Favorite Finds

Rhoda over at Southern Hospitality is hosting a "Show Your Favorite Flea Market Finds" Day. Anyone who has ever browsed a flea market or yard sale or antique show likely has a favorite find - I have several! When I go to flea markets I always look for my favorite things - buttons, lace, vintage textiles, old books, ephemera, and aqua mason jars (although I'm thinking I have enough of those now, since they fill up a window sill). Then there are the things I have a need for at that particular time, such as a garden urn or a birdbath or a bit of picket fence (which, by the way, I haven't found yet). I also look for things that will make good props in photos - and that covers just about everything else!

In the town where I live there's a "swap meet" every weekend at the fairgrounds. It used to be a place to buy cheap new stuff, like socks or luggage or shoes. I would never go. That kind of merchandise is still there, but in the last two years the back section has been filled with sellers who come and go - they might be people with garage sale things, thrift store owners, antique dealers, used book sellers, etc - it's open to anyone. Now I love to go! My husband has been timing me on how long it takes me to find something to buy after I turn that last corner into the good stuff. I think my record is 15 seconds. I've found some beautiful things there, and I usually spend no more than a few dollars. The silver, glass, and crocheted piece above are recent finds from that swap meet (I really wish it was called something else - the words "swap meet" don't conjure up a very vintage image, do they?). The silver pieces were no more than $3.00 each, and the cake plate was $7.00. Not every weekend is good, but it seems that I either find several great things in one day, or nothing at all.

This old sewing case is something I bought last weekend for $40.00. The seller wouldn't budge on the price, but since it was stuffed to overflowing with wooden spools of thread, really old french pastille tins filled with bits & bobs, rusted scissors, some old sewing kits from hotels, and a hodge-podge of other little things like hooks & eyes, garters, ratty pincushions, and pearly buttons, I decided to buy it. It's about 2 1/2 feet tall, and it's been a lark to go through! There must have been a hundred rusty safety pins stuck to everything. A friend suggested I hang it on a wall, which I think is a really good idea. I just have to find some wall space! The shutter panels in the background are from the same place (although on a different day) - 4 panels for $20.00. I'm still working on getting them "vintaged up" to my liking, although they were already peeling nicely when I bought them, but in the wrong color. And lastly, the garden pieces below. The birdbath was in a perfect state of rustiness for $22.00 at the Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena CA (one of two I saw that day - the other was $75.00!), and I can rarely resist an Eiffel Tower. This one was $25.00, and even if it was too much it will be a charming host to a climbing flowering plant as soon as I decide on a spot for it. And now, be sure to visit Rhoda's blog to see the fabulous finds of others!

Comments

[Diane]

Hi,
You sound like me...happiest when you can look through stuff at a flea market type event with great prices! The aqua mason jars look so good with the daisies! And I love that bird bath...can't ever have too many of those can you? LOL
diane

[linda thompson]

Oh my gosh, that old sewing case took my breath away!! I love it!!

We could never go thrifting together... we love too many of the same things! Ha!

[Bobbie]

I LOVE a swap meet. I lived in Las Vegas for many years and there is a large one there that I miss terrible. Yard sales are great but nothing beats a swap meet. You have a lot of great finds. Love that sewing cabinet

[Deputy's Wife]

I love that sewing cabinet. I wish I could find something like that for next to my sewing table! Great find!

[Rhonda]

What great pieces! Love the silver, and super price for them! :) ~Rhonda

[Laura @ the shorehouse.]

I just love the photo of the silver vignette...and what DEALS!! I would have definitely picked up Le Tour D'Eiffel...even at $25.

I will be back for a longer visit with youru beautiful photos!

[Jen R]

Great finds! Love the cabinet and the yard stuff! Jen R

[Debbie]

Oh my word! That cabinet is amazing, I just love it! You found some really great bargains!

[rhoda]

Jill, you've really been finding some great things. I love all that silver and that sewing kit piece is something else. Never seen anything like that! The thrill of the hunt never goes away, does it?

thanks for playing along with my yardsale party! I know everyone is going to be inspired at what can be found out there.

Rhoda

[Jeanne]

What great treasures you have found. That sewing box was a real bargain. When I sold antiques I would have asked over $100. for that sweet sewing cabinet. good for you!

Jeanne

[heididevlin]

Hi Jill, I cannot believe some of your finds!!! Fabulous!....My favorite thing though is the aqua canning jars with the daisies!...So simple & so charming!....Thank so much for sharing!...heidi XO...P.S. My very favorite place to find wonderful things is "Down Home" in Old Orange....I'm sure you are familiar!...Bye for now!

[Nikkicrumpet]

OH MY I SO WANT THAT BIRD BATH!
What great finds and what pretty blog!

[Melissa (Missy)]

You have some really nice finds there.

[Dana]

I wish we had a "swap meet" like that in our town! You really nailed some terrific items----that cake plate and top for only $7.00! Great thrifty shares.

[Picket]

Great finds! I love the old vintage things...those blue jars on your header with the flowers are so pretty...I have two sets of those but I never thought to put fresh flowers in them like that!

[rue]

Absolutely beautiful! The finds and the pictures :) My mom has a birdbath almost identical to that.

I grew up in Arcadia, CA, so I know the Rose Bowl well :)

rue

[Brenda Kula]

Oh, I love that unusual thing for the spools of thread, and that cake plate! You did good, girl!
Brenda

[Robin~Thrifty Miss Priss]

oh you are a girl after my own heart! LOVE the jars!

[Beverly]

Oh, I just love all of your things. And, that sewing cabinet is wonderful.

[nikkisnacs]

I really like the Eiffel Tower, beautiful! I'm headed to go look at your etsy shop!

[Sharon]

Such great finds! As I said to another blogger, you can never have too much silver or glass! The sewing cabinet is awesome and the garden pieces are lovely.
Sorry to say that the flea markets around this area never have this quality of items!

[Gabrielle]

you got some great stuff!! that sewing cabinet is beautiful. I also collect aqua ball jars..I picked up three more in Alabama on vacation. I love the silver too and I've been looking for a silver julip cup..the ones with the beading around the edge. your etsy items are gorgeous. are you talking about the Costa Mesa swap Meet...my dad used to sell there years ago. I haven't been in a lonnnnnng time, maybe I need to check it out.

[Marcia]

Your pictures turned out great. I knew everyone would love that sewing cabinet! Just remember, if you decide to sell it, I asked first:)

[Marcia]

Btw, when are you going again to the swap meet?