Liberty Antiques Festival, Spring 2010 Edition

I do love a good flea market.  And that’s good, because that’s pretty much what we here in the central South have to settle for.  In otherwords, I’ve yet to find a great antiques market within a few hours driving distance.  As it is, Liberty, NC is 3.5 hours, but is well worth it.

So why is Liberty good, and not great?  It’s not the size; any larger and it’s just too tiring.  It’s not the quality of what is there; I’m usually thrilled with the selection.

My problem is with what IS there, namely, non-antiques and collectibles.  The ads read, “No crafts or reproductions,”  but unfortunately that is just not the case.  There are quite a few booths with just rustic-looking imported junk.  Of course, the ad does not say, “No rustic-looking imported junk,” but it does imply that the show is just antiques and collectibles.  Is this a problem in other places?

But no more complaining.  Here are the things I loved but that I left behind:

First, the lovely wallpaper covered hatbox above.  I really should have gotten it, but the price was a bit high for me, and the condition not so great, and I know if I were to buy one I’d be addicted. $275

At first I thought this was a skirt, but it was an apron.  Now I must have this print in a skirt, don’t you think?  $14

I fell in love with the beachy cutout, but what would one reasonably do with it?  One girl is missing part of her arm, and there was some repair to the back, but still, could this be any cuter?  $125

Okay, I’m sitting here asking why I did not buy these curtains.  There were four panels, and they were a bit faded, but still…  I guess I could just picture them in someone’s beach house, so I unselfishly left them to a more perfect owner. $68

Okay, that’s it for the passes.  Tomorrow, the buys.

Comments:

Posted by Mod Betty / Retro Roadmap:

If this is what you left behind I can’t wait to see what you bought! I’ve found it much easier to not buy things if I’ve snapped a photo of it, at least I’ve “collected” it that way ( and Retro Roadhusband and our bank account are much happier too!) 

Sunday, April 25th 2010 @ 8:05 AM

Posted by Karen/SmallEarthVintage:

No, Lizzie, it’s not just where you are! Our flea markets always have plenty of tables of cheap new tools, NASCAR collectibles, faux Fiestaware, etc. I don’t even know if the local fleas have any kind of restriction on what you can sell. They’re still kind of fun to troll sometimes, though. I love the bathing beauties cutout, and it’s the kind of thing I would have bought and brought home, only then to realize there’s not an inch of free wall space to lean it against! 

Sunday, April 25th 2010 @ 8:27 AM

Posted by Lizzie:

Mod Betty, I’m learning to do that more and more!As someone said, you can’t always get what you want! 

Karen, we have smaller fleas like that as well. Sometimes a great find is to be made, but usually I leave empty handed.

Monday, April 26th 2010 @ 7:39 AM

Posted by Sarah:

I’ve been oohing and aahing over everything! That bathing beauties cutout is amazing, and worth throwing out the couch to make room for! 

But you’re right – its good to keep your ‘practical’ head on. This is something I’m trying to learn . . .

Saturday, May 1st 2010 @ 10:13 AM

Posted by Couture Allure:

Pam would have loved those curtains….I don’t think we should show her. 

Wednesday, May 5th 2010 @ 3:30 AM