The Long Beach, California flea market is every third Sunday of the month, rain or shine. Usually, it is shining here…however, not on the day I decided to run up there at 7 am without an umbrella.
It was fun anyway.
1. Vintage mason jars
For use as flower vases (like in the show house in my previous post.). One woman was buying about twenty for her Fall wedding. They are also good for storage and display.
2. Industrial Chic (metal with patina)
I could use a sturdy step ladder in my pantry…will it look cool or like a beat up old stool?
I am using a similar tool tray in our kitchen’s beverage center here..
I could see these filled with branches…
One dealer bought ALL these industrial bread pans to sell as shelving.
3. African Handiwork
I like the sea colored glass beads for color and texture
(my daughter bought me some in NY for Mother’s Day).
I think these crosses from Nigeria are pretty.
4. Copper Kitchenware
I’d like to shine these up with some Bar Keeper’s Friend cleanser.
(See how wet everything was from the rain?).
5. Letters
6. Antique Engravings (these came out after the rain stopped)
Hand colored, good selection.
7. Vintage Stone Fruit
This bunch of jade grapes caught my eye.
8. Vintage License plates
I thought of buying one of these California plates to decorate my son’s dorm room at the
University of Florida–until I turned one over and there was a $250 price tag.
Look what came home with me.
Uh oh. The metal step ladder does look less chic at home… well,
at least I can reach the top self now.
My new copper tray was $10 (I also bought the larger one, not shown for $20).
The jade grapes ($15) are the right shade in our living room.
And lastly, I bought this heavy brass bamboo tray
(it was a mottled black before I cleaned it) for $10. Brass is Back, Baby.
Have you gotten any good deals lately at a flea market or garage sale?
Put the flea market in your area on your calendar. Have fun.
Best wishes,
Mary Ann
Participating in Today’s Thrifty Treasures
d e l i g h t says
May 19, 2011 at 3:01 pmYou found some great items that look beautiful in your home! I've always wanted to drive to this flea market because I have heard it is really good!
Chic Coastal Living says
May 19, 2011 at 3:25 pmWhat fun you had! I love your home!!!
The enchanted home says
May 19, 2011 at 3:52 pmYou did great!! Especially loving the copper..and what a deal. Not so much with the er…license plate, you did say 250.00 DOLLARS? Wow, had no idea tehy went for so much! Love flea markets..so much fun walking into the unexpected having no idea what treasures you might find!! You came home with some goodies though 🙂
Kelly@Bungalow Blue says
May 19, 2011 at 3:59 pmWhat a great selection of beautiful items! LOVE that bamboo tray!
Sherri Cassara says
May 19, 2011 at 4:00 pmI can't believe they had so many of those bread pans! I sure could have used another one. I found one at an antique store last month and put grass in them to use for the seat assignment tags … thought it was such a unique thing. Seeing them all together made me laugh 😉
Looks like you had a very fun day (rain or shine) and I like what you brought home 😉
lizziefitz says
May 19, 2011 at 4:27 pmI am amazed how the copper tray turned out, gorgeous!
Marianne {Style For Living} says
May 19, 2011 at 4:28 pmSo many great finds! Love what you bought, it all looks perfect in your gorgeous home!
laxsupermom says
May 19, 2011 at 5:13 pmWow! Great finds! I love those jade grapes! So pretty! The copper trays shined up so nicely, the little one looks great above your range. I would have had to have grabbed some of those industrial bread pans. I have no idea for what, but I'd have needed to buy some anyway. Looks like it was a lot of fun, rain and all. Thanks for sharing.
Carolyn@SweetChaos says
May 19, 2011 at 6:20 pmHow fun! Love all your finds! We don't have any great flea market in our town, but I'm heading to a big one in Springfield, OH this weekend. I can't wait!!
Scribbler says
May 19, 2011 at 6:43 pmI certainly enjoyed seeing all your treasures. Isn't liquid BarKeepers Friend the best for cleaning copper?
Brandi says
May 19, 2011 at 7:08 pmOh my goodness, I would love to plan a trip to Long Beach just to shop at your Flea Market! I am really loving that tool tray! You did a beautiful job on the copper trays!
Bringing Pretty Back says
May 19, 2011 at 7:08 pmWhat a great idea to use those bread pans as shelves!
250 dollars for a license plate. oh my!
Heehee- the step stool looks less chic at home , that cracked me up. but…. I do like it! And getting things down easier … is a good thing!
Great finds!
Have a pretty day!
Kristin
Bringing Pretty Back says
May 19, 2011 at 7:09 pmwe don't have any flea markets close to us . ):
Genie -- Paris and Beyond says
May 19, 2011 at 8:14 pmThe discerning eye left the license plates, bien sur! Love the copper and brass and glad to hear that "it is coming back!"
I have not done a flea market in my own town in some time but need to venture out soon… it is hard to get excited after those in Paris where everything looks unique and fascinating… I just need to put on my "creative glasses." hah!
Bises,
Genie
Teresa at Splendid Sass says
May 19, 2011 at 9:14 pmMary Ann,
You had a prosperous day! Love the copper, and would have gotten a few of the bread pans.
Thanks for sharing!
Teresa
xoxo
Carla@DesignintheWoods says
May 19, 2011 at 9:49 pmI love the crosses, beads, copper, and brass tray. You made some great finds! The bread pans are cool too. That is definitely something I'd buy.
CHH says
May 19, 2011 at 11:17 pmDear Mary Ann,
The copper looks fantastic above
that beautiful stove that you've been
blessed with.
I have a habit of always trying to match
everything for the most part.
Thank you for reminding us that sometimes
you have to think outside the box.
Best,
Coastal Blue Ocean
Love of the Sea says
May 20, 2011 at 12:51 amYou really have such a beautiful home. And I love the photos from the flea market. I especially love the tin buckets.
Town and Country Mom says
May 20, 2011 at 1:54 amGreat finds! I love the copper trays, especially!
annie says
May 20, 2011 at 2:19 amThe first time I went to the Long Beach Flea market I think was a couple of months ago…we got there and it was all but empty. Rain or shine, but they run for the hills when it's windy. I'm from the east coast, so I was thinking, really? It's not thaaaat windy. Anyway, we ended up with a souvenir set of NY playing cards in the original box, unopened for $10 and of course no one was there to collect admission, so it was worth it. I need to go back after seeing all your fabulous finds. I love that copper tray, the brass tray, and yes, brass is back! So fun how you showed the photos at the market and then at home! I love that! Do you remember how much the crosses were?
Pamela says
May 20, 2011 at 2:30 amI love the copper! They say copper prices are going to go through the roof!!
Cool brass tray!!
Karen says
May 20, 2011 at 2:55 amOh my gosh those are great finds! I never find anything like those lively pieces. Good score! 🙂
Karen
Janette@the2seasons says
May 20, 2011 at 11:55 amBe still, my heart. Love the copper.
Julie says
May 20, 2011 at 12:24 pmfabulous finds! never been to the long beach flea – need to go for sure. i was rained out of the ventura flea last time – total downpour and all the dealers took off!
Carrie @ Hazardous Design says
May 20, 2011 at 12:41 pmOh wow! I love your finds! You are right, brass IS back. I'll be looking for a bit o brass on my next thrifting outing.
…and I'd like to pass along the Versatile Blogger Award to you! Stop on by today for more details 🙂
cindy says
May 20, 2011 at 1:06 pmthat was fun shopping with you! I love your favorite things from the market and I love what you did with them in your beautiful home… thanks for sharing
stylishserendipity.blogspot.com
Jennifer says
May 20, 2011 at 1:49 pmI suppose I can't leave a busy high school health room unattended today to go to a few estate sales but school will be out June 16th and I am gone baby gone! Looks like you had a blast! Jennifer jennsthreegraces peek in!
KL says
May 20, 2011 at 2:13 pmWhat great finds and thanks for reminding me that I need to make a trip to our local flea market. I would love to see the end product of the industrial bread pans made into shelves! Also, I think the step ladder looks great in your pantry!
La Dolfina says
May 20, 2011 at 2:13 pmWonderful finds and I agree it was great to see how you cleaned them up and added them to your lovely decor… Bravo on a fruitful day 🙂
xo
LRS4AMANDA says
May 20, 2011 at 4:51 pmMary Ann,
What fabulous finds!! Love the grapes. BTW, I have the same PB mercury glass lamp only it's the smaller one. 🙂
I have been wanting to go to the Rose Bowl flea market which I know is huge. I am assuming you have been to it, so I am curious… which one of the two do you prefer to shop at? Thanks.
Linda in San Diego
A Delightful Design says
May 20, 2011 at 5:36 pmI love all your finds and I think the step stool is great!
I just bought a brass oval tray from a neighbor's garage sale for $3! Can't wait to style it up. 🙂 Yours looks fabulous.
xo
Donna says
May 20, 2011 at 6:42 pmWow MaryAnn..you a great photographer yourself. :o) Beautiful photos!! And I LOVE all the stuff you picked up–so pretty..and with so much character. This is the kind of stuff I'd pick up too..for the right price..LoL!
bj says
May 20, 2011 at 7:36 pmWooHoo..brass is back. I do love me some brass and never did paint over all I have ..even when everyone says IT'S OUT. If I like it, I never toss something just because someone working on the Pottery Barn catalog tells me to. Nope..not me. :)))
bj says
May 20, 2011 at 7:37 pmO and meant to say I love everything you came home with. I am trying really REALLY hard to like the industerial look…it is slowly coming along but still have a ways to go before I want to add it to my home. I do love your little ladder..
Nancy says
May 20, 2011 at 8:31 pmYou have such a good eye for things!! I definitely have to get to that flea market!!! Do you ever go to the one in Pasadena?? Maybe we could make a trip to it one weekend!!
Cozy Little House says
May 20, 2011 at 11:32 pmIs brass back? Please tell me burlap is going out. It makes me sneeze. I would have scarfed up those jars in a heartbeat!
Brenda
Claudia Lane says
May 21, 2011 at 2:50 amMary Ann this was a most delightful post. Loved every bit of it :))
Have a great w/end
xo
Carol@TheDesignPages says
May 21, 2011 at 3:58 amI'm on my way. I want to go shopping with you next time you go!!
CRICKET says
May 21, 2011 at 12:04 pmLove your finds – nothing like a Cali flea market – miss them! We hung up our old license plates in the garage when we moved, I will save for my kids unitl college…Love the copper plate, I have a small collection. My latest deal was a big "brass" planter I scored at Good Will for $7, the orig price tag said $120.
Jeanne-Aelia Desparmet-Hart says
May 21, 2011 at 12:06 pmMary Anne , great post. How I wish I had been there with you! I have not gone to a flea market in months! all your buys are fabulous; and that ladder, maybe you could paint it a warm gray or even copper? unless it is lacquered industrially of course and the you wouls have to go to a car paint shop and then it's like saying "my father bought me a ranch to go with my cowboy outfit"…merci.
jenna marie says
May 21, 2011 at 7:06 pmOh! I wish I lived closer. You found some excellent deals and I love your blog. I'm so glad you commented on mine, so I could come find yours. I'll be back for sure! I love your style. =)
Teresa at Splendid Sass says
May 21, 2011 at 7:52 pmJust wanted to let you know that I am passing on the Versatile Blogger Award to you!
Teresa
xoxo
Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says
May 23, 2011 at 12:55 amHi Mary Ann, How lucky you are to have this kind of flea market close to you. I love all your buys but especially the jade grapes. Thanks for joining my Open House party.
xo,
Sherry
Debby says
May 23, 2011 at 11:14 amLove the tray. The license plate would have been cool in a dorm room but $250… seriously? No thanks! xo
Westclox says
May 23, 2011 at 12:24 pmThe vintage stone fruits are so pretty and the beads, oh my, makes me want to hurry up and finish getting unpacked from my move so that I can get my jewelry supplies out and start playing around with some ideas I've had. Thanks for the inspiration!
lisaroyhandbags says
May 23, 2011 at 3:06 pmgreat finds and they look perfect in your home 🙂
Hyphen Interiors says
May 23, 2011 at 8:25 pmYou have me drooling over these pictures. What a great flea market! I've yet to find one like that here…
SHERRY HART says
May 23, 2011 at 8:52 pmI WANT those grapes…so my colors! Love everything you bought…I just recently bought a brass tray like that….can you believe that brass is back?????
Erin says
May 23, 2011 at 11:55 pmWhat great finds!! The dealer that bought the bread pans for shelves was genious. 🙂
Our flea markets have nothing good like this…they just have fake purses and clothes and other junk. 🙁
Si says
May 24, 2011 at 8:09 pmLoved your home tour on Remodelaholic. Looks like you have been hard at work on your home. It's beautiful. Thanks for letting us take a peek inside!
Anonymous says
May 25, 2011 at 3:03 amI absolutely love your blog ! Loved yournflea market finds ….great ideas ! Love. Liz Moody
andie jaye says
May 25, 2011 at 2:57 pmlooks like you had some great finds!! those mason jars are my favorite! i love all the different hues they come in. thanks for stopping by 🙂 andiejaye @ crayonfreckles
Deanne says
May 26, 2011 at 8:42 amGreat blog, great finds, thanks for visiting my blog, I will back again!
Michele Smith says
May 27, 2011 at 4:29 pmThank you for paying me a visit and leaving a comment. I love your finds! Everything fits in perfectly in your home.
Beautiful Details says
May 29, 2011 at 2:47 pmWe have an amazing flea market in NC. I go almost every weekend I'm not at the beach. Love you finds and that brass tray is one of my favorites!
Sue says
July 11, 2011 at 11:40 amMary Ann- how did I miss this post? I love your new found flea purchases! Especially the grapes and the brass bamboo tray. I like a touch of gold or brass in a room even though "they" say it's passé. Who are "they" anyway?! LOL
~ Sue
Pam says
July 11, 2011 at 9:49 pmLooks like an amazing flea market. The stool is pretty cool and I probably would have bought it also. My hometown has a flea market that I haven't been to in years. I'm going to make the trip up there to check it out this summer though.
Shannon says
August 1, 2011 at 5:25 pmThis is my first time here! What a wonderful blog with great pictures! I came via Sotheran Hospitality! I will be back for more…nice to meet you today!