Thirty beautifully photographed projects promise the never-ending potential of transforming flea market finds and treasures from your own collection into exceptional works of art. Turn beaded and rhinestone belt buckles into fabulous miniature picture frames. You’ll never look at a lone earring, broken clasp, or grandmother’s old jewelry the same way again. “Could spark some serious creativity.”—Booklist.

Antiques aficionados and rummagers of every stripe: call to mind dimly lit attics, trunks smelling of old leather, dusty cartons, and that indescribable tingle of suspense aroused by the idea of a hidden prize which has been lying there, biding its time, waiting for you to find it. If you follow the instructions we have mapped out for you, you might discover almost anything. . . Armed with this list of Paris addresses, carefully selected to fulfill all your desires, you’ll be equipped with what you need to search for the unknown, unexpected surprise, be it large or small. Paris still contains many mysterious secrets and magical places, which you’ll discover, to your wonderment, as you explore its secondhand stores that are brimming with all sorts of decorative curiosities. At the rear of a courtyard or sheltered by a nineteenth-century arcade, in a Gothic stone basement or in an ordinary-looking shop, you will find a cornucopia of delights at a variety of prices, always with charm. Fifty-eight antique, vintage, and curiosity shops–as well as the Saint-Ouen flea market–are profiled and photographed in this lavish guide to all things collectible in Paris.

Shop and dream Paris style. If you love French interior design and bargain hunting, Paris is the place where your shopping daydreams come true. Claudia Strasser takes us on a winding tour through the Parisian flea markets finding decorative pieces all along the way. Strasser discusses ways to bring the look to your home by building collections and looking for furniture and accessories to reflect your individual style whether it's Napoleon III, Louis XV, Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Moderne or Belle Epoque. Whatever it is, you're sure to find rare pieces that will be treasured in your home. Shop and dream your way around the Paris flea markets with this deliciously colorful stroll through the city's best markets and take home special pieces that are destined to become heirlooms. A stylized map gives readers the lay of the land and Claudia shares her tips on where to find what, trade secrets, her favorite dealers and advice on shipping items home. So, now take a seat and take a trip to Paris! Claudia Strasser began her career in 1993 when she opened a boutique in New York City’s East Village and filled it with French boudoir furniture and accessories. She painted and repaired flea market finds, reincarnating them into the sparkling treasures. Now she travels to Paris throughout the year, taking small groups shopping and sharing resources. She works on books and articles while designing a furniture line and doing some decorating projects. Claudia’s style and business have been featured in scores of magazines. She is the author of The Paris Apartment: Romantic Décor on a Flea Market Budget (1997). Claudia splits her time between New York, Paris, and Miami.

Offers instructions for creating fifty French-inspired jewelry projects using vintage beads and other notions.

"This guide describes more than thirty markets, along with their specialties and the regional items you're likely to come across, and offers practical advice on visiting the markets, tips on bargaining, and relevant French phrases"--book cover

Whether searching for turn-of-the-century botanical prints, biscotti tins, or vintage linens, travelers will find this slim, handsome volume an indispensable passport to Italy's most authentic and enjoyable shopping. The great antique and flea markets of Italy often remain hard to locate, and once discovered, tourists still face the challenge of deciphering complicated seasonal schedules as well as finding out what each market offers. Comprehensive and easy to use, The Antique & Flea Markets of Italy guides shoppers to the best markets in all regions. It also provides specific information about each market's merchandise, from furniture, jewelry, and postcards to enamel signs, perfume bottles, and fedoras from the Forties. Listings include location and directions, opening days and hours, and telephone contact information.