Wolff's Flea Market Blog

A few of our 2015 Holiday Crafts at Wolff's Flea Market Palatine MATERIALS: Reclaimed wood, Modge Podge, glitter, glue-ons, printable images, pipe cleaners Made with love by Wolff's Craft Kids Tree made by Impatient Pallets from recycled fencing and pallets. Decorated by Wolff's Crafty Kids. MATERIALS: Foam, hole punch, star stickers, pipe cleaners Made with love by Wolff's Crafty Kids

Although it's December and we are in Chicago, we can still dream and plan for our future flea market garden. Check back as we continue to find awesome gardening ideas and links by the original creators! Number 1: BARNWOOD BLOOMS SUPER CUTE AND SUPER EASY BARNWOOD BLOOMS http://www.fleamarketgardening.org/2013/10/31/jeannes-barnwood-blooms/ Choose a beautiful old barn wood board, give it a coat of Polyurethane … “We added some garden junk spigot handles that were thrift shop finds in my stash…I’m always lookin’!” Jeanne says Rusty barbed wire for the stems which is hammered on with fence post staples. Use screws for flower centers. Add a couple eyelet hooks on the back with wire, so they can stand alone or be hung up. Number 2: FLEA MARKET FAIRY GARDEN This adorable flea market fairy garden was made by Wolff's Crafty Kids at Wolff's Flea Market Palatine . About 12 vendor and customer children 11 years old and under added their own personal touches. They...

This old, tired "curbside" butcher block ended up at the flea market. A little TLC transformed it into this serving cart. First I removed the yucky loose and useless shelf  A good sanding removed most of the dark stain, but I left some to show through the final finish Bottom half of cart was painted with 2 coats of dilutes Barn Red paint. Dark blue, forest green and creamy beige were also blotted on and then wiped off to add a slight weathered look. Top and painted areas were covered in 2 coats of Varathane Golden Oak semi-gloss Stain & Poly (water based). Hardware: shut off valve knob (front left), bottle opener (front right), craft fair stone hook (side right), 4 caster wheels. Shelf: I added a sanded plank of recycled cedar fencing as a removable bottom shelf Accessories: Handmade wine caddy on top and wineglass box on bottom shelf are made from recycled fencing and pallets by me (Impatient Pallets)

SIDE BY SIDE COMPARISON OF SOME STYLISH FLEA MARKET FINDS!

These items were collected from vendors at Wolff's Flea Market Palatine to create  mix and match eclectic tablescapes. 2013 TABLE 2014 TABLE 2015 TABLE RECYCLED ELEMENTS USED TO CREATE UNIQUE THANKSGIVING DECOR KIDS CRAFT: RECLAIMED FENCING & DECOUPAGE 3 IDEAS IN ONE: VINTAGE GLASS INSULATOR WITH LED CANDLE SCARECROW WITH OLD BUTTONS RECYCLED PALLET MAGAZINE HOLDER

BY SHARON WOLFF You found your cool vintage drawer pull, but it's covered in nasty, chipping paint. Here is an easy, safe, chemical free way to remove the paint and bring out the beautiful patina of your old hardware. I COLLECT RUSTY HARDWARE. DON'T ASK ME WHY. THIS $1 FLEA MARKET FIND HAD  SEVERAL COATS OF PAINT RESIDUE. NOT THE MOST, BUT ENOUGH TO REQUIRE THIS   EASY PAINT REMOVAL METHOD. Y OU NEED: OLD POT, 1/4 C BAKING SODA, TONGS AND A  SCREWDRIVER OR OLD TOOTHBRUSH Place your item in boiling water & baking soda. Boil for 20-30 minutes, depending upon how much paint is on the item.  USE TONGS IF PAINT PEELS OF EASILY, YOU ARE DONE, OTHERWISE RETURN TO POT CAREFULLY USE A SMALL TOOL OR  TOOTHBRUSH TO GENTLY REMOVE RESIDUE BEAUTIFUL! BOTTOM LEFT, ON THE RUSTY HARDWARE WALL

By Sharon Wolff This is what we found via a one day search for counterfeits. We subscribe to google alerts  to keep current on all topics. Arrests and existence of lawsuits do not indicate guilt. Outcomes and updates to cases may not be current. We are not lawyers and trademarks, patents and copyrights belong to individual holders. Images and logos shown for purposes of discussion and education. Research is ongoing. We recognize that counterfeiting is an ongoing worldwide problem that is fueled by consumer demand and greed.  Counterfeits not allowed at Wolff's Flea Market.  BRANDS & CATEGORIES OF CONCERN BRANDS : Beats By Dre, Coach, LG, Michael Kors, North Face, OtterBox,  Louis Vuitton, Tory Burch, Ugg CATEGORIES : purses, jerseys, clothing, sun glasses, headphones/earbuds, phone cases, phone cables, chargers 20/20 "To Catch a Fake" 5/15/15-Year-long investigation on counterfeits: http://abc.go.com/shows/2020/listing/2015-05/15-2020-051515-...

Our Bottom Line:  Counterfeits are Illegal and  Banned at our Markets.  Even if they are cheap, used, cute, etc. Over the years, I have had many discussions about counterfeit purses with both vendors and customers. REAL QUOTES: "I like the purse because it is cute" "I would never buy the real thing" "I can't afford the real thing" "I don't care if it falls apart in a month" "It was so cheap" "It's not hurting anyone" "I want to wear that brand, but won't buy a real one" "Everyone knows it's not real, so it's ok" "It might be real" "No one will notice that it is fake" "It looks really good for a fake" "I know it is real and I got it at a great price" I can argue each point, but for now will focus on the "Cute Factor". Over the years I have amassed a large selection of new and used counterfeit items. Many wer...

One of the cheapest ways to make a counterfeit purse is to simply take a no-name "blank" purse and add a designer sticker or metal emblem. So obvious, so fake, so illegal. We don't allow counterfeit purses of any level at Wolff's Flea Market, and this educational post should not be construed as instructions on how to make a counterfeit purse. Don't do it. Images and links shown for purposes of discussion and education. People are arrested and imprisoned for this crime! This happened at flea markets and supports our policy of not allowing certain brands of merchandise at our markets F ive Busted for Selling Counterfeit Merchandise at Flea Market : http://wreg.com/2015/03/22/five-busted-for-selling-counterfeit-merchandise-at-flea-market/ Prosecutors Say Pagedale Flea market Owner Trafficked in Counterfeit Goods : "Purses were delivered either with counterfeit labels attached or with a generic label that a vendor replaced, again in the market’s ope...

When purchasing new name brand items, look for appropriate and proper packaging that indicate that the item is authentic. Note the differences between authentic retail packaging and improper/counterfeit or blank packaging on the right of each section.  Authentic packaging includes at least: Licensing information Company address/contact info Company logo Company font  Product and model information UPC Codes Beware of items that are priced cheaply and come in generic cello or blank packaging. The contents of such packaging is usually counterfeit.

Why do we stroll by your booth, grab a few items, turn them inside out, nod and walk away? We are inspecting certain name-brand and licensed merchandise to make sure it is legit. While we are not trademark attorneys, we study authentic products with proper labels and tags.  We can often (but not always-that would make our job too easy) discern legitimacy by merely looking at sewn labels. Brands identify their products with their names, logos and other details on well-sewn or applied tags. They do not use generic sewn tags. Period. FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: NEW ERA HAT, NORTH FACE DENALI JACKET, ADIDAS MEXICO HOME SOCCER JERSEY Of course, some counterfeiters attempt to replicate the real labels, but they usually don't seem to get it right.

As a follow up to our 2013 blog post: WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DAY: There's a Bust for That Counterfeit! We share with you links to recent significant (in our own minds) busts that have assisted us in forming cementing our opinions and policy.  Remember ongoing research regarding counterfeits remains a crucial tool. Arrests do not necessarily mean that a person has been found guilty. Please read further on subjects listed below in order to obtain the most up to date information. We will add more links as we find them. How can you find out more? We recommend that you subscribe to Google Alerts for a variety of counterfeit and brand name related key words. PERFUME BUST AT THE BORDER: http://www.wcax.com/story/28600528/430k-in-counterfeit-perfume-seized-at-northern-ny-border   STORE BUST: http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/12/01/3-arrested-in-counterfeit-goods-raid-at-long-island-store/ FLEA MARKET BUST http://www.wyff4.com/news/mugshots-released-in-flea-market...

BREAKING NEWS!

Historically, flea markets offer antiques, buried treasure, unique items and discounted new and resale merchandise.  An unfortunate reality: Illegal counterfeit merchandise is manufactured and obtained through an infinite number of worldwide sources and trickles down, not only to flea markets but also to wholesalers, websites, importers, corner stores and even retail stores on occasion.  Every day, somewhere in the world, including the United States, a bust/seizure/arrest occurs regarding counterfeits. Individuals, independently owned stores, mall kiosks, websites, wholesalers, warehouses, importers, manufacturers and ports of entry all play a role in the counterfeit pipeline.  Subscribe to google alerts for the term "Counterfeits" and you will be amazed at the volume of daily updates you will receive.  Unsure about your product? Please call us at 847-524-9590. While we are not experts, conduct ongoing research in the attempt to keep up with curre...

COUNTERFEIT EDUCATION : Although we do not authenticate or allow Coach products at Wolff's Flea Market, we enjoy analyzing a never-ending supply of counterfeit samples that we and our vendors find at garage sales, thrift shops, storage lockers, purse parties, Location X (not us) and even the garbage.  Many thanks to our wonderful, educated vendors who donate their finds to the counterfeit education cause.  *COUNTERFEITING IS ILLEGAL. IMAGES SHOWN FOR PURPOSES OF EDUCATION AND DISCUSSION. TRADEMARKS BELONG TO INDIVIDUAL HOLDERS. COUNTERFEIT MERCHANDISE IS NOT ALLOWED AT WOLFF'S FLEA MARKET. NOT SO PRETTY IN PINK DID THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER OR SELLER REALLY THINK THEY COULD PASS THIS OFF AS REAL "BECAUSE IT HAS A SEWN LABEL WITH SERIAL NUMBERS?" TOO BAD THEY FORGOT TO PUT SPACES BETWEEN THE WORDS...

We look for what is easiest explained as "2 types of counterfeit products". Although we are not lawyers or experts on everything, we share with you our ongoing research. Further Reading: Trademark Law Trademark Dilution Trademark Dilution Article 1. OUTRIGHT COUNTERFEIT ITEMS :   Are cheaply and mass produced and claim to be the authentic product. Logos, trademarks, words, patterns, labels and images are copied and represented as real. Counterfeit products are illegal and banned at Wolff's Flea Market. *Even if you say "This is not a real_______", it is illegal to sell. *Even if you sell it for cheap, it is illegal to sell. *Even if it is ugly, gross, broken, it is illegal to sell. *Even if your customer still wants to buy it, it is illegal to sell. *Even if you didn't know, it is illegal to sell. *New or used, if it's fake you cannot sell it. Example : Pictured is a counterfeit Monster Fox Racing t-shirt found at a street kiosk while on...

A ONE OF A KIND FLEA MARKET MUSEUM! (now closed) By Sharon Wolff Images and counterfeit products shown for purposes of education and discussion.  We are not lawyers and are not offering legal advice.  Research and education is ongoing. Location: Inside Wolff's Flea Market 1775 N. Rand Rd. Palatine, IL 60074 Phone: 847-524-9590 Hours: Saturdays & Sundays 8am-4pm Check back for changing displays! A SMALL, BUT MIGHTY USEFUL COUNTERFEIT DISPLAY THESE COUNTERFEIT ITEMS WERE BROUGHT TO THE 2015 NATIONAL FLEA MARKET ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE IN LAS VEGAS  AT NEW YORK, NEW YORK HOTEL AS PART OF WOLFF'S FLEA MARKET EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATION WATCH OUR "BE A COUNTERFIGHTER" MOVIE HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5U_u7GLWYBw

First Published on fleamarketzone.com and Merchandiser Magazine http://fleamarketzone.com/2015/01/buy-safely-sell-safely-avoiding-counterfeit-merchandise/ Buy Safely, Sell Safely: Avoiding Counterfeit Merchandise January 26, 2015  by  publisher Filed under  Featured ,  How-To Zone Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on pinterest_share Share on linkedin By Sharon Wolff, Media and Merchandise Consultant to Wolff’s Flea Market Note : We recognize the  Merchandiser Magazines  commitment as a reliable source for wholesaler connections. Information in this article reflects experiences, conclusions, logic, hunches and opinions of Wolff’s Flea Market. It is not intended to be legal advice. We are not lawyers or trademark experts. Ongoing research is collected from a variety of sources. Trademarks and brand names mentioned in this article are depicted for purposes of education, example and discussion and belong to individual holders. The ...