Antique Fair Shopping List

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Okie doke, folks. This weekend, it’s on like Donkey Kong. It’s the TVUSD Antique Fair on Sunday. And I’m putting out there into the universe what I would like to find.

1. Vintage Wire Laundry Baskets. You know the one. The one on wheels. The AWESOME one.

ethanollie on Etsy

2. Vintage Loving Cups. I have NEVER seen these at a sale in person, but I love them. Especially if they are trophies for 3rd place in a beauty contest or for catching the biggest trout.

MaisonFrenchKissed on Etsy

3. Mixed Vintage China. I’m a sucker for it. Always.

BoldSparrowVintage on Etsy

4. Mexican Enamelware. Being close to the border always makes it a possibility to find in Tucson.

BoldSparrowVintage on Etsy

5. Pie Tins and Tin Cake Pans. I like them well-worn and purty.

SweetGeorgiaVine on Etsy

6. Big Old Marquee Letters. Nothing says “cool” like spelling “cool” out on your wall in old marquee letters. And if you can get them to light up, even better…

VintageEmbellishment on Etsy

7. Wooden Crates. Soda, beer, water…there’s a MILLION things you can do with those things.

MDQualityGoods on Etsy

8. Globes. If they’re priced right and spin smoothly, I’ll never pass them up.

BankandPearl on Etsy

9. Vintage Grain Sacks and Feed Sacks. I love the rustic stripes of the grain sacks and the whimsical or floral patterns of the feed or flour sacks. Popular for reupholstery and crafting projects. These can be pricey, though.

Antiquelinenfashion on Etsy

anne8865 on Etsy

10. Old Ladders. Depending on the condition, they can be used indoors to display blankets in a bedroom or blankets in a bathroom. They make a gorgeous focal piece.

ARusticGarden on Etsy

David Prince for This Old House Magazine

What are your favorite things to hunt for?

Vintage Storage

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This post is a sort of continuation of the last. You may have noticed that I added a new category to my shop: Storage Solutions. This is mainly for two reasons. I love rusty metal and old wood, and these things commonly make up the various buckets, boxes, bins, and baskets I fall in love with so often.

These items can add a depth of unrivaled character to a room, not to mention the practical side – they have stood the test of time and continue to outlive many modern storage solutions. There’s also a LOT of cool upcycled and vintage-style items out there for stashing stuff. Let’s see what I have today….


A former chicken feed bin serves as an awesome countertop organizer for the kitchen! Who woulda thunk?

A soda crate bathroom caddy – awesome!

Locker baskets make fantastic storage containers – most importantly, you can see what’s in them.

Or use an old barn wood ladder for storing blankets or towels in a bathroom.

Get creative with vintage tins!

Or let a vintage hardware cabinet be the focal point of a room.

Vintage items are amazingly useful. They are classic and durable, and often can be tweaked or upcycled into something else. They are fun. They have personality to spare and add a rich, homey feeling to a space. Enjoy them.

Maybe you’re saying to yourself, “Courtney, those locker baskets are just awesome, but where can I find some?” Well, I just happen to have – BAM!

This basket and others available at Bold Sparrow Vintage

What fun vintage or antique storage options have you come across? Do share…

I love it, I want it, but what do I DO with it?

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I love vintage luggage. LOVE it. But let’s be honest. If I’m travelling through Europe, I’m using my fancy new Samsonite pieces with wheels, not lugging a trunk around. (Europe. Ha!)

Anyway, that’s no reason not to collect the wonderfully gorgeous luggage pieces from days gone by. They also wonderful pieces of home decor, and – of course – storage. Enjoy.