“Interesting” was the word of the day at Scotts Flea Market. That’s right. Not ‘cool’ or ‘wow’ or even ‘fab’….most of the stuff was just plain interesting to look at. I think I laughed at most of the things on display. I also laughed at the prices. They were more blown up than a celebrities celulite booty. Seriously…some of those sellers must have been on crack because asking $125 for a dented metal watering can is ridiculous. What does it grow? Money trees?!
So that’s when I decided that if I couldn’t afford to shop, I could definitely afford to share. So the hunt for good ideas was on. First I saw some of these outdoor metal coffee tables. Totally masculine right? But just check out how fun the branch decor looks…cost for chic coffee table topper – Free. That is one price I could totally afford.
And the flea market was buzzing with rows devoted solely to art. $10 for a clipping from an art book isn’t completely obscene…especially if you were head over heels in love with a specific picture. But remember, if you aren’t super picky – Goodwills & Thrift stores carry books that could cost around $3 for a whole slew of pretty pics that are just begging to be framed.
Speaking of art, sea fans were all over the flea market…and framed on the diagonal in shadowboxes. I loved the red. I hated the pricetag…well over $50. But you could do this project at home just like me or like Scotts – craft stores such as Hobby Lobby carry affordable shadowboxes and the sea fan can be ordered online or found on the beach during your next sandy vacation.
Oh and if sea life was your forte, then Scott’s didn’t disappoint. Shells, art (like the sea inspired art behind this blue chair) and coral were practically in every booth. And speaking of the chair – the one that was living on an oversized ironing board vaguely reminded me of the one I featured on 15under50 a few weeks back. The only difference being about $200 🙂
Even if your taste is not ‘shabby chic’ or ‘modern grandma’ the flea market was still brimming with good ideas. The booths were all very inspirational in terms of crafting. Just check out this photo of pussywillow balls (heehee – two dirty words in one craft!) that I am sure you could make at home. A foam ball and some of the furry springtime blooms would make for a very soft textural centerpiece. Plus, boys think it’s funny 🙂
One of the very first things that caught our eye was this bamboo hanging pendant light. The strips of bamboo look like rulers, don’t they? And the sticks could be glued onto an embroidery hoop or any other round frame with Liquid Nails and hung over a single bulb.
I am just loving the way the seller had this antique chair made over with nubbly linen and oil-rubbed bronze nailheads. Wouldn’t this just be the cat’s meow in a kitchen corner or pulled up to a barheight table for a little card-playing action? And this would totally be doable at home…even the stencil! Just pick your favorite number and have at it.
One of my favorite items at the flea market was definitely these lamps. Blue glass jars…white drum shades…but where does the cord come from?
That’s right. The light unit is attached to the cork at the top and ‘plugged’ into the jar for an instant lamp. How bright is that idea?!?
Speaking of bright ideas…check out these doorknobs turned wine bottle corks. Fab, right? Yeah and it makes uncorking that bottle of bubbly easier than Jessica Simpson jokes. Chicken of the Sea, what?!?
And if you had spare windows lying around…you could turn the trash into a greenhouse for your growing garden. Or you could just put a basket with a giant concrete lawn squirrel in it and call it a day…whatever you like 🙂
A really cute idea was these keyboard magnets that was a nice little twist on those fridge letters you get as a kid. These aren’t florescent colors but they are still useful for your kid’s art or for spelling out funny phrases for your hubby to find…like ‘my clotis is burning for you’. Please note – clotis is not a word. Please also note – your hubby won’t know that 🙂
But I couldn’t keep my eyes on only the type magnets when the net pendants were hanging so closely behind. How cool would the texturally lights be for an outdoor party or even a dining room that needs a little oomph!?!?
And since I have pennies on the brain…I couldn’t skip over this concrete garden ornament that was completely covered in coins. I even love how they painted the pennies with a whitewash to give it that ‘old-timey’ look.
You might think that with all these great pieces that it would be hard to walk away empty handed. Well, you are right. We ended up in the outdoor area that had architectural elements for sale and a bunch of booths that had much more reasonable prices. My friend Julia bought a yellow watering can for $6. And she got the cool wooden and metal console table for $80. Not bad, huh!?
My friend Brook got a book, a mercury glass mushroom, and a wicker mini trunk but I forgot to take a photo. Oops. Okay. And me? Well, heaven knows I would have tried to hijack a trailer full of goodies if the place wasn’t swarming with security. But in the end, I got a few old keys for a couple bucks, a $1 sleeve of chinese takeout containers (random), a metal letter “B” for $4, and an antique looking white tray for $20. I didn’t really want to spend the $20 on the tray but the seller Tim handmade the thing. And I love supporting the woodworking art.
I also got three wire baskets that are pretty big. They were $3 each so I feel like I got an extra good deal on those. And just you wait to see what I end up doing with them…it’s oh-so-fab!
So there you have it…a recap of good ideas and my purchases at Scotts Flea Market. And even though I didn’t spot Eddie Ross, I had an excellent time spying some inspirational ways to spice up my home.
Now that you see what I saw….WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE IDEA OR FLEA MARKET FIND? Maybe it is something you found at your own local flea market? Or maybe it was the doorknob cork, or the penny lawn ornament, or the pussywillow balls? heehee…that never gets old 🙂
Katie Bower… I am going to the thrift store TOMORROW for a keyboard… or two… or three… wish me luck and thanks for the IDEA!
I didn’t know pussywillows came in balls! Ewww, that sounded totally sick but I had to type it anyway.
Whoa, eye candy overload!! I actually feel like I was there though thanks to your fab pics and witty as always commentary.
cute stuff. my fave is def the lamps–fabulous!!
Darby, I will be blogstalking your site to see if you actually tackle this project…I think it is so adorable! Maybe you could even do a tutorial (hint hint) for the rest of us 🙂
XO – Katie
This weekend I bought a table like I’ve never seen before. It’s a drum-like top with 4 cubbies on the sides, then it sits atop a pedestal and it has a spinning mechanism so you can turn it (if you’d like). It’s great! $35 find! Best part is that it’s already stained a dark walnut color… no Cabot Polystain action necessary on my end!
Wow Amanda! Sounds like one of a kind! Isn’t it great to find those pieces that require no work and are fabulous to boot?! Love it.
XO – Katie
I still don’t get how the lamps work. Serious. Help. Love them!!! (How do they plug in?)
I just posted about my flea market find from last month!
http://katieandchriscoleman.blogspot.com/2009/06/flea-market-find.html
I’m pretty jealous of your wire baskets. I’ve been on the lookout for some of these but the only ones I find are half the sized of these and cost $14 and up. But I’m staying optimistic that I’ll find em!
Yeah I need to go to your flea markets because I never find that kind of cool stuff. Great finds!
Hi Sarah – The lamps are very DIY friendly. A wire kit can be purchased at any hardware store and can be bolted into a cork. The power wire (that normally gets run through a lamp base and out a hole in the bottom of the lamp) is running directly from the cork on the outside of the lamp and gets plugged directly into the outlet. Make sense?
XO – Katie
how long does the flea market run for? i am coming to visit my mom in august and she lives an hour outside atlanta and we would love to go to it. alsooooo i found these( http://www.blueq.com/shop/item/114-productId.125837509_114-catId.117440523.html) and thought of your blog.im a creepster. i know.
p dot s there are also bacon bandages and car air freshners that you can buy.
Love those glass lamps!!
The lamps and the textured pendants are so cool.
Oh, how your blog makes coming to work worth while!
I love my “console” table that we found for me at scott’s on Sat. Even more important was that you taught me what a “console” table was. I put a cute furry plant on it and 2 candles. I’m already getting compliments on it. And… the watering can. Got a tiny can of spray paint and it looks NEW! When can we go again? Your BFF, Julia
Hey Jules – yay for BFF thrift shopping! I was so glad that you found a piece you (and hopefully the hubs) likes for your foyer. I can’t wait to see it in action! And next time we go, we can hit up the corbels (wink wink!)
Hi Mandolin – Scotts is only open on the second weekend of the month – so August 7-9th. But don’t fret – if you can’t make it on that weekend, Atlanta is chock full of great thrift stores that are open all the time and that are perfect for cheap antique finds! Maybe you could find me some vintage bacon to go with that air freshener 🙂
XO – Katie
Katie!
Those wire baskets look VERY similar to one I found in my back shed. I was thinking mine was from the original owners nearly 90 years ago. What do you think they were used for?
See my basket here: http://www.simplyjen.com/2009/06/summer-retreat-found.html
Great finds! I think the white tray was worth the $20…
Jen
Hi Jen – I don’t have any idea what the wire baskets were used for…maybe some kind of crate to haul gardening pots? Or for storage for animal supplies? No clue…but I like to dream that they were utilized by gardeners who brought fresh produce into the house – like what is more country-fied than a crate full of corn ready to be shucked 🙂
XO – Katie
What are your plans for the white tray? I have one like that but have no idea what the heck it’s for…
It looks like y’all had an eventful field trip! I’ve been wanting to go to Scott’s forever, but it always seems to come on a weekend when I’m out of town or insanely busy. Are you planning to go any time soon? Do you need any new friends with which to thrift?
Those wire baskets are freezer baskets. They are from a chest freezer, the “handles” are what hold the basket at the top of the freezer for smaller items. I have a few of them from old freezers my relatives have had when they quite working. They are great for storing magazines and books in.
Oooohhh…thanks Amanda…did not know that. I love them and use one of them as a towel holder. The other we didn’t bother cleaning up and we just throw our old work shoes in in the garage. It makes perfect sense though that they would fit in a freezer!
xo – kb
Jen – I just looked at yours and I’m pretty sure it’s an old basket from a deep freeze. Those things are handy! I don’t know about yours, Katie, as the freezer ones are usually white, at least the ones I’ve seen.
Oops – I guess I left a duplicate comment! I should have read to the end first.