DC: Annie, I have been trying to get into going to garage sales, but I find that 95% of the time, I have NO idea how to find the address in the paper or whatever. Maps often are no help with newer roads, etc.

What do you suggest?

Tracey

Annie Groer: Dear Tracey: Excellent question. You can't snag those bargains if you don't know how to find them. But help is on the way. An Alexandria-based publishing company called ADC puts out really good local map books by jurisdiction (i.e. Arlington, Montgomery County, Fairfax Co. etc.) as well as a very thick book for the entire Metro area. That is the one I use (it's probably close to 100 pages, and is divided by county and city). It is, however, not cheap, about $30 if I recall. However, if you amortize it over a few years, you'll probably make your money back in great flea scores. And alwasy, if there is a phone number listed in the ad, call and ask for directions. These books are available in drugstores and bookstores. But check to see that you've got the very latest edition. And happy hunting.

Sterling: Do you think garage-estate sales are a better choice for bargain hunting -over shops-?

Annie Groer: Dear Sterling: Yes and no. Garage and yard sales run by the owners of the stuff usually have the best deals because the people want to get rid of the stuff (and if it was an awful fondue pot from Aunt Madge or wedding gifts from a now busted marriage, the sellers truly have no financial stake in these things.) Also, people doing their own sales don't always know what they've got, so you can really score. Estate sales can be pricier because the agents do know what things are worth. Shops are hit and miss. The owners have to pay rent and salaries for their help so the overhead is higher. But sometimes they, too, will drop prices to move merchandise. The great thing about estate and yard sales, of course is you just never know what you'll find.

Falls Church, VA: Where can I go in Northern Virginia to get good bargains on gifts for Christmas? Thank you.

Annie Groer: Dear Falls Church: If you don't mind "previously owned" check the Yellow Pages under thrift shops, where you'll find a number of listings. There are also the usual discount stores. But I must say, I've become a great fan of dollar stores. Some of the best stuff they have are candles, ornaments, dishes (a cup and saucer with Xmas tree was $1, and so was the matching plate. That means a simple service for 4 for $8.) Also reseale shops. Some of them sell very nice designer clothing and accessories at good prices. And watch for dept. store sales in the Post. At this time, even the major chains are slashing prices.

Bethesda: I'm Christian, my husband is Jewish. How can we decorate our home in a creative and meaningful way during this holiday season? If we simply display all of my Christmas trinkets and his menorah -- won't that look strange? Any way to blend artfully?

Annie Groer: Dear Bethesda: There are ways to blend artfully and celebrate both your heritages. If he doesn't mind a tree and you don't mind a menorah, go for it. And don't worry about "looking strange." This year, the calendar is on your side. Hanukah, which begins this Friday night, ends by mid-month. So unless the tree is going up immediately, there won't be an overlap.
And if you don't want to mix the obvious red and green with blue and gold, then pick a neutral color scheme: Perhaps white and either silver or gold, depending on the color of his menorah. White flowers, ornaments, ribbons with metallic accents. Happy holidays

Potomac Falls: Sometimes I'm afraid to buy a wood piece with water rings or other things that wouldn't require a complete refinishing. Do you have secrets for quickly improving the look of wood furniture?

Annie Groer: Dear Potomac Falls: That's always an iffy proposition. One trick is to mix cigarette ash with furniture polish in the hopes of obscuring the ring, but this often does not work. What I do if the piece is very interesting and not too pricey is to have a mirror cut for the top. That way the objects you set on the surface are reflected and you've hidden the problem.

Potomac Falls: What is your most memorable "find"? Mind is a burled wood secretary at a Reston garage sale.

Annie Groer: Dear P.F. About that burled wood secretary....go ahead and gloat a bit and tell us how much you paid and when you think it was made. And congrats.

Rockville, MD: My mother has a wooden Christmas tree and collects miniatures to display on each branch. It's become a favorite hobby of hers -- she makes a point of finding a new miniature on every trip she takes. Where is a good place in the DC area to buy miniatures? Also, the tree is running out of room. Any idea of where to get a different object-piece on which she could display her collection?

Annie Groer: Dear Rockville. What a charming tree your mother must have. It sounds lovely. Since she needs a second tree (or perhaps third) is there someone in the family or the neighborhood who is handy with a saw and drill and might surprise her with one this year? It would make a great gift.

Annapolis, MD: So do you have any suggestions on how to sell an item through an auction, flea market, antique mall etc., as opposed to running a classified ad? Assume just a couple items that would not justify renting a table. I'm looking for a quick, easy way. Jackie

Annie Groer: Dear Jackie - Why not get a friend or two who also have a couple of things to sell and rent a table together. It would be a fun way to spend a morning. Some antique malls will take things on consingment (they will also take 40-50% of the sale price); Some community papers run free classifieds, so that might make it worth your while. You and some neighbors or pals could have a group yard sale. And if all else fails and you just want to move the stuff out, give it to a charity and take the tax deduction.

Alexandria, Virginia: I am new to the area and I am looking to purchase quality used furniture for my bedroom. Where is the best place to begin my search?

Annie Groer: Dear Newcomer: Welcome. I am a big believer in moving sales for quality, reasonably priced furniture. People are often in a hurry to leave town and are thrilled to get a fraction of what they paid. Estate sales can be good, too, if the ads don't emphasize "fabulous antiques" that usually mean "big bucks." Also there are a number of consignment shops in the area that sell furniture. Good luck.

Sterling: Are you haunted by things you should have bought, but passed up? I am.

Annie Groer: Dear STerling: And what is it, exactly, that got away? I will always regret(although I really couldn't afford it at the time) an amphora that sat in the window of the old Venable Neslage Gallery near Dupont Circle. It was a bowl with two monkeys contemplating skulls on it. By the time I could have paid for it, it had long since vanished. Alas. Any others filled with remorse out there?

Chevy Chase: I have a friend who, along with her mother, has been known to pick up chairs and tables from neighbors' curb-side trash heaps. They then take these pieces of junk home, refinish them, paint them and make them look fabulous.

I'm jealous!! First of all, how come my neighbors never leave furniture in the trash?? Second, how would I ever begin to know how to refinish a chair, or paint it....? I'm artistic but feel like there must be so much to learn about wood quality and what tools you need, etc, etc.

Also, how do you know if something's good quality under the layers of peeling paint -- or if it's just a piece of junk??

Thank you Queen Flea!

Annie Groer: Dear Chevy Chase: Good questions. I, too, lack neighbors who throw out terrific stuff. But I have driven through Georgetown and Kalorama and Potomac and other high rent areas and seen stuff, so maybe you should cruise these areas on the days just before the trash folks pick up large objects. (Call the DC, Mont. Co, Fairfax govs, etc. for this info)

Now about refinishing. There is rehab and there is rehab. I have made a lot of funky furniture look good simply by painting it. This makes good wood people cringe, but so be it. I took a mildewed rattan chaise and put two coats of white oil-based enamel on it and it looked like a million bucks. I have spray painted picture frames (there are now lots of very interesting finishes that come out of an aerosol nozzle) and other small pieces.

As for really fine refinishing, I have to defer to our readers. Let's have a few tips...

Alexandria, VA: I often take my resource books to sales and leave them in my car for quick reference checks before purchasing an item. The trouble is that my method is not "quick". How can I speed up my on the spot research? Do you know of any software available for this purpose?

Annie Groer: Dear Alexandria: If you're looking for something specific, you can do some homework before you leave home. And if you've got a large enough satchel and the sale you are at is not a frenzy-fest, why not take the book with you and browse on site? I have found that asking a fellow shopper, or the seller, sometime elicits useful info.

Annapolis, MD: Is there a source listing auctions in the Metro aea and MD? How do you determine the most reputable? How do you find those that importers participate in?

Annie Groer: Dear Annapolis: Some people swear by auctions, other (like me) find them intimidating and nerve wracking. There are a couple that have been around this area for ages _ Law's, Weschler's. And then there is that great madhouse known as Dixon's Auction in Crumpton, Md. on the other side of the Bay Bridge near Chestertown, which is held every Wednesday of the year, rain, shine or snow. Some of the stuff is junk, some is funky collectible and some is good.

Rockville: No, our family is decidedly un-handy with saws and drills.

I'm interested in hearing if anyone else has a miniature collection, and if so, how-where they display it.

Annie Groer: Dear Rockville: I'm back, and though you insist your family is not handy with tools, ask co-workers or drop by a senior center. Chances are there is a handyman just itching for an interesting project who wouldn't charge very much.

Alternate ways of displaying miniatures would be in a framed set of shadowbox shelves. Another would be to get a table whose top is actually a glass display case. The Bombay Co. has them from time to time. Also the new store Showcase in Rockville sells store displays (although some of them have nicks and dings) that might work.

washingtonpost.com: Attention all thrift store shoppers: check out the washingtonpost.com's Thrift Shop Guide!!!

Washington, DC: Dear Annie,

I have a suggestion for Potomic Mills to cover scratches--Old English scratch cover is great!

Would like to suggest you can sometimes find rare items at the Salvation Army, Goodwill or other thrift stores. I found my bargain of a lifetime at a thrift store on Rte 7 near Dulles. Its a 6 ft high, wood antique dentists cabinet, with 12 narrow drawers in the middle, a cabinet with two shelves on the top, and a large cabinet with two shelves on the bottom. I use it as a jewelry amoire.

Is there a listing anywhere will all the fleas and thrift stores?

Annie Groer: Dear DC - Good for you on that dental cabinet. One can find good things at the traditional thrifts like the Army and Goodwill. And while we're on the subject, I'd like to say my best score was a pair of 14k gold Cartier cufflinks with a tiny diamond chip that I found at a yard sale for 85 cents (I thought they were probably good costume jewelry and didn't have my magnifying glass with me). They made a terrific wedding gift to my husband.
And as soon as we find the list of fleas, etc. in the Bermuda Triangle that is Queen Flea's desk, we'll post it.

Alexandria, VA: Just a comment for the person regretting not buying - I didn't think i could really afford a beautiful wicker based-oak plank top table - my mom told me i might never find another like it in great shape. i did the "lay away" and paid it out and have never regretted it! by the time you decide that you will break down and buy the piece, someone else has beaten you to it!!

Annie Groer: Dear Alexandria: Great advice. And the table sounds great. Clearly you bought it somewhere that did layaway. I was about to say, alas, one doesn't have that luxury at a flea market. But sometimes a dealer may work out a time-payment arrangement with you if you present enough ID, etc. It's worth a try. And it will increase everyone's trust in our fellow human beings.
Thanks, all, for a great discussion and happy holidays.

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