I have missed several of my favorite markets recently, and will be missing another one at the end of this month–but the hunt must go on!
Last minute, I decided to run down to Antique Alley Texas on Saturday in an effort to make up for all my missed markets.
Antique Alley is a market that runs along Hwy 4 in between Cleburne, Grandview, and Maypearl, Texas.
It happens twice a year, on the third weekend of April and September.
My husband and I first went down to the show this past April to do some pickin’ and celebrate our 10 year anniversary.
We had a lot of success in April finding some great inventory, so I was excited to try it again this past weekend.
A pickin’ trip of this magnitude is definitely a 2 person job, so I’m thankful my friend Lori could come along with me (since hubby this time had to stay home with the boys).
This picture was at our first stop, before we got hot, sweaty, rained on, then covered in dirt and dust 🙂
One thing I like about Antique Alley is that it is a mix of garage sales and larger antique markets.
I tend to avoid garage sales in my area because most of what is sold is really just junk or kids’ clothes.
But the sales down at Antique Alley tend to have better inventory because it’s an older, country area.
And when you have lots of garage sales concentrated in one small town, it’s easy to swing through many of them quickly and find some really great deals– like this antique ironstone creamer I bought for $1.
After exhausting the garage sales, you can head to the larger antique markets and find plenty of quality inventory nicely displayed, although expect to pay higher prices.
So it’s really the best of both worlds–cheap, close together garage sales, as well as quality antique markets all tied together in one event.
I ended up coming home with a nice truckload of inventory, including this hutch top with plate rack shelves.
I’m thinking a coat of chippy milk paint
For larger items I also found a small art deco vanity, primitive red wood bench, and large white door, complete with chippy white paint and original hardware.
I stocked up on “smalls” too: old concrete brushes, milk glass vases, ironstone pieces, old books and postcards (remember I love my old paper!), a brass scale and planter, yellow coke crate, and a great numbered crock.
I passed on an old red wheelbarrow, and I’m still kicking myself over it. I also wish this gorgeous iron fence post had been for sale . . . but it was still part of somebody’s yard 🙂
I’m hoping I bought enough inventory to last me through October!
We barely scraped the surface of all that was for sale at Antique Alley Texas.
If you are near the North Texas area, I would recommend it as a great show to attend, both for “professional” dealers as well as anyone looking for great deals for their own homes.
Hope you all have a fantastic week, and happy flea market shopping!
Linking up to: Metamorphosis Monday, Show & Share Party Project Inspire(d),
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I wish I was closer & could go with you on some of your treasure hunts. 🙂 You are a good hunter!!
Mother Soph
I would love your company. Maybe sometime in the future 🙂
I made it to Antique Alley for the very first time and it sure won’t be my last 😉
My girlfriend and I also got wet, dirty, then hot, dusty but it was so worth it.
So fun! Glad you found some good stuff too 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Melanie,
I love all of your treasures! I can’t wait to see what color you paint the hutch!
Kelly
I’m definitely thinking milk paint Kelly for the hutch. I have green, black, navy, and lavender on hand, none of which I think will work well. Not sure which direction to go with it . . . I’m waiting for inspiration 🙂
wow great sale and looks like it would make anyone happy wish i was closer also a far piece from tn. xx
Where in Tennessee? I’m originally from Memphis and my family is all still there. There’s lots of great estate sales in Memphis, how about your area?
I also had a great time looking for treasures! Funny how I never saw the things you found! I love the ironstone pitcher!
We barely made it through a quarter of the sales there Debbie! There was more junk than time . . . Hope you found some great things too!
How fun! I’ll be looking forward to seeing how you transform your finds, Melanie. I love that old fence post too. 🙂 Too bad it wasn’t for sale.
Thanks so much for sharing your fun and finds with us at Project Inspire{d}!
Yes Diane, I was really sad about that fence post too 🙁
OMGoodness–sounds like so much fun! We don’t really have anything like these sales that run along certain highways. We do have town-wide sales that give you a similar, concentrated set of sales. Perhaps they are the rough equivalent. You got some great buys, Melanie 🙂
Thanks Diana. I bet you have lots of great estate sales though and some really old inventory though in your area. I would love to come junk up there sometime!