Oh my gosh.  Did we have fun!  Both of us said this was the most fun we have had at the Springfield Extravaganza in Springfield, Ohio… like in ever.  This is a flea market that we have attended for years.  I probably many more times that Deb because I used to go in my pre-Deb days.  But she and I have gone over 20 times, I would imagine.  The Springfield Extravaganza happens only twice a year.  In May and September there are THOUSANDS of antique dealers set up.  I believe they have it every month but I’ve never gone other than the Extravaganzas.  

We didn’t make it last year because we were in the middle of moving in the cottage in May and in September had something else going on.  So we did what we normally do and left Thursday evening and spent the night so we could get an earlier start Friday morning.  We were both SHOCKED at how many vendors there were this year.  I have never in my entire life of going to this flea market seen it that full of treasures.  In fact, a lot of the large pieces of furniture that we would have been interested in were sold.  We did find several things to add to my collections for great prices.  

Do you remember when we went in 2020?  We found so many great things on Friday.  Our friends went with us on Thursday night and ended up leaving something at the hotel.  So they called us and said, “Hey…we have to run back Sunday and pick something up at the hotel. And we are going back to the flea market.  Wanna go?”  We went.  And had the same fun all over again.

Flea Market Finds from Springfield Extravaganza 2022

Like I said above, we found lots of items to add to my collections.  When I find any type of crocks for under $15…I buy them.  They are so useful.  You can use them for old kitchen utensils, Christmas Trees, small collections, flowers on your porch, or stacked up in a display.  The possibilities are endless.  And they are getting more expensive as the years go by.  We walked in the flea market and the very first booth we stopped at had a lot of old crocks that were very dirty.  They appeared as though they were just pulled from a barn.  He had $15 marked on all of them.  I asked if he would make me a deal if I bought all 4 and he said $40 and I could take them all.  Even though we had our treasure wagon……

That was our first trip back to the truck.

We then stopped at our favorite booth where we found that huge rabbit that sits close to our pergola porch swing.  And, also where we found the wire plant stands that we have carried around from house to house for years.  They were selling these adorable jack-o-lanterns made from barn wood.  The guy saw us looking at them and said he would sell them to us for $20.  Deb and I decided that $20 was worth the work of finding old barn wood and the time that it would take to carve out the face and put it all together. And…

That was our second trip back to the car.  

On the way, I told Deb that I wanted to find an authentic dough bowl to add to my decor.  It’s something I don’t have and have always wanted.  We walked into a tent and started chit chatting with the owner of this particular bread bowl and after a few minutes, she recognized us from social media.  She sold this one to me for $80.  I love it.  Did you notice the piece of metal mending a crack?  That adds to the beauty in my opinion.

We then stopped at another booth that was filled with a bunch of fun stuff.  We were digging through a box of littles for $1.00.  Deb found two really small antique knobs which we are always in search of for some of the smaller cabinets that we have.   That booth also had a large piece from a bed that was marked $20.  I can think of a million things to do with it, so it came home with us as well.  It will either hang above a large doorway like I did here, or I will add some hooks and hang it in the bathroom of the new house.  She also had a larger crock that was $15… so, of course, I grabbed that as well.

We then stumbled across this old mirror.  It needs stripped which I may actually do today.  It’s a nice size and has pretty beaded trim around the beveled mirror.  I believe it was off of an old buffet.  I asked the guy the price because I didn’t see a tag.  He said “I will sell it to you for $25.  It is well worth that… in fact, I think it is marked for way more.”  He found the tag and it was indeed marked $89.  He told me I could still have it for $25.  It will be really pretty once stripped and perfect for the entryway.

That was our third trip back to the truck.

I collect majolica pottery when I find if for inexpensively.  This green majolica planter was only $15… so that had to come home with me to add to my collection that I already have.  I usually display them on top of a hutch and add Christmas trees to them.

And, of course, Deb is always on the hunt for large vintage metal Tonka toys for the grandsons to play with here.  We found two of those to add to our collection.  They get the biggest kick out of them.

This was the coolest pumpkin… I would have loved it but it was sold.  If you know where I can find one like it, let me know in the comments.  It seemed to be made from either resin or paper mache.  We both thought it was really neat.

You can find more of my antique finds here as I keep them rounded up for you all.  I love reading about other people’s finds and love to see what they do with the.  So, stay tuned and I will share that later.