Today I went to the May 2023 installment of the Brimfield Antique Fair. It is a large open-air market featuring vendors ranging from basic flea market fair up to high-end vintage home furnishings. It’s a scene man, and if you enjoy flea markets even a little bit, it’s well worth a yearly visit.

I saw a lot of things. I bought a lot of metal street signs. A recent artistic pasión finds me using enamel paints to present abstract expression/graffiti-themed work on metal signage of all sorts. It’s worth looking at, which is all that can really be said of valid artwork.

As my friend Christine and I were leaving the market, I noticed a Sedge Hat and it seemed appropriate to have her take a photo of me wearing it. Afterwards, the vendor offering the hat for sale approached me and asked me, rather directly, to pay him $5 for it. The hat was damaged, I already own one, and I had no money for a damaged Sedge Hat. I told him I would have to pass. He then aggressively asked me to delete the photo and began muttering about “tourists” using his crappy wares as props. It was a bum-out way to end the day. Sorry your wares suck Cranky Vendor Guy. I humbly offer you a bit of advice: Don’t verbally assault customers.

Anyways. A nice day was had by all, I accrued more signage, ate flea market food and got my steps in.

It’s apparent to me that one day I wi likely end up being forced to sell my hoard to the highest bidder at markets like Brimfield. I need to remember not to confront potential customers fueled by my own dissatisfaction with life. 😊✌🏼