Meet Jodi!  When we first ran across Jodi she was digging through some old Christmas items in Beaver Pennsylvania. She was digging through the box so fast it looked like a dog burying a bone. Old Christmas items are some of her favorite things to pick. Her step father Ed, her faithful picking companion can nearly always be seen standing by with a box to catch the overflow as Jodi scoops up the deals without hesitation. You see, Jodi is on a mission, she has to pick nearly all of her inventory for the website Beekman 1802, for which she is the sole curator. She also sells "nice things" on her Etsy store and then siphons off the leftovers by selling them on Ebay! <<WHAP>>, take that Ebay!  Jodi just loves vintage, antique, primitive and associated items, so she will pick just about anything in those categories. When we asked for a recent picking memory, she told us with a devilish little smile it was the antique cow bell she bought for 50 cents that sold for 60.00. Jodi originally hails from New Brighton but is now happily married and living in Sewickley. However, if you think you're only going to see her picking up the Ohio river, forget about it. She has already spread out and told me she particularly likes digging in those old South Hills neighborhoods where she has had many good finds. You just can't keep a good picker down!

Meet Rhonda!  Rhonda rounds out what has been a great year of picking in 2013 as our December "Picker of the Month". When we bumped into Rhonda at a recent sale it was apparent from the beginning she is a hardcore picker. Down under a work bench digging out old rusty tools to save a 100 year old primitive box she has just purchased. Many of Rhonda's picks go to the Antique store she and her mother run in Bridgeville. Her store is "Accentique" and it actually started as a dress boutique. A strong influence from her mother and aunt who are long time antique collectors soon changed Rhonda's direction and the antique store was born in the late 90's.  The store now includes a mixture of Furniture, Glassware, Artwork, Country Antiques and of course a large selection of collectibles and just about any other antique she can pick. When we saw her at a recent sale she bought an old pair of antique wooden skis in addition to the box so it was no surprise when she reported her favorite finds are PRIMITIVES and the unusual. When picking Estate Sales she heads to the basement and garage areas first for that very reason. She also loves picking the 60s and 70's which she refers to as the Retro era. When not on the Estate Sale path she is picking garage sales and thrift shops with her mother while her aunt still helps stock the store with her picks from Beaver county. You can find many of Rhonda's picks at the store which is open 7 days a week, Mon-Sat 10-5 and Sun 11 to "3ish" at 406 Station Street, Bridgeville, 15017. The phone number is 412-221-1388. The store is absolutely packed with a large variety so stop in and visit her. Tell her you saw her on Pittsburgh Estate Sales! 

Meet Mike & Cheryl  Mike & Cheryl, husband & wife pickers from Whitehall are very familiar faces in the estate sale community. They started their picking over 25 years ago! Mike & Cheryl began their picking career at the old Woodland Drive In theatre flea market. Cheryl has fond memories of pushing their son, who at the time was only a toddler, through the rows & rows of treasures! Today, you will see them at multiple sales each weekend, normally throughout the South Hills, although they are known to travel for a really good sale. Mike is always looking for TOOLS! Mike’s favorite hobby is tinkering with race cars with his stock car racing son. He loves a good deal on tools, because like most tool guys, he believes you can never have enough! Due to his love of racing, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that his biggest & best estate sale finds were CARS! He has purchased 3 cars through estate sales! While Mike is most likely found in the garage, you will find Cheryl searching for décor. She loves to decorate her home with estate sale finds. She is never looking for a particular item, she likes when something “jumps out at her”. Together, Mike & Cheryl are a dynamic duo. They are never in a rush and will always strike up friendly conversation. They love the thrill of the chase, the excitement of a good find, a great deal and a fun negotiation!

Meet Gary. Gary is a veteran picker who hails from the Eastern Suburbs but we have seen him pretty much anywhere in the area. The first thing he ever sold was a 1975 Lincoln Mark IV automobile. He soon realized it didn't have to be that big and started picking more moderately sized items which he built his business upon. Still, most pickers wouldn't consider Gary's "finds" small as he has developed a discerning eye for electro-mechanical or just plain mechanical stuff, such as radios, telephones, sewing machines, watches, clocks and fans. One thing that he has become somewhat of an expert on is old typewriters. This past summer Gary "Picked" a typewriter that was one of only seven ever made and contrary to what many pickers believe, some of them are quite valuable. Although we hesitate to let the cat out of the bag, Gary seems quite willing to talk about them and share his knowledge. If you run into Gary at an upcoming sale, don't let your guard down thinking he will just pick mechanical items. He is an experienced picker with a vast knowledge and enjoys finding anything from tools and knifes to pottery, china and kitchenware. One of his early favorites were carpentry tools, such as wood planes but so many of those have hit the market he only looks for real bargains on those. Its not all about the money though, Gary finds the weekend picking good therapy for his stressful day job. In that, we think many pickers already have something in common with him!