Join me for Vintage Market Days Vermont on this Columbus/Indigenous Day weekend. Check out this vintage haul made up of silverware treasures in connection with “O.E.S.,” Order of the Eastern Star.
Vintage Market Days® Vermont
What is Vintage Market Days? “Vintage Market Days is an upscale, vintage-inspired indoor/outdoor market featuring original art, antiques, clothing, jewelry, handmade treasures, home décor, outdoor furnishings, consumable yummies, seasonal plantings, and more. Vintage Market Days events are much more than a flea market.” Source: Vintage Market Days
Vintage Market Days are held all over the country; find a Vintage Market Days near you.
The Vintage Market Days Vermont is one of my favorite markets, held twice a year in the spring and fall at the fairgrounds in Rutland, Vermont.
You may enjoy a few of these past Vintage Market Days posts:
Vintage Market Days Fall 2022 Vermont
Did you know that Vintage Market Days is a franchise? It is! And Amanda (on the left) and her husband, who live in Oklahoma, own and run the Vintage Market Days Vermont franchise. I really enjoy collaborating with Amanda, as I’ve done now for the past 4 years or so.
And aren’t their new swag t-shirts so adorable with the vintage thermoses?
Vintage Market Days Vermont is held over three days: Friday-Sunday, 10:00-4:00. The price of entry is $15 on Friday and $10 on Saturday-Sunday. And if you take a selfie in front of their stage, that selfie can be used for admittance for the remainder of that weekend. Now that’s a deal!
You may also enjoy the Eclectic Vintage Interior Design Ideas with Old Holiday Stuff post.
Thrifting with the Gals
What’s more fun than attending a vintage market with a girlfriend too? I invited my friend to join me for this weekend’s vintage market—Bernadette from B Home with Bernadette over on Instagram. Follow Bernadette’s blog for recipes and decor inspiration from her upstate New York and Vermont homes. And Bernadette is currently working on a cookbook to be released soon. She’s a fabulous cook!
What is “Thrifting with the Gals”?
Thrifting with the Gals is a monthly blog series that started with a few friends who met on Instagram and formed a special relationship through a mutual love of home decorating. We share a passion for all things vintage, thrifty, and cozy.
Vintage Market Haul
Now, let’s get to the good stuff…
Vintage Wooden Candlesticks
Upon entering, we were greeted by this large vintage table displaying an antique Wedgewood Windsor Ribbons & Dots dinner set and two wooden candlesticks that I just adored. But at $75 for the pair of candlesticks, unfortunately, I passed. But aren’t they super cute? I had to walk past them again upon leaving, too, which nearly killed me…
Vintage Ski Lodge Decorations
Being in Vermont, we definitely have our fair share of vintage ski lodge decorations readily available, from ice skates to old skis.
You may enjoy seeing more in my Vintage Ski Lodge Decorations Series.
Bernadette and I both picked up a pair of children’s bamboo vintage ski poles to decorate our homes with for just $12 each.
You may also enjoy the On November Or In November Either Way, It’s Stick Season post.
Vintage Johnson Brother’s Tea and Toast Plates
And close by were six blue and white vintage Johnson Brothers tea and toast plates. I had never seen these before, had you? When I asked how much they were selling for, I was told $10 for all six… Can you believe that? We were really off to a great start at this vintage market.
You may also enjoy the 12 Table Topics with Thrifted Tea and Toast Fanfare post.
This post may contain affiliate links, which won’t change your price but will share some commission.
Woman’s Vintage Boot Vase
Next, I spied this woman’s vintage boot vase at one of my favorite vendor’s booths, “The Vintage Type.” Oh my goodness, so ideal for the fall and Halloween season, yes!
But I do plan on embracing this piece year-round.
And it wasn’t until I got back home that I noticed that this vintage boot vase was made by McCoy. At least, I believe it to be, based on the stamp on the bottom of the vase.
How did I miss this? And for just $18, this was another vintage market steal!
McCoy Pottery dates back to 1848 when William Nelson McCoy founded J. W. McCoy Stoneware Company and produced decorative pieces for over 120 years. Today, the McCoy pieces are among some of the most sought-after collectibles. Some are certainly worth more than others.
I have a collection of McCoy vases that I proudly display on our craft room bookshelves. See more in the Sunroom Home Office Inspiration: Triple Purposed with Craft Space post.
Transferware Pitchers
At about this same time, my friend Bernadette was finding two brown and white transferware pitchers at bargain prices.
The large antique pitcher on the left was just $8, and the smaller one on the right was $5. We were doing happy dances for sure.
Vintage Blue and White Pitcher
This oblong vintage blue and white pitcher was unique in shape and character. Ideal for flowers and table settings, and for just $18, this beauty also came home with me.
“O.E.S.” Order of the Eastern Star Silverware
Then there were collections of gorgeous “Order of the Eastern Star” silverware sets.
At first, I was simply struck by the beauty of the silverware with its “O.E.S.” engravings and gorgeous patterns. They were all newly polished and wrapped tightly with hair elastics, selling on average $10 for 6-place settings each. 6 spoons, 6 knives, 6 forks, etc…
What is the “O.E.S.,” Order of Eastern Stars? I had no idea at the time. The owner of this vintage booth told me that she wasn’t quite sure herself, even though she had relatives who were members.
Pro Tip
You may also find inspiration in this Knife Rest French Table Silver and Crystal Ideas post.
But I love diving in to learn something new. And I cherish having one-of-a-kind pieces with a story behind them. So I first took to Google and found their official website, General Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star.
The O.E.S. motto appears to be “Making a positive difference in the world with charitable outreach, lasting friendships, and loving-kindness towards all mankind.”
The O.E.S. International Headquarters is located in the Perry Belmont House on New Hampshire Avenue NW in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C.
Who invented the Eastern Star degree? “The origins of the Order of the Eastern Star date back to the mid-19th century. Dr. Rob Morris was a Freemason, Master Mason, and Poet Laureate of Masonry, who made it his mission to share the principles of Masonry with women. He and his wife, Charlotte Mendenhall Morris, developed the concepts and beliefs that formed the foundation for the Order of the Eastern Star.” Source: Our History of the O.E.S.
How many members does the Order of the Eastern Star have? O.E.S. has approximately 10,000 chapters in twenty countries and approximately 500,000 members under its General Grand Chapter. Members of the Order of the Eastern Star are 18 and older; men must be Master Masons, and women must have specific relationships with Masons.
If you are interested in learning more about O.E.S., I encourage you to visit their official website, General Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star.
Now, I will always wonder if this silverware set was used in the stately Beaux Arts mansion, Perry Belmont House. I suppose I will never know, but I will think of it often as we dine with our new silverware sets.
You may also enjoy this 45 Vintage Silverware Decorating Ideas post.
Handmade Opanak Wooden Boots
Lastly, these little Opanak wooden hand-carved boots really spoke to me. They will be adorable on a bookshelf this winter, filled with evergreens and maybe a little red or blue ribbon around them.
Opanak are traditional Serbian peasant shoes made of leather and are a staple today in the culture and history of the Balkan Peninsula.
They were each $5…
Vintage Market Days Sponsorship
I want to give a big thank you to all the Vintage Market Days Vermont vendors who donated items in collaboration this year. I’m so grateful and look forward to working with every one of you again on this spring’s vintage market.
- Country Chique Antiques
- Creations by Candra
- Fleurish Home and Garden
- The Barn Shoppe by Carter Richards Style
- Fur & Friends Co
- BXB by Jenny Buxton
- Vintage Market Days Vermont
Here’s a sneak peek of my thrifted table from this weekend’s vintage market that I’m working on for Saturday’s blog post, which will have a tea and toast spin. The tablecloth is actually a gifted neck wrap from BXB by Jenny Buxton.
You may also recognize the thrifted bowl from the post, Country Estate Sale Near Me This Weekend, and the blue glassware from last fall’s vintage market in the post, Vintage Market Days Fall 2022 Vermont.
Fall Foliage
The fall foliage looked to have reached its peak this past weekend, too.
Here’s a view off our front porch. And our large maple tree has just started to turn. You may see more in the Vermont Fall Foliage Home Tour post.
And recently, the post, Best Barn Finds in a Big Red Barn on a Sunday Foliage Drive.
A Vintage Affair
If you have any thoughts, comments, or suggestions, I’d love to hear from you. Please share in the comments below. And be sure to share this blog post link with your friends who are also vintage enthusiasts.
Do you have a flair for all things vintage, too? I would love to see and feature you in our Reader’s Showcase Series. A place for you to share and be recognized for your talents and passion for all things thrifting, vintage, and antique decor-related inspired by your time here with Dabbling & Decorating. Email me at annck@dabblinganddecorating.com
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This post may contain affiliate links, which won’t change your price but will share some commission.
This was the time we attended the market in Rutland bringing along relatives from out of state – we live in northern Vermont. We all love to antique yet we found this experience to be somewhat disappointing – more Halloween and Xmas crafts and while there were some booths with vintage finds, we found ourselves “done “ within less than 90 minutes. We spoke to several shop owners in Rutland as we ventured into town and they all agreed that the market is getting more “crafty” – and to go to Brimfield instead. Glad you found a few items – not worth the drive and $15 entry fee for us.
Oh no, I’m so sorry to hear this. There’s definitely a huge difference between VMDV and Brimfield. Truthfully, I myself find Brimfield very overwhelming and VMDV more accessible. It just depends on your own expectations and what you are looking for. I hope you’ll try it again sometime, and very happy antiquing to you and your family, and thanks so kindly for following along!
Those Serbian peasant boots look painful! Ah, Eastern Star. Active in the small rural community in which I grew up. And then there was Rainbow Girls for the daughters. I was so envious because it was all very secretive and my Dad didn’t become a Mason until many years after I left home so I didn’t have a “specific relationship” or a hope!
OES is an interesting organization for sure. I wonder why so secretive? But I enjoyed learning all about them. And I just adore the silverware pieces:) Thanks for dropping by today!
How I love seeing all the vintage treasures that you find! I live in Southern California and we don’t have the vintage markets that you have access to!
I’m so glad Beth, we are very fortunate to have so many. They are addicting though! haha.
Oh my! I wish it hadn’t been so busy when you stopped by and bought the little wooden boots. I’m a big fan and would have taken more time to say hello. I thought they were wonderful and I’m so happy they went home with you.
I wish I had known it was you too. I love these little boots so much! Next time for sure, thanks Kathy!