2016 Holiday Markets

Kismet Junk Holiday Events

Shop Kismet Junk at these 2016 Markets

You can always find Kismet Junk at both True North locations
and next season at Scout Flea Market.

Third Sunday Market

Kismet Junk & Spitshine Antiques 

at the 

THIRD SUNDAY MARKET

this weekend!

We are in booth WW-54

Go straight inside the main gate.

Continue past the building. 

We are along the north fence.

Look for the flamingos!

Sneak peak photos....

Kismet Junk

Check out our $2 table!

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Spitshine Antiques

Garden items, doors, & screens

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New Necklaces

Some fun necklaces were created today!

Each creation started with a strand of vintage plastic beads. Then, additional chains, charms and other reclaimed adornments were added. 

Every piece of jewelry made by Kismet Junk is handmade and one of a kind! 

Black bead and silver chain necklace

$32

Salmon Pink Beads 

with gold chains and locket

$28

Gold chain and earth tone beads

$28

For more: visit KismetJunk on etsy

Lucky Day!

Imagine starting St. Patrick's Day, sipping an Irish Coffee from these charming vintage milk glass mugs. Order by Thursday, 3pm to receive in time for St. Patrick's Day! Only $10 for the set of two, plus shipping. One set available. 

Visit: Kismet Junk on etsy, for this and more!

Mixing Styles

Decorating is all about style | Most people have an distinct opinion when it comes to decorating. There are certain styles they like and don't like. However, decorating is about allowing your individual sense of style to shine. What you choose to surround yourself with should be a direct reflection of who you are. This is the very reason decorating is so much fun. There are no wrong answers.

Like many people, I think the French Country style of decorating is romantic and whimsical. Its very popular right now. However, I live with my husband, our four active children, a dog and a turtle. Needless to say, a style based on the use of whites doesn't mesh with our family of muddy shoes, pets and soccer balls. Also, I love anything industrial and  have a soft spot for 1970's vintage artifacts. My solution, find elements in the each style that inspire me, yet are practical for my family, and work it together to create one cohesive statement.

 

The way you chose to decorate your home should be a reflection of the way you live, not just what it the hottest trend.  On our front porch we have an set of gold gray metal gym lockers. They serve as an interesting focal point, yet are very functional, serving as a catch-all for balls, shoes and book bags. Next to the lockers sits a wicker chair. Believe it or not, the soft wicker warms up the cold tone of the lockers.  Its a combination of industrial meets cottage chic, and I adore both pieces. Design doesn't have to fall into one specific style. Mixing and matching styles, textures and colors adds depth and transforms a room into an interesting reflection of the people who live within its walls.

 

These photos illustrate how to incorporate different styles, making a wonderful statement. So, whats your style??

 

 

 

Flea Market 9.28.13

 

Oh dear!

 

The Corn Festival Flea Market is almost here!

Shop Kismet Junk Saturday 9/28/13 9am-4pm @ the Grundy County Fairgrounds.

[ more details ]

 

 

Little Blue Houses

 

At an auction last weekend, I acquired a KLM Delft House collection. As I was scouring the hay racks deciding what to bid on, I spotted four shoe boxes full of cute little ceramic houses. They reminded me of the adorable row houses I saw during a vacation to Amsterdam. It was instant love. I had never seen anything this charming, but looking at the quantity and detailing, I knew they must be collectible - and hopefully valuable.

 

Before the auction started, I researched prices for the KLM Delft Houses on both etsy and ebay. I was amazed to discover the average asking price for these little gems were $18 each house. Wow! I estimated there were approximately 40 of these house in the four boxes. At that moment, I was determined to win this lot.

 

Patiently I waited for this treasure to come up for auction. About an hour into the auction, my item was up for bid. I jumped in and held my ground against the other competitors. Without backing down, I won my prized items in the end. It was a successful day at the auction.

 

I truly believe you you should display items you love around your house. I kept six of my favorite houses and have listed the remaining collection on Kismet Junk on Etsy for the bargain price of $8 each. I am confident at this price, they won't last long.

 

(A History Lesson.)

 

 

Since the 1950s, KLM Airlines gave every business class passenger with a miniature Dutch house, filled with Genever, Dutch gin distilled by Bols Distilleries. Each KLM Blue Delft Miniature Houses is inspired by an existing home in Deft, Holland and along the canals in Amsterdam. Every year in October a new house is added to the collection. Each house is numbered and currently there are 93 miniatures available to collect.

 

From 1952 these houses are given present to passengers on board of every and all KLM Intercontinental flights in the business class. Each passenger baby or grown up, paying or non paying one house. These original Delft Blue miniature houses are real copies of the gable houses alongside the canals in Amsterdam and from time to time for a change also from other historical towns in Holland.The largest collection of KLM houses is on display in Amstelveen, Holland - if you are ever in the neighborhood.

(Collecting a Collection.)

 

 

Over the years, our miniature houses have become desirable collectors' items, generating a lively trade among passengers. These little houses are sought out, purchased, collected and displayed with pride. There is even a KLM Delft House app available for iPhone and Androids. Personally, I chose to only have 6 houses on a shelf in my house, while other collectors strive to own all 93 houses.

 

Start your own collection of KLM Delft Houses with Kismet Junk on Etsy.

Inspiration: Novogratz

* Inspiring * Bold * Colorful * Creative * Urban * Funky * Hipster

 



The Novogratz Family.

This story begins when a young couple moved to New York. They were young and had big dreams. Fast forward 20 years, Cortney and Robert Novogratz have lived up to their dreams. Today, this husband and wife team create inspiring interiors with a vibrant style that mixes modern and vintage elements.

 

The Novogratz television career began years ago with a Bravo reality show and now have their own HGTV design  show 'Home by Novogratz'. A coffee table book supporting the television show was recently published under the same title. Hailed as 'the coolest family on earth' this glimpse into the Novogratz family shows how they balance their work and home life.

(They are working parents, with seven children!)

The projects they produce are colorful and eclectic, and serve as inspiration. Their client list boasts names such as Tony Hawk and Suzanne Vega, all with over the top budgets. 

 

By studying the work of the Novogratz design team, they teach us not to be afraid of color or mixing patterns, how to incorporate both modern and vintage elements, and to always strive for creativity. The most important lesson to take away from Cortney and Robert is a home should reflect the personalities of the people who live within the walls.

 

(Eye Candy by Novogratz.)

 

 

 

 

Don't Junk that Trunk



Decorating with trunks is a hot trend. Since the later part of the 18th century, trunks  have been popular. Remember grandma having one for storage at the foot of the bed? However, trunks are making a huge comeback and are reappearing in all rooms throughout the house, especially vintage trunks. They offer a touch of history, unique charm, and even promise the hope of travel.

Trunks serve as a nice way to bring a touch of history into a modern living room. Use an old trunk as a coffee table. Flipping a trunk on end transforms the trunk into a pedestal. When on its side, a lamp can be placed on the trunk to add reading light  behind a chair. It can also make a pedestal to hold for plants or a shelf for mail and keys by the front door.

 

(That junk inside your trunk.)

 

These pieces of furniture can be useful in almost any room: a family room to store board games; a kitchen to baking supplies; in the playroom  to hide the kids toys; or even the bathroom. Think of how many towels you could fit inside a trunk. Regardless of which room you decide to utilize a trunk, they serve as a wonderful storage unit.

If you are one of the lucky few to still have your great grandmothers hope chest collecting dust in the attic, make the rest of us jealous  and  bring it down from the attic. Clean it up and put it on display for the rest of the world to admire.

(Its Kismet how junk appears when you want it.) 

 

Many antique and vintage stores sell trunks. If there isn't one in stock, talk to the store manager know. There may be one in storage. Check Craigslist, Estate Sales and Auctions for vintage trunks.  Try a Facebook post to family and friends. Finding a trunk could be easier than imagined. 

Treasure Hunting





When someone says 'treasure hunter', I conjure up images of Johnny Depp dressed up as Captain Jack, looking sexy with his black eyeliner and long dreaded locks, and trying to decipher a tattered map in search of an old black leather chest filled with sparkling jewels.

 

(The leather chest would make a cool coffee table.)

 

There are, as a matter of fact, modern day treasure hunters. These brave individuals set forth on a journey to the unknown, following maps and battling for their treasures. 

Regular attendees know first hand how an auction can feel like a modern version of treasure hunting. It begins with a search for the sale. Reading sale bills, searching online and navigating the way to a destination... with the help of trusty copilots, Mapquest and AuctionZip.

 

Upon arriving, be prepared for battle. At times you'll be fighting off other treasure hunters searching and scouring the sale for the ultimate 'booty'. Once the real battle begins, draw your swords (or bidder numbers) and duel it out against others in hopes to win the treasure.

 

The stories of how treasures were acquired at auctions are often retold in an almost a mythical fashion. The battles to win an item, the opponents who out bid you, and the cost of victory. Auctions are the battlegrounds for the new generation of treasure hunters. 

 

(This is my life.) 

 



I am married to an auctioneer. My husband, Erik, is the third generation to work in the family business. He went to auction school, is licensed, and yes, he can talk really fast. (You'd be surprised how many people ask if he can talk fast "like an auctioneer." ... Um, yes? He is an auctioneer.)

Sometimes our children work the auctions, and often I help out too.  As we are working, we occasionally find ourselves drawn to the shiny objects, and end up bidding on items. My sons have bought many treasures including: belt buckles, baseball bats, army gear, basketball backboards, vintage books, and an unopened Michael Jordan Wheaties box. My husband has brought home a truck load of barn wood, a replica of the Brady Bunch sectional couch and my favorite, a bowling ball washing machine. (We don't even bowl.) And, I'm not even going to begin to list all the treasures I have found. Its nearly impossible to go to an auction and not get caught up in the bidding frenzy. It can be really exciting when you find a something rare and unique; a treasure that you never knew you needed.

Become a modern day treasure hunter. Its easy. The first mission: search out an auction this weekend, and buy something. Type your zip code into AuctionZip.com to search for a local auction. Good luck! Share your favorite auction treasure hunting stories here.

(This type of hunting does not require camouflage.)

 

WTF is Kismet Junk?

kismet [kiz-mit] 1. fate, destiny. 

junk [juhngk] 1. anything old or discarded, not needed.

 

Its Saturday afternoon. You are shopping at your favorite thrift store when you turn the corner and spot an amazing bowl. Its as if the spotlights have been perfectly aimed toward this bowl, making it stand out amongst all the others. You remember a recent conversation with your husband questioning the amount of bowls stored in the kitchen cabinets.

But this bowl is unlike any other you have ever seen. Its funky, beautiful, and in terrific condition. Its love at first sight. Its kismet. How is it possible everyone else in the store has managed to overlook this treasure, and, more importantly, how could anyone ever discard this perfect vintage artifact? You stand in the aisle debating if the bowl . Is it a good size? Will it will blend with your decorating scheme? What would you use it for? Is it worth the price on the tag? After pondering the decision and for some unknown reason you decide against the purchase, leaving the beautiful bowl sitting on the store shelf. Later in the day, one nagging thought continues to plague your mind. "I should've bought that bowl. I could've used it on the desk for mail. It would've looked perfect. Darn it!"

 

(Beware of the could've, would've, should've trap.)

 

You race back to the store to learn your bowl has been snatched up by some other smart shopper. Sad and disappointed you  begin a journey to find a similar item, yet you are never quite able to find an acceptable replacement. We have all done this. It sucks!

(There is no such thing as junk.)

Now, let's discuss junk. The old adage is: "one man's junk is another's treasure". Its so true.  If you have the creative vision to look at an object and see its potential possibilities, anything can literally be transformed

If an item is old or used doesn't mean it's life is over. Often all that is needed is a little soap and water or a fresh coat of paint. Repurposing an item is a budget friendly alternative to buying new, plus its better for the environment. Why buy new when you can rescue something from taking up landfill space? You will end up with a customized piece rather than something mass produced. Think outside the box. Transform a vintage bird cage into a lamp. Utilize a hope chest as a coffee table. The idea's are endless. Even if creativity doesn't come naturally to you, look online for inspiration.

 

(Who doesn't love Pinterest?)

Remember: if you like it, use it. There are no rules when decorating. Your home should be a direct reflection of your family. Surround yourself with things you love, mementos that make you smile, and treasures from the past. Your history has made you who you are today. You can't enjoy grandma's china if its collecting dust in the cabinet. Embrace the memories and use the china for dinner tonight!

Now you know WTF Kismet Junk means. Its all about searching for unique items, embracing the journey to reclaim the past, incorporating eclectic elements into your design, and, if needed, repurposing for practical every day use.

 

(Follow the Kismet Junk blog.)