You’ll never guess what I bought at the flea market yesterday.
Millinery flowers! Beth asked me how I was going to display my hats, and I told her "I don’t like hats" and that just struck our funny bones, considering I’d just bought 15 of them!
Honestly, I don’t care for the hats themselves, I only buy them for their blooms.
At first, I didn’t think it was going to be a good hat day, but then, I heard the whispers of them calling to me from a large booth of vintage clothing.
The dealer had just returned from Round Top . Her prices were sky high too, $38 for a flowery bonnet?? Yep, those are big time flea market prices, not Kansas prices!
So, I asked her nicely if she had a volume price. I bought 8 hats including the one previously marked $38 for only $64 total. And I didn’t stop there, I found pairs of hats here and there throughout the market for an average of $2.50 each. Which is why I ended up with a pile of FIFTEEN flowering beauties! 
I was worse with old photos. I told Beth that she had to steer me away from any more, it wasn’t funny at that point. I didn’t think I could stop, but she was able to help me and I got through the rest of the day avoiding the photo bargains.
Most pictures were $1 each and when I’d gather an armful of ten or so, the dealer would usually name a price averaging about 50-75 cents each.
Which is how I ended up with THIRTY NINE photos.
Sparkling old jewels were priced about the same as the photos at so many tables we stopped at. Of course, if they were priced higher than that we didn’t stop.
I don’t know how many pieces of rhinestone jewelry I ended up with, but with paired earrings at under $1, I might have bought a couple…..
This photo? A drop in the bucket.
And look at the "Princess" jewel box! It was only $4 and I have plans to foof and jazz it up on the exterior. The inside is lovely just as it is! (the pretty as a picture alarm clock is a birthday gift from Beth- lucky me!)
I bought $1 dolls to fix up too. The bust (Marie?) was only $1 and I might paint it white.
The pink skirted tiny dancer is actually a music box that plays "Always" (the song my parents played at the their wedding). Consider this a "before" photo of her, I have big plans for a transformation to come.
French, German, and other old books were only $1 each
Clear Lucite containers were how much? $1 a piece (wish I’d bought more)
26 Vintage ballerina cake toppers were how much? $1 each
Keys? 2 for $1
Vintage scalloped edge stationery? $1 a box
But of all the things I bought, what is the best? This $4 dotted Swiss dress for Sugarwings.
In the same booth, I found a close match for her baby doll.
I think I’ll ask her to wear them for my birthday party on Monday. (which is my actual birthday, even though I have been celebrating for weeks.)
I’ll draw a name on May 6th for a winner of a birthday gift from me. All comments count towards that and toward my May giveaway, which I think will have to be extra special this month.
In one $5 bag of jewels from the flea market, there was a dainty gold band. I think I will include it with my May prize. Along with the gold band is a white leather Brighton coin purse.
I’ll be adding to the May Prize Pack throughout the month, so stay tuned and keep entering! Any comment, any post.
April’s winner, Clarice had a choice of prizes. She chose a Cottage Collage Kit with vintage wallpaper. She has two daughters that she makes great craft projects with, so I included some extras for them all to have fun with.
Oh my goodness Karla I was just lamenting yesterday that we have NO MILLINERY around here. And I mean NONE. Not even a hat with some pretty blooms on it. I am so desperate to get some….I guess I will have to head to the U.S.A!
What wonderful items you scored!
Joy
Wow! Quite a haul! I’m still hunting for the hats too! I got a lead on a an antiue mall close by so I’ll check it out…my fingers are crossed for just a FEW blooms! Love all that bling you bought too! And that cute blue clock from Beth is adorable!
I truly believe you have a special radar for treasures! Just look at all the wonderful pretties you found…and the dotted swiss dress is so darn sweet!
Let’s just call you the flea market whisperer okay.
Just wanted to stop by your cottage before I go get ready to go help in food service today at our churche’s monthly comedy dinner theatre. Joy joys.
Hi Karla. You sure found lots of goodies! I am having a giveaway. Stop by if you have a chance.
Hugs
Rhondi
What serious treasure you found! That dress for Miss Sugarwings is just gorgeous!! I hope it fits. And a baby doll dress to match – wow!!
You bought 39 pictures- oh my! I wasn’t watching you closely enough!
What fun to see the trip you and Beth took. You guys get the best stuff. I don’t know how you find it all and I consider myself pretty good at it 🙂
Can’t wait to see what you create with your finds.
Pam
Karla, as you enjoy every time you go shopping!
I wish Toto could transport me to Kansas cuz in sunny Northern Ca. the prices would be almost triple, great job and great finds. Happy 50th Birthday to you. Kathy Hansen
Wow! I love all the millinery flowers.. the dress for Sugarwings is very sweet..
Happy Birthday to you too!
Michelle
Wow, you made a haul! Love the alarm clock from Beth! Also all of those flowers… wow! And the sweet little blue dress is adorable, can’t wait to see a picture of the princess in it!
OMG I so have to go hat shopping with you Karla. $38 is like the prices we have here for a hat, hence no hats in this house. And the bling? We’re looking at 10 bucks a pair of earrings… I can’t wait to come bargain hunting with you! xo
WOW!! What a lovely day a the flea! I am covetous of your lovely treasures! Just wow. That dress is DARLING!! Please get pictures ( I know you will) when that sweet baby wears it.
Happy Birthday!!!!
You are just killing me! I went to a couple of antique stores with hubby today and the few photos I saw were about $10 each. No hats anywhere either! I think I need a trip to the mid west. I think you theory about all those church-going ladies is a good one! Such great finds. I can hardly wait to see what you do with them!
Ok so I am officially jealous of your hat treasures! That is a wonderful deal and look at the blooms! lol
Happy Happy Birthday! xo
My goodness Karla, You hit the jackpot today….You really got some great deals and lovely things but the prettiest is that dress for Sugarwings…It is adorable and I will be watching for a picture of her in it….
Hugs
Brenda
WOW! What a treasure trove. Yuu should have joined the Swashbuckler Soiree!
xx Nancy
Oh my goodness gracious!! I cant find a hat around here!! I really came home with some goodies!! Can’t wait to see what you make with it all!! Laurie
Oh my gosh! You two find the best things! I can’t pick out a favorite because I love it all!
How exciting so many fun things.
That little dress is darling! Looks like you made a pretty good haul!
Oh my what a great haul of treasures!!
I managed to get a good deal on some old photographs.. will post about them later today!
Love all the flowers too!
Victoria x
I do believe you shopped in a gold mine today. Wonders!
Happy real birthday tomorrow.
What wonderfully yummy treasures and at fabulous deals… always the best kind!
Karla, Wow, you found some great things. Thanks for sharing and for inspiring.
oh my goodness, what a haul!!!! am sooooo jealous, I went charity shop shopping yesterday and came back with nothing other than some toy cars for DS and a softy for DD oh and 2 books for me to read at the bargain price of 40p for 2 (about 80c)
Great stuff, plus it sounds like you had fun! I also hoard old flowers, removing them from old wreaths, stealing them from graveyards. Just kidding, just wondering if anyone else reads these posts. Those old photos are also great! Congrats! Sher
Karla, i am just GREEN with envy over all of the wonderful hats you keep finding that are just oozing with gorgeous blooms!!! why oh why can’t i find any here, you are SO lucky girl:)
The dress for Sugarwings is too precious. I’m looking forward to seeing lots of pictures of your birthday party and a sweet picture of her & the babydoll in their pretty little blue dresses.
WOW! Who knew Kansas held such treasure? I gotta get out more! Have a wonderful day tomorrow surrounded by your loved ones.
Oh My Karla, What wonderful finds at the Flea Market. A very good day for you. I just love every thing you picked up.
Karen
My goodness. You really know how to shop. And I thought I was a good bargain finder. The pictures of all the things are fantastic.
Happy, Happy Birthday, Karla!!!
I just love your blog — always sooooooo beautiful and interesting. Such treasures you found – Va home & home-home! Beautiful! I suppose everyone’s gotten rid of things before moving to Fl – that plus the climate isn’t so great for preservation & no basements for storage! bummer. Just have to enjoy it all thru your blog! Jane – Jacksonville, FL
Happy, Happy Birthday, Karla! Love your blog and all your recent birthday celebrations and treasures found!
Jane – Jacksonville, FL
Oops! Sorry, I didn’t see the first comment, so thought it got lost in cyberspace! Jane
Oh my gosh! But how could you NOT buy all those goodies!? I just drool when I see all the great vintage finds on your blog. If, and I repeat, IF, I could find stuff like that where I live it would cost a fortune!! the flowers are so gorgeous and the little dresses are so cute!!
Hi, Karla,
Wow, what wonderful treasures you found! My sister (and best friend) and I went to our first garage sales of the year and got some pretty good stuff. It’s so much fun!!
I hope you have a wonderful birthday. Enjoy! Joan
You are so lucky to live in the midwest, which is rich with treasures. It’s a lot harder to find good prices in CA.
I especially LOVE the dress for Sugarwings. She’ll look pretty in the blue.
~elaine~
holy crow- so much treasure, you lucky girl!
gosh.. just look at the jeweleries.. omg.. I wish I could put my hand in there!..
you really had fun thrifting! you go girl! Have an awesome birthday and many happy returns to you & family..
what wonderful finds…wish I could have been at that wonderful place doing all of that wonderful shopping too 🙂
What great finds you came across! Love the dress for Sugarwings, can’t wait to see her wearing it.
Hugs:)
Irma
Happy 50th Birthday Kark, and may you enjoy the best birthday ever today. Hope you have 50 more!
Love,
Bobbie Sue
Happy Birthday Karla!!!! Gefeliciteerd! Hope you have a wonderful day with your loved ones and lots of presents and birthdaycakes!
Oh my… you found some great buys! So typical that just about everything you bought you can not find here in the Netherlands. Well, except maybe the old photo’s. I’m green with envy! (in a good, non agressive way of course!) Wish I could find some gorgeous jewelry, old keys, flower hats and stuff… I need to get over my fear of flying and hop on a plane to your side of the globe! MMmm… maybe someday!
Have a really nice day en enjoy!!!
Elizabeth
OK that did it! I am going to have to come to Kansas for pretties as they are few and far between here!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! wow you are so lucky, you really got so great stuff.
What treasures you found!!! So sparkly!! All the flowers are pretty, too! I love the dress you bought for Sugarwings, and how cute that you found her doll a matching one! I bet she loved it and looked adorable at your birthday party!!
Michele
luvkittysmeowmail@gmail.com
You found some amazing treasures!