It's January. Christmas is over, New Years is done. You've gained 10 pounds and you've spent $1000 you didn't have. Well, I can't help you with the extra weight, but I can help you find that $1000 and more. It's hidden in your kitchen.
If you're like most people you probably budgeted for the holidays. If you're like most people, you blew the budget about 3 days in. Starting the new year in the hole wasn't one of your New Year's resolutions. Let's get you turned around now, before you get in too deep.
Where do I find this stuff?
Simple, in your kitchen. I'll give you a full list of items and where to find them. Now, I'm not talking about selling an antique hoosier or pie cupboard from the 1920's. Most people who have those items know exactly what they have, what they're worth and they probably don't need the $1000. These are items hidden in drawers and cupboards. Let's start with the junk drawer.
I have a catch-all drawer. It's where the plastic bread closer thingies (that's the real name) go, the chop sticks, the rubber bands, the rubber jar opener, strainers, straws, wine corks; all those things you have to have. When my grandmother passed away, I inherited her kitchen junk drawer. This was in 1997 and I had just discovered eBay. The first item I ever sold there was an old fishing reel I found in a shed, the second thing I sold was an old wooden handled (with very flaked green paint) egg beater I found in the drawer. I listed it to keep my wife happy, I honestly thought there was no value to it. Surprise, when all was said and done I think it sold for almost $50. That's found money in my opinion. So, let's start with the junk drawer. First, do you need it? Here's a chance to purge and make money.
Is it old? By old, I mean anything pre-1970
Did you know some old spice tins can fetch into the multi hundreds of dollars. http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-DOVE-PUMPKIN-PIE-SPICE-TIN-1-1-2-OZ-FRANK-TEA-SPICE-CO-/151872483094?hash=item235c4e2f16:g:lsQAAOSwniRWN1rB
You may not have a $300 pumpkin spice tin hanging around but you may have some of these:
Counter Top Appliances
There is tons of money to be made here. If you're not using it, just sell it. Mixmasters and similar baking appliances sell for $50-$500. Some of the older collectable mixers and milkshake makers can sell up to $1000. Look for name brands, condition is everything but even the ones that don't work have value as collectors use them for parts. Vintage toasters, coffee pots, early electrical are highly collectable. Even 1960's toasters can sell for $100-$300. Here's one that sold for $496.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Winchester-toaster-Model-W34-/231749795326?hash=item35f55d3dfe:g:xk8AAOSwMTZWQ7am
Remember, it doesn't have to be old. If you don't use it, someone wants it. How about your old stove-top coffee pot. Remember those? Even the old aluminum camping coffee pot sells for $20. Your vintage Sunbeam mixer can pay off all your Christmas bills. $300 if you have the pink one. Even the bowls can sell upwards of $40 each.
Cookie Jars
Everybody loves cookies! That's one of the reasons that cookie jars are one of the hottest collectables out there. There are literally thousands of designs, brands, sizes and colors. The most valuable are obviously the oldest, most iconic and in the best condition. A Minnie Mouse cookie jar sold on eBay in April of 2014 for over $1300
If you're like most people you probably budgeted for the holidays. If you're like most people, you blew the budget about 3 days in. Starting the new year in the hole wasn't one of your New Year's resolutions. Let's get you turned around now, before you get in too deep.
Where do I find this stuff?
Simple, in your kitchen. I'll give you a full list of items and where to find them. Now, I'm not talking about selling an antique hoosier or pie cupboard from the 1920's. Most people who have those items know exactly what they have, what they're worth and they probably don't need the $1000. These are items hidden in drawers and cupboards. Let's start with the junk drawer.
I have a catch-all drawer. It's where the plastic bread closer thingies (that's the real name) go, the chop sticks, the rubber bands, the rubber jar opener, strainers, straws, wine corks; all those things you have to have. When my grandmother passed away, I inherited her kitchen junk drawer. This was in 1997 and I had just discovered eBay. The first item I ever sold there was an old fishing reel I found in a shed, the second thing I sold was an old wooden handled (with very flaked green paint) egg beater I found in the drawer. I listed it to keep my wife happy, I honestly thought there was no value to it. Surprise, when all was said and done I think it sold for almost $50. That's found money in my opinion. So, let's start with the junk drawer. First, do you need it? Here's a chance to purge and make money.
Is it old? By old, I mean anything pre-1970
- Corn cob holders- up to $20 for a set
- Skewers- a set of Ronco sells for up to $30
- Wooden utensils- $5-$40
- Canning jar lids $1 each
- Jar funnels-$3-20
- Vintage kitchen knives- Cutco knives sell up to $125 each
- Rolling Pins- glass or advertising pins can sell over $150
- Jelly moulds- copper jelly moulds can sell over $1000! (many sell in the hundreds)
- Toothpick dispenser- (remember the pronged woodpecker?) $50-$100
Did you know some old spice tins can fetch into the multi hundreds of dollars. http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-DOVE-PUMPKIN-PIE-SPICE-TIN-1-1-2-OZ-FRANK-TEA-SPICE-CO-/151872483094?hash=item235c4e2f16:g:lsQAAOSwniRWN1rB
You may not have a $300 pumpkin spice tin hanging around but you may have some of these:
- Watkins nutmeg- $15-$20
- Acme cinnamon- $15
- Colman's mustard- $20
Counter Top Appliances
There is tons of money to be made here. If you're not using it, just sell it. Mixmasters and similar baking appliances sell for $50-$500. Some of the older collectable mixers and milkshake makers can sell up to $1000. Look for name brands, condition is everything but even the ones that don't work have value as collectors use them for parts. Vintage toasters, coffee pots, early electrical are highly collectable. Even 1960's toasters can sell for $100-$300. Here's one that sold for $496.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Winchester-toaster-Model-W34-/231749795326?hash=item35f55d3dfe:g:xk8AAOSwMTZWQ7am
Remember, it doesn't have to be old. If you don't use it, someone wants it. How about your old stove-top coffee pot. Remember those? Even the old aluminum camping coffee pot sells for $20. Your vintage Sunbeam mixer can pay off all your Christmas bills. $300 if you have the pink one. Even the bowls can sell upwards of $40 each.
Cookie Jars
Everybody loves cookies! That's one of the reasons that cookie jars are one of the hottest collectables out there. There are literally thousands of designs, brands, sizes and colors. The most valuable are obviously the oldest, most iconic and in the best condition. A Minnie Mouse cookie jar sold on eBay in April of 2014 for over $1300
I don't expect you to have this sitting around the house, but you may have a cookie jar worth several hundred dollars. Themed cookie jars are highly collectable. Holiday jars sell in the $30-$80 range. Super-Hero, Cartoon, Black Americana, all highly sought after. Again, they don't have to be incredibly old. Wonder Woman cookie jars sell for $50 to $110, and they came out in 2004. Michelangelo, the Teenage Ninja Mutant Turtle from 1990 sells for $50-$100.
Cast Iron
One of the most overlooked categories in kitchen collectables.--True chefs hate new Asian-made cast iron. They warp, they don't spread heat properly, they are thin, they are just not acceptable for the true professional. Usable cast iron from the turn of the last century are incredibly hard to find. Check Gramma's frying pan. If it's Griswold, you may have a winner. This cast iron pan was listed for $12,000 on eBay. It sold, not sure of the exact selling price, but be assured it was a pretty penny.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-Griswold-1-skillet-slant-ERIE-logo-MINT-condition-/371518726171?hash=item56803de01b:g:SU8AAOSw~otWfWFc
Cast Iron
One of the most overlooked categories in kitchen collectables.--True chefs hate new Asian-made cast iron. They warp, they don't spread heat properly, they are thin, they are just not acceptable for the true professional. Usable cast iron from the turn of the last century are incredibly hard to find. Check Gramma's frying pan. If it's Griswold, you may have a winner. This cast iron pan was listed for $12,000 on eBay. It sold, not sure of the exact selling price, but be assured it was a pretty penny.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-Griswold-1-skillet-slant-ERIE-logo-MINT-condition-/371518726171?hash=item56803de01b:g:SU8AAOSw~otWfWFc
Any good cast iron pan, skillet, cauldron or pot, trivet or Dutch oven can be quite valuable. Newer quality cast iron such as Le Creuset are highly sought after and most casual kitchen cooks simply do not use them. You may have $200-$700 sitting in your cupboard right now.
Pyrex, Corning Ware
Everybody, literally everybody has at least one piece of Pyrex in the cupboard. There is a huge base of Pyrex collectors. What brings back more memories than mom or gramma cooking casseroles and wonderful desserts during family gatherings. They were probably cooked in Pyrex. Pyrex is a brand introduced by Corning in 1915. It was originally designed for lab use and was then expanded to the kitchen. Though no longer made in the US, Pyrex is still used and sought after. I'll bet you still have a clear Pyrex measuring cup in your kitchen. Though there were literally millions of pieces made, some of the rarer pieces are highly prized. Color and condition are huge contributors to the value. Rare colors like this turquoise with gold are near impossible to find. This pair recently sold for $1500
Pyrex, Corning Ware
Everybody, literally everybody has at least one piece of Pyrex in the cupboard. There is a huge base of Pyrex collectors. What brings back more memories than mom or gramma cooking casseroles and wonderful desserts during family gatherings. They were probably cooked in Pyrex. Pyrex is a brand introduced by Corning in 1915. It was originally designed for lab use and was then expanded to the kitchen. Though no longer made in the US, Pyrex is still used and sought after. I'll bet you still have a clear Pyrex measuring cup in your kitchen. Though there were literally millions of pieces made, some of the rarer pieces are highly prized. Color and condition are huge contributors to the value. Rare colors like this turquoise with gold are near impossible to find. This pair recently sold for $1500
any many Pyrex lidded casseroles sell in the multi-hundred dollar range. There are clubs dedicated to Pyrex and they are a great source of information regarding pricing, rarity, colour, patterns etc. http://www.pyrexlove.com/how-to-price-pyrex/
Over 30 colour combinations, over 45 patterns and over 18 different types of Pyrex have been manufactured. With all these options, one of these combinations is sure to fit in most kitchens. Functionality and form, a hard combination to beat, that's why Pyrex will always be the king of the kitchen collectables.
So, there you have it. Stuck for quick cash? Raid the kitchen. Many of these items you're probably not using, some you may not have ever used. These items were manufactured for a reason, they were meant to be used. I have only touched the surface of kitchen collectables. This field is as broad and wide as any. If you would like a great resource for kitchen collectables, http://www.collectorsweekly.com/kitchen/overview is an absolutely wonderful site. There are many sub-categories and drop-down menus that are available, along with an overview on each subject and a link to all the eBay collectables currently being sold in each of those categories.
Remember, the holidays are over. You don't have to wait in dread for the Visa bill to show up. Start rooting through the kitchen, reach into the back of those drawers, look way back behind the roasting pans. Use your step stool and see what's behind that dusty vase. There may be hundreds of dollars hiding!
If you enjoyed this article, please like my Facebook page. Tons of interesting articles and great collectable items for sale, https://www.facebook.com/Thecollectordude/?ref=hl
Over 30 colour combinations, over 45 patterns and over 18 different types of Pyrex have been manufactured. With all these options, one of these combinations is sure to fit in most kitchens. Functionality and form, a hard combination to beat, that's why Pyrex will always be the king of the kitchen collectables.
So, there you have it. Stuck for quick cash? Raid the kitchen. Many of these items you're probably not using, some you may not have ever used. These items were manufactured for a reason, they were meant to be used. I have only touched the surface of kitchen collectables. This field is as broad and wide as any. If you would like a great resource for kitchen collectables, http://www.collectorsweekly.com/kitchen/overview is an absolutely wonderful site. There are many sub-categories and drop-down menus that are available, along with an overview on each subject and a link to all the eBay collectables currently being sold in each of those categories.
Remember, the holidays are over. You don't have to wait in dread for the Visa bill to show up. Start rooting through the kitchen, reach into the back of those drawers, look way back behind the roasting pans. Use your step stool and see what's behind that dusty vase. There may be hundreds of dollars hiding!
If you enjoyed this article, please like my Facebook page. Tons of interesting articles and great collectable items for sale, https://www.facebook.com/Thecollectordude/?ref=hl
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