Great Estate Sale!

Phew! All I can say is it was incredible! You definitely don't come across many estate sales like this one. It was the house of a woman who worked as a set/fashion designer for Warner Bros in the 30's. I also heard that she designed the house and a lot more. I was guilty of sleeping in a little, and arrived about an hour after it had started at 11. BAD idea! There were tons of dealers and junkers in a huge line in the driveway, and I ended up picking a number (in the hundreds) and taking my spot in line. Luckily I met another awesome junker- actually a dealer- Sue! She even has a blog (Vintage Rescue Squad) which you should definitely check out! After exchanging stories and vintage finds, what seemed like an hour went by and it was time. Walking in the house, I saw people everywhere snatching this and that... I immidiately spied my vintage fashion art upon the walls. There were original paintings/designs by the woman who lived there, when she worked for Warner Bros. in the 30's. They were incredible. I was determined to get them, till I saw the hefty price tag of $95! For a guy who considers a $30 midcentury sofa expensive, I had to pass them up. I ended up getting a few miscellaneous things, including a dress from the 60's, pink gloves and shoes from the 50's (I think), 3 metal 50's kitchen chairs (I actually needed a set), a couple hats from the 30's/40's, a vintage parasol, and a few other small things. I had my heart set on those fashion designs, but I told myself to come back Saturday when things were half off.

And I did come back! And things went well...ish. I found there were 3 of the 9 fashion paintings left. I snatched them up, but realized I only had $50 with me. Dilemma. I talked to the woman running the estate sale (Jane Heller), who seemed nice friday, but I soon experienced her other side. She said she would accept $125 for all 3 (everything was half off that day). I told her I had $50, but that I could leave the $50 and run back home to get the $75. Here was her reaction.

Let me preface this by saying I don't necessarily have a problem with the idea behind what she said- I was just very offended by the way she said it. Now, say this out loud in a bitter angry tone of voice:

Her: "NO. No, absolutely not. You need to put all those back right now, or make a decision over which one you'd like to get. There could be other people interested in those, and I don't have time for this."

Me: silent but distressed, but I get where she's coming from...

Her: (loud voice in a room full of people) "Listen, you need to make a decision NOW. I need to run a business. You may think I'm a BITCH, but everyone else here thinks I'm the person who makes it fair. Now CHOOSE."

I was mortified! Maybe it wasn't that big a deal, but I hate confrontations, let alone ones in front of people where I'm played to be the bad guy! It wasn't quite as brief as that makes it seem either. She played it out as though I had said something nasty to her, and a couple people had given me looks like I was the one yelling at her! I was so embarrassed. I feel like it was very unprofessional and unnecessary of her... If she had simply said "No, we can't do that" or something along those lines I would have gotten the message, and maybe been a little disappointed, but would have been fine otherwise! And to top it off, she remained bitter to me throughout the end of the sale. Later I had asked about a vintage shower curtain (had pom-poms that I loved). She said the ones in the bathroom at the top of the stairs weren't for sale. I said it was a different bathroom, off the back bedroom. Out of nowhere she yells "I don't have TIME for THIS! They're NOT for sale!" and storms out of the room, leaving me speechless (again, with people looking). I guess I might be overreacting...but I just hate snide remarks (let alone being yelled at) by people, let alone people I met 5 minutes ago! What do you think?

To top my luck off, after going home and getting the money, calling to confirm they were there (they were but she wouldn't hold them), and driving back (through DC traffic), I walk in the door as a woman is standing in the checkout line with both in her hands...gah!

Still, I LOVE the one I got.. Isn't this fantastic?! The camera lightened the color a little, but you get the idea. It's so cupcake-like! Little floof at the waist with a dollop of icing and sprinkles on top!