There is nothing finer than an outdoor antique show when the weather is perfect. Such was the case May 18 when my staff and I visited the Springfield (Ohio) Antiques Show and Flea Market. While the show is held monthly at the Clark County Fairgrounds, three times each year more than 2,000 dealers show up for an extravaganza weekend. May was the first extravaganza event of the year.

My goal at the show was to find some kind of seating for our front porch. I started out thinking of metal rocking porch chairs, but the selection of seating at Springfield was so overwhelming that I couldn’t get a clear picture in my mind of just which of the things I was seeing were what I wanted. I sat in numerous metal chairs and discovered that many of them did not have enough ’seat’ room for me to be comfortable. I finally found one that was perfect. So, I handed over $20 and asked the dealer to hold it for me. Out of the hundreds of chairs on the field, I figured somewhere I would find another one I liked as well so my porch would be complete.

Unfortunately, what I fell in love with instead was a bench made for two. The dealer said the wooden benches had come from a drive-in movie theater in Zanesville, Ohio. It’s seat slanted down and it had a low back and was really sturdy.

Both the bench and the chair turned out to be perfect for the porch.

I asked Starr, Kim and Rachel to discuss what they liked about the day and their purchases as well. Not everyone bought items that were extremely old. The face of antique markets is changing and lots of nice used items can now be found in some booths. I don’t have a problem with that and my staff thought it was great. On the trip home, the big question was "when do we go again?"

For more information on the Springfield show call (317) 598-0012, or visit www.springfieldantiqueshow.com

An illuminating experience

Starr Shuppert

I look forward to our annual trip to Springfield – the early morning arrival, the hundreds of vendors, the diet-obtrusive food stands … and if you know me, the buying power one possesses as a browser of many things.

This year I had one thing in mind, a light to hang over the 1950s Formica-topped table that I bought on my way to the Michigan State Auctioneers Convention. I have this perfect little cubby for the tubular-constructed table and four chairs in my kitchen, but was in great need of the perfect finishing touch. And, in classic Springfield manner, I found a green and yellow hanging light. The seller explained that the light "hung for eons" in her daughter’s room, and it was simply time to sell the piece. I like it even more because it just fits the theme of my soon to be completely retro-style kitchen.

I also had the pleasure of meeting Tricia Bowser, who owns Grace Designs. I walked right past her booth and then the vintage fabrics caught my eye. Bowser designs purses, both big and small, for her company out of Pleasant Hill, Ohio. I splurged and ordered a handbag for myself (my birthday is coming up, so happy birthday to me!) – I cannot wait to see her creation, and because we have similar styles of design (me, with jewelry, her, with purses) we might do some business together. That’s why I love Springfield, you never know who you will meet.

Speaking of jewelry, I of course made purchases: a filigree pendant from the 1970s that I restrung on a sterling chain … also, a side clasp bracelet that reminded me of my mom.

At the last minute, I bought a half-table and a small marble-base lamp to go in my living room, and a Depression Era Colonial Style cedar trunk to use as a coffee table.

Locked trunk holds key to collector’s heart

Kim Tibbs

Ever the one to acquire myriad small purchases on a Springfield shopping excursion, this year was no exception. Because money is more than a little tight right now with escalating gas prices on top of everything else, I gave myself just one simple rule: whatever you do, do not exceed $50. I’m pleased to say I did not, and I still came away from the fairgrounds with several good buys.

Of all the purchases I made, I think the most interesting and unusual one was a large, painted wooden trunk dating to the 1930s or so Because the trunk was locked and the dealer had lost its key somewhere along the way, I hoisted it away for a mere $10. I’ve always wanted a trunk to sit at the edge of my bed to hold all of my blankets and various treasures, and this one was priced just right for my budget.

The extremely kind dealer gave me some words of advice before I left his booth. He told me if I got a putty knife or a razor, I could probably scrape away the canvas on top of the trunk to reveal the wood beneath. If the wood was scratched, he said I could probably easily restore it and make the trunk look like new again, if I desired. For now, I plan to keep the paint on it just as it is (because it’s green and blue and I like the color scheme), but who knows what the future holds for my trunk and me.

My roommate’s brother, Andrew, was able to pry the lock open for me during the weekend and when I opened it, I discovered it really must not have been opened for a long time because it smelled horrible on the inside! However, after letting it air out on my back patio for a day, I’m pleased to say it’s now sitting at the edge of my bed – perhaps where it was meant to be all along, if you believe in collector’s fate that is.

Tuning in to Springfield

Rachel Shallenberg

As the newest member of the editorial staff, this was my first trip to Springfield. I’d always heard about the annual trip and how much fun it was, but I had no idea what to expect.

I told myself I wasn’t going to buy anything unless it could go in the living room of the new house I am moving into at the end of the month. It is a large Colonial-style home that was built in 1924. The living room décor has been the biggest challenge; finally, an old world style with a modern flair was decided for the room. So my goal was to find something to compliment the pieces I already have.

When we first arrived it was overwhelming to see all the vendors. Everywhere you looked there was a table with deals, there were pieces that I felt were truly screaming my name. But I tried to remind myself, ’anything I buy, I have to move in a few weeks,’ and that proved to be a good deterrent for me. At one of the first booths, I saw a reproduction of an old Thomas radio. It is a table top, tombstone shaped radio with a gauge in the middle to show where you are on the dial. Even though the piece is a reproduction, it caught my eye. I could see it sitting on a side table in the living room. I actually didn’t buy it at first, but the whole day I kept thinking about how great it would look. Eventually, I decided I had to have it and made my way through the maze of vendors to find that booth again. I felt like it had to be the piece I was meant to have because after looking at everything else it was the one thing that stuck in my head. So, I am now the proud owner of a Thomas collectors edition radio.

The radio is great because it appeals to both my antique side and my practical side. Since the radio is in complete working order it can serve as the musical entertainment in the room as well as a great conversation piece.

Overall, the Springfield show was a great time; the people were nice, the food was great and the deals aplenty. I’m ready for next year!