PCC: SWAP THE BEST

     Pasadena is home to two of the countries best swap meets: The Rose Bowl, as famous and legendary as its location, and the lesser one,  The PCC ( Pasadena City College) Swap Meet.  Smaller and less intense than the Rose Bowl, PCC is preferred by locals and those in the know.
     Held on the first Sunday of each month on the Pasadena City College campus, the swap meet encompasses three parking lots and three floors of a large parking structure. Comfortable shoes and the ability to walk are essential. There is a complimentary shuttle that travels between parking stations and the various vendor lots. Clean, campus facility restrooms are readily available throughout.  Now that you have an introductory lay of the land are you ready to swap?
     Naturally, I have my favorite vendors.  In the two lots between Del Mar and Colorado bordering Bonnie Avenue you will find stalls with lots of costume jewelry, California pottery, mid-century furniture, kitchenware,  greeting cards, Shabby Chic everything, Asian artifacts, eclectic art and photography. There is also plenty of the unusual that is meant to spur the imagination. My favorite vendors are in this area. Selection is always interesting and the price is generally quite wonderful.

• Greeting Cards !!!! Museum quality and all imported from England. Supply is endless. Each month I take a list of cards I need for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays or just a special note and always find the perfect expression from the card lady. Almost everything is $1 or 2/$1 or 4/$1. As long as the post office is in business, I'll continue to write and send expressions of caring. 
• Everything Half Price!  Steve is supposedly selling off an estate and just wants to turn the product. LOTS OF PRODUCT.  Some very good. My first venture into this stall yielded great semi-precious jewelry and two, signed Bekon of Cowes photographs marked 1/45. The Bekon photographs were a steal. My next great purchase from Steve was a carved wooden panel from a mission in Belize. Every month he has more and more coming out of that old VW van. Keep it coming Steve, I'll keep stopping by.... so should you.
• Furniture is hit or miss. But what is one person's pass is another's treasure. Take this industrial shelf appealing to the Silver Lake crowd.  I have found some "over-the-top" lucite pieces ( swivel TV stand and a desk) that found their way to friend's home in Hollywood. 
• Costume Jewelry. Have found a vendor that replenishes and replenishes and I always buy.  Earrings and pins are usually $6 and necklaces $12! Ranging from the '50's to the present, this is like putting a kid in the candy store. Recent treasures; a '70's snakeskin clutch in perfect condition, an '80's necklace with turquoise & lapis stones, and large, spiral gold earrings. Total Tab: $36. I always say I have enough and then find more. HELP!
• Kitchen wares & more.  In the left corner facing Colorado, are dealers with hard to find '50's & '60's food prep items.  You know, the ones with the green painted wooden handles. Love my pastry mixer for chopping eggs. Also purchased a 1970's set of Bennington pottery for $15. They often have good California pottery at the best market prices. 

• Garden Pots, Containers, etc.  Always check this area.  I've found many fun USA made pots and funky containers.

The garage has an entirely different feel.  Although I prefer the outdoors, there are some great textile and vintage cookware vendors.  Look for Abigail. She specializes in early Le Cruset and Belgian enameled cast iron.  Downstairs are the record dealers. 

In the parking lot bordering Hill Street are many of the vendors with the longest PCC legacy.

• JUDY. Anyone who has been "swapping" in the San Gabriel Valley knows Judy. She has a great "eye."  I first saw Judy at the Glendale Swap, fell in love with a designer, costume jewelry necklace. Her asking price was very reasonable but I was feeling cheap. Let it go and have been regretting it since!  Learned that lesson and have since made the purchase when it resonated. Always check in with Judy.
• MITCH.  aka.  The Pink Plum.  The same great, eclectic choices you'll have in his shop, but edited for the meet. Always the best prices. While you're in the area, the store is open on Sunday and worth the visit. (see posting: Love of the Hunt.)
• Vintage Clothes.  Good choices in this lot. Old and new looking old. 

PCC is a bit more civilized then The Rose Bowl. It feels small and intimate. Fun people watching and great treasures. Remember to bring two $1 bills for the parking garage! Or come a bit later and as you enter, someone on there way out may just pass- on their paid slip! Lucky day.

                                                      HAPPY HUNTING