Well, we did it. We made it to Brimfield. And let me tell you, it was quite an experience! I'm not sure what I had expected, but it wasn't exactly what I had pictured. For one, it was huge. HUGE!!!! Yes, I knew it was going to be big, but I really had no idea. I consider myself to be an experienced shopper, but even I was a bit overwhelmed by it all. If you've never been before, just picture a VERY long street lined on both sides with huge fields and each field brimming with dealer's tents. Or see for yourself....
It goes on and on like this for as far as the eye can see. There are many different antique operators at Brimfield and each one has it's own field with it's own days and hours of operation. We were only there for one day, but I did mange to make it to about 80% of the fields. We were blessed with very good weather - not too hot and, although it threatened to rain, it never really materialized.
It was hard to even know where to begin, but we started with May's, as it was just opening for the first time on the Thursday that we were there. We got there just before 9 o'clock and there was a long line of people waiting to get inside the gates.
Ideally, it would have been great to have had a few days to leisurely walk around and peruse each and every stall, but given our time constraints (and the girls), I was only able to take a cursory look in most of the booths. I was a little disappointed that I didn't find more. I have no idea how much great stuff may have been scooped up in those first few days of the show. I probably missed out on a lot. Nevertheless, I found some really great stuff.
I was very focused in what I was searching for: vintage floral fabrics, millinery flowers, vintage hats, anything made of tulle or embellished with ruffles, vintage wallpaper, vintage ribbon & trims, and tole trays. Surprise, surprise, right! So, here are some pictures of some of the pretty things that I found...
I am always on the lookout for millinery flowers, so I was very excited to see tubs and tubs of them.
You had to pick through them, but there were some beauties to be discovered.
I really wanted to find some vintage hats and there were tons of them.
This dealer had some lovely prom dresses.
Yummy ruffles.
I'm still kicking myself for passing up this gorgeous vintage bias cut gown.
Vintage fabrics and clothing were everywhere. This vendor had them stuffed in garbage bags!
But, if you were willing to go through all those bags, there were some treasures to be found.
I love these pretty floral print bedspreads.
And the print on this vintage bed jacket.
There were sets of barkcloth drapes and old fabric panels.
Lots of buttons, trims, and lace.
There were several dealers specializing in shabby chic items.
This booth was breathtaking.
I soooo wanted to take this vanity home with me.
I loved the delicate carving on this bed...
and this pretty toleware sconce...
Some pretty scraps of vintage wallpaper in pastel colored frames.
A basket with some delicate millinery flowers.
Loved this flower basket door knocker.
A stunning glass tieback in the prettiest aqua blue.
Wonderful old tins.
Fabulous tole chandeliers and sconces.
Old ceiling tins and wrought iron fencing painted in pastel colors.
Aren't these old wood spools fantastic!
A very old pin cushion with a pretty lavender millinery flower.
So, yes, Brimfield was great and I would totally go again. I'd probably do a few things differently. I'd definitely go on the opening day, I'd bring a big cart with me (you can buy them there at reasonable prices), and I'd stay for at least several days in order to see as much as possible. Other tips: bring lots of cash (they do have portable ATMs there), wear comfortable shoes, have lots of sun block and water on hand, and don't drink too much - those port-a-potties are not for the faint-of-heart!
Tomorrow is Target Tuesday, but I'll be back later in the week to show you all the pretty things I bought at Brimfield. Now, I must go start unpacking and try to get some laundry done...
:-)
Jessica
Wow Jessica, looks like you had a wonderful(albeit short) time at Brimfield. We went two years ago, and it was wonderful. Going again in September, and I can't wait. I'm planning on staying 3 days and hope to see it all. Your pics are beautiful....love those prom dresses!
Sandra
Posted by: sandra blanks | July 20, 2009 at 02:05 PM
Thank you so much for taking all those lovely lovely photos...I think I would be so overwhelmed and not know where to start...everything looks so so lovely..those flowers ...wow! Can't wait to see what you bought! My head is just spinning from all the lovelies! Prom dress heaven for sure!
Posted by: koralee | July 20, 2009 at 02:41 PM
Hello from germany,
oh, this looks not like a fleamarket it looks like a gorgeous treasure market! I would be glad if we had such beautiful things on our flea markets too! Mostly the only way to buy little treasures for me is via ebay. It is a great dream of mine to visit the USA and see some flea markets. Oh I would need a lot of money and an own aeroplane to bring all the treasures with me back to germany.
Thanks for sharing these beautiful and interesting pictures.
lots of greetings,
rosenresli
Posted by: rosenresli | July 20, 2009 at 02:58 PM
Jessica, wow wow wow!!!!!!
I am SO excited for you that you go to go there and even to just shop for one day was probably like heaven. haha
I am anxiously awaiting your post with what you brought home. GORGEOUS photos and so so many pretty things.
xoxoxo
Posted by: Heather ~ Pretty Petals | July 20, 2009 at 03:55 PM
oh, you have GOT to be kidding me...is this place really real...tubs of millinery? i would have fainted on the spot...you lucky girl...i wish i would have been there too!!! it looks just glorious, truly...thanks for sharing the wonder of it all Jessica!!!
Posted by: Lori | July 20, 2009 at 04:13 PM
oh...my...god! That's all I can say! Thanks for sharing!!!!
Posted by: jennifer | July 20, 2009 at 05:12 PM
hi jessica!
i was at brimfield yesterday and have already posted about it twice - LOL (what i bought; what i saw).
i was hoping to find millinery flowers but didn't see any i liked. there was some great architectural pieces. the frames and ribbon were my faves.
did you go to the vineyard, too? i'm headed to the cape thursday.
xo
Posted by: elyse | July 20, 2009 at 05:38 PM
Wow Jessica! Maybe the next "girls day out" needs to be there! Tee-hee!
Thanks for sharing! I so wish I could go!
Posted by: Robin | July 20, 2009 at 08:58 PM
Wow! Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos...looks like an awesome trip!
Posted by: Tami B. | July 20, 2009 at 10:17 PM
Everything looks mah-velous! I could have spent DAYS in the button bin alone.:)
Posted by: Lisa | July 20, 2009 at 11:20 PM
Oh me oh my!! I hope to get to Brimfield within the next year. What eye candy!
Another great market is this one http://www.bouckvilleantiqueshows.com
All around this market for the week leading into the main event are fields of vendors.
It's doable in two days but you must be prepared to scan and go, go, go!!
Posted by: Laurie | July 21, 2009 at 12:16 AM
Fabulous photos, finds and my yearnings for some of those trims and furniture! Lori
Posted by: Lori | July 21, 2009 at 02:24 AM
I think I would have felt liked I'd died and gone to heaven! What amazing stuff, I hope someday I can go. One can dream:) Can't wait to see what you bought!
Posted by: Lisa P. | July 21, 2009 at 02:52 AM
Hello Jessica... :o) !
I've been eagerly awaiting your return from your Brimfield Treasure Hunt...So GLAD to read you enjoyed yourself so much & want to THANK YOU for your YUMMY pics....!
I plan to come over next year & experience Brimfield myself....CAN'T WAIT....!
Cheers from Australia,
Tamarah :o)
Posted by: Tamarah Charter | July 21, 2009 at 05:51 AM
Wow, that's a lot of gorgeous stuff in one place, Jessica! What an experience, to be able to find everything you're looking for. Can't wait to see your haul.
Posted by: Zita - Mlle Magpie | July 21, 2009 at 07:04 AM
Jessica,
I am drooling over all of those wonderful things. What a great time you must have had. Please post the pics of what you bought soon!!!! Thanks for taking us along.
Tammy
Posted by: Tammy Lucik | July 21, 2009 at 08:55 AM
Oh my! Look at the the lovelies! I want to go!
Posted by: Andrea T. | July 24, 2009 at 12:15 AM
Is this post a dream? I can't even believe there is all that beauty in one place..Those millinery flowers are just amazing...You really captured such beauty in your photos..What a beautiful post...
Stephenie
Posted by: Stephenie | July 26, 2009 at 06:48 PM
Wow, lots of very cool finds love the prom dresses and chic decor items. Didn't know Brimfield was so big.
Posted by: Prom Dresses | August 07, 2009 at 12:54 PM
I've been going to Brimfield every year since I was a little girl! I just now stumbled upon your blog and have been oogling over it and just had to stop and comment. I even recognize the booth that had the prom dresses, it's definitely one of my favorites there.
I love your blog btw!
Posted by: Caro | September 21, 2009 at 08:11 PM
Whoa! Recently we went to Brimfield and I found it very beautiful and the people there were very hospitable.
Posted by: Dresses | May 06, 2010 at 12:12 AM
wow, i love the carving on this bed much, how much was it ?
Posted by: prom dress | July 21, 2010 at 01:47 AM