Alameda Flea Market

Everything you have ever heard about the Alameda Market... true... true... true! We did not arrive as the gate opened... I'm thinking if you do this - plan on bringing a flashlight! Easy to find, lots of parking. I think it was about 8:30ish when we arrived...it was perfect! My Sister is not a big shopper, (that may have changed by the end of the day!) But she knew what I was looking for and it was great to have two sets of eyes looking. She is the one who found the wonderful metal rings above...once used to adorn the netting above a bed or crib. I'm planning on putting them to work displaying earrings...

The Linen was EVERYWHERE! I found one I really liked just inside the front entrance... and taking the advice of Stephanie Thiel... "if you love it.. get it or it will be gone"... I did... and did not find "better or less expensive" further in... So if you go...even if it is in the first booth you go into... and you love it ... get it!

Then there were all the wonderful temptations of items created and re purposed... with the LINEN... There were two of these... and if my house didn't function like a frat house... and I wasn't flying ... or cared it the lights stay on.... I would be sitting on one right now. Show stoppers they were.

Lots of these as well... ACTION! How cool... we had just visited a Restoration Hardware Outlet (dangerous as well) up in my Sisters area near Sac. They had reproductions... just not the same.

I think many of you know Stephanie Thiel... amazing talent and a giving heart. I had put an SOS out on facebook... looking for any tips for my first trip to ALAMEDA. She graciously sent an entire list of goodness! She was also planning on attending with a friend Cindy OLeary (hello) and here's my cell... call and we will meet up! I just about flipped. I love getting to meet the folks we "follow" online. Isn't she just beautiful! So kind and open about her quest to find her fit with art. We aren't alone... in so many of the things we struggle with... it's nice to find folks who just open up with honest conversation. It was great.

Yeah... you can tell they don't have any fun at all! Oh.. such kind women. Talented and down to earth folks. Cindy hosts the amazing Artful Journey series of retreats. Attending there is on my wish list for certain. You get three days with one teacher... which is always my preference. I just get so much more out this class structure...

My City by the Bay... this is as close as I got this trip... But this is your view (on a clear day). At times I'm sure folks were wondering why I would just stand in one spot and stare.... how could you not. I'm a mountain girl now... but this city will always be "home" to me.

I made it all the way to the end... the Z aisle... you start at A... Comfortable shoes a must, hat a good idea, sunscreen, a rolling cart or a great Sherpa man (you know who you are) is handy, cash, cash , cash, water, camera, layers of clothing (cool in the morning...but and toasty as the day went on)... and cash. I think it was 5ish when we left... with these

insert here a picture of the amazing scissors... that I somehow deleted... hum... well I'll pop them into a little post. ugh!

Can you believe these scissors (of course you can't... because I deleted the picture)... ah I adore them (and you would too if you could see them)... sorry my other treasures are on the "editing floor" as I was so focused on the scissors!
If you're in the bay area the first Sunday of the month... go take a peek.

Alameda Flea Market - true. true. true...

Handles first... scissors on there way!

update... keep going... I was able to tuck in the scissors post in before this one....