Brimfield Antiques Show... a Jaw Dropping Event

Hi All! Sorry I have been MIA lately. The new job and freelancing have been keeping me busy, but I love every minute of it. The only downside - not enough time to dedicate to crafting or blogging. Tho I am hoping as I get into the flow of things I will be able to carve out a little time for creating.

Well last weekend the Hubby and I went to the Brimfield Antique Show in Brimfield, MA. This was our first time. OMG!!! I have never seen anything like this... amazing!!

But first a little history...

Since 1959, Brimfield, Massachusetts has been the Antique and Collectibles Capital of the United States. Today, there are 21 independent shows and thousands of dealers. As the premiere hot spot for antiquing and collecting in America, Brimfield attracts people from around the world. Rare and unusual items can be found as buyers search through history’s great marketplace. There is excitement among shoppers getting caught up in the spirit of antiquing and the thrill of the hunt. All booths offer a diversified range of antiques and collectibles. Dealers are knowledgeable about their specialties and eager to share their expertise. Brimfield is a veritable adventure in history. Expect to see things rarely seen anywhere else in the world. The Brimfield Antique Flea Markets happens three times a year: May, July and September. Each event has it’s own individual feel.

We both had last Friday off so we took off about 8 in the morning for the show, MapQuest estimated that it would be about 1.5 hour drive. We were making great time until we were about 5 miles away. We sat in traffic for almost an hour.  Not deterred we finally made our way to the mile long antique show. Vendors as far as the eye could see!!!

We pulled into the New England Motel & Antiques Market and we were lucky as we scored the last spot. The parking attendant was so friendly and helpful, he gave us the rundown of the show and other tidbits. This event also has a bunch of food trucks along the road. There was such a great variety, from hot dogs and burgers to paninis and mac & cheese. Of course we had to do a little bit of tasting. We settled on a chicken wrap and later an ice cream cone.  
Now onto the shopping...



As we starting walking through the NE Motel market, WOW, what a feast for the eyes and a bit overwhelming. There was such cool stuff. If I only had a bigger home I could have done a lot of damage. 

Below are some photos I took of different vendors, most speak for themselves...

I snagged these beauties, they are made out of kitchen utensils... amazing right?

The next few pictures come from a vendor's tent, McLaren's Interiors.
They had the most amazing stuff I could have bought a ton of stuff here, but refrained since there is not much room left in the condo to store anything. Here are a few of the items they offered..

I could have bought everyone of these!!!

And now for the item that really made my head swoon! One of my many dreams is to have a farmhouse with a big kitchen and this will sit right in the middle...

Come now doesn't that just take your breath away... I must have stood there for about 15 minutes just imaging storing potatoes and onions in a few of those metal draws. The family gathered around the island laughing and feasting. This will be going into my dream house idea book.

Well if you are around the NE area and have not experience Brimfield it should be put on your bucket list.

Enjoy the Memorial Day weekend!

Treasure Hunting in North Conway

Hi All! Today I am heading back to our trip to the White Mountains of New Hampshire to tell you about this wonderful and delightful antique shop we came upon. 

No vacation would be complete without some treasure hunting. 

This great shop is called Our Favorite Things Collectibles. Let me stop and take a breath, wow, what a treasure trove this shop is. Upon walking through the door you were confronted with a feast for your eyes. There were so many wonderful items. We were lucky as the shop was a few days from closing down for the winter. 

The women in the shop were just lovely, like you were talking to an old friend. The owner, Carole Cotton, has been taking visitors on a trip back in time, sharing items from the past, for over 10 years. She was quoted in an article written about her in the Conway Daily Sun where she stated: "There's magic in the items, and I love to evoke that sense in my customers as they go over every nook and cranny of the jam-packed, unusual store. It doesn't matter one bit if a person doesn't purchase an item, everyone will receive a token gift when they leave and more than likely a hug after a warm and ‘real’ conversation,” Cotton, never one to hide her enthusiasm and love for life — and who says she is proud of her nickname, “The Crazy Lady.”  “It's about us, the people, the gratitude of real and warm words. We are all in such a rush, so self-absorbed, and so afraid to reach out to one another, that this small cabin on Route 16 will change that!”

Can you not see why I fell in love with this shop? I could have spent hours there. If I lived in the area I would stop in all the time, to look, maybe buy, but mostly to talk to the wonderful ladies who work there.

I really had to keep telling myself there is only so much room in our car. But, I did score 2 items!!!! YEAH!

Wood Carved Frame 

Don't you just love the detail?

Milking stool from Yugoslavia 

Isn't she just adorable?

 If you happen to be in the area this little shop is a must!

 

No Better Way to Spend the Day...

Hi-ya! Hope you had a great weekend. We had fantastic weather here in NE, so the Hubby and I had some fun on Saturday and on Sunday I was able to get some creative projects started, some finished, and some future projects planned. 

Saturday, Hubby and I went to the Madison Historical Society Antiques Fair. There were about 70 dealers. There were many items of great history, some unique, eclectic, and strange. The prices were definitely not flea market but more retail, dispite that, we had a great time walking around and browsing. 

As luck would have it, I did find one item that had to come home with me. 

Yep, old fashioned clothespins. Do you remember using this style to make reindeers at Christmas, I do. Previously I bought an old washboard (read about it here). I am in the processes of re-decorating my upstairs bathroom and planning to use some old fashioned laundry items. So I have been collecting items along my travels. 

I still have shelving to stain, hardware to put together, and then add the finishing touch, my found treasures. 

Final reveal to come soon, stay tuned.