This was THE weekend. The Country Living Fair was in town.
My son had been home sick from school on Thursday, so it was pretty questionable if I was going to be able to make it on Friday. But the clouds parted and my son was in good shape on Friday morning, so I packed him off to school and headed over to the fair with my fingers crossed.
Yes, I was shopping the Country Living Fair!!! Woot woot!
Can I give you one hint if you are planning to go to the fair next year or even the one coming up in October in Atlanta?
Get the early bird tickets. Five little words that will rock your world.
It was just amazing to casually shop the fair prior to it being open for the rest of the crowd.
You could easily walk through the vendors booths without a lot of pushing and shoving and jabbing people in the back. And hardly any wrestling people to the ground to steal the goods from their cold dead hands.
OK, that may be exaggerated, but it does get quite busy once the gates open to the hoards.
And if you have the early bird tickets that let you in 2 HOURS before the regular opening time, you can shop all the places close to the gate prior to opening and be headed back to the back of the show when they open up for real. You're always one step ahead of the throng of people.
What'd I find?
Lots of cool stuff. Unfortunately funds were limited, so I tried to pick and choose carefully what I actually bought. But I will say that looking around and checking out the vendor displays is half the fun of the show for me!
I found a very cool book with the state of Ohio cut out of it. I've seen old books made into letters before, but never states.
How do they do that!
I found it at a cutie patootie booth called Salmon Alley. I bought a stuffed owl from her last year, so I made sure I stopped to check out what she had this year.
I bought a big funnel that I think is for filling tractors with oil??? I have been looking high and low for one of these and Cari Cucksey from HGTV's Cash And Cari had one in their Re-Purpose booth.
Why do I want a big old funnel, you ask?
I have plans for it. Big plans, but you'll have to wait a week or so to see what becomes of it.
Well, how did that get there?
Of course, I was going to find at least one thermos at the fair.
You'll notice it is black and orange, so with Halloween coming up it was a no-brainer.
Except for the part of my brain that was freaking out about the price (I normally find mine at thrift stores and yard sales for $1 or less). This was not $1 or less! But it was orange and black!!!
And it has an original label on it!!! I've never seen a thermos with a label on it before.
I thought the Auction sign was fitting.
When I die, my husband will just have to pull this off my kitchen wall and he'll be all set to start selling my stuff.
I fell in love with this cardinal print.
I sort of have a thing with cardinals. Not like in a weird bird/person creepy kind of way, but in a cute lovely sort of way. They tend to stop by my house and say Hi, just about the time when I really need a smile.
Oh, and I bought the bittersweet there. I just didn't take a photo of it all by itself. Is it bittersweet that the bittersweet doesn't get its own photo?
And that's all I bought! Not a huge haul, but I'm happy with my findings and it's about as much as I could spend without feeling like I was blowing my budget.
Have you been to a Country Living Fair?
Have you ever tried the early bird tip?
melinda
Never been....
But it looks like you got some great things!!!
M : )
rue
Great finds!
I went to the second annual Country Living Fair when I lived in Ohio. I still have my cute finds from there too 🙂
xo,
rue
Erica
The CL Fair is definitely on my bucket list. I just wish that they would do one on the west coast!
I would have totally bought that thermos too! I don't have one for my Halloween decorating. How sad is that?
~Erica
Judy Clark
Great finds. I've never been to one of the Country Living Fairs. Maybe someday.....
Judy
must love junk
I just did a post on the CL Fair, too! Wasn't it amazing?? I agree about the early bird-that's the way to go! You got some fun goodies 🙂
Susan
Vickie
I think you found some great vintage items, Pam! I agree, that half the fun is looking at all the wonderful creative things for sale. Junk Bonanza is coming up this weekend, but I may just want to stay home and sleep the day away.
Debby Messer
I got a week-end pass and only went for less than two hours. I had a busy tiring week and didn't realize I was getting sick. I love the Ohio book. I got the mini books last year that spelled home. I bought a doll, hah. and some of the grab bags at Earth Angels. I can't even tell you what I saw. I usually love seeing the bears and things in the Earth Angels tent. She had very little this year. Another cute display by another lady but wow, the prices. I am at least glad I made it.
Missed the Back Woods Fest. Know of any other ones coming up I think the one in Mt. Vernon is the week my daughter is coming. She is coming alone for just three days to see the grandmas that aren't doing well.
We should meet up in Canal sometime.
Hugs
Glad your son is feeling better.
Pam
I saw that the Rural Society sale is on October 2 & 3 but I'm not sure I'm going to go. They are charging a parking fee of $20!!! for Friday! Seems a bit steep. I think I'll wait to go to that barn sale in Granville, which should be in October some time. And they don't charge a dime for parking 🙂
Musings from Kim K.
That thermos is a winner and I'm absolutely intrigued with the book cut like the shape of OH. I want to know what special laser cutter they used. Super cool!
Lisa Marutz
This was my first Country Living Fair. I drove in from Pittsburgh and arrived on Friday at about noon. It was fabulous and jam packed!! Lesson learned...next time I'll buy the Early Bird Pass, but I can't wait to go next year!!!!
Joanne Noragon
As a vendor for years at shows, I can tell you we liked the early bird shoppers, too.
Pam
See, I never knew you used to be a vendor at shows!!! Learn something new every day!
Karen Robbins
Thanks for sharing. I went last year but didn't to this one - hopefully I will make it next year. Ij will remember your advise about the early bird tickets. I would love being a little ahead of the crowd. Love all of your purchases!
Ginger
Yes I went this year. Being an Ohio girl but living in Florida for years made it hard to get up here but I've gone twice since I've moved back. Each year I've gone I've used the Early Bird. It is seriously the only way!! I don't think you're exaggerating about wrestling people either. The stampede on Saturday morning when they let me yell "time to shop" was awesome! It's fun being around people who enjoy the same things you do....until they grab the same item you were eyeballing. It's also nice to go back to the artists and tell them how much you enjoy what they made. Spent way to much money in the span of 2 hours and I peaced out when the masses were let in.
Pam
I'm so jealous of you getting to yell "time to shop"!!!
Kris @ Junk Chic Cottage
Looks like you had a great time Pam. Love all your treasures.
Kris
Dawn
Yep, I would have HAD to buy that Thermos! and like you, I have always been in love with Cardinals - I decorate a lot with them at Christmas and have always had one or two around the house year-round. I am a former OHIO girl, born there and raise there,, left for a few years as a teen for my father's work, but came back and lived there until my late 20s and have been on the move ever since. But I still consider myself a Midwesterner and always will!
GADawn57
Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces
It sure looks like a lot of fun! Looking forward to seeing what you do with the funnel...so many fun uses!
Nicolyn
Thanks for posting about going to the CL Fair! I went years back, and it was so much fun. I too, just like to go and enjoy the atmosphere, walking around and chatting with the vendors, looking at the beautiful displays, and vintage goods. I had a lot of fun listening to a few of the seminars too. Your finds are very cute!