Blokes & Sheds - Mark Thomson

Mark is the Author of Blokes and Sheds, and Makers Breakers and Menders he is also the Director of the Institute of Backyard Studies. 

Mark lives in Adelaide. 

What’s the best thing about garage sales?

The chance you might find absolutely anything. 

What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever seen at a garage sale?

An enormous collection of false teeth. 

What goes on in your garage?

The personal compost of my life story. 

Whose garage would you most like to go to?

Nikola Tesla’s. 

What would be your dream garage sale find?

A first edition Raymond Chandler novel. 

What’s the most treasured possession in your garage?

The Random Excuse Generator. 

Who would be in your dream garage band?

Miles Davis on trumpet, Django Rheinhart on guitar, Sly and Robbie as the rhythm section…for a start. 

Whose second hand shoes would you most like to walk in?

Nobody - second hand shoes never for - I know. 

What’s the best tip for ‘Garage Sale etiquette’?

For the seller - worry about having as little as possible at the end of the day i.e. flog it, don’t hold on to it. And for buyers - make it nice and gentle for sellers to part with their dear possessions. Make them smile and they will probably sell things cheaper. 

What’s your top sustainability tip? Is there a way somebody can usefully reuse that stuff you would throw ou? Somebody somewhere almost certainly wants some of your old stuff so use the Internet to find it a loving home. 

Find Mark on the internet:

The Institue of Backyard www.ibys.org also check out the exhibition The Lost Tools Henry Hoke www.cockatooisland.gov.au/events/calendar.html