Saturday, February 7, 2009

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
at

26 comments:

  1. MargoFebruary 9, 2009 at 7:26 PM

    Ohh, another Sandy. I'm so surprised you didn't pick her up and just keep her in FL till later. I know it's heavy an big, and you don't have room in your truck, but......
    Love the tour, thanks.
    Margo

    ReplyDelete
  2. WhisperWood CottageFebruary 9, 2009 at 7:31 PM

    Great tour, Ki! Do you know of any fun junking places around Tampa?

    ReplyDelete
  3. ~Michelle~February 9, 2009 at 7:33 PM

    Oh the mailboxes are great! I have an old combo one a friend rescued from my hometown PO when they coverted to the newer style boxes. He took the doors & put them on the front of wood boxes to replicate the PO Boxes. I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  4. misselaineousFebruary 10, 2009 at 6:48 AM

    Ki....YUMMY!! *elaine*

    ReplyDelete
  5. That Girl AngFebruary 10, 2009 at 1:24 PM

    Wow.. I AM drooling!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wendy @ Ramblings from the Sunshine StateFebruary 10, 2009 at 8:21 PM

    Looks fun! Maybe next time I am up there I can stop by!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Candy Allen - Junk SophisticateFebruary 10, 2009 at 9:35 PM

    Great words of junk wisdom. Admittedly, I fail miserably when it comes to shopping antique malls.

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousFebruary 10, 2009 at 10:03 PM

    Mailboxes fantastic! My Granny had one like that we used to go get her mail for her funny you posted that I was just thinking of those boxes yesterday wondering if they still use them in that little town in OK?
    The highchair..was that an old original one or gussied up one?
    Thanks for showing us! Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  9. robin dudley-howesFebruary 11, 2009 at 2:25 AM

    wonderful finds!
    robin

    ReplyDelete
  10. KiFebruary 11, 2009 at 7:23 AM

    Fit for a young king or queen! It was original.

    Peace,
    Ki

    ReplyDelete
  11. Linda SummerfieldFebruary 11, 2009 at 3:41 PM

    Dear Ki,
    I know we have never met, but I am inviting myself to move in with you while you are in Florida.
    When I shop antique malls I am like the crazy guy in A Beautiful Mind. I scan the booth and pick out what's important.
    Linda

    ReplyDelete
  12. Artsy Fartsy Junkin FindsFebruary 12, 2009 at 6:17 AM

    I am loving the boxing gloves and the spice containers with the Chippy Turquoise lids!!! I am heading out at before daylight tomorrow morning to the NC mountains on a junkin' escapade and your pictures have me ready to clock out, leave work and go THIS SECOND!! Great post!
    Many Blessings, Janna

    ReplyDelete
  13. Sonya --Dime Store ThriftFebruary 12, 2009 at 2:06 PM

    Ohhhhh, a SANDY! I haven't ever come across one of those before! Do you remember how much it was? And the mailboxes, ooooohhhhh...drooling.
    Sonya

    ReplyDelete
  14. blessingsFebruary 14, 2009 at 10:36 AM

    Those post office boxes are amazing! I don't know what I'd do with them but I love them ;) Blessings... Polly

    ReplyDelete
  15. UnknownFebruary 14, 2009 at 10:38 AM

    Your blog is so lovely that I had to add it to My Treasured List of Blogs so I can visit often. Stop by and visit and if you like what you see, please add me to yours so we can stay in touch often. Love to meet new people with common interests! Hugs~ Rita

    ReplyDelete
  16. The Kramer AngleFebruary 14, 2009 at 3:13 PM

    The mailboxes were my favorite!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Debi Ward Kennedy February 14, 2009 at 6:14 PM

    Oh Ki, I have to add that not ALL antique shops are malls crammed with dusty shelves - some are lovely boutiques with inspiring displays!

    Check out this blog: http://fadedelegancestyle.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Elle Jay BeeFebruary 16, 2009 at 9:29 PM

    It's good to see there are deals there. I always figure I can't afford anything at those sales.

    I love the mailbox unit. Was it expensive?

    Thanks for bringing us along!
    Linda

    ReplyDelete
  19. RetromodgirlFebruary 17, 2009 at 11:34 AM

    I love it all! Thanks for the tour, and for your recent visit to my blog, what an honor!! I placed your blog in my favorites also. I'd like to ask a favor. I'd like to put a link to your site, Junk Revolution, in my blog's sidebar as a picture logo with a built-in link. Would that be possible? Thanks again, Ki!

    ReplyDelete
  20. UnknownFebruary 18, 2009 at 8:57 AM

    Love your site! I will have to stop by often to keep getting updates. Feel free to do the same! Hugs~ Rita

    ReplyDelete
  21. LuLuFebruary 18, 2009 at 8:10 PM

    The mailboxes are so cool what a fun day exploring....
    LuLu

    ReplyDelete
  22. Faded EleganceFebruary 19, 2009 at 1:27 AM

    Ki, thank you so much for visiting our blog and leaving such a sweet comment. We are honored!

    Peace to you...

    ReplyDelete
  23. MargotFebruary 21, 2009 at 5:24 PM

    Soooo glad to see that other people are enjoying Ole Cracker House Antique Mall as much as I do. This mall certainly does have a bit of everything. The prices are good and the owners, Janice and Lisa and other staff are very helpful and nice to talk to. Simply a wonderful place to browse!

    ReplyDelete
  24. JaniceFebruary 22, 2009 at 9:17 AM

    Ki, Thanks for stopping by Ole Cracker House Antique Mall. It was a pleasure meeting you and your sister. Our dealers make our mall....great finds a lots of fun. Stop by next time your in Ocala! Janice

    ReplyDelete
  25. Distressing Delilah a.k.a. jennJuly 19, 2009 at 2:53 PM

    Loved the pics! Very cool mailboxes!

    ReplyDelete
  26. AnonymousSeptember 15, 2009 at 2:54 AM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.