Thursday, February 12, 2009

The International Collectibles & Antiques Show -Charlotte, NC

After visiting the new show a couple of weeks ago I must say I was very excited and a little nervous about going back to Metrolina’s old/new show, The International Collectibles & Antiques Show. I wanted it to be just as big as it always was but I was afraid that some dealers were picking one show over the other. We went on Friday at about 10 am and found a parking spot right up front. In all fairness, I have no idea how crowded it was on the weekend but it wasn’t crowded on Friday. Going through the gate, the outside vendors are set up! Hooray! I saw several of my old favorites and found a few cool things to buy right away. Truthfully, there were not as many dealers outside as usual and no sign of Linda who is always in the process of setting up under the mall.

Checking out Piccadilly Lane I found a sweet little Mid Century chair at a booth where everything was half price. Good thing we brought the SUV.

This booth also caught my eye. Bed of Roses Boutique is run by DeAnna Jackson. Her and her husband restyle old pieces of furniture in a shabby chic kind of way. I love this piece designed by her young daughter and made by her husband.


There were only two rows of shops open in Piccadilly. The whole middle row, all but vacant, so on to the buildings we went.

We stopped and shopped at Harry’s booth. He sets up along side of building C and always has great bargains and interesting treasures.

Building C is filled with an eclectic mix of booths and very few empty spaces. Sandra of Salvage Art is set up and I get to meet her new puppy Lady Marmalade. OMG what a cutie! More on pets later.


A little known fact about me is that I’ve got a somewhat unhealthy obsession. I hoard buttons-there, I’ve said it. I have discovered, while discussing this vice with other vintage clothing dealers, that I am not alone. Oddly, this makes me feel better. Many vintage clothing dealers that I know ‘hoard’ buttons. It starts out innocently enough. You rescue buttons from damaged pieces and pick up jars full at flea markets. But it doesn’t take long before you have an entire cabinet - or in my case closet - stocked full with a bazillion buttons that you would not even think of selling. I am not proud, but I love buttons for some reason.

So when I came across Kristine Tibbetts’ booth I was in awe. She has a beautiful booth where her buttons are organized and displayed. Little boxes full of buttons, jars full of buttons and buttons sewn to cards. Glass, plastic, wooden, leather..okay, you get the picture. She is a true collector and she definitely knows her buttons. Notice, I didn’t call myself a button collector. I am but a mere hoarder and browsing Kristine’s booth the differences between a hoarder and a collector become very clear. That’s okay-I can live with my little vice.
Next was the covered mall and, honestly, it looked about half full. The next building, building B had very few dealers but my favorite jewelry seller was there. Tom Smith "Smitty"
of 'For the Time Of It' is always set up right inside the main door and to the left. He carries the most beautiful estate jewelry and has great prices. If you are looking for something special for your sweetheart (or for yourself) be sure to stop by his booth.

As we cross through the breezeway and go into Building A we spot a lady wearing a fabulous vintage patchwork mink coat. I couldn’t help but comment on it and she tells us that she had just bought it! For less than $100! Good for her-bad for me. When I asked her where, she pointed to a booth and I immediately recognized Elaine of Stony Run Antiques.

Had I known she was here I would have started in Building A. Oh well. Elaine and her husband Jim have a wonderful antique store in Oaksboro, NC. It is in a quaint little house and the whole upstairs is full of vintage and antique clothing and accessories. Unfortunately she is only open by appointment so I don’t get to visit as often as I’d like. I do see her regularly at Hinson's Auctions though, which is also in Oaksboro. So, I am always excited when I get to check out her treasures at the show.

By now we’re hungry and there are lots of choices here for lunch. There are two cafes in this building and today we chose the little one in the back. The food is made to order and doesn’t disappoint. I recommend the BLT but my daughter loves the baked potatoes.

Re-energize after lunch we start up the aisles of this last building. I don’t think I have ever seen an empty space in Building A and today is no different.

I am a squirrel lover and so this little guy caught my eye.


As I look around the booth I am surprised to see another squirrel and then another. It was a bit weird and exciting at the same time. I don’t usually see a lot of squirrel collectibles and certainly not a bunch in one place. That’s when Brooke pointed out the sign.

Okay, I get it. They specialize in Early American Antiques and American Stoneware (and squirrels).

We took our time browsing and shopping and talking to dealers. I have to admit that a lot of the talking was done by my daughter Brooke-not me and was about Aashka, her dog-not antiques.
That girl goes nowhere without her ‘baby’ and I have to tell you she was quite upset when I told her that I read on the website that they were no longer allowing pets at this show. She called the show to confirm. Even the new sign above the front gate read “no pets”. Obviously, none of this had any impact on her because here we were, Aashka in tow. And no one seemed to mind. Plus, like I said before, Sandra had Lady Marmalade with her and there were other dogs there also. I’m feeling a little guilty for having left Trigger at home. Oh, well.

All in all it was a great day. We saw a lot of beautiful antiques, met some new friends and caught up with old ones, scored some treasures and had fun. Oh, one last note. As we were leaving I asked the lady at the gate what was up with the new ‘no pets’ policy. Guess what. She told me they changed their minds and they decide to go back to their old policy of allowing pets. Icing on the cake!
You can see more pictures here.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yea! Metrolina would be nothing without the dogs!!

Anonymous said...

i love shopping for antiques and stuff, the best place for these things here in budapest is he flea markets