Bazaars can be very bizarre

It’s finally here.

Springtime’s warmer weather and longer days usually herald the beginning of the best hunting season for antiques, collectibles and all-around good finds. That’s when garage sale signs sprout across the landscape and hopeful junkers line up early to snag the best buys at estate sales.

One good opportunity is coming up this weekend at Everybody’s Bazaar. Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Warehouse, an indoor sports facility near Gonzaga University, will be the place for one-stop garage sale shopping.

More than 160 spaces have been sold to people who will bring in used furniture, clothing, sporting goods as well as household items.

But it’s not all about cast-offs. Quite a few spaces will feature antiques and collectibles.

Charlotte Williamson is one of the antiquers who will set up at the bazaar.

I met Charlotte at the flea market earlier this year. She collects interesting things and sells them at shows and markets around town.

Williamson had a beautiful, and very large, blue, wool Oriental-style rug in her space. I was sure that it was exactly what was needed in my youngest daughter’s room.

The rug was marked a bit more than I had budgeted, so I left an offer with Williamson. She called me later and, with a little negotiating, we had a deal. When I drove out to her home to pick up the rug, she showed me around her house.

It’s a funny thing about collectors; everything has a story. We sat at Williamson’s kitchen table and she told me the story behind many of the beautiful and unusual things she has found over the years. Naturally, I shared one or two stories of my own.

I had the rug cleaned at Kirishian’s and now it is the centerpiece of my daughter’s room (somewhere under all those toys.)

I plan to stop by Everybody’s Bazaar Saturday morning. You never know what you’ll find. Besides, I’m not going to pass up an opportunity to check out vintage treasures.