Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Alameda and Blogging Friends

Antique hide-covered horse at the Alameda Point Antiques Faire.


English antique printed crocks 


Hi there!
Hope you are enjoying 
your week.



Entrance to the Alameda Point Antiques Faire





We were attending 
a family wedding 
in Berkeley, California
this past weekend and were able to
squeeze in a trip to the  
Alameda Point Antiques Faire.

It was
AWESOME




Alameda is an island just to the west of Oakland in the SF Bay. The flea market takes place  on the old naval base grounds at the western end of the island -- over 800 dealer booths - held  on the 1st Sunday of every month.



Look at that San Francisco skyline backdrop!


So much to see.
Trendy food trucks line the right side of the market
to keep you nourished while you are treasure-hunting.




Vintage Christmas items.



Old carved wooden bowls from a European importer/vendor.

Another French importer's booth and its wares. Lovely.


SO MUCH FUN!

I highly recommend it.
The space seems endless
with rows upon rows of booths and vendors. 
Something there for everyone, no doubt.






Since I knew in advance
that we were going to be there,
I was able to make plans to meet
my long-time blogging friends --- 
Becky and Waveney.



Becky and Waveney -- love them!


What a treat!


You can find Becky at her blog
Please check her out there
if you have not yet had the pleasure. 
Her collections and style 
and the way she arranges 
her vignettes so perfectly 
is NOT to be missed!

Though Waveney does not
have a blog, she is a writer, an artist 
and had an interior design business for many years.
Her European style and talents are perfectly
showcased with cherished collections
in her warm and inviting home in California.

I featured her home in 2011 -
and it is still one of my most
popular posts ever -- 
please click below to visit her at

It was so nice to finally meet
face-to-face 
with these wonderful women
who share SO many common interests
and collections/obsessions 
with me
-- to include a HUGE love
of plaids and tartans.




Becky brought me this antique pin with enamel insets and then we found this
little tiny teensy book that I brought home as a souvenir of the day!



I have a vintage enamelware horse head pin from my childhood
that I am going to somehow attach to the little chains.
Plan to pin it on a red velvet pillow for the holidays. Thanks Becky!


The meeting was so special.
It was like we had known each other forever.
Effortless conversations, lots of laughs,
shopping this giant market 
with the three of us 
zeroing in on
 the same things, of course.

What a great day ---
one of the highlights
of my trip out there. 






I highly recommend the Faire.
If you are from the Midwest, I would compare it to
the urban-based 
Randolph Street Market in Chicago,
but this one is 10 times larger or more,
no kidding!

Since we had flown out there
for the wedding with tightly packed bags,
I was not able to really shop,
but I did grab two old 100# 
Euro grain sacks with stripes 
in perfect condition 
and one holiday
item that I will share at another time.
:)





What a great area.
Love that part of California.
Wish I could have stayed a few more weeks to explore.

Someday .....
I will come back with a TRUCK,
Waveney and Becky!
Then we can 
REALLY do some damage
at the Alameda.
:D


  
xoxoxoxox~
Alison


16 comments:

Karena said...

Hi Alison, I can see how much fun you had and what great finds!!
A super way to spend a day!

xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena

Rose L said...

I used to live in S. California 20 years ago and loved going to the Rose Bowl swap meets, and to the O. C. Fairgrounds swap meet near Huntington Beach. Here in Oregon hey do not have those, but there are 2 warehouses about 4000+ sq. ft. each which are filled with booths and fun to stroll and shop!

Ann said...

Living in the SF Bay Area, I've been going to the Alameda for years since it was called the Alameda Flea Market. The merch is still great, but the prices have gone from flea to retail in the last 15 years. Glad you enjoyed it!

At Rivercrest Cottage said...

Looks like a great time. I'm a native of Sonoma CA, just a little NW of where you were. Hope you had time to go to Sonoma, which is just over the hill from Napa, but far more lovely.

Alison @ The Polohouse said...

Love hearing from all of you California ladies! Thanks for the input!

Karen said...

Hi Alison,
I've read wonderful descriptions of the Alameda antique event. I'll have to schedule a visit someday. I love the little
Treasures you found.
xo,
Karen

martinealison said...

Bonjour,

Joindre l'utile à l'agréable... j'aime chiner et je vous remercie pour le partage de ces magnifiques photos... J'ai repéré un joli vase d'Anduze.

Gros bisous ☼

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

Looks like you had a grand time meeting up with Becky and Waveney...The antique fair looked wonderful and I know what you mean about not being able to buy some great things when you are traveling and the packing is limited....I did one time scurry to a UPS and ship something home...dirty clothes...antiques in the carry on...clothes in the box...:)

Elizabeth@ Pine Cones and Acorns said...

Allison, this sounds like the perfect day! Looking for treasures with friends! I love all of your finds and gifts!

waveney said...

Alison, thanks for making our day! Though too short it was the best. Happy trails till we meet again... And we will Waveney

Pura Vida said...

Incredible finds...I would be so excited for a little trip like this!

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

How fun! I like the pin you were gifted with. Looks like you saw some great things. Too bad Its not more affordable to ship things home.

Deserae said...

How fun....looks like it was a great fair and everyone had an amazing time :o)
I could do some serious damage there!!! LOL
~Des

Calypso In The Country said...

One of my best friends lives in that area...I need to get out there again! Looks like you had a wonderful time!
Shelley

Susan Freeman said...

I have been swooning over Waveney's cottage for years, and I have followed Becky since before I started my own blog. I love their styles! Although I have emailed Becky back and forth, I have never met her and did not realize that she is so tall. Thanks for the trip around this great venue. One day .... I hope!

Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

Ohhhh boy, I forgot to comment on this one! First of all, LOL about what Susan said about me being so tall. Got a good chuckle out of that one.

It was such a fabulous day and such a treat to meet you .. finally! We will get together again, for sure.

Big, big tall girl hugs!

B.