Visiting Brimfield Antiques Fair? Our Tips!

Brimfield, one of the largest antiques fairs in the country is a must visit spot for the curious and the collectors. We love visiting the September show, but we recommend visiting the May, July, and September dates so you don’t miss a thing. We’ve brought together a few of our best tips to make sure you make the most of your first Brimfield expedition.

ARRIVE EARLY - the day will be long, but you'll be grateful for every extra minute you have when the day is winding down and you still have a whole field to get through.

BRING WATER - everything is expensive, so if you don't bring snacks and drinks, plan to spend a little more than you'd like for things - the established businesses like the Apple Barn Cafe -located central to the entire market- are going to be the cheapest option for beverages.

TIME IS MONEY - At Brimfield where there is so much to see and no chance of making it to every single booth in a day, Time is money, and it's easy to be distracted by midcentury modern beauties, but if you live in a pre-revolution colonial, it's just expensive window shopping. The same is true for the inverse, you may like to look at French country cabinets, but will they really look good in your craftsman bungalow?

DRIVE THE CORRECT VEHICLE - bring the car with the biggest cargo capacity you have available to you, just in case you find that perfect piece that won't fit in the back seat of your Corolla - or you will be strapping it to the roof... Trust me, I've done it. - on that note... Bring rope, ratchet straps, moving blankets, and anything you might need to strap that ca. 1775 pie safe to the roof of said Corolla.

DON’T WAIT, BUT BE SMART - if the price is good and you love it, then buy it when you find it, odds are there is someone else right behind you that's going to benefit from the deal of a lifetime while you're walking around and contemplating it.

GET BUSINESS CARDS -if there is a maker or retailer that has something you want, something they produce and sell regularly, take their card and contact them to order later on - Brimfield is better served as the place to buy one of a kind antiques and oddities, not commercially or individually produced items that can be replicated.

BE SMART (AGAIN) - take antique dealers labels and stories with a grain of salt - unless someone has a 3rd party verification of provenance on a piece, try to remember that they're also trying to make the sale.

BEWARE - beware of counterfeits, reproductions, and faux finishes!

WATCH THE CLOCK - don't spend too much time in any one field, there are so many things to stop and look at, try to be discerning about which things you spend your time on.

HAVE A FRIEND - if you're shopping with someone who is going at a different pace, it's ok to split up - just have a plan to meet back up.

KNOW THE FIELDS - if you're only there for the day, skip the fields that charge admission, there is so much to see for free. If you know there is a specific vendor or field specializing in your interest, by all means, pay the fee and live your life!

LUNCH - if you must spend money on food, there is only one real option, just get the Brimfield Pilgrim Sandwich and continue with your day. You can thank me later.

PARKING - park in a centrally located area, not on one end or the other... You may pay $5 more, and you may have an anxiety attack in the human frogger game that is getting in and out of the fair, but your feet and back will thank you when it's time to lug your loot back to the car.

CARRYING YOUR LOOT - carts and wagons are commonplace and very useful, get something agile and lightweight to avoid getting in the way of others.

FIRST TIMERS CLUB - the first time is always a bit overwhelming, I recommend taking a buddy. Over the years and more visits, you will look forward to familiar faces and vendors that you just can't wait to visit and see what they have!

CASH IS KING - As they say, "Cash is King" - many vendors have started accepting credit, debit, and Venmo or CashApp, but real Cash still has the most negotiating power. and, for many vendors, it's still the only form of payment they accept. ATM fees will kill you, so bring some with you. Not too much though! write off the $4 or $5 loss in fees if you need to make a big purchase, consider it insurance cost.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO - Arrive with an idea of what you might be looking for. This will help keep you on track as you wander the fields. But always keep an open mind for the welcome distraction a true treasure find offers!

BE MANNERLY - There is an etiquette to haggling, remember that the dealers are people, too. If they lower the price, they're doing you a favor, just as much as you are doing them one by purchasing the item. It's a mutually beneficial transaction, treat it as one.

The Enduring Legacy of Yellowware Pottery: A Journey Through Time

Yellowware, a type of utilitarian pottery known for its distinctive yellow-hued glaze, has a rich history that spans centuries. Sometime in 2022 I started collecting yellowware without realizing it would become a collection. By the Christmas of 2023 I had a pie safe full.

1. Origins and Historical Background:

• Earthenware Roots: Yellowware finds its roots in the late 18th century, emerging as an evolution of earlier earthenware traditions. Early American potters sought to create a durable, affordable alternative to more expensive ceramics.

• Colonial America: The popularity of yellowware surged in the United States during the 19th century, particularly during the Colonial Revival period. American potters drew inspiration from European ceramics but put a distinctive twist on the designs.

2. Characteristics of Yellowware:

• Yellow Glaze: The defining feature of yellowware is its vibrant yellow glaze, achieved through the use of natural oxides, often derived from iron. The intensity of the yellow hue can vary, ranging from pale buttery tones to deep mustard shades.

• Salt-Glazing Technique: Many early examples of yellowware were salt-glazed, a process where salt is introduced into the kiln during firing, creating a unique surface texture and enhancing the pottery's durability.

• Simple Forms: Yellowware pieces typically feature simple, functional forms. Common items include mixing bowls, pitchers, mugs, and various kitchen utensils. The simplicity of design reflects the utilitarian nature of these pieces.

3. Utilitarian Use in American Homes:

• Kitchenware: Yellowware gained popularity as everyday kitchenware in American homes. Its affordability and durability made it accessible to a broad range of households, and its distinct appearance added a touch of warmth to kitchens.

• Variety of Shapes and Sizes: From nested mixing bowls to pitchers with embossed patterns, yellowware came in a variety of shapes and sizes, catering to different culinary and household needs.

4. Collectibility and Rarity:

• Collector's Items: Over time, yellowware has become highly collectible. Antique enthusiasts and collectors appreciate the historical significance, craftsmanship, and visual appeal of these pottery pieces.

• Rarity and Valuation: Certain variations, such as those with intricate patterns or unusual forms, are rarer and more valuable. Collectors often seek out these unique pieces to add to their collections.

5. Preservation and Restoration:

• Challenges of Preservation: The fragility of yellowware poses challenges for preservation. Collectors and museums must handle these artifacts with care to prevent damage to the delicate glaze and forms.

• Restoration Efforts: Skilled conservators work to restore damaged yellowware pieces, carefully addressing issues like cracks, chips, or glaze loss. These efforts aim to ensure that these historical artifacts can be appreciated for generations to come.

6. Contemporary Appreciation and Revival:

• Artistic Inspiration: Contemporary potters draw inspiration from the aesthetics of yellowware, incorporating its warm tones and simple designs into modern ceramic creations.

• Revival in Home Decor: The nostalgic charm of yellowware has led to a revival in home decor. Reproduction pieces, inspired by traditional yellowware, can be found in homes, creating a bridge between the past and present.

Yellowware pottery, with its distinctive yellow glaze and utilitarian roots, stands as a testament to the ingenuity of American potters and the enduring appeal of simple, functional design. From its humble origins in Colonial America to its status as sought-after collector's items, yellowware pieces continue to evoke a sense of history and charm. As these artifacts find new life in contemporary homes, the legacy of yellowware lives on, connecting generations through the shared appreciation of a timeless and vibrant ceramic tradition.

A Handmade Holiday

A Handmade Holiday

The History + Art Behind Vintage Valentines

BY JEN O'CONNOR || EARTH ANGELS STUDIOS

Valentine’s Day is a decidedly handmade celebration. How can it not be when love is so personal, friendships so treasured, and the traditions of the holiday so old, that a simple love note penned from the hand seems a most apropos gesture of the heart?

At one point or another, we’ve all ventured to fashion a Valentine card. Bits of construction paper, the frill of a doily, markers, crayons…these are the things of school days’ crafting that have survived memory and time. They’re still present at the most technologically advanced of today’s grammar schools and likewise, in our habits of dashing off a love note festooned with a doodled “heart” or an “x” and an “o”…or two.

We learned early on, the gesture of a simple card is perfect, if the sentiment is true. Valentine’s Day is best celebrated when we're given the excuse to express sweet feelings in a few, well-chosen words, or with the help of a more-clever writer’s imprinted ditty or eloquent dedication.

And while there are a legions of commercially produced Valentines onto which you can add that personal flourish, something given by hand – however simple, charms the recipient. Indeed since Valentine cards predate postal service by centuries, those most traditional among us still hand deliver cards – a gift in themselves -- with envelopes unsealed, simply tucked in as etiquette dictates all hand-delivered correspondence should be.

 

A Peek at the Sweetest Holiday’s History

While there is little reliable information to confirm one Saint Valentine, the most common of histories describe him as a Roman priest imprisoned and killed for marrying Christian couples. That said, we have acknowledged February 14 as the feast day of “Saint Valentine” since the 1400s. This feast day has grown in fact and fable, history and tale, and has long been associated with the declaration of courtly love.

The first statements of love in honor of Saint Valentine’s Day, were said to be sung or recited and are referred to as poetical or amorous addresses. Handwritten notes emerged in the 1400s with the very first written Valentines attributed to the imprisoned Charles, Duke of Orleans, in 1415. During his time of confinement in the Tower of London, the besotted young Duke passed time writing romantic verses for his wife, far off in France. More than 60 of his heartfelt poems have survived and are preserved among the treasures of the British Museum.

So how did Valentine greetings become tradition in a time when reading and writing, paper and pens were not the things for the common man or woman? Love finds a way.

The tradition of putting forth heartfelt sentiments continued as it could among Western Europeans and by the Eighteenth Century exchanging written Valentines was in vogue among the educated and wealthy, and an emerging tradition among those with less means.