The Pickens Flea Market

I woke up about 8:30 this morning. I was in a glassing mood. I decided to go on to Pickens even though that is known to be an early flea market. It used to start about 4:30am. But they have all moved later as they started catering more to the "brunch" crowd. I hadn't been down there in years, but looked it up on the internet, and then got out my new GPS system. I put in the address, and it took me right there - no problem at all. What a neat little thing.

The first piece of glass I found was a platter that I thought the guy had priced too high, but it was right. I went back to apologize to him and to buy it, but he had already sold it, which was fine. I did the whole thing, and then decided which pieces I wanted to go back and buy.

There was quite a bit of glass to be seen, but some of it was pretty pricey, and some it just plain wasn't stuff I was interested in. I did find two tables with glass "specialists" selling off part of their stuff. One guy had a perfect butter dish in my Florentine pattern, but he wanted a $130 for it. The book value on it was only $110, but I would probably still have bought it if I had the money, just because I have only seen one other for my pattern in real life. He also had a Sharon candy dish. I like this pattern in pink, but usually see it only in amber. The candy dish grew on me, and he had it priced fairly well. The book value on it is $45, and he had it priced at $35. More than I usually like to pay, but it is a really nice piece, and in perfect condition. The other problem with this pattern is that it has been reproduced. But I checked it out with the other depression glass guy there, and looked it up in the book when I got home, and this is the real deal. I'm really happy with it.

Sharon "Cabbage Rose" lidded candy dish in pink by Federal Glass Company, circa 1935-1939

I went back to the other guy's table to get a little Manhattan candy dish that had caught my eye. It was just a cute piece, and he had it priced OK. The book value on it is $12, and he sold it to me for $8.

Manhattan 3-legged candy dish in pink by Anchor Hocking Glass Company, circa 1938-1943

At that point, I had $5 in my pocket, and thought I was pretty much done. I thought I had done all the yard sale part, and decided to stroll through the sheds as much for the walk as anything else. It was almost noon, and a lot of the vendors were packing up to leave. There were a few more outside tables, and I decided to just see what was there.

I wasn't done yet. I found a "junk" table where two college-age guys were trying to get a bit of money. On the table was a crystal Windsor large berry bowl in perfect condition, marked $2. I was really torn. On the one hand, I keep telling myself not to buy any more clear glass. On the other hand, there was this piece in perfect condition, thrown in with a bunch of junk. They had no idea what it was. Plus it was hella cheap. Apparently, the crystal isn't worth much. I know the friendly antique guy told me he can't give the stuff away, and the prices for the crystal Windsor aren't even in the pocket guide. But I just couldn't bear to leave it there. The guy offered it to me for a dollar, and I bought it. It really is a pretty thing. They also invited me to some party at a bar that night, which made me feel kinda young and sassy. When I got home and looked it up, the book value was $10 - but I take that with a grain of salt considering the market.

Windsor 8 1/2" large berry bowl in crystal by Jeannette Glass Company, 1936-1946 (I took this pic with my crappy camera, but this is the actual one I bought)

I shopped my way back through Easley, going in the thrift stores and some antique stores I hadn't been in. It was a nice day, although Easley stops up like a baby full of cheese at mid-day. That was frustrating. I saw some glass, and saw some OK prices on things, but most of it was priced too high, and I am spoiled for flea market pricing now.

I did find some harp end-tables that went with Miss Kat's coffee table, but they needed to be re-finished. They were at a really good price though. By the time I was able to reach her, determine that she wanted them, and find a cash machine (the Jesus Saves Thrift Store only takes cash), they had already been sold. I was pretty disappointed about that.

I still hadn't eaten anything, so I came on home and had broccoli soup and crackers. I put my peas on to cook in the crock pot, and rested up for a while. I knew tonight was going to be a big night.