Flea Market Finds | Vintage Tins and Trophies

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Last week we spent some time visiting my family back in Tennessee.  I had one free afternoon so I decided to take a trip to a wonderful local antique mall (it used to be a Wal-Mart when I was growing up–I call it quite an improvement 🙂 ).

I was mainly looking for a “treat” for myself, but ended up stumbling upon several things to buy for resale in my booth. Here are some my flea market finds from this trip!

I have had vintage tins on the brain lately, and I spotted a few to take back with me.DSC04335I love everything about this one!  The lady and her dress, the goats, and that it once held bonbons-yum!

This one is quite rustic, but I can’t resist anything that has that great turquoise color.DSC04331I think those are flowers on the front?  Not sure exactly, but lovely nonetheless.

I love finding, selling, and using old tins.  I have several scattered around my home and I find them really useful.  They make a great place for hiding things you don’t want everybody to see, or stacked together work well for adding height to a display.

This one isn’t quite a tin, but it is metal.DSC04324It is a hand-painted jewelry box, complete with a satin lining.  The scene on the front is of an Asian garden. By far my favorite thing about this piece though is that it reads “Made in Occupied Japan” on the base–I love that it carries a little piece of world history along with it.

The best find of my trip to the Tennessee mall last week though was these two trophies, one from the late 1940’s and one from the 50’s.DSC04321I have literally never found a good, old trophy for sale anywhere in Texas.  These were both priced so inexpensively too!  The one with the wood base is more appealing than the one with the ivory plastic base, but they are both still awesome.When I showed my finds to my family later in the day, my dad just could not understand why anyone would want someone else’s trophy in their house.  I tried to paint a picture for him of an office or a “man cave” decorated with old trophies, but it made no sense to him 🙂 Oh well.

I however, think they are fantastic! I don’t have any trophies in my home currently, but I do have lots of silver sugars and creamers.  Inside those I hide all sorts of random things–nails I take out of the walls, paper clips, thumb tacks, etc.  A trophy would make a great stashing spot too.

I’ve started selling collections of old silverplate flatware as well.  I like the idea of creating a flatware set out of mixed and match pieces.DSC04338I grabbed a bag full of this beautiful setting at the mall as well.  I haven’t had time to go through and polish them all up, so I was only able to drop off these few clean pieces for now.  Another project to add to my list.

Just a few little smalls to share with you all . . . I am in the middle of a few big home DIY projects right now, so my furniture makeovers are suffering.  I hope to get back to work soon, as long as the temperature cooperates and makes it above freezing!

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Linking up to:   Vintage Inspiration Party,   Wow Us Wednesdays,  Fridays Unfolded,

Feathered Nest Fridays,  The Handmade Hangout,  Project Inspired

debbie

Wednesday 14th of January 2015

Hi Melanie,

I love all your great finds. Where in Tennessee is the mall you are referring to, please? I have relatives in Franklin, TN and very close to Memphis as well. I used to live in Memphis myself.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Melanie

Thursday 15th of January 2015

Hi Debbie! The mall is in Collierville, which is right outside Memphis. You should drop in to visit if you are seeing your family!

Diane | An Extraordinary Day

Tuesday 13th of January 2015

Oh Melanie!! I LOVE your finds and your trophies are amazing!! I think one would be lovely with fresh flowers arranged in it. As far as cost... I wouldn't even know what a good price would be for a trophy like those... glad you got a great price. And you dad... that's cute. I'm sure he puzzled on that even after you left. :) As I was looking at the tattered round tin, I thought I saw a tiered cake on the lid. Whatever it is... someone will have a treasure to enjoy.

I hope it warms up for you soon! Here it's still minus 7 at 10:30 a.m. Brrrr...

Thanks for linking up at Project Inspire{d}!! Blessings!

Melanie

Tuesday 20th of January 2015

Thanks Diane! I'm glad you could see the potential of the trophy. We have had lovely 60 degree weather the past few days here. I think some rain and cooler temps are coming later this week, so I'm trying to enjoy it while it lasts. Have a great week!

Lisa

Thursday 8th of January 2015

Hi Melanie, I love your blog, for some reason I always get the feeling of warm days , soft breezes and charmingness. (I know it's not a real word ) :-) Question: Are you planning to sell the flatware? I really Like the shape of the rounded spoons. I prefer rounded over the longer oval shape. I would be interested in them. Thank you for sharing with us .

Kind Regards Lisa

Melanie

Friday 9th of January 2015

Well thank you Lisa. Warm days, soft breezes, and charmingness sounds just lovely :) Yes, I am selling the flatware. Let me get a count of the rounded spoons that I have, and email you a few more picture of them. Not all of them are in perfect shape, some are pitted and tarnished, but I'll let you know what I have available.

chris aka monkey

Thursday 8th of January 2015

i like all of the history behind these smalls the tins were probably used to hold sewing supplies and i am sure the trophies made someone feel extra special xx

Melanie

Thursday 8th of January 2015

Sadly there will be no tins holding sewing supplies in my home, since I can't seem to sew no matter how hard I try to learn :) I'm glad you can appreciate the history of these pieces too Chris.