Vintage Suitcases

Today, I finally did something I have wanted to do for a long time. I went antiquing! (Vintaging? Haha) Of course, Danielle came with me! It was such great fun. 

I have been looking at vintage suitcases and trunks online for a long time. I want to use the suitcases and trunks to store, tote, and display my handmade items at craft shows.

Take a look at today's haul! 

(The second from the bottom was actually my grandpa's and is not a part of today's loot, but it sure does look great in that stack!)

Stack O'Suitcase

Here's another pic, top lid closed:

It's time for some close-ups! Let's start at the top.

The smallest suitcase needs a bit of work. 

The handle is a leather strap, and it is flaking a bit. 

The top left corner liner is no longer attached anymore, but I got the thing for $12, so I'm not complaining! 

Next is the green case, which is actually an old briefcase. 

The top part holds an accordion file folder. 

Third is the medium-sized brown suitcase. 

I really like the latches on this suitcase. The interior lining of this one is a little saggy, but it's in pretty good shape and nothing I can't fix. I might leave it alone after giving it a wipe down. I don't really mind that it sags since the top will probably have a sign safety-pinned to it advertising prices. 

Next is my grandpa's suitcase!

This one is my favorite. It's metal, and it's been well used. I like to think well-loved. My mom told me my grandpa used to use it when he went up north to do the wheat harvest.  [Or maybe it was when he worked on the railroad? Or both.] OK, I've been informed it wasn't the railroad, it was a shipping company- Mistletoe Express! Maybe that's why I kept thinking it was a railroad. I never knew my grandpa since he died before I was born, but I like to imagine the trips he took using this suitcase.

Finally, let's have a look at my new striped suitcase.

This one is metal, too. I decided on it because it reminded me of my grandpa's. It has a nifty divided interior, so I'll be able to display plain hats on one side and embellishments on the other. Maybe I'll let people mix-and-match and sew on the embellishment while they wait. Who knows?

There were lots of other great vintage finds at the place we visited today. There were tons of vendors and booths, and the prices for almost everything were very reasonable. The trading post was only 40 minutes away, so I know where to check if I need more vintage items!