The best laid plans

My husband looking on with the beer in his hand while my nephew repairs the breaks

On the trip north to Elkhorn. This time looking a bit like the Beverly Hillbillys, the breaks on our truck seized. Thank God we were only 15 miles from my sister's place. She was out celebrating her 33rd wedding anniversary.

My nephew helped repair the breaks as I called to relinquish our booth space at the Elkhorn flea.  Oh well. anyone see something in the truck you can't live without? It is still for sale!  Thank God for nephews who are young, love repairing cars, and have not yet gone out to party for the night...And for husbands who know to douse the breaks (and thought to bring the water jug) when you are traveling far from home!

our little camper disconnected and ready for the trip.

We ended up connecting with my sister and brother-in-law for a nice evening, I browsed her garden,  left the flowers I had purchased for the flea market in a vase on her kitchen table...a collection of Red, White and Blue... and then we went for pizza and even stopped by a carnival to take some colorful photos of the nighttime lights.  They shared their 33rd anniversary with us and that must have been what God was intending for us to do in the first place!

. we were packed and ready to go friday night

. husband came home from work at 11 am

. could not find the keys to the truck until 1 pm

. had to stop to visit his dad at the hospital

. back on the road, needing to stop for flowers and supplies... now 5pm

. breaks went out, sheriff and fire battalion Chief came to help

. repair shops all closed for the weekend

. quick thinking to call my nephew

. we picked up water to douse on the tire for the trip to my nephews, stopping every 5 miles along the way 

. Tony was so distraught he left his beer on the Walmart counter... concentrating instead on the little plastic watering can and gallon jugs of water for the hot breaks ( i usually have a crazy galvanized funnel in the display... not this time!)

. called the flea market organizer who said she was just about to let our spot go. ( 6pm)

.  was able to find an open Autozone to pick up parts needed for the repair

.  limped the truck to my sisters house

.  nephew saved the day!

.  toured my sisters garden and put the flowers I had purchased in a vase with a "happy anniversary" note on her table

.  left their home and was on the way to our home,  a few miles away, they called and we met them for pizza and to look at my other nephews "dream home" on the river... he has been trying to work with the bank on now for months.

.  dinner and pizza, touring Wauconda, IL for Wauconda fest.  

.  finally getting home and able to sleep in well into the morning!

       Ah! Priceless!

Elkhorn Flea Market!

WOW!

3 simple letters describe it all!   Tony, my husband, and I set out for the Elkhorn flea market about 3 pm on Saturday. The 6x12 trailer was packed to the brim.   This was my first time selling at Elkhorn.  I had shopped there many times in the past... but this was a first for me.

 (that's hippie tom from american pickers...in the background)

We arrived about 6 pm and just as the clouds were gathering.  Growing ever darker on the horizon, Tony and I pulled out the tents and began to unload.  My original space had been given away and Nona, the show organizer, decided to assign me a new spot "against the fence, just down from the wooden arched gates".  I had a corner spot, narrow in the front but broader at the back with plenty of room to pull the Truck and trailer into.  As soon as we arrived, we were greeted by our neighbor, a man with a gentle demeanor and a truck full of "junque".  He introduced himself as Tom,  Hippie Tom to be exact.  We would soon learn that "Hippie Tom" was featured on American Pickers.  He spent the better part of his weekend, sharing his stories and experiences with all who entered his booth.  He would pull out a publicity photo of the "pickers" and sign a copy for everyone that asked.  He had plenty of fans.  What a great way to begin the day!  I knew at that moment... we would be busy!

I set up my usual brightly colored fare.  Painted chairs that were mix and match, with numbers stenciled on the seats,  bottles full of zinnias, my assemblage "buffet" where you could purchase a scoop of buttons in all colors, shapes and sizes as well as dominos, mahjong pieces, botanicals, scrabble pieces, division and word flash cards and more!

Early in the day, Mark from "ROOM 363" arrived on the scene and captured photos of my booth.  It was not until he had been standing there for a while snapping, that I realized it was him.  He has been included in some awesome flea markets and special markets... He shows at Kane regularly and was at the Nada farms Spring event.  He has an incredible style and eye for design!  I was so happy to see him and was thankful he captured these shots of my booth!  He had never seen what I had done before... and so it was fun to know he stopped because he liked the look of my booth... not just because he knew me. ( check out his blog (link above) for more AMAZING photos of what I missed at the flea market!...i want it all!)

After a few hours and after having chatted with many who would enter in my booth,  A gal arrived and we somehow got into conversation.   I thought, from what she had said, she might have a shop somewhere.  When I asked her, she said she was from Door County and from a little shop in Sister bay.  To her surprise,  I said "Viva la Cottage"? and she smiled and said... YES.  She has been featured in FleaMarket Style magazine and has been recognized as having one of the best small flea markets in the country.  I asked her if I would qualify... and she was pleased to tell me I would.  She said she would contact me in the Spring! That would be a delight and will have made THIS sale... for me!
I am hopeful to do her show next Summer.  Door County is where I eventually want to be, so what a great connection was made there!  ( thrilled about that)

As the day went on, my white chairs sold, the chippy chairs with the floral print, tables, boxes, metal and industrial items, old signage and more! A successful day and a tiring one too!.

Tony had spent the day fishing as the tournament he was participating in was only a few miles away.  After he finished his day, He came back to help my load the truck and trailer and head for home.

 
Needless to say, we slept well!    
          Thank you to all who visited me and to Mark for these delightful photos of my booth!
                              I hope to be a regular there and will be calling to reserve my space in the morning, for the September show! ... hmmm... bittersweet, pumpkins, autumn colors... worn wood! My mind is ALREADY racing!

xo,
      Martha
( thanks too ... to Denise from denise's adornments and Janice... for their kindness and encouragement!)

Elkhorn Flea or BUST! Sunday August 14th

This Sunday My husband and I will be heading to Wisconsin to set up for the first time at the Elkhorn flea market.
        it is really one of the best Flea markets in the midwest.  True to their Vintage standards.  Every item must be older than 1970's.

Here is  a sampling of what you might see at the flea market and what I will be bringing!

Counting down the days!

In the parking lot just outside the front gates taken while dropping off my first load!

Where has this year gone already! Seems I blink and another month rolls by. Sadly the weather still seems as cold and damp as February...but there is hope of warmer weather on the horizon!

I am counting the days. Slashing them on my calendar...until I am able to go to my favorite Flea market EVER!

On a Mid May Sunday morning. I will pack my car with all of the Flea market necessities:

Hat, Sunscreen, jacket, umbrella, bag, cart ( including a cute little handmade insert from Ki at junkrevolution) some water and plenty of cold, hard CASH! And Head north about 2 hours, to the Elkhorn Wisconsin Flea market.

Held at the fair grounds, this market is a NOT TO MISS if you are a lover of vintage of all kinds. If you are a seller, this is the place to set up!

Creativity abounds! I have found such wonderful treasures and LOVE to stop to chat with friends along the way. Some great sellers you will find there have shops on etsy too! ( finally ) Joan at anythinggoeshere.etsy.com is just one example!

She could NOT be nicer and her booth is to drool over! This woman oozes creativity!

I love Denise from Denise's Home Adornments and Vintage Finds in Geneva and Judy who has her own etsy shop now too! Janice ( as written in Judy's blog) has a great vintage style and you can find her working her off hours at Serenade in Wheaton, Il

I love to hit the ground running ( as Dad would say) and walk briskly down the isles.

I have my system down! I tend not to poke into the booths unless something really catches my eye and then I don't linger long! If the price is right, it's mine. Usually the sellers will allow you to hold your items there for most of the day. I will map the locations where I have purchased things, and will drive in at day's end to pick them up!

It is fun to shop with a friend but be sure the two of you are not gunning for the same things!

There is a woman who brings in lovely Zinnias and fills the little milk bottles to the brim with them. She sells them for only a few dollars and that is a stop on my list for sure!

Should you find yourself at that market... plan to spend the entire day until closing!

You will be so glad you did!

I hope to run into you there! I know you will love it!

Be sure to leave a comment if you have a favorite market in your area!

Have fun shopping for treasures this season!

xo,

martha