Cassie Bustamante

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Tips for the Lucketts Spring Antique Market (and other antique fairs)

May 17, 2011 by Cassie 27 Comments

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The Old Lucketts Store Blog

 
Recently a reader asked me to share some tips for those who plan to attend the Lucketts Spring Antique Market.  This year will be my 4th year as a vendor there, so I have learned a bit over the years. (But why do I still get such nervous butterflies?)  So, I have been thinking about some of the things you need to know…

1. Bring cash and lots of it!  And your checkbook.  Many vendors, myself included, do not accept credit cards, and there is only one ATM at a nearby gas station that has gone out of order or empty over the last couple year’s fairs.  So make sure you are prepared to use cash or check, or you just might miss your chance on something you love.  Not  to mention you will need money for food and drinks.

2. The early bird gets the worm.  The gates open at 10 am, but there is always a line to get in.  If you want to get first dibs on something, get there around 9:30 and be prepared to wait to get in.

3. Do not panic and freak out!  Unless you really love something so much you don’t think you can live without it, don’t buy it right away.  Walk around a bit and take it all in.  And if that piece you go back for is gone, then it just wasn’t meant to be.  Be patient.  As a vendor I get to walk around a little and sneak peek other booths.  I see so many things I want, but I don’t allow myself to buy anything til Saturday afternoon at the earliest.  And I always come back with great items!

4. Pee before you get there.  Really.  Unless you like porta-potties.  I have a very disgusting and embarassing story from the first yeat I was there.  You know I suffer from migraines, and heat triggers them sometimes.  Well, Saturday of the market, I got a migraine, and I had to throw up.  My choices were throw up in the grass behind our booth or in the portapotty.  I didn’t think it would look professional for a vendor to be visibly puking, so I went with the portapotty and that will go down in history as one of the worst moments of my life.  So go pee before you hit the road, and you probably don’t want to drink a big coffee before you get there!

5. Wait for Sunday if your budget is limted.  There are still lots of great items on Sunday, and vendors are much more willing to negotiate as they don’t want to haul items home.  I sold a ton of my stuff last year at the end to the shop owner for a bargain in the last 30 minutes of the market.  I didn’t want to take it home!  Of course be reasonable with your offers.  For many of us, these are our pieces of work, and a lowball offer is insulting.  And trust me, I remember the people who offer me less than half of what I am asking and I am much less likely to bargain with them in the future.

6. Dress comfortably, and bring an umbrella or rain jacket.  It has rained once every year.  And with the weather this week, there is a good chance the fields will be muddy, so don’t wear your expensive stiletto sandals.  Rain boots, hiking shoes, sneakers… those are the safest bets.  And of course, check the forecast before you leave your home.

7. Be prepared to haul home what you buy that day.  Many vendors travel to get the the market, so you will have to take home what you buy by Sunday afternoon.  In a couple of cases I have taken home items for people who live within 15 minutes of me and can pick up, but I seriously prefer not to haul things home.  It’s extra labor!  And some vendors come from Texas, Georgia, etc, and can’t even give you that option.  So if you want furniture, bring a truck or SUV!

That is all I can think of for now, but if you have any questions, feel free to let me know!  If you ask a question in the comment section I will ammend this post to add the answer.

Please if you do come, and are a reader, introduce yourself!  I love to meet readers!  Last year I formed a wonderful friendship with Sharon from Elizabeth and Co who had purchased from me in years past and was so friendly!  Right after the fair last year, she started her blog, and we have been able to stay in touch!  It’s wonderful!

Here are a couple of pics from our booth last year to wet your pallette…
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Comments

  1. Artichoke Alley says

    May 17, 2011 at 1:51 pm

    Once again, love your advice and your honesty! And the pictures too! Good luck!

    Reply
  2. Melissa at HOUSEography says

    May 17, 2011 at 1:55 pm

    So bummed that our neighborhood yard sale is on Saturday and Alex’s b-day is on Sunday so we’re going to miss it again this year. Putting this weekend on my calendar for next year so I don’t make the same mistake again πŸ™‚

    Reply
  3. The Painted Parlor says

    May 17, 2011 at 2:07 pm

    Oh how I wish I could go!! πŸ™ too far away!! Good luck!

    julie

    Reply
  4. Red Gate Farm says

    May 17, 2011 at 2:08 pm

    Oh how I wish I lived in YOUR area! This looks like so much fun. All the tips are fantastic, even for other events we all may attend πŸ™‚

    ~Chris

    Reply
  5. Andi @ Jane of all crafts says

    May 17, 2011 at 2:12 pm

    great tips! Especially the whole porta potty thing, blech! Just thinking of them makes me want to vomit and I don’t have a migraine. I cannot wait to go!!!!

    Reply
  6. Prudently Painted Vintage says

    May 17, 2011 at 2:17 pm

    That looks like Disney World for grown ups! I am really wishing Texas wasn’t so far away! I would freak out there! Enjoy and sell sell sell…..and maybe some buying πŸ™‚

    Reply
  7. Ang @ Taking a Sunday Drive says

    May 17, 2011 at 3:27 pm

    I am sooo excited to be going to Lucketts! I have been to the store before, but never knew about the Spring market until recently.

    Reply
  8. Carmel @ Our Fifth House says

    May 17, 2011 at 3:41 pm

    I wish I could make it to Lucketts – someday! Great tip on the the avoid the porta potty thing- they are so nasty – ewww! Have fun – can’t wait to see pics and hear about your weekend!

    Reply
  9. Lesley Litrento says

    May 17, 2011 at 3:56 pm

    I can totally imagine what happened in the porta potty. Just not good at all. Good luck this weekend Cassie. Hope all your hardwork pays off! I know it will…. Maybe someday I will make the trip from far south in Florida!

    Reply
  10. Lisa Marie Vinograd says

    May 17, 2011 at 4:27 pm

    Oh my goodness, your booth makes my mouth water! EVERYTHING looks awesome! And I can only imagine how awesome it’s going to look this year! Ali and I would take that place down!! LOL. And if we were close enough to go (even 10 hours away would be close enough) we would be there, not only to score some great finds, but to support you and you’re awesome business!!

    Reply
  11. Melissa says

    May 17, 2011 at 4:28 pm

    Hoping against hope to be there!! Maybe I’ll see you, it would be so fun to meet you and a few other bloggers! Hope you have a great weekend and don’t have to haul anything home!

    Reply
  12. Ali Richardson says

    May 17, 2011 at 4:39 pm

    WOW!!!!! Your booth is making me drool. I wanna go, I wanna go, I wanna goooooooooo!!! Patience Ali, Patience. Great tips Cassie! I can’t wait to hear about it after you get back πŸ™‚

    Reply
  13. Christa @ Stories of a House says

    May 17, 2011 at 4:46 pm

    That is great advice! #4 really made me laugh! Maybe you should be prepared with a bucket inside your car this year πŸ™‚ I think it’s really neat that you got to meet Sharon last year. I love meeting readers, too.

    Reply
  14. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. says

    May 17, 2011 at 5:12 pm

    Ok Cassie, now you’ve brought a tear to my eye! For the past few days I’ve been thinking about how excited I am for the weekend. It’s like waiting for Christmas! Last year at Lucketts was a real turning point for me and the beginning of a whirlwind year. Meeting you meant so much to me and I too feel like we have formed a wonderful friendship. Even if my blogging and furniture painting days ended tomorrow (no way!), I would would still look forward to hearing about your life, your family and of course your fabulous projects. Can’t wait to see you Saturday! I’ll be the one running towards you with a great big smile and arms wide open!

    Reply
  15. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. says

    May 17, 2011 at 5:14 pm

    And what great tips you’ve shared! It’s going to be crazy, I can just feel it!

    Reply
  16. Michelle @Shellsshabbyshack says

    May 17, 2011 at 5:27 pm

    I sure wish I lived close by. Looks like so much fun! Great tips for any of these type of events. LOL on the porta potty. I hate them with a passion. Good luck to you girlfriend! πŸ™‚

    Reply
  17. Kim @ A Brush of Whimsy says

    May 17, 2011 at 5:44 pm

    Last year’s booth looked awesome! I feel a little left out clear over here! πŸ™‚

    Reply
  18. Rebecca@This Present Life says

    May 17, 2011 at 6:13 pm

    Great advice! I can’t wait to see what your Luckett’s booth looks like this year!

    Reply
  19. Jen T says

    May 17, 2011 at 6:35 pm

    Cassie this is an awesome post…I can’t come but it was fun thinking about it! I love your booth pics too – I hope you sell EVERYTHING! JenT

    Reply
  20. Sarah AKA The Thriftress says

    May 17, 2011 at 7:28 pm

    Cassie thanks so much for the tips. I have been trying to make it to Luckett’s for 3 years and I think I can go this Sunday- which is great because I want those deals! πŸ˜‰ I was thinking of bringing the kids but maybe I will just go by myself. More room for cool stuff in the car and they won’t have to deal with the porta potty. Looking forward to seeing you and meeting Elizabeth!
    Sarah

    Reply
  21. kelli@restoreinteriors says

    May 17, 2011 at 9:27 pm

    So thankful for the shoe comment. I had no idea what shoes to wear! Rain boots it is! I just hope I can get it all in my carry on:) Can’t wait to see you!!

    Reply
  22. Allison says

    May 17, 2011 at 9:27 pm

    How fun! Your booth last year looked fantastic! I know it will this year as well. You’ve been working hard on great pieces. I love the little table with the handpainted vines. Maybe next year I could head out that way and come join you!

    Reply
  23. Katelyn says

    May 17, 2011 at 9:48 pm

    thank you SO MUCH for posting this!!! those pictures now have me even more excited. thanks again, Cassie!

    Reply
  24. Suzanne@Meridian Road says

    May 17, 2011 at 9:54 pm

    These are great tips! I wish I could go see your booth in person.
    Porta potties. Euww. Not a good place to puke.

    Reply
  25. All About Vignettes says

    May 18, 2011 at 2:52 pm

    Cassie your tips are spot on. Have a fabulous show. Sell it all.

    Reply
  26. Jenn ~ Flea With Me says

    May 19, 2011 at 3:04 pm

    Hi Cassie! Good luck with your booth this year, I sure hope you can avoid another migraine, that sounds awful. I wish I could make it now that I live on the east coast but with everything going on, it’s not in the cards. Hopefully next year!!

    Reply
  27. Old Lucketts Store says

    May 20, 2011 at 12:22 am

    Great post! These are all great tips! Look forward to seeing you this weekend!

    Reply

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Hi, I’m Cassie!

I believe that you don't have to spend a lot of money to live a beautiful life and be your best self.Β  Here you will find budget friendly ideas to live happily, healthily, sustainably, and most importantly authentically.Β  We all get one chance at this life,Β and this ordinary girl plans to make hers extraordinary. How about you? Read more...
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Hi! I'm Cassie.

Mother, wife, shop owner, blogger, writer, incurable diy-er, furniture painter, coffee and wine drinker, friend. Seeking happiness and passing it on. Read More…

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