Renewing History: Brimfield

I have been going to Brimfield, MA for their outdoor vintage and antique market for years.

For a while, it was just two of us.

Then, there were three and now the package is complete and it has been all four Betties.

My Betties and I have been together since 1989 when we are all housed in the same dorm at UNH.

They have been one of my greatest blessings since.

Day 1 was just two of us and I could not wait to get there.

One of my favorite parts is checking out what people already found and bought and are carrying around in their carts.

There are so many different styles of booths/tents.

Some are very formal and organized. Some are not.

Some make you want to come right in and stay a while.

Don’t you love what that chalkboard says?

“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.”

There were lots of treasures that almost went home with us…

But in the end, new options were found or the decision to hold off was made.

There is endless inspiration, ideas and visual stimulation.

On the second day the traffic getting into Brimfield was legendary and was even on the news.

It took us as long from 30 minutes away as it had for me from NY the day before – 3 hours.

It gave us plenty of time to reflect on the damage that was done by a tornado in this area last year.

My hubby was about 10 minutes behind this storm on the highway and was humbled when he came upon the damage. That gets you thinking.

We moved from booth to booth, some at the same pace, others on their own – but always meeting up at the end of the aisle.

We called each other back when we saw something we thought the other might like (thanks for finding the trays Jack!).

It was all just easy, relaxed and comfortable.

Oh, and how they made me laugh.

After all these years, our decades old jokes are still funny.

At least we think so.

And we found plenty of new things to laugh about too.

We found some creativity that was, well creative…

But I wouldn’t want it in my house, creepy!

I feel like I would have to announce something really important to do this chalkboard justice.

Oh how fun that cart would be on a porch.

I did not expect to find much for my sales, but I actually did find some great treasures to be reworked and sold.

Boxes seemed to be the theme.

6 greenish, one large blue and four natural wood.

I also brought home a wire basket, several trays and some transferware for myself.

I will share photos of the other items when there is actually some sun around these parts.

It seems fitting that we all seek out items that have a story to tell and that have history.

I seek them out because we have stories to tell, we have history.

I love them fully for who they are and they do the same in return.

I feel renewed and thankful.