Flea market vendors offer artistic goods at a bargain price

Savvy shoppers searching for a good bargain on one-of-a-kind items and handmade art pieces can find them at the monthly Mercantile Flea Market in the heart of downtown Fullerton’s SOCO District.

The flea market is a monthly event held the first Saturday of every month from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Boutiques are arranged behind the Carpe Diem Experience parking lot, where vendors display a vast array of antiques, vintage décor, jewelry and more.

Many of the booth vendors also sell everything from handmade jewelry, hand painted wooden boxes and delicately arranged flower hair clips.

Local music artists also contribute to the laid-back atmosphere as they play for bargain shoppers in search of unique treasures.

Sabrina Contreras is the Mercantile Flea Market’s manager and says the flea market idea is popular around the country, but especially in downtown Fullerton.

The artful community and students from surrounding schools contribute interest to the fusion of unique items.

“My big philosophy on design is when you put a combination of new, old and handmade (items) in your space, it has soul,” Contreras said.

Contreras has owned the Carpe Diem Experience shop for 12 years and managed it for five years.

She has been in the antique business for over two decades and is also the owner of the Red Hat Society and Stray Cat Vintage clothing shops.

The collection of items in her shops are an eclectic collection of trinkets from all over the world.

Many vintage items showcased during trade shows from all over the country have found a way into Contreras’ possession.

Contreras said sometimes the items were gifts from local artisans she has met throughout the years.

As part of her hobby business, La Palma vendor Maria Reinhardt enjoys acquiring vintage jewelry and antique figurines, which she has collected for over 25 years as a way to meet various people.

Reinhardt also does private English tutoring on the side and sells at the Mercantile Flea Market to help her network as well as offer customers an opportunity to bargain with her in person.

“I like (the flea market) because I get to meet various people, different cultures. It’s a way of coming together of people and I can refer them to any other stores,” Reinhardt said.

Anaheim resident Jorge Martinez and his wife are avid flea market travelers and vendors specializing in painting and making jewelry.

They began to participate in the flea market 10 years ago during their time living in Tamaulipas, Mexico.

After a temporary break, Martinez said he began to expand his art by restoring old wooden boxes and incorporating Mexican art, such as calaveras and Day of the Dead images onto wooden canvas, gourds and jewelry.

Peaking the interest of shoppers, Martinez’s vibrant works of art and interest in culture continue to attract customers.

“The style is Oaxacan, and Day of the Dead where it is very common to use the calaveras (skulls) in Oaxaca and birds,” Martinez said.

Martinez, with the help of his wife, also makes one-of-a-kind artisan jewelry, such as wood bracelets with Dia de los Muertos skulls and zipper bracelets.

Martinez said he and his wife would see designs on the computer and try to replicate it.

The layout of the flea market is designed to allow shoppers the chance to come and enjoy their time shopping, while bargain hunting.

Contreras said people are encouraged to bring their four-legged friends as well.

For additional information on times and dates and for an up to date schedule on the Mercantile Flea Market, visit the market’s Facebook page, Facebook.com/MercantileFleaMarket.