Book Board Chat

A blustery good morning, all!

Thanks to wellington, I'll look as if I'm on top of the news when I give my talk today. She called to report that one of the bakeries/delis about which I'll be speaking suffered a fire a few hours ago. Sad.

Went to Kane County Flea Market yesterday to see how the colder weather impacted dealers and buyers. First, it was a sunny day in the high 50s, with very little wind. The sellers were inside, outside as well as in the covered but open-sided (animal) buildings. There were only 4 food vendors (pizza by the slice, beef jerky, fried vegetables, and bratwursts) outside, plus the nuns of Notre Dame, chili makers, and waffle cone sellers inside.

The flea market was approximately 1/3 the size it is during the summer, BUT people were buying. One "florist" was selling bittersweet and twisty twigs for holiday decor. Almost everyone was walking around holding some. Other sellers stocked holiday items, such as old aluminum Xmas trees and vintage ornaments. The sellers who had recycled old wood from bowling alleys and other places and "married" them to old cabinet bases were doing a brisk business. One seller whose furniture was coated in chalk paint had almost sold out between opening and the time we got to her booth (at 1:30). I think the holiday theme ran thruout the market, with vintage Santas, wreath, etc. One seller had made a wreath out of old book pages, twisted around a wire frame, then lightly sprayed with gold. Of course, she was selling the old book pages for $1 a bunch. The wreaths were between $24 to $50 depending on size. Then, another dealer had removed the covers from old books, stached up 4-5 of them and tied the bundle with hemp twist. These were $10-15, and were selling quite well.

Old snow shoes were $79; old wooden skis were $50; old Radio Flyer sleds were $38, and people were buying them.There were old farm-related items, such as wire egg crates, and
wooden berry boxes that the sellers had "outfitted" with clay pots, fake greenery and candles. Cute. Potpourri and essential oils were selling ($6 for a small scoop).

Perhaps related to the SOFA exhibit in downtown Chicago, primitives and Outsider art was more visible than I have seen before. My son and DIL bought an anatomically incorrect oil of a smiling cow done by a guy who used to paint outside at the flea market during the summers, name of Mike Heavy, but which is signed in large letters "Heavy," making one wonder if the name is that of the artist or a commentary on the cow. They also bought an old shadow box with a circle cut out, some hay and an antique picture of a chicken inside for $5. They asked the seller what it was & if there were a story attached to it; his reply was priceless: "It's a chicken in the box. What do I know, I just buy and sell junk."

Old tools were not selling, but, dealers who had products for woodworking, such as gentle strippers, or chalk paints, were selling. I guess in anticipation of "winter projects."

It was a fun day, but because it was so small, we finished in 3 hours. And that's the Kane County Flea Market report for the season.