Flea Market Etiquette

I still have a hard time sleeping the night before a big flea market outing.  With the car gassed up, my sunscreen on, cash in hand and a song in my heart, I head down the highway to "The Point" antiques and collectibles faire in Alameda. One of the best things about going to the same flea market year after year is that you get to know the vendors, their families and after a while you find you have become a part of their lives.  I visited one of my gal pals, Terri at her booth on Sunday only to find she was distraught over the "one that got away" and in this case it was a boat, not a fish !!! Here is a picture of the great piece that slipped through her fingers ...

After a few consoling words from me, Terri and I decided we needed to write a flea market etiquette handbook since the woman that bought this beauty out from under her clearly did not understand how things work at the market. As we veterans know, if you are interested in a piece early in the morning, buy it, don't stand around and "think it over" ... put your money on the table, make it clear the piece is sold and that you are the rightful owner.  One thing I have found helpful is to bring those red "SOLD" tags to the market that have your name and phone number written on them prior to arriving so you can pay for your purchase, tag it and move on. Please let me know if you have any helpful hints for flea market etiquette, I would love to hear them. Sorry Terri, there is another boat waiting for you somewhere, I just know it.

Here are some pictures from other vendors at the market.  I also believe it is a polite gesture to ask a vendor's permission to take photos of their booth before you start snapping away.  I have yet to be denied, some will ask for a business card but most will not and are flattered you like their "store" enough to want to take photos.  If you have a card, leave one and tell them to look for their space in blogosphere.

The following three photos are of my good freind Joslyn's booth.  She is a wizard when it comes to taking vintage fabrics and turning them into true works of art.  This is a girly girls booth, not to be missed.

One of the other things that is so wonderful about the flea market is how easy it is to strike up a conversation with new people.  The following photos are from a booth that is put together by two cousins.  Not only are the girls adorable, their booth is a testament to their passion for their craft. 

The apron on the mannequin is one of their original creations and I am sorry I did not get a picture of the girls with them on ... just darling.  Next time ...  They have a kitschy store name as well, "just cuz creations", does it get much cuter than that?  Good job ladies !!

Here are some other random shots taken along the way.  Enjoy ...

Always remember, things don't have to be perfect to be perfect.

Mary Jane