Thanks little guy!

See this little guy? We helped each other out quite a bit!
A few weeks ago, he was lying in a box under a table at a flea market.
As soon as I saw him, I quickly picked him up and took him home! Well, I paid for him first, of course.
Then, believe it or not, he became famous! He was featured on Etsy's blog, The Storque!
Finally, he became my 500th sale on Etsy, and is on his way to a new, loving home.

Speaking of my 500th sale, wow! I can hardly believe that!
I can't take all of the credit though. I must acknowledge my crew:

My 2 girls: They tag along to estate sales, flea markets, and visit the post office almost daily. They actually love it- coming away with (often free) treasures themselves, and the lady at the post office is like their 3rd Grandmother! They sometimes even have pretend estate sales in our living room, and probably think all kids play "estate sale" just like them.

My husband: He (mostly) tolerates the crazy things I tend to bring home and helps me package up the big things. He also is trying to learn all of the Etsy vocabulary: convos, treasuries, the Storque, etc all to better understand my little Etsy world.

My Mom: She is my only other buyer, and has found quite a few priceless treasures! She's the one who got me started by taking me to the flea market all of my life. She also helps me all of the time with my girls, mailing things, and just about anything.

My Dad: He keeps statistics regarding my Etsy sales, because he just can't help it. I really want nothing to do with numbers, and he is all about numbers. He is always prepared to give me my "average sale/day" at any given time. He also was the first to spot the free packaging supplies that I often use (see below).

Nancy, the post office lady: She is the nicest post office worker you will EVER encounter. Just think of your packages as being blessed and sent on by a fairy godmother, because she pretty much is one. She hugs, kisses, and gives stickers to my girls everytime we come to see her. They LOVE her, and so do I.

Williams Sonoma: It (unknowingly) sponsers Bellalulu by letting me have all of their disguarded boxes, bubble wrap, and packing paper. It's all from their trash pile, so I probably look like a crazy person scrounging through their trash. However, it's free, and it's the GREEN thing to do, right?

Finally, my customers: They buy my wonderful, old, unique, crazy and sometimes weird things. I'm so glad there are so many of you out there that love this stuff! I love rescuing these things and knowing they will go to wonderful new homes!

Perfect!

Isn't this clock just wonderful? That's what I thought when I saw it...wonderful!

I found it my local Flea Market. It's my most favorite place to find vintage treasures, and I'm quite a regular there. In fact, when I carried this up to the dealer she told me she just knew that I would be the one to buy it.

You see, it has just one arm; it's VERY worn, weathered, rusty, and chippy; and it's missing its glass cover. Oh, and did I mention that it won't even think about working?

She knew I would buy it because I buy things like this a lot. Because to me, it is perfect.
And I'm glad there are lots of you out there who think so too! :)

Poppytalk!

I am thrilled to again be a part of Poppytalk's monthly marketplace!
I am in such good company over there! You really should check out all of the handmade goodies and vintage treasures from many, many sellers. This month's theme is "Holiday and Gifts", so be sure to do some Christmas shopping there.
Above are some things I have featured (or will feature) on my "table" at Poppytalk. Some things have already sold, so I'll be updating my table soon!
Oh, and the headboard in the background? It's my daughter's "new" bed...that is, if I can ever give up using it as a backdrop! :)

Oh What Fun it is...

...to be on the front page of Etsy!
Hooray, my "Mod Christmas" Treasury made it to the front page of Etsy this evening!

Here are the treasures:
Vintage Red Wool Felt Hat
Vintage Bakelite Kodak Camera
Mid Century Modern Aqua Polar Bear
Modern Snowflake Gift Tags
One Dozen Vintage Glass Ornaments
Retro Pink Gingham Tea Party Apron
Retro Swirl Pillow Cover
Miniature Aqua Chair Picture
Splat Red Bamboo Modern Wall Clock
Mid Century Modern Scoop Chair
1963 Vintage Fashions Paper Wreath
4 Polka Dot Go-gos

Favorite Finds from Round Top

Okay, this will be my last Round Top post (until I get to go again, of course!). See posts below for more!
I found some wonderful, one of a kind old treasures there. I love that when you go to a Flea Market, you never know what you will find, then fall in love with, and then absolutely HAVE to take home with you. I think the old post top above wins first place in that category, but here are some other favorites:






Be sure to check out other blogger's favorite flea market finds at the Flea Market Style Blog's "I'm a Flea Marketeer Party."

More from Round Top

I can't say enough just how huge the Round Top Antique Fair is. JUST HUGE.
We shopped for a couple of days and didn't come close to seeing it all. One thing I didn't understand until we arrived is that Round Top, Texas is one teeny tiny town (population: 84). There are plenty of dealers set up just in Round Top, but so many, MANY more are set up in the areas and small towns surrounding Round Top. You would see the biggest outdoor flea market you had ever seen, and then, you would drive a bit and see another one that was just as big. Repeat that about 10 times, at least!
Here are just a few of the wonderful sights we saw:


See that aquarium? If you need one, I know where you can find it!

And last, but not least, please read the name of this sign. Well, it's the truth, isn't it?

Howdy!

I have some Etsy listing to do, and the proof is in the picture above. I just returned from the famous Round Top, Texas Antique Fair. It takes place twice a year and is unbelievably HUGE. I will gradually be listing all of the above and more!
I'll be back soon with some other Round Top pictures!

Etsy's Storque: Haunted Mansion

My old school bell is featured in an article on Etsy's Storque.

It's fun to see the other items that are featured. It reminds me of the silly "fun house" ride at our local amusement park. These things aren't really spooky on their own, but what about when you put them all together?

Antique Cast Iron Fixture from annslights.

Framed Owl print from Trixieknowsvintage.

Antique 1930's phone from LuLusVintageandSuppl's.

Okay, so maybe she's a tad bit spooky on her own! (from victoriantreasures).

Chic Studio

One of my wonderful customers sent me pictures of her home studio. I just had to share!


I love the way she has incorporated both the pretty, girly vintage things with the industrial storage boxes. What a fun, inspiring and useful space!

Poppytalk Handmade

Welcome to those of you visiting from Poppytalk Handmade.
I'm so excited to be a featured vendor for Poppytalk's current market, "Mixed Tape," described as a "compilation of handmade & vintage goods for the fall". I concentrated mainly on vintage school related items.
It's certainly fun to look around at all of the goodies being offered. This market starts today, September 21st, so be sure to go and take a look! All of the vintage items can be found here, but there are several other catergories as well. Check back, too, as vendors will be updating and refilling their shops all of the time.
All of my my items featured on Poppytalk are available for purchase through my Etsy shop.

A Little Spooky

I'm having fun with this season at bellalulu!

I just can't pass up a great old doll, whether she has all of her limbs or not! The one above is all in one piece, but oh dear, her eyes are a little crazy.

These next two (both recently sold) don't even have eyes...or heads, for that matter!

There is no doubt that this one (now sold) is spooky. This "Little Miss No Name" was made by Hasbro in 1965, and discontinued that same year. I may be crazy, but I can still find a bit of sweetness in her face!

I'll leave you with this sweet guy. Someone commented to me today that HE is kind of spooky. I'm not sure what that person would say about the others pictured here!

A Visit From the Storque

No, not the Stork....Etsy's Storque!

I was so flattered to have some things featured recently in Etsy's blog, The Storque. The articles they were featured in were wonderful!

You can read Etsy Finds: Au Naturale here, where my vintage test tube holder and test tubes were featured. I love several of the items featured in this article.

I also had three items featured in Etsy Finds Decor: On the Set of Grey Gardens. What an interesting article, with an interesting story behind it!



Of all of these items, only the flag set is still available. I owe a huge thank you to the Etsy Storque!

Fall at the Flea Market

Apparently, I've got Fall on my mind. It is my favorite season!
So many times when I come back from flea marketing, I realize I have found a bunch of things that go really well together.
This past Saturday, it was mostly browns and oranges- perfect Fall colors. You will see all of these soon in my shop!

Industrial Chic

There's nothing like a bunch of GREY to cheer you up, right?
These kinds of goodies cheer me up for sure, and they will be available to you in my Etsy shop soon!

Wiley Valentine

I was so thrilled to see this recent bellalulu purchase in its new home!

I love to see where my finds end up. It is clear that this one went the right place!

The WV stands for Wiley Valentine, a shop full of "inspired paper delights." You can buy directly from their website, or they also have an Etsy shop.

In fact, you will be delighted to see what Wiley Valentine has to offer. They have a unique and BEAUTIFUL selection of cards and stationary. These are some of my favorites, but really, it was hard to narrow it down!

Congratulations:

Hip Hip Hooray!
Baby:
They were recently even featured in In Style Weddings! How neat!

Thank you again, Wiley Valentine, for sharing your pictures with me and for this lovely post.

And Speaking of Zinc...

A vintage zinc suicase! Isn't this a fun vintage find? If it has your name on it, go here!
Industrial on the outside, pretty on the inside...

Think Zinc!

Isn't zinc wonderful?
Above, zinc letters from the always wonderful Anthropologie

Zinc place cards from Farmhouse Wares:

Zinc dining table from Pottery Barn:

Jars with zinc lids from Elizabeth's Embellishments:

Zinc numbers from Remedy:
And of course, I had to check Vintage Etsy's zinc supply! Zinc caddies from tentpitcher:
Zinc box from greatfindz: