Last Friday night, after work, my friend Kris & I drove about three and a half hours northeast of New York City, to the small town of Brimfield, Massachusetts, for the Brimfield Antique Show, which is (supposedly) the largest outdoor antique show in the world.
The show has been held three times a year (in May, July and September) for over 50 years. Dealers and visitors come from all over the world (26 different countries!).
During the show, the population of Brimfield grows from 3,000 residents to over 250,000 visitors and 5,000 dealers, who sell everything from fine antiques to "junk".
We parked at the church, which also served as a point of reference if we got lost (which was easy to do).
In one of the first booths, a little fan caught my eye. As I walked into the next booth, I had to stop and go back for another look. It was old, and really dusty, but looked like it had never been used. (The vendor even had the original box.) And the color was so cute!
So, I made my first purchase! I love it, and (luckily) it works perfectly!
In the very next booth, I walked over to get a closer look at a set of china. I don't really need fine china, but this was a really pretty pattern.
Without even asking, the vendor said "I'll give you the whole set for $15". I was really surprised (and a bit skeptical because there seemed to be a lot there) and he apparently took my hesitation as a form of bargaining because he then said "Ok, I'll give you the whole set for $13".
Well, you can't really go wrong for $13.
So, I'm now the proud owner of about 100 pieces (not exaggerating) of Mikasa Chadsworth fine china.
I actually really like it. In addition to the plates and bowls, I also have a gravy boat, sugar bowl, creamer, platters, serving bowls and about 20 sets of cups and saucers.
I will never use it all, but it is really pretty...
Soon after that, I saw these:
My dad had asked me to look for old license plates and these were used on a car that was being exported from Germany (which I thought was appropriate since my dad had been stationed there with the Air Force). They'll make a good Father's Day present!
Since my apartment is so small, I try to find things that are cute, but also useful. I especially look for different storage ideas.
I'd seen several old wooden crates but they were all really expensive. So, when I saw this one...
...and the vendor said it was only $10, I grabbed it.
The exterior is worn and faded, but the interior is perfect!
And, as I was carrying it back to the car, a guy asked me if I'd gotten a good deal on it. I had no real idea how much it was worth, so I asked him what would be considered a "good deal", and he said "$20". So, yeah, I guess I did get a good deal!
However...
I probably paid more for this old Godiva tin than I should have. But, it was only $5 and the people selling it looked like they could really use the money. I like the colors, and (again) it'll be good for storage.
I bought two necklaces, on long silver chains.
I love the round one. It's actually a clock!
It doesn't work, but I'm hoping that it only needs a new battery.
The other, though... it's a ladybug, that is also a clock. But, it looks a bit too much like a bug. I do like the chain, though! (And, it was only $3.)
I also bought a white wicker folding chair that the vendor believes had been used on the deck of a ship. I don't really have room for it in my apartment, but it was such a unique and cute chair that Kris & I decided that somebody had to have it. That somebody turned out to be Kris. It looks great in her backyard, don't you think?
By the end of the day, my car looked like this...
(Those two big boxes of bananas are actually full of my new china.)
Even with all that, I did see some things that I liked, but didn't buy...
I love old bikes. And that "thing" in the background is actually really pretty.
And I loved the colors of these old Christmas ornaments.
This would've been great as a coffee table in my living room.
Remember these glasses? I had some just like this! And, I love Wile E. Coyote. He never gives up.
Everything in this booth was gorgeous. I would be happy if my entire apartment looked like this booth.
The next morning, we headed back to New York, after a good breakfast at Annie's Country Kitchen, in the neighboring town of Sturbridge.
It had been recommended to us the night before by some locals and they were right! How good do these pancakes look?
So, it was a fun trip. The market was a success, and Brimfield is gorgeous.
I can't wait to go back!
