Monday, May 23, 2011

Fit to Flea


Whew!
 Talk about tired...


I'm not fit to flea!


The yard sale at Paula's home was loads of fun.
A big thank you to all the neighbors, blogger friends, lurkers...
 and even self proclaimed stalkers :)
...who made time to come.


We loved meeting you all!

Suzanne, Janet, Debbie, Kim, Mary and Denise ...
...and those whose names escape me ( so sorry )...

Wish we could have hung out together a little longer!


The weather held out on Saturday and
many folks took a walk out back and toured Paula's gardens.


The photos here show a lot of the treasures Paula was selling and an old iron crib that our friend Kathleen has for sale.
I should have taken a picture of Paula's charming crib turned daybed ... it is fitted with a ticking covered cushion and sits in her living room...there probably is a pic of it somewhere in a previous post.

The yard sale was fun...
...relaxed, comfortable and so very civilized...
(as compared to the flea market)


We finished cleaning up after the sale and packed our cars full
 for the flea market on Sunday.
Then our good friend Deanna from the incredible shop Gather in Ivoryton stopped by and we relaxed with a glass of wine
 before our delicious dinner. 
Thank you Bill! 
It was early to bed as we got up at 4:00 a.m. 

Did I mention that I was tired?
Did I happen to tell you that I'm not used to all this
 lugging, packing, setting up and taking down,
and the worst...

 negotiating a sale...
?

I mean seriously when you tell someone your price is $2.00 for five perfect creamy white doilies and they say, "I'll give you $1.50"...

Well,
 I'm exhausted.


So, the idea of an online shop is sounding better and better...

As much as I love to shop a flea market...

...apparently, I'm lacking the required physical stamina and the unique negotiating skills needed for the other side of the table.

As a buyer, a friendly smile served me well.  
As a vendor...not so much!
There are some seriously talented bargain getters out there!
Sigh...I am no match.

...it's so much more fun to search out and buy treasures
 than it is to sell them.
I found myself just a little bit cranky at the flea market.
Sorry Paula!

But it was great to see Suzanne, Janet and Debbie again...
...they had a marathon weekend of flea shopping fun!


And it was great to meet Debra of  Capers of the Vintage Vixens!
She was shopping with cute as a button, little Stella who had just found a vintage Barbie
 with a bag full of delightful handmade vintage clothes!
We were playing Barbies and trying on clothes right there at the flea...what fun!

And it was wonderful to see our dear friends Evi and Ebbie
 who were at the flea searching for the perfect mirror for their newly renovated and decorated bathroom.
 I can't wait to see it!

Well, at least I got rid of a lot of good junk treasure!
:)
Hope it was a fun weekend for you too...
and that the week ahead brings all good things! 

52 comments:

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

Oh Laura,
I want the iron daybed, the arched shutters, the window frame....all of it. Is this what you didn't sell or what you bought ? I shall be very envious if you bought them and suprised if you were trying to sell them !!.....oh, if only I lived nearby, or even in the same country would be good !! You always have everything that I want and can't get very easily in the UK.
Sounds as if you had a tiring but fun time.
Have a lovely week Laura. XXXX

Theresa said...

Looks like a load of great buys and sells:) I am also better at buying than selling! Have a blessed day dear Laurs, HUGS!

www.MaisonStGermain.com said...

Hi Laura:) Stella & I were so happy to meet you and Paula. You ladies had one of the prettiest booths at the market. It really is more fun to shop than to sell. Your tag sale looked like lots of fun too:) Catch up on your rest;)
~Debra xxx
Capers of the vintage vixens

Lori @ Katies Rose Cottage Designs said...

Wow your things are so very beautiful!!!
I never ever find yard sales as awesome as that :)

Magdalena said...

so beautiful... love it all.....

magny

Linda said...

Wish I was there. Love it all.

Vagabonds Mercantile said...

I want the arched shutters bad!!!
I too found out I'm much more suited to shopping then selling. I felt I priced my items very well and yet nearly everyone asked me to take less. It was discouraging.

outjunking said...

Gorgeous, which I could have been at your sell. It looks like all things I love.

kim said...

It was so lovely meeting you. I love my chocolate box, and I didn't find you the least bit cranky!

time worn interiors said...

Looks like some great stuff there! Most people think junking is fun, but you are right, it's tons of work! Glad you girls had a great day!
tot

Sea Witch said...

This is the prettiest yard sale I have ever seen. I would soooo shop there. Sea Witch

Unknown said...

What a big job but it looks like you pulled it off just fine. They are a lot of work....and two days in a row...sleep tight!

Vintage Gal said...

Yard saling (Vendor's side of the table) is a lot of work. Sometimes you just have to smile ~ glad you sold alot of your treasures. Have a wonderful Monday ;-)

Susie~From My Home To Yours said...

You had me from the first picture!

You are so right...it is a lot of work and exhausting to prepare, set up sell, etc.

Take it easy for a couplea days!

hugs,
Susie

Chrissy said...

Oh I agree whole heartedly it is way more fun to buy items. Usually a couple of hours into a yard sale and I am ready to pack it up to Goodwill :) I just love that crib and the shutters, wish I lived closed, there is never a yard sale like yours around here???? I am also a new follower.
Have a great week.

Unknown said...

Beautiful things, wish i was there. I feel your pain. I enjoy buying and after one attempt decided the traveling dealer thing is Not for me. The one that really got me was the doily story. I try to educate costumers. The phrase "I give you" is offensive. My response to that is " You don't give me, I own it and the answer is NO" One thing is to haggle, another is to offend. I like "Would you consider?" or "Can you do any better?" Those I receive and consider unless it is a super bargain and you still want it cheaper. I believe to be reasonable in an offer will get you farther. Anyway, that is my 2 cents. Blessings to you, Marta.

Barbara Jean said...

Great treasures there. So wish I could have come!!

blessings
barbara jean

White Ironstone Cottage said...

I agree sales are exhausting
and I seem to buy more than I sell
Wish I could have been there to help
xxoo
Pam
sent the check yesterday so excited
Pam

Sweet Old Vintage said...

I have never had a opportunity to ever attend a sale as this... In our area there is just nothing like this... Such lovely object to repurpose....

La Dolfina said...

So true... it's so much different selling than buying and I figured out a while back that I'm too old to sell at the market, especially when you are starting out in your 50's. Remember, health is wealth and your back is precious :)
It's so much more civilized online.

Susan EvelynAndRose said...

Oh, how I wish I lived closer to attend this yard sale, Laura! I've been a lurker/follower of your blog since last spring, and just love all your treasures. I had to chuckle at your comment about the other end of the table. I had a similar experience when hosting a yard sale. The aggressive buyers had my head in a whirl - it made it hard to do the pricing 'math'. At least we know our smiling buyer approach is appreciated. :)
- Susan

lisaroy said...

Wish I could have been there - everything looks beautiful :)

High Street Cottage said...

This is like Iron Day Bed Week, and it's so very tempting for me. Still looking for one that's not priced too high. That one is just gorgeous. I know exactly how you feel about the bargaining. It will put one in the worst mood ever, especially when you price things to sell in the first place. I think many people feel that is how it's done, and no matter what ask for a lower price. Believe me if a price is fair, take it, or someone else will who sees the value in these wonderful vintage treasures. All in all sounds like a great experience, Laura, thanks for sharing

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

Oh how I wish I had those darling shutters here at the cottage... SOOOO pretty.

Those sales are a LOT of work, aren't they? We've had a garage sale every summer for about 40 years now. How can I acquire so much junk?

Have a great week.... kick up your feet and have a nice rest...

Warm blessings,
Spencer

It's me said...

Great !! beautiful stuff i see here....and nice if you starting a webshop !!...have a nice week darling....come and see my first time darling.....xxx.....love Ria....

Ribbonwood Cottage said...

I can't stand it....I see all that stuff and I'm trying not to sin...covet to be exact. I never see stuff like this in California at sales. Girl you found such treasures....again...I can't stand it! Big smile.
Blessings,
Debbie

Lace up and Walk said...

Such good stuff! I love going to a good yard sale but I agree with you...it's a totally different experience when you're the doing the selling.

Lace up and Walk said...

BTW I almost never ask for a seller to come down on a price just because I know how hard stuff is to find and what hard work it is putting on a sale:-)

north pal said...

get ready and having a sale is alot of work anyway you look at it. we,me mayself and daughter and others had 3 day sale this past weekend. i was wiped,but my daughter did way more work than any of us. so, satur. afternoon when we had completed packing up and cleaning up, i was very glad it was done for one more year. it's not easy,but we also have a good time. Bestest,Denise

Uncanny Festoon said...

Sounds like you had a great time. I must agree that bargaining is wearing on a person. I always tack on to prices when I am selling to allow the buyer to feel like they got a great deal, and that keeps me happy!


Joy...........always

anythinggoeshere said...

Now you can see why it is far less shows for me and more online selling! I was ready to drop after doing my first show of the year in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. Joan@anythinggoeshere

Unknown said...

i'm not much of a negotiator myself. if i can work up the nerve i'll ask if that's the best price but i can only imagine being on the other end as i've had one garage sale! our weekend was nice the sun actually shined for a bit! susan

Bring Pretty Back said...

Not fit to flea! That cracked me up!!!
Have a pretty day!
Kristin

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Did I hear you say online shop...how exciting!!

Anne Lorys said...

Looks like a great sale, Laura!

I don't really like selling to the public, either.
I for one would LOVE it if you started an online shop!

Leslie said...

I had to work and am so upset I missed your sale! But if you opened an online shop............:) well............but you should take a well-deserved rest first! Leslie

Tricia @ Vintage No. 35 said...

Your items are fantastic!

Gìo said...

Che bello!!!!

French Curiosités said...

Yes, it is tough on the other side of the table. I have some really great clients and they help make up for the others :) Glad that you had people with you for support!

Tins and Treasures said...

Good evening, Laura,
I so many things I'd like. I wish I lived nearby!

Have a terrific Tuesday ~Natalie

Carole said...

I think once u get the negotiating part down you'd be great at the flea. It just takes practice. For now selling at Paulas is a good start.....maybe bring some other vendors too.
X
C

Kelly said...

oh wow that wood is gorgeous!!


Kelly

Southern Shop Girls said...

Oh Laura - I am laughing out loud and glad I am in the room alone!!!!!

Know exactly how you feel about being on the other side of the table! You know, when I shopped at Round Top, I NEVER asked for a reduction in price. I figured that the people who priced their items did so fairly. BUT - being a seller is much different, isn't it? I'm fearful that I gave some people "the eye" when they asked me for a huge discount! I mean, come on! Fifty cents off of perfect doilies?!? And then you must make change!!! Sigh - I was worn out too!

The photos from your sale are gorgeous. I would have wanted everything. And I would have paid full price!!! =)

And yes, I realize that to some people, the fun is in the haggling. But not for me!

Jennifer says, "I feel your pain!" =)

Paula

Blue Muse said...

Aww I bet you sleep well tonight, Laura!
I spy some very pretty treasures. If you weren't a mere 3000 miles away, i would come nab those beautiful huge shutters!
Sans all the schlepping, (that would make me crabby, too) it sounds like fun times and good company!
xo isa

Witchcrafted Life said...

What an enchantingly lovely array of items, it looks as though they'd been curated together for a gorgeous display of antique goods. (That darling crib in particular is marvelous!)

Many thanks for sharing these wonderful images with us - I only wish there were yard sales and flea markets like this in my neck of the woods! :)


Big hugs & joyful Tuesday wishes,
♥ Jessica from Chronically Vintage

mary pernula said...

I am still jealous I was not there. I am also a avid junker and seem to have more fun junkin then setting a price, however if something is $2.00 and they want to pay only $1.50 that is were I say no, unless it is a child or a elderly person.... HUGS MARY

MODERN COUNTRY said...

Laura, I can imagine that it can be hard to sell to experienced buyers. Those who will not rest until they have received a lower price. I must say that I'm one of those bargain a lot, almost every time. But I do it with a smile, and therefore it is difficult for sellers to stand to his or hers ground. The best thing just might be to hang a piece of paper with the price on each item, and if someone asks you just say that they have to look at the price tag. Perhaps the easier way? One must perhaps have a little extra drive to be selling, whether one is born into it or not. Some are born to it, others aren`t. You could always find treasures, because you are so good at it. And another friend or girlfriend could sell it on? Just a thought. I think that it would be easier to do the job as two instead of one!

I Hope you had a nice day anyway. And I always wonder how the seller can sell the beautiful things further? I had perhaps kept everything :)

Aina

Ange said...

Let me pick my bottom lip up off the ground. I would have left you with no treasures. I'm a terrible negotiator too… So you would be rich with me ;-) THE SHUTTERS. OH my Giddy Aunt!!! Sigh… We live too far away from each other!

Anonymous said...

I love all your beautiful finds thanks for sharing them with us.

jacklynn4 said...

Oh Laura, I wish I could have made it to the sale! Are you ready for Brim now?:)

Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage said...

"...Seriously talented bargain getters?" You are way too kind, Laura! I got out of the antiques and collectibles business for ten years and just got back in two years ago. Some people are downright rude nowadays, in their attempts to get a better bargain. As a vendor, I'm much more inclined to give the best deals to the courteous/nondemanding buyers than to the rude ones! Most dealers I know operate the same way.

Sorry for venting, but that kind of behavior gets my goat! ;)

Blessings,
Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

summersoul said...

It looks like there were beautiful things at the sale. I agree though. I am much better at buying than selling. I sold me wares at an outdoor market a few months ago. I was so exhausted from the lugging back and forth, setting up, bargaining, lugging again, and smiling all day that I got home and told me two girls that I was promptly going to bed.....it was 6:30 pm :)