Missoula's Antique Market

 This weekend I went to the Prairie Sister's antique market, which took place saturday morning at the Missoula Fair Grounds. This was their second market ever, the first was in october, and it's more than doubled in size this time. Antique collectors come and set up their merchandise in different booths throughout the barn, this time on both stories. When I arrived at 11 AM, they were 

completely parked up, and it was a mad house inside. It was packed with people ooh-ing and ahh-ing, and standing protectively over their claimed purchases, shooting daggers at anyone eyeing the same vintage lamp or rug or bed frame. This event is (as one vendor described) "not for the faint hearted". Few were prepared for the masses when the doors opened at 10, but all went home happy and lighter than when they arrived.

 Below is the one and only thing I purchased; a precious sequined coin purse from the 30s. This market isn't exactly where you score the best deals, but you do often find very rare or unique things like this. Luckily, I fell in love with something I could afford.

 This 1940's coat has a great story. I was walking by a booth at the market where two ladies where hunched over it, talking intently and holding it up to themselves. They saw me and asked me to try it on. One of them has a daughter slightly bigger than me whom she was thinking of buying it for, and wanted me to try it on for size. I put it on and humored them. They were just enamored with the fact it fit someone so tiny, and they must have liked me or something because the next thing I know this woman is BUYING it for me. I tried to pay for at least half but she refused to let me. This random stranger wanted to pay for me to have this coat. THAT was a first. So I guess I'll have to pay it forward!

It is pretty neat, I must admit.

The rest of the day I was set up in Mccormick Park, spinning wool for the  Festival of Cycles. The purpose of me being there was to show what you can do with pedal power. I don't always feel comfortable feeling like I'm putting on a show, but it was rewarding to hear the ideas it sparked and the motivation it inspired. People were pretty impressed, AND I managed to spin enough wool to make two spools of yarn, which I've been knitting into a scarf!