Not exactly thrifted, but great deals none the less.

[Jay2TheRescue]

Well, the other night I ventured over to a local auction house that I hadn't stopped into for a while, and I got such great deals, I think I have to stop by more often.  I got a 6' aluminum Christmas tree, mint in box, for $15.  Vintage modern credenza (perfect to place my new flat screen TV on, while hiding the Blue ray player, Wii, and other toys inside) for $5, and a vintage Sculptura telephone for $11.  I must remember to post a pic of the credenza once I get the TV setup on it.

-Jay

[valleythriftshopper]

Sounds like great deals and stuff!  I got a Sculptura phone that was a repro at the Sal Army for a few bucks several years ago and even as a repro it sold very well.  

I went to my first auction a few weeks ago.  I avoid the ones around here because they the prices are generally high, but someone told me about a weekly auction a few towns away that has really cheap stuff.  The night I went there wasn't too much I was interested in but I did get a box of knee-hugger elves for 5 bucks and an old camera to display with my other ones for 3 bucks.  It didn't seem like there was anyone else there into Christmas collectibles, so I will try to check that auction out regularly.

They have inexpensive furniture too, but they were doing rustic country stuff the night I was there.

[Jay2TheRescue]

Here's the TV on the "new" $5 credenza...

[valleythriftshopper]

Nice, I would have picked that up for 5 bucks too!

[Jay2TheRescue]

Now remember, you are looking at the finished product.  The screws holding the legs on were falling out, and there were the standard scratches & scuffs from 50 - 60 years of use. 

I moved the legs out slightly to make it a little more stable for the TV, and this of course had the legs screwed into fresh wood.  I also went over it with Olde English scratch cover, and some #0000 steel wool, then followed up with some Scott's Liquid Gold.  I also whipped out the cordless drill, and a 2" hole saw, and cut four 2" holes in the back to run the wires for the cable, Blue Ray, Wii, and wireless router.

Luckily, I did pick it up for $5.  The auctioneer was right beside me when I was looking at it during the preview, when I discovered that the legs were falling off.  When auctioning it he did say that the legs did need repair, and nobody else bid on it.  We spent about $65 total that evening on various stuff, and the best part of it all, is that we got everything for what we were willing to spend on the aluminum Christmas tree!  In essence, it was like the credenza, and everything else we picked up that evening was free!

[valleythriftshopper]

I love fixer-upper furniture projects, most of my furniture falls into this category, great job!  I might go back to my local auction this week.  I don't have room for more furniture, except maybe a small table, but I am on the hunt for vintage Christmas stuff, I am in the Christmas mood already!

[valleythriftshopper]

Hey, I just noticed something weird in this thread.  The words "cheap furniture" has changed into some kind of link in one of my posts (I modified it to inexpensive furniture to remove the link) and the word "auction" in Jay's first post is a link now too.  Is this just my computer or does everyone see this?

[Jay2TheRescue]

I've got no problems here.  Try running a virus and spyware scan.  You've got something.