Bought “Cheap and Cheerful”

It was a gorgeous warm spring day for our small monthly flea market and I was excited to go. Really excited…even though I didn’t want to spend any real money. I was not going to “pay up” for anything. Not this time. This was to be more of a fun ramble amongst the displays with no pressure to buy. If I found a few good things for little $, great. If not, that was okay too.

Once there I skated past vendors I knew priced things on the higher end. I don’t begrudge them trying to get these prices, but for my purposes as a reseller, it just doesn’t work. I walked past clothing, plant and toy vendors. Just not my thing. I briefly looked at one guy’s tables, but realized many of the items were things that he’s been bringing for months and months. Good stuff but the fact that they are still unsold after all this time tells me they are priced high with little room for negotiation.

In the end I found a few small things spending $29. Some were good, a couple missed the mark!

My first purchase was from an older gent that I’ve bought from before. He swears I have a doppleganger that comes later in the day. He had one table full of jewelry all priced at $2. Most of it was new costume pieces but I looked a bit and did find this large vintage brutalist owl made out of nails with a chain. Okay, now we got something! (I put it on and wore it while at the flea market.)

Another guy had tons of costume jewelry in about 50 small blue baskets. There was just gobs of it, but most was so tangled up you couldn’t look at it properly. A few vintage brooches were intriguing but missing rhinestones. In the end, out of thousands of pieces, I got just one piece–a carved/molded plastic bangle. Got home and tested it with Simichrome hoping it might be honey or applejuice bakelite. Sadly it wasn’t. Rats!

Another seller I’ve bought from before (he offers good stuff often at reseller prices) had some vintage compacts that I thought were pretty spectacular. The gold and black one is a Rex of Fifth Avenue and the other is a pretty mother-of-pearl by Creation of Ansico. Both include the original powder puff and are in good, collectible condition.

Oh dear, but this Dutch boy doll (likely 1930ish) had seen better days. The cord holding his arms in place is gone so both arms were “dislocated” and one is broken as well. But that sweet handpainted face just couldn’t be left behind. I had to rescue him. And oddly I have sold a few dolls/doll parts in less than pristine condition. Some folks like the patina of age and wear. We’ll see if I can find him a home!

This “Made in Occupied Japan” Chinese man ceramic figurine is not something I normally buy so I’m not sure why I did this time! Didn’t notice the glaze was scuffed/chipped in places. Should have left him behind as he’s not worth selling. For now I have made him Lord Protector of our small potted rosemary bush.

I adore Hanukkah menorahs and this heavy brass brutalist one (made in Israel) is just fabulous and my best score. I would be happy to keep this if it doesn’t sell.

So not a lot and not a lot of money spent. But a few interesting bits and a good time was had. Sometimes that’s enough.

Happy hunting,

Karen