Whats Ur Home Story?

Late Sunday I made my annual spring trek (ok, not really a trek was more of a dash to get there before they closed for the yr) to the Old Lucketts Store Spring Market. For the uninitiated, it is a huge vintage wares market featuring 170+ vendors set up in the picturesque surroundings around the store. I had so much fun last year visiting the market that I came this close to being a vendor this yr. But life intervened and I was back to the market as an excited shopper.

The entrance….Don’t be fooled by the deserted look (I took this on my way out when the market had closed) it was jam-packed.

Frankly speaking, this year though I didn’t have as much fun as last time. I guess for a myriad of reasons.

• Couldn’t go on the first day as we had other commitments. And on Sunday we had guests at home. So by the time I got to the market it was 3.45 pm Sunday (the market was for only 2 days, Saturday & Sunday). Plus they close at 5 pm. 30 min into my trip I noticed a lot of the vendors starting to pack up.
• Can’t really blame them. The weather sucked big time on Saturday, was raining throughout. Sunday was better but still gloomy. I could totally understand why the vendors felt like calling it a day by 4.15 or so.
• Again ’coz I came in late most likely all the cool finds were gone by then.
• Given the timing of my trip I too was pretty exhausted, which meant that I was browsing only half heartedly.
• Lastly a year half of DIY blogging has changed my perspective on ‘finds’more than I imagined. It was really hard to put away the DIY glasses.

Anyways, I spotted a lot of interesting stuff. Re-purposed chandeliers seemed to be in vogue. This is the first time I’m seeing an olive basket turned into a lamp (on the bottom right).

There was also plenty for the nature lover.  I especially liked the turtle shells ($49 for the small ones on the top and $59 for the large ones on the bottom). The top right is a painted brush for $59 and on the bottom right are wood sculptures (pieces of wood nailed/stapled together), both of which could possibly be DIY’d.

Anyone read to work with pallets? All these are pretty DIY’able.

More DIY ideas…..DIY’d chalkboards and chicken wire jewelry hangers, all priced pretty high. Will post the tutorial for my chalkboard as soon as I get time to write it.  FYI -Mine cost me $15 bucks.

Loved these mercury glass vases for $59 a pop. $59 seemed t be the magic number in most of the stalls.

My other favorites were these boat buoys (?).

There were at least 3 stalls that were selling Annie Sloan chalk paint next to stalls filled with repainted furniture. Was kind of confused by the message. On one hand you are trying to sell this magic paint which will turn just about anyone into a furniture DIY’er (which is 100% true based on my experience) while displaying refinished furniture with pretty hefty price tags (upwards of $450 for larger pieces) right next to it!

To be fair the blue side table was only $38, which was an awesome deal.

Speaking of DIY’d furniture, don’t you love this quirky lil bench made out of two chairs?

And this to die for mirror? I didn’t even go near it to check the price tag.

Lots of fun knickknacks for your coffee table….

So what did I end up getting? This set of Japanese paintings in faux bamboo frames. $5 for the pair!

Yes, there’s some wear and tear but nothing a Gold Sharpie can’t fix. Got them more for the frames than for the art. But now I’m thinking, those canvases in large white modern frames might look good in my daughter’s room.

Did any of you visit the market? What did you find?