Sunday, March 27, 2011

Sunday flea market

I know there are some of you out there that have been asking yourselves when was I finally going to hit the flea market again. Well, you are in luck today - because the big flea market 'came to town'. Although the weather  was overcast, it didn't rain while we were there. It wasn't as nice and warm as the last few days - but we are still talking temps above freezing, so that is okay with me. I was glad to get back into the warmth by the time we were done, though.

I did see something rather unusual - but I didn't bring it home...


I think this is a water buffalo skull  - the carving is amazing.


 These are the treasures I found and brought home...


Apparently it was the day of thimbles - I was seeing them everywhere. A cute little padlock without a key. And a piece of Baltic amber.


Some very long crystal chandelier prisms.


Protective cases for pocket watches in varying sizes and conditions - I pounced on these!


Cuff link findings in a rose gold finish - I have never seen them being sold as findings, so I couldn't resist these.


Can we pass by this kind of bling??  These were samples from a manufacturer of costume jewelry, as can be seen by the tags. Most likely from the 50s...


A rare find - an antique mourning brooch of French jet - which is black glass. It had to come along. This will have to be turned into something special...


No - I didn't find this at the flea market. I dressed up my doorstep in spring yesterday. Filled the basket with posies and moss and there is a hyacinth in there somewhere that is not quite ready to bloom - but will as soon as the sun comes out again.

I wish you all a wonderful spring Sunday with lots of sun, where ever you are!

21 comments:

creativelenna said...

beautiful treasures and it looks like warmth and spring are on it's way, Renate! You are inspiring me to check out our huge local flea market. It will be a new experience for me! : ) lenna

lilylovekin said...

I wish our flea market was weekly, your treasures look so good. Your spring basket is lovely, waiting for those warm days that are soon to come. Have a lovely day.

Diane said...

Love your trips to the flea market! What great finds...especially that water buffalo skull. That thing is amazing! Happy Sunday, Renate!

Mary Newton Designs said...

Great finds! I wish I had a flea market that that near me!

Anonymous said...

The carving is so skilfully done although I couldn’t come to having it as my home decor. Those costume pieces of bling are certainly inspiring and would make fabulous starting points for new designs Renate. as for the cuff findings, there is a scope of possibilities. You’re heading for glorious spring, and we are on our way to winter, although 25˚C and 27˚C are forecasted for today and tomorrow. Last week we had 18˚C. I had a lovely Sunday thank you.

fanciful devices said...

Oh the jealousy!!! It hurts!

Unknown said...

I don't know I would surely have been tempted on that carved skull. I have some real beads around some where that are carved by native americans, old. Too cool.

I adore the green brooch... can't wait to see how you use that.

Very cold here in TN the last few days. Hope all our buds make it through.

Thanks for sharing your finds once again. Love going flea marketing "through" you on a Sunday.

Rustique Gal said...

You got some great finds-I love the pocket watch cases. They would make sweet tiny shadow boxes. That skull is cool in a wierd way! And I love your spring vignette on the porch. Too cold here yet, but in a couple of weeks it could be warmer! I do dream...
Hugs,
Sherry

Cindy said...

Renate, you sure did find some treasures!! I love the pocket watch cases, that chubby round lock, the great vintage brooches and wow, the mourning pin is so very special. Makes me wonder who owned it and their story. Thanks for the update! :-)

Unknown said...

Fabulous treasures! And such a wonderful carved skull! Your spring basket is wonderfully, colorful...we had snow today, crazy!

Palimpa Lim said...

Dieser Wasserbüffelkopf ist ja unglaublich! Toll, dass Du daran gedacht hast, ihn zu fotografieren, liebe Renate! Ich habe unseren Flohmarkt am Samstag trotz des tollen Wetters schweren Herzens ausfallen lassen, da mein Fuß gerade etwas verletzt ist (nichts Schlimmes, tut nur weh!) und ich immer froh bin, wenn ich nicht laufen muß. Alles Liebe!

steufel said...

Oh Renate, mich haut es immer wieder um, wenn Du uns Deine Schätze zeigst! Du bist echt ein Trüffelschweinchen:-))

Sarah Sullivan said...

Oh wow!! There is nothing I love better than treasure hunting at a flea market or thrift shop! What treats you found!! I loooooove the basket! That skull is amazing..wow!! Sarah :)

mermaiden said...

ooooooh those watch cases and the chandelier bits.....oooooh!

sharon said...

Droooool! I want everything I see here Renate, you really got some wonderful treasures! I love the way the flea market makes me feel, really good!
I adore your basket of flowers....it's gorgeous my friend!

Such a Wondrous Place this Faery Space said...

Ahh... I adore the jet and those pocket watch protectors. There is something simply magical about a thimble. I loved this post. Blessings.

CraftyHope said...

Those protective covers are amazing!! Of course, all your finds are just rad! I wish we had cool flea markets here. Alas, nope!

romantic decay said...

Very pretty prizes . . .rose gold, my favorite!

Anonymous said...

Was für schöne Fundstücke und zauberhafte Frühlingstage wünscht, Inge

Pretty Things said...

You got some aMAAAAAzing things! And that water buffalo is incredible -- how much did they want for that, I wonder?

Gaby Bee said...

Wow, tolle Ausbeute...da hätte ich auch nicht wiederstehen können. Besonders gut gefallen mir die alten Uhrengehäuse und die Fingerhüte. Leider habe ich solche Schätze noch nie gefunden:(

Der geschnitzte Wasserbüffel Schädel ist total cool!!!

Happy Spring!
Gaby