Flea Markets of the World
Tesuque Flea Market
Santa Fe, New Mexico
by Lori Baltunis
West Palm Beach, Florida
This is the place for it all!
Dusty open field with small wire fence around the property. Surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains So, close that you are in them. Calls for all kinds of vendors.
A favorite booth contains examples of African and Morrocan arts and supplies . Tribal masks and wooden statues. Beautiful bight colored textiles. Handcrafted glass beads by the string or yard! Native drums and other musical instruments. Some good deals on the right days. They set up along one whole side of the fence.
I would get a hot cup of coffee, latte or expresso, on those chilly spring morings (from the cafe cart). Veer off to the right and you hit the "locals" section- tires to taxidermy. Everything in between. My best buy- a Lenox whale $2.50!! Of course you'll see great prices on Mexican blankets, cowboy boots, saddles, and farm equipment .
Vendor, Merry Elizabeth Foss, at her booth
Continue along the back of the fence and you have the out-of-towner drifters' section. The folks who live out of their VW busses. Their wares consist of records, cd's, tie dye, anything with feathers and handmade flutes and wind instruments. Usually a couple of handmade glass bead or stone jewlery venders along with them. They are good for a bargain.
The middle aisles are new items. Clothing, accessories, shoes & boots, jewelry : mostly silver and turquoise. Some collectibles and antique dealers are scattered between them. Then we have the "arts district". Shrines, beautiful spirit gourds, sage sticks, native american music, many things assembled out of tin cans and license plates, oriental-Indian rugs, furniture, pottery. Native American dream catchers and Mandellas. Beautiful things!! Many, many more.
A few housewares booths. Some fruit,
nut and vegetable stands. Salsa, dressings and local honey booths. You can
sit for a while under a small awning with picnic benches and have a snack. If
you can find a seat. Choose from items such as, burritos, nachos, hot dogs,
burgers. Breakfast items served in the morning.
Closes during winter months. Snows heavily in Tesuque. Plenty of parking if you keep away from the dirt potholes.
