Artsy Adventures (Outings, Flea Marketing and More)

Gone Junk’in

It’s a term used for going to flea markets, garage or estate sales, collecting things old and sometimes making them new, keeping some things in their old state, and digging for treasures. Maybe it’s a love my mom instilled in me to find amazing deals, taking something old, decorating and appreciating the history and beauty of things past. My mom has an amazing knack for interior design and many times she’s found incredible pieces of furniture that have amazing value and beauty for a fraction of the price. I’ve been doing it for a long time and was junk’in when it wasn’t cool. Patina is one of my favorite hues! I have friends who are in the business. I love the thrill of the find and using the item or making something new from old. What more can I say.

I’ve been junk’in in Texas, Florida, Minnesota, California, Madagascar, South Carolina and more. I’m hoping to do a little of it this weekend. I just thought I’d share a couple snapshots of some great junk’in scenes and list some of my favorite things to look for. Many of the scenes below are from flea markets I’ve been to. If you try to get ahold of me this weekend, I just might be junkin.

How about you? If you’re a junker, what do you look for or appreciate it? I’d love to know.

Just a few beauties I look for:

  • Boxes to organize art area or places in our home
  • Old books
  • Lace
  • Old Wallpaper
  • Frames
  • Letters, like letterpress or vintage sign letters
  • Jars
  • Unique items you might collect; cameras, birdcages, etc.
  • Scraps – material, wood, wire and leather scraps
  • Ephemera; old tickets, dance cards, etc. that I can use in my journals
  • Beautiful old pieces of jewelry to piece together to make other jewelry
  • Silverware for jewelry
  • Good bones furniture if we are in need of a new piece
  • Old signs

Wishing you warmest creative wishes,

Daughter, Wife, Mother, Friend, artist, vintage loving, law enforcement officer, Southern Californian, God and country loving girl who loves to meet like minded creative people, share life with new and old friends. Art is a collaboration between God and the artist, and the less the artist does the better. ~André Gide

2 Comments

  • Mom

    Oh, sweet CHERYL, that brings back so many beautiful memories. Going junkin was at the top of my list of my very favorite things things to do.
    It was not only so entertaining for me, but also at times, I felt like I needed to do it out
    out of necessity because I was on a limited budget. From a very early age, I started taking you and your sister with me. I gave you a little money and allowed you to shop on your own. The joy of finding great treasures was so rewarding in more ways than one, many times finding new and valuable things, such
    as wedding gift never taken out of the box. Great, great entertainment and pastime.
    So happy you developed a love for it and also still loving it.
    It is great your sister has managed to make a resale successful business out of it.
    Great job , Cheryl.
    Love you!
    Mom