Hubby and I went to the Ottawa Antique Show Friday. I always go the first night, because it gives me some time to think a purchase over and return over the weekend. Little things (like a McCoy planter) I have bought on the spot, but the year we bought three Lotte lamps, I asked that the seller hold them overnight and I returned the next morning to buy them. I just needed to sleep on it (in hindsight, why?). This time, we accidentally arrived really early, about 4:30pm, and there was already a line! Ottawa is a city of treasure hunting early birds. By 5:00pm the line had snaked around and was blocking the door. You can actually see me, with Hubby lurking behind, in one of Kim’s photos (below). I don’t know why I look so grumpy: I had a full tummy (Hubby insisted we eat a ridiculously early dinner in case we were at the show until late), empty bladder and was at an antique show!
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| Photo from Desire to Inspire |
The show was great! We spotted some familiar vendors, but new booths as well. There were some fabulous pieces for sale. I favored so many of Kim’s picks that by the end Hubby would spot a pick of hers, hide her tag, ask if I liked it, then celebrate if I didn’t love it. As in, “a-ha! It was a Kim’s pick!”. It was triumphant for him. Whatever keeps him entertained, I guess!
I was on a mission: silhouettes, McCoy pottery, Pyrex, Iittala . . . I’m trying to build and grow existing collections so they have a WOW factor, instead of investing in random little items here and there. Although I also seriously considered a very small pair of silhouettes, I only purchased two small items (I’ll tell you what I bought in a minute).
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| I loved these little silhouettes, but they just didn’t suit the rest of my collection. |
There were many beautiful items to ogle, especially for folks without such a narrow focus as mine.
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| I have wanted a Lea Stein fox pin forever, but I’m not a huge fan of red. |
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| Found out Hubby doesn’t like Russel Wright dinnerware – which I had thought about starting to collect! |
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| These 1970s teak tables would provide amazing storage in a living room . . . like our living room! |
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| So tempting . . . |
Even with all this temptation I stuck to our money-saving goal, but did come home with one sweet treat that was a total surprise: antique Fort William post cards that round out my existing set, which we hung in the stairwell in floating frames. The bridge on one is the same bridge Hubby and I were almost swept under last time we took out our very small sailboat, on a trip to our hometown. The Lake Superior slips were closed for renovations, so we took the boat on a river and had a terrible time that ended up with us paddling, ditching the boat, hiking back through rough brush, shimmying around a chain link fence (dangling over a cliff), emerging covered in burrs and then waiting a lifetime in the setting sun for someone to help us tow the boat back. I HAD to get that postcard!
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| This one was actually mailed! I wish the seller hadn’t written the price on the postcard. I have no functioning erasers. |
Did any local readers hit the Ottawa Antique Show this weekend? Even though my purchases were small, I’m so happy with what I found and I’ll be back next time – you never know what treasures will be there, just waiting to come home to the townhouse! Kim’s so lucky: she got to snap photos before the show opened (most of mine have people’s bums in them as they hunched over to investigate items, or were snapped in a hurry before someone’s bum entered the shot). See her photos on Desire to Inspire and Closet Rivalry.
Why doesn't he like Russel Wright? I LOVE it, and have a few sets. In fact, I have that exact jug you showed but in teal…it's one of my faves. I love the Russel Wright tea pots
He hated the colour of these pieces, and says he doesn't like the style. I have a feeling the colour of these is too earthy for him. Maybe he'll be convinced if we see some in teal or grey. In any case, I am SUPER jealous that you have a few sets and the jug I pictured in teal. Seriously jealous 🙂
Hey Tanya! So funny – I just came form Kim`s site and noticed you there in her pic! It`s extra funny becase I was there on Friday night also, but unfortuantley I did not run into either of you. Too bad! I bought a fabulous vintage cameo and pearl necklace… but nothing else though I was tempted by a few things. Glad you found those lovely postcards. Michele – Ottawa alternagrrl.
You were there Friday too? It's a shame we couldn't meet!! I guess we were both intensely focused on the goods, right? Someone probably could have slapped a "kick me" sign on my back and I wouldn't have noticed, lol. A cameo?? I am envious. I bought a cameo a few show's ago and love it but they are all so different. I would love a huge collection of them. I found myself lingering over a few and Hubs had to pull me away. I'm so happy you found a couple of beautiful pieces of jewellery 🙂
WOW looks like a lot to go thru and decide on.I haven't been to a flea or antiques show in ages.I think my home is pretty much set and if I go to any I would have to rearrange or rid something that is a favorite already. So best I just live through others shopping and I stay put at home ;)Amy
Yes, I hear you: space is always an issue. A show like this would be fabulous for someone who has moved and wants a few pieces. There was a great selection of storage pieces I would have loved if I had more space. Lovely end tables and cabinets, pretty occasional chairs. I also enjoy a little window shopping, and vicarious shopping, when I can! Kim, from Desire to Inspire, took home some gorgeous jewellery, featured on her blog, for a little more vicarious shopping! If funds were unlimited, I'd CLEAR space for a jadeite collection, lol.
i love your photos. especially those old crates. i love me some old crates!
Awww, thanks! The benefit was the lighting was great! Which was also good for really good for anyone inspecting a piece. Oh gosh – the crates! I think I gently touched each one. I really wish I had a place/project for them.
I was there bright and early Saturday morning and thought I'd died and gone to heaven!! So much to look at, I saw some pieces that I remember my Nanny and great Grandmother having. I bought and old recipe box and water ladel and a very old toy rifle. I have cathedral ceilings in my living room and have a 4ft wagon wheel handing on it, my great grandmothers wash board and 2 horse yolks, so the toy gun really fits, it looks great!! My girl friend and I enjoyed ourselves so much, we were there for 4 hrs.
Oh wow, you found such great things! I love the antique objects you have in your living room. Can I say I am jealous of the cathedral ceilings? So nice to hear you and your girlfriend had such a great time!!
I WANT that bright yellow chair!
The dealer found it in a mechanic's garage, then stripped the paint built up on it and found the original yellow, so he then painted it yellow. Lots of restoration work!
Fab pics & picks! Too bad we didn't get to meet (but I did manage to inadvertently snap your photo in the lineup! – and how stoked was I to realize my pics would be free of bums and other body parts). Hilarious that your hubby wanted to see if you liked my picks. 🙂
Thanks Kim! Your photos are so beautiful, I'm sure they would have been gorgeous even with bums. I looked but didn't spot you. Then again, I had stars in my eyes from all the Jadeite. Your picks were so spot-on and curated perfectly, there were few I didn't love (hence the triumph Hubby felt when there was one).
Hilarious – I was there Friday too! I tried to keep an eye out for familiar faces, but I guess I was also too intent on seeking great finds like Tanya…. There is slways next year 🙂 Ottawa alternagrrl / Michele
Maybe we should all wear a yellow rose?