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Thrifting Tips Vintage Markets

18 Things You Should ALWAYS Buy at Vintage Flea Markets

Remember a few weeks ago when I shared the 25 things you should ALWAYS buy at thrift stores?  Today I thought I’d share with you a list of things to buy at vintage flea markets and some ideas on how to use them.  I’m not talking about the kind of flea market that you find downtown under the bridge or at the drive-in theater.  I’m talking about VINTAGE flea markets.  Juried markets with vintage, antique, or handcrafted vendors who style their booths to look like Country Living or Magnolia Market.  Markets like Junk Bonanza, Roses and Rust, Farm Chicks, Mes Amis, Vintage Market Days, and many others across the country.  (Leave a comment and let me know which are your favorites!)

18 Things You Should Always Buy at Vintage Flea Markets

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18 Things You Should ALWAYS Buy at Vintage Flea Markets

Farm “Stuff”.  With the growing popularity of Joanna Gaines’ farmhouse style, you’re seeing more and more old galvanized buckets, chicken feeders, and waterers in home decor.  These are easily found at vintage markets.  With much more personality than storebought (read that as, a dent in the side where the cow kicked it).

My sister and I have collected many pieces to use as a display in our Sister Chicks booth at Antique Alley.  You can see many of them in our fall 2014 show.

Chicken Feeder Farm Girl Style Chandelier - Sister Chicks | DuctTapeAndDenim.com

Handmade Jewelry.  lol… Of course, I’m going to tell you that you should support the small handmade businesses that sell at these fairs.  That’s how I make my living.  These markets are GREAT places to buy jewelry for yourself and gifts for others.  You’ll find unique pieces that no one else will have!

Earrings displayed in vintage wooden rulers at Roses and Rust Vintage Market | DuctTapeAndDenim.com{{{ Read my gift guide for women who LOVE flea markets. }}}

Vintage Seasonal Decor.  Flea markets are great places to find unique holiday decorations.   Last year my sister found one of those light-up nativity scenes that go in the yard.  Each piece was about 2-3′ tall.  The three boxes hardly fit in our Ford Excursion!  You’ll definitely have decorations that no one else will have.

Trophies.  This is just one of the fun things that I look for.  These rodeo team trophies were a find!  I’ve also recycled trophies as prizes for “#1 Husband” or “Best Friend”, etc.  Someday I’ll get some photos of those posted.

old bull riding trophies at flea market

{{{ Also read 10 Top Thrift Store Tips }}}

Random Scraps of Wood.  I was thrilled when I found this pile of wood.  Yep, all those little pieces in the basket were $1 apiece!  Most of them came home with me.

25 Things you should always buy at vintage flea markets - wood scraps | DuctTapeAndDenim.com


Furniture.   You can find pieces of furniture in their original finish, some that have been painted or upcycled, and pieces that need to be refinished.

Ladders.  These are popular in home decor right now and you’ll find these from little step stool size all the way to this giant ladder we saw at Junk Bonanza.  Here are a few posts that will give you some ideas on how to use them in your home:

  • Wooden Ladder Garden Art
  • Ladder Side Table Planter
  • Rustic Ladder Chandelier
  • Vintage Ladder Quilt Hanger

Huge ladder at Junk Bonanza | DuctTapeAndDenim.com

Taxidermy.  Taxidermy isn’t really my cup of tea but I’ve seen a lot of pieces recently that really made me laugh!  Like these deer and squirrel at the last Mes Amis Vintage Sale.

Jeep Grills.  lol… maybe not specifically Jeep.  That’s my hubby’s favorite brand.  But you can find grills, tailgates, hubcaps, or vehicle doors to decorate your home, patio, or garden.  The Jeep grill is hanging on our patio right now!

2016 Blog Roses and Rust Jeep grill | DuctTapeAndDenim.com

Vintage Linens

These can always be found and they’re usually priced very reasonably.  You can use them as they were meant to be used or make them into something new like this vintage linen pillow by Ella Claire.

Vintage linen pillow | DuctTapeAndDenim.com

Tool Caddies.  I see these all the time at flea markets.  Most are vintage metal or wood caddies but take a look at this one I found at Paris Flea Market!  Love how they used the old spindle and left it all chippy.

Handmade wood tool caddy with vintage spindle | DuctTapeAndDenim.com

Hardware.  Vintage doorknobs, handles, hinges, etc. for your latest home DIY project if you’re updating an old fixer-upper or repurpose them into something else.

  • Vintage Doorknob Photo Holder
  • Doorknob Hanger

Food.  Most of these events have amazing food vendors with specialty dishes.  I almost always find some type of pie!  These are from an amazing Mennonite bakery that always sells at Antique Alley.  We try to eat one of each flavor before the weekend is over.  I haven’t made it yet.  I highly recommend the apricot!

Fried pies at Antique Alley | DuctTapeAndDenim.com

Crates.  If you’ve seen my flea market set up you know I use vintage crates all the time in my displays.  Here’s how I made this vintage crate jewelry display.

Vintage crates and bottles for jewelry display | DuctTapeAndDenim.com

Typewriters.  I’ve seen a huge variety of vintage typewriters.  Most of the cost difference depends on the condition.  A few years ago I bought a typewriter that had a lot of wear for $20.  I use it to decorate for Halloween.

Vintage typewriter at Room With a Past | DuctTapeAndDenim.com

{{{ Read my gift guide for Fixer Upper Fans. }}}

Lockers.  These are big pieces but I see large lockers all the time for under $100.  Imagine having a locker for each of your kids in your mudroom!  Paint them to match your decor or leave them gray and rusty.

Locker at Antique Alley vintage flea market | DuctTapeAndDenim.com

Wire Baskets.  I almost made this a part of the previous item and called it “Lockers and Locker Baskets”.  But there are a lot more kinds of wire baskets that you’ll find.

Ideas.  This is a trick answer and something that you don’t even have to pay for.  Even if you don’t buy anything at a vintage flea market you’ll be inspired to go home and redecorate your living room or paint that old piece of furniture in your garage.

More About Shopping at Vintage Markets

Here are a few more books with lots more ideas for you!


If you enjoyed this post you’ll probably like reading these, too:

  • 25 Things You Should ALWAYS Buy at Thrift Stores
  • 10 Things You Should NEVER Buy at Thrift Stores
  • My 10 Favorite Flea Market Videos

I hope you enjoyed reading my list.  Thanks for reading and let me know what you always buy at vintage flea markets! Originally published June 8, 2016.

‘Til the next project,

 Ann @ Duct Tape and Denim

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18 things you should always buy at vintage flea markets


31 Comments

« How to Get the Look of Joanna Gaines Pillows on a Budget
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Comments

  1. Barbara Briggs says

    June 10, 2016 at 12:55 pm

    Hi Ann!
    Many swap meets are now holding Tuesday morning vintage sales. Great place to buy or if you are a dealer looking to sell off things that works too. In sSo. Cal: Saugus/ Santa Clarita Swap Te yes days 7 to about 12. FREE Entry to customers! Bakersfield Swap at the keen co. Fairgrounds 6- about 12.. Again these are dealer vintage type swaps. There maybe a sock dealer or two mixed in but I have found great stuff, like a shoe box full of antique crystals for$20.00

    Reply
    • ducttapeanddenim says

      June 11, 2016 at 7:38 am

      Hmmm… sounds like I need to head down south!

      Reply
  2. Susie | The Chelsea Project says

    June 23, 2016 at 6:09 pm

    Well Miss Ann…you’re just totally amazing… love this post!! I know just where it needs to be shared… XO

    Reply
  3. Happy Happy Nester says

    June 23, 2016 at 10:46 pm

    Ah, this is a fun post! I so would love to join you someday at a flea market!

    Reply
  4. Marie says

    September 18, 2016 at 1:23 am

    What a fun post! What do you use the small bits of wood for?

    Reply
    • ducttapeanddenim says

      September 19, 2016 at 12:57 pm

      Mostly for jewelry displays but I also paint some and just use them as fillers on shelves or seasonal decor.

      Reply
  5. Michelle says

    December 17, 2016 at 12:43 pm

    Goat Hill in Watsonville, Ca and
    Remnants of the past in Pleasanton, Ca
    are my favorites!!

    Reply
    • ducttapeanddenim says

      December 22, 2016 at 1:37 pm

      Those are both on my list! I hope to make it to both in 2017.

      Reply
  6. Patricia says

    April 19, 2017 at 4:44 pm

    Hi there, love your post. I am very interested in what you did with the trophies. I literally have dozens and dozens from my children. Now that they are grown up and we are downsizing I don’t know what to do with them. I can’t stand throwing away their childhood but Jezzzzz!! My children are the first generation where EVERYBODY got a trophy. Help!!

    Reply
    • ducttapeanddenim says

      April 19, 2017 at 4:56 pm

      lol… Patricia, that’s funny. I know the feeling. I hate to get rid of my kids art and prizes! We turned some into “fake” trophies… “Best Dad”, “Best Friend of 2015”, etc. And I sold most of them at a flea market!

      Reply
  7. Becky Williams says

    May 26, 2017 at 10:38 am

    Hello Ann! I was tickled to see those North Mesquite Trophies! My grandfather was the principal there until the mid 80’s. 🙂 What a neat find!

    Reply
    • ducttapeanddenim says

      May 27, 2017 at 3:48 am

      Isn’t it fun to find something like that? I’m always looking for glass insulators with our last name on them. One of my husband’s relatives co-owned the company YEARS ago.

      Reply
  8. Noelle says

    January 17, 2018 at 9:47 pm

    Thanks, good information!

    Reply
  9. MARCIA KOPP says

    May 2, 2018 at 7:50 am

    Brimfield flea market,in Brimfield , Mass. One of the biggest and best around here.

    Reply
  10. Liza says

    October 6, 2018 at 5:47 pm

    It is a federal offense to sell taxidermy items!

    Reply
    • ducttapeanddenim says

      October 7, 2018 at 7:17 am

      I’ll look into this. It was my understanding that endagered animals were illegal.

      Reply
  11. Jon says

    April 9, 2019 at 7:35 pm

    Our fav is newcomers Vintage Market on the Square in Lake Mills, WI.

    Reply
  12. Kellie Zuniga says

    May 14, 2019 at 5:37 pm

    What did you do with the trophies?

    Reply
    • ducttapeanddenim says

      July 4, 2019 at 7:13 pm

      I have covered the writing part with a hand stamped tag. And I’ve covered them in glitter. Just to add something unique to a shelf. Or just display them.

      Reply
  13. Cheryl Atkinson says

    August 8, 2019 at 1:52 pm

    Hi Ann! This was a neat read. I love the pile of scrap wood you bought. i love old linens and tool caddies and of course old drawer hardware. Thank you for this.

    Reply
    • ducttapeanddenim says

      August 14, 2019 at 6:26 am

      Thanks for reading! Good luck at the markets! Hope you find all those treasures!

      Reply
  14. Linda at Mixed Kreations says

    September 15, 2019 at 1:39 pm

    Great tips! I love your crate jewelry displays!

    Reply
  15. Braden Bills says

    September 27, 2019 at 10:23 am

    It’s interesting that you can get such fun things at flea markets! I can see why picking up random farm stuff would be beneficial. That seems like a great way to find good decorations.

    Reply
  16. Ivory says

    December 23, 2020 at 6:25 pm

    Thanks for these fabulous ideas. Where is this antique store/flea market located at? I wish I could find one like this, in my neck of the woods. Happy holidays! Stay safe.

    Reply
    • ducttapeanddenim says

      December 29, 2020 at 6:23 am

      Most of the shows mentioned in this article are in California and Texas. Where do you live? I’ll see if I can find anything similar nearby.

      Reply
  17. Linda Hoy, Tucson Az says

    March 12, 2021 at 10:59 am

    Our market, Gather a Vintage market has been featuring most of these things for over 4 years☺️

    Reply
    • ducttapeanddenim says

      March 18, 2021 at 11:58 am

      oooo…. I’d like to know more about your market. Sounds like a place I’d like to visit.

      Reply
  18. Kathy A says

    March 15, 2021 at 2:17 pm

    I wish we had more place like that in Maine. We still have dirty snowbanks and winter wind here. The only daffs are the faux ones on my kitchen table; need all the spring I can get!

    Reply
  19. Nancy says

    June 11, 2021 at 12:20 pm

    Loved loved reading your article. Thanks so much

    Reply
  20. K says

    October 30, 2021 at 5:48 pm

    Have you ever come to the Round Top/ Warrenton Antique Days?? So many’ vendors you can’t make it all even in several days unless you walk fast and shop by yourself. But it is fun to shop with a like friend.

    Reply

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