Sunday, February 26, 2012

Sunday flea market - it has been so long...

We decided to check out the big monthly flea market today - as it wasn't snowing or raining and the temps were above freezing. There wasn't a very big turn out of dealers, but that was to be expected. Pickings were slim and prices were high, but I managed to find something that had to come home with me...


I found a dozen of these vintage drawers that once were part of an apothecary's shop - they are not antique and smallish, smaller than a normal sheet of stationary - and the apothecary glued the packaging of the medication to the front of the drawer (where the printing has faded to nothing at all), so it is going to be a challenge to get the stuff off - but they will be helpful in getting things sorted in my studio... and I just can't resist an old wooden box/drawer/cupboard... ehmmm, you get the idea.



But this find made my heart skip a beat - I have been searching for something like this for a long, long time... this is an antique brass stamped filigree band - not just a small piece of filigree stamping, but several meters long... wonderfully detailed. It was rather pricey, but this is a very rare find and I couldn't afford to not get it. The possibilities for using this are endless. Who knows if I will ever come across something like this again?

This is exactly the reason why I am so addicted to flea marketing... it is a treasure hunt... and you don't have to bother with trying to find the X on the map... because there are so many treasures...

Wishing everyone a lovely Sunday!

22 comments:

Lela said...

I love flea markets too...and garage sales, etc. I haven't been in a while & you're making me want to go. I look forward to seeing what you stir up with the filigree band. It's beautiful!

Barbara Lewis said...

That filigree band is amazing! I can't wait to see what you do with it ... I'm sure something really lovely! I'm sure I could even find a use for the boxes ... I have so much stuff around here!

romantic decay said...

Very cool!

Charade said...

Please remember to show us everything you end up doing with the band. And how do you plan to organize the "stuff" in those drawers? Can't wait to see.

Jenni said...

I love the drawers but I am positively drooling over the brass banding...it looks like a gorgeous design...and meters of it....just think of all the jewelry...aahhh...you lucky girl!
Now you have to use it and not hoard it forever..ok?
Jenni

Unknown said...

Oooo, that brass band is very nice! I would not have been able to pass it by either. Can't wait to see it in your work!

mairedodd said...

oh my goodness - that filigree is drool worthy (and that is a most unattractive thing to do)... so glad you found the treasure and some nice drawers for sorting...

Flotsam Tide said...

thank you for sharing, those antique apothecary drawers are wonderful, and that brass filigree reminds me of the most beautiful lace. Flea marketing is so much fun, you always come back with some wonderful finds.

Petra Carpreau said...

Ahhhh, it's been such a long time since I went to anything like that. I love those drawers - well spotted!!
I've bestowed upon you the versatile bloggers award thingy, which I suspect you're already familiar with. If not, you can find the details on my blog.
Hoep it makes you smile.
Petra x

sharon said...

I would be so intrigued to see your "organizing", even though your boxes are so cool....my organizing is a far cry from looking good!

The brass filigree is so awesome....how exciting! It is a treasure and you will be creating wonders with it!

Barry said...

S/R - some additions are worth following through on. Glad you have had a day without the "s...." stuff. I think this piece will be sitting in the background begging to be included in many pieces. Go well and collect well. B

peggy aplSEEDS said...

so true! your buys are wonderful!

Cindy said...

I totally agree with you, Renate...you just never know what you'll find! I went antiquing with my 9 year old son over the weekend and we were at the show for hours...luckily he loves the thrill of the hunt too. That filigree band really was quite an incredible find!

steufel said...

Oh Renate, dieses Band - was ein Fund! Das hätt ich auch haben müssen!

fanciful devices said...

omg that banding! drooooool. im so jealous.
oh here's the link to the post that had that jewelry maker graphic you asked about in the comments of my last post: http://fancifuldevices.blogspot.com/2012/02/back-to-business-people.html I added a link to the post.

Rustique Gal said...

Renate,
Your finds make me drool, Can't wait to see what you do with them! Happy Spring to you! It is coming...
Hugs,
Sherry

Carla Trujillo said...

Great find!
During the winter, the pickings are slim and expensive! I popped into the antique mall yesterday and found a few things I liked but refused to pay the high prices. I can hardly wait for spring and warmer weather, so the fleamarkets in the tri-state area open up outside. That's where I find treasures for my work!

ANNETTE HUSBAND said...

OMG Renate!!
I am ssssooo jealous...we have no flea markets here but if we did I would so get that brass stamping too...how amazing!! Lucky you :o)

Luthien Thye said...

altho slim, they are both gorgeous once in a lifetime finds! i love the drawers and the filigree strip ... i have never seen filigree in a strip! it's beautiful!! and you know the drawers are my kinda thing. way te go!! again, you lived up to the title of Flea Market Queen!!

Gaby Bee said...

Was für ein Fund, Renate! Dieses Band ist der absolute Hammer, da hätte ich auch nicht wiederstehen können. Ich bin schon gespannt was du damit machst.

Gaby xo

alek said...

brilliant find, both of them actually, i like finding draws... drawers? especially small ones. some of the pharmacists here have redone their pharmacies with the old cupboards and displays they had, makes my fingers itch.
what would the filigree have been made for originally?

Pretty Things said...

I would love to go shopping with you!