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Flea
Markets, Yard Sales, Garage Sales, Thrift Stores and Art and Craft Fairs
Shopping
at Flea Markets, Yard Sales, Garage Sales, Consignment Shops or Thrift Stores
and Art and Craft Fairs can be more fun and a bigger adventure than mall or retail shopping.
You
can stretch your imagination, relax, bargain, find pieces and parts for Art
Object accessory projects. You can
furnish your whole house with wonderful Objects and stretch your dollars!
As
Jill Davis says, “It may be second hand, but it’s not second rate.
When
you know what your decorating style is and have an idea of what you are looking
for or need you will have the best results.
Find your
decorating style here.
Before
you set out on your shopping adventure here are a few tips to maximize your
dollars, your time and buy the right stuff.
What
do you need or want for your home? Furniture
pieces, accessories, plant pots, dishes, or odds and ends to make home
accessories?
Check Out Home Decorating Accessory Projects Here!
Make
a list. Include measurements.
If you are looking for wall pieces, measure the space you have to hang
your new found art object in. If
it’s furniture, shelves or rugs, make sure you have the space measurements and
requirements with you. Take a tape
measure with you.
Get
Ready to Shop!
Dress
appropriately. Wear a hat for sunny days
and cold days. Wear comfortable
shoes or boots. No sandals, flip
flops and high heels. It is usually
dusty, sometimes weedy or muddy.
If
you start early dress in layers so you can shed jackets or sweaters as the day
warms up.
Organize
your bag. Take
a big lightweight canvas bag preferably with shoulder straps.
Put a few plastic shopping bags in it, have a pad and pen, water bottle
and hand wipes or cleaners.
Many
sellers don’t have bags. You’ll
be glad you have your own. The
large canvas bag is great to put small purchases in so you don’t have to run
back to the car to unload. This is
especially good for flea markets or neighborhood yard sales.
The
hand cleaner is always welcome after rummaging through bins of old items or
handing dusty objects.
Start
early and arrive late.
You will find the best choices early…. The best buys are at closing….
Sellers want to get rid of their merchandise late in the day.
They don’t want to pack it back up, put it back in the house or garage
or have to wait for the donation truck.
Have
cash.
Many sellers don’t take checks and most won’t take an ATM or credit
cards. Only take how much money you
can spend. It’s part of the
budget thing.
If
you don’t find anything the day you go out – don’t buy just because
you’re in the mood.
Wouldn’t
it be great to have more cash stashed for next time.
You
might find a buffet or other piece of furniture and have just enough cash!
Garage Sales, Yard Sales and Estate Sales
Where
do you shop? All over town.
Mid to high income neighborhoods are often the best.
Older neighborhoods where the home owners are aging area great for estate
sales.
Estate
sales have everything in the house for sale.
Some of the best do-dads for craft projects can be found here.
Good furniture at great prices are some of the best estate sale finds.
(Many of the sellers at flea markets buy at estate sales then mark up the
prices).
Check
the classified section of your Friday and Saturday paper for sales.
Then follow the signs to other sales in the area.
How
To Shop Here
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