suitcase-sized flea market purchases

Besides the obvious budget considerations, it's important to gauge your suitcase size and the weight of your purchases, because you have to carry them all back to your suitcase as well as weigh them at the baggage check counter. :) Here's some of what I lugged back to the apartment from the Puces de Vanves. I haven't taken photos of the large linens until I have room to spread them out, but trust me, they are heavy.

Gien bowl, large mother of pearl buckle, antique frame and lithograph

Do you see that face?

Meanwhile, I do have a funny tale to tell. Last Saturday, after I bought some old trims and a large uncut piece of linen for some projects from a very generous vendor, a woman approached me in the aisle. She asked (in French, of course) if I were interested in more large linens. If so, she had some to sell, not too far from the market, she assured me. Intriqued, I accompanied her on a brisk walk for about a block until we reached her car. Lifting up the rear window, she produced several wonderful linen sheets, some with ladderwork, some stitched with monograms -- from her family's linen closet, she said. So I bought them all for one modest lump sum. After stacking them in a bag for me, she accompanied me back to the flea market and went on about her business, spending my money, no doubt.

Old trims, sampler stitching, nightgowns

I don't claim to be a talented shopper, because I usually love what I can't afford. So what do you think? How did I do?

An old cachepot, an enamel house number, and a pair of large painted tins.

Shaving bowl to hold under the chin, said the vendor

(unless it's for bleeding patients, as my dil suggests)

19th-century lithos of various artists at work

Silver purses to add to my collection --

at bottom right is a coin purse with a neck that expands to insert the coins.

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