Alameda Treasures

 The Alameda Point Antique Faire was one the main reasons for planning our retreat the first Sunday of the month. For years we had heard about the treasures that could be found there, and the fact that it was a "antique / vintage only" type of flea market was the major pull. The best part, watching each of our group search for that perfect thing to bring home. I think the fact that we were "newbies" kept us from any major purchases, and that is a bummer because we had Jaime's F150 longbed! And yes, I still keep visualizing the "one that got away", a vintage rustic red 2 pc. patio set that was calling my name. If it is still there next trip, it's MINE!

If you go:
1. Bring a wagon, they loan you a big one to get you to the loading area if you get large pieces of furniture, but a small one was great for our group of 5, and we just took turns pulling it.
2. Get there early, we didn't realize it closed at 3pm!, but some of our best deals were made as others were closing up.
3. Try the food!!! We had one of our best meals of the week from one of the gourmet food trucks.
4. Bring water, it is hot even on an overcast day.
5. An obvious thought, wear great shoes, we had to walk close to 2 miles just to get in, and that was before we started the hours of up and down the aisles.

a few views from the day.......



 these succulent gardens were made all out of reclaimed finds, very beautiful!!! 

I think Jaime will be making one of these armillaries (wine barrel rims)

 Sooz was on the hunt for anything "Yankee"

 old posters that hung in the classroom, do you remember these?

 "Ivy" is found. We had brought a wagon from the house that we were staying in and as we all took turns pulling her around the faire, she caused quite a stir

 love the way they took old watches, we all have those lying around the dresser, and gorilla glued a new adornment on them and turned it into a lovely bracelet

 wanna see what Rose did with a pile of these letters, stop by the nursery and she will show you. and what is even cooler, AFTER our return from the trip she found some of these still in their ORIGINAL use, can you guess what it was??? (comment below, you could win a prize!!!!)

 I am a sucker for these kind of re-purposed lamps, LOVE THEM!!!

 lampshade made out of rulers......hmmmm, maybe for the teacher on your list

 Rose with her first find of the day, can't wait to see what she does with it

 and Lucia with hers, can't you see that dream of the Matterhorn reflected in her eyes?



Jaime's first find of the day, can't wait to see what she creates with it..... 

 Jaime picking up the last treasure of the day, a brick for Michelle's ever increasing patio mosaic.....found it down by the bay on the way back to the truck.

 great time, had by all!