We're Headin' to the Junk Bonanza!

Several members of the FMS team are packin' their bags for Ki's annual Junk Bonanza just south of Minneapolis Minnesota this week.

Magazine Signing:

Ki and Heather will be on hand to sign magazines Thursday and Friday (times to be announced). Heather will also be a featured guest speaker on two panels at the Creative Connection event in Minneapolis .

Book Signing:

Get your fabric fix with creative crafting and sewing mavens Amy Barickman and Sandy Stone. They'll be on hand at 11 a.m. and again at 1 p.m. Saturday to sign copies of their how-to books being released in September

Vendors & Activities:

Along with 130 vintage, antique and junk vendors and artisans Marshall's Farm Market will be selling yummy, home grown fresh goodies.

Colonial Estate Buyers, LLC will be there to buy your unwanted gold and silver, so raid those jewelry boxes for extra flea market spending money.

Stop by the Arc's Value Village Booth to register to win the entire contents of a menswear-inspired tabletop created by stylist Jill Hinson entirely from items purchased at Arc thrift stores.
And don't forget to check out the Vintage Travel Trailers that will be for sale as well.
You can get all the details on the Junk Bonanza web site here.

Friends:

And you'll find FMS team member, Margo, hunting for bargains, visiting with junking buddies, and taking lots of pictures for the blog. Be sure you tap her on the shoulder and say "hello".

Party:

Please join Jill {and maybe a few special guests} for

a blogger/shopper/vendor party

Friday, September 17

from 6:00pm - 10:00 pm

at Dunn Bros./Eden Prairie

8107 Eden Prairie Road

Eden Prairie, Minnesota

It's all guaranteed to be a fantastic time, hope to see you there.

Good Things Come In Small Packages

Bigger isn’t always better, and that’s true even when it comes to flea markets. For our next issue of Flea Market Style magazine, we’re rounding up a list of the country’s best small flea markets — those with less than 100 vendors — and we want your recommendations. This is your chance to give your favorite small-town, way-off-the-beaten-path junking destination some love!

To submit your suggestions, send an email to:
fleamarketstylemag@hotmail.com with “SMALL FLEAS” in the subject line (do not respond to this post as comments has been disabled for just this one time). In your message, please include the name of the flea market and the city and state in which it’s located. (If you know its website address, write that down too.) Give us at least one reason you think it’s a must-shop flea market. Is there a particular vendor you adore? A special edible treat you can only find there? Unique early bird specials?

Don’t forget to provide your name and contact information so we can get in touch with follow-up questions, if needed.

If your suggestions are even half as interesting as the ones from the Name Calling post, this will be a treat. (For the record, I thought “Girls Gone Junking” and “Garage Sailors” were especially clever. But the comment that made me laugh out loud was from Gaia, who said: “My husband sweetly refers to me as ‘Queen of Crap.’ I prefer just ‘Junker.’ ”)

Blogged by Christine

Junkers Defined

In our experience there are 3 types of Junkers. So let's clear things up with some definitions.

Junker #1 "The Shopper" likes to peruse antique stores and sales for that unusual vintage treasure that speaks to their heart. Usually drawn to specific items they collect. They see it, buy it, take it home and love it. Attire is most often fashionable and clean.

For the gals, shoes are stylish and clothing is on trend and pressed. Hair and make up are in place at all times. Approach with caution when spotted shopping, as she is single minded, focused and easily startled.

Junker #2 "The Junker" roams the rows at a flea market, or follows a lead to someone's recent haul. Doesn't mind digging down in the dirty boxes, under the tables, behind over and under piles of this and that, looking for that treasure that makes their heart jump for joy, while they try to contain there excitement as they ask for the price. Never mind the years of dirt, it's perfect, and they know it.

They take it home & clean it. Then they either find the perfect spot in their home, or add it to their stash of stuff that they will haul from booth to booth & sale to sale, waiting for junker #1 to fall in love with it and take it home. Usually seen in comfortable yet non flattering clothing and sensible shoes. Stains, rips and paint droplets can be found on most of their clothing, and on the female junker, make-up is at a minimum. When shopping approach with caution. This junker will stake claim to their stash and hold firm until the deal is struck.

Junker #3 "The Picker" We adore pickers, they are the ones that scour the countryside, rummaging around in folks barns, out buildings and even digging in old trash heaps, looking for the perfect item, that junker #1 or #2 will just love. They don't clean it, many times they don't even price it.

They haul it from flea market to flea market until #1 or #2 finds it. "Pickers" are usually tanned from lots of time outside in the elements, hands are calloused, and smiles are friendly. No caution needed, as the picker is a friend to everyone, especially folks ready to buy.

Sometimes the lines between these three types of junkers is blurry, Many of us falling into all three categories at one time or another. What type of junker are you?

From The Flea Market Style Team

Flea Market Style reunites old friends

Of all the wonderful things that have come out of the Canton article in the 2010 issue of Flea Market Style, this is the last thing I would have expected. First a little background.
I used to live in one of those neighborhoods that was full of kids. We all went to the same daycare, elementary school, churches etc. My very best friend was my next door neighbor Susan. She and I were, as Forest Gump would have put it, like peas and carrots. We played with each other morning, noon, and night. I was an only child and Susan had a Brother and a Sister. When they were gone I was lost, lonely and would count the minutes until they returned home and I'd be over there as soon as they drove up, ready to play all day long.

One day, to my horror, a For Sale sign appeared in their yard. I ran in the house in a panic, and my Mother in an attempt to console me informed me that it takes awhile to sell a house. Whew!!!!! I had a reprieve, it would be awhile before they moved. But that did not last long, their home sold pretty quickly and my best friend and her wonderful family moved away.
I remember moving day and playing on the lift of the moving truck. I remember they came back for trick-or-treat and we went into their old home, empty of all furniture and life, and dumped our candy out on the floor to check for "suspicious pieces". That was the last time I saw the inside of her house. Our parents made a few attempts to keep us in touch, but we never truly connected again.

Well a few weeks ago I got his note. "Hi Margo, I can't tell you how exciting it has been to find you. I had read and looked at my copy of "Flea Market Style" magazine several times and didn't realize that I was looking at my old friend and neighbor. The credit goes to my older sister Cheryl. She is a member of a ______ H.S. group on Facebook and had seen your name (she was thinking it must be you anyway) on a list for a get together. She was over last night and picked up my magazine (which she has looked at several times before too). She was reading the Canton article again and it connected with her that it was you. She walked in and said "Susan, this is Margo in this Canton piece".....ha, you could have knocked me over with a feather!!!!!!

You could have knocked me over with a feather too. I was so excited, and I can't wait to go see her and her sister again.
This is by far the best thing to come out of the Canton article yet,
and I wanted to share it with all of you.

Now...go out and find an old friend.

Blessings,
Margo

The Office

On one of my recent shoots I had the rare privilege of having my very own "Office". It happened to be one of the rooms I decided not to shoot which made it perfect to set up camp for the week. It was finely equipped with the very best marble topped farmhouse sink. It had gleaming chrome fixtures, a gorgeous antique mirror and crystal chandelier. Beautiful beadboard and fine wood trim surrounded every wall. I held all my important meetings in there. Boardroom discussions on props, lighting, room staging and lunch plans were frequently on the agenda. On occasion I would hold private meetings...party of one. ;-)

During the week we all made plenty of jokes about my "Office" but I tell you...it was the best cubicle I ever had! And just wait till you see how gorgeous the rest of the home is!

Smiles, Heather

The Creative Connection Event in Minneapolis

It all happened about a year ago, Nancy Soriano and Jo Packham of WHERE WOMEN CREATE phoned Ki to fill her in on their new venture. Ki insisted they check out Minneapolis on the weekend of the Junk Bonanza as a potential location , where they enjoyed vintage shopping and fun times. While there, they decided to make it official, the Creative Connection Event would be in Minneapolis in 2010, and would coincide with the Junk Bonanza weekend.

THE CREATIVE CONNECTION event is a 3-day conference, crafting extravaganza and shopping emporium for creative women, women entrepreneurs and “mompreneurs”.


Nancy Soriano packs her treasures from the Junk Bonanza

Has it been a year already? I guess it has. I remember that weekend well. You see, I learned that being one of the only folks at the Bonanza with a rental car was a real asset, and I was quickly recruited to shuttle the VIP's around. These ladies are all so nice, and I was excited to hear their plans.

This month's Where Women Create magazine features our chief cook and bottle washer Ki Nassauer on pages 70-73.


Ki doesn't have a traditional creative space right now, her inspiration comes from the flea markets and junk shops where she finds her treasures. I've shopped with Ki and I know how focused she is. Ki's mind is always going and she can just look at an object and come up with at least 10 creative things that can be done with it. I'm sure you'll enjoy reading her story.

Ki will take a break from the Junk Bonanza Thursday evening Sept.16 for the Autograph party at Creative Connection . See the Creative Connection Web-Site for full details.

Another member of our FMS Team is also busy with the Creative Connection event. Senior Editor, Heather Bullard, will be a featured guest speaker on two panels.

Blogging: How to Make It Matter More and
The Future Face of Retail: The Digital Marketplace
You won't want to miss either of these discussions, or the many other informative classes that will be held at the conference.

The Creative Connection will have a bus to take you to and from the Junk Bonanza.
It's gonna be a great time for all,
See you there-Margo

Name Calling

I’ve got my dictionary, thesaurus and a stockpile of diet soda, so I’m ready to start writing articles for the spring 2011 issue of Flea Market Style!

I know how creative our readers are, so I’m hopeful that you can give me a jump-start by answering this question: What do you like to call yourselves? Junk enthusiasts? Flea market mavens? Recycling gurus? Margo uses the term “fleamarketeers,” which makes me grin — and want to burst out singing the Mickey Mouse Club song.

Please share your favorite names in the comments. You may see them in the next issue!

Blogged by Christine

Keepin' it fresh!

As we continue to plan fabulous and fresh stories for Flea Market Style 2011, I realize we are different. Apparently fresh is getting harder to come by on the newsstand these days. It seems that reusing old magazine material is a current trend and is necessary to make a difference in the bottom line for publishers. Without a positive balance sheet, there would be no magazines for us to curl up in our favorite chair and get lost in a beautiful cottage or farmhouse, we dream could be ours one day.

I consider myself a savvy magazine shopper. I know to look for "back by popular demand, 2nd printing, best of or collection of" subtitles on the cover. These are buzz words for a re-print of past material. Sometimes I actually purchase a do-over because I lost track of my old copy and want to read again.

At the grocery store today I purchased 2 magazines, one I knew was a "best of" even though it didn't mention it on the cover, and the other, I missed the "back by popular demand" in the pink box above the title. When I got home I realized both magazines, different titles, displayed the same photographs of the same kitchen. I never thought the day would come when I would have to scan the pages of magazines at the store, to figure out if I was buying duplicate content.

As an avid magazine reader I appreciate brand new stories, never seen before photos and current project ideas. I can promise you that we are working like crazy to bring you a delightfully fresh and new magazine!

Cheers,
Ki

Rhinestone Key Necklace Winner

And the winner is.....!!!!!

We are pleased to announce that the "random number generator" has picked emy as our winner.

If you are emy please send me your mailing address, via email, to
fleamarketstylemag@hotmail.com

Congratulations to emy, and thank you to all who entered,

From all of us on the Flea Market Style Team

Time for Another Great Give-Away

We are happy to offer another great give-away to our loyal blog readers. Senior Editor, Heather Bullard has graciously donated this lovely Vintage Inspired Rhinestone Key Necklace from her boutique.

This exquisite piece originated in an old Parisian workshop established over two hundred years ago. The elegant design is rendered from the original molds that were created from 1900-1930 and is made of 14kt gold plate over copper with hand set crystals.
Measures 18"L with additional 2" extender. Key charm measures 2"L.

Here's how to enter: Simply leave a comment on THIS post and tell us which story from the 2010 issue of Flea Market Style, was your favorite and why.

If you choose to spread the word and Blog, Tweet or Facebook about the giveaway just let us know in the comments and we will enter your name for each!

The Winner will be chosen randomly on July 27th at 8:00 pm central time, and will be announced here on the blog. Drawing is open to US addresses only.

Good Luck to Everyone!
From all of us on the Flea Market Style Team

Texas Shoot-aka Bring a First Aid Kit Next Time

Blogged by Margo Arrick

My day started out early on Friday morning, with a loaded car full of tools and supplies. After fueling up with a large sweet tea from Sonic, I headed down the road to meet up with Heather and Theresa Cano for the Texas shoot. Where in Texas you ask??? Well It's a big state and it could have been anywhere, you'll just have to wait till February to find out. Let's just say it was a "fer bit" down the road.

I arrived at the location around 9:00 and immediately got to work. But first a quick tour... jaw dropping beautiful junk everywhere you turn, inside and out. The homeowners have a real eye for great pieces. No time to visit just yet though...

My job was "go-fer", I'm not going to put any kind of fancy title on it, like production assistant etc... I was a "go-fer" as in "I go-fer this and I go-fer that". I was prepared for this ahead of time and was ready to watch, work, and observe.

The first thing I observed was that there was a big wasp issue at the location. I think it was Heather running, screaming and waving her arms around that was my first clue. So I became the official wasp spotter and killer. Quite by accident we discovered that Windex works real well as a repellent and when we had nothing else we would aim that blue bottle at the pesky critters and they would dash away.

At one point one of them did get the best of me though. As I was cleaning one area there was a nest hidden up under something. I guess one of them brushed past my hand just barely catching me with a stinger. It was not a bad sting, just enough to get my attention. I quickly asked the homeowner for a bag of ice and kept right on working. The offending wasp was soon beaten down with a broom, as I grinned sheepishly.

One of the best pieces of equipment we had on this location was a huge fan that belonged to the homeowner. Similar to the one in the picture below, but without the wheels.

Let me say we made good use of that fan, it's one of those heavy duty industrial fans that is about 4' wide. You could often see one of us standing in front of it as we were waiting for instructions, it was the best seat in the house. At one point we had to move the fan, Heather grabbed one side and I grabbed the other and off we go. However this time, I lost my footing on a short ledge, twisting my ankle and landing with a thud, crashing this massive fan. I think my pride was hurt more than anything else, after all, it's hard to fall gracefully with a 50 pound fan in your hands. Twist, Thud, Crash!!!!

Heather was not immune to clumsy antics either. We had a citronella candle sitting on the ground outside, in an attempt to repel the wasps. Heather, focusing on something else, tripped right over it, hot wax flying all over her leg and jeans. We joked with her that was one way to get a cheap waxing.

By far the most painful injury for me was when I hit my head on a heavy metal object hanging from above. I don't know why I didn't look above me, I guess I was just focused on what I was doing, but when I stood up, BANG, went my head strait into this monstrosity, clanking my noggin really hard. This blow actually slowed me down for a bit (imagine a loony-toons cartoon with the birdies flying around my head and a red knot shooting up before your eyes.) Tweet-Tweet-Tweet Boooiiiinnnngggg Wah-Wah.

Let's just say Photo Shoots are not glamorous, they are a lot of work. It all looks so pretty when it's done, but there is a lot of blood, sweat and tears that go into these shoots, and I think I shed them all. You'll love the end result I'm sure. I saw the shots, and they are lovely.

On a side note: I adored meeting the homeowners and their family. I feel I've made fast friends. I can't wait for you to meet them as well, in the pages of the next issue. I always say you can judge someone by their pets. I had fun meeting the many animals at this location including.

The ever entertaining Dachshund, Ellie: Full of humor and love

And the sweet one-eyed cat, Thomas

Both were up for a good tummy rub at any time.

Needle in a Haystack

Blogged by Ki Nassauer:

Now that we have our plan of attack for the next issue of Flea Market Style magazine, it is time to make it happen! That includes finding the perfect vintage items for projects and stories.

Why is it when you are looking for something, you can never find it? Pastry cutters are a dime a dozen. They pop up in almost every antique store and flea market and are what I would call common junk. Common until you actually need one. After an exhaustive search of all the local shops I used my trusty junk calling tree. I call Cammie, Cammie calls Jane, Jane calls Sara, Sara calls...you get the picture. It takes an entire junk community to make a magazine. Oh, did I mention I need 3 pastry cutters? "Now what for?" you ask.

Heather is heading to Texas this week and meeting up with Margo. I am sure you will hear all about it very soon!
Cheers,
Ki

Ladies Who Lunch

Blogged by Heather Bullard

This past week Ki flew into LA so she and I could plan all the stories for the magazine and go over locations, flight schedules, and our very favorite topic...the budget. We had 3 days of back to back meetings to discuss houses, stories, shops, artists, pitch our ideas to each other, come up with new ones, and finally implement a plan of action on the issue. Boy do we have our work cut out for us!

Usually these meetings run all day long with the time passing so quickly you hardly look up and it's 2:00. Time for a lunch break. What better place to be than in LA when you're hungry? The possibilities are endless. Cafes, restaurants, and bistros are lined up along an entire city block. You think each day we would choose something new. Nope. We loved the food and atmosphere so much at Larchmont Bungalow that we ate there every. single. day. You can see for yourself how absolutely charming it is...

And the food was so delicious. Positively yummy. We had a solid plan each day of ordering a salad and sandwich then splitting the order to share. Good idea, right?

But I have to say the be all, end all to visiting Larchmont Bungalow....the cake. The Strawberry Shortcake Cake to be exact. Here it is staring at us through the bakery case window.

It had a strong, powerful hold over us and Ki even dreamed about it. So of course, we had to order it again the next day. Poor things. Suffering for the sake of putting together the next issue.

Well, maybe it's just our waistlines that will suffer because we are having the best time preparing a knock out magazine for you to enjoy! If you're ever in the LA area be sure to stop by Larchmont Bungalow. Tell them we sent you. They'll probably remember us. Cheers, Heather!

On the job training Flea Market Style.

Blogged by Jill Hinson:

Last week Ki coordinated and styled the issue’s very first photo shoot, a feature story for the magazine. Yours truly got to come along for the ride…..helping to style the shoot. Needless to say, I had a ball! And while I have styled home interiors before, I have never done any work for a magazine shoot, it was definitely a fun, hands-on, learning experience.

The day began early. Ki told me to expect a long day and I found out she wasn’t kidding. While we waited for the photographer and her crew to show up we reviewed the shot list that Stacey had prepared from Ki’s scouting shots. I learned that in the process of creating a magazine “scouting” shots (a bunch of regular photos) are taken of all possible places the feature might want to include, from all possible angles. The scouting shots are sent to the magazine’s Art Director, Stacey Willey and she does a mock-up of the proposed “story”, complete with the shots she wants included.

After the photographer Kim arrived, she and Ki discussed the really crummy weather conditions. The rain and dark skies that were expected to last the entire day would make for less than desirable conditions for shooting photos.

The decision was made to begin shooting in the lightest part of the home first, and that is where I officially began my styling duties.

During the shoot, I helped Ki wrestle bed linens that wouldn’t behave, creating creases and folds where there should be none! We moved items a fraction of an inch to get the proportions and angles just right. We often “shopped the house” to get just the right item, color, shape or mix of items for the shot. I polished, dusted and vacuumed rooms and accessories to photographic perfection. By the end of the day, I was grateful I chose to wear my comfy shoes and not my stylish stylist shoes!

In addition to having a really great time getting to be a part of something creative, I learned so much about the production of a magazine. Beautiful photographs, particularly of home interiors do not just happen. The process is often painstakingly long and arduous. But in the end there is tremendous satisfaction when you see the final photos, displayed collage style. I just know you are going to love what you see!

Jill Hinson

Congratulations To Our 10 Lucky Winners

Wow over 400 comments and a total of 506 entries, I think that is a record.

We are pleased to announce that the "random number generator" has picked 10 lucky winners for the New Blog Kick Off Give-a-Way.

The Winners Are...

Shabbycottagegirl http://shabbythoughts.blogspot.com/
Jamie http://pearsonpress.blogspot.com/
Lori-Anne http://thepeartree.ca/
Andy's Attic http://andysatticbg.blogspot.com/
Lisa http://theblissfultable.blogspot.com/
Miss Mashed - www.missymashed.blogspot.com
Bounty Huntress http://angemalbountyhuntress.blogspot.com/
Hannah http://prettystinkingreen.blogspot.com/
Deb http://nothingswasted-deb.blogspot.com/
Robyn http://whimsyworks.blogspot.com/


If you are one of the lucky folks above please send me your mailing address, via email, to
fleamarketstylemag@hotmail.com

If I don't hear from you by Monday I will attempt to contact you via your blog.

Your autographed copies of the 2010 issue will be in the mail by next week.

Thanks to all who entered. If you are still looking to purchase a copy of the 2010 issue, please click the "Where to Buy" button at the top right of this home page.

Thanks again all of you,
From all of us on the Flea Market Style Team

Blogged by Margo

New Blog Kick Off Give-a-Way

To celebrate Flea Market Style's refreshed blog and the beginning of our journey to create Flea Market Style magazine Spring 2011, the FMS Team thought that it was a great time for a Give-A-Way

Since many of our loyal blog readers probably already have their copy of the 2010 Flea Market Style Magazine, we had to get a bit creative. So... 10 Lucky winners will receive a personally autographed copy of the Spring 2010 Issue
of Flea Market Style, signed by Ki Nassauer. You can have a pristine and perfectly preserved, autographed copy, to display on your coffee table and proudly show to your friends, leaving your first issue to dog ear, copy, clip, make notes in etc.

But that's not all!!!!
These same 10 winners will also receive an autographed
free copy of the Spring 2011 Issue
when it is published next February.

More fun news, you can enter 2 times by,

1) Leaving a comment to this post, and...
2) Change our blog button on your blog, to the new button you see to your lower left, and below. You must tell us us you've done this in your comment.

10 Lucky winners will be drawn on June 17 at 8:00 pm, central time.

Good luck to everyone
Blogged by Margo

<a href=" http://fleamarketstylemag.blogspot.com// " target="fms"><img src=" http://www.robomargo.com/fmscover3.jpg" height="250" /></a>

Big News-Flea Market Style Rides Again

When the publisher told me that Flea Market Style was being reprinted I was in disbelief. You see, this never happens in the magazine business. You might see the same magazine reprinted the following year, but rarely within the same selling window. Wow!!! Because of you, we are beginning our journey to create Flea Market Style magazine 2011. I am grateful for your comments, inspiration, friendships, support, and perseverance in hunting down copies of FMS magazine. Thank you!

As life pulls us in different directions, some of the faces on our team have changed. Matthew Mead, along with Jenny Mead, Linda MacDonald and Sarah Egge, have several exciting new projects in the works including Holiday with Matthew Mead Magazine. Be sure to pop over for a visit.

Heather Bullard is returning as senior editor and HGTV's Cash in the Attic's host Tim Luke remains our "go to" antiques expert. Margo Arrick (aka robolady) will be heading up the Flea Market Style blog and we are excited to announce Christine Hofmann-Bourque as writer/editor. Photographer Kim Cornelison is back on board for our first photo shoot and Stacey Willey will work her magic once again as art director.
As chief-cook-and-bottle-washer, I will be busy making sure we deliver another spectacular magazine you won't want to put down.

Along with a backstage pass to the making of Flea Market Style 2011 we want to hear from you. What you liked best, what you want to see more of, what you would like to see covered, and of course what were your favorite stories from Flea Market Style 2010. It will be a busy summer and we will keep you posted on our journey!

Stay tuned for a big give-away!

Cheers,
Ki

Where Flea Market Style 2010 has been spotted in the US and Canada

Bloggers, readers, sleuths and junk fans everywhere have graciously written in to share where they have found their copy of Flea Market Style Spring 2010 issue, in the US and Canada.


Barnes and Noble in Ft. Worth, TX; Apple Valley, Minnesota; Omaha, Nebraska; Orlando, Florida; Kingston, NY; Evansville, IN; Altoona, PA; Poughkeepsie, NY; Saratoga Springs, NY; Campbell, Ca.(by San Jose); San Antonio, TX; Ellicot City, MD; Salt Lake City, Utah; Birmingham, Alabama; Colorado Springs, Co; Cary, NC;
Wegmans Ocean township NJ
Fred Meyers in Tacoma
Target in Bel Air, Maryland; Spartanburg, SC; Salem, Oregon; Silverdale, Washington;
Borders in Raleigh, NC and Tallahassee, FL; Burleson, TX, St. Louis, MO; Long Island NY; Union Square, San Francisco; Wheaton, IL; Mishawaka, Indiana;
Publix, in Lake Worth, FL; Ocala Florida; Franklin, TN; Brandon, Florida; Greenville,South Carolina;
Tom Thumb in Frisco, Texas
IGA in Lewisport,Ky.
Roseurs (grocery store) "at the Y" on North Division in Spokane, Washington
Walmart in Duncansville, PA; Longview, WA (Ocean Beach Hwy); Dixon, IL; Bedford, Indiana; Hood River OR; Fairfax Virginia; Spanaway Wa; Valparaiso, IN; Western, PA; St. Marys, PA; New Iberia, LA; Roseburg, OR; Apple Valley, MN; Harker Heights, TX; Shawnee, Kansas; Monument, Colorado;
Wegman's, Buffalo, NY
Books a Million in Katy, Tx; Sevierville, Tennessee; Prattville, Alabama;
JewelFood Store-Chicago area
Winnie & Tulula's in Athens, Texas
Top foods in Lacy, WA
Kroger in Southern Illinois; Allen TX; Troy, Missouri;
Dillons grocery store (owned by Kroger) in Wichita, Kansas
Giant Eagle (Grocery) in Parma, OH.
Walgreens in Canton, IL
Gillombardo's Giant Eagle: Cleveland Ohio Parma area
Stop and Shop in North Attleboro, MA
QFC grocery store in Everett, WA
Hastings in San Marcos, TX
LOWES, Killeen TX; Stillwater, Oklahoma; Tulsa OK;
CVS Pharmacy in Frankfort, IN & Damascus MD
Weber & Judd Pharm. (Mayo Clinic subway level) in Rochester, Mn
Safeway in Salem OR
Weis in Laurel MD


In Canada:
Shopper's Drug Mart in Truro, N.S.; Ontario,
Indigo, Ontario,
Safeway store in Aldergrove (very near Vancouver); Surrey, B.C;
Chapters: Halifax, N.S.; Burlington, Ontario;
Pharmasave in Hampton NB
Atlantic Superstore in Saint John, N.B.; Sydney, Nova Scotia
Smokers Corner in Pickering, Ontario

Thank You Company C!!

Be sure to check out the Company C blog to view a video of the Flea Market Style launch party, taken from their perspective. If you remember, the fantastic rug used in the room on the cover of Flea Market Style magazine came from Company C!

Be sure to watch it; no dancing with lampshades on this time, but still a fun peek!

Rummaging Around...

Annual rummage sales have great vintage items for dollars or less.

Oh yes, they do!

  

Tis the season of the Rummage sale, and I just attended an annual favorite yesterday at the Greek Church in Manchester, NH. Some tables are dealers, some are church members, and some are just people who twice a year clean out their collections and sell them for very little money at the church. Although Jenny was otherwise occupied, I had an absolute ball and limited myself to twenty dollars. I got a slew of vintage fabric samples that are perfect for small projects or just to use as small surfaces or swatches for styling... for just ten dollars! I got another larger piece of 60's mod fabric in white with a teal and chartreuse graphic pattern that I will likely stretch over a canvas as wall art and then a few small liqueur glasses with gold flecks on the outside. I have found that these make amazing votive candles for all types of occasions.

Now, here are my tips for rounding up a lot of loot:

1. Check Thursday's newspaper for the listing and make a map of which sales to attend.

2. Start early and be in line when the doors open.

3. Bring dollar bills and quarters, as many things are priced in that range.

4. Bargain and make deals... ask for a group or quantity discount.

5. Bring those canvas or recycled bags for all your purchases.

6. Drag a wife, husband or friend to canvas the area better and help take purchases to the car.

Oh,and give me a wide berth, because I move down those isles like bull in a china shop with a palpable mantra in my head:  "mine, Mine, MINE!"

(posted by Matthew Mead)

**************************************

Oh, and head over here for a give-away I know you will love!

Looking ahead to a very special HOLIDAY!

Matthew Mead, is an expert at celebrating the holidays and bringing out the beauty of the seasons. Back in 2006, Matthew - as a style editor with Country Home magazine - launched his first issue of Holiday with Matthew Mead via Meredith Publishing. However, as many other projects, commitments and books filled his schedule, Holiday got put on the back burner. Still, Matthew always dreamed of bringing it back to his readers and bringing his focus back to his love of the holidays and sharing the many creative ideas that occupy imagination.

Over the years, and following the success of Flea Market Style, Matthew's fans wrote many letters and emails asking him to bring back Holiday and all its goodness.

And he listened.

I am thrilled to announce that Holiday with Matthew Mead is coming back for Holiday 2010. I am pleased to be involved and and will help Matthew and Jenny in their quest to bring you a magazine that has been lovingly conceived and will be sold online via his new website - and limited quantities will be sold and delivered straight to your mailbox this October. So, head on over to Holiday with Matthew Mead.com and learn how Matthew wants to include YOU and a chance to have your home featured in the magazine!) and discover our very special guests/features (hint: a very famous and much-loved blogger who has survived a life-threatening experience and is working hard to regain her life as a busy wife and mother).

Head on over and see what all of the fuss is about. Discover what Holiday 2010 entails and how you can get one without the usual seek and search. Who knows, perhaps you will even find yourself in the pages of the magazine!

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Oh, and stay tuned to this blog for news about the possibility for future issues of Flea Market Style. No promises yet, but the future looks bright!

Stamping...from old to new!

Junk expert Ki Nassauer has been attracted to vintage rubber stamps for as long as she can remember.  She snatches them up on her regular junking trips to antique shops, flea markets, and garage sales. She is particularly drawn to the ones displaying quirky business names, and those with great emblems on the handles. Long past their intended purpose in life, Ki has reinvented these hard-working stamps and pressed them into service as great photo, business card, and ephemera holders. Featured in Flea Market Style, we are now offering up a close-up of the project and how you, too, can make these handy and charming photo holders!

Follow Ki's directions and reinvent your stamps:

1.Remove the rubber lettering at the bottom so your stamp will sit flat.

2. Drill 2 holes in the top of the handle 1/2" apart and 1/2" deep. (I used a 1/16 drill bit)

(Tip: Make an indentation with a nail before drilling to keep your drill bit in the correct spot.)

3. Wrap 18 gage wire around a fine point Sharpie one and a half times to achieve the perfect round.

4. Snip with a wire cutter leaving 2 tails approximately the same depth as your holes.

5. Add a tiny bit of glue to the end of the wire and insert into the holes.

Your wire should look like this:

6. Add a photo, place card, business card, or small sign.

A great way to repurpose a once-used stamp!