The weather outside, today at least, would encourage you to believe in spring. One of the enjoyable things about spring is the flea market. I enjoy flea markets much more than yard sales. Although they both involve picking over someone else's stuff, at a flea market, the owner of the stuff you are dissing is not standing there watching and listening. At a flea market, there is a chance that you might find a hidden antique or valuable piece of jewelry that everyone else missed. Not a big chance, but you never know.

Many flea markets are located here in New Hampshire, a number of them are a short drive from Nashua. There is a flea market directory online which lets you search for flea markets by state. It gives the location, the hours, a brief description of each one, and in most cases, a contact number to call for information. About.com also has a web page listing flea markets in New Hampshire ; some of them different from the ones on the previous website.

I've discovered that I don't have a knack for bargaining with vendors, so I arrange to bring someone with me who is more assertive than I am, or I pay the price being asked without discussion. I also look for the things that I like, and not those things that are currently "hot". I like old stuff regardless of its current or potential monetary worth. If you have something you like to collect, like flamingos, the flea market is the place to go!

Once you find something that appeals to you and bring it home, there are a couple of things to think about. What will you do with it? How will you take care of it? The second question is easily answered. The library has a great book written by the Senior Conservator of the Smithsonian Institute. The book is called Saving stuff and it isn't just Smithsonian quality stuff. The book also contains information on caring for and preserving things like sports trading cards, macaroni necklaces, holiday decorations, and dolls. The library also has a number of books to answer the what will you do with it question. A flea market find can get a make-over or a fix-up and these books will show you how to do that:

Flea market jewelry ; new style from old treasures
Flea market make-overs
Fabulous painted furniture
Flea market makeovers for the outdoors
Easy flea market style