You can’t buy everything you find, no matter how much you love it. Either the empty wallet or the full house (and storage spaces) prevent it — in my case, it’s both. But now that cell phones have (nearly mandatory) cameras, I can at least snap photos of my finds. Lucky you; you get to see thirteen of them. (Click the images for larger versions.)

1. A three-piece retro ceramic kitchenalia set (s&p shakers and a napkin holder) of big-eyed puppies! Never seen ‘em before; may never see ‘em again. I was sorely tempted, but the $22.50 was more than I had on me in cash — and the chipped cold paint, while understandable, prevented me from rationalizing use of the debit card. Maybe I’ll go back soon and see…

2. An amazingly mod — and purple! — hanging lamp made of Capiz shells. Totally worth $69, but even if I had it on me that day, it would become a tangled mess in a box as our home is stuffed with retro lamps and light fixtures.

3. I have a friend named Libby & I’m always singing the old jingle to her, so when I spotted this retro Libby Libby Libby on a table table table, I had to snap a pic.

4. A very luxurious vanity set in a beautiful satin-lined case — in lovely condition.

5. Also for your vanity or dressing table, but much kitschy-er, a large ceramic snail hat pin holder — with plastic antenna. (I’ve seen other pieces from this set before, but I cannot remember the maker.)

6. These kitschy vintage salt & pepper shakers confused me with their Humpty-Dumpty-esque yet concave egg-heads.

7. This set of four old framed humor prints amused me, but even with the nice price of (as I recall) $25 each, the total price (and wall space) was too much for me… I did settle on one that I really really liked, but decided I couldn’t, wouldn’t, break up the set for another collector.

8. This kitschy shell concoction sat on the floor in the corner of one antique booth. Large (roughly 12 inches in diameter), with a plaster base, I wondered if it was a manufactured souvenir or handmade one-of thing. But like I said, it was a large plaster piece with shells and plastic stuff glued on it, sitting on the floor; I didn’t dare pick it up for closer inspection. (There’s a free tip there for sellers who want to sell the stuff in their booths.)

9. This vintage ceramic elf playing a drum figurine caught my eye for my elf collection… But he was missing his drumsticks. And I’m not super fond of the matte face & hands next to the glossy finish… Seems ghoulish somehow.

10. A retro plastic advertising sign for the whiskey and Squirt “Glow-Ball” drink — “Don’t monkey around order another!” This had no price on it, so I couldn’t buy it, no matter how much I wanted to. (Another tip for sellers on why they miss-out on sales.)

11. Already over my agreed-upon spending amount for the day, I couldn’t spend $3 on this vintage automatic hook rug needle in the box. (I cross my vintage crafting fingers that it will be there waiting for me my next visit.)

12. These old hairdryers were so hot on eBay when I first started selling online that I got greedy & sold my own personal one. Since I no longer style my hair that way, I couldn’t justify the purchase at the local thrift store. (I bet by holiday season I’ll be kicking myself in the tush about that.)

13. I rounded the corner in a local antique mall and spotted this retro cat figurine with fur. The top hat and the comical “licking its own face” had me laughing out loud — so loud that I heard hubby say, “I’m two rows over and I hear you laughing,” as he made his way towards me. Once again over my limit when I spotted it, I am saving my pennies so I can add it to my collection.

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Article Tags: collectibles, kitsch, retro, Thursday Thirteen, vintage

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This entry was posted on Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 6:09 am and is filed under flea market finds. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.