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...jen o'connor's...Artful Adventures & Daily Inspirations

I Love Art, Adore the Handmade and Treasure the Vintage. I am the Fun Mom, the Silly Friend and the Writer who wants to make more room for beauty in the everyday.

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Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Vintage Finds











I love the years that old things keep safe; they make treasures from the everyday. And, in them, you have the single opportunity to see just a bit of yourself, though worn and loved, frayed and a bit faded, wonderful still the more.
Looking for the vintage and the old, The Petaluma Antique Faire never disappoints...the size of my suitcase and the distance to New York sure does! I can home with just a wee bit of loot...$21 took these three treasures pictured above...a "Mother" motto plaque, a woven purse with a Lucite closure and a pretty luncheon plate for the ever growing collection of transferware dinnerware....
I could have filled a plane with all that I saw there -- hardest to leave behind was the Victorian plant stand -- a steal at $165 and the fabulous concrete garden statues that just couldn't pass for carry-on luggage!


...the offerings were delish and the prices unbelievably reasonable...but we were heading to the airport...and the bags were already bursting...




Here are some of my favorite booths, vendors and displays....

























Last year I lugged home a bubble gum machine, the year before it was a wire dress form...but Nicky Bowen takes the award for most ingenious packing in 2008...she wore about 5 layers of clothing so she could fit her purchases in her bags! The step-in horse costume was a particular challenge!




Here's Marilyn's booth...it's among my favorites...









Here's she is with her hubby...she calls him her vintage "arm candy"...see her site http://marilynmarilynmarilyn.com/ for sneak peeks of what she'll bring to shows...but she doesn't take internet orders or hod items... so be there early and see her at Alemeda! I wanted to buy her entire booth and re-do several rooms in her wonderfully yummy palette and unexpected textures...

Magda found some lovely lace....she almost bought an old wedding dress...but no room!









...there were oodles of poodles that begged to be bought...















But best of all...









...look what I found at the Faire...a very "vintage" friend. Here's Michelle...we have not seen each other since 8th grade graduation in Queens when our paths diverged for high school. We walked to grammar school together in green plaid uniforms and knee socks...and it was a rare treat to have her walk back into my life on Sunday. She found me on-line and sent a note...she lives in Oakland now and knows Petaluma well, so what rare good luck that I was out her way for Halloween & Vine...We sat across from each other at a small table and caught up on 25 years, crying for the little girls we were and loving in each of us the women we have become...not too different at all, and still very much suited to each other!
This show is well worth your time and a drive... and you just never know what you might find when on the hunt for something "vintage".
xxoo Jen

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

There is nothing more soothing to the soul than spending time with someone who knows you well – and loves you anyway. That was one of my most favorite days of my adult life. Here’s to vintage friends! Love and hugs, Michelle

Thea said...

Jen, so glad you got that slice of the dessert of life! I'm still friends with my childhood girlfriend from grammar school days in Queens where we shared punch ball games, bike rides, and our own Easter Parade up and down Bell Boulevard. It's great to make that reconnection--charges your batteries in an inexplicable way. Love, Thea

FrenchGardenHouse said...

I so wanted to go to this, reading your post was almost like being there! (minus the thrilling finds, of course!)

Best treasure for you was your sweet friend, how FuN was that??
xo Lidy

Theresa said...

What a lovely post... and all the antique goodies..... just to yummy for words. :)

Hugs,

Theresa

Unknown said...

Thank you so much for posting pictures of our Petaluma booth on your blog. Just found them -- I'm new at this, hence the delayed thank you. I've added you to my favorites and will continue looking at your beautiful blog! If you want to check out mine, it's www.marilynmarilynmarilyn.com. Thanks again!!

Unknown said...

Jen -- I'm trying to figure out how to do this. I'm new to blogging. Bear with me. Marilyn

Unknown said...

Could you please reply if you are receiving this?

Unknown said...

hi Jen, what a lovely way to describe old things, collecting has been a favorite past time of mine, and this post is just encouraging me to continue...and follow my heart and eye when I just find something I just can't seem to live without it...


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