Ladies, I have a question for you-all, related to 'hobbies'....

Does anyone do the flea market (or swap meet as it's known outwest) thing? What I mean is, does anyone scrounge and buy at garage/yard sales, and auctions, then use your 'finds' as inventory for setting up your own booth at a flea market? The reason I ask is I'm Interested in starting in with such an endeavor, but don't want to jump in whole-hog at this point, only put my toe in. So, I thought, if anyone already does this, as their hobby (that might bring in some extra moolah too) I'd welcome any pointers, do's and don't, etc., if I get started down that path. I should have posted this under Entreprenure (spelling?), but, don't know if "junking" qualifies as an actual business (LOL).

My dad did this for years, as a sideline, and it ended up taking up a Lot of his weekends. But he loved it, so didn't matter. Unfortunately, I have no idea whether he ever broke even or even made a small profit. I'm guessing 'no'. In my case, I would want to at least be able to make some extra money (down the road, after set up costs), while having fun interacting with folks and etc.

Any advice or thoughts anyone? THX aheadatime.

Olgraymare, You're in luck as several of our women make livings at these merkets. Hopefully you'll get the answers you need. My advice would be to find someone doing the market and ask to share 1/4 or 1/2 their table/space for awhile, say a month and see how your stuff sells. That will give you an idea of what to do.

Interesting, Ol' Gray Mare. Just today Dad, who is 81+, and my stepmother told me about their 2-day yard sale they just had. One item Dad sold was a table/shelf thing that he found on the side of the road. He fixed it, painted etc. and sold it for $20. Amazing...he's always done stuff like that.

Years ago he and my step mom (My mother died in 1975) used to do Antique markets.....he would buy up old, well-built rocking chairs and re-cane, re-rush them, paint, stain etc and sell for good money.

I think it's a grand idea! Some time ago, I wanted to open a store with the theme of "use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without". I LOVE refurbishing stuff.

Thx Chatty & Di; Matter of fact, I sort of thought of Chatty's idea of maybe trying to 'share' a space with someone already there. Could help out babysitting each others stuff that way, for pottie breaks, and a bit of shopping. There are a couple 'big deal' flea markets coming up, for the labor day weekend, that I plan to check out. So, might as well snoop into the business end of it, while I'm at it.

My grandmother made a pillow (embroidery) that had that 'use it up...' saying on it. I never understood it as a kid, but now, it really sinks in. Grandma & Grandpa were products of the depression era, but I don't think that matters. That philosophy is a good one, no matter who you are, or where you come from. Anyway, I'll look for other inputs and/or maybe you guys can direct me to a couple of folks who do this kind of thing.

Thx ladies. Will let you know if/when I put my toe in the water.

My favorite hobby besides crocheting and selling afghans of all sizes, and ponchos, is volunteering at the Humane Society or/and SPCA in Nevada. It is so rewarding to help the helpless.

I don't know if you would call this a hobby or not, but Jane has talked me into possibly doing some hiking later this week. It is something I used to enjoy a bazillion years ago. Does a hobby have to produce something tangible? If so, I suppose hiking wouldn't be considered a hobby, necessarily, but it will produce thinner hips!

Strange but I could swear I already posted this comment yesterday, oh, oh, brain drain...

What I was saying JJ was to be careful while out there hiking if in the woods because the rattlesnakes may be out hiking too. Now lets see if this disappears too...LOL!!!

I don't know if this is a hobby or not, but I like to collect inspirational quotations. I have them posted all over my wall. And, the ones that don't fit on the the wall, go in a folder.

I love quotes!

Vicki, I believe Edelweiss also collects quotes.

I too collect quotes, and antidotes. LOVE UM...and sometimes I collect useless sayings and phrases...coined or not. It's all good.

Chatty, rattlesnakes and their other buddies have all gone to sleep for now. Whew! Thank goodness.