Flea Market Tips: For Shoppers

Last year, we wrote a post with tips and tricks for Flea Market vendors (with our limited knowledge at that point)--there will probably be a Part 2 after this spring/summer. But today, we wanted to share some advice for flea-goers to get the most out of your shopping experience!

Tips for Flea Market Shoppers

1.  Wear layers or close fitting garments and bring socks if you're a germ-o-phobe.

Most booths will allow you to try things on, depending on your own level of comfortability. A pair of shorts or leggings and a close fitting tank or tee are your best bets without having to strip down to your undies to estimate the best fit. Also, if you want to try on boots and shoes, consider bringing a pair of lightweight socks if you're not already wearing some. And if you're really anxious about trying things on, bring a tape measurer and know your measurements. Remember, tag sizes on vintage clothing are nothing like modern sizing!

2.  Don't make fun of what people are selling (and if you must, at least, not until you walk away).

Everybody has different styles and tastes, especially when it comes to fashion.  Just because you wouldn't wear a bubblegum pink bodysuit doesn't mean some other gal might not rock it.  Making fun of items in front of sellers is poor taste (it sort of offends me, since we go to great lengths to curate our items and find things that are on-trend and fit our aesthetic). Be open-minded! It's okay to giggle, but also, you never know about an item until you try it on!

3.  Be reasonable.

Many sellers are willing to bargain with you on prices, but remember that this is more than just a hobby for most of us: we're trying to make a living.  If items are not tagged, there is more wiggle room to barter with the sellers, but if they are tagged, a reasonable low bid is not more than $5-$10 (depending on the price of the item).

4.  Smile. Say hello. Make eye contact.

Sellers may spend hours sitting in a booth, sometimes in bad weather, sometimes despite bad sales. Sometimes we're just desperate for a little human contact or an opportunity to talk about things we love!  Don't be shy. Most sellers are not going to push you to buy something you don't want. I even keep a little candy dish out for anyone who wanders through! And here's a secret:  I am much more likely to give you a discount or special treatment if you're nice. ;)

5.  Reusable bags are everyone's friend.

We keep a stash of recyclable paper bags to pack up your items, but if you are planning on going to a flea market and buying stuff, consider bringing a reusable bag or two (or at the very least, carry a big tote as your purse!). It saves us money on packaging and saves the planet too. 

Any other tips from seasoned buyers/sellers? Leave them in the comments and we'll add them to the post! 

See you out there!

Amanda

Miskabelle Vintage at District Flea 2014

We are excited that Flea season will begin again on April 5th in DC!  We got our feet wet with a month and a half of the market in the early fall, but now we're hoping to be a fairly regular presence in the spring/early summer and then again in the fall.

We have a vision for our shop this time around so things will feel cohesive...we're calling it Vintage Boho Gypsy. Think Stevie Nicks. Free People catalogs. High-waisted. Early 70s. Crochet. Florals. Buttery, worn-in leather. Maybe a floral crown or floppy hat.

Here is a little preview of what's to come...my VA studio is an absolute MESS in preparation, but I got a few shots this week:

lace tank + crochet vest + broomstick skirt + leather belt + crossbody bag...add vintage sandals or boots (we'll have those too)!

If your vibe isn't boho, but you want a little bohemian flavor, we have amazing belts and bags and some simple pieces with embroidered/crochet details that will work with any wardrobe.

prints/textures galore.

Here are the details:

District Flea

 945 Florida Ave., NW (W and Florida)

10am-5pm

beginning April 5th, 2014

We hope that if you're in DC, you'll come out and see us! Mention the blog and get 20% off your purchase!

xo,

J&A

Shop Preview: Last of the Sweaters

We got some teasing from the sunshine this week...we have been updating the shop with some last winter things, with more to come!  We are so excited for spring, and we're stocking up on pretty pastels and florals--as well as our usual favorites (leather bags, shoes, belts, etc.)!

 Column 1:  Vintage United Colors of Benetton Celadon Wool Sweater Dress (Size M/L) / 70s Woven Fringe Poncho (OSFM)

Column 2:  80s Southwestern Sweater (Size M) / 90s Slouchy Ramie/Cotton Striped Sweater (Size M/L)

As always, let us know if you want more details about anything in the preview before it heads into the shop!

OTHER STUFF:

• The shop is 30% off (even new items!) until next Friday, the 28th
• We're going to be blogging more...promise!
• We will be at the very first week of District Flea...it's Saturday, April 5th, so come on out and see us! (And pray for great weather.)

Have an awesome weekend!

xo,

J&A

District Flea Preview for November 16th: Gettin' Cozy

Just popping in to share a little peek at new items that we'll have with us at District Flea this weekend.  There are only 3 more weekends left (and probably only one more for us!), so if you're in the are, come on out! It's a great place to do some holiday shopping for one-of-a-kind gifts.

And to hopefully move some inventory, this weekend special is 20% Off All Clothing! This means everything on our two main racks--even coats. Excludes bags, hats, shoes, accessories.

Here are some great pieces that are sure to keep you warm as the temperatures drop!

Column 1:  1980s Pink Angora Cardigan w/ Ribbon Trim /// 1950s Beige Cardigan with Peter Pan Collar /// 1980s Leather Moto Jacket w/ Removable Lining

Column 2:  1950s Ivory Chevron Knit Pocket Cardigan /// 1980s Oversized Ikat Blazer /// 1960s Pendleton Plaid Grandpa Cardigan

Hope to see you out and about in DC this weekend!

xo,

Amanda

Flea Market: Tips and Tricks for Vintage Vendors

We would definitely still consider ourselves flea market selling novices, but with four weeks under our belt, we have definitely picked up on some things that work, and some things that don't work.  Today we're sharing a few tips and tricks that have worked for us.

*AESTHETICS* The first step in selling items is getting people into your booth to look at what you've got!  

SIGNAGE:  I had crafted a hand cut felt banner with our shop name.  It was cute, but maybe not bold enough.  After week two, we went ahead and ordered a large laminate sign with our shop logo.  Not only is it great to catch people's eyes, it also works as sort of a "wall" to divide your tent from those around you.  Or in the case of our booth location this past weekend, it helped block out the city-surroundings so you could more easily see our merchandise.  We also have a small chalkboard sign where we can write down any specials for the day, announce that we accept cash and credit, etc.

DISPLAYS:  I know not everyone is lucky enough to have a woodworking craftsman in the family, but I think have some sort of special display pieces are a must!  I feel like I keep waxing poetic on our triangle shoe rack, but really?  It not only makes our shoes look great, it is conversation starter!  If you're not as wood-crafting-saavy, consider purchasing some pegboard and metal hooks (I think most hardware places will cut them to size for you!).  We display hats, bags and belts on pegboard and it is so easy to move the hooks around and rearrange the displays as pieces sell.

EXTRAS:  We picked up an old oriental rug from the thrift store for $15 to have as flooring in our booth.  It really warms up the space and makes it look extra special.  We also have a small table (our "check out" area) with folding chairs.  It is also great to have those chairs to offer when someone wants to try on a pair of shoes!

*SELLING* How to make sales and what to do with your money...

CASH:  Flea markets can be bustling places and pick pockets are not doubt on the prowl.  We were advised to not have a cash box, but instead, keep the money on us.  I found that my cargo jacket was a great way to house all the cash, as well as my phone and our credit card reader.  We've also seen vendors carry purses or wear some sort of apron with pockets to keep their money close.

That "cash box" stays empty of all money.  It does keep our notepad, pens, and business cards though.

CREDIT:  We highly recommend accepting credit card payments!  I would say 80-90% of our sales were credit.  We use Square (which puts the money into your bank account) and Paypal (which puts the money directly into your Paypal account, and is also nice to offer for others who want to use their Paypal accounts to make a purchase).  Both take a small percentage, but are totally worth it.

SALES/SPECIALS:  It's always nice to offer some sort of sale to customers.  We like to switch it up each week.  We've tried a "$10 dress bin" and "20% off boots."  For our boot sale we made sure to display our boots where they would get noticed right away and they ended up being our biggest seller of the day!

Last but not least:  have a buddy!  The day went by so fast (and was so fun!) working with each other.  If you're a single person shop owner, bring a friend!  Offer them a little cash, or even merchandise as payment!  Buy them lunch.  Make a day of it!  

I swear we were having fun, despite our expressions here!  It was a slow morning as far as sales, so we *may* have been a tad grumpy.

I think that about covers it so far.  Maybe we will check back in at the end of the season and fill you in on what else we've learned.  We would love to hear other valuable tips and tricks we missed--leave a comment below if you would like to share!

xo

Jayme

District Flea Style: October 5th, 2013

Well, guys, the last day of summer finally came....in October.  We worked the District Flea all day Saturday.

We all complained about the weather, and it made the day a little slow in terms of sales, but I had a ton of fun shooting photos of stylish flea-goers (to keep myself from going crazy):

 How fun are these couples?!  The hat in the very first picture was purchased from the shop (how cute does she look?!) as were the boots in the last photo! And I turned the camera around on BYT's Britt Nelson (and her man), who took my photo for Street Style during week 1!

 So many lovely ladies, including Casandra of  Speak Vintage, looking perfectly retro in her white cateyes and glam rolled hair.

Oh but there's more!  I had the best time with my girls from Bottle of Bread Vintage (first photo of stylish vintage gals) , representing Baltimore. I think we kept each other sane in the heat! And the ladies in the last image put on a Miskabelle hat and scarf to get their photos...yay for free models!

Of course, I can't end the blog without a shoutout to my crew, the best family ever...It was even Q's birthday, but he sweated it out putting up and tearing down the booth (and taking care of the kiddos all afternoon). I married a rockstar, what can I say?  Aurora thoroughly enjoyed herself at the Flea (she got to eat pickles and play ping pong with Daddy), and Milena slept when she wasn't eating.

And my amazing stepdaughter Emma, who also sat out in the heat to help me the first half of the day (I even got a little shopping time in!):  thank you!!!

It was way too hot, but we still managed to have a good day. Looking forward to this weekend when the temperature is more seasonable...we'll have capes and coats and boots and more! And I (probably) won't be sweaty! (Not a great look, if you were wondering why I didn't have an outfit post from this week. ha.)

xo,
Amanda

District Flea-View October 5th: Earthtones

Just thought I might share a peek of new items coming to our flea booth each week. I love when I have a thrift day where pieces come together as an outfit or a particular color scheme. The past two weeks, I've found some great neutrals to carry you into fall/winter. All of these (and more) coming to the Flea this weekend--and then the shop after that!

Come on out and visit us (in the 90 degree humid weather, wtf?!).  We'll be there from 10-5, sweatin' it out.

xo,
Amanda

District Flea: Week 2 in Photos

Last weekend was our second weekend working the District Flea, slinging vintage.  I was so excited to get to join Amanda and see the market in person.  Here are a few pictures of our day (see photos from week 1 HERE).

We dragged these little kiddos with us in the morning to set up.  They were moderately well-behaved while we took turns watching them in this graffiti-covered alley and carrying our merchandise to our tent. Amanda's husband (after helping set up our booth) then took them (+baby Milena) home for lunch and naps.  He is a brave, brave man....

Amanda and I in front our little corner booth!  You can see it was a bit overcast.  The rain held out till 3:30, after which everything turned into a soaking wet mess (and I was too pissed off to take any photos...haha). *thanks for this pic, Jenny!

We're still working out the kinks and figuring out the best ways to display things.  This adorable vintage suitcase was a new addition to the booth, perfect for housing our ample scarf collection.

We also had a "$10 dress" box (here, Amanda is cleaning it up for the hundredth time that day...).  Jury's still out if that will make a comeback.

This printed dress was probably the most-touched item in the booth (but didn't sell!).  It is destined to make some very lucky, size 2 gal very happy!  

I need to give Quentin another shout out for this triangular shoe rack.  It is by far the highlight of our booth!  See more photos of it HERE.

We are taking this weekend off, but plan on being there every Saturday for the rest of the run!  If you are in the area, please stop by and see us!  For details on where and when, visit the District Flea's website, or like them on facebook.

xo

Jayme

Miskabelle Vintage at the District Flea

We did it...our very first Flea Market! It was a lot of work to get prepared, but it really paid off.  We had gorgeous weather for opening day and a ton of awesome customers.  We're ready to do it all over again this upcoming Saturday!!

Here are some pics from the day:

The husband and little girls helped to set up, and then my youngest stepdaughter was my afternoon helper. I had some special visitors (thanks, dear friends!) and chatted with a lot of great folks throughout the day. I also got my photo taken for the Street Style section of a cool local blog, which was a fun and unexpected surprise.

above images via BYT

I wore one of my fave 70s sundresses with my trusty Blowfish sandals.  The triangular shoe rack is just one thing that my awesome husband built for displays.  He also cut all the pegboard and built the two clothse racks. I mean, what can I say??? #blessed

This weekend should be even better with Jayme by my side (she was too busy celebrating her 30th last weekend!!!). We are bringing some new inventory and changing things up a bit, learning lessons from last weekend's experience. If you're in DC, don't miss it!

xo,
Amanda

Outfit Post: Late Afternoon Sun

I am ready for summer to be done after the last two ultra-humid, 90 degree days we've had here in VA. In that kind of heat, it's hard to find anything comfortable to wear (let alone ultra fashionable).  Vintage dresses are always my go-to, and this is one of my very favorites, purchased for a steal last year on eBay.

outfit details:  50s housedress-eBay, wedges-AE (thrifted)

This is a quick and short post because we still have so very much to do to get ready for the flea market tomorrow! I am equal parts excited and nervous--but at least there's a beautiful fall day to look forward to.

Come on out if you're in DC! And have a great weekend, friends.

xo,

Amanda

Announcing: Miskabelle Vintage at District Flea!

We got an exciting Etsy message a few weeks ago, and after making some arrangements and finalizing our plans (and after a little babe decided to come 6 weeks early!), we can finally officially announce that we will have a booth at District Flea, which is starting up this fall (from the people who put on the Brooklyn Flea)!

image via districtflea.com

We are beyond excited to sell our vintage in person! When Jayme visited Virginia this weekend, we did a lot of making, shopping, tagging and planning.  We're hoping to be there 4 out of the 6 weeks this fall (depending on how things go).  If you're in DC, please come out and see us as well as the other fantastic vendors (and food trucks!) this fall!

YAY!

xo,
J&A