FleaSpeech

$10 flea market find worth $100,000

As reported in The New York Post (and on CNN.com)

A $10 flea-market picture of some flowers proved far more valuable when original handwritten lyrics to the patriotic song "My Country 'Tis of Thee" turned up in the picture's backing, a downtown [Manhattan] document dealer said yesterday.

The picture was purchased at the West 25th Street Market. The lyrics document was valued at $100,000.

With flea markets, you're sometimes treasure hunting and don't even know it!

Audrey's purse

A hat-tip to Urban Audrey.

What more can we say except, "Audrey, we love the purse!"

Hell's Kitchen Flea Market - the Moleskincity.com review

The contributer named Mel on the Moleskincity.com site for New York City recently offered some advice about Hell's Kitchen Flea Market:

There are definitely great bargains to be had at the Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market, but you are going to have to work for them. Here are a few tips that worked for me: Don’t sleep in; these vendors love to pack up by 4:30pm. Check the forecast; the best deals are found during lousy weather, when the sellers are feeling especially desperate. Also note that the more things you buy from the same vendor, the less you’ll end up paying for each item. Be sure to bargain; it is not like Chinatown but you can still make them an offer. This collection of vendors have all your typical flea market commodities: books, broaches...and vintage clothing plus the more random Victorian couches and tables, tea sets, and a decent collection of taxidermy. The Flea Market is held every Saturday and Sunday from 9am-6pm on 39th between 9th and 10th.

(Photo from the On The Inside's review of Hell's Kitchen Flea Market.)

Personalize your decor with flea-market finds

The Wichita Eagle featured an informative Q & A article, "Personalize your decor with flea-market finds," in its Home & Garden section. The respondent is Mary Carol Garrity.

Repurose

A strong segment of flea market shoppers includes those who repurpose old things of a more miscellaneous nature. No wonder flea market fans include environmentally conscious consumers and designers. With a bit of creativity (and sometimes some basic DYI supplies) an old birdcage can be transformed into a lampshade, an incomplete vintage croquet set into as an umbrellas stand.

(Photo: Old card catalogs show up at flea markets from time to time. Many libraries have switched entirely to electronic cataloging and no longer need their old card catalogs. Bits and Bobbins highlighted the repurposing of an old card catalog as attractive storage or organizing furniture.)

V-v-vintage

Vintage Violent visited the flea market last Saturday (say that three times real fast) for her website.

Brrrrr. Was cold last Saturday at the market!

You can view a slideshow of her market pics here.

Nolita two-bedroom

It's always great to stumble across another tale of shopping success at Hell's Kitchen Flea Market.

A recent Time Out New York article, "House Call: Nolita Two-bedroom," featured a mantle from the market.

Congrats to Rochelle and Courtney on their fine find!

Vintage Wascally Wabbit! Congrats to Luverly . . .

Congrats to The Luverly One on her great find--a vintage rabbit fur coat--at Hell's Kitchen Flea Market and her Coro bracelet from the West 25th Street Market!

(Coro marks have changed over the years, but here's one as an example. They often show a Pegasus.)

Congrats to Ali on her HKFM finds

Congrats to Ali on her finds at Hell's Kitchen Flea Market, including her favorite -- a ring. (But we love the 1960's enamel daisy brooch, too!)

Hooray for Tara's success

Always good to hear of another story of design inspiration and successful shopping at Hell's Kitchen Flea Market.

Tara lives in Dallas designs and creates handmade vintage-inspired accessories.

Good job, Tara.