Tips and Tricks Tuesday #18 - Savvy Salvage Shopping Tips

A few weeks ago, a blogging buddy, Tammy @ Tattered & Timeless, e-mailed to let me know she would be making her very first trip to Cline's Country Antiques. 

She asked if I would be interested in showing her "how to do the place justice."

Being one who likes to lend a helping hand–when possible–and never wanting to turn down an opportunity to go junkin', I said I would tag along.

As you can see from these images, Cline's Antiques offers more than your typical "antiques" shopping experience.

If you've been following my adventures here at the cottage, you know that this just happens to be my favorite junkin' spot.

And–for the past fifteen years–it has also been a place where the Yankee and I have found numerous diamonds in the rough.

Being somewhat of a veteran salvage shopper, I thought I would pass on to Tammy some tips on how to make her visit to Cline's safer, more productive, and more enjoyable. 

And now, I'll share them with you, my other junk-lovin' buddies! ; )

If you intend to do more than browse from the sidelines–at a place like Cline's Antiques–wearing a comfortable, but sturdy pair of shoes is a must.

These thick-soled boots are the ones I wear for this type of adventure, no matter the season.

Walking in, around, and on top of mounds of salvage can present a hazard, if you're not properly protected.

Do you like rusty, crusty "stuff"?  Me too!

And a good, thick pair of gloves come in handy when plundering through piles of it–to find that perfect piece or two.

Wearing clothes in layers–that can be removed, if need be–and ones that you don't mind getting dirty, and possibly even torn, is also advised.

In addition, I like to carry a small backpack along, with a few other necessities,

like...

a bright flashlight, for searching out all those treasures tucked away in barns and buildings...

a small notepad and pen, for jotting down where the larger pieces are–that I want to "think about"...

and a little magnifying glass, for getting a closer look at maker's marks on smalls.

These vintage 1920s beekeeping pamphlets were a reminder to me to caution you to look out for bees and wasps–something you probably wouldn't be in-Cline-d to think about as you're plundering through piles of junk.

And speaking of smalls...

a clean, empty plastic "mud" bucket makes a terrific carrier for tiny treasures, in a place like Cline's.

And this is a must-have!

Okay, I know your laughing now.

But you won't be if you find yourself here...

without it!

I like to carry a travel pack of baby wipes along, as well, since there's no access to clean running water.

Make sure to bring your favorite beverage of choice...

something to snack on–like the wholesome goodness I pluck from my own fruit trees...

and plenty of cash, for all the goodies you're sure to find.

Then you'll be totally prepared to spend the whole day at Cline's Country Antiques,

 or any other salvage yard, digging for treasure.

Maximum Exposure

I've spent the past two days rummaging through tons of junk antiques and collectibles looking for odds and ends needed to finish several projects here at the cottage.

I love, love, love spending time at this place.  It's like being on a perpetual treasure hunt.  You just never know what you'll find!

The Yankee pretty much has to pull me out of there–kicking and screaming–each time I visit!

And talking to the owner, Don Cline, is almost as much fun as digging through his acres of goodies. 

He knows so much about the items he surrounds himself with that to ask him a question about one of them is like taking a junker's history class.

On this last visit, he shared a little secret with me.  Shall I share it with you?  Do you really want to know?

Cline's Antiques was selected as the site for a major photo shoot for the largest privately held retail store chain in the U.S.  Is that not the coolest?!

The photographers and models spent almost a week shooting there–for an ad campaign that will appear in each of their stores across the country.  Talk about maximum exposure!

It's so much fun to get the inside scoop on things!

And now you, my blogging buddies, have privy to the latest buzz as well!

While we're unsure exactly which images will be used–from the numerous spots they shot from–

there's a very good chance that some of the images you see here will be part of their campaign.

Be sure to keep a watch at your local Belk stores to see if you can spot my favorite junkin' haven in their displays. 

Until then...I'll be thinking of you–each time I go digging for diamonds.  ; )

Digging for Diamonds

There is a common thread connecting each of the items in the mosaic above.  Actually, there are several common threads:  

• They're all past projects for the Yankee and me.  
• I've shared a bit about them in previous posts. 
• Each of them was once a diamond in the rough, discovered while digging around the treasure mine pictured below.

 

When I shared the results of the therapy we administered to the Victorian lady–found here at Cline's–I also gave you a few glimpses of this fun place.

Your comments indicated that you were as excited to catch those few glimpses–of one of my very favorite stomping grounds–as you were to see the project transformation.

So, I thought I would make all you treasure hunters drool a tad bit more.  ; )

In many ways, this place looks pretty much the same way it did when the Yankee and I stumbled upon it almost fifteen years ago...

with the exception of the addition of a number of longbed-trailers filled with the overflow of all sorts of goodies...

and a selection of imported "new" items given a faux-aged finish.

If you enjoy a good hunt, and you love digging for unique treasure, you would be totally thrilled to visit this antique lover's / junker's haven.

The goods are in a constant state of change–almost daily–with buyers moving it out and pickers bringing new treasures in. 

And it's not unusual to bump into the owner, Don Cline, at various local auctions, adding to this already bursting-at-the-seams inventory.

What once was a very large family owned and operated farm–until 1973–is now host to such a mine of unusual, unique objects that movie studios even shop this haunt looking for props.

Barns that once housed 12,000 laying hens are now packed to the rafters with wonderful antique, vintage, and, often, one-of-a-kind treasures.

And if you can't find that special something inside, just take a gander outside, around the barns...

where you're likely to encounter loads of old farm equipment...

and

unique collectibles.

In need of a door?

A barnful awaits you–antique, vintage, and new.

Looking for an old window or two?

Cline's has a few.

How about an antique iron bed...

or two...

or three?

Is rusty, chippy metal your passion? 

Whether vintage or new...

or new made to look vintage...

you can find everything from the whimsical...

to the standard garden-variety at this one-stop junker's paradise.

Diamonds in the rough abound in this jumble of junk, if you are willing to dig them out.

And, you're sure to meet the master of ceremonies of this little show whenever you visit.

By the way, don't let his old-country-boy exterior fool you. 

This guy holds an MBA and was,

for years, 

 a college professor of economics...

before the junkin' bug bit him.  ; )

You'll most often find him lounging in the cool shade of this sixty-year-old Ash tree or tooling around the grounds in his green Kawasaki.

On colder days, he'll be perched in one of his favorite spots–

his old barber's chair, next to the vintage woodstove.

Once you've visited this fun junkin' spot, you'll want to hurry back to see what new finds await you. 

It will be difficult not to spend the entire day rummaging through every little nook and cranny–each and every time you visit–because the inventory changes so frequently...

and there are sooo many tempting treasures yet to be discovered.

Just come prepared ladies...'cause there's no indoor plumbing!

Cline's Country Antiques

11839 Highway 49 N

Mt Pleasant, NC 28124

I think I'll share my magical makeovers mosaic @ Mary's

See if you can spy with your little eye the bounty of blues to share @ Sally's

There's a vintage thing or two I'd like to share @