The DC Big Flea is held several times a year at the Dulles Expo Center and—for people like me who can think of no better way to spend a Saturday than sifting through other people’s belongings—it’s a crazy good time.
Here’s a smattering of stuff I’ve picked up in years past. I’ve included what I paid (to the best of my memory) not to be tacky, but to show that, while the Big Flea is in fact a flea market, you should know that there aren’t really many bargains to be had. This isn’t your typical flea market where there are vendors selling everything from tube socks and batteries set up next to vendors selling a truckload of stuff for you to sift through. These vendors pay good money to set up at the Big Flea, they bring their best inventory (almost all of them own some sort of antique shop somewhere on the Eastern Seaboard), and they know what they will and won’t take for their stuff.
Anyway, some crap I dragged home:
Drinking glasses. Are these insane?! SO beautiful, SO practical. I’m pretty sure ol’ girl who sold them to me said they were made in the early 1900s. She told me the company that made them, but I’ve since forgotten. Obviously, they’re pink, which I love, but the shape is also pretty and the glass is THICK. They’re a complete set of 32 pieces (4 sizes, 8 each), which is hard to find in anything vintage, especially kitchen stuff. Anyway, I love them and I use them every day. Think I paid $120 or $150 for this set. Not cheap, but justified through daily use. And they look pretty just sitting on the shelf.
Dresser tray. I use old china to keep track of my jewelry, and this tray/dish holds my earrings. Think I paid $40 for this.
Arkansas map. Bought this from ol’ boy who sold nothing but old maps—so cool. It was the map only (had it framed at an arts and crafts store), but I loved the colors. Looks like it's a watercolor, even though that doesn't come across in the picture below...sorry. Pretty sure I paid $25.
Christmas ornaments: I LOOOOOOVE vintage Christmas ornaments, especially those from the 40s, 50’s, and 60s. They have more of a luster (as opposed to a hideously tacky shine, like you see on new ornaments), and the colors are unbelievably beautiful. Nothing sold in stores today comes close. I’m especially a fan of ornaments with writing on them, such as “Merry Christmas” or “Silent Night.” These can range from $1 to $3 for the ones I like--a bargain by any standard, which is a welcome relief. Some rare ones get into the $25-$50 range, but you’ll never see me buy those when there are so many cheap and gorgeous ones. These are also pretty easy to find in junk stores across the country, so I'll buy them only if I really love them at the Big Flea.
Wooden bread bowl. Carved from a single piece of wood. This thing is just beautiful. These can--and mine likely does--date back well into the 1800s. I fill it with pinecones in the winter and put it in front of the fireplace. Paid $90, I think. You will see these for sale in antique stores for several hundreds of dollars. (Sorry for the crappy picture of my bread bowl--trust when I tell you it is a thing of beauty. There's just not enough light in front of the fireplace to take a good pic and it's usually overflowing with pinecones. These are last year's, and they look sad.)
Will let you know how the Big Flea goes this weekend!
I can't help but wondering as I read this entry if one day I might see you in that fashionable orange jumpsuit a la Martha Stewart in Federal Custody...hmmmm
ReplyDeleteLikely. :)
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