First Flea Market Experience

Believe it or not, I've never really been to a flea market.  I say that I've never really been simply because I have gone two other times in my life and that was years ago and at the request of others.  I didn't go to actually look for something to buy.  Well, I went yesterday with the intent to buy and boy was that an experience.  I didn't even know where to start.  When I finally decided on a path, it was a path covered in cobwebs.  I walked straight into cobwebs.  The old me would have screamed and ran for the hills, but I have toughened up over the years.  After I brushed the cobwebs off my face, I finally came across one item worth purchasing.  This old stool:

I thought it showed potential so I quickly picked it up and had it set aside while I browsed around a bit more.  Truth be told, there was a ton of  "real" junk (like dolls with missing heads kind of junk) and I was ready to leave.  So I made my purchase, made sure I didn't walk into anymore cobwebs, and took leave of that place.  What I didn't realize until I loaded this little stool into the backseat of my husband's car, was that it also had cobwebs under the seat.  Not only were there cobwebs, but the little creatures that spun those webs were there as well.  I couldn't catch them (I was afraid to).  I figured they were in the back and wouldn't crawl into the front seat while I was driving.  I also figured that this hot Texas sun will kill them before my husband goes to work on Monday.  So in my mind, the problem is solved.  All of that for this little stool . . .

For now it's sitting in my little hideout (storage room).  I have to clean it, remove the old paint or whatever this stuff is that is flaking off like a layer of skin, and figure out what color to paint it.  I wonder why they call these places flea markets.  This particular market had spiders . . .

Oops, I did it again . . .

I went to another antique store yesterday, but it was in a small town so there was some hope.  What looked like total trash on the outside, was an addict's treasure on the inside (and out).  I could have spent hours sifting through everything, but I had my two little ones with me.  Speaking of sifting, guess what I found?

Can you read this old rusty thing?  It's a vintage Androck Hand-i-Sift.  The little fine print states that it was made in the USA.  Can you believe it?  Something made in the USA.  Well, this was probably because in 1924, that's how things were made . . . at home.  Would you like to see a little more?

Yes, I put FLOWERS not flour in my old sifter.  You're probably wondering what those two weird looking shoes are.  They're antique shoe forms made out of cast iron.  I thought they were pretty neat looking.  They're also quite heavy.

But it didn't stop there . . . I found these:

Two beautiful vintage frames.

I had a wonderful day finding very beautiful and interesting pieces . . . It was a good day indeed.  Perhaps some of you are wondering why I chose sepia to display my photos.  All I can say is that I find it beautiful.  I think it adds even more character to a piece when its simple form reflects beauty that can attract the eye more than vibrant colors.  It whispers, "There's a story .  .  . come take a look."

 Now, all I have to do is figure out what I'm going to do with these vintage frames.

Gone

Remember this table that I rescued?

Well, as of today it is no longer in my storage room.  It is G-O-N-E.  I sold it!  This is so exciting for me because it's the very first piece of furniture I've sold.  It's such an amazing feeling to work on something like this and have someone appreciate your work. Actually, I find this quite addictive and can only make my other addictions, which I talked about here, all the more intense.  There has got to be some kind of cure out there for me.  Even if there happens to be one, I don't think I would want it.