Whenever I take my three year old son with me to yard sales or thrift stores, I tell him that we are looking for “treasures.” It’s gotten to the point where he will point out yard sales to me as we’re driving around on a Saturday morning, because he knows a cool toy might be there. So, I pulled my mom, dad, and two boys out to go treasure hunting today at an Antique/Flea Market in Mt. Dora, FL. (Thanks for the recommendation, Sherry!)
I found a boat-load of Bakelite flatware for $20. I love this stuff and was so excited to find spoons! I have tons of knives and forks, but no spoons.
This stuff is in mint condition. I purchased the forks and knives from one vendor for $8.00 (reduced from $12) and bought the spoons from another dealer for $12.00. She originally quoted $22.00 for the eight spoons, but when I told her the deal I got on the forks and knives, she cut her price almost in half.
I bought this wonderful, chippy tin tile for $5.00. The paint falls off if you breathe too heavy near it, so I might have to do something to it to make it useable as home decor.
My off-the-wall find was an old calf muzzle for $12.00. I love the shape of the wire and the warmth of the leather. What are my plans for it? No idea. It’s just really cool and I’ve seen these for almost $50 in my part of the country.
This sort of goes with my farm finds from a few weeks ago.
I just got excited about it, so I bought it.
The last thing I came home with was this exercise pin/Indian club for $13. The patina on this wood so is amazing, I just had to get it.
My greatest find of the day was one I couldn’t buy. Check out this French-style dresser. Sigh. We couldn’t fit it in the trunk, much less my suitcase. It was such a bummer. I loved this dresser, but it was not meant to be. If you live near Mt. Dora, you should go buy it and just put me out of my misery. It’s killing me knowing it’s sitting there for sale and I can’t buy it…and I bet you could get it for $40!
Overall, this market was ok. It was huge, but most of the stuff in the antique section was overpriced…for me, anyway. I was pleased at how many dealers carried antiques, though.
Oh, there were plenty of the usual flea market spoilers…tube socks, antiquated computers, Avon, and expired dry goods.
All in all, I am thrilled with my “treasures.” My son even found a couple…Mike and Sully for $1.00/each. He’s a good little shopper and knew exactly what he was looking for when he found it.
Just like his mommy.
I’m sharing these finds at SNS over at Donna’s.
37 Responses
i loved hearing about how you've gotten your little one loving treasure hunting too. great post! 🙂
You had a great day! The flatware was a terrific find.
I'm glad you checked out Mt. Dora. It's a fun place, pretty, too. You've probably been told there are a couple of big weekends a year there where vendors come in from all over.
What great finds! Your calf muzzle reminds me that I might just have one out in the garage. Of course you can't walk in there right now so it might take a while to see if its still there. I know my husband picked one up at a sale for a dollar years ago.
love the muzzle…glad y'all found a few treasures!!!
I love it all!! That dresser would have me dreaming too!
Oh how fun!
Looks like you found some great things at the flea market. The flatware was an amazing find. Try to plan another trip when they have the Extravagaza at Mount Dora. I believe they do this a couple of times per year. There are hundreds of dealers set up on the lawn in addition to the regulars. Thanks for the mention!
xo, Sherry
Aaaaahhh!! You went to Renningers! I have been several times but only go during the Extravaganzas! Totally different vibe. My sisters and I go for the weekend if at all possible because there are that many vendors there. Its been a couple of years since I've been. They have them 3 times a year. That is where I found my linen press and my huge corbels.
Your tile and the pin are very cool. You can try sealing the tin to keep the paint from falling off.
Leave it to you to make a calf muzzle look like a must have. Amazing photos!! I totally cannot wait to get a real camera.
How fun that your mom and dad are accommodating your shopping requirements. 🙂 I'm glad you're finding some good Florida finds, even though you can't fit the dresser in your pocket. What a beauty.. I feel your pain.
Donna
Oh my, that dresser is gorgeous. I'd be bummed, too…almost as much as the 8ft. barn wood farmhouse table that sold for $50 at an antique auction last week while I was changing a twin outside in the car! I'm still lamenting. I love your mustard flatware, too!
Would you believe that I found a lovely FREE dresser/sideboard during my road trip….ahhhh…sigh…the one that got away….
It looks like you did find some lovely things, though!
: )
Julie M.
I am lusting after that calf muzzle! That is so cool! Can't wait to see what you do with it.
Congrats on the bakelite…super find!
Everything is fab…good hunting!!
Hugs
SueAnn
wow~ you did score big! I feel your pain about the dresser..gorgeous! I liked your reference to the "spoilers", such a nice way to say it! I would love to have my Grandma's bakelite, it was red! Thanks for sharing your trip with us!
How funny that you have your son call it "treasure hunting".When my son was two we I taught him the same thing when we would head to the thrift store every Friday after work.We've continued the tradition with my daughter and she loves to grab her purse as we treasure hunt at yard sales.Fun finds, thanks for sharing.
Oooh, lot of fun and unusal finds!
How darling…"knew exactly what he was looking for when he found it. Just like his mommy." They do learn from us, don't they! What a fun expedition you had! It always hurts to shop far from home and not be able to take all the great finds home. Too bad 🙁
great finds! whenever anyone says they went to a flea market, i always ask "did they have any tube socks?" like i'm really on the lookout for them. someone must buy them, though.
i found some bakelite knives at GW in the winter or spring. wasn't looking, didn't need, couldn't pass up.
the muzzle was very interesting.
Boy, those bakelite pieces remind me of my childhood-they were in our picnic basket. You got some fabulous finds here! I just left a sweet dresser behind at a yard sale for the same reason–sad! I'm sure it will find a good home. Looks like your son is learning to find treasures too.
Happy Summer!
Sherry
What great finds…you have such great yard sales in Florida. I can tell you this if I lived in Florida that dresser would be going home with me!!
Great finds and your photos are beautiful as always. The bakelite is so classic and pretty and you found some great pieces for that price.
We love cows at our home and the calf muzzle is a very unique piece to own. Thanks for sharing your finds.
Hey, ever gal needs a cow muzzle, don't you think! LOL.
You found some wonderful things and it's too bad about the dresser, but there will be more.
hugs
Sissie
This was so funny to read today because my husband and I were just talking about how I've created a little garage saleing monster! I took him (he's also 3) to ONE garage sale and now EVERY one he sees he wants to stop at! Hmmmmm…I wonder where he gets it from 😉
I was on the junking trail in NH this weekend with my hubby, mother-in-law, and 8 yr old stepson. WE hit a fabulous swapshop at the dump, visited the local junk man who trades and sells everything you can imagine, and then lastly hit a barn sale. I twitpic my finds…maybe I will do a post on it too. But funny we were both having luck finding great stuff! I got a bucket of strap hinges & other iron hardware, rust and all. I found a huge trunk with fantastic hardware details…among other things. Enjoying you as always!
Awesome finds!! I started mine earliy looking for treasures too!
Teach 'em young!!! LOL
*hugs*deb
F A N T A B U L O U S!
each and every find …
you lucky girl, you!
don't you just love it that your boys
so 'get' what you are all about?
i love that you found the spoons …
i, too have the knives, but have yet
to find spoons …
love ALL your finds …
happy day to you ~
xo
prairiegirl
Thanks so much for the heads up on the button issue. I think I fixed it! Would love you to try again……
The bakelite flatware, Wow and I too love the Indian Club!
Giveaway is on my site, come & join!
Karena
Art by Karena
How fun that you are already training your little ones to be your junking partners. They will be true pro's one day, just like their mama. A mama who scored some killer deals again!
I need to see what you'll do with the calf muzzle. Here in farm country, the decorator value never occured to me.
I am so spoiled with garage sales that at this time of year I don't take time for flea markets.
But should I ever get to road trip, I'll make a few part of my travel plans.
As a few others have mentioned the best days to go to Mt Dora are during the extravaganzas. I do a lot of junking with my little guy in tow too, but I am pretty sure I would NOT take him to the big extravaganza. Just in case that might be a useful tip. 🙂
went to the local antique mall yesterday just hours after reading this post. i'd never even heard (herd, hah!) of a calf muzzle before! guess what they had there?
a BIG muzzle for something. my hubby said it was for a horse so they wouldn't eat the crops when you had them on the plow. it was incorrectly tagged as a "work bucket". they were asking $22 for it.
it was so much fun to find it just after you'd written about it.
thanks!
So glad I stopped over from CG's blog. I am a newbie blogger, but have been a diyer & self professed decorater for years. I am starting to follow my passion and see where it leads. Your example is an inspiration to me!
wish I was there…I'll send my sister over from Melbourne to buy that cute french dresser!! -D
Love your finds ! Where was the Goodwill you went to for these treasures? I live in Orlando and find GW a little pricey.
Irish Poodle, The Goodwill I like is in East Orlando, near UCF. It's off of Route 50 near Broadway (or is it Boardwalk?) Bowl and accross from the Walmart. I think it' near the intersection of Rouse or Dean Road. They had some awesome caned chairs for $3.99/each. I would've bought them if I could've taken them home with me. Happy hunting!
Love the calf muzzle. I once had a collection of wire brochure or hymnal holders that I hung on a wooden privacy fence. I lined them with moss and filled with impatiens in the summer. Lovely.