Flea Market Finds

This morning I decided to check out the local flea market. While I'm content with poking through thrift stores, flea markets are a different story. My attention span and eagerness to dig around for stuff diminishes quickly under the blazing sun, and so, it had been a while since I'd gone down - I'd say maybe since last summer or the summer before. I stuck it out this morning, though, figuring that because it's a holiday weekend there would be more vendors and more variety. I happily meandered from table to table gazing and laughing to myself at all kinds of old things and oddities. As for my loot, I found the sweetest little Mitterteich Bavaria tea cup for 10 cents. While I have a retro/vintage mug collection, I also like to pick up other bits of porcelain here and there. They make the perfect little bureau-top containers for buttons, jewelry and whatnot.

The lot where the flea market is held is behind a building that houses a restaurant and various shops, among them a few antique & collectibles shops, so I stopped by a few to escape the heat. Much of my time indoors was spent raiding a basket full of costume jewelry (I snagged a brooch and a necklace). I also happened upon a small brass Conestoga wagon pendant in the same shop. My inner-excitement level nearly shot through the roof because I've been searching Etsy lately for this very thing, but couldn't find one that was exactly what I was looking for. I ended up having a nice chat with the vendor (about Gunne Sax dresses!) and when I went to purchase the brooch and necklace she gave me the wagon pendant for free. So sweet! She bagged my little trinkets up in a paper bag printed with old advertisements, so naturally I had to include that in my photos.

Grand total: $6.10

A squirrel! That little detail sealed the deal!

I was instantly drawn to this lilac/hyacinth metal brooch. Unfortunately, I don't know if I'll be able to remove that mystery stain, but it isn't really a big deal.

I have no idea if this is actual scrimshaw or not (I'd like to think that that discoloration on the one side is dirt from age and not whale blood...), but I liked it nonetheless.

Perfect advertisement to photograph the wagon with, non? Oh, and the wheels move!

P.S. Thank you for all the birthday wishes! I had a little laugh at myself after going back and reading past birthday-related posts. They were all so succinct and to the point while this year's was long-winded and verbose. Anyway, thanks again!