OK all you expert divers....

[ehmbee]

Let me start by saying I am loving this site.....If only I had known
about this place before....

I got started about 12 years ago while still in high school-I have
finally come to the realization if you are patient, sooner or later
soemone else will toss out what you need! I have furnished almost my
entire new apartment with castoff and dumpster finds....And I have no
plans to stop anytime soon, as it is saving (and making) me money...

So I was just curious-what is your most precious find of all time??
For me it was one of those antique style Gumball machines that only
needed a twist of an internal screw to be perfect-even the glass was
intact....Did you make a risky dive for your find?? mine was pretty
easy..

Incidentally I sit at my computer desk right now-an old L-shaped
countertop from a gas station down the road (filled some holes and set
it on file cabinets-instant desk!) on a almost new office chair
someone had me throw away when I delivered a new one to their office
because they thought it was broken beyond repair. I adjusted the back
and tightened it ans have not had to touch it in over three years! I
have no problem asking the question "hey, are you gonna throw that
away?" because you would be surprised what it can get you.... Let me
know soem of your stories-I am interested....

Ehmbee

[Teri Dillon]

Okay .... you asked. Let's see, I started picking trash years ago when i
lived in the inner city in a very poor neighborhood. Poor people throw away
the best stuff, contrary to what you might think. This applies especially
to antiques and older furnishings, for which they seem to have a disdain.
If it's not new, shiny, or laminated, some folks don't want it around. I
furnished almost my entire house with curb finds because i refinish wood
furniture and i also have learned how to reupholster. I have an absolutely
gorgeous FEDERAL loveseat in my front room that came off a curb. I redid it
in a peach velvet - it had been in complete tatters. Everyone who visits
comments on how lovely it is, and they are right because you cannot buy that
kind of piece new today for any price. i have found 3 or 4 commodes and
chests of drawers from the Eastlake era which have incised spoon carvings
and everything. Ditto china cabinets and Persian rugs. Some of the bedroom
furniture i paid for at estate sales or thrift shops, but not much - believe
me. I noticed a neighbor removing hundreds of hosta plants from her yard
and, upon asking, she let me take away all I wanted. I found a great picnic
tabel that needed a minor repair, a gas grill, lots of games and toys,
housewares and knick-knacks GALORE. I am able to sell a few things to
antiques dealers and consigners, and I always have plenty to give away. I
never need to buy gift wrap again as long as I live. Do you know you can
get beautiful mattress/boxspring sets at estate sales after people die for
very cheap? Many older folks buy only the top of the line and keep it
wrapped in original plastic. Go in with cash and bring a truck. They HAVE
to sell it that day. I usually combine trashpicking with thrifty selective
purchasing to live cheaply but well. I never buy new if used will more than
do, and I plan ahead and research what I will need, how much it will cost,
where or how I might obtain it for free or cheaply, or possibly devise some
other creative way of meeting the need. My best find ever? Wo, that's
tough to say. Might be that mahogany office desk up in the attic waiting to
be refinished, or the Persian carpet that only needed cleaning (I have my
own steamer). No, wait, I really love that 19th century cherry occasional
table with barley twist legs. But the clawfoot chair in the diningroom, the
one I transformed by upholstering my mom's needlepoint onto the seat - now
that's my favorite find. But then there's the still-life oil painting in
the corner of that room - I cherish that. And that signed art glass bowl
that I can't part with even though similar are fetching $100 on ebay. You
know I just adore my 3-drawer chest that has the original blue paint on the
drawer interiors to keep linens white. And my Heywood-Wakefield dresser
with original brass acorn hardware - well, what can I say? Yesterday I
actually saw (while I was picking up a wicker chair on the curb) an Eastlake
pump organ. It was a mess, of course, but what a beautiful find for some
lucky antiques buff. I didn't take it because the attic was full. Drat.

Curbqueen

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