'Funky Junk' Flea Market Shelters Craft and Bargain Shoppers from the Rain

Looking for a handmade lamp made from wine bottles, handmade aromatherapy products and jewelry, or a place to set up your garage sale that's not your garage?

Funky Junk Northwest, a new indoor flea market, has opened in Bellevue on Bel-Red Road in the same warehouse and retail park that houses and .

Every Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., vendors set up tables and display their merchandise for potential buyers.

Organizers Tim and Shelley Williams opened the flea market in May. Since then, the market has slowly been gaining traction.

According to the Williams, the flea market averages about 15 to 20 vendors every Saturday, but the space can accommodate more than 50 booths.

“It’s worth it if people appreciate it, and if we attract artists and collectors,” said Shelley Williams, a freelance graphic designer.

The husband-and-wife team was inspired by the numerous flea markets they encountered while living in southern California and decided to fill the flea market niche on the Eastside.

It certainly helps that the market is indoors.

“By fall, this will be the place to be,” Tim Williams predicted.

Pam Raney has been creating and selling reversible bags and ID holders for eight years at farmers markets and holiday shows. She started selling her creations at the flea market when it opened in May.

“This is indoors, (and) your things aren’t at the mercy of the weather,” said vendor Pam Raney, who remembers getting drenched at farmers markets and having to dry her merchandise.

Many of the vendors sell handmade items. Martha Acosta and her husband Frederick Pieters sell handmade jewelry from recycled items and handcrafted pewters from Mexico. They’ve been at the flea market since opening weekend.

Nikki Hall found the flea market through Google. She makes and sells aromatherapy and skin care products.

Cydney Byron sells lamps made from recycled wine bottles, and Peggy Clark sells childrens items such as pillows, quilts and Christmas stockings.

But not all of the vendors are crafty. Jamey Pope, who has been setting up shop at the flea market for the past month, sells garage sale items and pet supplies.

A trickle of people have been hearing about the new market since it opened. Steve Uemura, who visited on Saturday after hearing about it from a friend, said he came to shop for “anything of value, maybe some collectibles.”

The Williams couple hopes to attract more vendors and visitors, and to support for the local community of artists and collectors.

Anyone interested in becoming vendors can rent a six-by-six-foot table for $30 or a 10-by-10 table for $50. To become a vendor, contact Funky Junk Northwest by phone, through its Facebook page or on its website.

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Funky Junk Northwest, 13310 Bel-Red Road, Suite 103, Bellevue, 425-429-2022. The market is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Saturday.