Different strokes for different folks....

Had a great few weekends of fleaing.  Went to Warsaw, Springfield, Republic, and Leavenworth, KS.  I've seen many different kinds of flea markets. I've tried to put a definition to some of them:

• Junker.  These are my favorites.  We're talking dust, dirt, no air-conditioning and usually great prices.  Not only are these my favorites, but they are where you find the most unique and various items.  Old tools to creepy dolls to the that diamond in the rough find. Fun things I've found, includes the creepiest killer clown doll that would even make chucky cry.  A childs coffin.  yes.... a childs coffin.  I've found old photos and antiques.  Ninja stars, old Halloween masks, and wedding dresses.  There is entertainment around every corner.  And when I'm in a feisty mood, I am all kinds of entertaining. 

• Classic antique.  These are real antiquers who know what they are doing.  These are pretty, expensive and beautiful shops.  Now.  I don't know much about antiques.  I know enough to appreciate them, so I enjoy visiting.  I typically don't purchase anything, but I enjoy looking.  I also feel very concerned that I will break something, so I almost tiptoe through the stores.

• Hoity Toity - these are the technically flea markets, but are more upscale.  Here's where you will find flea market stuff, but it's fixed up and in great shape.  And a lot of it is actually new stuff that is fun or kitchy.  These booths are staged and decorated and fun to look at.  You won't find dust, or junky, broken furniture.  These are very fun to visit, but you will also find higher prices. 

• Mixed bag - Then there is the mix of any combination of these.  This is fun also because you never know what you will see in each booth. 

This past few weekends, I've seen all of these categories. Had a great time with good friends. And ate wonderful food. 

What I'm up to now...... and its not even illegal.

 

 

 

A few months ago, a friend was telling me about an article she read about painting fabric furniture.  And while I had my doubts about it, I couldn’t quit reading blogs about it.  Seriously, I was like a serial killer stalking my prey.  So not knowing if I would be able to pull off a project of such magnitude, I wanted to go cheap.  Like.....super cheap. As in..... "got five bucks till payday next week" cheap.  And I think I did very well.... I’ve listed my costs below:

· Flea Market chair (in great shape, albeit a "unique" shade of gold. $15)

· Fabric Medium ($4 with Hobby Lobby coupon)

· Brushes (free—already had—but to put a cost, let’s say $5)

· Pillow—already had, and it just happened to match—yea me!

· Paint for fabric ($8—Walmart)

· Paint for arms and legs (free—I had leftovers.  But probably about $5)

·  Total cost: approximately $37 (I guessed on some of the cost, but if anything, I paid less).

· Time: Four days

Now.  I will tell you that the fabric doesn’t feel soft.  It has more of a burlap feel.  I think I should have sanded it more between coats.  But live and learn I always say (not really, but it sounds good).

 

However the paint stays on, and it’s a beautiful accent piece.   My husband and I both sit in it on occasion and I have had no reservations, it was much easier than I thought, and I love the idea of picking the type of chair AND the color for the need. 

As a matter of fact, I’ve done another victim  chair which I will show later.

Precautions....safety first!

As you have probably figured out by now, I love to frequent flea markets.  Part of the reason is that I love to re-do and re-purpose things (Pinterest, I blame you).  But another reason, is that you will see such a great variety of things at flea markets.  Everything from swords to antiques. Creepy dolls to dragons and unicorns....oh, so many unicorns. Just all kinds of weirdness.  The weirder the better.  Its awesome. 

What you may not know about me (yet), is that I love all things syfy/horror.  The more terrible the show, the better.  If a syfy movie has a 70's tv star in it and some sort of impending nuclear disaster... that's like the trifecta of awesomness.  But I digress.

Back to the topic....I also love to watch Dr. G and Mystery Diagnosis, (you know.... in case I die or get a weird disease, I will know how to help cure/find the cause... fyi..... always autoimmune disease ALWAYS) I have also started watching Haunted Collector.  You know... just in case I pick up a ghost with a great find by mistake.  So far, I haven't, but I'll be prepared if it happens.  I am not quite sure how putting the item under glass is helpful.... but who am I to argue.

Anyway, I thought you should know this so you know I'm safe when shopping. 

Total unrelated side note: Syfy's new show "Weird or what" with William Shatner..... His acting.... that's what's weird.  That's it.  Everything else is fine... just that.

Hello, Nice to meet you....

Hi everyone!  I'm pretty new at this blogging thing, as well as the re-purposing thing.  I blame my friend (we'll call her Paula, because that's her name), for this new interest.  She drug me, kicking and screaming to flea markets.  Ok, that's exaggerated, but Paula did get me started, so now my garage is full of old furniture, I know a lot about paint... more about how to remove it from my body, and my house smells constantly of chemicals.  (not like a meth-y smell), or anything, more like paint thinner, dust, fear and sweat.  :)
All kidding aside, I do enjoy this new interest, and I hope you do too.  I find it very relaxing and therapeutic.   I hope to influence creativity on this site, and hopefully provide some mild entertainment. 
I will also try to include some photos of the process, so you too, can share in my pain see the process.  For example, the very first project I tackled was an old hand basin.  It was also my first experience with paint stripper  I'm not saying it was messy, but let's just say there may still be puke green vomit-like sludge on my garage floor.  You can view the of the finished product, not the sludge below.  (assuming I can figure out how to post pics.  :) 
Hope you enjoy the site.  Feel free to email me and/or leave comments.  I need me some good minions followers.