Travel With the Junk Gypsies to Flea Markets
Hop on board the pink Suburban (a.k.a. Large Marge
the Party Barge) with sisters Amie Sikes and Jolie Sikes-
Smith, hosts of HGTV’s Junk Gypsies, as they dust off
dressers and reimagine relics at the flea market.
By:
Marcia Ricapito
From:
HGTV Magazine
Best Flea Markets in America
Alameda Point Antiques Faire Alameda, CA, alamedapointantiquesfaire.com
Brimfield Antique Show Brimfield, MA, brimfieldshow.com
Rose Bowl Flea Market Pasadena, CA, rgcshows.com
Scott Antique Markets Atlanta & Columbus, OH, scottantiquemarket.com
Warrenton Antique Show Warrenton, TX, warrentonantique.com
Brimfield Antique Show Brimfield, MA, brimfieldshow.com
Rose Bowl Flea Market Pasadena, CA, rgcshows.com
Scott Antique Markets Atlanta & Columbus, OH, scottantiquemarket.com
Warrenton Antique Show Warrenton, TX, warrentonantique.com
From:
HGTV Magazine
Junk Gypsy Secret
The sisters bedazzle everything
from Buddhas to lamps with their
collections of costume jewelry.
"It's a great way to look at those
gorgeous old stones every day," says Amie.
From:
HGTV Magazine
Gypsies in Texas
Amie and Jolie have a love affair with shadow boxes. The sisters
like using them for hard-to-frame finds such as old license
plates and toddler shoes. "Combine a few items from a special event and you’ve created a memory in a box," says Jolie.
From:
HGTV Magazine
Dealing With Dealers
How to get what you want and not get taken:
- Got cash? You may get a slight discount if you use it. But remember to hit the ATM before you go to the flea market — cash machines can be scarce and charge high fees. Carry a credit card, too (many vendors accept them) and your checkbook. You’d be surprised how many dealers will take out-of-state checks.
- No over-haggling. "Just ask, 'Is that your best price?'" says Amie. Continually offering less is disrespectful.
- Buy it when you see it. A dealer may be willing to hold something for a short time, so it doesn’t hurt to ask. But if you really love a piece, grab it. Jolie lost out on a set of cowhide-covered barstools that she thought about for a little too long.
- Don’t be limited by what will fit in your carry-on. At the Warrenton show in Texas, where the Junk Gypsies have a popular stall, shipping companies will pick up your purchases for you, pack them, and deliver them right to your doorstep. "They are very reliable," says Amie. But don’t commit until you ask the price, which can be pretty steep.
- Got cash? You may get a slight discount if you use it. But remember to hit the ATM before you go to the flea market — cash machines can be scarce and charge high fees. Carry a credit card, too (many vendors accept them) and your checkbook. You’d be surprised how many dealers will take out-of-state checks.
- No over-haggling. "Just ask, 'Is that your best price?'" says Amie. Continually offering less is disrespectful.
- Buy it when you see it. A dealer may be willing to hold something for a short time, so it doesn’t hurt to ask. But if you really love a piece, grab it. Jolie lost out on a set of cowhide-covered barstools that she thought about for a little too long.
- Don’t be limited by what will fit in your carry-on. At the Warrenton show in Texas, where the Junk Gypsies have a popular stall, shipping companies will pick up your purchases for you, pack them, and deliver them right to your doorstep. "They are very reliable," says Amie. But don’t commit until you ask the price, which can be pretty steep.
From:
HGTV Magazine
Removing the Stink
"Good ol' sunshine is the best fix for removing
funky smells from furniture, suitcases, and
trunks," Amie says. If that hasn't done the job
after a few days, fill a spray bottle with warm
water and a few drops of either bleach (test it
on an unobtrusive spot to make sure it won’t
ruin the finish) or lemon juice; spray and wipe.
The only smell that's almost impossible to get
out, say the Gypsies, is a strong smoke odor.
From:
HGTV Magazine
Spotting a Keeper
Amie and Jolie are masters at
bringing furniture back to life.
But if you weren't born with that
Gypsy gene, how do you suss
out what's worth saving? "Look
for pieces with an interesting
architectural detail, something
funky and unpredictable, like a
beautiful carving or curved legs,"
says Jolie. Solid wood is always
a smart choice. (Particleboard
isn't worth the effort.) Leave it
behind if it needs major work.
"Generally, if it's not a repair
you can easily do yourself, it's
not worth buying."
From:
HGTV Magazine
