Brimfield Blues

I have to believe that at some point during the Brimfield antique show's 50-year history, some dejected dealer, picking away at an unsold Gibson, came up with the Brimfield Blues. I’m imagining that it was in the 95-degree heat of July, or a solid week of rain. One thing I can say for sure, though, is that it was not written nor sung this year. I’ve never seen a happier bunch of dealers than the vendors at Brimfield last week. I’d say the report on sales ranged from happy to delirious. That’s how good business was—even after one day. I’m sure there’s a economic indicator in there somewhere …

But back to blue. My first treat of the day was waiting for me in the bushes right outside the front door. Four exquisite robin’s eggs, in an expertly crafted nest. Consummate perfection is definitely a good way to start the day.

We stopped at the Sturbridge Coffee House for refueling, and were greeted by this fabulous Plymouth Fury parked right in front. By the way they have very delicious muffin tops and a sign at the counter poses the question, "What's Your Cup Size?"
It was when I watched Terry get out of the car in her cerulean parka, that I realized there was a definite blue thing going on.
Here’s how the theme played out the rest of the day…

Roof level of a multistory toy parking garage










Aren’t these incredible? They were rescued from an old house in Massachusetts and were at the same Antique Therapy booth I wrote about the other day. So far, I haven’t been able to find anything about the Armand Art Studio of Detroit.

Blue eyeshadow--just the right accent for a pink cat. Don't you think?

Artist, Terry Rosen, was scouring Brimfield for vintage New England ephemera. When she hunts, she doesn’t just look on the tables, she looks under the tables. Which is a good thing because her eagle eye spotted this flea market equivalent of “today’s news, tomorrow’s fish wrap.”

Brimfield, to the Letter

It’s been well over a week since my last post, so to apologize for the hiatus, I’m going to play the Sorry! card. I still haven't quite figured out how to do and see all there is out there and post about it.

Amongst other things that took me away from AME, was an excursion to Brimfield, Massachusetts. I finally made the pilgrimage, in the name of the Goddess of Antiques, to that legendary flea-market-on-steroids.

It’s overwhelming, to say the least, so I’ve decided to parse it by theme. Here’s some typography from the day …



Booth design ranges from junk-dumped-on-the-table to highly styled "environments." Many of the letters here were photographed at Keri Seery’s lovely and soothing Antique Therapy booth. Keri is an interior decorator and has a shop in Concord, MA.





The mid-century architects’ sign, above, and the roll of uncut furrier’s labels, below, were from different dealers. Clearly there’s some fabulous type to be had in Buffalo, NY.



Torn and stained as it was, I just had to buy this tablecloth. I got such a deal! And just what I need--another project!




There are occasional parking lots located along the mile of exhibitor fields. We parked outside of the fair strip, but I hear it’s pretty easy to forget where you’ve parked. That must not be fun at the end of the day, because by then, you are one very fried pilgrim.