LOCAL LOVIN': The Flea Off Market, Louisville

We ventured the East Market District over the weekend with intentions to swing in The Flea Off Market and be on our way to the St. Matthews area and the malls. We were pleasantly surprised by the community event and ended up stopping in twice that afternoon! We saw a little of everything, from handmade jewelry and candles to retro furniture and records. And while the sign mentions kittens we sadly saw none, but instead there were plenty of friendly pups in all shapes and sizes from the tiny chihuahua we met (Camden!) to the Great Danes that looked more like horses.

So what exactly is The Flea Off Market? Well, it's a monthly outdoor bazaar/flea market held off East Market in downtown Louisville. It is typically held the second Saturday of each month, and at times will run through Sunday as well. You will find a little of everything for sale - books, records, jewelry, clothing, food, beverages, furniture, home decor, baby products, handmade crafts, plants, pets, and the list goes on. There is also live music and entertainment throughout the day, free of course. All are welcome including children and pets!

For our visit the weather was absolutely gorgeous, a little windy for some vendors whose merchandise blew over (or away, to be retrieved by fellow market go-ers) a few times, but all-in-all a perfect day. One side of the market was lined with local food trucks and some tented vendors, all of which smelled amazing! Our biggest regret was easily eating before we visited, but we do know better for next time. In the middle of the booths one vendor was set up with selling select beer and cocktails. A flea market where you can drink and shop? Sign us up! (This may also be a little dangerous depending on your shopping habits...)

Food trucks, retro t-shirts, and collectibles aplenty.

Beer, cocktails, and a fuzzy retriever to the right.

We picked up a few gifts from Eight Trees Company selling handmade and all natural wooden infant toys, burp cloths, and stuffed animals, as well as vintage infant clothing, milk glass, and other assorted items. (This vendor also had her baby along for the day and got extra points for cuteness!) We also found some really cool decorative pillows, hand-stamped napkins, and scarves at several booths. There was plenty of Kentucky love going around too - from past Derby memorabilia, local artists, and even some of those previously mentioned decorative home items were stamped, printed, and embroidered with state and city images or text.

These pillows and napkins are by Em Dash Designs.

The aforementioned chihuahua Camden, lover of sunshine! She was so sweet and tiny. Her parents were selling paintings and records.

One of our favorites was a booth set-up and styled to reflect a 1960's home with retro furniture, trays, decanters, and linens. We scooped up some floral napkins for a few dollars and truthfully, we wish we had the space for some of the furniture! This seller was extremely friendly and we wish her price tags were stamped with her name or the name of her business so we could give her a shout out. (Hopefully she will be back next month and we can do just that!)

Vintage clothing, home decor, records, and collectibles were plentiful throughout the market. As we browsed music was not only being broadcast at the back of the market, but near the entrance local musicians were playing guitars, harmonicas, and even a tuba at one point. We heard "Did you see this?" and "I want this!" over and over again as people browsed and scooped up their newly found treasures. Both vendors and shoppers were having a great time, us included! (We think this was largely in part to the weather. We're finally seeing spring here in KY!) We can't wait to venture back up next month!

ellen + evlin had TONS of vintage clothing on racks, in addition to their sale items in these bins.

So many decanters, trays, and glassware!

We've decided we need a telephone table.

Just to give a rundown here's some of the info on The Flea Off Market again:

-You can find their Facebook page here.
-It occurs on the second Saturday each month in the heart of Louisville, downtown in NuLu /East Market District.
-Sometimes the event takes place on Sunday too, check Facebook page to confirm the date/s.
-Open from 10am-6pm.
-Some vendors accept cards, but many are cash only and there is an ATM on site.
-If you're interested in a booth contact: thefleaoffmarket@gmail.com

We will be sure to share next month's The Flea Off Market event on our Facebook page prior to the event, so head on over there and give us a like!

THE GALLERY: Brittany DeLoach, painter

One of our primary goals here on Creative Sweet is to recognize talented people. In our series THE GALLERY we'll feature some of our favorite artists, local and otherwise, to share with you all. Today we are excited to introduce you to a friend of ours - Brittany DeLoach. An amazing painter and mama of two, this lady can't remember a time in her life when she wasn't involved in something creative. At sixteen she began painting pictures for books and stories she wrote. She soon discovered the work of a local artist whose work she admired and two years later she began her apprenticeship with him.

Edie Sedgwick by Ree

Her painting skills grew more refined and she soon found herself at her first art show. The first painting she ever sold was to a well-known artist Jeff Gaither. Brittany began regularly attending art shows in the Louisville area, displaying her signature flare and style for painting. If you're ever on the lookout for one of her pieces, or think you may have seen one in the past, she signs her paintings "Ree."

Now a wife and mother of two, Brittany says she mostly enjoys doing paintings for friends and her children's rooms. She often trades her artwork with other creatives.

Flyboy from Dawn of the Dead by Ree

Nannie Doss, serial killer (left) - portrait (right)

We did a Q&A with Brittany so you could learn a bit more about her:

Creative Sweet: First we have to say, we've seen a lot of your work, not just in photos, but even hanging in your own home. We love your style (seriously, we'd kill to have that Edie portrait) and it's obviously very distinct. How did you develop it?

Brittany: After I ventured off from doing creepy Halloween style paintings I decided I really loved screen printing but I knew I couldn't never do that. So, I decided to make my paintings as if they were screen prints, thick black outlines and brush marks. Then I got into painting on wood. I loved the way the wood and the bright paint I use look next to each other. I love finding scraps of wood and finding a picture that would be perfect for it.

CS: And of course this question is cliché, but we have to know - what has been your biggest source of inspiration over the years?

Brittany: Music! And old horror movies. I love reading bio books about old actresses, actors, and musicians who lived hard lives, rather [than those with] drug or mental issues. That might sound odd but it's just interesting. I like the not-so-glamorous side of the rich and famous.

CS: Your life has obviously changed a lot since you first started painting, you have different responsibilities and priorities. Where do you stand with your art right now?

Brittany: I don't look to make millions of dollars for any of it, it's just something I enjoy doing it to see a smile on [someone's] face. Knowing my artwork is hanging in someone's house is enough for me. For the first time in a long time I enjoy painting.

Brittany DeLoach

CS: You said that you enjoy painting for the first time in a long time, has it been hard to find time for painting with two little ones?

Brittany: Very much so! But I enjoy painting more now because I have overcome a lot of issues. I wasn't comfortable painting because I was at art shows every month and I was always in the art scene, but then when I [had a falling] out with an artist that was helping me it was just bam - all over. Then this past year I picked up the paintbrush and realized I don't need anyone, I can do it myself. I have been doing paintings for kids' rooms, for my family, and friends which is amazing!

CS: Do you hope to do more art shows in the future? Or possibly open a shop, maybe even online?

Brittany: I do and don't. Nothing is more amazing then having art shows and putting your babies out there to be judged, but the art community is so ridiculous. It's who you know and whose ass you need to kiss all the time. I see good artists go unnoticed and nothing makes me more mad. Also I am not a people person,  which is terrible, so that too. I want to start a kids art gallery very soon! Also I am looking into trading art for art's sake, I think that is the most amazing thing the art community could do.

We wish we could tell you that Brittany has a fan page on Facebook, or an Etsy shop where she sells her work, but she doesn't at this time. She does however keep a blog about raising her two kiddos called The Padawan Years (Star Wars fans rejoice in that cute little homage) and you can follow her on Twitter here. We love her tweets, especially the hilarious comments about her husband, as well as his responses.

If you're interested in Brittany's work and would like to talk to her about trading your own artwork or commission a piece you can contact her here: ree.animator@hotmail.com



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  *All photos courtesy of Brittany DeLoach