Yesterday I spent the day helping with the indoor yard sale sponsored by the Ladies Auxiliary to the Boalsburg Fire Company. The fire hall was filled with tables that were rented out to individuals in the community to display their own items for sale. This was closer to the Flea Market model. I helped with the table displaying items from the members of the Ladies Auxiliary.
Sales formats of markets could be classified by size…like yard sales (with one seller), flea markets (with many individual sellers), or estate sales (providing the goods from one family estate); or by the kind of goods, like hand crafted items, glassware or tools.
It is easy for me to get overwhelmed when I first go to a sale. So many neat things available, so many choices! I am easily distracted by things that folks have offered for sale. Of course, I really don’t NEED any more stuff, but as a crafter and seamstress, I’m especially attracted to beautiful things other creative people have made.
Often, I’ll find evidence of the kinds of things folks collect, from glassware or jewelry to puzzles and collector dolls.
I especially enjoy talking with the sellers. It’s fun to find out where they find their items, what motivated them to collect certain items or how they made the items for sale.
I managed to control myself and found only a few things that just had to come home with me.
It would be so easy to fall in love with many items offered for sale, like old toys that I remember from long ago or a beautiful glass vase that would just go with my decor. However, at this stage in my life I must remember I still have a lot of stuff in my cupboards that should probably grace a yard sale table at some point!
I also enjoy exploring yard sales and flea markets for items I can repurpose, like the vintage hankies I picked up at the Apple Hill Antique Store (see https://marykisner.com/finding-vintage-fabric-at-apple-hill-antiques/).
Yesterday, I resisted picking up things I would never use and went with the lovely tote bag I will use and some books the grandkids might enjoy reading.
Explore a yard sale or flea market near you! Enjoy!
Please comment or email me directly at marykisner@comcast.net.