New Feature – Tales from the Flea Market – Go Forth & Forage

Alameda Point Antiques and Collectibles Faire

The Main Runway at Alameda Point. Alameda, CA

It’s the first Sunday in January (yeah) and it also happens to be 6:00
a.m. and my parking karma is putting me right in front row parking (I’m
thinking my practically valet spot has more to do with the time of
morning than my karma but its all good regardless).  I pay my early VIP
entrance fee of $15.  Now I could wait until 9:00 a.m. and pay just $5
but then all the good stuff might be gone. The Alameda Point Antiques and Collectibles Faire or simply “Alameda”
if you are in the know, offers a stunning array of vintage finds from
jewels to furniture to collectibles and everything and I do mean
everything in between.

I’ve been foraging Alameda for the past eight years with stunning
success and much happiness.  I love everything about this monthly event
–  the wares, the people, the typically cold weather, the view of San
Francisco skyline and the Bay and the beauty of enjoying a sausage
sandwich complete with onions, mustard and sour kraut around 9:30 a.m.
Kettle Korn is also available for my noon time craving.  Apparently this market is second only to the Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena.

{Click any images to enlarge}

Flea Markets – The Original World Market

Alameda boasts a wide variety of approx. 800 vendors and is laid out in
rows from A-Z – intrigue at every turn. Once upon a time and about
three years ago, I had a small retail store featuring eclectic luxuries
– many of the pieces that would delight and gave the store its visual
flavor were plucked fresh out of Alameda.  Pillows from City of Paris,
Bark cloth lampshades from Carmella, Typewriter bracelets from George,
Vintage window frames screen printed with French Café logos courtesy of
Trinidad and jewels galore.

Alameda also gives presence to many artisans who perfect the art of collecting, designing, crafting and knowledge.

In this monthly feature – Tales from the Flea Market – we will forage
together and see what we find – could be a particular vendor best known
for their offerings or perhaps we’ll be able to spot some trends. I’m thinking it would be fun to hang out at the loading area and to see
what people are buying. Also, I must to get to the back row markets – a
resolution for Tales from the Flea Market in 2009.

The First Market of 2009

In Row A – I immediately dashed to the end of the row on the right to
Coco Reichborn’s market.  Coco creates an offering of French wares.
 French religious artifacts are prevalent as are the French baskets,
watering cans, dishes and furniture.

 

I spent about 30 minutes hanging out at Coco’s spot then realized I still had a lot of ground to cover.  

Next up on Row D – Marilyn.  Marilyn creates a vintage somewhat
Victorian showing.  She mixes in her crafts created with vintage
embellishments such as shells, German glass glitter, buttons and
mercury glass.

I also uncovered bull horns, chemise du nuit and
vintage coral. My favorite which I should have gotten a shot of was a
vintage fish bowl decorated with rhinestones around the rim.  Simple
elegance for a fish!  I love it and am planning my fish purchase soon.
 

Hard to believe this is the Flea Market – all the finds and visual
flavor.  I have a ton more folks to feature. On this day, I only made
it down Rows A-J.  I’m overwhelmed to think about what else I’ll
discover after Row J.  I was anxious to get going on bringing out only
a small portion of the best of what was found this chilly Alameda
morning.  

Stay Tuned – Tales from the Flea Market will next highlight The Jewels of Alameda and coming soon – Guild Lady-like Handbags.