Daily Reminders

Daily Reminders

I was blessed to be born into a family of five generations, all alive and active and filled with love, opinions, ambition and energy. Since the Civil War, the women in this prolific family, in addition to being wives and mothers, have been entrepreneurs. It was natural for me to grow up believing that I could and would be a business owner. It was also natural for me to see objects that were generations old and still cherished, maintained, appreciated and used on a daily basis. We've passed our possessions from one generation to the next, extracting every ounce of use possible from armoirs and mirrors, beds and books, kitchen utensils and piano.

I'm the proud keeper of ironstone china dating to the 1860's, which will be passed on to my daughter someday, with seven generations of family photographs and an odd assortment of other memorabilia.

With these simple belongings will pass the stories of these strong, brave, hardworking women.

Women who survived the War, the Depression, the dust bowl, fires, floods, the death of spouses, the loss of their homes and all trials that came their way.

These simple items of daily life are a touchpoint with these women . . . . a rememberance that if they worked hard enough and believed strongly enough to survive the tough times, that I have genetically programmed into me what it takes to survive what I may face.

The rolling pins, aprons and wedding bands are not the legacy . . . . the strength of character and spirit and ability to pray and laugh and carry on are the true legacy.

The antiques are there to encourage me each day.

Welcome to Antiques By Joy!

Have you ever noticed that some people know all of their lives what they're meant to be? They have an early affinity for that certain something that defines their vocation and avocation. I have known since I was a child that I wanted, needed, to surround myself with the simple and beautiful handmade items of the past. For as long as I can remember, I have been touched by the collective spirit and voice of women when I pick up the daily household items they have created, used and cherished.

My grandmother was an antiques dealer. I followed her from shop to auction to barn sale and attic while she examined and purchased hand painted china, crystal, and exquisite items. My interests were simpler . . . . not the fancy wares she so admired, but chunky yelloware, oak splint baskets, carved wooden dough bowls and rough loomed fabrics. I recall her asking if I didn't like this delicate stemware or that fancy teapot, (with a wistfulness that I might fall in love with the treasures that touched her heart). I could appreciate their value . . . . but it was the arduously pieced scrap quilts and the hand-lettered produce stand signs that drew me into a reverie of days gone by.

She would be happy to know, many years later, that I too, collect and love crystal and silver and beautiful lace. My penchant is for those handmade treasures ranging in age from the days before the Civil War until the Great Depression.

I've been buying and loving and selling antiques since 1978, and my business has evolved to include my retail shop, my styling business and my webstore. It's always been my joy to share my finds with kindred spirits. Log on and post your comments . . . . the journey is the pleasure!