Crazy for My Collectibles

The last couple years have been tough economically for us all and there is no doubt that some great bargains can be found at flea markets and that there is money to be made selling at flea markets. It is estimated that there are well over 25,000 flea markets across the United States with sales over $6 Billion dollars….and this is for flea markets that operate on weekends only! Pasadena’s famous Rose Bowl Flea Market is said to have over 3,000 vendors with approx. 50,000 shoppers! Professional Flea Market shoppers are reported to arrive between 7:00 am -9:00 am in the morning with flashlights if still dark out when vendors are just setting up and are ready to treasure and bargain hunt. WOW!

1. Becoming A Vendor: First things first, in order to start selling at flea markets you need to get yourself setup as a vendor at a particular flea market. Check with your attorney or accountant on what is recommended by your state and the Feds as far as setting up a business name, business checking account tax ID number and anything else you need.  Also, check with the particular flea market on what paperwork and licenses they will need from you.

2.What To Sell: You most likely already have an idea of what types of merchandise or products you want to sell as you probably have visited flea markets before and probably visited the flea market your booth will be at a hundred times or so. You have developed a sense of what sells, what is “hot”, crafts that seem to sell well, antiques and collectibles that sell etc.. and you hopefully already have amassed several items to sell or have secured a method or contact for inventory be it a wholesaler or your local thrift store and neighborhood garage sales, or you have made up a bunch of crafts etc..

Also, a way to earn extra money is to sell beverages and snacks in your space. Nothing is better on a hot humid day then a cold drink! Have a cooler or if you have electricity a small refrigerator stocked with bottle water and soda pops and think about this for a moment – why not have some labels made up of your space name and logo and stick them on the bottles of water or if you sell bags of chips or granola bars then stick the labels on these as this is a great way to market your space!!

3. Pricing: Pricing – because you have spent a lot of time already visiting flea markets or have friends that are vendors at flea markets or have done your pricing research another way, you know what your pricing should be. Do not over analyze your pricing and merchandise, as right now it is most important for you to wisely “dive in” and get your booth setup and Start Selling!

TIPS TO ATTRACT HUNDREDS OF BUYERS TO YOUR SPACE

Many people will say that a great strategy is the key to attracting buyers. There is no doubt that you are one vendor amongst thousands of vendors so having the right merchandise and a good location is key.

6. Attracting Buyers: Be sure to have enough merchandise on hand. Nothing is worse than an empty looking space so be sure to have plenty of stuff to sell and either store the excess under your tables or in your car. Also, have around a total of $500 of change in $1, $5, $10, and $20. Keep bags, newspaper, sacks, and boxes handy so folks can easily and comfortably haul their treasures away.

7. Be an Expert: If you sell antiques and collectibles you will agree that the more you know about the items you are selling the more you will sell as your customers will see you as the EXPERT and people feel confident buying from the Expert and paying the higher prices as items sold by an Expert can command top dollar.

Engage in conversation with folks that enter your space as vendors with personality and the ability to story tell about their items will have more sales as shoppers enjoy being told as much information about what they are buying, and part of the enjoyment of flea markets is all the neat vendors you meet!

8. Setup: Setup your space to visually make sense and be comfortable. So, if you sell books then have them setup with spines facing out and neatly stacked so they are easy to read, if you sell clothing be sure to hang the items up on racks or have them neatly folded on tables and do put out items that are dirty or have holes as no one is looking for this. Have your pricing clearly visible. If you have access to electricity then have a couple fans plugged in to blow cool air as noting feels better on s super hot day then a fan blowing on you and when people feel comfortable they will spend more time shopping your space. Also, if you can arrange for some type of cover or canopy to shield from rain and sun it will not only make you the seller more comfortable but your shoppers too.

If you use signage make sure they are neat and easy to read and grab attention from folks passing by. Tie a bunch of balloons around your space to attract attention and have a drawing for a “free” prize every 4 hours or so and this will draw lots of attention to your space.

9. Hagglers: Be prepared to handle hagglers in advance. You should not be surprised if people start to haggle or negotiate with you. Many people feel that haggling is part of the Flea Market experience. Decide in advance how much you are will to accept on an item and be good-natured when dealing with hagglers. Remember that being flexible with your pricing can mean more sales for you!!

10.Tips For Vendors: A couple things to keep in mind when selling at Flea Markets is to have a receipt book and pen handy as many folks will ask for a receipt if they are a business. If you sell vintage or retro items that can be repurposed, make up a bunch of handouts that tell the buyer the types of crafts and projects these items can be made into and even have a free craft detailed that they can make.  Keep sunscreen nearby and even have some for sale, as you will be surprised how sunburned one can get walking around a flea market and selling at a flea market!!

We hope these tips and tricks have been beneficial to you and urge you to visit www.crazy4me.com in the near future, as we are finishing up a fantastic guide on Flea Market Bargaining and Haggling Tips!

St. Patrick’s Day or St. Paddy’s Day will be upon us soon. In Ireland St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17 and it is to commemorate the anniversary of Ireland’s patron saint “St. Patrick” and his death back in the fifth century. People would celebrate the holiday with feasting and wearing the color green though originally people are said to have worn blue and red. The shamrock symbol was used to explain the holy trinity to the Irish Christians and today it has become a symbol we all associate with St. Patrick’s Day.

In recent years St. Patrick’s Day collectibles are becoming increasingly popular and though most items collected seem to be vintage 1950’s figurines from makers Lefton and Napco and they are the holiday planters and March birthday angel figurines along with vintage greeting cards. There are also the modern day items to collect like shamrock themed dinnerware, shamrock teacups and saucers, Irish coffee mugs, shamrock and Leprechaun salt and pepper shakers, Shamrock cookie cutters, shamrock candlestick holders, shamrock jewelry, shamrock and Leprechaun shirts and sweaters, and Leprechaun figurines.

Which ever you decide to collect or if you are already a collector then adding to your collection via a couple new additions each year will undoubtedly bring you joy each year as you unpack and set up for the holiday via the pretty little vignettes you create.

We here at Crazy4me wish you all a safe and Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

I am so excited to share of my latest treasures with you. I am most excited about this precious Black Americana ashtray! This ashtray is circa 1930s-1940s and made in Japan. It is very rare to come across an ashtray of this type as the cigarette is placed inside the mouth and smoke comes out from the nose that also happens to have a fly sitting on top. These types of vintage ashtrays are extremely rare and fragile so they do not tend to survive over 60 years!

Another two items we are delighted with is this group of 1950s Retro Fish wall plaques with momma and babies and the coloring is phenomenal in pinks, aqua and gold. Also, this magnificent set of rare 1940s pink Black Americana Mammy and Chef salt and pepper shakers with their labels that tell us they are “22 Carat Gold Craft, USA.” If you are interested in these items or would like to more please check here for details.

I so enjoy the appeal of a retro kitchen and retro aprons and linens. Retro is so colorful and cheerful! Retro encompasses lots of Anthropomorphic elements from vintage Anthropomorphic salt and pepper shakers, Anthropomorphic fruit and veggies embroidered onto tea towels, dish towels and aprons and even Anthropomorphic chalkware wall plaques. EllynAnne Geisel has a couple great books out that bring the love of retro and vintage kitchen linens and aprons to the forefront of today and her website has so many neat downloadable “how to” like making these fabulously neat Original Egg Warmer Designs. Visit here for directions for this fun project! Make the POLKADOT EGG WARMER, APRON EGG WARMER, EGG WARMER APRON, EGG WARMER DRESS.

I love going to flea markets and junk shops and I always see lots of old funky trunks and  suitcases and also lots of tattered cabinets and display shelves that would be GREAT storage cabinets and miniature armoires if repurposed with flea market fabrics, walpapper, and some ribbons. If you are asking “how to repurpose flea market finds” DIY Ideas has a great flea market project for this so if you are looking for ways to put your stash of flea market finds to good use then you will enjoy this one!

As the country patiently waits in deep anticipation for the Alice In Wonderland movie opening this Friday March 5, 2010, the Alice In Wonderland collectibles market is soaring and has been for quite some time! Prices are REALLY going up and up and manufacturers cannot produce newer collectibles fast enough while collectors cannot buy-up vintage items quick enough. We posted an article back in February about collecting Alice In Wonderland items and mentioned that collectors felt prices were just starting to rise in anticipation of the movie release and since we have seen a very steady increase in price and values.

TOP 10 IN 2010 Alice In Wonderland Collectibles:

• Disney – Alice In Wonderland Mouse Ears Hat, Limited Edition!
• Stella McCartney’s Alice In Wonderland Jewelry Line with Swarovski Crystals
• Alice, Mad Hatter T-shirts (visit here)
• Red Queen T-shirts
• The Red Queen and Mad Hatter Coffee Tea Mugs
• Limited Edition Film Cels
• Desk Accessories Sets
• Figurines of Alice, Mad Hatter, Cheshire Cat, Red Queen, White Queen
• Alice In Wonderland Christmas Ornaments and Holiday Decorations

Currently on EBay the below Alice In Wonderland Collectibles are HOT:
Alice In Wonderland Frida Kahlo Folk Art Painting Oil $21,000,000.00
Alice in Wonderland Beswick Figurine Royal Doulton 1974 $799
This Alice in Wonderland “White Rabbit” figurine is by Beswick.  $325
Beswick Alice in Wonderland The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party Figurine $340
R JOHN WRIGHT DISNEY ALICE IN WONDERLAND DOLL $1,475
Disney Alice in Wonderland Teapot signed by Elisabete Gomes $1,275
R John Wright Mad Hatter – Alice in Wonderland $1,575
Royal Doulton Cheshire Cat Alice Series figurine $295
MADAME ALEXANDER WEEDLE DEE TWEEDLE DUM $119.99
LLADRO ALICE IN WONDERLAND PORCELAIN FIGURINE $700
7pcs. Alice in Wonderland Russian Nesting Doll  $575

Let’s just high prices for Alice In Wonderland Will Go!

Cheshire Cat Tote Bag Cheshire Cat, We’re all mad here

I just got my latest issue of Flea Market Style Magazine and boy-oh-boy is it full of good stuff! One article in particular caught my eye and it is a step-by-step guide on how to make a dog bed for your pooch from repurposed household items. This would be a great weekend project and a great way to use up some of the vintage fabrics and pillows you have been collecting. If you are handy at sewing you could also probably stitch up a few cute dog toys out of the leftover fabric. 

Since repurposing items are a very hot trend today as we are all into living green and into vintage and cottage styles and there also are some folks re-using old suitcases and fashioning them into doggie beds as well as using vintage fabrics and vintage linens and sewing them into darling little doggie dresses.

Hmmmm, think I might try making the Flea Market Style doggie bed for my fluffy little Bichon Frise- Luna and if that goes well maybe a cute little dress to match!

As early as the 1920s and 1940s is when state souvenir salt and peppershakers were sold and produced. As family “road trips” increased in popularity, and they sure did as folks could not get enough of seeing the United States by car, train, and their Air Streams. Gas prices were considerably low too so traveling the United States by way of a “road trip” was a great way to spend time together as a family and see the great country we live in and it is so much fun to pick up souvenirs along the way and souvenir salt and pepper shakers were the right size and could easily be packed and did not take up too much room. These shakers would either be stamped with the city/state/town where you picked them up or would have a sticker or label placed on them that indicated they were souvenirs from a particular city/state/location or town.

I look back with glee when I reminisce of the road trips we use to take; us kids in the backseat of the family station wagon, dog in the back, a cooler in the trunk with soda pops and sandwiches and the stops and visits into the local gift shops we would take on our way through a new city or town where we would pick out some little trinkets and S&P shakers. These were special times and today I can look at all the salt and pepper shakers we picked up on our sojourns across the USA and can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia for those good-old-days!

Today, some of the most collectible souvenir salt and pepper shakers are the Southern memorabilia, a popular collectible known also as Black Americana, Black Memorabilia, and Black Face Collectibles, and while much of the design from this genre is focused on the stereotypical household Mammy and Cook, these images were on tea towels and tablecloths too and were widely available throughout the southern states, these are attracting many collectors today. Souvenir salt and peppershakers are increasing in value every year as more folks are drawn to their charm and they are getting scarcer and more difficult to come by.

Vintage Made In Japan Salt and Pepper Shakers
The majority of US souvenir salt and pepper shakers were Made In Japan or Made in Occupied Japan and were usually stamped or marked accordingly. The term “Vintage” references items from the1920s -1980s and typically anything at least 50 years old can be considered Vintage. An Antique on the other hand should be at least 100 or more years old to be classified as an Antique.

Items stamped or marked “Made in Japan” were typically made prior to the First World War and after the Second World War as Japan was much like China and Taiwan are today; countries where items can be cheaply manufactured and mass produced. The term “Made in Occupied Japan” refers to the period in history right after the Second World War when the United States, Australia, British India, United Kingdom and New Zealand were involved in re-building Japan and were a main presence. In 1951 a peace treaty was signed that was enforced in the spring of 1952 when Japan became an independent state again. Items produced in Japan during this short time frame are stamped/marked “Made In Occupied Japan” and considered more desirable and valuable by many collectors. Many of the Vintage Salt and Pepper Shakers we deal with and sell are from these eras and are fun to collect as they have an appealing charm about them that comes across in the way they were molded and painted.

A couple photos for you of some vintage Black Americana1930s souvenir salt and peppershakers. These are souvenirs from New Orleans, Louisiana, Washington D.C., York P.A., Martin,Tenn.

If you are interested in collecting Souvenir Salt and Pepper Shakers you will find that they are a little more difficult to come by then non-souvenir shakers as many collectors are seeking these and a search on EBay for souvenir shakers only returned 64 results so, keep your eyes open when visiting yard sales, garage sales, seasonal bazaars, thrift shops, flea markets, antique malls, and online websites. We hope you display and enjoy your souvenir shakers!

Pincushions have been around since the 15th century when they were first made from silver and ivory. It was during the 1800s that pincushions were being commercially produced. During the Victorian era is when pincushions were highly decorated with beads and made into shapes of shoes, dolls, teacups, fruits, umbrellas, veggies and fruits rather than just boxes and were then displayed in parlors.

Today, the pincushion has made a big comeback and is a very “hot” item especially the vintage half doll pincushions and the homemade pincushions done up in all kinds of retro fabrics and embellishments. Stuffing for your pincushions also has come a long way as some use batting, sand, and scented herbs! Below is a list that we have compiled for you for 60 Free Pincushion Patterns ranging from Ladybug Pincushions, Half Doll Pincushions, Teacup & Saucer Pincushions and so much more! Visit here for more.

1.    Martha Stewart’s Homegrown Tomato Pincushions
2.    Fantabulous Pincushion Tutorial
3.    Square Wrist Pincushion
4.    Baby Food Jar Pincushion
5.    Martha Stewart’s Wool Sweater Tea Cup Pincushions
6.    African Violet Pincushion How-to
7.    Ladybug Pincushion How-To
8.    Mushroom Pincushion How-To
9.    Small Wonder Pin Blossom
10.    Southern Girl’s Pincushion Tutorial
11.    Soda Bottle Cap Pincushion
12.    Square Pincushion Tutorial
13.    Pansy Pincushion Pattern
14.    Tin Can Pincushion
15.    Pincushion/Thread Catcher Tutorial
16.    Homespun Hearts Pincushions
17.    Busy Bees Pincushion
18.    Dress Form Pincushion
19.    Free Hedgie Pincushion
20.    Wild Flower Pincushion Pattern
21.    Make A Mini-Basket Pincushion – Tutorial
22.    Monkeyroom’s Pincushion Tutorial
23.    Pincushion Jar Tutorial
24.    Pincushion Hangup
25.    Pincushion Wristlet
26.    Flowerpot Pincushion
27.    Thumb Pincushion
28.    Sunny Wrist Pincushion Tutorial
29.    Pincushion Cuff Tutorial
30.    Patchwork Pincushion
31.    Pear Pincushion
32.    Make Do Pincushion
33.    Mouse Pincushion
34.    Bari J Pincushion
35.    Abyquilt Pincushion Tutorial
36.    Wristlet Pincushion
37.    Bottlecap Pincushions
38.    Teacup & Saucer Pincushions
39.    Flower Pincushion
40.    Patchwork Pincushion Tutorial

If you want to see really fabulous pincushions from a creatively talented individual named Elizabeth Holcombe and she uses all sorts of odds-n-ends from vintage fabric, vintage dog figurines, and more please visit here for her Flickr stream.

Alice In Wonderland has always been a very collectible item and theme and both the young and the old can’t seem to get enough. It all started as a novel titled “Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland” back in 1865 written by an English gent named Charles Lutwidge Dodgson under the name Lewis Caroll. Today, we know the story as Alice in Wonderland and with the 2010 Tim Burton re-make of the classic with movie stars Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, and Mia Wasikowska to name a few, they have all gotten together for a very important date and so, we just know this modern day version of Alice In Wonderland will create new collectors and those that have been collecting will certainly be adding to their collections!

Alice In Wonderland items are currently Sky Rocketing in price and everyone I have spoken with recently is not a bit surprised and some felt the prices were about to really spike up as the peak has yet to be reached! Below is a random sampling of Alice In Wonderland related items and what they are currently selling for on EBay, Tias, Rubylane, Vintagedisneyalice.blog, Alice-In-Wonderland, Collectalice, and Spiralvisions (images are from these websites}.

1893 Lewis Carroll Alice In Wonderland Book SIGNED BY DODGSON $9,500
SALVADOR DALI Alice In Wonderland MAD TEA PARTY Print (From ALICE IN WONDERLAND COLLECTION) $2,499
ANTIQUE ROBINSON&LEADBEATER ENGLISH BISQUE ALICE IN WONDERLAND GIRL+DOG FIGURINE $1,400
1950s Alice in Wonderland Spinning Top Features colorful images of Alice with the Flamingo, the Mad Hatter, White Rabbit, and Humpty Dumpty. Made in the USA by Colmor – $125.00
1980s Alice in Wonderland Miniature Doll, Limited Edition of 1000 made by Tina Richardson for Small Bears For A Big World series. $95.00

Disney Alice In Wonderland Items:
2001 Disney Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum Figurines on EBay $450
Alice in Wonderland Disney Animation $355
DISNEY ALICE IN WONDERLAND QUEEN BARBIE DOLL $140
ALICE IN WONDERLAND COOKIE JAR – VINTAGE & RARE $105
1950s Alice In Wonderland NAPCO Planter $125
Madame Alexander Alice In Wonderland Doll $85
3D Alice In Wonderland Cheshire Cat Souvenir Spoon $135
1930s Alice In Wonderland “Come To Life” Pop-Up Book $495
1970s Alice In Wonderland children’s board game $63
Alice In Wonderland ‘The Duchess” Pewter Figurine $35
Alice In Wonderland “Mad Hatter” Royal Doulton Toby Jug $85
Alice In Wonderland Figurine for Disney by Armani $675

The Mad Tea Party Tote Bag This Alice in Wonderland tote bag features a vintage image of the Mad Tea Party. We’ve pixilated bits, sharpened others. The image is set off center. Lekker Brand.