shopping at flea markets

Not only do we sell at flea markets, but we also shop at them too.  And it can be quite the overwhelming ordeal.  Rows and rows of vendors, treasures everywhere.  It always feels like if you don't look in every nook and cranny that you're going to miss that one amazing deal that you didn't even know you were looking for.  It feels that way, because it's usually true... so needless to say, we spent a LOT of time at each place when we're shopping. Treasure hunting isn't an easy business, guys.

I was pleased to find these photos while sifting through the Google Life Archives (which is worth wasting a few hours on, trust me), because it showed me that yet again, some things never change, and we are definitely not the first generation who sees the appeal of spending all day perusing. These photos are from 1950 and picture a very stylish (seriously, check out that outfit!) Nancy Talbot, co-founder of Talbot's clothing, meandering the aisles of what appears to be an absolutely fabulous market.  Talbot seems to experience a lot of the same things that we do while shopping...

#1. She knows that it's clever to bring a partner in crime.  It's easier to have two sets of eyes than one... the person you're with will undoubtedly spot something fabulous that you've missed.  This only works if you're on the same team. Although, if she spots something amazing that you were destined to own and she intends to buy it for herself, you're allowed to hit her (gently).  

This illustrates why it's good that Caiti and I are on the same team.

#2.  You will undoubtedly get distracted by something that you didn't set out to shop for.  Maybe Nancy was actually looking for hats, but I doubt it - she looks off her game.  But that's okay.  Sometimes you find the coolest things in the places of the market you didn't plan to look (I don't know how many times I've found amazing things in completely misplaced sections - jewelry mixed in with baby clothing, amazing dresses mixed with what appears to be actual garbage - always be looking!)

#3. You will spend a ton of time interacting with vendors... so be nice to them! They're the ones who know what's up.  If they don't have what you're looking for, they can surely set you up with someone who does.  And if they DO have what you're looking for but you're looking for a better deal... be kind about it.  Nothing is more annoying to a vendor than someone trying to browbeat you over money.  And sidenote: that little trick about pointing out all the flaws with an item as a means to get a discount... tread lightly there. They know about the flaws, so you don't need to be a jerk about it.. it makes them ornery.   You catch more flies with honey, honey.

#4. Just as you think you've found the perfect treasure and the one thing you can't live without...

...you'll undoubtedly get distracted by something else.  Sometimes this is a nice way of prioritizing things.  It makes you realize that either, a.) the item you're already holding is so precious you either need to carry it with you (if the market allows for that) or pay for it immediately, OR b.) whatever you were looking at doesn't even matter in comparison to the shiny thing off in the distance.  If it's B, get to beatin' feet sister, you've got shiny things to buy!

#5.  Sometimes, the thing that catches your eye... is... well, you don't know what it is.  Is it a pin? Is it a brooch? Some sort of commemorative medal of honor or something?

Should you wear it on your right side... or... maybe your left?

Regardless - if you love it, you love it.  And you should buy it.  If you get that feeling when you find something like you've been punched in the gut, you'll regret leaving it.  You don't always need to know exactly what it is to love it.  My one tip is this: If you have the capability (if not, get thee a smart phone!), do a quick google search on the item to make sure you don't overpay because it's easy for that to happen if you know NOTHING about it.  You don't have to do any full-on research... just maybe check some completed listings on eBay or just see what their list price is on Etsy. Some of our most fun items have been things that we didn't have a clue about... we'd buy them at auctions, and do research online, or ask fellow pickers what they know.  Half the fun is letting the goods tell you their story! So even if Nancy didn't know where the crap to pin this thing, I sure hope she bought it.  And I hope she didn't overpay too much.

#6. You will always spend more time shopping than you think you will.  We usually just block out a whole day to wander around without time constraints.  But we think it might be the best way to waste a day.  Agree?

xoxo,

Jess 

PS. for Maine people who want to spend hours shopping but aren't into the whole "daytime" thing - check out the Night Market at the Flea For All this Friday! We're doing a shindig to coincide with First Friday in Portland... lots of shopping and food and drink! we hope to see you there :)

Newton

"Oh gravity, thou art a heartless bitch." ~ Sir Isaac Newton

It is no big secret that I, Catherine Enos, have a ginormous crush on Isaac Newton. I could pontificate for days on the reasons why he's simply fabulous. Some of you have been subjected to these ramblings but for those whom haven't...grab yourselves a (2 maybe 3) gin and tonic and sit back.

   (Isaac Newton was METAL)

Reason #6: Newton was a caped crusader. 
The year was 1696, currency in England was in disarray. The Brittish government knew there was a problem, all these handstruck coins where chipped, worn, easily forged... and worse some where melted down and sent abroad! "Oh," thought William Lowndes of the Treasury, "who could help?" Newton saw the apple signal in the night sky and swooped in. He estimated that at least 20% of the coins taken in during the Great Recoinage were counterfeit. So he became a warden of the Royal Mint and disguised as a habitué of bars and taverns, gathered evidence.
Now English law still had ancient and ghastly customs of authority and was a bit slow on the prosecution. Newton punched right through that little barrier and became a justice of the peace in all the home counties. In his spare time Newton conducted more than 100 cross-examinations of witnesses, informers, and suspects. Newton successfully prosecuted 28 coiners, William Chaloner being the most noted. 

William Chaloner was part of one of the many coining gangs that existed and was a real class act. Between the schemes to entrap others as Jaobite conspirators and becoming a master forger he earned enough money to prance about as a "gentlemen".  Being the most accomplished counterfeiter in England went straight to his head. He started to issue pamphlets describing a "solution"' to currency problems such as restrict/licence access to tools needed for coining; the coinage should be struck with an impression far deeper than coiners' tools or presses would allow; use a deep groove along the edge; extend the treason law; and adjust the silver value. Newton saw straight through this masquerade and put Chaloner on trial for counterfeiting. He was sent to Newgate Prison. Chaloner, like any good villian, had powerful friends and implored them to secure his release. Much to the dismay of Parliament he was acquitted and released. Newton was having none of that so he put him on trial a second time with conclusive evidence. Chaloner was convicted of high treason and hung, drawn and quartered. Newton seeing his job was finished retreated to his bat cave to create his tomb guarding homunculi.


So if that wasn't reason enough to love the man then I insist you stay tuned for more riveting tales of Sir Isaac Newton. Until then show your love and buy some awesome Newton inspired wares.

viaUneekDollDesigns

viaStDamos

viaCrazyDogTshirts

snarky cards

 I hate buying greeting cards for people.  I always saunter in to the greeting card aisle on the day of the event I'm supposed to be buying the card and haphazardly look through the selection just to end up picking one that annoys me the least. Sometimes I'll just buy the most ridiculous card I can find that has nothing to do with the situation to amuse myself: I once attached a black card that said "PARTY LIKE A ROCK STAR" to a pink bag at a baby shower... it stood out a bit. And I've bought children's cards for people on multiple occasions. Because nothing says "happy birthday, grownup man!" better than a pink card covered in kittens.  

But I digress.

We at Lucille's decided to take some of our obvious issues and funnel them into our own line of greeting cards.  Our cards aren't sugar coated.  They're not always even happy. Or nice. But they're truthful, and they'll usually make people laugh. And if they don't... then maybe you don't want to be friends with those people anyway because they clearly have no sense of humor. 

We're just starting to get the cards on Etsy now, so keep an eye out.. we'll have more! get your snarky on!

-Jess & Caiti

shop tour: Little Ghost Vintage

On our last shop tour, we took a peek into Monarch Mercantile. Now, we get to check out a lovely shop called Little Ghost Vintage owned by a super awesome lady who has become a dear friend of ours.  I admit that I may have spent more time gossiping with Dawn, the shop's owner, than taking photos (seriously, ask my husband - we were probably there for WELL over an hour hahaha), so I probably could have been more thorough, but you'll just have to stop in and see it for yourself. My photos can't even properly capture how fun this place is anyways... it's worth taking a trip there to see it in person and dig around for treasures, trust me :)

Dawn had always wanted her own thrift store, and this past spring she made that dream a reality, opening up Little Ghost in the Time & Temp building in Portland. You can find entrances for the store on Preble Street, or through the Time & Temp Building's lobby via Congress Street, so it's super accessible and a great place to pop in if you're walking around downtown. 

(this is the only picture I even got with the shop's name in it... such a bad blogger. but a good gossiper!)

Little Ghost makes a point to have lots of fun items at reasonable prices.  It stands out from a lot of other shops in Portland because... well, you can actually leave here with your wallet intact.  There's a huge variety of clothing, both vintage and more modern secondhand, as well as lots of housewares, accessories, and fun knicknacks (and whozits and whatsits galore).

Dawn goes to auctions regularly (an addiction that I blame entirely on myself and Caiti), as well as having a team of pickers that buys for her... so there are always plenty of treasures to be found!

i loved this apron! if only my name was Addie...

that's a Lucille's nightgown right there to the right, in case you were wondering! ;)

I keep thinking about this piece - at first I thought it was a family photo, then Dawn pointed out to me that it's a collage of THE SAME WOMAN throughout her lifetime! I LOVE IT SO MUCH. i should probably just buy it. i love that she rocked the pigtails during two phases of life!

  

so, seriously, dudes. If you're in Portland, go check out Little Ghost. Even if you're not in Portland, you should drive there because it's totally worth it.  And... if you happen to be around for First Friday in August, she's throwing a little shindig! Like Little Ghost on Facebook for up to the minute updates (and because the cover photo is my new favorite thing ever). 

Keep an eye out for our next Shop Tour... and let us know if you have a shop you'd like to be featured, or if you know of somewhere that is blog worthy. We're always down for a road trip!

-Jess & Caiti

old photos

I've always had quite the collection of old photos. Whenever I'm at an antique store (or anywhere else, for that matter), and I see a bin of discarded family photos, I feel a twinge of misplaced nostalgia.  The moments in those photos were precious enough that someone felt the need to capture them on film, but sadly, over time their importance has faded.  They've ended up with relatives who have no idea what the memory was, or who the people even are. So I always end up scooping up those photos like abandoned teddy bears (yes, thrift store stuffed animals bum me out too, but that's another blog entry) and bring them home to appreciate them.  

I realized recently that I have a bunch of photos that have been relinquished to a drawer and forgotten about after a mad cleaning session in my office... which is EXACTLY what I was trying to rescue them from in the first place. I decided to free these babies into the world, aka sell them at the Flea For All, to see if someone else might enjoy them, and prolong their life a bit more. I'm still not letting go entirely, though. I scanned them so I could share them with you guys (whoever it is who actually reads this blog)... and I think we may be using some as labels for some of our products so they live on even longer! Enjoy :)

Which one is your favorite? I'm not sure I could pick! although I do really love the lady charming the bear...

xo,

Jess

introducing...

new categories of things for the shop!

Lucille's is sort of a one-stop shop for everything you need at the Flea For All, and we're trying to expand our Etsy so that it reflects that as well.  We're going to have not only vintage clothing, but handmade items (cards, zip pouches, etc), custom clothing by Caiti (handsewn retro inspired pieces in CUSTOM SIZES), and lots of other things.  But we're also expanding our vintage selection! We don't just carry dresses and girly things.  We've also got...

Menswear:

Kid's Clothing:

(i've had to explain to WAY too many people that a knucklehead is a Harley... it's not some super creepy insult to the kid's mom)

 And lots of random (but awesome) hardgoods!

And lots of other stuff that we haven't even begun to photograph yet! phew! 

so keep an eye out for Lucille's... we're going all out, baby!

PS. All this items will be in the shop within the next few days.

a glimpse into Mildred Johnson's studio

We recently made a trip back to our old stomping grounds at the Brunswick Flea Market.  We went to say hello, and do some shopping, but we ended up going on an unexpected adventure (which is just how we like our days to go).

The Brunswick Flea Market is located inside the Andross Mill, a sprawling brick behemoth, leftover from the days when mills dotted the rivers up and down Maine.  Inside its massive footprint, it houses not only the flea market, but also a huge antique mall, a restaurant, and dozen of artists studios on the second floor. We ended up taking a jaunt up to the second floor, where we had never even been, to visit the artist studio of a woman named Mildred Johnson.  Our friend Jack, one of the vendors at the flea market, has always spoken highly of her, and mentioned that she was probably in today, so we went up to take a look.  

It was... wonderful.  Mildred is an amazing artist.  She works mainly in reclaimed items, making beautiful assemblages out of things you would never think of.  Her studio (or, studios really, she has three large rooms on the second floor) is full of strange pieces of metal, crates, egg cartons, pages from books, and items I'm sure I recognized from the flea market below.  She looks at these items not as junk, but pieces of a larger, beautiful puzzle that just hasn't been put together yet.

All of that is made even more amazing by the fact that she's 82 years old. 82! and still full of imagination and  churning out amazing pieces. 

you can read more a bit more about Mildred here, and see some of her collage work here.  And if you're ever in Brunswick, I would highly recommend wandering up to the second floor to see if she's around.  It'll make your day, I promise.