Finding Treasures in the Junk of Others

Gems, not junk, were found this weekend during Junk Day at the Woodstock Market.

There may have been dark clouds in the sky on Saturday, but there were plenty of bright bargains at the Junk Day event held at the Woodstock Market on Highway 92.

One shopper, Debra, excitedly purchased an antique aluminum foil holder for just $3 and said, “You can find one-of-a-kind things here, like this antique, and repurpose them.”

She also said she’s found other things you’d have to pay ten times as much for in a regular store, shoes, clothing, books, kitchen items and more.

With over 15 sellers offering deals and unique goods at the market garage sale, there was something for everyone.

One of the littlest shoppers, Landon Hollingshead, 4, found several item she’d like to own, including a bright read fire truck. He smiled a big “Yes,” when asked about having fun at Junk Day. And he could not take his eyes off that truck.

Seller, Karen Mack, said she learned of the Junk Day sale opportunity from her participation in the Woodstock Market mailing list. She needed to make space for her daughter moving back home and decided to try it out.

“It’s been quite good with lots of people and great bargains,” Mack said. She brought three closets worth of “junk” to sell and said she’d sold a good deal of it.

Several artists also chose Junk Day as a venue to sell their creations.
Dedra Blair showcased a beautiful collection of hanging art, including cedar woodspinners, cedar hanging baskets, wine bottle wind chimes, and wind bottle candle holders.

Blair and her family create these lovely items and travel the country selling them, but at Junk Day, she offered special bargain prices, such as two hanging baskets for $35 insteadof $20 each as they are normally priced at traditional art festivals.

Another artist, Jean Cornwall has been making and selling puppets for 30 years along the East Coast. Now retired, she still likes to share her work with her Woodstock neighbors. Cornwall and Peter McKone, who works as her assistant, said the Junk Day opportunity was a great alternative to selling at art festivals and other markets because of the low registration fee, just $15.

Matthew Prine, nephew of Woodstock Market co-owner Karen Bennett, has made a career of selling refurbished merchandise. He and his wife enjoy repurposing vinyl records, old phones and more into affordable clocks, coasters, wall art and the like. Prine said he’s been at this full time for a year now and Junk Day is a good business day for him.

Lisa Welty, co-owner of the Woodstock Market, said the turnout was great and they look to have even more sellers at the next Junk Day in September.

To keep up with Junk Day and the Woodstock Market, follow them on Facebook or visit their website and join the mailing list so you don’t miss the next event.