San Francisco – Alameda Finds
Since I flew into San Francisco with only carry-on, I knew my shopping would be limited at the Alameda Flea Market. So I focused on a few small items I was needing for upcoming shoots and projects. I bought this bundle of air mail letters for $5.
And an envelope filled with vintage stamps for the same price.
I found these old watch makers tins and could think of lots of uses for them. So I picked out 6…only after trying to find all their lids scattered in the box.
With Christmas being in full swing in the publishing world, I couldn't pass up these vintage pipe cleaner candy canes. All for $2!
And I did buy myself a few presents. I have a collection of these cuff bracelets made from antique sterling silver napkin rings. Whenever I wear them I always get compliments. People find them so unique and I love that almost no two are alike.
I also came across a very well made leather bucket bag and had to have it! I'm a sucker for leather bags and especially one with a simple shape.
These folding coat hooks come in handy for small spaces, like the back of a door or inside a closet for jewelry or scarves.
I knew my kitchen hand towels were running low. I think they wander off by themselves at my house. So I bought ten more antique German towels. They're my favorite because they wash up well, are super absorbant, and look nice in the kitchen.
I thought the old cash ledger below would make a great journal cover. I may give it to a friend since I'm terrible at journaling. And a dozen lace appliques for a project along with a brass number plate with a 15 on it. It's my favorite number…our wedding day!
With all the stuff I bought in Chinatown, I couldn't fit anymore in my luggage. But that's ok because the Rose Bowl is this weekend and it's just a short car ride away!
What have you found at the flea lately?
35 Responses to “San Francisco – Alameda Finds”
Great finds although I’m pretty sure anything you take a picture of is gonna look amazing! Love the idea of the silver napkin holders turned bracelets, how original. I’m gonna keep an eye out for those from now on 😉 The German towels are so pretty as well as that leather bag. I’ve been on the lookout for the perfect brown leather handbag. Have fun at the Rose Bowl on Sunday!
Hi Heather,
I love all of the treasures that you found! I have a few of the old watch tins as well, and I am obsessed with the vintage German towels, I have tons of them and they do hold up really well. They just don’t make them like they use to.
Hope you have a lovely day.
Sincerely,
Melinda
Oh, such great finds!!! I talked my hubby into taking a road trip for the July 1 Alameda Flea – our first time there and we’ll definitely be back!
We had driven our CRV all the way from Portland, OR, so when I spotted a skinny little cabinet in the most perfect shade of bluet, I knew I had to have it. Also scored lots of French enamelware on that trip, plus picked up a French mannequin the next day at Sonoma Country Antiques. Best road trip EVER 🙂
I’m a stickler for tin buckets, old sign Letters (currently trying to spell out the word H O M E to put above our front door), and CRATES in all sizes!
~Kim
Let’s go shopping together 🙂
I went to the Rose Bowl flea market years ago and loved it, it’s HUGE, super jealous! Have fun!
Wow, what amazing finds, I’m a sucker for post cards and stamps too, I just picked up a load from a flee market in Paris. I love the stories behind them all, such a lovely thing to collect xxxx
Sounds like lots of fun! I love road trips and Portland to Sonoma is a beautiful drive.
Wish I could have fit a few crates in my carry-on. I saw dozens of them!
In my book, Paris has the best flea markets!
That’s why I buy them in bulk! They really do hold up well!
Heather, What fun! Love your bracelets, did you find a seller on-line for these beautiful pieces, and if so, will you share the information?
Pam
Hi Pam, I found them from a vendor at the Alameda flea market. Havent seen them anywhere else but I bet people will start making them soon!Â
Wow…what a wonderful collection of treasures! I sooo love your photography! Just love it all! Especially the old German towels, the air mail, and the cuffs! Fabulous! Always a joy to visit!
Have a delightful week!
Becky
Hi Heather, I found them on-line for $400.00!! and like you, I would want more than one… I will have to check out Alameda, I’m only an 1 1/2 away, I just never seem to go (friends want to leave at 5:00 a.m. ugh!)
I love it all! You did a great job of getting a variety of beautiful small things that are really treasures. I have a feeling I know which friend might get the journal. Whoever it is will love it!
all of your finds are wonderful…especially that leather bag!!! I’ve found a few treasures lately at the local flea…
http://fourcornersdesign.blogspot.com/2012/07/at-flea-market.html
and I agree with your earlier comment…Paris fleas are the best…
Really nice finds – and I do love that bag! 🙂
I used to live in Alameda and spent every first Sunday of the month at the Alameda Flea Market… Whether I bought anything or not (who am I kidding, I always bought something, even if it was just a tiny little trinket), it was always so much fun. Now that we live in Portland, Oregon, I miss it terribly!
Heather,
I love your treasures, the letters were really pretty wrapped with twine and the writing on the top envelope is so pretty, almost like a calligraphy script.
The bracelets are especially nice, how fun to have something a little different.
Karen
Oh,my gosh!! I was at Alameda, too! My very first time as I live in the midwest and was visiting a friend in the bay area. She warned me that it would be cold and the mist, added to that, made it a bit uncomfortable. But was it a great experience! I loved watching people walk to their cars with their purchases and wondered… now where was that and how did I miss it… lol! It’s on my list of places I want to return to! Thanks for sharing what you bought. Love show n’ tell!!!!
That is one of my ‘some day’ markets I would love to visit. I am impressed at your carry on only travel! When I know I am going someplace like this, I take a near empty hard-sided large bag, just to pack new found treasures in!
I’m so sad, someone told me that the Alameda flea market wasnt any good, so we didn’t go, I’ve live outside Pasadena for 2 1/2 years and still havent made it to the Rose Bowl. Its waaaaay to hot right now! Love PCC and Irvine.
What great finds! I love them all, especially, well, everything! I’ve been a stamp collector for years… didn’t think anyone does that anymore!? The last thing I purchased at a flea market was a vintage croquet set – for my daughter! Too much fun!
Ooh what lovely finds! I am such a fan of scouring thrift sales — so much fun and so many great treasures!
♡ Lexi
FASHION: Glitter Pearls
WEDDINGS: Glitter Weddings
Those are some amazing small finds! You have a great eye.
What type of camera are you using, your photographs are beautiful?
<3
Tarah
onefellswoopfindings.blogspot.com/
Flea markets do not exist here in Guatemala, you know? Bummer! When I see decorating TV shows or blogs on the issue, envy runs in my blood. Pity there aren’t any around. There are Antique shops – and handful – but those are much more expensive.
Great finds! I wonder what are you going to do with the stamps?…
Love all your finds, that is exactly how I shop.
Here in Phoenix, Sweet Salvage, hosts a 4 day shopping spree with designers setting up booths each month with a different theme.
I found so many treasures, including a chippy wrought iron gate.
those cuffs are really cool
I’d be just itchin’ to read those old letters! Sad, that writing letters is becoming a lost art…think I should get back to it. I have some vintage letters from the 40s I found at a grungy yard sale – more as a rescue because I could see they were in a piles of paper junk, so I just scooped them along with some Playbill booklets…when I got home I saw that the letters were written by a famous playwriter & one letter was from Kate Smith. Sure makes me wonder how these were at this rundown house?
Love the colors of the old stamps, too.
One of my best finds lately was a lovely 3 panel room divider that I placed across the corner of a spare bedroom to hide all the other piled-up “treasures” I hadn’t found a home for yet.
I love the packet of letters you found. Sometimes the best finds are things other folks might throw away!
Great finds!! Don’t you just LOVE Alameda? One of my recent finds there is a Watkins salesman sample box (it is posted on my blog right now) and an IVORY soap box – both being used in my farmhouse laundry room. The warmth of the wood and the black fonts on each piece make them extra special. The Watkins box: $25.00 and the IVORY box $10.00.
I can’t wait to see how you use the pieces that you found! Cute tins and love those linens. Did you get them from Eric and Danielle? They are lovely people.
Happy junkin’!
Becky
I love love love those cuff bracelets! So pretty. 🙂 I’m new to your blog but feel right at home. You’ve got a great thing going here! I am stunned by your photographs… what type of camera do you use?
Can I ask if you know where else to buy German towels…what I have googled are very expensive, but wow they look nice..
I love those airmail letters. I could definitely collect those. What is it about those stripey red and blue lines??
looks like some beautiful stuff. Alameda is on my to do list this next year!
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