Hunting the Antique Mall

Took a highly anticipated 20 mile trip the other day to my favorite (huge) antique mall to look for material to use in my jewelry creations (old jewelry to repurpose, buttons, charms--little found objects) and also, if truth be told, to scout out some inexpensive goodies to sell in my vintage shops.

We spent many hours there and it was getting to be late afternoon. I had found jewelry items, but not too much resale stuff, other than a couple of old children's books. We got to the locked glass cases, which tend to hold small things (good for resale) and expensive things (not too good for either of my quests). But suddenly something caught my eye and I rang the button to have someone come and unlock the case, so I could take a closer look.

     This faux leather case full of cuff links, tie bars, and tie pins enthralled me because it's always good business to mix in a few things for sale for the guys.

I looked it over as carefully as one can when a salesperson is standing nearby waiting to see if you want it or not.

I turned several pieces over  and though some were unmarked, many others were signed (Swank and Hickok are both well-known companies).

The price was, well, let's just say, it was a bargain.

  Counting each set as one piece, it averaged out to be around a dollar each.       Yikes! I HAD to get it! Fourteen tie bars, eleven sets of cufflinks, three shirt studs (one oddball), several tie tacks, and an ugly old case 

are mine now.
Hope they sell!

Now I picked a few to show in close-up. Most are in good condition, though all will need cleaning prior to listing.

 A maple leaf and a traffic light --how cute are these tie tacks?

I think this is a set of golf clubs, pun intended.

Great set here if your name is Nick or Nathan.

Of course, there is always a dud in the bunch, and this group was no exception. Check these out... (even the tie tac decoration was glued back on, rather messily.

Oh well, that's okay. They can always go into the odd and ends stuff --someone somewhere will want them, I'm sure!