Thrift Store Hauls: Crafter's Edition

Sticking the mini-paint talk under a spoiler because it's long!


Does W&N make an acrylic ink line? I know I definitely don't want regular inks, as lovely as they are, as they don't play nice with some miniature painting techniques. I also had to toss a W&N white ink just the other day - saved the bottle, but the ink was a write-off. The binder had gone dark yellow and even with mixing it wasn't holding to the pigment properly, kept breaking up on the paper. Whatever I get needs to be acrylic because having it reactivate when the next layer of paint is applied would drive me bananas.

Artist grade mediums and additives are where it's at. The miniature branded companies charge a ridiculous price for a *tiny* bottle of, say, matte medium or flow improver. Sometimes more than 1/2 the price of a bottle 10x-20x the size from the art shop. *shakes head*

One of my dream finds someday would be a big collection of acrylic miniature model paints. So many colours and brands I'd love to try out but there are far too many for my wallet to afford getting a full set of anything. Scale75, Kimera Kolors, the Vallejo Air and metal lines, Green Stuff World's candy colours and hue-shifting paints... an endless list!

It really, really depends with flea markets; they are extremely varied.

In general you'll find fewer sellers who are just looking to get rid of their stuff as quickly as possible or are ignorant of what they have, so prices will be higher. The quality and quantity of goods usually makes up for it - garage sales by comparison can be feast and famine. Flea markets are far more guaranteed, particularly if the one you attend has sellers that specialize in what you're looking for. Anywhere that you have to pay for a table to participate is going to have higher prices than the local garage sale - sellers have to make up that cost in profit somehow, otherwise it wouldn't be worth their time to show up. The economic profile of the surrounding area also influences what kind and variety of things will be available. Upper middle class income neighbourhoods are the sweet spot.

Flea market sellers fall into one of a few types.
The first is the Casual; essentially a family garage sale but they've paid to have it at the flea market for the bigger customer base. You'll get good prices at these tables, but the general selection will be average to poor and best be willing to dig through boxes for gems. Always sets up outside or at the cheapest tables.

Next up the food chain are the JOATs. Jacks of all Trades don't specialize in anything; flavour of the day folks. Some of them are near hoarder-like, flipping anything they think will turn a profit. Prices are usually okay-ish, but many of 'em won't be willing to haggle much at all. On the upside, you can find some real prizes they may not realize the value of. Tend to be regulars, and not take very good care of their inventory.

Specialists - these make up most of a good flea market's tables, especially indoors (if there are any indoor stalls, it'll be almost all specialists). Focused inventory, knows a lot about their particular type of stock, and is often an enthusiast or collector of said stock themselves. Highest prices, but best selection. Can often get you things nobody else can source. Knows the fair market value of everything they have but may be willing to dip a bit on price, especially if you seem like a fellow collector or are buying in bulk.

Artisans - a sub-group of the Specialist, they make what they sell rather than finding it. Pie and jam makers, sock-knitters, candy apple, fudge and bread bakers, etc.

Retailers - these are the people who drag tons of new products to flea markets. Unlike the Artisans, they don't make said goods, only resell them. Quality is usually average to poor, but there are exceptions. Generally avoided by most regular flea market customers as they've only got stuff you can buy in any store on offer.