Playing with My Bird

Yes, I love flea markets. Especially the ones in Adamstown, PA. Chris and I took the kids to Black Angus, Renninger's and Shupp's Grove last Sunday.

Chris and I had lots of fun. I can't say the same for the kids. There weren't many dealers at the markets, so we told them to play tag in the empty spaces. That lasted about 15 minutes. Then they managed to wander into the woods and find two dangerously sharp sticks. Daggers, really. A sword fight ensued. I debated whether I should just leave them alone because we finally had some peace. But then I imagined myself chasing one of their eyeballs as it rolled the dirt, so I made them lose the daggers. When we finished shopping, we erased all of their bad flea market thoughts by taking them to an awesome miniature golf place in Lancaster. 

Amid all of the whining and bribing, we did manage to find some cool stuff. We spent $115 for everything here. Most of our finds were from the flea markets, except for the burlap sacks that Chris bought at an auction last week, the hunting signs (estate sale), and the typewriter, which he scored at a local thrift store.

Isn't she beautiful!? It is a 1926 Underwood portable typewriter with a red faux bois (fake wood grain) finish. Here's a photo of one in great condition that sold for $350 on Etsy. They sold this typewriter in several finishes, including mahogany and green.

These metal hunting signs are so hot on eBay - I found similar signs ranging from $45 to $125. I love to imagine some big, burly hunter ripping the No Hunting sign off a tree as a trophy. Kind of a big "Eff You" to the Parks Service.

Here are a couple of vintage cameras: a Kodak Midget and a Baby Brownie. And a set of small brass stencils that slide together. They are sitting atop a red safe deposit box with painted gold trim.

Each one of the burlap sacks in this pile is different - most of them have great graphics and colors. Chris paid three dollars for all of them at a Lancaster County auction. Some were a little moldy, so we hosed them off and dried them in the sun. No more mold. But they still have that typical burlap smell. Is it possible to get rid of that? Anyone?

I've been wanting one of these potato chip stands for a while. I have the kind that you hang, but not a standing rack. I've seen lots of reproductions around, but I think this one is an oldie. I'm going to use it for displaying postcards or little bags of game pieces and whatnot.

I bought a few "Modern Kitchen" catalogs at Black Angus. These two feature the steel cabinets made by American and Morgan. I've become a little obsessed with those cabinets lately - especially after reading about all of the 1950s kitchens on Retro Renovation. This green & aqua kitchen might be my favorite.

This was our most expensive find: a Victorian-era birdcage on a stand that is a shorter than the ones I normally see. It isn't adjustable, either. Maybe it is chair-height so you could enjoy your canaries while drinking tea or playing cards.

But, more likely, it was a privy birdcage, so people could play with their bird while they did their dirty business. Yes - that sounds right. I'm going with that. 

Comments

[Ellen]

Y'all found some cool stuff! I love the signs - and that typewriter too! He did good on the burlap sacks... and he washed them - oops - I meant hosed them off too... that's way more than my hubby would've done! LOL As far as the smell - to me burlap always has a burlappy smell... I'm hoping somebody gives you some trick to get rid of it so I might learn it too! :-)

[Tania Palermo]

Wow - I want to just dive into this blog post and soak up all the vintage finds...greta stuff!

[Into Vintage]

My burlap bags still smell a little burlapy after being hosed off but definitely less dirt-&-potato-ey smelling at least. I have some I'm thinking about trying *soap* on (groundbreaking!) but then it just becomes a lot of work for burlap bags...although the burlap smell while driving them home in my car was borderline nauseating.

[Kim]

Holy crap! You found that typewriter at a thrift shop??? That is insane.

[Dana]

I actually put my burlap in the wash on the delicate cycle and then they just smelled like detergent. Of course they frayed a little but I was actually going for that look because I made them into curtains.

[Donny]

What a fantastic collection of goodies!

[marcy of Bloomsburg]

What the hell is wrong with you? Your brass sign spells "hors."
Geez if it's not the prostitute story it's the Johnson bag story now the hors story.
Your picture has given me the vapors so I'm going to have a cigarette then a cold shower.
We Pennsy girls are a lusty lot.

[Colleen]

It says Horst! I swear!

[Mitzi Curi]

Nice finds! Whatever you do, don't put your burlap sacks in the dryer. I tried that, and caught the dryer on fire......

[Katie]

Love the chip dispenser. I always wanted one of those. If you ever want to sell it please contact me!!!

[Kim]

I am a little late in commenting, but you could try spraying the burlap bags with vinegar (or 50% vinegar, 50% water) and then let them air dry. They will, of course, stink like vinegar, but once they dry, the vinegar scent will be gone and so should the musty smell!