Flying with Fleas

I love a good flea market. Nothing like bringing your biggest shoulder bag and heading out to a one-stop junk carnival of fun! Although some of the prices are higher than garage sales, I am usually able to find some unique treasures at flea markets.

Before I show you what I bought this time around, I'd like to show you some interesting finds. Another great thing about flea markets - you're bound to see something that makes you smile!

Nothing like a table of wonderful assorted glassware! One of life's greatest joys is searching over a table like this one to find a gem. I like that little blue teapot. Perhaps I should have bought it. Live and learn.

Ahh, now a sight like this makes me yearn. I adore knobs, hinges, keys, and trinkets made of metal.

This was an interesting sight - a giant rooster overlooking a nun and lady friend's slumber party. Haha! The things you see at flea markets...

 

I thought this was a cool old instrument. This one's for you, Kim.

Baskets and baskets of kitchen supplies. Baster, anyone? How about a whisk? Noodle grabber? Spork?

A glorious assortment of ceramic dog statues. I have recently decided to start a similar collection, simply because these are so adorable and seeing them all lined up makes my heart happy. Too bad I hadn't thought of this new collection idea at the time, and unfortunately, did not purchase any of these precious pups.

 

Gotta love the PEZ dispensers! I used to have so many. Wonder where they went.

Disney characters! Gotta love it. I spy Jiminy Cricket, Balloo, Pluto, Flounder, and Pumba (to name a few)

This made me laugh.
Clothed Barbies - $1.00
Naked Barbies - 50 cents
Naturally.

 

Random bearded shaggy-haired man head.

 

Now I suppose I should show you what I actually BOUGHT at the flea market...

 

Gavel (for the classroom) - 50c

Twine (for crafting) - $1.00

Dumbo Figurine - 50c 

 

Hair Feathers (NEW) - $5.00 for both boxes

(these usually sell for $10 a box)

Covergirl Eyeliner (NEW) - 25c each

 Little Vintage Suitcase - $7.00

 

It completes my set-up perfectly!

 

Pluto Figurine - 50c

 

Vintage Camera - $3.00

 

Vintage Street Light Insulators - $1.00

 

Vintage "Chemist" Glasses - $2.00

 

Load of Keys (50+) - $3.00

 

Disney Christmas Game Book - $1.00

Vintage Minnie Mouse - $2.00

Snowman Decoration - 50c

Aren't those fun finds? I was excited to get them. My favorite treasure is probably the old green glasses. They look great in my living room and are definitely a conversation piece. I love strange, one-of-a-kind treasures. 

Until next time, flea market...

  

Take Time for Lemonade,
Kris

Small Town Junkin'

A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to find a village-wide garage sale in a small town. Since this was a lake town with fields and farms, I got to look through sheds and barns to find treasures. I also got to witness some fresh sights.

The first thing I loved was that everyone was riding around, from sale to sale, on their four-wheelers or in golf carts. How convenient is that? I accidentally dug through the back of one of the golf carts, though. It was at the end of the drive-way, and I have no idea what I was thinking, but I thought it was for sale. So, I started rummaging through this man's pile of stuff. I guess this was the stash of items he was planning on buying, and he was using his cart to hold them aside. Oh, he was ANGRY when he saw me rummaging.

Garage Sale Lesson #1 - Never touch the already-claimed treasures of your fellow junker

As soon as I put down the loot, all was forgiven. Anyway - another fun aspect of this small little town was that everyone seemed to have some type of very interesting mailbox. Most of them were fish related, since the town surrounds a lake. I now present to you, "Tractor Fish Lure Fish"

I also got to see BEAUTIFUL landscapes and majestic barns. I adore barns. I also have a strange passion for rust. When you combine it with small-town 'scapes and Americana, I just get excited. This here is a delightful rusty old tractor; however, there seems to be a mysterious visitor peeking through the window...

Another interesting encounter involved ducklings. Never before have I seen animals being sold at garage sales (and I'm not even entirely sure if it's allowed), but on this trip, I found some people who were looking to sell these cute little ducks. They were just quackin' up a storm and waiting for someone to buy them. I believe they were pretty affordable, too - but then again, I am not in need of a duck at this current time.

So, the interesting journey and change-of-pace was wonderful enough - but I also found some treasures! Here's a glimpse of my small-town finds...

HUGE stack of Mary Engelbreit Cards & Envelopes - $1.00

If you know how much I love Mary Engelbreit, then you know how excited I was about this. Imagine how much each card would cost in the store! I have over 50 cards here - covering various occasions. I just adore her artwork - it's so fun.

3 Outdoor Extension Cords and 1 Outlet Adapter - $10 for all

My handy husband was especially excited about these. The boxes say that the cords sold for $5.99 - so we got a pretty good deal. We can always use more hook-ups for the ol' Griswold display!

Giant Pocket-Watch Clock - $7.00

Now, this is expensive for me. Stop laughing. I know this isn't expensive considering normal-person standards, but as a garage sale queen, I really had to weigh my options. I just HAD to have this clock, though. Isn't it beautiful? I don't know where I am going to put it yet, but I do know that I love it. Hey - at least I got a discount since it was priced at $10 originally.

 

Thurman Thomas Figurine - $2.00

This is what happens when you bring your husband garage saling with you. I must say, though - this seems like a great deal. It's new and in the box, and although I could not find an exact replica online, similar figurines were selling for $20-$50. I guess I'll keep him around. My husband, I mean - not Thurman Thomas. Well, I suppose he can stay, too - even though the hubby wanted to put him on his desk at work.

Brand New Paper Towel Holder - $1.00

Glass Cannister - $1.00

Metal Napkin Dispenser - FREE

Antique Scribe - 25c

I thought my mom could use another paper towel holder for her outdoor pool parties. The cannister is the perfect size for making some mixed-media art inside. I don't exactly know what that napkin dispenser will be used for, but I assure you - it will get a new life someday. I loved the look of the old antique scribe. I looked them up online and apparently I got a really great deal (they're selling for $10 - $50). I just thought it looked cool - I don't even know what it was used for, or better yet, what I will use it for.

Walt Disney's Classic Storybook - 25c

Shaggy Dog DVD - 50c

Buzz Lightyear Toy - 25c

Why would anyone sell a perfectly beautiful, hardcover, Disney book? Well, I'm glad they did. I have never seen Shaggy Dog, but I we love Tim Allen and it was cheaper to buy it than rent it. We love dog movies, so I'm sure we'll enjoy it. The Buzz Lightyear toy is AMAZING. He has sound effects and his wings shoot out when he wants to fly. He even has a laser coming out of his arm with the push of a button. My husband and I felt SO COOL when we saw these at the store for $40! Wow. See? This is why I garage sale. Hubby intends to add it to his fun array of desk toys. I'm confident that he has the most interesting cubicle in the office. He's so darn cute - that's why I love him. Once again, I am referring to my husband, not Buzz Lightyear. I DO love Buzz Lightyear, though.

Glass Platter - $1.00

Gold Canyon Candle - 50c

Plastic Pillars - FREE

1992 Olympics Pins - 25c each

I just love that platter. I probably won't use it for food, though. I see it more in a cloche role, ya know? Gotta love "free" boxes at sales - these little pillars will be good for something someday. Until then, take a rest in the craft bin, my friends. Gold Canyon candles are very nice, and this one's only a teensy-bit used. Can't beat that. Although I have no interest in pin collecting, I thought these would be good to have. For a quarter a piece, I might as well throw them in my pin box. Who knows? Years from now - 1992 Olympics pins might be rare! They're selling for $3-$7 each online right now.

Carbon Monoxide Detector (NEW) - $2.00

Bumblebee Dog Costume - $1.00

Dog's Life Game - 50c

If you are asking yourself: "Self, if that a dog dressed as Benjamin Franklin? Could this BE? It seems almost too good to be true." Well, yes my friends. That IS indeed a dog dressed in colonial costuming. I know how marvelous this is, which is precisely why I purchased it. I don't know if the game is fun, but let's face it - it doesn't even matter. Speaking of dogs, Jake is going to look dapper in this festive little bumblebee costume. Oh, and those Carbon Monoxide detectors sell for over $20 in stores. Once again, I score.

Carson's Brand Shirt (NEW) - $1.00

Now, it is rare that I buy clothes from garage sales. First of all, they rarely have my size. I'm just too amazing to be mainstream - haha. Also, I rarely find brand new, tags-on items that excite me. Needless to say, this baby was a diamond in the rough. I don't shop at Carson's regularly, but I know that they have quality merchandise. I don't know if you can see the tag, but this beauty originally sold for $36.00.

A Series of Unfortunate Events Book Set - $2.00 for all

Although these are junior-high level reading books, I have always wanted to read them. I'm also considering basing my short play off of one of these stories this year. I can't wait to begin reading! It's so fun to read a series, isn't it? They are all in perfect condition.

Mounted Vintage School Bell - $5.00

I just love this bell so much. As a teacher, it holds a special place in my heart. I can't wait to clean it up real pretty and find a perfect place to display it in my home.

So there you have it. From funky fish mailboxes, to ducklings, to Buzz Lightyear - we saw it all. Definitely a fun and interesting garage sale day. The best part? I got to spend some quality time with my darling husband. Isn't that what life's all about?

Take Time for Lemonade,
Kris

Reflections on the Junk Life

Sometimes, when I tell people how passionate I am about junk sales, they just don't understand. Sure, they'll smile and nod, but I really don't think that too many people truly grasp what this hobby does for my soul. 

There's something so magical and wonderful about these treasures - pieces of past with a history, a life, and a story to tell. The more rust, the better. The more chipped paint, scuffs, scratches, and chips - the more character the object possesses. Some aren't able to comprehend how I'd take an old suitcase ANY DAY over a new set of designer luggage. The peeling stickers of travels' past, the weathered leather handle, worn from years of use, and the rusty old clasps - locking in dear possessions of the weary traveler - these bits of charm cannot be bought in a store. They are one-of-a-kind fingerprints - small reminders of those who have been here before, and who, in a way, will always be there.

There's just something special about roaming through an Estate Sale. Sometimes, if it's quiet, it's almost like a prayer. I love walking from room to room, through a house in which someone once lived and perhaps raised a family...traveling through the spaces where they made their most cherished memories - where they cried, laughed, dreamed, and maybe even where they took their last precious breath. If I'm lucky enough, I will even catch glimpses of old relationships - a love letter tucked neatly between the pages of an old book, or etched initials on the bottom of a dusty porcelain figurine. Sometimes, I even like to make-up stories about certain items. If only they could talk! After a trip through someone's house and life's treasures, it's almost as if you've formed a type of unidentifiable bond. A friendship, even. It is one of the most special, intimate experiences - connecting perfect strangers through an earthly life left behind.

Now, garage sales and flea markets bring an entirely different kind of joy. There's just something about pulling up to a driveway with the anticipation of what lies inside, or scanning a kaleidoscopic array of trinkets and doodads and thing-a-ma-bobs - waiting for your eye to meet that special gem. Sure, you'll often have to navigate your way through crusty Tupperware, dilapidated footwear or "As Seen on TV" exercise equipment - but at the perfect moment - almost as in a brief wink of destiny - you find yourself face to face with something that speaks directly to you. It could be something that you've been meaning to purchase, or it could be a surprise that you never knew you needed. Whatever it is - it's cheap, it's marvelous, and gosh darn it, you're going to give it a brand new life.

Although I find it difficult to put into words exactly how therapeutic and wonderful "junking" is to me, I tried my best to paint a picture for you. While futile and strange to some people, garage-saleing is a hobby that brings me authentic, pure joy. No matter how hard I try, I just can't pass up that "Garage Sale," "Yard Sale," "Rummage Sale," "Barn Sale," "Junk Sale," or "Flea Market" sign. The curiosity of the abundance that lies waiting for me is just too much to handle. I guess you can consider me a modern day pirate, searching for treasures with my own whimsical spirit as my guide.

P.S. All of the photos in this post were taken in my living room. I acquired these treasures at various junk sales throughout the past few years. Aren't they just wonderful?

Take Time for Lemonade,
Kris

Grandma's Trinket Box

I created a quick gift for my grandma - inspired by what she loves and the things that remind me of her. It's for her birthday! She's a very special person in my life, and I love her SO much.

So, I started with this little trinket box. I thought it was really cool! I bought it from a garage sale for $2.00 - but the tag on the photo insert said it was from Hobby Lobby. It's so cute!

 

Trinket Box - $2.00

Then, I covered it with scrapbook paper strips. My gram's favorite color is green, so I used that color as the theme for the project...

Next, I started looking through my bins of treasures! I have TONS of old books, greeting cards, and other do-dads for crafting that I gather throughout my garage sale adventures.  Eventually, here's what I came up with:

The finished piece

Allow me to explain the meaning behind each item...

50's Bathing Beauty - My gram loves to swim and tan!

Definitions - "wisdom" and "grandmother"

Scrabble E - Her first initial

Mickey Mouse - She took me to Disney World many times!

BINGO and Playing Cards - She enjoys playing games

"57" - The year she was married (1957)

Vintage "eve" letters - Her name

Recipe Instructions - She is an excellent baker

Clock - Her house has many clocks (chiming clocks remind me of her)

Definition - "generous"

Key - her home is always warm and inviting

The other two sides of the box have photo frames. I put one old photo of us together, and one recent photo...

 Gosh, I was adorable.

In case you were wondering, here's how the little drawers open up...

So that's that. Just a quick little craft on a snowy Friday night. Hope she likes it!

Take Time for Lemonade,

Kris