Oh
Brimfield...once a year we meet, and you always kick my butt. You really do... I find you exhausting, exhilarating, overwhelming and for the first time ever, a bit sad. Let me explain. I always block off one day in May to attend the enormous antique show known as
Brimfield. It is located in Brimfield, MA about an hour and a half from Providence. I
took Vijay when he was a baby,
I went alone last year, very pregnant, and this year, I had Vik along for the ride while Vijay stayed home with a sitter (busy toddler + Brimfield does not equal fun).
It started out as a beautiful morning, sunny with a slight chill in the air. Vik slept for the entire car ride, while I drank coffee and listened to NPR (did you know there is a whole wide world out there beyond babyland?!), and we both arrived feeling refreshed. I loaded Vik in the stroller, and packed it to the brim with food, blankets, diapers, wipes, change of clothes, toys, camera, cloth bags, and my baby carrier. We had a great time browsing for the first hour or two, but for some reason, I just couldn't get into the thrifting spirit (warning, if you want a happy Brimfield post, quit reading and visit
last years post!).
And then it hit me- my feelings stemmed from the fact that so many of the vendors seem like they don't want to sell anything- no bargaining, and shocking sticker prices. What kinda kills me is they have piles of STUFF that they cart around from show to show, and when you offer them $10 under their crazy high price, they huff and puff and tell you how valuable it is. And all I can think is- I'm pretty sure you would rather hoard this stuff than sell it. Like the pretty turquoise Ball jars above- the vendor had hundreds of them, and wouldn't budge off his $15 sticker price. Can you imagine wanting to wrap all of those up and cart them to the next show, just to have them not sell again due to their high price? I'm afraid I can't quite understand that mentality.
I don't want to be a downer, but I also felt overwhelmed by all of the STUFF. I often have the same feeling when I walk into a Target, or other one-stop-shop. In fact I rarely go to those places- I think my last trip was six months ago, and I broke out in hives on my chest. No joke. The environmental science nerd in me flares up, and I start thinking about all of the resources used to make all of the STUFF, multiplied by every big store across our country, and then across our world, and just thinking about all of that stuff, most of it plastic, and most of it cheaply made, and most of it destined for a landfill within a year of being purchased, causes me to flip out. While I didn't quite have that experience at Brimfield, I did feel almost saddened by all of the stuff- piles and piles of it. Granted, buying secondhand is SO MUCH better than buying new. But my goodness, with so much old stuff laying around, I can't imagine why we need to make anything new (especially plastic stuff- there is almost nothing plastic to be found at Brimfield, all wood, glass, metal and tin...interesting).
Anyway...before I completely depress you, I will share pictures of a few of the things that caught my eye, as well as snapshots from a few of my favorite vendors. They are friendly, their booths are artfully arranged and I always find a few beautiful little trinkets to take home (which I'll show you soon!).
I loved that vase...and looking at it again, I am kinda kicking myself for not just taking the plunge. Can you imagine it chock full of flowers? Oh shucks, maybe I'll have to go back tomorrow :) I also thought the little metal basket for carrying mason jars would be charming to bring on a picnic (charming, but impractical with my boys!).
If I had the right knitting project, I would have bought a handful of those mother-of-pearl buttons. They were gorgeous, as was that etched silver pitcher. Sigh...loved it. I also enjoyed browsing the small black and white portraits- wouldn't you love to know a bit about each person? What's their story, who were they, and how did their picture end up at Brimfield? I bought a few of the lavender sachets for $5 (not antique, but printed with antique images). Perfect for little hostess gifts.
I really wanted a dress form for my studio, but I was a bit overwhelmed thinking about getting it into the car and home. Same goes for the amazing dresser- I was
this close to buying it, but I chickened out at the thought of transporting it with baby in tow. Wouldn't it be amazing for a kids room? Too, too cute. Anyone going to Brimfield tomorrow that wants to lug it home for me :)
I love the pressed tin framed mirrors- one day, when I have the right space, one of these beauties is coming home with me. Mark my words.
Finally, I'm always so tempted by the children's offerings. That firetruck would have been a big hit at our house (but for $200 I couldn't do it), as would the adorable buckets (again, too pricey). But I do love browsing the kids stuff, and imagining how loved it once was.
I would like to share the names of my favorite vendors- many of them have stores, and websites, so be sure to check them out (and if they don't have a website, search them out on the map if you visit Brimfield!). They were so sweet, and totally cool with me taking pictures, and their kindness was much appreciated-
Nesting on Main,
Beth Hylan Designs, Cary Goodrich at
Thoreauly Antiques, Eye Openers,
Antique Therapy,
Sage Farm Antiques. Finally, if you'd like a peek at what Brimfield with a baby looks like, here you go.... and now you see why I couldn't fathom buying anything bigger than a thimble!
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