We were out early on Sunday morning to attend the Santa Monica Airport Antique & Collectible Market. This is advertised as one of the top ten flea markets in the country and I'm still trying to figure out why. We were prepared to spend most of the day there, but the four of us finished in 1 1/2 hours, a real disappointment. Thanks to a few very friendly vendors who were eager to sell, I did buy a few things that didn't make me gasp from sticker shock.
This large and interesting booth greeted us as we walked in.
I loved these planters and fountains made from old wagons, wheelbarrows, beds, wheels, benches, and buckets.
How cute is this?
I thought this stool cover made from old ties was a clever idea.
This is a fun and simple way to display a baseball collection. They used a large paddle bit to drill 1/2" deep holes across pieces of scrap lumber.
This vintage Tupperware and Pyrex dealer gets my vote for the best display.
I was in love with this sweet old bird cage until I saw the $95 price tag.
I've never seen anything quite like these old tractor tables before.
Perfect for a man cave, don't you think?
This lovely booth was full of gorgeous silver and coral.
The booth next door had at least six tables full of coral in every color and size imaginable.
We spotted this scene from the street as we pulled into a school parking lot sale.
My kind of treasure hunt.
The next five pictures were taken in some of the stores we visited. Most of the time we had absolutely no idea where we were. This happens when the GPS lady in your phone tells you where to go and you just go. No questions asked.
Love, love, love!
This store was loaded with the most beautiful vintage jewelry displays.
Another way to say VINTAGE TREASURES.
After our short visit to the Santa Monica Antique Show we headed south to the Torrance Antique Street Faire. We all agreed that we should have started off here first thing in the morning.
I've been a vendor and shopper at dozens of antique street fairs over the years and have never seen one where the vendors set up like this. The booths were set up with the entrance facing the sidewalk and the vehicle parked behind it. It was much cooler walking on the sidewalk instead of sizzling on the asphalt in the middle of the street. Wonder if it's a Southern California thing? I think it's a great idea as long as you're not parallel parking impaired.
Just because I thought it was funny.
Pretty moss covered purse planters.
The Raggedy family reunion.
Lots of shopping, lots of laughs, lots of fun, and lots of food. Did you know that it is possible to gain six pounds in four days? Just sayin'.
Lots of shopping, lots of laughs, lots of fun, and lots of food. Did you know that it is possible to gain six pounds in four days? Just sayin'.
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So many fabulous things you shared! My favorites are the cute and ingenious planters which gives me lots of ideas! I bet you had a great time! Wish I could have been there ; )
ReplyDeleteSuch great pictures, Betsy! I know your crew had a great time in spite of some high price tags. Of course, my favorite is the Pyrex/Tupperware booth. Wow! Love that birdcage... so sorry it was so pricey! Thanks for taking us along!!!
ReplyDeletelooks like so much fun!! I was taking mental notes on all your info here....that's a bummer that Santa Monica was a disappointment.
ReplyDeleteLove your virtual tour! So much fun stuff. The fountain with the red handles is absolutely adorable! Thanks for sharing your trip with us!
So many cool finds! I just got back from a weekend girls trip as well (my first since having my kids!). We had a great time but it would've been better had we found some neat vintage shops like this!
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ReplyDeleteI so enjoyed my trip with you to the flea market,
OMGosh $95 for that bird cage, I sold mine 3 years ago for $2 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!at my yard sale ,oh well
I need a flea market trip
I have never been to either venue, but they both look fun. There is a flea market each Wednesday at out local fairgrounds in Ventura, but I have never even visited that one. I guess I don't get out much.
ReplyDeleteToo bad the birdcage was $95 because it was cute.
Ai eu ai,ai eu ai!!!!!! Beijo.
ReplyDeleteLots of eye candy,but I would have probably spent to much time going thru those boxes of bling. Bet y'all had a fun time. I have heard some crazy stories about those GPS systems.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your weekend.
I love seeing these kind of photos--so many clever ideas on display!
ReplyDeleteOh my - that looks like so much fun!! Did you do all of that in just one day? You sound like my kind of shopper. Sounds like a really fun weekend. Anxious to see your treasures.
ReplyDeleteJudy
I was surprised to see all the coral as much of it is illegal to have and is on the endangered species lists! If they are caught with that much...jail time! Coral reefs are disappearing from environmental factors (one is people swimming in the areas with suntan lotion on them), and illegal harvesting. I would never buy coral due to this.
ReplyDeleteI love the stool (faded turquoise) in the 4th photo that the water fountain is on, as well as the cute fountains!
The tie stool is fabulous!
Have you ever been to the antique shops in the city of Orange?
What about the Rose Bowl swap meets? The Rose Bowl swap meets are often featured in shows on HGTV!! They have the greatest stuff and great prices!!
Wow, that looked like fun!! Love the tie stool and wish I'd saved my dad's ties so I could make one. The street sales look the best!
ReplyDeleteOh, I know all right! (about the 6 pounds..:)Looks like you had an adventure. Glad it was so much fun. Can't wait to see what you got!
ReplyDeletexoKathleen
Oh, I know all right! (about the 6 pounds..:)Looks like you had an adventure. Glad it was so much fun. Can't wait to see what you got!
ReplyDeletexoKathleen
Oh how I love a fun girl's weekend! Sounds like you ladies had a fabulous time shopping...and eating. :)Can't wait to see your treasures! Have a blessed weekend...Vicky
ReplyDeleteSuch great pictures and looks like a great time. Those man cave tractor tables are pretty unique. I would love to find an old fire truck front and make a desk or table for Terry. It is kind of a neat idea.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a fun time. Love those girlfriend trips.
Kris
Love the tractor tables!!!! Really cool!
ReplyDeleteXo
Oh.My.Gosh. Those boxes of trinkets would have had me for a whole day. Can't wait to see what you brought home!
ReplyDeleteAHHH, it looks so much fun! Thanks for taking us along
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun trip!! Love when you share different shops and markets, so fun!! I had to laugh on the photo with that little arm sticking out! lol. Some very neat and interesting displays too! Love all those water displays and the tractor tables were pretty neat too!! Enjoy your weekend!! xo Holly
ReplyDeleteI think I would have fainted dead away from all the fabulous-ness!!! Simply amazing! Thank you :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun post! I know you had fun, too. :)
ReplyDeleteThat looks like so much fun, Betsy! The tractor tables are great and so unique. I love the cubby too as well as the purse planters. I would have had a great time checking out those jewelry boxes.
ReplyDeleteHave a happy Sunday!
Hugs,
Julia
Betsy, what could be better...Girlfriends, shopping, and food? Looks like a blast! :)
ReplyDeleteSusan
Oh, what fun, Betsy! Love the cute fountains, the silver and coral, and those moss planter purses! The little 'hand' sticking out of what looks like a guillotine reminded me of what my daughter did to a stuffed toy her ex gave her before they broke up. She slammed it in the trunk of her car with half of it hanging out and drove around with it that way for months. A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. xo
ReplyDeletelove the corals :):) amazing stuff, all I ask is one day with you:):) I ended up giving my mom my ceramic 5 necklace I got from you. She is gaga over it. She has 3 Betsy necklaces. Keep an eye out for cool six's:):) We are going on a road trip soon. Hope I find some of these cool places you are showing here:)
ReplyDeleteGood to know about Santa Monica -- sorry it was a disappointment for you. I've heard Long Beach is pretty great so I hope you can go there next and report back. ;-) I have no clue how I ever survived without GPS, especially for junk trips! Looks like you saw a lot of interesting things even if not all of them came home with you. Looking forward to seeing your loot.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great time! Love the tractor tables and the necktie ottoman! And the boxes of goodies are my kind of treasure hunt, too! Looking forward to seeing what you bought!
ReplyDeleteHow fun!! Of course those tractor tables have my head spinning! Love it :)
ReplyDeleteHoly Fountains! Wow, now these were some creative ideas for fountains! Thanks for sharing the post! Leticia
ReplyDeleteYou are very brave to drive So Cal and visit all these places. Clever fountains someone has created. Great sidewalk set-up and much better than walking on hot asphalt. Creative Bliss...
ReplyDeletegreat blog I will be following, my kind of stuff, great ideas how to use finds
ReplyDeleteJanice