Introduction:
On a rainy Wednesday afternoon, I headed to the flea market.
Knowing how much vendors despise blue cards, I filled my purse with coins: bronze and silver.
I was eager to trade them, juggling small change for old things no one else wanted.
The Treasure hunt:
The market was crowded with objects — once loved, now abandoned, like the waiting room of a divorce lawyer.
My favorite vendors — a team of three bulky, bald men — were very busy.
My fellow curiosity hunters were gathered around a large box, like bees around flowers.
I looked at them with judgment… until I saw the sign on the box: “Everything £0.50.”
Suddenly, I turned into a bee myself.
Buzzing around my tribe, I buried my hands in the box, searching for something I hadn’t known I needed. I pulled out an old teapot (which I’ll show you next week). I exchanged my silver coins for my golden teapot, then went buzzing around other flowers.
The prey:
I found two framed botanical prints — delicate, faded, and perfect. One, titled “Rose, Anemone and Clematis,” is based on a Pierre-Joseph Redouté illustration. The other, “Collection des Fleurs et des Fruits,” is by Jean-Louis Prévost.
And then — a 1920 edition of Tess of the d’Urbervilles. I have a deep, almost reverent love for old books.
Now back to you — what’s the best thing you’ve ever found at a flea market or vintage store?
External resources:
27 Benefits of Thrifting – Minimise my mess
The Benefits of the Art of Thrifting – Tayside