Search Results for: flea market tips

Shop Flea Markets Like A Pro–10 tips!

September 14, 2015

I’ve been shopping flea markets and antique stores for years now and have learned quiet a bit over that time. When I first started shopping for vintage I really didn’t know what I was doing or what to look for in items. I simply shopped and bought pieces that I was attracted to. Since then, I shop both for personal decor and also for items that I can resell in my Etsy shop and new Instagram shop, The Vintage Box.

Here are 10 tips that I’ve learned over the years that will help you go from a novice flea market shopper to a pro.

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Research flea markets and antique stores before you travel to a new city. Online reviews and Facebook photos will tell you a lot about a shop and help you pick the places with the most items and best selection. And don’t pass up those small cities you pass along the way because they often have antique stores filled with items that haven’t been picked over.

If you love it, buy it or at least put it in your bag! I’ve walked away from items before telling myself that I’ll come back to look at it when I finish walking the entire market or store. Of course when I return the item has been snagged by someone else. If you see something you like, put it in your cart or bag and consider it as you continue to shop. If you decide not to purchase it, let the vendor or the store cashier know when you’re paying and they can put the item back on the shelf.

Trust your gut. This goes along with pt. #2 above. Just like most things in life, you gut will tell you if an item is meant to be or not. If you have an immediate reaction to an item than most likely the piece is something that you’d love having in your home or would be able to sell.

Engage in a conversation with the vendor BEFORE asking for a deal. Taking the time to engage in idle conversation and show interest in the sellers booth and wares will set the tone for price negotiations. If I’m alone shopping I always make eye contact with the seller, compliment them on their items and ask a question or two to break the ice. If my husband is with me, that’s his job so I can spend time looking.

Group items from one vendor or booth together and request the seller’s best price. The more you buy the better the deal you’ll get from the seller. And when asking for prices always ask ‘Is this the best price you can offer?” instead of “what kind of discount can you give me?”. You want the vendor to feel they have control when negotiating so how you ask for a better price matters.

Don’t discount an item if some of the parts and pieces are missing. Jars without lids can be used for vases, you can mix and match linens and related items like milk glass or brass can be sold in groupings so look at the value instead of the flaw.

If you’re looking for a particular type of item, ask vendors who carry similar pieces because you never know what they may have in storage or can bring to the next market.

Check the quality of each prices before you buy it. There are usually no returns or exchanges at antique stores and flea markets so know what you’re buying before you lay down your money. Look for hair-line cracks, sturdiness of furniture and makers marks which will help you assess the quality of a piece.

Shop early for the best selection. This is especially true at flea markets which tend to attract a large number of people early in the day. If you’re looking for highly collectible pieces, you want to shop early before items are picked over and sold.

Shop late for the best prices. Shopping late in the day and on the last day of the sale will often yield you the best prices. Vendors don’t want to pack things up and take them back home so they are much more likely to offer discounted prices at the end of the day or end of a show.

You can find lots of amazing items at flea markets and antique stores so use these tips to help you snag some great bargain the next time you head out to shop.

Want to know what essentials you need to carry when thrifting? Check out my post Thrift Shopping 101.

Estate Sale Tips (and my latest finds)

February 6, 2019

I haven’t always loved shopping estate sales. In fact I really didn’t get into it until about 8 or 9 years ago. Prior to that, I thought the only thing you found at an estate sale was furniture and tools. Little did I know that estate sales are a treasure trove for all kinds of items including decor, tabletop items and vintage jewelry.

Several years ago I subscribed to EstateSales.net and their website changed the way I shop estate sales forever. EstateSales.net is national listing service were companies list upcoming sales. In addition to providing the when and where details, companies also give you a preview of the items in the sale. As a subscriber you can choose when to be notified about upcoming sales near you. And the sale listings include both in home and online auction sales.

Launching in 2002, EstateSales.net now gets over 30 million page views per month and is the best way to keep informed about sales in your area.

Beside the fact that you can find some amazing pieces at great price, there are several other reasons why I like shopping estate sales.

WHY I SHOP ESTATE SALES

Estate sales are a great source for vintage furniture. Just about every estate sale I attend has a drop-leaf table or two, upholstered ottomans as well as antique chairs and lighting. In most cases the pieces are good quality and just need a face lift with fabric, paint or refinishing.
I love a good bargain. Like I mentioned early, you can find some real treasures at rock bottom prices. If you’re furnishing your home or looking for items to re-sell, these sales are a great place to shop for both vintage and new pieces.
I’m looking for a DIY project. Every now and then I’m looking for a specific item to DIY for my home. Often times I can find the perfect piece that makes an ideal DIY project.
I’m inspired by home design. I love walking through homes and being inspired by different design and architectural details. Estate sales give me an opportunity to look at both old and new homes for design inspiration. In some cases, the homes are being torn down and some architectural elements might even be for sale.

Now that you know why I like to shop estates sales, let me show you what I found on my last outing.

A couple of weekends ago Mr. Confetti and I stopped by an estate sale on the last day. Like most estate sales, the prices had been dropped and on this day everything was 75% off. All clothing and handbags were just $1.00.

The house was jammed packed, mostly decor, tabletop, apparel and jewelry. We arrived early and upon entering the house, I stayed on the main floor and Mr. Confetti headed to the basement. After about 30 minutes of shopping we met up in the living room to sort through out finds and decide what to keep.

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My Latest Estate Sale Finds…

I bought 8 of these gold-rimmed dinner plates for $1.00 each. There are no markings on the plates so I’ve been trying to find the style name and manufacturer. My gut tells me they are made by Noritake but I’m not sure. If you know anything about this plate design, let me know.

I’m always on the hunt for blue and white pottery and found a few pieces I love. The first was this double happiness ginger jar that was in perfect condition. I also found this shaped lidded dish which was just a few bucks.

This set of 7 brass napkin rings were wrapped up in a plastic bag and severely tarnished. A quick polish and their beauty was revealed.

One of the things I was most excited to find were these wood risers. I snagged each of them for just .75 cents each.

I couldn’t pass up these three small blue and white pieces. The blue and white flower frog will be a cute accent on a bathroom vanity or desk. And I imagine using the two small cups to hold jewelry or office supplies.

This brass tray was another amazing find. I immediately fell in love with the floral blossom design and bamboo style edging.

Mr. Confetti found this handled urn in the basement and it wasn’t until I got home that I noticed it was two-toned. I love the combination of silver and gold. The urn is a perfect for an orchid arrangement.

This brass container is a classic design and can be used for so many purposes.

I’m jazzed about the pieces I found at the sale. Some of these items are keepers and others will be going into my Etsy shop soon. If you’ve never been to an estate sale but are intrigued, I’ve listed a few shopping tips below that should help you.

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TIPS FOR SHOPPING ESTATE SALES

First day–to get the best stuff, plan to arrive early. Any trending or under-priced items will be the first pieces to go. The early bird definitely gets the worm at an estate sale.

Second/Third day–by the second day, the sale will be picked over and prices will most likely be slashed. The second or third day of the sale is typically the slowest which will give you a better opportunity to inspect items. You’ll also have a better chance at negotiating prices on these days.

Last day–this is when you’ll find your best bargains. Sellers are motivate to see everything go and will definitely be open to offers. You can even try to offer a bulk price for all the items you are interested in.

Grab and go–do a quick walk-thru of every room when you get to a sale and grab anything of interest. Once you have a pile, go through the items more throughly to determine what you’ll buy. When you find a furniture piece you like, pull the price ticket off and take it to the check out area so it will be held for you.

Look everywhere–check inside any open and accessible areas like closets, the garage and basements. Like items aren’t always grouped together so cover every inch of the house for treasures.

Ask about unmarked items–appliances, draperies and rugs may not be marked but are often available for sale if you ask.

Cash or Check–estate sale companies like when buyers have cash or write a check to avoid the added credit card processing fee. Make sure you have your checkbook and cash on hand when you go to a sale.

Know you measurements–if you’re shopping for furniture, have the key measurements of your home with you. You’ll want to make sure items will fit through doorways and in the spaces you have planned.

You buy it, you load it–most estate sales will not load furniture into your car. Make sure you have additional hands at the ready to help you load your purchases. You might be able to come back at a later time to pick your items up but there’s always the risk that an item getting damaged or mistakenly sold to someone else while you gone.

All sales are final–check the condition of everything before you buy it.

I hope you enjoyed today’s blog post. I’m headed to Scott Antique Market tomorrow to do some shopping for a client so follow along on Instagram. If you’re not familiar with the market, you can read about my previous shopping trips here.

For more tips on bargain shopping, read my post on 10 Tips For Shopping Flea Markets Like A Pro!

5 Tips For Shopping Round Top Antique Market {and a few gems I spotted}

April 6, 2017

If you’ve been following me on Instagram you know I was at the Round Top Antiques Market last week. And boy was it a blast.

I know you’re dying to see what I purchased but that will have to wait until tomorrow. I’ll show you what I bought along with more highlights from my trip.

Today I want to share some tips I have for shopping the mega Round Top market in case you ever want to attend.

If you’re never been to the Round Top before let me give you a few market stats…

The Round Top Antiques Market has been going on for 20+ years.
The show originally started in a single barn facility and now spans miles and miles over several towns.
The population of Round Top is just 99 but during the market season the number of people in town swells in to the 1000’s.
There are over 350 dealers at Round Top (actually, it feels like more than that).
Dealers comes from all across the US and the world. And some dealers even bring containers full of European goods to sell.
Several venues charge a fee to get in (usually $10 or less) but the majority of shopping sites are free. Parking is free in most cases as well.
The market is set up to accommodate cars, vans, trailers and even small trucks and buses.
Shipping services are available if you happen to find a furniture piece that won’t fit in the back of your car 🙂
Lots of the items are Round Top are EXPENSIVE but don’t let that scare you off because there are tons of affordable items too. There really is something for everyone.

SHOPPING ROUND TOP ANITQUES MARKET

#1. Plan To Spend Multiple Days Shopping. There are two major Round Top Antiques Market shows each year, one in spring and one in the fall. Each show last 5 days with many of the vendors actually setting up shop and selling a week or two before the official opening date.

The show spans over several miles with venues set up all along the main route and off the side roads.

Because the number of dealers is so large, the range of items that you’ll find for sale is beyond the imagination. There is literally something for everyone and items are every price-point.

In order to see all that Round Top has to offer, you need to plan for 2 to 3 days of shopping. Map out the areas you want to visit ahead of time based on the kinds of items you’re shopping for.

#2. Know What You’re Looking For. Everyone that attends Round Top has their own shopping list in mind. While many people are looking for large furniture pieces others like me are looking for smaller collectibles.

To keep me focused on what I’m shopping for, I’ve found it helpful to make a visual shopping list with photos.

When you make your shopping list, take time to study the types of items you’re looking for. If you’re a real collector, you want to know the real thing from a reproduction. And even though many of the dealers are selling authentic vintage and antique items you will run across reproductions, found objects and even a few ‘garage sale’ type finds.

#3. Wheel and Deal. If you’re not a natural born negotiator, make sure you have someone with’you that is. Like all flea markets and antique shops, the dealers are ready and prepared to negotiate price. So as not to offend a seller, you always want to ask for a better price in a polite way. I’ve found that asking the question, “what’s the best price you can do” always gets some type of discount. If the price still isn’t what you want to pay, throw out a price and see if the dealer bites.

Tip: If you see multiple items at one dealer that you are interested in, ask the dealer what discount they could offer if you purchased them all. Typically dealers will knock 10% to 20% off the price.

#4. Go Off The Beaten Path. One of the things we discovered last year headed to Round Top is that there are lots of great antique shops in the small towns outside the main market area. Most of the shops had a great selection of small items like collectibles, tabletop items and small furniture pieces. And the prices were more reasonable than the what you find at Round Top.

** Favorite local shop: Whistle Stop Antiques in Giddings, Texas

#5. Plan To Have Lots Of Fun. There is a lot to see and do in Round Top so a fun time is guaranteed. In addition to shopping, make sure to visit the ‘city center’ where Royers restaurant and pie shop are located. And keep you camera handy to snap photos of the beautiful farmhouses and churches as you pass through the city.

I’m already looking forward to attending Round Top again next year because there’s still so much to see and experience.

all images by ConfettiStyle

Becoming An Expert Flea Market Shopper (5 books to own)

September 20, 2016

One of the things I love most in life is shopping flea markets. There is something exciting about looking for a hidden treasures amongst piles of dirty, dusty and cast-off relics.

Shopping flea markets isn’t something I’ve done all my life, I’ve only been treasure hunting for about the last 6 or 7 years. In that time I think I have become pretty savvy at vintage shopping, partly because I’ve taken the time read about, study and research the craft.

If you love flea market shopping and want to learn how to find the best collectibles and vintage pieces, I have 5 books I recommend you read. All of these books are filled with valuable tips on what to look , how to tell if an item has value and they highlight the best flea markets around the country.

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Because I’m a big fan of Better Homes and Gardens books, Flea Market Decorating was the first ‘thrifting’ book I purchased. Included in this book is a state-by-state listing of flea markets and antique fairs and well as tips on refurbishing your vintage finds. There is also loads of decorating ideas using real room settings with actual vintage items. The cover alone should entice you!

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I stumbled upon Flea Market Secrets in a thrift store and gave it my usual flip through to get a feel for the images. One of the best things about this book are the 10 Golden Rules of shopping flea markets that the author outlines. The rules are tried-and-true and things you’ll want to employ no matter where you shop. I also like that there are chapters dedicated to different types of items like glass, furniture, textiles and jewelry. Each chapter give you in-depth information on what types of items to buy, what to pass up and how to care for your treasures. You’ll also find the authors favorite flea markets around the world from Paris to Round Top, Texas.

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I remember when Lara Spencer first announced that she was writing a book of thrifting–I was so excited. I’m a big fan of Lara’s, have watched all her HGTV shows and love her design (and fashion) style. Her book, I Break For Yard Sales is one of the best out there and I love the fact that it combines flea market and thrifting tips with great design advice and inspiration. Page after page Lara shares her passion form shopping yard sales, thrift stores, estate sales and flea markets. You’ll learn her bargain hunting secrets and get insight from appraisers on what to look for when shopping.

You gotta love that Lara isn’t above dumpster diving for a treasure!

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Lara’s second book, Flea Market Fabulous expands upon her flea market shopping tips by showcasing nine rooms that have been decorated with thrifted pieces. The book walks you through the entire process of decorating with vintage finds, from creating a design plan to building a mood board. I also love the room illustrations and before and after photos of the DIY transformations Lara and her team pull off.

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And finally, my list of inspirational flea market shopping books would not be complete without Eddie Ross’ amazing book Modern Mix. When you want to take you flea market and antique shopping to the next level, this is the book that will guide you. Throughout the 8 chapters of the book you’ll find beautiful images of chic interiors, table settings, bars and parties created using vintage pieces. And along with sharing his secrets to shopping, Eddie will teach you how to expertly combine colors and pattern, mix old and new & curate a high and low mix within your decor.

“Modern Mix cracks the code to navigating thrift shops, yard sales and flea markets with confidence.”

And of course I had to share a few of my flea market shopping tips with you:

Have a list of items you’re looking for but be flexible. Shopping flea markets can be overwhelming and you can easily get side-tracked so it’s a good idea to have a list of ‘must have’ items to keep you focused.
Let your creativity flow. Whenever I’m out treasure hunting, I always stop and think about an item I’m interested in. I think about the different ways I could use it in my decor or how I could transform it into something else. Many of the items you’ll find shopping won’t be a perfect fit but with a little creativity and work they can be become real gems.
If you love it, buy it. We’ve all been there–spotting an item but then giving it too much thought and passing it by. Then we have buyers regret and go back hoping the piece is still there but sadly it’s not. I learned early in the game that if you love it and it fits your budget and needs then get it.
Negotiate. Flea market and vintage shop dealers are used to bargaining so don’t be afraid to negotiate the price. And remember the more items you buy from one dealer, the better your bargaining strength.

For even more flea market shopping tips, read my 10 Tips for Shopping Flea Markets Like a Pro post.

Happy hunting friends.

**this post contains affiliate links

Treasure Hunting and Tips for Shopping Scott’s Antique Market

February 14, 2014

I’m back with part 2 of my trip to Scott Antique Market this month. Today I’m sharing some of the furniture pieces that caught my eye along with some tips I have for shopping this market.

I mentioned in my last post that Scott Antique Market is made up of two buildings, North and South as well as outdoor vendors at each building. I can’t even begin to estimate how many vendors show as Scott’s each month but there well over 300. Because of the size of the market, Scott’s has claimed the title as the World’s Largest Indoor Antique Market. You can find just about anything at Scott’s from rare antiques and silver to antique reproductions and vintage pieces. And, just like every antique store and flea market around, there is junk to be had as well.

This beautiful wicker and cane chair was a favorite from the show. The scale large enough so that the chair could be used alone as a cute accent chair.

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Read the Post

Treasure Hunting–Scott Antique Market, Feb. 2014

February 10, 2014

Monday, Monday! Are you ready to make this week great? I am! I’ve got a couple of business meetings this week, lots of projects to work on and more flea market shopping planned for the end of the week. It’s going to be a busy week and all I can say is that I hope the snow that is predicted for Atlanta doesn’t become the mess it did two weeks ago.

Today I’m sharing some of the great stuff I spotted last week at Scott Antique Market. It’s no secret I love going to this market and after missing it for two months in a row I was excited to hit the show and see what treasures were awaiting. Over all it was a good show. During the early months of the year many of the vendors sit out of the show but despite some empty spaces there was lots of great stuff for sale.

I was a bit camera happy this market so I’m going to break my recap up into two blog post. Today we’ll be taking a look at the accessories and decorative objects I spotted and later in the week I’ll bring you a recap of the furniture I saw along with some tips for shopping this massive market.

Let’s roll….

These dough bowls are always a hit at Scott’s and even though I already own one, I’m tempted every show to get another. They are well priced, under $100 and are really large.

I loved these fretwork screen panels and think they would look good painted a chippy cream or antique green. These were available from ‘my guy’ so I can only image the price was great.

More antique dough bowls.

Yes please on this vintage library card file. Oh how I’d love this for storing my loose beads and jewelry findings.

There is always lots of vintage cookware and kitchen accessories for sale.

This stunning reclaimed wood mirror was $375 and at approx. 7 1/2′ tall that is a great deal.

It must have been typewriter day at Scott’s because I saw so many of them for sale.

Love these wicker Demijohns ($30-$45). Every show I stop by and admire and have yet to pull the trigger.

Always a selection of classic mirrors.

A beautiful copper pail. I think copper is going to be the IT finish for 2014.

Original oil painting.

Globes galore. Some better than others and most overpriced.

I loved this blue wall cabinet.

One of my favorite pillow resources. They have several bays of pillow covers, sorted by color.

My dear friend Steve has an amazing assortment of beautiful antique accessories and found objects. These tortoise shells are a fave of mine.

I saw the most amazing collection of shells, coral and starfish this show.

Anyone need antlers? You’ll find them at Scott Antique Market.

These glass buoys were beautiful. They would look pretty great in one of those large dough bowls.

Should have picked up a few of these vintage spools. I they sell well in my Etsy shop and the price was great. Next time!

Awesome brass parakeet on a stand from Steve’s booth.

Steve also have some great lighting. These brass and copper pendants were really nice. {check out that wall cabinet too}

And who doesn’t love a vintage pizza board? Actually it was the fixture that caught my eye but the entire set-up is pretty great.

I’ve mentioned before that the Scott Antique Market takes place the second weekend of every month. There are two buildings and outdoor spaces as well. During the colder months I tend to skip the outdoor spaces but you can usually find some good deals there if you’re willing to deal with the weather.

I’ll be back later today with the before and after shots of some of the organizing I’ve done around the house. When you fall off the organization bandwagon it takes time and energy to get back on! I’m exhausted but happy to have things in order.

My Latest Thrifting Finds | New Dinnerware

August 31, 2018

Well friends, I think my latest thrifting finds make it official…I’m a dinnerware collector. I can’t help myself but I love buying beautiful china that I can mix and match with other pieces and patterns I own.

A couple of weekends ago, I popped into one of my favorite thrifting spots and found two new collections. The first was this set of eight floral salad plates. The plates have a gold rim and the most beautiful floral pattern around the edge. My original thought was to pair these with black and white plates but once I got home I realized they also look great with other plates I own.

The black and white combo will be fun for late spring and summer, and I can envision the floral plates with orange Fiestaware for a fall tablescape.

My second find was a set of 5 Lou Rota double handle tea cups. I was sad that there were only 5 so now I’m on the hunt for a 6th cup. Let me know if you spot them anywhere.

When I first laid eyes on these cups, I thought they were soup bowls. Once I got home and did a little research I found out that they are actually tea cups. I also learned about the designer, Lou Rota. Lou is a London-based artist with a background in Entomology. Many of her designs feature whimsical birds, bugs and flowers like this flamingo design which is part of her Nature Table collection. I just love the traditional but artistic design and of course the blue, white and red color combo. FYI…the cups are no longer available, but you can still buy the plates at Anthropologie.

tip: if you love the plates, you’ll want to snap them up from Anthro. Site like Replacements.com and Ebay are selling them for double and triple the price.

I’m loving my new finds and now the only question is where and I going to store these beauties. I’m running out of space!

Ok, it’s time to confess. Do you love thrifting and if so, what types of items do you love buying or collecting. Leave me a comment and let me know.

p.s. If you’re just getting into thrifting, read my post, 10 Tips For Shopping Flea Markets Like A Pro.

End Of Summer Coffee Table Decor

August 28, 2018

Happy Tuesday friends. Is anyone else having a hard time wrapping their head around the fact that September is just a few days away? Where has this year gone? While I’m sad to see summer slip away, I must admit that I’m ready for fall.

Fall is one of my favorite decorating seasons and I’m already thinking about how I want to decorate for the season. I can’t wait to cozy up my home!

Today I want to give summer one last hoorah by sharing my end of summer coffee table decor. Just like summer, my table is bright, bold and filled with fun!

“A room should never allow the eye to settle in one place. It should smile at you and create fantasy.” –Juan Montoya

I make seasonal changes to my decor and the coffee table is one that gets a new look often.

My coffee table is square and fairly large so there’s lots of area to display books and collectibles. The centerpiece of the table is an arrangement of silk pink peonies in a brass bowl. I love adding flowers to the mix because they add color and softness. Surrounding the flower arrangement are five groupings of coffee table books (one of my obsessions). I placed decorative accessory on top of each stack to create the eclectic look I like and to add dimension to the table.

I love using some of my vintage decor on the table. This ceramic monkey was a given to me by a client and the brass bowl was a flea market find.

Candles are an essential part of my decorating style so there is always a candle in my coffee table arrangement. If you’re shopping for fall candles, this autumn candle and this black ginger candles are two of my favorite fall scents.