This Sunday, 6/26 in Old Town Tustin!

Join us for the Vintage Fleamarket-8am to 3pm.  Free parking and admission!  Whimzy will be open, so stop in and see what's new!

Please adopt a display case today!

Throughout the last month, we have been arranging and re-arranging to make Whimzy fit our vision.  This means that some of our well loved display pieces need to find new homes.  Listed below are the cases up for adoption~

   This one is a vintage display cabinet.  It is a burnished gold on the outside and pink on the inside. It is 30" x 61 1/2" x 12 1/2" deep, has glass shelves(3), & lighted=$250.00.
Items inside are not included!

   This piece is from the old Buffum's that was located in downtown Santa Ana.  It is from the 40's, measures 40 1/2" x 74" x 24" deep, is lighted and includes to adjustable glass shelves.  It also has some stunning marble on the front!  Again, items inside are not included! $250.00 is really a steal!

   This beauty is from the 60's, features an antique gold finish, wood finials, lovely back and side detail, and printed music sheet shelf paper. Items not included.  It has served us very well and would be a gorgeous addition to a home or work space! 49" x 85 1/2" x 14 1/2" deep=$350.00.

   You can look for yourself on Sunday, August 23rd during flea market hours. If you would like more information, please email your questions to Whimzy@sbcglobal.net.  See you SUNDAY!!!

The Vintage Flea of OTT! July Edition~

Yesterday was an amazing day at the Vintage Flea of OTT!  

We had a little warm weather, but that didn't slow the shopping and deal making down one bit!

Here are some of the items I found striking~

And as always, I look forward to visiting with friends~

(I know, it looks like I am out of it, but I am a known "blinker"!)

As always the Adobo truck was with us turning out tasty food!

Our next event is Sunday, August 23rd.  Mark your calendar and plan to join us!

If you would like more info, or to reserve a spot, call 714-573-1025.

How to Shop a Flea

Alex Bell and Shira Entis know their fleas, from Elephant’s Trunk in Connecticut to Portobello Market in London. Which you would expect from the girls who started the awesome line of handbags and totes called Fleabags.

“We’ve been lovers of flea markets forever,” Bell says. “When I met Shira at Brown University, we bonded over great market deals.” Currently, their favorite markets are Chelsea’s on 25th street and that up-and-coming hidden gem Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market (406 West 39th Street) on Saturdays. As quasi professionals, however, they never venture forth without a game plan, which includes the following advice:

1. Keep your eye on the ball. “We try to talk beforehand and focus ourselves a little bit,” Entis says. Markets are open on various days, but the girls prefer Saturdays (the most vendors turn out) and suggest arriving when the gates open (usually around 9 a.m.). Most important, know what you’re looking for before you get there.

2. Weather makes all the difference. “On a cold or cloudy day, fewer vendors set up,” Bell says. “That means there are fewer shoppers too. So, the vendors there are more likely to make a deal. One of Shira’s most successful excursions happened at the outdoor Chelsea flea on a cold and windy day. Only three vendors made it out and because Shira was their only customer she walked away with a huge box of YSL blouses and antique brocade fabrics. Great finds!”

3. Your outfit might, too. “When marketing outside of the city, we try not to look like New Yorkers,” Entis says. “Especially no jewelry!” When you are in Manhattan, the jig is usually up and vendors know a tourist from a seasoned shopper a mile away. Dress casual and for comfort. You don’t have to prove anything about your vintage know-how.

4. Let them do the talking: “Being coy is the name of the game,” Bell says. “No one is going to give you a deal if they think you’re going to turn around and sell it on eBay. But on the flip side, don’t be naïve.” It’s O.K. to eventually let them know you know Balenciaga from Target and that you’re not going to get pushed around.

5. It’s O.K. to be thrifty: “We rarely spend more than $100 during the entire day,” Entis says. “And, we always have a good bartering session with the vendors,” Bell adds. Entis scored a vintage Chanel jacket for $40, and Bell found a pair of new Oscar de la Renta heels for $15 at the Chelsea flea. “If you are buying multiple items, they’ll usually give you a better deal rather than just buying one item,” says Bell, who along with Entis stocked up on military blankets from vendors for their fall 2011 collection.

6. Go with a friend: “We like to help each other,” Entis says. And what’s more fun than shopping with a friend?

http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/07/how-to-shop-a-flea/?_r=0

The Cheat Sheet To Finding The Good Stuff

1. In Peter's world, it's all about the couture details, craftsmanship, and the sign of an artisan's hand: Look for hand-stitching, nail-head trims, embroidery, and hand-woven textiles. It makes anything more special.

2. Look past the scratches, dust, and dirt. Not only can you have anything restored, cleaned, or reupholstered (see below for a list of resources), but you can also change the finish on a table. Try to survey the options while focusing on the possibilities—not on the limitations. In the world of interiors, there really are very few.

3. Don't focus on provenance—unless you really know what you're doing, or are shopping at an auction house that guarantees authenticity, you don't want to splash out big money on something that might be a reproduction. (If you see something too good to be true, it probably is.) This is not to say that there aren't treasures around—just take a deep breath, get out your phone, and search the internet for originals so you can confirm that the details are correct (the wing of the arm, the stamp on the bottom, the type of wood).

4. Measure your space before you go. Beyond the parameters of the area you'd like to fill (i.e., the space allotted for a coffee table), bring measurements for the supporting furniture (i.e., the height and length of your couch, etc.). If you live in an apartment building with small elevators, or a house with unusual doors, be sure that you'll be able to get the item inside!

5. Interact with your potential purchase. Sit in the chairs and make sure they're comfortable and that they don't wobble; make sure a table is the right height, etc. Don't be shy about giving your potential purchase a test-drive.

6. If you're interested in an item, but not overly attached, walk away—do a second lap at the end of the day. If it's still available, you'll have much more negotiating power.

7. Know your budget—and don't forget to factor customs and shipping in (see below for a list of resources). It's easy to get totally carried away in the moment, so know your upper limit.

8. Look for pairs and sets: Vendors generally hate to break them up, so you're going to get a better deal. Besides adding symmetry to a space (see below), you can often use an extra lamp or chairs in a different room.

http://www.goop.com/journal/see/275/the-flea-market-guide?utm_source=goop+issue&utm_campaign=201db18bc9-275_The_Flea_Market_Guide_3_13_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5ad74d5855-201db18bc9-193176

The Best Times to Shop Flea Markets and Yard Sales

Unlike retail stores, flea markets, yard sales, and other secondhand sources don't have duplicates of every item in the store. It's a treasure hunt. Whether your goal is to find the most treasure or to snag it for the best possible price, here are the best times to shop flea markets and yard sales.

Flea Markets

Best Selection: For the best selection of flea market merchandise, get there as soon as it opens on the first day of the market. If it's open Saturday and Sunday all year round, go early on Saturday morning. For seasonal or annual flea markets, go early in the season, preferably the first weekend. You'll have first pick of the goods the vendors gathered during the year.

Best Price: For the biggest discounts, it's just the opposite. Shop mid to late afternoon during the final day, or days, of the flea market. The vendors are tired and ready to get home -- and they might just cut you some fantastic deals if you ask. You may have to haggle a bit, but you'll probably go home with some bargains, especially if you're buying large, heavy pieces the tired sellers don't want to pack and load. 

Yard Sales

Best Selection: Yard sale shopping is a lot like flea market shopping. You'll find the best selections when the sale first starts. Go early on the first day of the sale. If the sale starts at 7 a.m., be there be there a few minutes before -- but not so early that you're labeled an early bird. If you've got lots of sales on the day's route, prioritize them by the most promising sales and by starting times. Your goal is to be the first shopper at the very best sales.

Don't wait until Saturday to visit a yard sale that starts on Friday. Since most weekday workers wait until the weekend, Friday morning is a prime time to shop. If you work on Fridays, hit the sack early on Thursday nights. Yard sales start early; you can probably fit in a few sales before work.

Best Price: Like flea market vendors, yard sale sellers aren't as willing to haggle early in the morning, but the prices are usually pretty low to start. Don't wait until the afternoon bargain hours to shop yard sales. Go early, and if you can't make the right deal to start, ask when they're closing and go back. If the items you're eyeballing haven't sold, they'll probably be ready to make deals.

Estate Sales

Best Selection: Like flea markets and yard sales, you'll find the best choice of merchandise early on the first day. Go a little earlier than the start time. You may have to wait in line -- and sometimes sale organizers limit how many people can go in at one time. You want to be in the first group admitted.

Best Price: Some estate sales organizers won't negotiate price on the first day. Go ahead and ask, but don't be surprised by a strict policy. There is an upside; they usually have a discount schedule. If the last day of the sale is Sunday, they might offer 25% off in the morning, 35% off in the early afternoon, and 50% off during the final two hours. The discount percentages and schedules vary by estate sale company, so ask if it isn't posted.

Thrift Stores

Best Selection: For the best thrift store selections, ask the employees when the new merchandise arrives. It could be a certain day of the week or a certain time each day. New furniture might arrive on a different day than smaller goods. Find out, and then plan your visits for those days and times.

Best Price: Thrift store prices are usually lowish, so you might want to snatch things up as soon as you find them. If the prices are a little high, ask about their sale structure. Thrift stores don't always post their sales clearly and sometimes the sales are confusing. Find out when they discount the items that interest you. That's when you'll find the best deals.

Consignment Stores

Best Selection: The best days and times to shop consignment goods depend on the individual stores. If new merchandise comes in on certain days, that's the time to go. If it's random, you'll just have to pop in fairly often.

Best Price: Sale structures vary, but lots of consignment stores discount based on how long they've had the merchandise. For example, one of my favorites takes off 20 percent after the first six weeks, and then another 5 percent each week until it reaches half price. Ask how it works. Then, keep a list of the pieces you want and on which days the prices are scheduled to drop.
http://fleamarket.about.com/od/insidershoppingtips/qt/besttimestoshopfleamarkets.htm

Halloween!

Whimzy! is now officially in "Halloween" mode. Stop in and see what creepy, fun, bewitchedness awaits you!

Get them before the disappear!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Getting it Together

Well,
We  have been working very hard on the shoppe for the last week and it is coming along nicely!  There is nothing like shifting and moving everything around to inspire something new!  I think you will like what we have "in store" for you!  The reveal happens on the 23rd of August right before the Vintage Fleamarket on the 26th.  We encourage you to stop in and see all that is shiny and new!

Time for an update!

Whimzy! is taking break!  August 1st to August 22nd we will be closed to re-do, re-design, & 
re-new.  We are full of new ideas and inspiriation and look forward to seeing each of you at the next Vintage Fleamarket of Old Town Tustin on August 23rd.  We will be in the store for phone calls, mail and emails, so if you need us just call 714-573-1025.  See you soon!

Whimzy's First Junque Trunk

May signaled the first Annual Junque Trunk!  What is a Junque Trunk you ask?  Well, we invited a bunch of our artist friends to clean out there precious supplies and bring the excess to Whimzy to sell.  We had a fantastic turnout-Artists as well and shoppers!  There was some primo booty for sure!  And the prices were fantastic!

We had so much fun, we are planning to do it again!  Stay tuned for your chance to be part of Whimzy's "Junque Trunk 2"!  www.VintageWhimzy.com

New @ WHIMZY!

New items to tempt you!  Stop in soon for the best selection!

 These are wonderful brightly colored vocab cards.  Great on a card of your own, as a tag, or in a collage!

We have all kinds of new ephemera!  Dianne is an expert a finding unique vintage goodies!

These beauties are little natural paper journals!  Hand stitched and cover in corrugated  paper.  How about having one done up for each season?  Jot some notes, sketch some images, tack in some goodies?

OR

You can join us on June 18th for a Coptic Journal class with Jenelle and learn to make your own!  Click here to register!

We always enjoy seeing you!  Come by and say "Hi!". 

More Estate Treasure!

 Is this frame not adorable?!  It stands only 3" tall!  I am sure I could find someone fabulous to put into it!  I tried to stick it into my pocket more than once on Sunday!
Needless to say, I got caught!  My bad luck is your gain.......if you hurry!

This porcelain crown is a treasure unto itself!  It is in magnificent condition and looking for a good home.....

This unique item is a glass hand sculpture.  It is signed and really beautiful!  It could make a fabulous paperweight!

These are just some of the unusual findings now at Whimzy!  Come in and see for yourself!  If it has been a month since you have given yourself a present,  now's the time to shop!

New @ Whimzy!

 Dianne has been busy collecting wonderful unique items for Whimzy!  This amazing little ballerina is one of them!  She is about 7 to 8 cinches high.  Her arms and legs are cotton bunting.  Her face is cotton too, but  different from her lovely limbs.  She wear a gorgeous satin dress and is adorned by a sparkling crown.

 
New to Whimzy! are these marvelous porcelain legs!  Several sets in many different sizes to make dolls from or use in an artful project!  I think I may need a set for my desk!  They are wonderful!
 

 I love that some are crossed and others have pantaloons!  So much fun!  The small ones could be dressed into a necklace!  What a conversation piece that would be!

Whimzy! hosts the Vintage Fleamarket @ Jamestown this Sunday, the 23rd!  Get a leg up!  Spend $100.00 or more in the store and receive a 20% discount!  We look forward to seeing you there!

Discovering New Places!

One of the best parts of having a shop is R & D (research and development!).  Sometimes the creative balloon pops and you just have to get out and see the world!  That is exactly what we did this past week-headed down San Diego way to discover new and creative places.

Our main stop was Vignettes.  I have heard many wonderful things about this shoppe and was NOT disappointed!

 This place is loaded with magnificent goodies!  Each room is full of sparkling wonder!

 Joy's spot!  She is the Vintage Rabbit!  Lovely!

 All dressed up and looking divine!

 Can you say L-O-V-E I-T!

 Not only fabulous merchandise, but fabulous prices!

And so artfully displayed!

And, of course, once you are all shopped out you must eat!

All in all it was a great way to spend the day!  Vignettes is located in 4828 Newport Ave., San Diego, 92107

We also stopped in the surrounding shoppes which were full of fun stuff too!

On the way back home we hit Cedros Ave in Solana Beach.  This is a fantastic blend of designer and vintage style shoppes.  Out of the Blue was a favorite.  Hard to describe like Whimzy! is.  If you like Whimzy!  You will like Out of the Blue.

So, keep yours eyes peeled for the next shop reset!  Now, that we are freshly inspired, you may just be too!

Can't get enough of that SPARKLE!

More delicious photos of Glitterfest!  Enjoy! top to bottom: Lisa Loria's Bling Babies, Michelle Legler's Mosaic Cupcakes, Kerry Schmidt's Zombie Flower, Whimzy's Decorations, Suzy Scott's Paper Creations, our Mailing list Mannequin,  Crowns by Sherry Baldy, the Elk's magnificent vintage Chandelier!