A $1,000 (Longaberger) Basket Case…

Evey year I get like this. We’re three weeks out, and I start to worry about the MV Big Flea.

Will we have enough stuff to sell? (The warehouse looks a little empty to me.) Will we reach our fundraising goal? (We still have $11K to go.) Will it rain on April 30th?

In other words, I’m basket case.

But baskets seem to be our business lately. 95 Longaberger baskets, to be precise. That’s what we recently received as a donation; I was shocked to see how much they sell for on Ebay!

So that’s exactly where we’ve listed our collection for sale . Is $1,000 for 95 baskets a pipe dream? Stay tuned (and thank you to our generous donor, who remains nameless).

Remember, this Saturday is one of our last Shop N Drop days. Stop and unload a few items, or browse through our marvelous merchandise and buy a few things you don’t need. We’re located at 719 N Saint Asaph Street in Old Town and open from 2-4pm.  All the cool kids are doing it!

Schedule a Big Flea Van Pickup Today!

Have a pile of junque?  Then schedule a Big Flea Van pickup!  Contact Cynthia Webster at websterbigflea@gmail.com.

Check Out Our Junque!!! Saturday’s Haul.

Great news!  We sold $1,051 worth of merchandise on Saturday, March 26!  This brings our grand total of sales to more than $5,000!  Our 2011 fundraising goal is $17,138 so we still have a long way to go!

We definitely need more donations!!!  We especially need furniture, kids/baby gear (strollers) and other “big ticket” items.  To donate your items, please visit our Shop N Drop location any Saturday in April from 2-4pm.  We’re located at 719 N St. Asaph Street near Trader Joe’s.  We’ll also pick up your stuff, just contact Cynthia Webster at websterbigflea@gmail.com.

And make sure to visit our Shop N Drop location where you can purchase any of the items we have for sale.  Many thanks for your ongoing support!

Check Out These Legs!!!

OK, so the headline is pretty much a gag.  I mean table legs, of course (what a dirty mind you have). The MV Big Flea has been collecting a TON of furniture over the last few weeks, some of it pictured below.  Click on the “For Sale” sign at left for more deals!

Come by our Shop N Drop store this and every Saturday in March and April.  We’re open from 2-4pm on Saturday and located at 719 N St Asaph Street in Old Town.  And just remember, Shop N Drop means you can drop off donations AND buy some stuff you don’t need.  We can also PICK UP your junque! To schedule a pickup, please contact our Curator Cynthia Webster at websterbigflea@gmail.com.

See you on Saturday!

We Sold a Rare CD Single for $300!!!

The MV Big Flea is happy to report that is has sold a rare promotional CD single for $300.  The CD single was donated by Mount Vernon Community School Parents Mike and Paige Grainger.

The CD single is by  Pearl Jam and was released in 1992 before they hit the big time.  The CD was produced in extremely small quantities and is considered extremely rare by collectors of the band’s material.

It was sold to a Pearl Jam collector in the United Kingdom who stated that he was “exceptionally keen to add this to my collection.”  Click here to see the buyer’s extensive collection of Pearl Jam material.

I am wondering how Mike and Paige are going to react to this sale.  My guess is that they had no idea that a rare CD was lurking among the 350 compact discs they generously donated to the Big Flea.  Also included in the lot was a rare promotional disc by the band XTC that we are currently selling on eBay.

What do you have lurking about in your attic??  Even if you think it’s junk, please consider donating it to the MV Big Flea and helping to fund education and enrichment programs for Alexandria city public school students.

Big Flea Starts Collecting on November 13th!

Don’t even think of tossing anything out before the holidays!

Alexandria’s most popular fundraiser is gearing up for another successful run and we need your junque!  Last year, we collected a tractor-trailer of treasures and raised $25,665 for the education programs of Mount Vernon Community School PTA.

We’re gearing up for the 2011 Big Flea, which will be held on April 30th.  We will hold two “Shop N Drop” days in 2010: Saturday, November 13 and December 11.

They’re a perfect time to clear clutter and nail down a final 2010 tax break (all donations are tax deductible).  Click here for a 2011 schedule and other important information about this year’s event (suitable for framing).

To donate on November 13, please bring your items to 114 E Raymond Ave (b/w Mt. Vernon and Dewitt Avenues, at the back of the Suntrust Bank parking lot).  We will hold additional “Shop N Drop” days in Jan-Feb and every Saturday in March and April!  Click here for our 2011 schedule of important dates and FAQs.

“The 2010 Big Flea exceeded all our expectations,” said Big Flea wordsmith Joseph LaMountain.  “We crushed all our fundraising records and had a record volunteer and shopper turnout.  I’m looking forward to another fantastic event in 2011, but we’ll need your help to make it a success.”

For more information about donating, or scheduling a pickup, contact Cynthia Webster at websterbigflea@gmail.com.  Thank you for your support!  Now let’s get the bug!!!

This Man Wants Your Books!!!

Thom Downing c. 1975

Every week we talk about the great items donated to the MV Big Flea.  But we rarely mention books.  And there’s a reason for that.

For the second year, the Friends of Duncan Library will host their annual spring book sale on April 24th, the same day as the MV Big Flea.  In addition to books, there will be prizes, amazing food PLUS entertainment for kids.  And not just any entertainment….we have the The Great Zucchini!

Best of all, the Book Sale & Kids Extravaganza will take place next to the MV Big Flea in the parking lot of Duncan Library at 2501 Commonwealth Avenue in Alexandria.

To make the sale a success we need books.  Lots of them!  According to event organizer Thom Downing, the annual sale is one of the library’s primary fundraising events.  “The more books we collect,” Thom said, “the more programs and activities we can deliver throughout the year.”

Book donations are being accepted any time at Duncan Library.  In addition to supporting the library, you receive a tax deduction for your donation AND you will be entered in a drawing to win a $20 gift certificate from Hard Times Cafe!  Please note we are unable to accept pre-2005 textbooks, damaged or extremely worn books, encyclopedias, catalogs or periodicals.

Have questions? Tom’s got answers!  Please contact him at iuthom1@aol.com.

We Heart the Elands!

This is what I absolutely love about the MV Big Flea.

On Saturday, Bridget and Shawn Eland stopped by to see if we would accept a couple shelving units. They heard about the Flea from coworker Barbara Fox, who donated some nice furniture a few weeks ago. Since Bridget and Shawn live across the street, they decided to donate to our worthy cause.

And did they ever donate. It turns out that Shawn and Bridget are moving back to Wisconsin and they had an apartment of items to give us. In addition to 6 shelving units, they donated a leather-style club chair with ottoman, two more ottomans, a swish leather-style sofa (as seen in photo), a desk and two barstools and more!!!

Best of all, they were all in perfect condition! Bridget even insisted on wiping them down before taking them to the Flea Shoppe!  Now that’s what I call taking care of your things!

Many thanks to Bridget and Shawn for their very generous donation, as well as to Barbara Fox for sending them our way. Please spread the word and help us collect even more great items for our huge event on April 24th!

Got Storage?

We need it!

We will be collecting items through the next several months, but we have one problem: We don’t have enough space to store everything we collect. Already, the one garage that was donated this year is filled to the rafters.

Do you have an empty garage, empty shed or empty storage unit that you might be willing to lend us until April 24? Any space in Del Ray or Old Town would be very much appreciated. Please spread the word about our need for storage space.

For more information, please call Lisa Guernsey Krupicka at 703-838—0280. The Big Flea is our school’s largest fundraiser, and the funds we raise are essential to making sure that the students at our school to have enrichment opportunities like afterschool clubs and field trips.

If we aren’t able to collect more Big Flea items, we won’t be able to hold a successful Big Flea. Please help if you can.