January 24, 2013

"What Sells and What Doesn't: Flea Market in Missouri"


Hello lovelies!

 My Name is Olivia from Olivia's Romantic Home blog and I am delighted to be featured on "What Sells and What Doesn't"!

I rent two darling flea market booths in space #71 at Cadwell's and Main Street Flea Market in the old
historic district in downtown Branson, Missouri and I also sell online at Olivia's Romantic Home Etsy. 
 This is my larger booth where one of my best sellers are painted furniture and cottage signs! 
 The colors that sell the best for me are light turquoise, greens, creams and bright white.
As much as I adore pink, it is not my hottest seller.
I make the best profit off of painting and repurposing dark colored furniture.
 This is the outside space of my little booth where I have used an old hoosier cabinet top on top of a vintage enamel table to display some winter sale items.
(Winter is our off season, when I do some markdowns to clear out and get ready for the season)
I also adore old ladders, they sell very quickly when all painted up and displayed!
 I have them at the top of both of my booths where I hang chandeliers, baskets and canopies.
This old ladder I shabbied up and then added nails to the top so I could hang items off of it!
 A must have in my booths are vintage mannequins.
I love to dress them in vintage romantic outfits, layer on some jewelry and then top it off with a vintage hat! I always sell the outfits and jewelry my girls are dressed up in!
I go to town decorating up my booths, I always keep a basket of small doilies and vintage linens for people to rummage through, a super easy sell!
I use tons of linens all over my walls creating faux windows and canopies to make things feel romantic!
 I also like to display copies of Victoria, Romantic Homes and Country Living around my booths.
Keeping my booths full and fluffed up is the key to my success!
We are a tourism town, so, I try to keep plenty of items that are small and priced between $2-$20 for folks to buy and easily pack into their cars.
White painted mirrors and frames also fly out of my booth!
I always have dishes in my booths, but I do not buy expensive China.
I buy inexpensive mismatched pretty teacups, saucers and bowls.
They are nice to use for displaying and I do sell them, when priced cheap.
 I also look for cabinet and shelf toppers that will add height to my booths.
Painted grocery and wine crates are great to add and change up displays.
 I adore old dollies and try to keep one or two in each booth.
Believe it or not, people still collect dolls, as long as they are priced reasonably.
I look for items that draw character to my booths.
 I also do fairly well with antique pictures, postcards and cards.
I am also still doing well with old window, shutters and scales.
The rusty crusty stuff is pretty hot right now!
I also have a "man" section in each booth that sports antique tools, military, photos and books.
Believe it or not I sell quite a bit of old military hats, coats, flags and man style what nots!
I am a firm believer that almost anything will sell at the right price.
So for me if something is sitting around too long, I mark it down and move it out so I can buy new treasures!
 I also sell online over the top Shabbydazzle romantic decor and pink Christmas at
 Olivia's Romantic Home Etsy!

 I will tell you that I am beyond blessed to do what I adore and make enough money to allow me to be a "stay at home mom".
I am passionate about taking what you have and making the best of it!
A big squishy hug goes out to Carol for featuring me as a guest blogger.
Thank you so very much for stopping by!
xoxo
Olivia

Hi, Carol here...Olivia, thank you so much for all of your great tips on what sells and what doesn't!  Head over to her gorgeous blog Olivia's Romantic Home and look at her Shabbydazzled, Drool worthy blog, home, and Creations

Happy Creating!
Carol

41 comments:

Old Time Cindy said...

This is such a great series. As a seller, I really enjoy seeing what merchandise sells for others. Thanks, Carol and Olivia, for sharing!
Farmhouse hugs,
Cindy

Anonymous said...

Thanks again for having this series. I'm learning a lot!
Hugs,
Sue

Ricki Treleaven said...

This is such an interesting post. I wonder why pink doesn't sell? I wonder if what sells for Olivia is also popular where she lives, or if those items are also popular nationwide.

Unknown said...

Thanks for the wealth of information. Your pictures are great! I am inspired to try to do a booth as I have many of these items in storage and just waiting for the right time to do it. I have visited Olivia's blog many times. Carol thanks for the great series!

Sweet Woodruff said...

Thanks so much for starting this. I'm so grateful. It's exciting, encouraging and helpful to see what other antique dealers and booth keepers are doing. I like hearing what works for them.

Debra Ganas said...

I loooove this series too. I have a booth in Warner Robins, Ga. And while painting furniture is not really my thing, it is what sells. Maybe I should start liking it.
Thank you so much for this valuable insight.
Debra

Anonymous said...

its great to see your booths, wow so much beautiful! you're so kind to share your tips!

Dee ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️ said...

Olivia's booths have a romantic feel to them. I bet she will sell quite a bit for Valentine's Day!

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

Beautiful eye candy, I really enjoyed the tour of Olivia's booths. I love the painted furniture and frames...so many fun treasures. Thanks Carol and Olivia. Love this series!!

Sherry@Back2Vintage said...

It's fun to see other ladies' booths. Thanks for the opportunity! Love Olivia's use of old ladders.

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much Olivia and Carol! ♥

Shabby Brocante, Karen said...

Wonderful tips and booths from Olivia! I am going to visit your Etsy shop too!
Karen

Jocelyne said...

Yes, thank you for doing this series. I am learning some things and getting great ideas (like a "man" section in my booth!) My husband will love that! Maybe I'll let him be in charge of it! Maybe.

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Carol, another great post!! Olivia I just love your booths and they bring back so many wonderful memories of my booths in the past. Pink was never a good seller for me either. Your vignettes are awesome and so inviting. If I ever visit Branson, I will be sure to stop in and browse your booth. I will need to bring a ton of money. LOL!! I see a lot of pretties you have so wonderfully redesigned.

I always had a little section with guy stuff too. Fun for everyone right?
Thank you Carol for doing this fun series with such talent ladies.
Have a great weekend.
Hugs, Celestina Marie

Rebecca Nelson said...

Love the info Carol!!!! Thanks for this series. I love hearing what sells for other peeps!

xoRebecca

Dina said...

Such a great idea to share this and it's awesome and interesting to read!
By the way I'd love to visit some of these booths!

Sisters Treasures said...

Carol, I'll echo everyone's sentiments that this is a great series. I've thoroughly enjoyed all three posts (so far) about what sells and what doesn't in different parts of the country. It's great validation to see lots of similar things that we also find as "hot" and not so hot sellers from all three blogs. Thanks to Olivia for sharing your booth pictures and your insight.
Betsy

sunnyskiesandsweettea said...

Wow this was so great!! I love all of her treasures in her booths. Thanks for the great advice.

Blessings,
Amy Jo

Createology said...

I am really enjoying the visits and hints and tips. Great to meet Olivia and now follow her blog. Carol this is a wonderful series you are doing. Creative Hearts are Happy Hearts...

NanaDiana said...

I absolutely LOVE this feature, Carol...and Olivia did a wonderful job here. What fun to see what sells in other areas- xo Diana

Wanda @ Just Vintage said...

I just found this through Pinterest. See? It does work! This is something I've struggled with for years. Trying to figure out what sells. So anxious to go back and read more.

Wanda @Just Vintage
http://justvintagehome.com

Wanda @ Just Vintage said...

I just found this through Pinterest. See? It does work! This is something I've struggled with for years. Trying to figure out what sells. So anxious to go back and read more.

Wanda @Just Vintage
http://justvintagehome.com

Bluebirdbasketry said...

Olivia,

I love the pink glittery frame! It is interesting, I put painted furniture in a consignment shop in St. Louis and it flew out the door. If I get down to Branson again I will for sure visit your booths, they are beautiful!

Sue

Olivia said...

Hello sweet Carol! Thank you so much for the feature! This is just the best idea for all of us who love to treasure hunt and resell!!! Sending hugs,
xoxo
Olivia

Stampindamour said...

Fab post! I always enjoy hearing about what the trends are in other areas...seems like they are almost the same everywhere! ♥

-PaMeLa ;)

Unknown said...

Love this!! Can't wait for the next one. :)

marda said...

This has been a great series..
the one draw back.. shows me so many wonderful places I'd LOVE to shop but not anywhere near me.
I see numerous items I'd grab up in a heartbeat.

Jan Flood said...

Love your booths Olivia. We live near Branson but usually go down for a specific purpose, not fun shopping. I'll have to make it a point to visit your booths next time we're there.

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Carol,
What a great series!! Love Olivia's spaces!! I am really enjoying this series!!

Hugs,
Debbie

Shelly said...

Your pictures and thoughts are great! I am really enjoying this helpful series. How fun to hear what everyone is doing around the country.

decorayadora said...

Thanks for the wealth of information. Your pictures are great! I am inspired to try to do a booth as Carol thanks for the great series!

Francie...The Scented Cottage Studio said...

I'm impressed Olivia can do TWO booths while coping with a chronic illness AND they are beautiful.
It is really interesting to read what is selling where !

Ivy and Elephants said...

Love it! What a great booth filled with fabulous ideas. Thanks!
Patti

Little Miss Maggie said...

As always, great advice on what sells and what doesn't. Some things seem to be nationwide and some things are definitely regional. So interesting. Thanks for sharing all this knowledge.

Unknown said...

Wow - your booths look like they could all me part of Victoria magazine! So professional and accomplished in style and staging. Thanks for sharing!

Heart Vintage Design said...

What a lovely booth you have! It looks like a great place to browse and find a special treasure : )

Debbiedoos said...

Very neat. Olivia has a cool booth. I love that she has a man section. No surprise that vintage pictures and post cards do well...I know I love that stuff too.

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

Very pretty booth! Fun to visit other shops!
Warmly,
deb

Annesphamily said...

I love my dolls and always will but it is true today you have to be economically smart so I look for terrific bargains! I love all the soft colors here! Thanks Carol and Olivia for this post!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the share..

Lambeypie said...

So helpful, beautiful and inspiring. Thanx for your expertise! May I ask what type of paint you use? I've been thinking of investing in chalk paint but it's pricey if you're a paint luvin' girl like me.