Nov 23, 2009

International Collectors Fair Utrecht

VerzamelaarsJaarbeurs



This past weekend I went up to my favorite country... The Netherlands , for the International Collectors Fair in Utrecht. Here are some of my pictures from the show, but for a more extensive view of how much just really was at this show, you can click here for hundreds of shots. We arrived a few minutes after it opened. parking was easy, there were several parking garages around the Civic Center. It was 2.50 euros per hour or 24 euros for the day.

there were a few catered lunch counters, imbiss and coffee with seating areas through out.


this was the long line to get in the doors of the show.. to the right that is the line for tickets! we bought and printed ours online...saved us a good hour!

entrance to the show


The Mega Record & Cd show was held in the hall as well. It was incredible!


for a list of vendors click here


They did have a special Star Wars exhibit, with many of the actors from the movie.. here my husband cooperates for his photos. =)





There were many differant items in the antique section... but truthfully, i was not totally impressed. the prices were okay, a bit pricey, and you definately had to shop around.. several vendors had the same items and one would be much cheaper down the way. i purchased some vintage ornaments for half the price of the first booth i saw.


But for a collectors show, i would think there should have been more vendors focusing on one or two particular items to sell, instead of a little bit of everything. while rummaging through the flea market style antique section, i did spot vendors with specifics, such as stain glass doors, vintage signs, books, dolls, silver, white linens.... but not many.

Among the Categories at the Show, in seperate halls, were vintage and antique toys ( definately my favorite) coins, comic books, stamps, and records.
I did go through each section, but if it wasn't what you were particuarly intersted in, it was easy to move on to the next hall.
The food was pricey. A whopping 12 euros for a small roll with cheese, and 2 waters! ( you can bring your own in ) we finished the show in 6 hours. and that was moving pretty fast, and stopping for a quick bite.


There weren't any appraisers standing around if you wanted to bring anything to inquire on.


But you are welcome to bring any of your items to sell or trade with vendors. My father came with us, and he sold a few comic books for a great price.

everyone was incredibly friendly!!!!! so refreshing; and everyone spoke english. i enjoyed talking to vendors learning the history of some of their pieces, and watching them sell their wares. I really enjoy the people more than anything.
everyone's opinions vary greatly depending on what they are going for. you never know what you just might find.

















what did I buy?

a vintage beaded christmas garland i have been wanting for years. saw one once at the antique market in tongren belgium for 150 euros ( 3 ft strand) i purchased mine for 20 euros (4ft strand) . that made my day, and i didn't mind if couldn't find anything else! =) i did get my daughter a new in the box vintage nurses outfit from world ward II era, complete. she looks adorable in it! 8 euros.

and i also collect the barenwald animals for my kids , and i got 1o to the set for 50 cents a piece! they average 5-8 euros each on ebay. so it was a great deal!
if you decide to go, and are looking for true antique bargains..you will have to search hard, or stick to flea markets. =) these are dealers who know what their items are worth. so expect to pay it's full value. They were willing to bargain at many stalls. some offered me a lower price as soon as i picked something up.
It's tons of fun to walk around and see everything. ( yes it is stroller friendly) it is 5 hours from kaiserslautern.










Creative World Show - Weisbaden





The picture above, shows the entrance.If you look closely the one in the bottom right is a tour bus FULL of woman for the show. There were several tour buses by the 10's dropping woman off.
Parking was pretty easy for us. We managed to park right across the street. There are parking garages, but it's quite a hike.
 I would suggest being their right when it opens, as traffic got a bit crazy. The line for the tickets was quick and easy. There was a coat check, and easily accessible restrooms that were very clean, and a fantastic kids's day care area.  I did take my son, (5) and he had the best time! There were several adults, and they spoke English. The day care was in a quiet area, but also close by to easily check in.   It was by donations only. The workers had crafts for the kids, a small bunny petting zoo, and lots of ride on toys.








                                                  This is a shot of one isle in the arena...










Hand made items were also for sale, as well as items needed to make your own.








The food area was rather impressive. There was standing eateries, sit down cafe style, and catered. 



                                  There was a ton of scrap booking stuff. Check out those workshops!









There was a great stall of stencils, and stencil paints for all materials. I was impressed. They also had workshops.



                          You could buy past issues of various crafting magazines for 2 euros each.



This photo above is all wool fabric.








There was quite alot of materials for making stuffed animals, and lots of doll clothes for sale. Check out the rack on the upper left of doll clothes.



Extra Tips:
We arrived at 1 that day till 6, it was almost enough time. IF you wanted to do the workshops, and walk around it would take the entire day - or even two days. As far as the workshops go, I was very impressed. It wasn't your typical crafts. You can just walk up and sit down to do any of them without reservations.

Some crafts you could do were painting your own outdoor rug, make your own lamp, coffee mugs, paper Christmas cards with the 3d sticker effect, scrap booking, etc... Any child could also participate. The average cost was 5 euros a craft including all the supplies.

It is well worth coming to with friends and the family! They had a great section for the kids to play (not in the childcare area) as well. There was also a quiet place to feed babies. The coat check also had lockers for larger items. It was definitely stroller friendly.
Most places took the euro card I noticed, and of course cash. No one accepts the visa or American Master Card.
The prices were comparable to the states for most craft items. Some items were higher, but there was something for every price range!

I hope this gives you an idea for what to expect if you go next time! 

































































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Angela

Angela

About The Market Junkie

Welcome. My Name is Angela... AKA The Market Junkie.

I am a stay at home home school mama of 3, and this is my hobby. Family comes first, then my love of markets and second hand fun! I love visiting the markets in Europe. I love to refinish old pieces and re-purpose them. Living in the Rheinland Pfalz area- my posts reflect the distance to markets and shops from the Kaiserslautern area.

I enjoy the adventure, and hope that you will come along with me! 10 years in Germany, and lovin' it!