Summer has REALLY arrived here where we live in Texas and we are in the tripple digits! I am totally up for some good antiquing and treasure hunting and if you are ready for a weekend of antiques, collectibles, and flea markets then you may want to check out one of these events that are happening in California, Michigan, Texas, and in your neck-of-the-woods. Find more shows, auctions, and flea markets here.

Mining Antique Collector’s Swap Meet & Auction
Nevada City, CA
6/12/2010 9am-4:30pm
Dennis Kurlander

Foothill Farmers’ Market
Auburn, CA
6/12/2010 8am – Noon
Foothill Farmers Market

Antique Country & Folk Art Show
Los Altos, CA
6/12/2010 Sat 6pm-9pm, Sun 10am-4pm

Rose Bowl Flea Market
Pasadena, CA
6/13/2010 9am-3pm

Downtown Santa Cruz Antique Street Faire
Santa Cruz,  CA
6/13/2010 9am-4pm
Santa Cruz Downtown Show

Antiques & Estates Auction
Beverly Hills, CA
6/13/2010
IM Chait Gallery/Auctioneers

Spring Antique Show
Holly, MI
6/12/2010 10am-5pm
Battle Alley Arcade Antiques Mall

Antique & Collectible Market
Centreville, MI
6/13/2010
Zurko Promotions

2-Day Art & Antiques Auction
Richmond, IN
6/11/2010 5pm
Walther & Hawkins

Scott Antique Markets
Atlanta, GA
6/11/2010
Scott Antique Market

Auction
Bel Air,  MD
6/11/2010 6pm
Bel Air Auction Galleries

Auction
Ina, IL
6/11/2010 5:30pm
Southern Illinois Auction LLC

Gordyville USA Flea Market
Rantoul, IL
6/11/2010 Fri. 4pm – 9pm, Sat. 9am – 6pm, Sun. 9am – 4pm
Gordon Hannagan

St Leonard,  MD
6/11/2010 6pm
Chesapeake Auction House

Auction
Southampton,  PA
6/11/2010 5pm
Stephensons Auctions

Coin, Currency, Jewelry & Stamp Expo
Laughlin,  NV
6/11/2010 Fri 11am-6pm; Sat 10am-6pm; Sun 10am-5pm
Bick International

If you happen to be in the Pacific Northwest this Saturday and Sunday June 5-6, 2010 you will want to head to the renowned Farm Chicks 2010 show held at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, 404 N. Havana Street, Spokane Valley, Washington. The show is all indoors and this is GREAT as the rain has been falling really heavy for days. The show started in 2002 and has grown into a highly anticipated event now with 150+ vendors. This year’s special guests are Jourdan Crouch – Associate Editor, Country Living Magazine and Jo Packham, Editor-in-Chief, Where Women Create Magazine! For details about the show and to read some neat information about the vendors and also see some cool photos visit here –The Farm Chicks.

I love to go on treasure hunting excursions as much as the next person at thrift shops, flea markets, antique malls, junk shops etc.and if I can discover bargains and fresh finds in the process then an even bigger YIPPY to me! I still get surprised however when I bump into a fellow thrifter and talk about the neat item I just won online at the Goodwill and they look at me with the expression of “what”?

I then proceed to explain that most of the Goodwill locations around the USA participate in online auctions via the Goodwill at Shop Goodwill. It is actually super cool that you can sit in the comfort of your own home and shop a bunch of Goodwill locations across the country! To get started all you need to do is register on the Shop Goodwill website and instantly you have access to over 32,261 items (at the time of this posting) and categories like Clothing, Collectibles, Tableware & Kitchenware, Transportation, Seasonal & Holiday, For The Home, Books Movies Music, Crafts & Hobbies, Glass, Computers & Electronics, etc. You can find all sorts of designer brands, high-end porcelains and figurines, even MAC Computers! Find something(s) you like, place your bid(s) and Good Luck!

On March 19, 2010 Goodwill Industries opened a specialty store targeting Fashionistas on a budget to shop in a boutique setting called “GW Boutique” that will sell only “Gap-quality and higher” clothing. GW Boutique’s already have opened in three other locations across the country – Manhattan, Portland, and San Francisco and the March 19, 2010 opening of its first Texas location (close to me) located at 750 Main Street, Keller, Texas.  The Keller location of GW Boutique will sell items at price points of around $25-$30 with brand names of Gap, Louis Vuitton, Coach, Dooney & Bourke, D&G, Dolce and Gabbana, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, St. John Knits and more!

The particular day I walked through the new GW Boutique (a week after the grand opening) the store was crowded with lots of female shoppers varying in age and there was a rather long line of women waiting to get into the dressing rooms. Everyone’s hands were full of clothes. The clothing racks were full of merchandise in a variety of sizes and sorted appropriately by type. It seemed that there was a particularly large selection of jeans with multiple racks of denim. The quality and condition of the clothing was not quite what I was expecting especially after the glowing reviews the boutique received touting the high-end designer brands.  I did find many Ralph Lauren dress shirts and Ralph Lauren sweaters though all were rather well-worn and faded. There were also plenty of items with labels from “EXPRESS”, “N.Y.C”, “New York & Co.”, and “Layne Bryant”, not exactly what many would consider “Gap Quality” or “Better”. I think the important thing to remember is that all the clothing is donated and that GW Boutique is still a thrift store with a boutique image but that there are some really good items and bargains to be had if you spend a bit of time sorting through the merchandise.  Goodwill Industries says they will sell the top 1% of their donations at these specialty shops – GW Boutiques.

David Cox, senior vice president retail sales and marketing says that all proceeds from sales at the GW Boutique will go to support Goodwill’s charitable mission.

View images of the grand opening fashion show here.

Sports Card, Antique & Collectibles Show
Taylor, MI
2/5/2010 Fri Noon-9pm, Sat & Sun 10am-6pm
Gibraltar Trade Center North, Inc.

The San Francisco Arts of Pacific Asia Show
San Francisco, CA
2/5/2010
Caskey & Lees

Brevard Antiques and Collectors Club Meeting
Melbourne, FL
2/5/2010 10:30am
Brevard Antiques and Collectors Club

West Palm Beach Antique Festival Spectacular
West Palm Beach, FL
2/5/2010 Fri noon-5pm; Sat 9am-5pm; Sun 10am-4:30pm
Puchstein Promotions, Inc.

Serendipity! Antique Show
Fresno, CA
2/5/2010 Fri 10am-8pm, Sat & Sun 10am-5pm
Serendipity! Shows

Antiques Show & Sale
Wakesha, WI
2/5/2010 Fri. 10am-7pm; Sat. 10am-5pm; Sun. 11am-4pm
Transitions of Wales Ltd.

Urbana Antique Show
Urbana, OH
2/6/2010 Sat. 8amn-4pm; Sun. 10am-3pm
Urbana Antique Show

The Great Lehigh Valley Antique Show
Allentown, PA
2/6/2010 10am-3pm
Valley Rail Promotions

Ilustration Art
Dallas, TX
2/11/2010
Heritage Auction Galleries

Comics & Original Comic Art Auction
Dallas, TX
2/25/2010
Heritage Auction Galleries

Not seeing an event in your area? Visit here for a FULL list of events and locations.

Black Memorabilia Black Doll Show & Sale from Johnson Shows

The Mall at Prince Georges
3500 East West Highway
Hyattsville, MD 20782
“Located In The Greater Washington, DC Area”

“Celebrating Black History Month”

–Many vendors with Black Dolls, Doll Accessories, Doll Furniture, and Doll-related items for sale
–Meet the African American Doll Artists and Doll Makers
–Dorothy Dandridge Authentic Memorabilia Exhibit
–An Educational Experience For The Whole Family

Details here!

Mark your calendars for the Black Memorabilia & Collectibles Show on April 17, 2010 in the greater Washing, D.C. area Gaithersburg, Maryland.

FEATURING AT THIS WORLD FAMOUS LOCATION:

Vendors with Black Memorabilia and Black Americana Collectibles for sale including historical artifacts and documents, books, figurals, art, autographs, stamps, advertisements, toys, prints, paintings, textiles, dolls, political and civil rights memorabilia, kitchen collectibles, jewelry, postcards, cookie jars, sports memorabilia, photographic items, posters, coins, entertainment memorabilia and much more. Details here.

Jefferson High School’s 38th Fall Antique Show
Lafayette,  IN

Hillsborough Antique Show & Sale
San Mateo,  CA
11/6/2009
Hillsborough Antique Show & Sale

1st Annual Antique Show & Sale
Tipton,  IN
11/6/2009 Fri. 9am – 6pm, Sat. 9am – 5pm

Postcard And Paper Show & Sale
Countryside,  IL
11/6/2009 Fri. 10am – 6pm, Sat. 9am – 4pm
Courthouse Square Antique Postcards

Coin & Stamp Expo
Laughlin,  NV
11/6/2009 Fri 11am-6pm; Sat 10am-6pm; sun 10am-5pm
Bick International

Delafield Antique Show
Delafield,  WI
11/6/2009 Fri. 5pm -9pm, Sat. 10am – 5pm, Sun. 11am – 4pm
Antiques Center of Wales

Antique Spectacular
Rock Island,  IL
11/6/2009
Melting Pot Productions

Hell’s Kitchen is a neighborhood on the west side of Manhattan, roughly the area from West 34th up to West 59th Street, and from 8th Avenue over to the Hudson River. Hell’s Kitchen below 42nd Street is sometimes called “Hell’s Kitchen South.” That’s where the flea market is located.  In Hell’s Kitchen South you can still find small “mom and pop” businesses, including specialty food stores. The flea market’s area is relatively free of tall buildings, allowing for a sweeping view of midtown Manhattan, including The Empire State Building, The New Yorker Hotel, and the new New York Times Building. Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market includes vendors from The Annex, formerly located in Chelsea. Designers, tourists, artists, celebrities, and residents shop the market for antiques, collectibles, vintage clothing, mid-century modern items–including home decorations and furniture–jewelry, and more. This one sounds like fun! We would love to hear from those of you who have been to this flea market, send us your comments and pictures.

Cool crisp air, leaves turning shades of reds, oranges, yellows and browns, a cup of hot apple cider- Fall is in the air! What a better way to enjoy fresh air and the season change then by visiting some local flea markets and antique fairs right in your local area this weekend. Below is a list of some local events.

3rd Annual Peddlers Faire
Fraizer,  CA
10/3/2009 8:30am-4pm
The Ridge Route Communities Museum

18th Annual Antique Street Faire
Red Bluff,  CA
10/4/2009 8am-4pm
Red Bluff

Outdoor Antique & Collectible Market
Santa Monica,  CA
10/4/2009 8am-3pm
Marketplace Productions

The Original Pasadena City College Flea Market
Pasadena,  CA
10/4/2009 8am-3pm
Pasadena City College Flea Mkt.

Karcher Mall Antique Mall
Nampa,  ID
10/2/2009 Fri & Sat 10am-9pm; Sun noon-6pm
Karcher Mall

Columbus Pottery Show & Auction
Columbus,  OH
10/2/2009 Fri. 5pm; Sat. 11am-4pm; Sun. 11am-4pm
Columbus Pottery Show & Auction

Brevard Antiques and Collectors Club Meeting
Melbourne,  FL
10/2/2009 10am
Brevard Antiques and Collectors Club

Kentucky Flea Market
Louisville,  KY
10/2/2009 Fri. Noon – 7 , Sat. 10am – 7pm, sun. 11am – 5pm
Stewart Promotions

Kentucky Flea Market
Louisville,  KY
10/2/2009 Fri. Noon – 7 , Sat. 10am – 7pm, Sun. 11am – 5pm
Stewart Promotions

Antiques Show & Sale
Waukesha,  WI
10/2/2009 Fri. 10-7; Sat. 10-5; Sun. 11-4
Transitions of Wales Ltd.

Woodstock Market & Show – An Outdoor Market & Antique Show
Woodstock,  GA
10/2/2009
Woodstock Market Shows

Antique Market
Eagle River,  WI
10/3/2009
Zurko Promotions

Lebanon Antiques Show
Lebanon,  OH
10/3/2009 Sat. 9-5; Sun. 11-4
Warren County Historical Society

Visit here for more locations.

Never too early for Holiday shopping especially now that kids have gone back to school! Here are some collectibles fairs going on in your area this weekend!

Hoosier Antique Shows
Indianapolis,  IN
9/11/2009 Fri. 11am – 7pm, Sat. 11am – 6pm, Sun. 11am – 4pm
Hoosier Antiques Expo

Gordyville USA Flea Market
Rantoul,  IL
9/11/2009 Fri. 4pm – 9pm, Sat. 9am – 6pm, Sun. 9am – 4pm
Gordon Hannagan

Antiques & Collectibles Shows
Brimfield,  MA
9/11/2009
J&J Promotions

An Antique Affair
Lexington,  KY
9/11/2009 Fri. 9am – 5pm, Sat. 9am – 5pm , Sun. 11am – 5pm
An Antique Affair

Athens Shcoolhouse Antique Show
Lexington,  KY
9/11/2009 Fri. 9am – 5pm, Sat. 9am – 5pm, Sun. 11am – 5pm
Brand Advertising Group

Scott Atlanta Antique Market
Atlanta,  GA
9/11/2009 Fri. 9am – 6pm, Sat. 9am – 6pm, Sun. 10am – 4pm
Scott Antique Market