Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Brimfield in July

Brimfield. The Big Flea as some call it... I went once, I think in high school and I swore never again. Too big, too expensive... no fun. But then all of a sudden it got really popular in blog land... Which is funny to me because I grew up so close... How could something so close to my little old home town be worthy of an Olsen twin making the journey from NYC? Totes cray cray, right?
So, for the past year or so I thought maybe I should give it a second chance... Even though I knoww that vendors pretty much double their normal prices and there's a whole slew of corporate chain store gremlins roaming around trying to grab everything before you do. But, it's so close to my mum and dad - and it's a huge flea market - why wouldn't I want to go?



Alice shares the same "to Brimfield, or not to Brimfield?" views as me ... but I somehow convinced her with good 'ol fashioned enthusiasm (I think I was also trying to convince myself a little too...) and we promised we'd act casual about this. We'd get there early but we weren't trying to be up with the sun and we weren't going to get stressed if our dream objects were sold to someone else from right under our nose. Whatever is whatever ... just go, check it out - no biggie.

forest


The night before as I was planning our attack (what fields were a must to visit, where to park..) my parents suggested we take their Radio Flyer wagon. Which was a savior - and I am pretty sure that I need to bring a wagon to all flea markets from here on out. No more tired shoulders! And we sort of managed to beat the heat delirium with an ice cold cooler full of snacks and drinks.

humble wagon crew


We spent about 7 hours walking around. And even ran into Jeff! We covered a lot of ground, but it's just impossible to do it all in one day (which is why it's 6 days long)

jeffphoto and forest

cool pix


To be honest - I wasn't really wow'd by too much. A lot of the vendors had more of a 'dirt merchant' vibe rather than 'collector and seller of the most beautiful objects' ... But, I think it's just the time of the year. No one wants to deal with the heat and humidity that is July and I think all the vendors pull out the good stuff for the May/September shows when there's way more people who come out.

returning to the best booth


There was one booth that I spent too much time in, and of course I found a few nice things to take home...

. . .
Brimfield Finds - Yellow Rose Print
. . .
Brimfield Finds - under things
. . .
Brimfield Finds - Floral Mirror
. . .
Brimfield Finds - Mourning Cards
. . .
Brimfield Finds - Button Cards
. . .
Brimfield Finds - Americana Quilt
. . .
Brimfield Finds - Americana Quilt


Sadly I totally ruined that quilt when cleaning it - so instead of selling it on etsy I'm going to tuck it away and save it for the next time I'm in New England and want to go on a warm weather adventure.

I'm heading back to San Francisco on Thursday night with my parents and Westley in tow and I have a whole lot of things to do before then. Lots of things for the etsy shop need to be cleaned and fixed up - so I best be off to take care of business!

21 comments:

samantha said...

Aw that quilt is precious. It's tragic it got ruined in the wash:(

rebekka said...

I do love the quilt...

PrettyDamnCute said...

This is so timely. I live in Mass and tend not to do too many flew markets, but I started looking for some last night and read about Brimfield. Was thinking about the one in the fall...thanks for the info -- I'm totally bringing a wagon (or my husband to act as a wagon).

Mandi Johnson said...

I also ruined a beautiful antique quilt that I purchased from the Canton antique expo here in Ohio. It was 20 dollars!!! Such a steal. But now I have it hanging on my wall in the bedroom as a headboard, because there are holes on the back, thanks to my carelessness. :/

Unknown said...

wow everything looks so decent!! :)
page

Secondhand Stella said...

I agree about the "dirt merchant" vibe of Brimfield this time around. I was definitely disappointed even though I knew the July show wasn't as great as the rest.

The Snow Child said...

you look like the coolest, grooviest people ever. if i saw you down the street i would think, "man, i want to be like that"

jeff allen said...

hahaha what are we doing in that photo? Magic hands mouse?

hannah, heart city said...

well as overwhelming as that sounds, you found some just lovely stuff! i'll have to check this flea out some day..

Jessica said...

I'm with The Snow Child.

ps: bummmerrrrr about the quilt!! It's been on mind mind--so beautiful! Shucks, the woes of washing old treasures. At least it'll be a good quilt to have that you wouldn't mind gettin' dirty!

xx

kathy said...

Oh, it's so sad when the chain stores send their buyers to snap up the best dresses to copy. My housemate has just been telling me about how they cut massive holes out of everything to use for samples at her work, it's made me feel so sad thinking about it xx

Good Twin said...

Interesting to read your perspective on Brimfield ... I went with my sister for our first time this past weekend and we had a blast! It is true that the prices are super high, but I did find some treasures (especially on Sunday afternoon when everyone was packing up). Thanks for sharing yours! Lovely finds, always! <3

westaman said...

whatever is whatever

Love_Again said...

love the wagon! it would be mighty handy for big market trips..i might have to get myself one!

Bárbara said...

I think i'd love to go to a place like that one day

LincolnTaft said...

I agree. I found treasures but if was not worth the heat and sun burn.

The lemonade was good...

http://lesyeuxsansvisage-lincolntaft.blogspot.com/

red dirt revival said...

how great to have something like that so close to your house! I hate when it's summer like this and all the good stuff is either gone or being saved for later. Sad for the ruined quilt :(

Madame LaLa said...

lovely photographs <3
looks like a lot of fun.


check out my blog if you have time ;)
its all about FASHION.

xox
sarah from http://madame-lala.blogspot.com/

EF said...

aw, what a beautiful quilt! Good thing it still works as a blanket. It's hard to wreck a blanket. Anyway, I love the hat you're wearing.

Victorious Youth said...

You guys look so cute!

Unknown said...

Did you get the other half of that photo case with the red velvet? Probably a Daguerreotype or Ambrotype.

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