Putting the "cycle" in recycle

Ever since I've started writing about antiques, garage sales and flea market finds, I've met several interesting people. The person I'd like to feature in my post today is a guy named Charlie who is a whiz at fixing bicycles. Seriously - he can take a beaten up, broken, abused bike and turn it into a beautiful ride. He fixes bikes on the side right now, but in my opinion I think he should start a business specializing in used and reconditioned bicycles.

I've had a few bikes of my own that were fixed by Charlie and I even found him a few that he could fix up and paint to give the bike a new life. The two photos in this post are before and after shots of a bike he has restored. I found it broken with a sad paint job and Charlie revamped it and painted it a beautiful purple adding white pedals.

Many people throw away perfectly good bikes because they think they are broken or have just gotten tired of them. Bicycles are generally made of easily recycled materials. Often bicycle parts, such as the tires, wheels and rims, chain, handlebar or seat, are still in good enough condition to be removed from the bike and used on a different bicycle in need of the same parts.

Charlie can take these different bicycle components and match them to a bike he knows needs them. His specialty is jazzing up BMX bikes, but he knows his way around mountain bikes to ten speeds.

Summit Free Market Has It All

Saturdays are about to get very interesting in my neighborhood. The Summit Free Market will be be back next Saturday after a weekend off thanks to that crazy storm (I hope everyone has their power back and are safe and sound).

The event will take place at the City of Summit Transfer Station, 40 New Providence Avenue, November 12th, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Summit residents are welcome to bring unwanted, reusable items to share, and take whatever they want. It’s all free!

The Summit Free Market is a student-run initiative planned and led by a group of Summit High School students with volunteer help on the day of the event from the Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle School students. This initiative is co-sponsored by the Department of Community Services and the Recycling Advisory Committee. Seasonal events are held every fall and spring at the Transfer Station on New Providence Ave., in addition to the online www.summitfreemarket.org that is available year-round. To date, the Summit Free Market has saved over 46 tons of unwanted, reusable items from landfills or the incinerator since its creation in 2009.

I've gotten great toys for my kids there as well as an acoustic guitar I plan to learn how to play. I've seen people drop off and pick up electronics, paintings as well as very nice furniture.

It's a great way to spend a Saturday morning-and a great cause!

Rummaging the day away

Hope everyone had a nice weekend. I drove back and forth between different rummage sales and estate sales over the weekend and I'd like to comment on certain things.

Firstly, I know that rummage sales are for organizations to raise money, however, their prices should not be even close to retail-even if the item is new. I was at a rummage sale and they were selling Hess trucks, still in boxes, for more than they were actually worth. I know these trucks are collectable, but please make the price fair and if someone offers to buy them all, don't be stubborn-give them a bulk discount. I saw this organization actually turn someone away who was willing to purchase the whole lot, insisting that he pay $20 each (the full purchase price for each one) for 10. They told me the woman who donated them wanted them back unless they received the full price. I'm sure that woman has her trucks back and the organization has that much less money.

On a different note, I visited a really cool antique and vintage sale in Millburn. It was held in this big garage and the owner was selling everything from cookie jars to riding saddles. The prices were fair and the items for displayed so well it was actually a pleasure to look around.

I also visited the big red barn again. The woman who owns the barn (and her daughter as well) is very talented. Not only do they sell vintage items, but they make their own crafts out of them. They had vintage flatware wind chimes, vintage flatware hooks and key chains. They also attach old crystal doorknobs to small painted wooden boards re-purposing them as coat hangers.

Photos of these items will come soon, because if anyone is interested, you can get them in time for the holidays! Just let me know and I will forward your request on to them.

Lights, Camera, Action!

The first episode of Cultured Bohemian: Garage Sale Glee is on the Hometowne TV web site however, here is a link you can use to watch now :)

One of many

Well, the first episode of Cultured Bohemian:Garage Sale Glee premiered last Wednesday night on HomeTowne TV, and it was a blast to do. I just want to thank everyone who tuned in and remind my friends out of the area that the show will be on the web site soon and I will be putting it on youtube.com as well.

I'm gearing up for the second show (November) right now and I would appreciate any feedback you'd like to give. Also, if anyone in our viewing area has a antique or collectible they would like to have appraised, I am now holding spots to come on the December show!

Have a great week!

Garage Sale Glee.....will be on TV

I have something very exciting to announce. I have been offered airtime on Summit NJ's own local cable station, Hometowne Television, to bring what I write about in my blog to televison. I am in the studio this week editing the first program with the studio manager and I will announce on my blog when the show will be on. Look for the announcement sometime late next week.

A new episode will be on each month and have two to three segments beginning with an estate sale professional talking with me about certain antiques and collectibles. An antique will be brought into the studio (or wherever we will be taping), discussed and appraised as well. In addition, there will be a "Road Trip" segment, where I will travel to a different antiquing city each month and share with you the treasures I bring back.

HomeTowne Television broadcasts via Comcast channel 36 to Summit, Millburn/Short Hills, Berkeley Heights, Springfield, and New Providence; and via Verizon channel 33 to the same five towns plus parts of Chatham, Cranford, Florham Park, Kenilworth, Maplewood, West Orange & Union. The total population of the towns now served by HTTV is substantial: Over a quarter million people living in almost 100,000 households.

And to my friends who do not live in the area, all the shows will be posted to Facebook and YouTube so you can enjoy them as well:)

Silver Fox Salvage

About two weeks ago I had the pleasure of exploring Silver Fox Salvage, an incredible salvage warehouse in Albany, NY. I was greeted by owner Camille Gibeau, who explained to me that "everything has energy." Her energy showed she really enjoys what she does and I spent the next two hours with her, talking and learning a great deal.

When I began researching antiques, I read that when we touch objects we leave an energy imprint on them- be it the glass we drank from, the chair we sat in, or the clothes we wore. Psychometry is the ability to read the history of certain object which may tell us much of the person who wore or owned it, as it has absorbed the vibrations and the memories of that person or persons. Silver Fox Salvage has energy, history and great design all in one.

The Albany location is located in the warehouse district of Albany, just off Broadway and around the corner from the infamous Miss Albany Diner (used in the filming of Ironweed) and Wolff's Biergarten. As you enter the warehouse, they have outdoor salvage such as garden statuary and fountains. Once you walk through the door, be prepared to stay awhile.

Silver Fox obtains its salvage predominantly from old Victorian and Arts & Crafts homes, churches and schools in Upstate NY destined for demolition or rehab. They also create items from antique and vintage parts and pieces complete with new sockets and wiring. Each piece is one-of-a-kind and highly decorative.

Whether it's a 12 foot model airplane, a mounted full Lynx, the bronze cherub antique light fixture, or the signature tables made from silo wood and porch posts-it's all affordable and fairly priced.