Since you asked:

"Therefore, to be possess'd with double pomp, to guard a title that was rich before, to gild refined gold, to paint the lily,
to throw a perfume on the violet, to smooth the ice, or add another hue unto the rainbow, or with taper-light
to seek the beauteous eye of heaven to garnish, is wasteful and ridiculous excess."

~William Shakespeare,
ca. 1595

Yup, that's us.

March 21, 2008

Gone Junkin'

Last Sunday I allowed myself the luxury of heading out the flea market to poke around with Dede, and wasn't disappointed. The weather, although really windy and terribly cold in the early hours, settled down to crisp sunshine by midday and we walked the aisles in relative comfort. At right are some of the little treasures I picked up, a lovely celluloid comb, mother of pearl buttons (can we ever get enough?), and a dear little pair of ivory gloves with tiny buttons up the side. I was also tempted and succumbed to a wonderful Victorian spreader with a mother of pearl handle and engraved blade...too good to pass up.



We saw Tami Hichman while we were there and spent a few minutes chatting with her before we dove into some more boxes. I came up with some wonderful Victorian glass nailheads with a little luster on them and faceted tops. I also came away with some little round ones, and some in red, too. Biggest score of the day was an entire little bag of vintage rhinestone drops, one of the things I love most in life and hunt the hardest for!



The Anna Griffin papers are here and are to die for...very swoonish florals and prints, all with her signature style that is so elevated, you would hesitate to say the "s" word...

The Somerset publications are here, too, and I have been poring over my copies of Somerset Studio and Somerset Life. Celia was good enough to review the Belle Armoire Jewelry magazine, and has pronounced it absolutely scrumptious and refused to part with the sample copy. I will be adding that to our list of reading matter! I also got an adorable table for the books, shown here....

I found it in the Ballard Designs catalog, and couldn't order fast enough. If you want one of your own, they also come in a distressed white, and are called the "Louis Bookseller's Table." I had been on the hunt for one of those little book tables with the V-shaped shelf but had not turned one up yet, in spite of enlisting other people on the hunt as well. It was just too perfect for the store. Lots of new books in it too.


Barbara sent another delicious packet of her antique filigrees and stampings to me, arriving today and being torn open while the postman was still filling out the shipping receipt. Oodles of incredible stuff, again, just proving that this stuff is still out there in some people's hands...you just have to find them! This stuff went very fast last time, so come in when you have a minute to see these incredible pieces of antique metal work. Truly some stunning designs, and beautiful patinas on all of them.

10 comments:

The Faded Cottage said...

Hi Nancy,
I found your blog through Dede, lucky me:)). Love yur blog and had fun reading about the Long Beach Flea Market. I've been there and have to say it's one of my favorites, I drive from Las Vegas to attend. I'm dying to know..........what are vintage rhinestone drops?? You wrote about them in your blog, am I the only sheltered one who doesn't know what they are.........Thanks so much and have a fabulous weekend, Janice

Unknown said...

Hey Janice! You're not alone in loving the Long Beach experience...it's definitely one of the best flea markets around. The little rhinestone drops I referred to are tiny (around 3-4mm) rhinestones in vintage brass settings, prong-set with a tiny loop at the top. I love them and search for them incessantly! Give a holler when you are going to be in town for the flea so Dede and I can hook up with you. This last weekend we drove into Seal Beach to have lunch at Walt's Wharf afterward...wonderful! Stay in touch....girls rule...vintage is cool! Ya gotta come visit us in Fullerton. Regards, Nancy

The Faded Cottage said...

Hi Nancy,
I'm so thrilled that you responed. Now that I know what rhinestone drops are, I'll be on the "look out" for them. If I find any, I'll surely let ya know. I just love flea markets and since we don't have any here, we always head to Califonia and make a fun filled weekend of it. We usually leave Friday and we always head to the City of Orange, our first stop. We browse and shop the antique stores there, Love the Country Roads antique store, did I say we love it?, hahaha. We always take a list of "where to go" such as thrift stores, antique stores and sometimes the Suburban is jammed pack full of treasures before we even make it to the flea market but we "always" seem to find more room, the back of the Suburan gets re-arranged many of times just to free up a few more inches of un-occupied space. Yes, I will surely let you ahead of time when we will be there the next time, it would be my pleasure meeting you and Dede, sounds like sooo much fun!!! Unitl now, I have been one of those bloggers on the side lines, always reading the fabulous blogs but not any more. This is so much fun posting to blogs. I have creatived a blog myself, showing a picture of my china hutch check it out if you have the chance, no thrils about it, I have to call in the professionals to make it look "pretty", any suggestions?? Have a fabulous Easter weekend, Janice:))

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Janice. We'll keep our eyes peeled for you and that Suburban! Dede and I will definitely hook up with you when you arrive in Cali. Let me know your blog url so I can check it out. N

The Faded Cottage said...

Hi Nancy, Here's my url )I think)
thefadedcottage.blogspot.com. Just to warn you, it's sooo ugly, no bells and whistles at all. Like I said before, I need to call in the professionals to help out and I need lots of help, hahaha. But at least it's a start. I just found out today that we will be in Long Beach next weekend as my son is playing in a baseball tournement. Are you near Long Beach??, plus the Long Beach flea market is next weekend as well, yippee!!! If you would like to email me my email address is honedos4me@aol.com. Chat with ya soon, smiles, Janice

FrenchGardenHouse said...

Looks like you had a good time, and got lots of wonderful things, too! Can't wait to see them "for real" tomorrow.
xo lidy

Ruey said...

Hi Nancy!
I found your blog through Lidy, and it is amazing! You have beautiful and treasured things that are such major eye candy..I will be adding you to my blog list...
Have a blessed day!
xxxooo Ruth

Gilding the Lily said...

Thank you, Ruth! I am off to a flea market as we speak...umbrella in hand, as it has started raining! No accounting for the weather, and a girl has to do what girl has to do! s my grandmother used to say, "It's a great life if you don't weaken." I'll be repeating that to myself as I trudge through the puddles! Thanks for your kind words about the store. Warm regards, Nancy

Parisienne Farmgirl said...

Just found you - Paris Combo and Pink Martini are my favs too!!!
Love you blog. Ill be back.

Gilding the Lily said...

If you can find it, check out this CD by Alain Chamfort called, "Amour Annee Zero," some wonderful 80s French pop! Highly recommended by "moi"!