10/05/2026
I have to tell you a story about three little mice.
When I was a wee little girl, I would go to my Aunt Melody's place and, seeing as she didn't have children of her own, there weren't any toys to play with. She did, however, have a bunch of whimsical magnets on her fridge. Including three teensy tiny mice. I loved to play with those mice magnets making them scurry all over the surface of her fridge. I loved those magnets! And I loved my Aunt Melody.
My Aunt tragically passed away when I was only four years old. I don't have many concrete memories of her since I was so young when she died, but I distinctly remember how I felt when I was around her. I remember being happy. And lots of laughter. Those memories are intrinsically linked to things I recall her having in her home. (Like the FTD Rainbow mug or Kliban cats! ) The years go by and despite our best efforts, sometimes these tokens get lost, broken, or even worse: donated! And my little mousies were lost somewhere along the way.
A few weeks ago, I was vending at Island Flea Vintage & Craft Market and took a few minutes to peek around while I had a free moment. My market buddy, Debbie, always has the most eclectic variety of bits and bobs in her booth Never Random Shop so I love seeing what treasures she brings to each market. And there, tucked into a tray of little treasures, were my Aunt Melody's tiny mice magnets. I put them in my palm knowing that no matter what, these mice were coming home with me! I told Debbie my story, and she generously GAVE them to me (Thank you, Debbie!) and replied, "See? That's why my shop is Never Random, because it's NEVER random." I suppose she's right. The treasures we're hunting may also be looking for us, and you never know when they might pop up!
This is why I love the market/vintage community so much. It's about so much more than being a "reseller." I always say that I don't sell products, I sell nostalgia. Memories. The phrase I hear most frequently in my booth is, "We used to have this!" And that connection to the past is precious and priceless.
