AROUND THE HOUSE // Flea Market Finds
One of my favorite ways to spend a weekend morning is at an antique flea market. I have shared my thoughts about how to shop at flea markets in a previous post. I try to go to as many as I can because but I think all flea markets are great. You just need to know what to look for!
Sunday morning I woke up and realized it was the second Sunday of the month. And that meant that the Rose Bowl Flea Market was happening a few miles from my home. Even though it was 87 degrees at 7:30 am I decided to make a visit. So I threw my metal shopping cart in the back of my car and with my coffee in hand I headed to the Rose Bowl.
I entered the show by 8:00 am which is a good thing. Every hour the cost of admission decreases and at 9:00 it gets really cheap. And it’s as if the floodgates open and everyone pours in. I never quite understood that, since the admission price only drops from $12 to $7.00. Personally, I like to beat the crowds.
I found a pretty handmade antique quilt right away for $15.00. I had a feeling I would get a good price because it was in a booth that only had wooden furniture (remember tip #7?). It’s a bit worn but that was fine. I can always cut it up for pillows or something Christmas related.
The new item that I am seeing everywhere are these blanket type fabrics. I know they would make great pillows and they seem really popular. Does anybody know the story behind these?
My favorite purchase was an old wooden tool box. It only cost $5.00 and I bought it from a guy that had pure junk in his booth. I almost walked right past him but I had just spent ten minutes looking at some wonderful small succulent plants at a booth nearby. And the minute I saw the tool box I knew what I wanted to do with it!
So I went back to the succulent booth and forty succulents later, my tool box was full!
I think the Long Beach Antique Flea Market is next weekend. Oh darn.
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How many? LOL. Love it!!!!!
I love old tool boxes also, so many uses. 🙂
So true, Anita! What do you use them for?
I LOVE the idea of putting succulents in the tool box! I have an old soda bottle crate that I am now going to pull out of the basement and fill with succulents. Thanks for the idea!!!
I love soda box crates! I think yours will look fantastic with succulents. I can’t wait to see it.
I have always wanted to go to the Rose Bowl Flea! So much junky fabulousness…
I stopped going for a few years because I thought I didn’t need anything. But now that I have started going again I really love it. It’s so worth a visit!
Wow that looks beautiful!! I love how you can turn anything into a planter! Those succulents are gorgeous!
I’m new to succulents but absolutely love them! Aren’t they fabulous?
I’ve been wanting to make some throw pillows from some old grain sacks I found. Time to bust out the machine…
Yes!! Do it! You won’t be sorry!
Wow! What a great find in that tool box! Love how you used it as plant holder!
Thanks, Jenny! I thought it was pretty clever!
Beautiful
I’ve never been to the Rose Bowl Flea Market and would love to go… but, I always have wondered if there is a big difference in these larger, vintage flea markets in regards to the prices they ask for items vs the smaller tag sales. I’m sure the cost to vendors for booth space is reflected in their asking prices. Since you’ve shopped so many nation wide, do you get a sense of price gouging?
Good morning Beth. There are definiteley some vendors with higher prices, however, it is also more competitive which helps keep pricing in line. There is also so much more inventory to choose from at the larger markets. At the larger markets, you will also find vendors who specialize in specific items so their booths are curated. Happy shopping!