Treasures for the Faire

I've been so busy in the garage this week with cleaning, pricing, and packing for the Pleasanton Antique Faire this Sunday.  I'd be doing myself a huge favor if I just cleaned and priced everything as soon as I get home, but they always end up stashed away until the last minute rush.  Except for a few things that will be used in other projects, most of the goodies I found over the last couple of weekends will be coming with me to the show.

A chippy blue shelf.

Once known as an infant car seat.

So cute as a shelf, but so scary as a car seat.

Before seat belts were standard, the long rope would hold the seat in place.  Oh my!!

Do you think an extra thick diaper would make this wooden seat more comfortable?

Love the color of this one.  It works great, just needs a new ribbon.

A serving tray full of little treasures.

Every hat needs a touch of bling.

I can't believe the woman I bought these from was actually parting with Granny's spectacles.....

and her evening bags.

No junking adventure is complete without some rusty stuff.

Sifters and metal containers for planting, railroad lantern, heavy hook, huge funnel, and
that big roll of perfectly weathered wire fencing.  I got the "look" when that roll came out
 of my truck.

Little Desk Makeover

When I spotted this adorable child's desk at a flea market a couple of weeks ago, I knew I had to be the one to rescue it.  It took a few rounds of negotiating on the price before I was able to call it my own, but in the end we were both happy as I carried it back to my truck.

My original plan was to paint just the the top to cover up the dark green islands paint.  After washing the top, the paint kept peeling off and suddenly the islands became continents. Time for plan B.

I remembered this sweet 1936 handwriting guide I had stashed away.

A perfect solution with the help of some matte Mod Podge.

Looks like my handwriting if I have a third cup of coffee.

This reminds me of how much I hated going to "the board" when I was in elementary school.

A lesson in the correct way to hold your chalk and pencil.

The original character still shows through, including the chippy red knob.

Wouldn't it make a cute end table?  It might be better suited for a child who's old enough not to practice writing directly on top of the table.

Little Treasures

I sure had fun as a shopper instead of a vendor at the Lodi Street Faire a few weeks ago.  I've been selling out there twice a year for about twelve years, but had to sit this one out because I wasn't sure what my scheduled work day would be at the Paris Flea Market.  As a vendor I rarely have time to do any shopping, so for the first time at this show I was able to make my way through the street with a shopping cart in tow.

One of the first things I spotted was a large jar containing these beauties; the jar was pretty cool too.  I would have been perfectly content if this was my only purchase. 

I can't choose favorites...I love them all.

Look at their formation as they break free from the pack.  I see bracelets, lots of bracelets. 

I discovered these little gems in the ugliest of boxes.  It doesn't matter what the container looks like, I always have to look inside. 

Doesn't it look like peppermint candy?

A ring of mismatched silverware for garden markers and picture holders.

Click here for tutorial.

I couldn't resist these tarnished sterling salt & pepper shakers.  I like them just the way they are, but maybe I'll clean 'em up just enough to bring out some of the detail.

This sweet Campbell's soup spoon is my favorite.  No, I won't be taking the hammer to him.

I didn't get pictures of everything, but it was a good day.

These antique show treasures have been brought to you by this large, chippy, turquoise cabinet door I found at another show last month.  The dealer had three of them, and two were being purchased just as I laid eyes on them.  Thank you very much for leaving one for me.

Shoe Shine Anyone?

The old shoe shine box I found at a college flea market last month has a fresh new look. Here it is all freshened up.....

A good cleaning, two coats of paint, and a label from The Graphics Fairy was all it needed.  The full label was too long for the box, so I found a good cutting off point.

Before.  It's looking a bit weary don't you think?

Isn't that little hinge cute?  

The top got a good cleaning with Howard Restor-A-Finish and #0000 steel wool.

No need to remove the hinges, I just painted right over them.

I left the interior unpainted, including the original black paint, then lined the shelf and bottom with some reproduction advertising paper.   

Ah, much better!