My Vintage Weekend – Part 2

Yesterday I wrote about the vintage sewing patterns I got last Saturday at the East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse in Oakland (“My Vintage Weekend”). The following day I went to the Alameda Flea Market (officially called the Alameda Point Antiques Faire), which takes place on the first Sunday of every month in Alameda, just a couple miles from downtown Oakland. So here are a couple highlights from the Sunday of my vintage weekend.

This monthly event is enormous. It could take you an hour or more to walk to the vendors in the very back, and that’s if you don’t really stop and browse. There are literally hundreds of booths. Items are supposed to be at least 20 years old but there is plenty of newer stuff there as well.

Parking is free but there is an admission fee to get in. Rates vary according to the time you arrive: $15 from 6 am to 7:30 am; $10 from 7:30-9 am; $5 from 9 am to 3 pm, free after 3. Kids under 15 years old are free.

I wandered around with designer, jewelry maker, and consultant Kat McEachern. We’re both members of the Makeshift Society,  and she kindly offered to drive. She picked me up at 7 am and by the time we parked and purchased our entrance tickets it was 7:30.

It was pretty chilly that morning because it was rather cloudy.

The soup cans and the lovely hat are the photos I took before my phone ran out of power. Using photo apps drained it. Next time I’ll bring my digital camera!

There were many folks selling vintage clothes and hats – prices varied greatly – from $250 frocks from the 1950s to $30 hats from the 1940s.

We also spotted people selling blankets and quilts as well as a variety of collectibles and furniture (mirrors and coffee tables and chairs).

We saw people selling crystals and fascinating looking fossils. Kat bought some crystals and other items to make into jewelry.

The last two photos are a couple of the things I bought. I have a ton of hats so I’m always on the lookout for hat boxes. So when I spied this one, I just had to get it. The next time I go, I’ll spend more time among the clothes and hats. I was very tempted to get a hat but I have so many I decided I would hold off this time around and just focus on a hat box.

I saw the fabric below at the same booth that was selling the Andy Warhol soup cans. I really liked it so I bought it.

Do you go to flea markets? Do you have a game plan before you go or do you just browse and make spontaneous purchases? Did you find any great deals?