Rust and Ruin Reborn : Selling Memories

Part of our goal in starting this business is highlighting the little parts of the past, yours and ours. Pieces that others might not find "valuable" but we know better. These special things meant something to us and those we love. They still have miles of use and tons of value to the right person.

As sellers curate their shops, lots of things go into the items they choose. Of course we want to consider trends. Mine is heavily based on my own tastes and styles. But another place I get inspiration is my past. My family is super important to me and here are a few pieces that I regularly carry in the shop that are a part of my memories! 

• Grandma's Jewelry Box : Everyone's Grandma had one. Everyone's. We loved seeing these beauties on her dresser and opening it to find the treasures laid out on the gorgeous velvet inside.

Want your own? Find this one here.

 Find this one here.

• Mirrored Dresser Trays and Hand Mirrors : A lady's vanity was her domain. A space just for her, filled with lovely things. I have my Grandmother's dresser tray and my other Grandmother's hand mirror on my own dresser.

Find this one here.

Find this one here.

• Needlepoint : I have two needlepoint pieces that my Grandmother made me for my childhood bedroom. Some of my favorites. My Grandpa made rustic wood frames for them, complete with beer tab hangers on the back! You just can't beat the homey feel of textile art.

Find this beauty here.

• Treasure Chest Jewelry Box : So what about the guys?! My tastes are also heavily influenced by my Grandfathers. One has always had one of these cool treasure chest jewelry boxes. What treasures there are inside! Chunky men's jewelry, pocket watches, turquoise rings...you're speaking my language.

Find this stud here.

• Vintage Military : Not only do I love the masculine industrial look of military, but both of my Grandpas were in the military, one in the Navy and one in the Army. So many amazing stories and history in the pieces saved from their experiences!

Find this warm piece here.

Last one can be found here.

• Vintage Tools : Nothing like Grandpa's wood shop! So many sights, sounds and smells. Many memories made and I love a good rustic piece straight out of the shop!

Find this slice of Americana here.

Find this rustic shop stool here.

I hope you've enjoyed this walk down my own memory lane. Vintage items bring a certain level of warmth and character to a home. Memories posted at crucial moments in your home make it truly yours. Pictures are great but things are a subtle reminder of where we've been and where we come from, evoking a story at every turn. I hope your home is filled not only with things you love presently, but also with things you've loved from your past. 

If you are looking for that special something from your past, check our website for the perfect piece!

Vintage History : The Solemn Mysteries of the Ancient Order of the Deep

One slow unsuspecting day at Pickens Flea Market, I came across this fabulous piece. Pieces like this usually take a while to sell to the right person. Someone with a connection to the piece. But I just so happen to be one of those people so I bought it for myself. Usually, the only pieces I keep are pieces that I know from the time I hand over the money that it will be in my personal collection. I had an initial connection and although I'm not one for research, this piece inspired me to keep on digging!

My grandpa was in the Navy during the Korean war aboard the USS Philippine Sea. So, I've always loved the imagery of the navy and sailors.

The things drew me to this piece originally were the fantastic illustrations of Neptune and Mermaids. The colors and line work are so gorgeous and really get the imagination buzzing with ideas of the open sea.

Secondly, after further research, this was for an initiation into the Shellbacks, with tons of great wording evoking all the excitement of a secret society. 

"TO ALL SAILORS WHEREVER YE MAY BE and to all Mermaids, Sea Serpents, Whales, Sharks, Dolphins, Skates, Suckers, Lobsters, Crabs, and other Living Things of the Sea, GREETINGS.

BE IT REMEMBERED: That said Vessel, Officers and Crew thereof having been inspected and passed on by Yourself and Our Royal Staff, 

AND BE IT KNOWN: By all ye Sailors, Mariners and Land Lubbers, who may be honored by his presence, that [insert name], having been found worthy to be numbered as ONE OF OUR TRUSTY SHELLBACKS, has been gathered to our fold and duly initiated into the 

SOLEMN MYSTERIES OF THE ANCIENT ORDER OF THE DEEP. 

BE IT FURTHER UNDERSTOOD: That by virtue of the power invested in me I hereby command my subjects to show due honor and respect to him whenever he may enter Our Realm. DISOBEY THIS ORDER UNDER PENALTY OF OUR ROYAL DISPLEASURE. Neptunus Rex, Ruler of the Raging Main"

Seriously, no one wants to piss off Neptune and it's signed by Davey Jones so you know it's real. Definitely two guys you want to stay on the good side of. 

Besides all the wonderful ideas of mermaids, dolphins, sea gods, and pirates swirling in my head, this piece also carries great history regarding the USS Navy, WWII, and the Seabees. The Seabees were recruited for their civilian construction skills and adapted to military needs for naval construction. 

This initiation was for Franklin Rupert Hames of the MS Island Mail, while on a mission of war.

I'm sure you can see why I will be enjoying the history and graphics of this piece for years to come. Truly a piece of art and a history lesson rolled into one!

Find your own special piece to connect with at Maliasmark. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see them as we pick them!

Sold! : A Look Back at Some of Last Years Firsts and Favorites

So, basically my business is to find things I like...and then sell them to other people. Yes, it can be hard not to keep everything you find! So many precious things come and go. I like everything I buy but I love some things! Here's a look back at some of my firsts and favorite items that sold in 2014.

First creepy composition doll : I stock a good amount of creepy dolls in the shop. This little guy was my first composition doll acquired. He was so fabulous!

Favorite little case : I love boxes of any kind ; crates, tool boxes, jewelry boxes, anything that can hold things. This little metal tool box was perfect for an artist case and the yellow color secured it as my favorite!

Rusty scale : This vintage scale was so special! So perfect in photos. Between the rust, dirt, and perfect green color, she vogued like no one else. Great base to hold so many things. Loved using it at shows! So sad to see it go.

First Typewriter : This Smith Corona Zenith travel typewriter was my first bought and quickly sold. Started an obsession that continues today!

First Globe : So, globes have been hot this year for sure. This is the first one bought and sold. Love the simple style and bright colors!

This industrial medicine cabinet just happened to be from one of my favorite picks. It came from an 1800s house in Easley, SC, owned by a doctor who practiced out of his house. Who knows what this cabinet held?

Favorite Hardware : Another thing I love and keep in the shop and at shows is vintage hardware. These french provincial pulls were just gorgeous!

Favorite Suitcase : My love of vintage suit cases knows no bounds. I use them for traveling to shows, displaying at shows, and selling. This lovely little lady in white stole my heart! She was sold and became a table.

Favorite "someone gets it" item : Sometimes I buy some weird stuff that I know I'm taking a chance on and I'm not sure if it will sell. This miniature garden set, rusty and broken, was one of those things. It sold shortly after posting to someone who had just the place for it!

Favorite "as seen on TV" : I liked these Cera Mid Century glasses when I saw them on the counter at an estate sale. I LOVED these Cera Mid Century glasses when I saw them on Mad Men. So glad they went to one of my local customers that collects vintage glassware. At least they're nearby!

Favorite Guy Item : OMG This. This silver and turquoise bolo tie was unbelievable. I make it my business to have lots of guy items and this one was my favorites! It takes a special person to rock this bad ass piece and it found that person.

Favorite Oddity : I love oddities. If I'm going to keep anything, it's going to be something in this category and I did keep one of these doll heads. This lot of doll parts was probably my find of the year from a local flea market. People couldn't get enough of them!

Favorite General Decor Items : So many awesome decor items. So here are a couple of my favorites. You will see the white version of this deviled egg dish in every booth of every antique store. This was the only blue one I have ever come across. Surprisingly, I loved the mix of blue and gold! So interesting.

Amazing brass candelabras! I hardly got to give these a second look before they were in a box and out the door.

Brass animals figures were also quite popular this year. This gorgeous one was a peacock and nice and big. Great statement piece!

Favorite Item of the Year : This Burwood Peacock was a last minute grab, thrown on the pile at a pick. It was looking rough. After spending a good amount of time in my garage, I pulled it out and painted it. After researching, I found there were not many available. So this item ended up being a valuable item that I even got to add my artistic touch to!

I hope you have enjoyed looking back at some of my firsts and favorites from the year. After over 500 online sales, it sure was hard to pick!

Did you miss out on something you would have loved forever? Be sure to check Maliasmark to find a special pick of your own! Follow on Facebook and Instagram to see fresh picks before they're even listed. Can't wait to see what a look back at 2015 will find!

South Carolina Picker : A Look Back at Last Year's Picks

Oh man. 2014 was a year of some epic picks. The fuel to a picker's soul is the hunt of the pick, whether it be at a flea market, yard sale, or back road rickety building. And this past year left us with no shortage of gas to go on the road of picking glory. Follow us for a pictorial journey of the buildings and items that made our hearts go pitter patter.

We started off the year with a birthday pick in Charleston, SC. Sustainable Warehouse and Page's Thieves Market provided the bulk of the picks with a few pieces from Habitat for Humanity. Lots of industrial goodness!

When we got back, it was straight to an estate sale of a local Taylors Mill employee, WWII pilot, and local woodworker for some great tools and tool boxes!

March brought another birthday trip pick from the mountains of North Carolina, an Underwood typewriter from the courthouse of Sylva, NC.

We were so honored to be invited to a customer's childhood property after meeting at Vintage Market in the Park. The stuff pickers dreams are made of. Large property with out buildings, old cars, trucks, and lots of rusty junk!

Of course, local flea market picks always sustain us when there is less going on during the week. We love checking out the Pickens and Anderson Flea markets along with Barnyard 101 and Whitehorse Rd Flea!

One of my favorite and most epic picks of the year happened unexpectedly on a holiday. I got to hit this one in Honea Path twice but could have gone out many more times if it was still there. A large building that I didn't even get to go into. All this was picked from trucks, vans, a camper, and the great outdoors!

One of my favorite local auctioneers held an amazing auction in Woodruff. Upon arriving to pick up my loot, I poked around an old shed and found some paint brushes. They were happy to sell them to me!

Loved this 1800s estate of a doctor and a teacher in Easley, SC. So many treasures from the past. The doctor practiced in a room in this very house. What looked like a pile of trash on the porch held fun ephemera such as vintage valentines and 1930s checks.

This great old 1800s farmhouse in Abbeville, SC was simply amazing, along with the out buildings on the property. The owner took the time to walk the property with me, telling stories of family reunions, parties, and hot summers spent swimming in the pond.

Of course, there are always a myriad of yard sales, estate sales, and antique store closings. Don't mind if I do!

So many more wonderful work memories from the year that make me feel lucky to do what I do! It really makes all the searching, driving, hauling, cleaning, photographing, describing, listing, and shipping worth it. Thanks for a great 2014 South Carolina and I look forward to the picks that 2015 holds! 

Check out Maliasmark on Etsy to purchase our picks and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to follow the journey!