Many times I've mentioned that my favorite part of the week is Friday afternoon, when I get home from estate sales and get to sort through my "loot". That time is even better if I have a "mystery" box, bag or container to sort through...something I bought without seeing all of it.
Last Friday I bought two boxes to dig through. Want to look through them with me?
At first glance this button box doesn't scream "BUY ME", but since I have a thing for buttons, and I spotted quite a few white and ivory buttons, I bought it.
It DOES have a lot of white buttons, and some interesting ones to boot- like one with a rhinestone in the center, and the prettiest mother of pearl button with a scalloped edge.
Pretty metal buttons.
These glass buttons were in the little red labeled clear bottles.
Little fold up scissors marked Germany. I usually assume that anything marked Germany was made in the 1930s or earlier because I don't think they were making scissors in the 1940's in Germany, they were making war materials. After WWII, there were two Germanys, West Germany and the GDR (German Democratic Republic). Items from that time period are usually marked as West Germany or GDR.
These little dancer charms were in the box as well as this "mystery note". It reads "Aunt Aggies 1890? (first) wedding dress, I think". But I can't figure out which buttons the note refers too.
My next box lot was in this Accordion Press board Binder box. The box label reads Red Rope Industries, Brooklyn 1, New York. The address doesn't have a zip code, so I'm assuming the box is from the early 1960s, so what's inside could be interesting.
The first thing I noticed when I opened the box was this cute Simplicity pattern. The second thing I noticed was the SMELL. This box had been in a basement for awhile.
So, while taking shallow breathes, I dug in. A weaving loom...could be an interesting new project to try.
And more crafts- 1940's and 1950's craft books.
And under the craft books- old pictures with great details. I love the parasol in the middle picture and that great hat in the picture on the right.
And where is this treasure trove of a box lot? I grabbed some scented dryer sheets, slipped them in the box and put the lid back on. I sure hope that takes care of the smell!