Flea Market Fun Time

Even more than thrift stores and antique malls, I adore flea markets.  Maybe it's because here in San Francisco I feel like every thrift shop and estate sale is vultured upon and picked at until nothing worth buying remains, OR anything worth buying comes with a hefty price tag.

But then there's the Alemany Flea Market.  Alemany is like the scummy little brother of the monthly Alameda Antique Fair.  You WILL be digging through musty/decaying cardboard boxes and you WILL be haggling with people who have less teeth than your 13 year old labrador.  On the other side of that coin, the opportunity for greatness and great prices can't be beat anywhere else in this 7 mile square city.  If you ask me.

Here's what I picked up on Sunday.




The very first thing I saw and wanted was this little Girl Scout doll. The guy wanted ten bucks though, and let me tell you - this is her AFTER getting cleaned up


I hesitated at 10 because it appeared that her eyeballs had been scratched out and she had a VERY vintage smell. After a lap around the market the price came down to $8 and she was mine.

The above photo is pre-scrub down. I learned that she is an Effanbee "Fluffy" Doll from 1965, and that she is complete with the exception of her socks. Also, after a little rubbing alcohol to the eyeballs, she had eyes again! And she's worth $50 on ebay ;)



Here is some extreme Bakelite fabulousness that I didn't buy. Unfortunately not even the flea market has Bakelite on the cheap around these parts.


Is this anchor necklace not the most fabulous Bakelite piece you've ever seen? I stared at it for a good ten minutes but at $375........ well, ya know.



I did, however, pick up this random little pendant. Love the political correctness of "midget boys."



I also snagged 9 of my beloved snapshots, including some in color! But those I shall save for another post.

Do you prefer flea markets, thrift stores, antique malls, or estate sales? How are the pickin's in your area? Picked to death or bounty-a-plenty?