Shopping Renninger's Mt. Dora. Part 1

My definition of a flea market is a junk smorgasbord. I satisfied my junk appetite last weekend at Mt. Dora! As you will see, there was plenty of good junk to be devoured.


My sister, brother-in-law, and uncle joined me in a spectacular day of junking. We started out early at Renninger's Weekend Market across the street from Renninger's Antique Extravaganza Mt. Dora, Florida. The market is open 52 weekends of the year. ( I suspect it is busiest during the 3 scheduled Extravaganzas, January, February, & November.) No admission.


First stop, the tool booth. This box of trowels had project written all over it. I purchased 4 at $3. each. Can you guess what it will be?


I am attracted to most things in quantity...why is that?


I am also attracted to most things marked 50 cents.


I guess that is why I was giddy when I found Dennis Wentz!


His booth was filled with reclaimed junk from an old mill. His stories were as good as his junk! These perforated metal tubes were used to hold yarn during the dying process.


Not sure what these springs were used for...I bought some of them anyway...50 cents each.


A beautiful day to be alive and junking!


This cool piece of junk caught my uncle Scott's eye. A candy mold marked $25. Being his first flea market, he asked me for advice on negotiating with the vendor. Feeling a little smug, I grabbed hold of the mold and said "Watch me."


Confidently I hollered across the booth "What's your best price as I held up the mold...the friendly gal answered back "It is not my booth." I sheepishly looked around for the actual vendor. I tried again and got a quick $12. answer. Scott looked over at me and was obviously impressed by my ability to negotiate an amount less than half of it's marked price with one polite sentence. I grinned, said thank you, and quickly paid her price.

My point was to let the vendor give the price, as it is often less than what you are willing to pay. We would have been happy with a 20% discount, and my tutorial was a success! Scott received multiple compliments on his purchase throughout the day along with remarks on the great price, as they eyed the $25. sticker. We both just smiled.


I spent some time perusing boxes of buttons.


I purchased a few of my favorites to craft a necklace.


I wish I had more room in my truck...I would have grabbed 2 of these chicken feeders. They were the perfect height for bases for a side table, planters, bird baths...4th of July ready!


It was nearly time to meet fellow junker, Carol, at Renninger's Antique Extravaganza. We scooted over to the large field across the road and paid the $6. admission fee.


It's odd. Carol and I have never met, but I felt like we'd known each other forever. We hugged and chit chatted about our morning finds and bonded because of our mutual passion for junk.


The junk gets a little cooler and a bit more pricey behind the gates of the Antique Extravaganza.






Many vendors set up at the best shows in the country...Round Top, Brimfield, Nashville... and find Mt. Dora to be a pleasant and profitable winter escape.






One of my favorite of the day! I have vivid memories holding a card over one eye and pointing left, right, up...down.


I have no idea who would want a lavender pedestal sink in their home. I guess, that's what makes the world go round!


Debs booth was a treasure trove. Boxes of thing-a-ma-jigs to die for.


I just had to have some of these little buggers! Debs explained to me they were caps for chair legs that used casters. I forgot to ask what they are called. Anybody know? I feel a project coming on...

Stay tuned for Part 2!
Peace,
Ki

Rubber Stamp Junk Project.

I was afraid I may have made a few of you nervous after my last junk project post. I decided to ease back just a little and throw out a really simple project.


I have been attracted to vintage rubber stamps as long as I can remember...I keep snatching them up at antique shops, flea markets, and garage sales.


I particularly like the ones displaying dorky cool business names. Cinderella Clip & Curl?


And I adore the ones with great emblems on the handles!


Remove the rubber lettering at the bottom so your stamp will sit flat. Drill 2 holes in the top of the handle 1/2" apart and 1/2" deep. (I used a 1/16 drill bit)
(Tip: Make an indentation with a nail before drilling to keep your drill bit in the correct spot.)


Wrap 18 gage wire around a fine point Sharpie one and a half times to achieve the perfect round. Snip with a wire cutter leaving 2 tails approximately the same depth as your holes.


Your wire should look like this.


Add a tiny bit of glue to the end of the wire and insert into the holes.


Add a photo,


place card, business card, or small sign.


S is for simple. Have fun!

If you haven't registered to win the scramble quilt tote on the Junk Revolution message boards, be sure to head on over and sign-up!
Peace,
Ki

Cooling Rack Junk Project

Remember those cooling racks I picked up at Mt. Dora a few weeks ago? I promised you a project! Since shelter magazines have deemed February organization month, here's my stab at getting my desk organized.


I consider cooling racks common junk. You can find them anywhere, everywhere, and usually in quantity.


This vendor would be pleased to know his junk was given a second chance at being useful.


I built a frame from square dowels securing with wood glue and brad nails to fit my racks. Notice the 4 runners I attached to support the 2 cooling racks that were narrower. I painted the wood structure white. (My roof angles are 30 degrees.)


I purchased 4 sheets of 8 x 10" clear acrylic from Lowes and drilled 2 holes in each to attach to the top of my frame. I cut my decorative paper, purchased at Michael's, to fit between the sheets of acrylic using a floral pattern for the top of the roof and a stripe for the underside. The paper can be changed out easily for the seasons...or if you are like me, just because you are ready for something new!


I actually took how-to photos along the way and have lost them...not sure if I deleted them from my camera or they are hiding in the depths of my computer. Should I find them, I will post them for you to check out.


The hardest part about this project was figuring out what material I was going to use for the roof. I contemplated screen, old tin, vinyl tile, wall vents, and even a rubber perforated sink mat. No fancy tools required, but a miter box for the roof angles comes in handy.

Be sure to check out our new JUNK HARD tee in Junk Revolution's online store. Play hard, work hard, junk hard!
Peace,
Ki

Shopping Antique Malls.

Antique Malls. I have decided that you need a certain kind of brain to effectively shop an antique mall. You must be able to scan the merchandise like the guy with the coin detector at the beach. Ignore the stuff you have no interest in and zero in on the shiny pennies. Focus is the key to success.

This was the tactic I embraced when shopping Ole Cracker House Antique Mall in Ocala, Florida last week. Along with the airplane ashtray stand I posted earlier, the shop was filled to the brim with an inventory that included a lot of everything....


Rustic.


Sporty. (Note the amazing photo. Sometimes it just happens by accident. I surprised myself!)


Cheap. Thonet modern chairs. (Set of 5 for $85.)


Really cheap.


Red.


Hardworking.


Traditional.


Whimsical.


Colorful.


Fun.


More fun.


Plastic, colorful, and fun.


Clever.


Ridiculous.


Pretty.


Incredibly ridiculous.


Drool worthy.


Tempting.

Complete. (Has all it's keys.)

Must have.

Ole Cracker House had an amazing variety of junk and antiques. My shiny penny was this Heinz juice glass for my junk addiction of advertising bar ware.

Some folks think antique malls are expensive and overwhelming. Not so! Avoid brain overload. Focus to find your shiny penny!

Peace,

Ki