When you turn on your television, what’s the first channel you turn on? My husband has many. From your typical sports channel (Golf, NFL, MLB, etc.), to anything adventures or educational (Discover, History, etc.). If you asked him to answer this question about me, he’d say all she needs is HGTV – and he wouldn’t be that far off! Yes, there are a few others, but as long as I have HGTV, I can be entertained for HOURS! My personal favorite is HGTV’s Fixer Upper. This show, I admit, is an obsession. In fact, on a rainy day in 2016, I was lucky enough to visit The Silos that are famously owned and operated by the show’s stars, Chip and Joanna Gains.
HGTV has literally changed my life! I say that tongue-and-cheek, but it has literally helped me find a passion (or maybe it’s an obsession). As new renovation shows have become popular, and the quintessential Flea Market Flip, and antique/vintage home décor has taken hold, I’ve discovered something in me that I always knew was there but didn’t know how to tame.
About a year and a half ago, I went to my first vintage market, Junk in the Trunk in Scottsdale, AZ. I didn’t really know what to expect. When I got there the parking lot was packed, and the line was much longer than I had anticipated. As I stood in line observing others and taking in the conversations around me, I realized that I was about to embark on something I’d never experienced before. I was a little worried about being overwhelmed (and breaking my wallet). Another observation that I had was that people were dragging their own wagons and flatbed carts! All I could think was wow these people are serious!
Then it happened… I stopped at the first booth just outside the entrance to purchase my first treasure. A collapsible wagon to hold all of those (unknown) vintage treasures I was about to discover!
During the next couple of hours, I walked up and down the aisles. I learned quickly that if you even thought you might be interested in a piece, you grab it and don’t put it back until you’re sure you don’t want it. There is always someone stalking you waiting for you to put it down, so they can do the same! I also learned that, in most cases, the prices displayed were suggested prices. If you’re brave enough to barter, you might be able to get the price down (wink-wink).
Some of the items I purchased that day were immediately going to be repurposed and added to my décor. Others, I fell in love with but didn’t really have a good plan for. I bought them thinking “this is cool – I’m not sure what I’ll do with it, but I want it”.
One of the items I bartered for was this antique table. I (sort of) had an idea in my mind what I wanted it to look like and what it may be used for, and in the end, I absolutely love how it turned out (I’ll share more in a separate post).
I now find myself seeking out vintage and antique markets and continue to collect treasures. Some I fit into my own décor, others I gift to friends and family, and others yet I’ll refinish or repurpose and sell one day. It’s a way for me to make the old new again and give a piece of history new life.
There are a couple of markets I’ve visited recently that I can’t wait to go back to: The Emporium in Castle Rock, CO, Merchant Square in Mesa, AZ, The Brocante Vintage Market in Saint Petersburg, FL, and I can’t wait to check out Sweet Salvage in Phoenix, AZ.
Follow my site to see the treasures I find and repurpose!