[Giant Ice Cream Cone seen on the way to the Kane County Flea Market!]This post is a bit out of order... these photos are from the Kane County Flea Market that my friend Albert & I visited the Saturday before Easter. I'd only been to Kane County once before as it's an hour drive from the city and is not easily reached via public transportation. It was unfortunately drizzly and windy while we were there so no outdoor vendors. There were still plenty of sellers, however, inside-- the market is housed on the county fairgrounds so you get to thrift in the sheep barn, horse pavilion, etc. That combined with the greasy fair treats (funnel cake, cheese curds) make for a very festive 'country' atmosphere.
If you have not experienced deep fried cheese curds you have not truly lived my friends! Definitely a Wisconsin thing that sometimes makes it across the border to Illinois... tasty but oh so bad for you. We were also amused that the truck had udders.
Since the flea market is located out in the suburbs, not too far from 'farm country' there is an abundance of country chic, everyday items like wire egg baskets and all sorts of ephemera and knick knacks with farm animal motifs. Above are two such items, tiny plastic bubblegum or cracker jack charms in the shape of a cow & rooster.
Even more charms, with more 'exotic' animals, I don't see vintage tigers & sea horses too often. This summer I'm hoping to make some necklaces out of the charms like Rhiannon.
The most amazing swizzle stick I've come across-- a great visual pun for the drinking phrase, "Bottom's Up!" The green one is also odd, what exactly is a 'sanitary' soda?
Slightly beat up keyring for a member of United Airline's 100,000 Mile Club. It reminded me of the movie Up In The Air. I wonder if Harley ever reached 1 million??
Didn't have a chance to scan in these vintage photos so excuse their fuzziness. I love hand tinted photos, as they're slightly surreal and are also one-of-a-kind. The cow image (the man has a cigar in his mouth)is amazing, where else but Kane County?I also collect vintage studio portraits as the painted backdrops are so unique.
Uh oh more lockets for my collection! The heart one is now my second favorite (just after my grandmother's locket). It's from the 1950s, features tiny blue rhinestones and an etched arrow going through the heart. I've worn it nearly every day since buying it.
Another novelty ring... the vendor told me it was from the 1920s. On the shank of the ring it says 'good luck' and features lucky symbols like a horse shoe and a clover. Oddly enough there is a black cat featured in the middle of the ring under glass-- not sure why as black cats are typically associated with bad luck. This seems like it might have been some sort of carnival prize or dime store product.Phew, it's hard to go to Kane County with my budget intact-- fortunately got all of the above and didn't spend too much. A lot of items are overpriced at the market but it just takes some digging & haggling to get a deal!