A flea under the Flight Path

During the last two weeks I've taken you shopping for my antiques business in a geodesic dome, and sale-ing through the North Shore of Chicago.




Today we are going to a parking lot flea market under the flight path of O'Hare Airport on the northwest side of Chicago.

Many of you have flown in here never knowing what's going on below you on a Sunday morning.



Can you tell from the photo below that the sun isn't up yet? We arrived at about 4 am. last Sunday.

Bikes of all kinds, ages, and conditions are one of the most commonly sold things at this market. I don't exactly know how well they sell. It isn't something I'm interested in personally.




This is more like it. This vendor had recently cleaned out several local estates and had many interesting things to offer.

In this pile there are many things of local Chicago interest. I bought some unusual items from him to sell through my soon to come online business.




The booth below would be considered well-displayed at this market.



Most of them look more like this...or...



even like this. Right on the ground. In fact, this is the most common display technique.



These two items were the most unusual I saw on Sunday. They are PRISON TELEVISIONS!

They are see-through so contraband can't be hidden inside them by prisoners. They are purchased by the prisoners and can be taken home upon release. Interesting home accessory, huh?



One of the things I really enjoy about flea market shopping is talking to the people I meet.. like the couple selling the televisions who assured me that the husband had NOT gotten these while in prison.

Good to know.



Near the end of the morning. Ever helpful husband taking a load of purchase back to the car...while I finish up.



Just before leaving I bought this weird antenna made in Chicago. Why is this guy holding it? He followed me back to my car because he had to have it for his 1940's vintage TV!! Money changed hands. He was happy and I was happy.

We spent our profits at the Lowes on our way home on supplies to finish other projects to sell next weekend.

Around Town

and all kinds of other places.

Last Wednesday I took you with me while I shopped for my antiques business in a Geodesic dome. These week I'm going to share some sights from last weekend's hunting..

Let's get started.

This is not the house where the first sale was. It is the neighbor, but isn't it lovely, steps away from the shores of Lake Michigan.



You can see why I couldn't get a picture of the house where the garage sale was. It is surrounded by trees, but you can glimpse all the shoppers. What was for sale was newish, but it was selling briskly.



I took a peek around the back of the house, and look at the lovely screen house I found. The landscaping was just beautiful. I didn't buy anything!




There I am counting a pile of galvanized buckets I forgot to buy. At this house, was the merchandise bonanza of the day. Lots of stuff for me to buy and then sell in my business. Loaded up the car and really got my hands dirty. Loved it!



Off for a handwashing, diet coke, lunch break. Sparky, was guarding his owner's antique electric Ford. We looked, but didn't touch.



The next Estate Sale was so crowded that my husband stayed in the car and waited (with his phone at the ready) for me to call for a pick-up. Lovely early home with 3 generations of stuff, but nothing much for me.



Almost at the end of the day we stopped at another Estate Sale where I could have gotten these pretty dishes for a luncheon party with my 36 closest friends. They were very nice, but their price was over $2000, I think.

I told the guys conducting the sale that I was on the hunt for the weird and cheap. They laughed!



Our buying/hunting trip took us up the lakeshore north of Chicago from Evanston, Wilmette, Winnetka, to Lake Forest where we ended the day at this Estate Sale.



This last photo is of a $4500 Thorne Room for sale at this house. The Art Institute of Chicago has an permanent exhibit of these miniature rooms, and they are very valuable.

Mrs. James Ward Thorne (1882-1966) who had a summer home in Lake Forest developed these rooms in the 1930's and 40's. It was nice, but I didn't buy it either.

I hope you enjoyed your Outdoor Wednesday excursion. And if you liked what you saw subscribe in a reader or become a follower>>>>>>>>>>>on the sidebar.

To see other participants visit A Southern Daydreamer.

P.S. I saw that black and white VW "bug" on my sidebar at the last sale. Can you imagine sale-ing in that?

It's Good Being Green.

I am hooked on using "junk" in my garden....and I hope you are inspired.



Probably the most elegant item in my garden is this old stone estate flower basket. Those are antique grinding stones underneath it. I also use grinding stones as stepping stones in the flower beds.



Here's the totally other end of the elegance scale. What do you do with the "ball storage" basket after it's been smashed? Why of course, you plant it on a table in the middle of your greenery!



Somewhat behind this year? Still have empty pots and urns? Fill them with unplanted and uncovered topiary forms. Why, yes! Tell people you planned it that way...they'll never know the truth.




This is a border that keeps on giving. It predates our house by 80 years. Fifty feet of bridal veil that more than 100 years ago was the edge of a farmhouse garden. All it needs is a yearly trim, and it rewards us with this magnificent display.




Does anyone really know what time it is? Not with this thing. I have never known how to work it, but I think EVERY garden should have a sundial.




I guess it's time for me to get to work and plant something in this gem. Another local estate find, and probably the prettiest I've owned.

To see other things that people are hooked on visit Hooked on Houses and to see other inspiring things visit The Inspired Room and Garden Party.

But before you leave, if you like what you see, please become a follower or subscribe in a reader to my blog over here>>>>>>>>>>>>