Result:
78 MAUREEEN
- If I had a pie chart, it would show 65-70% is semi-junk to serious junk, and 30-35% were various things that warranted looking at, considering buying or at least admiring.
- If you are a hoarder you will be in absolute heaven.....definitely saw my share of things where we both scratched our head saying "who would buy that"?
- If you want to feel like a supermodel....by all means go to Brimfield. Even in our scrubby clothes, its was an ego boost...lol.
- Everyones really nice and friendly, a real mix from your dealers and serious collectors to designers and decorators to shop owners sprinkled with plenty of those who looked like they never left Woodstock
and maybe haven't bathed since then eitherand decided to just stick around until the next great thing comes along, in this case....Brimfield :) - That I would definitely return and possibly as soon as May '13
- That I am really happy we decided to make it a super looooong day trip (got home very late) The "accommodations" are limited at best and the one or two 'good" hotels gets booked way early
- To say coming home to my own shower and cozy comfy bed was like heaven is a serious understatement, there are no words.
- If you are like me, and pretty particular about what to eat, you might not be very pleased with the pickings, my suggestion bring your own sandwich or snacks. I was not "feeling" the food choices, which were things like pulled pork,, to a greasy looking BBQ to clams strips and lobster rolls (huh? so not buying a lobster roll from a food truck in 90 degree heat). I might sound picky or too particular but I take my food seriously :)
- You should not be at all concerned with what to wear. I mean I normally like to look nice and smart, but we dressed down. Way down. And were still two of the best dressed there.
- If you are looking for weird things like heaps of used clothes, broken records, a giant rusty iron anchor painted hot pink with lime green polka dots, a 6 foot tall Dennis the Menace, bird houses made from recycled mailboxes, piles of worn to the max tires, plastic spare body parts, a champagne glass that is 5 feet tall or any other oddball thing you can dream up....trust me its at Brimfield!
But aside from all the oddball things and there are many, there are also some really wonderful things too. I came home with a little stash, paintings, a litlte silver, two tole pieces and a really fabuous discovery. Naturally the very first thing I fell in love with and made a beeline for as if we were magnets was a magnificent heavy sterling pitcher by that little company, Tiffany and Co. It was $5200 and needless to say it did not come home with me, but I did take a picture home as a souvenir!
The detailing is exquisite
Lots of no parking signs for the endless number of parking lots. We got lucky though
Imagine this aisle x 1000 or more...its an endless number of rows and rows of set up shops
It was fun seeing the dough bowls but I must say my own resource in my humble opinion beat any that I saw both in quality and price, these were on average 250-295 and were really beaten up, but still fun to look at!
I have no use for these but they were awfully pretty.........
I was definitely drawn to any booth that had blue and white!
Some interesting old lanterns
I love old books....these were really pretty just wish they werent' so heavy!
The Tiffany pitcher I had to leave behind......boo hoo
Love old filing cabinets, the woods and hardware are so beautiful
Ditto old signs...
You know I loved this, she featured some really gorgeous European linens
How pretty is this, and check out the monogram headboard!
I ordered a few of these items (monogram pillow shams) for my shop..they are too special to not have!
More monogrammed lovlieness
Love all the soft painted Swedish antiques
Really love these urns too!
A very pretty sconce but it wasn't big enough...surprisingly not much lighting there.
Just love the colors and patina here......
More light painted furniture.....so sweet.
A touch of whimsy with the pink bicycle
Lots of beautiful silver to be found...there was no shortage!
And I do love old crystal decanters....
Just giving you an idea of what the main drag looks like.......
Would have loved this trunk to your left for my sons room but I literally have no place to put it..so pretty though!
Beautiful silverware...you had to have patience to go through it but she had beautiful things!
One of the painting vendors, he had some nice art
You know I love these!
And these! Always drawn to beautiful old urns....
What is it about old stacked boxes? The colors, the textures? I just know I like it!
This picture does not do this justice but thisi s so awesome, measures about 5 x 5 and the colors are so brilliant, the blue is a rreally rich royal blue..thinking of this for my sons room. I love crests!
And love beach scenes too......
But this freaked me out! Anyone else out there freaked out by possessed looking dolls? I was captivated and kind of horrified at the same time:)
This one was lurking around the corner......she looks a little possessed too, don't you think? I SWEAR her eyes were following us as we walked away.......
People starting to make their way home at the end of a long but adventurous day.....
Lots of relics from the past......
Love the big round tole tray do not like the "Carrie" lookalike next to it!
Now onto the "discovery" I told you about....met a really nice and super talented man, Chip who makes these magnificent pewter napkin rings. I mean seriously I fell in love. I ordered some and am going to start carrying his things. They are all designed, molded and hand made by Chip and his wife. All pewter and just stunning, like conversation pieces at any table, made to last and cherish forever. They are magnificent and special collectibles. He will customize anything. Just check out the details and imagine them on your table......
Three hares "talking'
Some of the various designs
Got six of these.....the wheels move...can you believe how gorgeous!
And this oriental man figure? LOVE!
Got the equestrian too.....stunning!
Another chinoiserie one......
The bee hive....
The fox and a pair of birds...
The detailing is exquisite
The ducks walking in a row..too cute
The animals playing on a slide......
Adore this one too....the animal "congo line" hysterical!
Check out the hare and tortoise up front.....
A few of my goodies......I think they fit in qtuie well with William Secords magnficent dog painting collection.......
Really like the colors........
I LOVE dog paitingings
Love the colors and the frame.....
Love the pair of pugs
Very dusty needs a good cleaning
So...what do you think? About Brimfield? About my discovery? Scary dolls? My finds? It was a lot of fun and I would absolutely recommend a visit. I would also recommend taking my "pointers" into consideration. Overall it was a really fun day!! Thanks for stopping in, have a fabulous weekend!
I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! I am the first one here!
ReplyDeleteOH TINA, first of all, thank you for your enthusiastic and kind comments on my post. It truly, really means a lot to me that my words could speak. YOU ALREADY SPARKLE because you work so hard, you bring beauty into life and you have accomplished much!
I LOVE THAT TEDDY IS A SNEAK! What a guy...those dogs really do know what they are doing!
OK.....BRIMFIELD. I lived in Mass. for 11 years and we went to this event once. WHAT A FABULOUS THING. At the time, we were poor students so we could NOT buy a thing. Oh, those were the days.
I SAW MY CRYSTAL SCONCES! That one you featured, I just got a pair this week EXACTLY LIKE IT! Perfect for my shabby chic front room.
My friend, you bring us joy every day. SPARKLE ON my Tina! Anita
The breathtaking craftsmanship of the napkin rings was just so inspiring to see. Am so happy you will be stocking these. What a find! And the Brimfield review was great! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteOh my God, I have never seen anything like this ; I would go crazy ! Of course, I particularly loved the hare napkin rings !..
ReplyDeleteWow! Looks like you had fun and I love those napkin rings that you got! Those dolls were scary looking! Thank God I'm reading this post in the morning and not at night! Haha!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! How fun! I love the laterns!
ReplyDelete=)
Brooke
oh my!
ReplyDeletethe signs, the wooden bowls, the old chairs, the art....
i am drooling.
i winder if i will ever make it there?
xox
I could easily spend the day here as well. You just never know what you might find. That's the thrill isn't it? But one does have to be patient and willing to pour through lots of junk to find the gem. Great post.
ReplyDeleteI'm heading there now and am wishing I had beaten you to those paintings! Gorgeous finds! Here's hoping I can find some goodies!
ReplyDeleteI love the Brimfield show & have only been once, over 10 years ago. I've been itching to go back since! The photo of the Swedish antiques did it for me....I will be visiting in May!
ReplyDeleteI do love Brimfield and miss it! Too long a drive from N.C. these days. My favorite garden ornament is one my friend saw my admiring, bought, and surprised me several months later at my birthday party!
ReplyDeleteYou are SO funny and a teeny tiny bit naughty and I am rolling on the floor! Great tour of the selection and I am wondering what you thought of the prices overall? Love love love that dog painting you took home. Can't wait to see what you do with your finds. Linda
ReplyDeleteLoved reading this post! Brimfield looks like a great adventure and I screamed with laughter at your description of super model potential and the possibility of folks not bathing since Woodstock!:)EWW! Love the urns, the paintings, just loved all the things you pictured and those pewter creations are unique and fantastic!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Your photography is beautiful! Brimfield reminds me of what we have in Canton, TX. It is a great way to spend a day.I don't care what you say... in my next life I want to come back as Teddy in your house! all the best..
ReplyDeletehttp://preppyemptynester.blogspot.com/
Ok your "guidelines" were HYSTERICAL. I was laughing because we were there two years ago and you are so right. My mom showed up in her neatly pressed khakis and button down shirt and looked like royalty. Its a unique bunch but as you said tons of fun.
ReplyDeleteI would love to go back one day. Your highlights were fantastic! I love everything, your paintings those incredible napkin rings, I see several I would love to get my hands on. The linens with the monogram, it is all so lovely! Thanks for such a fun and entertaining review.
I laughed at your comments about the people and conditions at the market. I could have written that myself from my experience at many of the 'antique' markets we have visited.
ReplyDeleteMarket shopping requires tremendous patience on so many levels, but when you find the treasure it makes the journey worth the effort.
You have me laughing so hard, thanks I needed that!!
ReplyDeleteLove your humor. YES I am also petrified of dolls, those are so eerie, something about old dolls really unnerves me too.
All your finds were so beautiful, the dog paintings my favorite. The pewter napkin rings also, what a work of art! I really love those linens, any chance you might carry them? They are realy beautiful, love how big the monogram is.
What a fun day. Your narrative was so enjoyable. Hopefully will get there myself some day and I will be SURE to make it a day trip, haha.
Have a nice weekend.
Oh, BTW - I like the new header on your blog.
ReplyDeleteOld urns, vintage books, beautiful linens, fine paintings, painted furniture, it all makes me so excited, like I want to jump in my car and head there now. But seeing it would take me 2 days out of the question! Only thing I dont' like is the dolls. Oh they scare me too:-)
ReplyDeleteGlad you had fun, looks like a blast. I really love the art and napkin rings you took home- almost as much as Iiked your overview, it is so funny! I know what you mean...you just wonder WHO buys some of that stuff?
Fun post Tina.
Thank Tina for the tour of Brimfield..I feel as if I went for the first time along with you!! I love the paintings you brought home. What is it about dog paintings (and animal paintings for that matter!), that I love so much?? Have fun with your new finds Tina, and thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteBrimfield is one of the places I am DYING to go see! So glad you gave us such a comprehensive tour! I was laughing out loud at all of your pointers! We have an antique show nearby in Atlanta every month and your pointers hit the nail on the head even about that fair! All so very true! LOVE your finds…HATE the dolls…love the paintings as well the napkin rings. Especially love the monogrammed linens! So beautiful! What a fun day that must have been! Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteTina, You did a great job showing us the sites at Brimfield, one of the best I have seen. Brimfield is on my bucket list, hope to make it there someday!! Scary dolls, I am with you, I don't like them, remember the movie Chucky? Love your discovery, I went to an antique show and saw a whole collection of antique napkin holders, very much like what you are showing. I had never seen such intricate works of art! Love them, happy weekend,
ReplyDeleteKathysue
Congrats to Maureen! Oh, I love the photos of Brimfild you have shared! I'm in Georgia and we have Scott's Antique Market. The silver is lovely and I agree your dough trenches are better! Love the art too! Funny story about the people and conditions in the market!
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed the trip with you to Brimfield ... and re the dolls - well my daughter was given one of those incredibly valuable vintage porcelain dolls by her great grandmother but was so scared of it we had to wrap it up and pack it away in another room because it freaked her out so much she had nightmares!!!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great day - we don't have big antique fairs like that here ... ours are much smaller but maybe it's easier that way - just not the variety that you have.
Thanks for sharing ...
Wow!! What a trip Tina! I am sure you were exhausted upon completion of your tour. After a while, I'm afraid my eyes would gotten a bit blurry! The prints you picked up are very nice and will fit perfectly with your decor. Such pretty linens and I'm sure you picked up a boat-load of silver! Those dolls are a little creepy.. especially with the cracked face. Wasn't there some horror movie that involved dolls like that? :):)
ReplyDeleteGreat finds and looks like a successful trip overall.
Have a wonderful weekend!
How fun to follow you along on your Brimfield experience. From what I have heard and you really verified is that the vendors know what they have and there are not many "bargains"
ReplyDeleteFinding those pewter napkin rings was worth it though! So unique!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Brimfield! Chuckled at your description, Tina. It has gotten better in terms of quality of dealer. If you're hungry...off premises you go. There is a quaint little French restaurant we would hit at the end of the day. Brimfield is a huge flea market plain and simple that has grown in quantity and quality of dealers over the years. I missed it this year (moved to San Francisco from Boston) but did some visual shopping through your great images! Lots of client finds and some special treasures for my own home. I'll miss the source. It's always fun to peruse with a gal pal, but it's the burly husband that works best... to carry the heavy things to the car... opps... 18 wheeler! lol Thanks for sharing your story of Brimfield. Always fun to read!
ReplyDeleteJudy G.
I laughed hysterically over your comments about the doll. Thank you I needed a good laugh.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun excurion. Have never been, know my husband would never agree to go but maybe will drag a girlfriend since its only about 4 hours away from us. Looks like you got some great things, love your paintings and the napkin rings are brilliant.
ReplyDeleteAgree about the dough bowls, I love mine that I got from you and its one of my favorite things in my kitchen, the ones above are not even close. I love your take on these fun trips, so humorous. Glad you had fun, Tina.
I thought that was a TRS sofa. They are the best when it comes to down sofas and many of their fabrics are exclusive. I have a dog Teddy too. He's a little poodle and laying on my chaise right now! I'm with you on the animals not laying on the furniture. My kids and husband do not agree with me. They spoil Teddy so it's a losing battle. At least my Teddy doesn't shed. I enjoy your blog. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteFor those who couldn't possibly ever get there in person it was a great "day out", just my kind of place to poke around in. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun day! I am drooling over it all....even the junk looks like it made for a fun day. I am in love with the napkin holders, when will you carry them? And your paintings are devine!
ReplyDeleteIt is all wonderful, I would love to go one day, your commentary was so entertaining, Tina. Glad you came home with some keepers and as always, thanks so much for sharing!
Oh my goodness, I feel exhausted from this shopping trip! But thanks for taking us along.. I don't like to miss shopping trips like this one!
ReplyDeletePS love your newest banner.. you are getting to be like me! Aren't they fun to make? You have definitely gotten the hang of it - I'm liking each one better than the last!
XO
Jan
take me with you in may, girlfriend. i will pack my most distressed jeans.
ReplyDeletere: dough bowls
did i tell you i paid less than $100 for my gigantic one from hungary? i sweet talked the dude for sure but still...i am used to midwest pricing!
someday i will share my source for bargains with you.
smiles.
michele
Oh what fun. We can only make it to Brimfield from Texas once a year, so we go in May for a fun girls week. I'm so glad you posted as I would love to go in the fall someday. There's no denying the fact that there is a lot of crazy stuff and eclectic people to see, but to me that makes it even more enjoyable. Thanks for sharing you adventure.
ReplyDeleteSmiles,
Carol
Oh, honey, yes. Those dolls flat creep me out! But I'm LOVING the monogrammed pillows!
ReplyDeleteBethA in Houston
Please e-mail me about the pewter napkin rings. I am very interested in the one with the beehive. My e-mail is smdtarry@bellsouth.net
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Maria
It's silly to think mere dolls are scarey.
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh Tina about Teddy being on the sofa he looked cute and comfy. Dylan has never once tried to get on our furniture but then again he has his own stuff to get comfy on. As for Brimfield I’ve been going for over twenty years and the more you go the more you’ll get to know the fields and good dealers. Always take a basket on wheels I know they sell them at Brimfield to haul your stuff. Always take your own food I always fix a picnic for the husband and I since we don’t eat fast food and I’m not eating that greasy junk. If you want to get a room for next year make your reservations now today or you’ll be out on that score but look in Sturbridge for a room they’re a bit better but not much. Brimfield is so much fun and I went down for the textile show and twice to go what I like to call junking but I found some great urns and a few other outside things. Glad you had fun on your first visit but if you’re looking for slightly better antiques I suggest Round top in Texas it’s heaven!
ReplyDeleteRest up and enjoy your Sunday!
XX
Debra~
This has me laughing so hard, your hilarious take on the show. You are so right, about your observations. There indeed is a very odd bunch but its a lot of fun as you said and once you get through the junk, theres some really great things to be found there. I found a gorgeous desk, dining table and chandelier last year when we were there in May. I share your fear of those scary porcelain faced dolls.....something about them really makes me want to turn away, could never have one in my house!!
ReplyDeleteYour finds were fabulous, love the pewter napkin rings and look forward to you actually selling them, I would love the horse ones. And your paintings are stunning, Tina. I can't wait to see where you put them. I really enjoyed this post, it was so well done. (as usual). Nice picture taking!
Lots to love there! I would have been in heaven! I happen to like antique dolls and wanted to collect them someday, but my daughter is so scared of them, I had to relinquish that idea, lol!
ReplyDeleteLove those napkin rings, they are so original and whimsical. Great find!
You managed to find some lovely things, Tina!
ReplyDeleteFantastic Tina... It reminds me of some of the big fairs in France... Do you ever wonder where all these things come from?? I am always amazed how there is so much all the time... You found some fabulous finds... I agree about the dolls... not so sure... :) HAppy Sunday... xv
ReplyDeleteWow - wish we had something like that here. We have some markets but most of the stuff is just junk and not worth $5. That looks amazing. I would have bought lots.
ReplyDeleteTina ... this antique fair looks amazing! I love the silver Tiffany jug..... and the French pieces look gorgeous! I don't think I would have walked away empty handed! More like back up the truck and pack it full.....Beautiful!
ReplyDeletebest wishes
Frances
Yes old dolls make me a little freaked out too. Your narrative is hilarious. Right on the money, Brimfield is loads of fun filled with an interesting cast of characters from all walks of life.
ReplyDeleteWas there a few years ago, would love to go back. Your pictures are wonderful, love the pewter rings and your beautiful paintings. That Tiffany pitcher is also quite beautiful.
Glad you had fun, thanks for letting us go along with you.
literally dying! Wish I was shopping along there instead of going to class!
ReplyDeletehad to google Brimfield to find out what state it was in...sounds like a nice time
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun time! Those napkins rings are beautiful...nice wedding present, so special. Got to give Teddy credit for "taking a chance."
ReplyDeleteI bet you had a blast finding all those treasures! I especially like the silver tiffany pitcher, swedish antiques, and the crystal decanters. Thanks for posting pics of these lovely jewels!
ReplyDeleteTina,
ReplyDeleteI've been to Brimfield and I didn't see nearly as many great things as you tracked down. I love the napkin rings and will be excited to see them in your store. So many pretty temptations.
Karen
P.S. Yes, the dolls looked pretty creepy, maybe it's the movie "Chickie" that they conjure up.
Oh Tina! Watching your pics was like being there! I live in Argentina and our flea markets are not that fabulous, in fact you have to attend private auctions in order to find good pieces. I know I would have got crazy in Brimfield. The silverware, the antique poupees, even the map surrounded by coats of arms? Heaven, pure heaven. Thanks for this short trip to USA! Huge hug!
ReplyDelete