Textiles & Treasures on Nov. 15 and 16 at the White Hart Inn in Salisbury, showcased an extraordinary sale of global wares. The collection included textiles and home goods for dining and décor with table linens from India (Anokhi), Sweden (Jobs), Finland (Marimekko); Clothing tailored in Thailand, India, Mexico, Indonesia, Africa and Ukraine; Silver objects from Mexico and Thailand; Baskets from Mexico, Malaysia, Ecuador, Scandinavia; Jewelry from Africa; Pre-Colombian reproductions from Galeria Cano. 100% of the sales went to benefit the Little Guild’s new building.
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A whole section dedicated to camping and outdoor gear at Brimfield.
D.H. Callahan
If you mention Brimfield to anybody who’s been there, they’ll be quick to tell you that it is not actually one unfathomably large antiques flea market. It’s many big markets, all coordinated to open the same three weeks every year: once in May, once in July and once in September.
The whole thing started in 1959, when auctioneer Gordon Ried decided to emulate the outdoor antiques flea markets he’d seen in Connecticut up on his farmland in Brimfield, Massachusetts. It began with 67 vendors but would never be that small again. Within a few years, his Auction Acres was packed to the brim, and nearby farmers started opening their fields to more vendors.
Today, there are more than 20 individual markets, all with different schedules and specialties. Despite the varying lineups, one thing remains consistent throughout the event: quality. No matter what field you wander onto and whether or not they have an entry fee, you’ll find treasures everywhere you look.
Mod-style egg chairsin wicker at Brimfield.D.H. Callahan
Sure, there are some tents that have more of the contemporary collectibles, like boxes of Funko Pop! dolls and Marvel movie posters — the same stuff you see at every event of this kind. They’re always easy to identify and usually just steps away from some serious treasures, like a whole tent of midcentury furniture or one full of old, obsolete hand tools for oddly specific jobs. There are tents dedicated to vintage lighting and antique fixtures for restoring your new old furniture. Political pins and postcards dating back to the 1800s. Clown shoes and cauldrons and canoes. Funerary art made from the deceased’s hair. More things made of wicker than you’d imagine necessary.
Many of the vendors have their own antiques or interiors shops, and they make the trip once, twice and even three times a year from all over the country. More and more, though, it seems to be avid collectors who use the events as a way to justify their collections, selling off items to make way for new stuff.
A wicker viewing coffin from a closed funeral home for sale at Brimfield.D.H. Callahan
The buyers are everybody from locals interested in the hubbub to regional antique enthusiasts to career collectors. It’s not hard to find interior designers from Florida picking through the good stuff at every field. The social diversity is also pretty rich, with all races, ages and economic categories represented. Everybody seems to get along wonderfully, encouraging one another to make fun purchases and laughing together at the awkwardness of navigating their bodies around all the delicate delights.
Brimfield is all wrapped up for this year, but now is the perfect time to plan for next year. The trip is about two hours from the Northwest corner, so if you want to see all you can see, there are many hotels and motels with rooms available for the May show. Learn more, and plan your next trip at brimfieldantiquefleamarket.com.
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REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
PUBLISHER'S NOTICE: Equal Housing Opportunity. All real estate advertised in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1966 revised March 12, 1989 which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color religion, sex, handicap or familial status or national origin or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. All residential property advertised in the State of Connecticut General Statutes 46a-64c which prohibit the making, printing or publishing or causing to be made, printed or published any notice, statement or advertisement with respect to the sale or:rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, age, lawful source of income, familial status, physical or mental disability or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination
HELP WANTED
Konkapot Tree and Timber based in Ashley Falls is looking for a Sawmill Assistant. Part or full time. Experience with chainsaws, tractors, and machinery preferred but not required. Will train the right candidate. Pay: depending on experience. 413-229-2182.
John Robshaw Textiles Shop in Falls Village is looking for part time weekend help. Interest in design and textiles a plus. Join our team here in Falls Village. Please email Julie: julie@johnrobshaw.com for more information.
APARTMENTS FOR RENT
Sharon. Close to Village. Quiet 2nd story one bedroom apartment. 900 square feet. W/D, heat included. $1800/mo plus electric. Available 9/15. 860-921-1094.
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