Wednesday, January 22, 2014

What I Didn't Buy at the Flea Market: Tempting Mugs, Robots, Knick Knacks...

With my antique mall booth stuffed to the brim (another expansion hopefully coming soon!) and my vintage stock finally dwindling a bit and organized I'm wary of bringing in new finds. My rules: no more wall hangings, mugs, beer steins, knick knacks that aren't of the incredible unique big-eye sell-fast variety, try to stick to true mid century modern, nothing that's not unique and incredible. Of course, I keep breaking my rules, but there's progress! Here's what I left behind this past frosty Sunday morning:


A beautiful beer stein! In green! I have the strangest vintage beer stein/mug fetish, totally unjustifiable. These souvenir types are especially risky so I exercised all my will power to leave behind another slow selling dust collector.


Unicorns! Unicorns actually sell really well for me and these have neon-spray-paint potential but I'm still iffy about that process. Exercised more will power to leave 'em. Go away! Out of sight knick knacks, sick of storing you!!!


I'm not letting myself collect anymore toys for the moment so I didn't even dig. Witness the requisite nude Barbie doll pile. People these days, I kept my dolls so pristine they're still looking like new in my parent's attic. Treat your toys nice, kids! You're turning me into my mom. Do you think money grows on trees?!


My "ceramics guy" (I'm a regular, often-known as "The Girl with the Camera" and frequently asked if these photos will end up on TV or my "next book"... I wish) was there as usual but I've already got so many planters from him to sell. And cookie jars and decanters sit too damn long.


I found an adorable matt brown version of the same exact cookie jar that sat forever before it sold at one of my antique mall booths for less than I would have liked.


And right next to him was my favorite "toy guy", Nick. His den must be wall-to-wall pop culture toy galore, he always brings out new goodies and lets me photograph his set-ups like a crazy person. He enjoyed the old toy collages I used to make.


M.A.S.K toys and Transformers aplenty, lots of goodness this time around! Look at the huge Metroplex! Want!


Wait and who's this!? Rodimus Prime!? I liked Hot Rod better but damn I still want a Hot Rod of Rodimus of my own. One of my favorite Transformers.


That's what he said, I heard it...


I really want the MASK van and this glorious Retro Go-Bot! Isn't he glorious! Too bad he was $20.00. Boo. My hunt continues. I will dream of this Go Bot tonight no doubt.


My "other" toy guy has an equally neat set-up with toys organized by type.


I enjoy the sight of these pill-guys grouped together.


And Transformers kept following me and haunting me. I want you all to live with me my beauties. I loved the juxtaposition of "battle scarred" Unicorn next to pristine Unicorn. He lost the battle of time and rough play with kids.


More Robots! Power Rangers HO! I still have that same red guy in the top left there to sell on eBay. It's HILARIOUS to scare your pets with them. Give it a try if you find one, I'll have to upload a video of Yuko being terrorized by it. I'm evil.


I really wanted these cute wall hangings and maybe should have took 'em home? What do you think? The only wall hangings I bought home cost pocket change so I could justify them sitting around for a while, but these ones had selling potential to me.


And a mug, of course! What the hell is with me and my mug fetish?! Loved this crab one.


Turtle Pile! The neon turtle coin bank was hyper close to joining my shop but had a small chip at one of the mouths. Boo!


This table set was absolutely incredible! Wouldn't mind putting that one in my apartment. Didn't even ask about the price, furniture is too slow moving for me to bother. I only have my apartment for storage, no room for anything to sit. And I hate lugging it around. Up and down stairs in and out of trucks, bah hum bug.


I also enjoyed this small child-sized 1960s groovy rocking chair. It's seen better says but the fabric is far-out.


Holy Smexy Trailer, Batman! Stopped to take some shots, and when I came back there was another surprise...


It belonged to my "sign guy", I met him at a yard sale where I learned he does that installations at our local Urban Outfitters. I may collaborate with him on building shop installations if my brick and mortar ever happens! He told me his trailer's going to be transformed into an on-the-go coffee truck! He's agreed to let me document the process so stay-tuned for posts on that.


He had a great set-up and loads of quality goods. I bought the epic robot lamp in Monday's post from him and some nice wall hangings I'll show next week, ran out of time to photograph them this time.


He had a lot of temptations going on there! Eek!


I wanted almost everything on this table, Io love canisters and cups but kitchenware sits forever for me.


I'm on the prowl for a record player just like this one, this one didn't work and had water damage so I had to leave it. The hunt continues!


Also tempted by this vintage Lite-Brite with all the lights included! Sexy! The packaging alone is beautiful.


And one final glorious sight, it took a while to get a great shot of this squirming puppy. Those eyes! One of my favorite elements of flea market/yard sale hunting are the critters you'll see. I've seen a pet MONKEY, Lizards, Giant Birds and dog galore. A regular brings around sister-dogs that look like Coyotes that I want to steal...but this one! It's so cute! It's like an anime mascot; it's a Pokemon! (Actually a Siberian Husky mix.)

Anything you've regretted leaving behind lately? What would have tempted you in this post? Sound off!
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60 comments:

  1. Love your eye! And is that guy selling that camper? Although I am not sure if we will ever do it...my husband and I are in love with old campers and would love to have one...one day! ;o)

    And also love that yellow and want table/chair set!

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    Replies
    1. No, he's turning it into a coffee shop so he can't sell it. He's agreed to let me write about the process. It's so trendy to turn 1960s campers into portable shops right now, all old enough to be "cool" again! I'd love one for a portable biz myself...

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  2. What an adorable puppy-- those eyes are amazing! Good thing you didn't have my daughter in tow, you would have come home with the tub of My Little Ponies! Those "pill" toys are Mighty Beanz, I think. Not too old-- same daughter has several.

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    1. Knew someone would know the toy name, thanks ! It's tricky to thrift with kids in general, especially when toys are around. Our toy guys bank on the impulse buys to quiet the kiddies in tow I'm sure. :D

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  3. LOVE the yellow kitchen set, so cool! The Gobot too. Wouldn't have been able to resist those pill guys either. I can't resist kitchen ware, but it is a hard sell, just like dinnerware. Oh that puppy...adorable.

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    Replies
    1. I used to do okay with retro kitchenware but it's likely because it was when I was selling more as a hobby and the prices were lower? That or the economy's/market's really changed!

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  4. What flea market is that?

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    1. I shop mostly at Bargain House at the moment. Gonna hunt at more estate sales/yard sales/etc.next. Off to the flea market now actually, me thinks!

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    2. Ahh. What Flea Market is that guy with the camper??

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    3. He won't be there all the time since he's turning the camper into a coffee shop soon, this was more of a fund raiser. But I can get you his info if you want to meet up and buy goods from him. E-mail me and let me know or if you have any other questions, info@thriftcore.com.

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  5. You exercised some good control! Those woodsy looking canisters were pretty kick ass! Same with that KFC sign. Maybe you and I can open a mug store called " Mugs a Plenty" and finally sell off all those mugs that we have sitting around.....

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    Replies
    1. I know, right? I adore mugs, wouldn't mind an excuse to keep buying them and other kitschy kitchen glassware. I was enamored by the same exact canisters.

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  6. Wow look at all that cool stuff. All them toys! I've be going crazy!

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    1. I'm spoiled by the toys now, the vendors are always there with them so I could always go back for more. I'm going to focus on the large amount I have now for some mixed media pieces. :D

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  7. Great pics! Jealous of the fabulous flea market there. Nothing like that around here. :(

    I had to wipe the drool off my chin because of the beautiful glass. I would have had to give myself a stern talking to. I would have rummaged through the My Little Ponies too to see if there were any older ones.

    I would have definitely checked out the dutch/swedish girl wall hanging in the 4th pic from the bottom. I have sworn off wall hangings, but I know I could have sold that!

    I haven't been shopping since November. I am getting antsy but then I look in my garage and realize I'm good. Soon garage sale season will start up again and I can shop, shop, shop! Until then, I shall live vicariously through your pics! Thanks for sharing! :)

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  8. I've been holding back a LOT. I don't have a huge hoard but I do want to sell off what I have and only scoop up fast sellers when I get anything into the future. The Swedish girl is pretty charming, maybe held back too much there. Almost forgot, need to update this post with the photo of an amazing record player.

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  9. Oh geez, that puppy is too cute! Thanks for more of the "bubble" commentary!! Love it! Way to exercise self-control, too, Van! Stopped by your booth at SC this past weekend. Looking good!

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    1. Oh man, was so ashamed of the booth. I was trying a minimalist route and filled it with stuff I was desperately trying to move to see how that would go. Thanks for the kind words and stopping by though! I just added a new sign (more to come on that) to brand it and stuffed it to the brim with goodies. Hope to be moving to a bigger booth soon.

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  10. Actually vintage amusement park memorabilia does pretty well - people get nostalgic over their favorite childhood haunts. I sold a teensy little saucer from a park that no longer exists someplace in Michigan for an amazing sum. And I never, never, never leave behind anything with a crab or lobster on it. Wacky, I know, but people love 'em.

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    1. Good to know since I absolutely love crab/lobster stuff and know where a couple are for buying. :D Interesting tip on the amusement park memorabilia too. May have to try that next time.

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  11. This table set is so dreamy, my parent's fridge is exactly same color, craziness. Ohhh the vendor of "sign guy" is pretty awesome, blog more about him I mean, the stuff he does yyyessss hehe CONGRATS Van you saw so many Robots and you were able to leave them behind, I see a lot of improvement here :D I'm with you: no more mugs, enough!!! And only unique items in my cart. 2 Weeks in a raw the flea market didn't happen here due to bad weather, I'm a vintage junkie, need a flea maket now now now!!!

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    1. I buy very little toys compared to the amount I see. Actually not too much relative to the amount I'm encountering period, now there's photographic proof! ;D

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    2. Oh and yep, will definitely have to write more about his portable coffee shop, he'll be gutting the inside of the camper soon. We were going to work on a Thrift Core design but I decided to craft my own, too indecisive to put anyone through my making process! Torture!

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  12. The puppy is BY FAR my favorite thing. Look at those eyes! Swoon. Want to cuddle. But that table set is almost as enticing. So yellow. So retro. So want.

    xo Ashley
    thetiniestfirecracker.com

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  13. Looks like much better selections than the last few times I went to Bargain House! I should get back out there. It's been awhile...

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    1. Everyone discounts it but it's a good flea market with lower prices than the others if you have a good eye.

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  14. Wow there was some cool stuff.
    If the bank were bigger,I would buy it.Our extended family plays dirty Santa every year and I want to get one that's big enough for a roll of quarters this year.
    The yellow glass canisters would definitely have come home with me.They must have made those in every color because I already have blue and green sets.

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  15. Yeh I liked those canisters too. Can't have anything sitting around anymore though, drives me nuts.

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  16. that crab mug is great! And the yellow dining set is just divine!

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    1. Next time I won't leave a crab or lobster behind.

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  17. You should have snagged that litebright. I've sold one before - it sold quick and for good money.

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    1. I would have but he was asking $30 for it. Not much meat to the bone for a reseller at that price. Love the, would love one of my own to play with. Will never grow up :D

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  18. Sign guy's stuff was my favorite. Those blankets he had hanging next to the sign would sell really well out here in Arizona!

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    1. He's selling off some personal collections to fund his portable coffee project and you can definitely see the artist's eye in picking goodness. Great stuff, will have to pick through more of his collection to buy stuff as I document his project.

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  19. That crab mug is adorable! You have a lot of willpower! :)

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    1. Crab and Lobster anything are truly irresistible. Next time I know to nab 'em.

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  20. OMG on the adorable camper! I expect to walk in it and see pink and turquoise Pyrex! I truly hope he keeps the colors. He should buy up some mugs and sell them as a side biz to selling coffee. Can't wait to see your documentary on his project!

    I live in the Tidewater area of Virginia and that crab mug would have come home with me.

    Van - I like you. But now I REALLY like you cuz you scare pets with robots!!!

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    1. I've had a lifelong fascination with all sea creatures and have trouble resisting anything with one on them. The mugs-on-the-side is a good idea, I may have to suggest it to him. And yes, the poor Yuko was terrified of the red robot wheeling toward her ;D Will have to put batteries in him and record the carnage.

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  21. I love the neon turtles and crab mug, for reals. I don't ever feel bad about leaving anything behind... I'm so cheap, I consider it to be a victory when I DON'T spend money. HAHAHA!

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    1. I only feel bad from a potential money-making perspective since I only buy merchandise. But my wallet and apartment always thank me ;D

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