First Flea Market of the Year -- Cowboy Cool!

With the holidays over and nothing but snow and cold here in Michigan, cabin fever has really been setting in!   I haven't been out shopping since December, so when my friend Bargain Hunter asked me if I wanted to go to the Ingham County Indoor Garage Sale & Flea Market today, I jumped on it.  We had a great time -- lots of laughs and catching up on news, plus finding some treasures to take home.  

I found was this great mid-century cowboy ceiling light cover as soon as we walked in the door.  

I didn't know it at the time, but 'cowboy cool' was to be the theme for the day.  I found three western-related treasures, which are always really popular on Etsy.  There was a lot more western stuff there today, but this is all I got.  As usual, I got some mid-century and a few linens, too (as if I needed more!)

Here's what I came home with:

Wonderful 'shop class' project lamp with a western saloon scene and original cowboy lampshade

The cowboy and saloon keeper at the bar have hand-cut detail

A kid's holster set from the 1950s.  I remember having a red one very much like this...so cool!

Sweet made-in-Japan kitty figurines

The aluminum drink spoons are still in the original package!

Love these black and white spatterware shakers

This barkcloth drapery panel has a big stain in the center, but was bargain priced.  If I can't get the stain out, I can use it for pillows

An unusual India-themed tablecloth.  I'm not sure how old it is, but it's the first elephant tablecloth I've seen

Pre-Disney Florida tablecloth -- also bargain priced!

Roosters & mid-century color scheme -- hard to pass up

This black Americana tablecloth is in great condition

I think this tablecloth is going to end up going to live with Bargain Hunter.   She needs tablecloths

You'll probably see some of these in my Etsy shop soon.   Did I get anything to keep?  Maybe this terrific, tacky musical mushroom with gnomes!  I haven't decided if I should keep it or sell it.  What do you think?

How Fast Can I Shop?

There were some good shopping opportunities this weekend and almost no time to take them in, which left the question, "How fast can I shop?"

On Saturday, Williamston Antique Market had their annual Summer Sale & Outdoor Market.  My shopping buddy Bargain Hunter couldn't go with me and I had so much to do I didn't think I'd get away.  I was so surprised (and happy) when Mr. KV volunteered to go with me!  We had a fun time on the short outing, sandwiched in between household chores and errands.

The weather was beautiful -- sunny and 70s and there were more vendors outside than there had been in past years.

I didn't buy a lot, but got some good stuff.  Everything inside the mall was 20% off, too, but all of my bargains came from the outside.

Hoenig of California covered pumpkin dish

Barkcloth covered sewing box

Paper advertising fans -- including some unusual ones (Iwo Jima, Mahalia Jackson and Will Rogers)

These western themed tin trays are so cool!

An army of birthday angels...

These are for me...Commodore Christmas candleholders with unused candles in the original box and all in mint condition!

 On Sunday, Mr. KV and I were going to watch little Gracie overnight so our son and daughter-in-law could get away for their anniversary.  Before she came, though, I wanted to go to Mega Mall's Flea Market -- Bargain Hunter's talked about it a lot and I've never been.  So I went for a quick trip there with Bargain Hunter and she agreed to speed-shop so that I could get back for Little Miss G.

The flea market filled Mega Mall's parking lot, but was less vintage and more 'tube socks' than I expected.  There were lots of booths that were easy to skip because you could tell at a glance that there was nothing in them that was more than 2 years old or that wasn't made in China.  Regardless, I found a couple of things (don't I always?)!

This TV lamp was so dirty and 'unloved' -- the owner said she was tired of looking at it.  Her loss is my gain...

Here it is after a good cleaning

...and lit up

I thought these were fun -- Judy Jewelette sets.  They were a mid-century version of the Bedazzler, complete with 'rubies, diamonds, emeralds and pearls'

An extra-large -- 10 cup -- Pyrex stovetop percolator, complete with insides

I think this dark green and chartreuse plastic pitcher is pretty cool

This is the star of the day -- a mid-century wood and woodgrained formica drinks cart -- rolling bar.  I'm trying to figure out a way to ship it so I can list it on Etsy

We were only gone a little over 3 hours and that included 1-1/2 hours drive time!  That was some serious speed shopping!

A Fun Day & A Kiss for a Prince

I went down to Jackson today to have lunch with my friend who moved there (and to pick up the bookcase I bought, but had to leave, last time I visited).  There was an indoor flea market there, billed as a 'Cabin Fever' event. I'd gone to this market a few times and it was always just so-so -- some prices reasonable, lots of prices high and also lots of 'tube socks' (my code for new dollar-store-type stuff).  I wanted to spend the day with my friend, though, so it was definitely worth the trip.

The flea market turned out to be a real prince this year!  We got there about 10:30 and it started at 11.  As in the past, people started lining up at the door then.  In past years, though, they wouldn't let the shoppers in until the stroke of 11.  They'd let you into an entry area of the building where you stood there crammed in like cattle, looking at the dealers (who were all ready to sell and stood there looking at you)!  This year, though, they just let us in!  The prices were still all over the place but there was a lot of great stuff and I bought some of it.

After we shopped, we went to lunch and sat and talked for hours -- we caught up on our families and what we've been doing and went down one conversational bunny trail after another (the way good friends do when they've known each other for years).  I've really missed seeing her all the time and it was just a boost for my spirits to get a long visit.

Maybe you want to see what I bought, though...

I love these little 1950s Japanese figures, too.  I don't think they're going to leave my living room

I love these chalkware elephants! 

The crocheted hotpad is just like the ones with pop bottle caps, but it's jar lids.  I've never seen one this big before.  The little blue hankie has 'To my wife with love  Iceland, 1942' painted on it.

More Gurley candles -- I can't resist!

These ornaments are unusual -- they're plastic and have little figures suspended inside.  At 50 cents each they were worth it

3 really odd postcards from 1905 & 1907.  I have no idea what 'Sure Mike' means!  The ride around town is someone in the back of a police wagon

I saved the best for last!  This is a BIG framed paint-by-number of flamingos (really well painted, too) -- it combines two of my favorite collectibles.  I think I'll keep it. 

  I hope you all had good shopping this week!  I'm off to check out your blogs now...

Mid-Michigan's Largest Indoor Flea Market?

I had a free day on Saturday, so I decided to drive about an hour northwest to a sale in a K of C (Knights of Columbus) hall.  The sale was billed as 'Mid-Michigan's Largest Indoor Flea Market'.  It wasn't a total frog, but it certainly wasn't a prince, either!  If it's the largest indoor flea market, mid-Michigan is setting the bar pretty low and stepping right over it!

They said there were 100 dealers -- I think there were more like 50 -- and 2/3 of them were selling new things like cheap college logo throw-blankets, $1 Made in China flashlights, and Beanie Babies (which I just lump together under the heading 'tube socks').  There were LOTS of 'tube socks'!  Of the 1/3 vintage dealers, most were WAY overpriced!  I got a few things, though -- especially from one dealer who has a booth at Williamston Antiques, I think. 

I like the A.H. Perfect Coffee can -- I've never heard of that company (midwest-based), but it's still pretty.  I think the bank in the front might turn out to be the buy of the day!  I found a similar one online that an antique dealer wants $130 for, claiming it's from the mid to late 1800s.  I think that's a ridiculous price (and they OBVIOUSLY hadn't found anyone to buy it for that much), but who knows?  My favorite thing is the white poppies California Pottery teapot.

A lot of old spice tins, 2 ink bottles a waxed cardboard cottage cheese container, an old Pabst-ette Cheese container and a Royal Winton plate.  I really like the plate, with its tartan bow in the corner. The pattern is called Ye Olde Innes -- how very Scottish!

Some very pretty yellow & white dishware -- no maker's mark

  After the flea market, I went to a private estate sale that was right up the road.  I was almost afraid to go into the house, because the only sign was a hand-written one with marker on a piece of poster board right between 2 driveways.  I was worried that I'd go to the wrong house, but in the end the thrill of the hunt overpowered my possible embarrassment.  It was the right house, but the wrong stuff!   It sounded like most of the good buys had gone out the door early (though I got there about 2 hours after it opened) and almost everything left was also overpriced.   I think too many people watch Antiques Roadshow!  I got a metal canister set that needs LOTS of work, though, a few things from the 25¢ bin and 2 old suitcases that are both a little flawed (super cheap). 

They look nicer than they are...

After the flea market and estate sale, I took the long way back to the antique mall and fluffed my booth and still got home by about 3:00.  All in all, I'd driven about 120 miles round trip and I'd say I'd almost kissed a frog and never found a prince -- BUT the sun was out and it was a pretty drive over the back roads.  Not a bad way to spend a Saturday at all!