vendors calling out greetings as they put the finishing touches on their displays, early bird looky-loos hoping to get a head start on the best stuff. And then there’s me; creeping around like a kook, digging through antique trunks, piles of well-worn baseball mitts, and endless stacks of put-a-bird-on-it repurposed vintage in order to find the coolest things I can.
has been around since 2011, the brainchild of founders Angie and Charles Ansanelli. The now-married couple first met on Pier 39 where Charles had a retail store. Angie fell down a flight of stairs and he came to her rescue. One marriage, four children, one clothing line, and several retail stores later, the couple decided that the Bay Area needed an outdoor market where local artists, antique lovers, and “treasure hunters” could sell their wares in a friendly community environment. Et voila! Treasure Island Flea was born — and it’s become so much more than just a destination for bargain hunters. Live music, scavenger hunts, food trucks, and unparalleled views of the city make a shopping excursion to the market feel more like a party. (Its location next to the Treasure Island Wines winery doesn’t hurt, either. )
As I poured through the goods and chatted up the vendors, I learned a few things: One, my obsession with Pawn Stars has done nothing for my knowledge of treasure vs. trash; and two, many of the Treasure Island vendors were moved to transform their hobbyist collecting into a business venture because of the crappy recession. Though dire economic straits are certainly no cause for celebration, I applaud the entrepreneurial spirit of these passionate people.
There were literally thousands of items on display at the last Treasure Island Flea. I picked out a few of my favorites.
This colorful wooden sign may have been an advertisement for the Paw Paw Bait Co., which began producing tackle in the early 1900s. Husband and wife team Carl and Carol Shifflet comb farm and estate sales to find eye-catching pieces with interesting backstories.
All of Vince’s tables, benches, and décor pieces are made from reclaimed wood from barns, houses, and fences. This table is made from planks recovered from a barn in Turlock.
Self-described “craft carnies” Natalie, Judy, and Jerry Rupiper used a 1909 map by notable Bay Area mapmaker H.A. Candrian as a model for this art piece. The vintage-inspired, eco-friendly design was created with salvaged wood using non-toxic and organic materials.
This Dietz Fitzall antique lantern looks like a classic kerosene lamp but has a bulb socket and an old-looking cord. It was likely originally kerosene and then converted to electric. Dietz, a company best known for making automotive and railway
Fabricator, photographer, and former skater Steve Lozoya started transforming skateboards into art as a way to bond with his son. These hearts are made from recycled boards sourced from local skate organizations.
Artist Journey Roberts handcrafts these adorable terrariums, even painstakingly molding Polymer clay details like flowers and sheep. Repurposed tin vessels are lined with felt, and glass candy dishes and bowls give the pieces a ‘vegetable sundae’ vibe.
Husband and wife team Carmen and Marshall Jones have a keen eye for vintage clothes: Marshall used to be a jeans picker for Levi’s. This tuxedo is from 1938 and it belonged to a naval officer.
Friends and vintage fanatics Kate Dohn and Elizabeth Tracey Alderete share a booth at the flea market, where they’re able to combine their complementary wares. Both women are obsessed with hats, though Alderete prefers fashion of the ’20s and ’30s and Dohn’s tastes skew more mid-century to ’70s and ‘80s.
This table was inspired by Raske’s visit to Diesel Café in Somerville, Massachusetts. The galvanized metal compartments are actually electrical boxes, all filled with hardware and trinkets sourced from construction sites and his father and grandfather’s work rooms.
Salvaged Glamour’s Della Wilson found these 1940s traveling cases at an estate sale. Like the rest of her wares, the suitcases reflect her glamorous meets rustic aesthetic.
We had to stop by the Tru Design booth to meet 6-year-old Tru and 4-year-old Paris, who joined adorable forces to form Kids Kandy Island. Tru and Paris were selling sweets to help fund an upcoming family trip to Disneyland, but they also helped mom Amanda peddle her custom hair bows.
The online marketplace is experimenting with the brick-and-mortar experience, showcasing its “all-star” sellers at the April 27 and 28 market days. Inspired by the colorful shopping experiences of old-world bazaars, Zaarly connects customers to talented local merchants who offer everything from homemade kimchi to makeup tutorials.
The Treasure Island Flea (1 Avenue of the Palms, Treasure Island) happens on the last weekend of each month. The next market is on April 27 and 28 and is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $3.
Visit Zaarly.com to find handmade goods, organizational and home services, beauty and fashion expertise, music and art lessons, and more from talented local cooks, artists, entrepreneurs, and instructors.
What’s a sponsored story?
