While thrifting, where the hype of scoring a bargain often outshines the chance of finding hidden gems, Jessica Vincent’s summer adventure went from zero to a hundred real quick. A basic vase, copped for just $3.99 at a Virginia Goodwill, turned out to have a wild backstory. Little did Vincent know, this piece was actually a creation by the Italian architect and artist Carlo Scarpa.
The Remarkable Journey of a Murano Masterpiece
Carlo Scarpa crafted this 13.5-inch vase as part of his Pennellate series in the 1940s. Scarpa was all about pushing boundaries in Murano glass, and he used this technique to mix opaque and transparent glass to make it look like brushstrokes.
The auction house where Vincent decided to sell the vase estimated that it would sell for between $30,000 and $50,000, but when it went to auction at the high-end Wright Auction House, things got real. Thanks to its rarity, its historical significance, and Scarpa’s reputation, this Goodwill find turned into a six-figure sensation, raking in a mind-blowing $107,100 at auction.
The Artistic Eye Behind the Discovery
Vincent’s tale isn’t just about the money she got from her discovery, but also about the skill of seeing the potential value in seemingly mundane items. She found her treasure in a Goodwill bargain bin and took it to the auction house, reminding us all to keep our eyes peeled for hidden gems in the most random places.
She suspected that the vase was special, and that suspicion was confirmed when she shared it with a Murano glass Facebook group. Sara Blumberg, a glass expert at Wright, gave credit to Vincent for seeing the potential in something most people would overlook. It’s not every day you find something this special at Goodwill, after all. Vincent is using the money from her find to renovate a farmhouse.
Top 3 Natural Cures to Relieve Troublesome Night-Time Leg Cramps
Between busy days and warm weather, almost 60% of people suffer from night-time foot and leg cramps, being shocked awake at night without any warning! Fortunately, there are a few natural tricks to block such trouble and secure a sound snoozing.
Bedtime Pickle Treat
To avoid leg cramps, open a pickle jar before bedtime. Measure out around two shots of pickle juice and drink it before going to bed. According to the findings of North Dakota University, drinking this tart blend, rich in minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sodium, helps to prevent night-time cramps. The blend helps by calming the overactive brain neurons, which are responsible for triggering sudden muscle contractions. If you don’t have pickles, just take half a cup of water, add a pinch of sea salt, a dash of lime juice, and drink.
Step Stretch Before Bed
Try this little trick the next time before you’re going to bed. Pause on a stair, hang your heels for 30 seconds over the stair’s edge, then lift onto your toes for two seconds. Continue to do the moves four times, and it’ll help in reducing overnight foot and leg cramps. According to the Journal of Physiotherapy, this very simple heel hang trick completely extends the leg muscles without the risk of overstretching them. As a result, your leg muscles will be perfectly prepped and ready for deep and restful sleep.
The Healthy Sleeping Pill
The research in The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology suggests taking a B-complex vitamin before bed, as one of the best ways to secure a sound sleep. All because it’s a cramp-blocking vitamin, which is harder to absorb for your body, especially after 50 years of age. This vitamin supplement covers up the deficiency of the nutrients and ferries them with muscle-calming oxygen to the cell tissues, effectively blocking sleep-sapping foot and leg cramps for up to 86%.