Auctions.
When most people hear the word auction. They think of a house auction. A home up for sale, or possibly a land auction. That’s not what I think of though.
As a kid the word filled me with fear. Auction combined with weekend, and it was a double whammy. I knew my precious not- schooled days would be taken up by spending at the dreaded auction. You see my mum had a thing for auctions. You know the kind? Antiques, wood furniture, cobwebs, retro finds, vintage fabrics, household items. As a pre-teen this meant hours and hours of reading in the car. The occasional sandwich would be thrown my way, and if I was lucky a can of lemonade. Other than that, the day was mine to read…and read…and read. Until the auction had finished and it was time to load up the car with our new found treasures.
As an adult, the word auction has a new meaning. At first there is that initial body rattle of fear (you can’t fight history right?), and then my ears prick up, my eyebrows raise, followed by a slight eye narrowing…what have they got? The possibility of so many wonderful finds is sometimes just too tempting to pass up. Household auctions are the best, when the whole house contents are up for sale. Quite often they are going for a song and you just have to be there, with a quick raise of the hand, showing your number, and it’s yours. This is how a lot of antique dealers get their stock. This is how second hand stores get their goodies. This is how bargains are to be had. If you want a bargain step away from the chain store and reach for your local paper instead. This is where you will find out when the next auction is on.
With my mum having a keen eye for a bargain at an auction, I have definitely benefited from it. Along with my siblings, retro, vintage, antique, you name it has passed through our hands. While this might not be that exciting for a lot of people it got me thinking recently. I was sifting through some of my mums things and just felt nothing but sadness. Before me was such a vast amount of things that were probably one offs now, perfect condition, not wanted by the original owners, not needed by my mum any more, and destined to go to an op-shop (thrift, charity store) IF they were lucky. There was only so much I could take on in a two bedroom flat. Vintage lace, balls of 1970’s icelandic wool, retro 70’s (new in packet) sheet sets, 1960’s table cloths and napkin sets…and bundles and bundles of finished and unfinished embroidery. Pieces that someone had put hours and hours in to…how could I not turn that in to something?
The top picture is off a truly gorgeous embroidery that someone has painstakingly done and not finished. Now made into a cushion, and sitting proudly on my arm chair with 3 other cushions made from retro auction material.
As our consumerist lifestyle seems to get faster and faster, are all these items things of the past? In time to come people won’t be looking back fondly at their Ikea bookshelves and think ..,wow, look at the workmanship on that. Now don’t get me wrong, I do think there is a time and a place for Ikea and other such stores, but as far as long term quality pieces…it’s just not there. So eventually will all quality furniture, clothing (anything at all really) be replaced with cheaply produced items. Things that have been made with minimum effort and maximum profit? So many things in todays society seem to have such a short shelf life, very little seems to be designed for the long term in mind. With media encouraging people to upgrade regularly, it’s a way of living that so many people seem to easily fit in.
The whole idea just makes me sigh…a big one.
So next time you think hmmm I think we could use a new sideboard, toy box, samurai sword or shell lamp (yes, I have one) check out your local paper first and see what’s happening in the auction section you might just come out with a one off bargain.
cityhippyfarmgirl 
I sigh with you.
I used to go to thrift stores to redeem these very articles. I would take home half finished projects and finish them or use them n their incomplete state. Then, I realized I didn’t have time to finish my own half done projects and quit.
But I still sigh over them.
And Ikea?
I admire them from afar.
Like at my niece’s home.
My house is filled with bargains. 🙂
LikeLike
Makes for interesting talking pieces doesn’t it.
LikeLike
Great tip, thanks 😉
LikeLike
Beautiful piece of needlepoint! Amazing what you can find at auctions and op shops, some of our greatest treasures have come from there!
LikeLike
It is a beautiful piece of needle point isn’t it. I love the colour combination.
LikeLike
Someones trash is another’s treasure….as the saying goes…I just think it’s a great misfortune to have to auction off all your belongings! I’ve let go of many objects when moving but still left alot in boxes in storage…for what? maybe a rainy day! It’s hard parting with your little treasures!
Auctions are yes a good alternative way to find and purchase that bargain, and my mum is also an avid treasure seeker!
Yvette x
LikeLike
Yvette I think it could be really sad to auction everything you own or a loved ones belongings but to know that these items are now being loved by someone else is also lovely. It’s the old pieces in our household that make it I think. My Freedom couch certainly doesn’t 🙂
…and it is handy having treasure seeker mothers!
LikeLike
I totally agree! The consumerist cycle makes me feel quite ill really. Recycle, reuse and reduce. That is what it should be about. What a wonderful ‘something new’ you have made from ‘something old’. Good on you 🙂
LikeLike
Multiplemum it can be quite a downer when you think about it can’t it. Especially evident if I’m walking through westfield.
LikeLike
It can’t last, the resources just aren’t there, so I fondly believe we will soon be going back to making things that will be destined for a long future and the rubbish piles will start diminishing.
LikeLike
Choclette, I love your optimism and I really, really hope so.
LikeLike
So beautiful.
LikeLike
Your post reminded me of dealing with my Mother’s flat when she passed away. I will either rant away here in an ego frenzy but I think I will just say I enjoyed reading it 🙂
‘What will survive of us is love’
LikeLike
Oh rant Joanna…you know I don’t mind. I love a good rant 🙂
LikeLike
Oh memories! How many times I was driven to country towns smaller than my own to stand at the back of a dance hall among the bookcase collection, or making mischief with my brother and the dust-coated parked cars! It also always seemed to rain!
But I agree that it’s in my blood now and I often find myself in quick competition for a laminex side table or vintage suitcase! Along with driving around on Sunday afternoon looking at houses and I believe I have turned into my mother!
LikeLike
I hear you sista. Makes me smile to think someone else endured the same childhood 🙂 It creeps up on you doesn’t it?…turning in to your mother that is.
LikeLike
Yes dear daughter, you will turn into me….ha ha. Just think of all you will inherit… All that stuff. The yoga you will embark on, the kayaking. The starting of a million projects and perhaps finishing 1 or 2. And I thought you loved auctions as a kid?
LikeLike
Pingback: wrap it a little differently « Cityhippyfarmgirl's Blog