A little light flea marketing.....

Although I was in high production mode preparing for the "Home for Holidays" show this weekend, there was still no stopping me from hitting the October Nashville Flea Market. Although it was wet and cold weather did not deter me, but sadly, I really did not find much.

 

My beloved Flea Market has been the subject of some major controversy the last year or so because the City of Nashville is building a new major league soccer stadium, where are they building it? Only the current location of the Flea Market. Long story short, the Flea Market is getting the very short end of the stick with this new development and many vendors are already bailing. I fear the Flea market as I know and love it, is not long for this world and I will miss it.

 

With that said, until they shut it down, I will keep going, and if I am lucky I will keep finding treasures, even if it is getting harder and harder to find them.

 

So what did I find?

 

Well....a couple things. The least popular find the day? This Sevres Robin pitcher. I love it, my family thinks it is like my creepy chalk ware yard pets...it got a big thumbs down.

 

I still think its cute.

 

A large BC comics bowl. The big one. 5.00, I grabbed it.

 

 

This random mix of glasses that I ended up buying because the cute little brass chicks had to come home with me and the vendor did not have change for a 5.00

 

 

These little buggers are HEAVY!

 

This "Beauty Consultant" milk glass jar jumped out at me, why? I don't know, but for a buck, who cares. Its kind of cool.

 

 

And that is all, not a big haul. Not half the vendors the October show usually draws, although the weather may have driven a lot of them off, more so than the issues with the city.

 

I will have to tell you more about the 6th annual Home for the holidays show later this week, because I am worn out after today. I put in a lot of extra time to have a bit more variety of stock. and I was pretty happy with what I finished!

 

Loved the way the boxes turned out!

 

 

I was very pleased with the trees.

 

 

And my husband was able to help me save the gorilla glue disaster signs.

 

 

Of course I had to do another WT Fork..

 

 

And of course, ornaments.

 

 

How did they sell? Well, I will tell you about that next time. Because right now, I am heading for a hot shower and bed.

 

But before I go, I do have one more fun find to show you, ok two. One, this wood Acorn box. Another one of those late night Ebay finds that I stumbled across, fell madly in obsession with and had to have. I love it by the way, I regret nothing.

 

 

 

The cute vintage butter press is another find from my Mother in Laws home. We are pretty sure it came from her mothers home, no idea how old it is, but it is old and I love it!

 

Off to bed I go...hope you have had a great week!

Dueling Desks.....

I cannot remember exactly what I was thinking of doing when I got it into my head that I wanted a lap desk, but not just any lap desk, I have a "modern" lap desk that I use with my lap top etc. I wanted vintage of course and was thinking of something with some kind of storage. My number one requirement was that it have a slanted top to write on.

 

So, off to Ebay I went to see if such a thing even existed.

 

I don't know why I ever doubted that I would find exactly what I was looking for. There were dozens of different styles of desks to choose from. Including one that was exactly what I was looking for, and one that was not.

 

First, the one I was looking for.

 

It actually has two storage areas, the top of the desk opens as well to hold pencils.

This is actually the "after" shot, it took a fair amount of sanding to buff out the scratches, then a hit of stain  But  I love the result! It generally only takes a little bit of work to really wake wood up. I love the rich deep color!

 

 

Total investment: 17.00 plus shipping. Based on how much I see boxes and such going for at the Flea markets, I will say I got a decent deal.

 

Now..the desk I was NOT looking for.

 

As I was scouring Ebay for the desk I wanted. I stumbled across this one. And I have to admit, I was immediately obsessed with it. It was almost what I was looking for, but not quite. I had already placed a bid on the first desk. Well guess what, not a lot of people seem to be interested in old wood lap desks so I easily won the above...the only bidder.

 

But this one was buy it now, and I think had only been up for a couple hours...so after pouring over the pictures several times, I jumped. I knew I had to have it.

 

I may or may not have impulse buying issues.

 

 

I mean, look at this wood! It was pretty dirty, but really only needed some cleaning and the lightest of sanding after a  good rub of orange oil cleaner to wake up the wood it looked just gorgeous!

 

 And it unfolds almost like a puzzle box!

 

 

It is quite small, less that a foot long/wide and does not have the slanted top I was looking for, but I am totally in love with it!

 

It does work perfectly when I am sitting on my bed writing out my to do list for the day/week and as it turns out it is the perfect size to hold my bullet journal supplies, another recent hobby I have picked up.

 

 

Easy to pick up and carry around, storage space that is both beautiful and functional? I am extremely happy with it!

 

The seller claimed is it vintage, late 1800's, after some research on line, I think I agree. But I am not any kind of expert in this field. I did find several reproductions that are very similar, but not quite the same. This one definitely looks old and has some flaws that you would not find in a machine made reproduction. Even if it is a reproduction, I paid 45.00 plus shipping. The reproductions go for 100.00 and up plus shipping so I still feel like I got a good deal regardless of it's age.

 

Plus I am in love with it and that is what really matters!

 

Don't think the first desk will go unused! My daughter who loves to draw has claimed it. The size is perfect for her sketch books and the huge storage area is perfect for her markers. It all works out in the end!

 

Shopping for desks is not all I have been up to! I have been assembling the Christmas trees and signs that I will try to sell at the Craft Show on the 10th.

 

 

I love the tiny lights, and I found some fantastic vintage postcards for the fronts of the boxes.

 

 

The signs on the other hand are more of a challenge. Don't get me wrong, I love how they look, but I used gorilla glue. I should not have used gorilla glue. It "swells" up. I now have a mess around many letters that I will have to chip and peel off, then re stain any damage. What was supposed to be a super simple project, it turning into a big pain in the butt.

 

Gorilla glue, you are not my friend.

 

 

I have also been happily settling into fall. So happy pulling out all of my favorite hoodies, baking pumpkin muffins and ordering my favorite candles from my favorite Etsy seller!

 

Trader Joes Maple Butter? Worth the splurge!

 

These  candles are amazing. I love the scent of leather and wood burning. These perfectly capture those scents.

 

Bruno is also happily embracing the cooler weather.

 

 

Who am I kidding, he embraces every season the same way.

 

Just two weeks away from the Home for the Holidays show! I feel pretty confident that I will have everything ready to go!

 

Hope you are having a great weekend!

 

 

If at first you don't succeed...change the plan.

Sitting at work Wednesday, I had an idea just pop into my head.

 

I love it when that happens.

 

The rectangular herb boxes that never sold? I thought, how great would they look with a vintage fruit/vegetable label slapped on front? Off to Ebay I go and I was thrilled with the selection and prices I found.

 

I still have one more coming in the mail...it may not make it to the market, I may have to keep it!

 

 

 Love the tomato..

 

The labels look amazing on the stained wood.

 

Yes, they are originals, and yes I am looking at scanning them and saving the originals. Office Max here I come.

 

I am also looking at vintage Christmas postcards to put on the smaller boxes with the Christmas trees...loving that idea.

 

I also did a little bit of flea marketing. Found a couple things. I am not having a lot of luck lately. But I keep trying!

 

I loved this fish! And thought it would go very well with the frog I found a couple months ago. So funny, I looked for one of these for years and have found two that compliment each other just in the last couple months!

 

 

Too bad I am not one to use sponges...oh well, they are still cute on the counter.

 

I found another chip/dip. Makes two for me. I think I will have to try the recipe on this one!

 

 

Loved this for my husbands ashtrays and the couple old pipes we have.

 

 

I thought this box was kinda cool, not sure what it was originally used for, not sure what I am going to use it for, but I liked it!

 

 

 

 Two more Hazel Atlas creamers, same color that I already have...for .50 each, I grabbed them and they are bound for Ebay.

Autumn has finally decided begin...I think. At least the A/C is off and I can wear a sweatshirt without actually sweating. We did a quick run to the Nashville Farmers market and came away with a bunch of pumpkins and gourds, having a lot of fun with them!

 

Back to hammering this week. I put off the garden sentiment spoons and jumped right into Christmas ornaments. Preparations are coming along pretty well, with any luck I will be ready ahead of schedule!

 

Hope  you are getting to enjoy some cool Fall weather!

The woman has questionable taste.....

The woman of questionable taste would be me.

 

Proof? This Rooster.

 

In my defense, he originally belonged to my mother in law, who paid actual money to bring him home. For me, he was free. Pulled out of a deep dark closet by my brother in law who set him out in the Goodwill pile.

 

But no....

 

He caught my eye, I have no idea why. But I kinda like him. He is going to go live in my she shack with my chipmunk. Because my family is horrified at my creepy little pet collection.

 

Speaking of creepy....the rooster was not alone in the closet.

 

 

I hope the Squirrel and the Chipmunk do not bully the rooster. I must have harmony in the shack and my family will not allow them to live anywhere else.

 

Are there more vintage creepy chalk ware animals in my future?

 

Probably, I feel a bunny is a necessary member of the shack family, oh and I would never pass up a deer! A new flea market list has started.

 

More antiquing coming up this weekend I hope I find something fun!

 

Hammering away at Christmas ornaments this week, With any luck I will be completely finished hammering all the stock for the Home for the Holidays show by the end of next week. Call me a cock eyed optimist.

 

Hope you are having a great week!



A little flea marketing...

Forgive the bad pictures, I have been hammering and missed my opportunity to get some good pictures before the next storm rolled through tonight!

 

Even with all the hammering I have been doing, I am still managing to squeeze in a little vintage treasure hunting! The September Nashville flea market was this past weekend, it was ok, but not the haul I hoped for. Again, I was surprised at how many vendors were missing. I also managed a quick trip to my favorite indoor flea market a couple Saturdays ago and a lunch time run to the local thrifts last week.

 

Since my "big score" lunch time score this past August, I really have not had any luck on my lunch time runs to the thrift stores, not that that will stop me from trying! It is such a nice stress reliever in the middle of the day, well, even better stress reliever if I actually score something fun.

 

Last weeks thrift score, this cool milk glass bowl. I have no idea if it is vintage or who the maker is, it says something "France" on the bottom, hard to make out, but I really like the pattern and it is a great size. Also grabbed these two Fire King green cereal bowls with the black rim at the Nashville Flea Market this past weekend, I happen to have the set of mugs that match it so I was pretty tickled to find them.

 

 

My mom and I puzzled over this at the Flea Market. I thought it was really cute, but was not sure what it was, Mom solved the mystery, its a baby bottle! Too cute!

 

 

And my "purple bottle guy" talked me into two more bottles, stupid cheap because he had not had the time to clean them after digging them up. Ok with me, I let them soak in denture cleaner, that seems to work.....these are pretty filthy so it maybe several soaks in denture cleaner!

 

Back in the day when I first started collecting, I collected lady head vases and planters, really every kind of planter and figural vase imaginable, McCoy, Hull, Lefton and Royal Copley all came home with me. And even though I do not pick them up very often anymore, every once in awhile I see one that I just cannot pass up. This Royal Copley mama and fawn vase has been on my watch list for years! Have seen it only once or twice in the wild, passed on them because of price both times. But when I saw it at the Nashville Flea this weekend, I decided it was time to come home with me. 25.00 for the vase and the two Fire King cereal bowls. I call that a decent buy, plus, I kinda have a thing for deer, I have a lot tucked around the house.

 

 

I found this cute little plant shelf at my favorite indoor flea market. It is the perfect size for my 1960's arm chair I have it sitting next to. Notice the tiny travel clock? This was another indoor flea market fine. This tiny German made clock does not work, but I can get the alarm to jingle away! One of these days I need to get my collection of clocks fixed so they all run!

 

 

 

Not a thrift find, by my dear Auntie was cleaning out her cookbooks and sent me a couple from her collection. They were given to her years ago, she thought they were cool...and I do as well. I love old cookbooks, such fun to read and see how our entertaining and eating habits have changed over the years! Most things have changed for the better, but not all! There are some pretty interesting recipes that I am really excited to try! I will let you know how they turn out!

 

I think this one is my favorite, so cool!

 

 

I always look for the dirtiest page in an old cookbook, if the page is splattered on, you know they cooked that recipe often! I also always look for clips saved in the pages and any notes in the margins. Granny cooking knowledge gold!

 

This one is so fun! Check out that price! Expensive book for the 40's!

 

 

I managed to finish all my herb markers AND the wine bottle charms this week. Next week the Garden themed sentiment spoons are on the agenda. I am putting off the Christmas ornaments and trees as long as I can, I am not one to like to think about Christmas until AFTER Thanksgiving! But if I am going to have Christmas product to sell for the show in November, I better suck it up and deal.

 

Hope you are having a fantastic week!

 



Blood blisters, sweat and profanity....

Mid September and It is still hot here in Middle TN, but despite the heat I have stuck to my schedule and have been  hammering away at making a new batch of my basic stock of herb markers.

 

It took two blood blisters, about four gallons of sweat and a string of profanity to get down to 12 herb markers in under two weeks, but...I am almost there.

 

I am not even sure how many there are. This is only some of them.

 

 

So once there are complete, I move onto a smallish batch of garden sentiment spoons, Christmas ornaments and wine bottle markers. And there is more!

 

Remember my super cute herb marker planter boxes?

 

 

Not a single, solitary one sold.

 

So, plot twist! Some are coming back with Christmas trees tucked in them!

 

 

18" trees tucked into these cute boxes. I found tiny strings of battery operated lights and will add a cute Christmas theme spoon to the box.

 

And I will have smaller ones as well. I accidently ordered 8" trees. This will teach me to shop on Amazon after 10:00 on a Friday night when not wearing my glasses.

 

It all works out in the end, I had some cute vintage aluminum cups that I picked up at the flea market years ago, the tiny trees fit perfectly inside. Off to market they go!

 

I managed to get some flea marketing in as well, but I will show you those along with (hopefully) a nice haul from the Nashville Flea Market coming up this weekend!

 

Until then, apologies to my neighbors for the hammering every night!

 

Have a great week!