Antique Handy Button Machine - Sold!

Another great placement happened today. The Handy Button Machine stayed in Livingston after all. It found a new home at Guthrie Lane Clothing. http://www.guthrielane.com , thanks to Angie Devine. I can't wait to see what she does with this fantastic find.

Her clothes are the finest!

Antique Handy Button Machine, One Step Closer!

There's something about old buttons... 

They are pretty! The button machine in my living room made all of these. 

I've been working on this project for weeks now in my spare time.

Cleaning and sorting... I'm the first to admit, the job is not perfect, 

but its in a LOT better shape than when I found it.

I took a lot of pictures tonight. There is a lot to this inventory to look at.

If you are looking for a handy Button Machine, you should call me at
 406-224-1559. I will be putting this on eBay or Craigslist soon if I can't find a
buyer through my blog.

There are a lot of dies and the machine too. I will be adding photos of them tomorrow.
Everything is included, including all of the cool cigar boxes.

Table full the first time...

And another table full...

This is the total of the button blanks ( backs, fronts and pieces) all boxed up.

Thats a lot of buttons.

The cigar Boxes alone can sell for $15 each on eBay. I am estimating there are 45 of them.
thats $675 in boxes in a perfect world...

Here are the parts to make buckles. I have not attempted one of those yet.

And here are the cutters for the fabric. 

The old display boards...

button examples

belt buckle examples

I'll be back at it in the morning.

See you then.

Driving the Dump Truck - Homestead Cabin at Old Chico

Sarah sent me this photo today and it cracked me up. It was fun taking it for a spin around the cabin. I think Gus was jealous I got to drive it.

Antique Button Machines - The Handy Junior and Floor Model with Dies - Be sure to read this all the way to the end!

What are the chances I would find not one, but TWO Antique button machines in our small Montana town? I've been buying and selling antiques for years, and I have never come across one of these until this fall. Of course, my father knew immediately what they were and knew they were a terrific find. He is the greatest.

The first one sold one eBay. It was a fantastic collection. Here are pictures of just a few things I sold with the machine.

The lady that bought it was thrilled! She said: "I Love Love Love this machine!! It is far better than I expected!! Awesome eBayer!!"

This next button machine is even better... I am getting it ready - cleaning it up and making an inventory of what is in ALL OF THESE BOXES! Its amazing really.

I have just begun the cleaning so this is the before pictures. I have not moved the machine into the house. I'll add a photo of that when I do.

You would get a better price on this if I didn't have to sell it on eBay. Contact me if you are interested. 406-224-1559

The One Room Schoolhouse at Old Chico, Montana

I had a great time spending the day at Sarah Muller's property last week. Sarah lives in the most lovely cabin located in Old Chico, Montana. Old Chico is considered a ghost town by some, although there are a certainly people still living in and around the area. Along with her cabin, she has two vacation cabins on her property, an Airstream and a sheep wagon. Her next project is renovating the old schoolhouse and its outbuildings.

Take a break and look at the property here: http://www.homesteadcabin.com. The website is worth the look and if you are looking for a Montana get-a-way, it is certainly worth a stay.

Wednesday I got to go through tons of old papers, books, flashcards, posters and odds and ends in the building. It was full of insects, mice droppings and dust, but I think I got it all cleaned and organized so Sarah could make sense of it.

Next week I'm going to go back and help her start the remodel. How fun! I'll keep you posted as it progresses.


Here is the outside:

Here is the inside:

And here is a silly picture of me at work:

And here is a nice picture of her sheep wagon:

Check out her website for more information.

117 South C Street, Livingston

WOWZA! This sale came up fast! I didn't even get a chance to take pictures! I was officially hired on Thursday of this week to clear out and prepare 117 South C Street for its "next adventure". The owners of the house needed this done - and done fast. I whirled in on Friday, thinking I would sort and sell what I could to a few people in town who buy a lot from my sales. But alas, it was more than they could handle. What to do with a houseful of stuff? The good news was C Street finally opened up for car traffic Friday afternoon after 6 weeks of heavy construction. I called my dear friend, Betty. We rolled up our sleeves Friday night and got to work, scrubbing and shining what we could. George came over and did what he does best  - sorting and organizing. It was a late late night. Saturday was a first for Nice Sale Today - I called it a

Flash Estate Sale

No rows of tables and no price tags. And while I can't say its the way I like to do a job (After all, I am a Baker, I like things "just so"...) but everyone who came seemed to love it. There was more traffic than I would have imagined. We'll have the door open tomorrow too, just in case you want to stop by and find a treasure. There is still a lot that needs a home. The local Senior Center Thrift Shop will benefit from the remains of this sale.

Sorting Into Piles

Clearing, sorting, and organizing - Its fresh on my mind after our friend Claire posted on Facebook. She was wondering how much that type of service is worth. It opened up a great thread. If any of you Wisconsin people (Madison specifically) need a hand getting things organized, contact me for her information.

To thin out and declutter your home,  I recommend  sorting everything into piles. Throw away, recycle, donate, give and sell.

There are fantastic options in Livingston for donating. The Community Closet http://communitycloset.com/ and the Senior Center http://www.livingstonmontana.org/living/senior_center.html are my two regular drop offs for donations. There is also a yearly garage sale for the Park High School kids that are trying to raise money to go to Japan through the Sister Cities Program http://www.livingstonmontana.org/living/sister_city.html. Once a year the Park County Environmental Council holds an electronic recycling project http://www.envirocouncil.org/. I believe it's the best way locally to get rid of all of your broken and outdated computers, TV's and the like.

I don't throw much away. You'd be amazed at how much you can recycle. Don't forget, all of your metals can be sold at a good recycling center. I have used Pacific Steel and Recycling in Bozeman. Its a bit of a drive, but if I'm headed over to do errands in the "Big City" it sometimes pays for my gas and groceries! http://local.yahoo.com/info-17102587-pacific-steel-recycling-bozeman.

About a year ago, I started a project where I would try to give something away every day from my house. Its not as easy as you would think. Some days it might just be something little, a pencil or a something tiny. Other days, I would try to give someone something of real value. This was all in an effort to re-enforce lesson "It is better to give than receive". It is true. It made me feel wonderful, although I would say the neighbors were probably thinking I was a little nuts after a while. I think it stopped when I tried to give our truck away. George put a stop to that pretty quickly. I understand... but still it would have been fun. In retrospect, I should have truly enlisted the help of my family.  Maybe I will reinvigorate that project.

As for selling, George and I are pretty good at holding sales. This is the season for sales. If you want to get rid of things and draw a crowd, people are out on Saturday mornings. A gentle reminder, everyone is having a sale, so don't out price things. Give me a call if I can help.

Taylor Mott Queen Sized Headboard - Bird Sculpture for Sale

To say the least, I was surprised when this appeared at the estate sale I was working on last week. Thinking back, I'm not sure why - the owner has so many amazing pieces of art throughout her home. 

The artist, Taylor Mott is a native Montanan who now resides in New Mexico. He has an impressive list of gallery representation. If you are not familiar with him, he is easily found on the internet. 

This is a one of a kind headboard with hand cast birds. They appear to be little kestrels or falcons. It was being sold at a heavily discounted price of $1600 at a shop in Bozeman. The owner is now asking $900 for it at this estate sale to keep it from going into storage. She is heavily downsizing. 

Call me at 406-224-1559

10th Street, June 8th 9th and 10th

Here's a little preview of the next sale we are helping with. It will be held at 216 South 10th Street - Friday from 4pm to 7pm,

 Saturday from 8am to 3:00, and Sunday 8am to ? 

There are a lot of wonderful antiques and treasures here. 

The owner is an artist with fabulous taste. 

I think you are going to love this sale.

Can't wait to see you!

The Only Thing Left Is The Chair

This is the only item left from the sale at photographer John Zumpano's house. I am posting two pictures. John's photo caught me up with feeling a move. It is a lot to sell a house. I've been thinking a lot about that lately. Time, money, memories. Separating the things you have accumulated into piles of Give - Sell - Keep. I hear a lot of people say how difficult it all is. I rather like moving and the demand it makes on me to simplify my life.
Anyway... back to selling the chair. My picture gives you more detail even though it isn't as interesting. The chair has to be about 100 years old. And it is in overall very good condition. If you are looking for a Wood Mission Style Rocking Chair, give me a call at 406-224-1559. $200

124 South 3rd Street

Thursday and Friday from 3pm to 7pm and Saturday all day after 8am. This is a sale about books really. I tried to guess how many 1000? 2000? They are all fine titles. Western literature, photography. Beautiful fiction - and all very well cared for. There are power tools too, lamps and some antiques. We are selling a fine mission rocking chair and a great dining room or work table. Those are some canvases! If you like the art - great! If you don't gesso over them and create something wonderful of your own. 

Just for clarity, I don't open the doors early as a rule. However, because I do so much internet exposure, I will sell a piece of furniture if you are willing to buy it from my photos. My job is to liquidate housefuls of things for their owners. The worst thing for them is to have to give it all away at the end of my job. So if you are interested in something - give me a call at 224-1559.