh what fun!The drawers themselves are fabulous.The contents...ooh.I bet you had a blast going through them.So many projects - so little time.Great score.
Posted by: Carrie @ Junque Magnet | January 12, 2011 at 09:23 AM
What an increible score, Beth! I would have been totally out of control with all those little bits of jewelry and watch parts in vials, etc. Our favorite thing...the Irene, South Dakota port office box, complete with names on the back. It has two sizes, which fit our wine bottles perfectly!
Hugs,
Suz
Posted by: Susan Reaney | January 12, 2011 at 10:55 AM
What wonderful treasures Beth! I love drawers and any kind of "lot" at auction. It's always like Christmas opening them up!
Congrats on going for such a great find!
~Marilee
Posted by: Rose Brier Studio | January 12, 2011 at 11:16 AM
What a neat find! I love anything with nooks or drawers. Don't you wonder about the person who owned this?
xo
Claudia
Posted by: Claudia | January 12, 2011 at 12:14 PM
And here I thought you meant tiny panties by your post title! :0)
You really hit the motherlode here!
Big TX Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents
Posted by: stephanie | January 12, 2011 at 12:18 PM
Oh - what a scoop Beth. That´s awesome. What a great find. The drawers are awesome.
xo Tina
Posted by: Tina | January 12, 2011 at 12:34 PM
I remember the days when I had little drawers in my chest of drawers...sigh!
Girl...you know you set yourself up for all kinds of comical comments doncha? Like "looking through my drawers" and "selling my drawers"...the list just goes on and on.
What is more important than looking through your drawers is the haul you made. You WILL make money on all that...if you can bring yourself to sell it!
Debbie
Posted by: debbie york | January 12, 2011 at 12:38 PM
I share your interest in drawers and taking time to look through the contents. I would have gone wild going through those. So many little treasures and little compartments and etc. etc. Don't think I could part with the drawers.......
Annette
Posted by: Annette | January 12, 2011 at 01:52 PM
Ooooo, me want!
Posted by: Sue | January 12, 2011 at 04:56 PM
Oh Man! The weekend I am flat broke, you have these drawers for sale!!!! I am amazed you can part with them anyway. What a great auction purchase! Love it ALL!
Posted by: Nathalie Thompson | January 12, 2011 at 05:56 PM
I have to say I just turned the most horrid shade of green!!!
LOL Good on you girl, and WOW waht a score!!!
Posted by: fairyrocks | January 12, 2011 at 06:37 PM
you had me at "thingies"
Posted by: Mary Green | January 12, 2011 at 07:46 PM
Beth, I am so jealous over your score! I was wondering in the rhinestone stash do you possibly have a dark purple one? I have a pendant that is missing one and am having a devil of a time finding one.
Posted by: Cindy Is Crafty | January 12, 2011 at 08:19 PM
While I'm not so sure about the tweezers, glue and rhinestones (LOL) I must say this was a great find B! And is your basement really that bad? Sorry I can't make it to the auction. Jewels
Posted by: Julie | January 12, 2011 at 08:35 PM
Beth,
I can't come and play at your blog anymore until I have served my time in time out for being jealous! Yes, green with envy! LOVE the watchmakers drawers and all the goodies inside. A nearby antique store has three of these and pull the narrow drawers open every time I go in there and sigh over all the art making goodies I see in there. I keep saying one day I will spring for one of them but so far no luck in getting myself to part with the stack of cash. I think I am through being naughty now and I can come back and play next post ;c)
Posted by: Sandy | January 12, 2011 at 10:46 PM
OMG! I am super jealous right now. I would have been happy even if they had all been empty but there was some wonderful stuff inside!
Posted by: Diana P. | January 13, 2011 at 10:30 AM
Oh, Beth, you DID GOOD!!!!! A rare find all the way around!! And yes, I so agree with you that things with little drawers are fun and intriguing and they're getting more and more collectible and expensive! I think the dealers have caught on! So if this was a bargain, yay!! If not, you still got a treasure!
Hugs, Diane
Posted by: Diane Knott | January 13, 2011 at 12:39 PM
Super Duper jealous. Lucky you.
Posted by: Judi Storm | January 14, 2011 at 08:30 PM
Well, I just gotta say it.......
I would love to come and delve in your drawers.
Sorry.
;-)
Posted by: pamq | January 14, 2011 at 11:52 PM
Wow
I would say you hit the mother lode! How fun...
Posted by: Pinkie DeNIse | January 15, 2011 at 07:13 PM
What an unbelievable find! I would be in heaven! Plus you have that great drawer unit long after the treasures are gone!
Posted by: jeanie | January 16, 2011 at 09:18 AM
looks like a real good find to me--good stuff and useful and best yet saleable Sherron
Posted by: Sherron Francis | January 16, 2011 at 04:42 PM
I enjoyed your booth at the show this past weekend, but it was so hot in there I could barely shop. I hope you will be at Bottom's Up in Feb!! Love your finds... your skill at finding treasures is a gift.
Posted by: jewel | January 17, 2011 at 08:52 PM
Beth,
This just makes me insane!!!! I would have bid so much on this Kevin would have surely divorced me. What fun to dig thru all this once you got home. Lisa
Posted by: lisa | January 18, 2011 at 07:40 PM
For the record....I like the term metal thingies. What a great find!
Posted by: karin | January 18, 2011 at 10:14 PM