I've been having a lot of fun working on the "thrifting" chapter of my book. I pretty much exclusively go to estate sales here in Minnesota. If I'm traveling somewhere I sometimes will hit an antique shop or two. I hardly ever go to flea markets. I just don't run across them much in this neck of the woods. After reading this interview with Lisa Congdon on collecting, I was drawn to the book she referenced by Susan Sontag. I picked up a copy at the local library and it opens with this wonderful passage that I wanted to share with you, along with pictures of some of my favorite thrifted items. The book refers to a flea market, but I think its a similar mentality for any type of thrifting.
"It is the entrance to a flea market. No charge. Admittance free. Sloppy crowds. Vulpine, larking. Why enter? What do you expect to see? I'm seeing. I'm checking on what's in the world. What's left. What's discarded. What's no longer cherished. What had to be sacrificed. What someone thought might interest someone else. But it's rubbish. If there, here, it's already been shifted through. But there may be something valuable, there. Not valuable, exactly. But something I would want. Want to rescue. Something that speaks to me. To my longings. Speaks to, speaks of. Ah.."
"Why enter? Is there already enough? If could find out it's not here. Whatever it is, often I am not sure, I could put it back down on the table. Desire leads me. I tell myself what I want to hear. Yes, there's enough. I go in." from The Volcano Lover by Susan Sontag
17 comments:
Oh Kerri That just is beautiful and makes me wnat to go saling right now. Your pictures are lovely and I know your book is going to turn out fabulous. Also when I can't make it to the sales, I always love seeing the pictures you post so I feel like I made it anyways, or if I missed a really good sale :)
What wonderful treasures! I adore the trims in the tin...they're pretty and so fun.
Joni
An art indeed! and a trained eye... I still love looking at that {{Marie Antoinette Vintage Album}} every morning when I enter my scrappy room. Oh the joy, of a great find! That Ramstrom Flea Market is a great one, you should try it sometime.
so much beauty here...thank you for sharing it and for sharing sontag's words...
hey kari!!
it sounds like it's all comming together! how exciting!
gorgeous finds!
i can't wait to buy the finished copy!
you will have to sign it for me!
have a great weekend!
stay warm!!!!
jessi
Fantastic treasures!
Just a note to say I love your blog! :)
I love the pictures. I really like the sentiments too. Isn't thrifting fun! Can't wait to see the book.
Lovely. I love the ribbons and flowers especially. We don't have a lot of good "fleas" this way either, but do have lots of good estate sales and antique shops. Thanks for sharing.
sounds like your book is coming along nicely...i think i would get it for the thrifting chapter alone! :) you always find the most interesting things.
Such beautiful things, Kari! This chapter in your book will be captivating & motivating. You can truly spy with a unique inner eye the most wonderful treasures. By the way... I missed the deadline for your Love of Supplies swap but am getting great inspiration from the Flickr group. I OOOPSED and posted an altered box I did for another swap on your Flickr group. Sorry! I selected the wrong group when sending. At least the image is of an altered candy box! - Amy Bauer
I can just see the pages of your book, rich with beautiful photos of your thrifting finds :)
Can't wait to see the book! I'm sure that it will be filled with eye candy.
I love it all. Flea markets, estate sales, garage sales, yard sales, thrift stores, antique stores, sigh...
Kerri,
Loved the flea market addict quote.. yes, sums it up, the tinniest-remotest possibility of missing something...
By the way there is a big blogging giveaway going round over there:
http://oneworldevent.blogspot.com/
it's good fun with lots to win! ( all the blogs listed have giveaways drawn on Valentine's day, I think you can still join in)
What fun treasures!!!! Did you recently pick these up? Fun!
"One man's junk is another man's treasure"-stick woman in there for us crafty gals!
I also loved the items you shared with that awesome passage. I just wish there were more flea markets where there were things to shift through instead of being lined up on a table.
Beautiful things. And I have that very same green flowered tin. I can't remember what it contained when I bought it, but it's now filled with the vintage button overflow!
Susan
I adore the quote and the "finds." Gorgeous.
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