Many people consider flea markets as nothing more than a centralized location where obsolete unwanted household items are bought and sold on weekends. At best, they provide an outlet for retired couples and laid-off workers to make a little extra change while cleaning out the garage of old relics -- right? Fact is, flea markets serve a variety of useful purposes that a lot of folks overlook.

Flea markets offer a window to the past, a chance to see and learn about tools and furnishings that your grandparents used to get through their day. Flea markets are educational, fun and free. Unlike shopping centers where sales clerks are difficult to find, sellers at flea markets are always happy to explain their wares. It's a place where prices fluctuate faster than yesterday's weather. It's also a place where some of the most resilient people do indeed come to make a few bucks.

Regardless of the temperature extremes, flea market sellers spend hours setting up their displays every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Many even spend all week making what they sell; others repair and polish their antiques and collectibles during the week. There's even fresh produce in season, and it's all a lot of work. Just ask Linda Eaves, she's been selling her crafts at the local Milton flea market for years.

Eaves became involved with making and selling hand-crafted items out of necessity. She needed an outlet, something to redirect her energy away from worry and frustration. Something that would pick her up again, and provide a new direction for the years to come.

"Up until the last day of April 1992, life was good for me and my husband," said Linda. "Les had a good job, the kids had started their own families, and we were looking forward to the retirement years together. That is until another car crossed the center line one day, and hit our car head on with Les and me in it. My rehabilitation lasted over two years, there's still pain at times. Les never returned to work. We're still together, but it will never be the same again. This booth I have here at the flea market not only provides a great source of therapy, it had become a sanctuary for me."

Because of her involvement with the flea market, Eaves has brought structure into her life again. She has taught herself how to master a wide assortment of power tools in the manufacturing of her various crafts. Tools like the table saw, skill saw, jig saw, router and sander. In addition to being self-sufficient with her arts and crafts business, she prides herself in her ability to also make home repairs. Because of her confidence with building and painting her crafts, she now feels comfortable repairing a number of things around the house.

"When something needs fixed, I get out my self-help home repair guide and see what it takes to fix it. I head off to the store for parts -- anything I don't understand while I'm there, I ask the sales associate," she said. "So far, I'm doing really good. I also watch those home repair channels on television. You get a lot of information there too."

Eaves feels that the activity of making crafts, loading them in the car, going to the flea market and setting up her display has helped her husband as well.

"This is my life now, I love coming here," she said. "The people are so friendly, you make new friends, you see old ones. People stop and ask questions, if they buy something, that's good. But the experience of just getting out with Les, it's hard to explain the joy involved."

She also feels that there are bargains to be found at the flea market.

"Trick is to be here early. I've found some really good deals on old stoneware jars. People also bring me things to sell for them. I'm happy to do it because it just makes the day more exciting."

Her display is as fresh as Monday morning's wash. Her crafts show pride in workmanship, originality and organization. She captures a period of front porch swings on a Sunday afternoon, a home-cooked meal on a wood burning stove and sleeping on a feather tick mattress. Everything from hand-painted signs, unique candleholders, kerosene lanterns, kitchen utensils and low mileage rocking chairs. If you don't see what you are looking for, chances are she can make it.

Eaves gets up every day with a song, she loves what she does, and despite the accident, she feels blessed. The smile on her face is as genuine as the love in her heart for what she does. So if you happen to be traveling east on U.S. 60 on any given weekend and end up at the Milton flea market, stop by and say hello. The hospitality is as genuine as the smile on her face.

Clyde Beal is an area freelance writer waiting to hear from someone with an ordinary story to tell. Write him at archie350@frontier.com.

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Linda Eaves