You've read about it, dreamed about it, and quite possibly considered quitting your job for it. Oh yeah, it's time. You NEED to get your junky derriere to Warrenton/Round Top!
If you're like me, your lust for rusty, musty, and dusty is hardly shared by anyone in your life. The only cure, my dears, is to immerse yourself in the wonders of Warrenton/Round Top Antique "Week" (which actually lasts anywhere from 10-21 days, depending on the vendors).
The first time I went was in Spring '07. I'd been junking for a few years, occasionally selling at the DC Big Flea, but had just taken the plunge and rented a booth in an antique store. I've blogged about it extensively, but the first time, I went for the latter half of the event. You will NEVER believe how large this is! It took me 3 DAYS just to cover the first town!
This time, I went on the early end; I feared that p'haps I was too early, that not all the vendors were there, or that they were saving their "good stuff" for the hard-core week, or *gasp* that the economy would've put its patented damper on the event. Silly me. Feast your eyes:
Be still my heart! I must've circled this garden shelf and giant clockface 12X before realizing there was no way it would fit in an overheard compartment.
Now I know why I have NEVER found a loving cup/trophy in my whole life. Apparently this vendor has them all. Be advised that the teensiest, cheapest one in this display was $70.
These garden pieces with burlap, lace, and tone-on-tone are so calming to me. I felt like I was swimming in a big ole caramel sundae. I am sooo cribbing this idea.
Everywhere you turn, you will be inspired by displays that are unimaginably jaw-dropping.
This is a major event; you'll find everything from T2T, hoarded ephemera, salvage, mid-century, linens, girliest of girliest, and I hear tell there's some fine antiques sprinkled in there, but pishposh—who really cares about that?
My true confession is that both times, I have NOT gone to the Marburger show (the big one in Round Top that you've read about in Country Living/Country Home). First of all, that's where a lot of the high-end stuff is, and I've heard the prices are high. Also, it costs something like $25 to get in (but that's good for the entire show). Believe you me, there's plenty o' going around in the fields that you won't even miss the schmancy shows.
Wear your wellies or boots, and be prepared for 3+ days of port-a-potties. You'll be shopping in FIELDS, but you'll be among compadres (or is it com-madres, given that this is estrogen-heavy?). There's plenty of good TX food to be had, and every single vendor will be offering a cold quaff by the end of the day.
If you've been tormenting yourself, I urge you to go. For me, it's the ultimate high. I feel like ME there, and it's true junking heaven. See you in October? XOX
