Welcome To The Blog! Get Your "SPECIAL GIFT"

Welcome to Antiques By Joy!

There has been a veritable bouquet of new friends and readers at Antiques By Joy lately,

and I'm taking this opportunity to say how delighted I am to have you join me here!

This is where I explore and share all sorts of
 meanderings, memories and musings . . .

and invite you to tarry awhile,

 relax 

and break away from work and stress and life's little cares.

It's healthy to take a few minutes each day to just breathe deeply, stretch your body and soul,

 and escape to a place where you can be

 thankful and share a smile.

I find that some weeks I post more than other weeks . . . 

I take time away for buying trips and often have a hectic schedule at the antiques shops . . . 

but I always return to the quiet pleasure of sharing my thoughts and experiences with you.

If you look through the previous posts, I've been tracking my beginnings as an antiques dealer

from the time I first longed to be in the business . . . through the throes of set up and many of my
  faux pas of business development.

I started that series because I hear nearly every day,

"How did you get started in this wonderful business?"

OR,

"I wish I had a shop like this."

I have older posts about learning to "pick" with my grandmother,
and
her incredible talent and enthusiasm for life.
There are how to's and what if's and buying trip exploits
scattered throughout the pages for you.
You'll hear about me, my philosophy, my faith and my background,
and some pretty crazy things I've tried.
(Some were great fun and some were total flops.)
This is the real Joy, freckles, bruises and all!

I've always believed the old adage that laughter is the best medicine . . . 
and you may feel free to laugh at me and my wonderful trials and errors!

So, grab a cup of tea, and take a few minutes to look through the blog posts for some
 fun and funny
memories
and some relaxing (and hopefully) enriching reading.

Can you imagine . . . Joy is busy
along with partners Melanie and Kellie
organizing our autumn displays!
In retail it's imperative that we stay a couple of months ahead of the season,
so that you can shop, ponder and plan your own seasonal decorating.
This requires us to purchase spring garden items while it's icy and snowy, and Christmas ornaments while it's still steamy July!!!!

We exist,
 "out of context" 
sometimes,
so hopefully you don't have to!


Thank you for taking time to read along my friend,
and please know that I am honored by you being here!


If you begin
"following"
the blog,
you'll see every once in awhile that I will offer a
 "SPECIAL" 
for you readers alone!
Simply click "FOLLOW" on my home page.
As a
WELCOME GIFT
to you
you may use this code
THROUGH THE END OF JULY
at Dwell Antiques & Home

"JOYFUL READER"
and receive 10@ off any one JOY tagged item!
(This offer cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts.)

The Thing About Friends

When there are a couple of dozen things in your life that are not making sense, 

and you're taking a few moments to

pause and reflect

about just where you might rank in the great cosmic picture . . . 

you know,

one of those periods when you're stuck at home and you can't drive and you've recently cancelled your Comcast subscription

because . .  . well 

  you know why

I did that . . . 

and you've finished your library book

and it's not time to eat again yet,

and so you just sit in your semi dark room and

 think about life . . . 

yeah,

those times don't occur often, but when they do

(and they are currently),

you begin to assess

where you

rank on the food chain

and perhaps muse about how many years you may still have on earth

and whether you've done most of the things you thought you'd have done by

the age you are now . . . 

and you gauge whether you're likely to get any of the rest of the

 bucket list 

accomplished.

It's good to have these quiet times of reflection 

because I usually get to the point where I have to say

I'M SO VERY BLESSED IN MY LIFE.

While there will always be those who have more things

 and more fame

 and more money

 and more of whatever . . . .

and there will always be those people who it seems

never step in a cow pie . . .

and never get audited

and never get called for jury duty

and never get rear ended at a red light

and never have surgery

or break a tooth,

and never seem to get two of those really annoying flies in the house

that buzz so loudly and will not stop dive bombing your head for 3 days before they finally

go somewhere else . . . 

(they seem to arrive with the cow-pies)

I have to tell you that one of the things I have that makes any difficult time

seem a lot easier,

is my friends.

I have some of the best friends in the world.

Now,

A lot of people think they have friends . . . 

but you really seriously test that group of friends

and you're going to find that most will hang with you for a little while,

some will stand by even longer,

but a few will stick it out all the way through to the

 miserably long drawn out 

end.

A friend like mine will come and get you and drive you around town on errands

and take you out to lunch

even though you occasionally miss your mouth while you're eating

or need to have them hold on to you while you're walking.

My friends have rearranged work schedules 

and skipped their own appointments

and not gone to the gym,

and come, smelly, from the gym,

and brought brownies

and sent flowers

and gone to work for me.

No,

I mean they've actually gone in and done my work

because I couldn't.

They've driven across town to pick up my paycheck and deposit it in my bank.

They've let me storm and cry and shake my fist

when I needed to.

They've listened to me talk for a long time about my 

relationship with Jesus

even when they didn't hold the same beliefs I do,

because they respect my faith and my 

beliefs.

  They've acknowleged my thought process

even when I know they don't agree with it . . .

because they understand I may just need to be heard and understood.

They've been bold enough and secure enough and loving enough

 to risk giving me their opinions,

even when they fear I might not want to hear them.

Even when they fear they might hurt my feelings.

I believe it's a sign of respect

 that they know I won't dump them just because of a difference of opinion.

That's a secure friend.

That's like a family member.

You may get your feelings hurt,

and you may disagree,

and you may even need time to process what they've said,

but you don't stop being family.

I think being a friend is one of the most important things we can do while we're on this earth.

John 15:13

(Jesus speaking) 

"Greater love has no one than this,

that one lay down his life for his friends".

Some of my friends have laid down their lives:

put aside the things they "have" to do,

sacrificed work hours, leisure time, and a bunch of gasoline

 and personal energy and money and thought process

to take up the slack in my life.

I want to say thank you for being a blessing to me

dear friends.

Some of you email me with encouragement

some of you are prayer warriors,

some call, (tho' calls are tough right now),

some come and sit with me

some chauffer me around . . .

and no matter what happens in life,

when I've got friends like you guys . . .

It's going to be alright!

In fact, 

if things

  didn't ever go wrong in life,

and we didn't ever

NEED EACH OTHER

how would we know what

 good friends 

really were?

There is much to be thankful for

There is much in my life to be thankful for .... (and many of you dear friends know the road I've travelled).  Today I simply have to tell you, that I'm blessed beyond comparison.  Life leaves us a little rumpled and tattered sometimes, but the sun comes out, the flowers bloom, temperatures find that perfect level, and I know that God's in His heaven, and all is right with my world. 

 Here's to Lauri, who has just begun chemo: you are in our prayers - and we're here for you. 

Hello to Beth, who brightened my day Saturday, with her sweet visit to Patina.  Looking forward to our journey on the open road.

Alice L. - can't wait to get to Iowa and plow through the pickins' with you.  You're missed here in Denver!

Lisa M.  You need to be sending me some of your beautiful handmade/vintage creations, to wow my customers here!

Clara B. - I'm waiting for your visit one of these days soon!

Thanks for your friendship, ladies!

  

My Friend

There is much to accomplish today, but I wanted to share a little morning greeting with you.

I was conversing with a sweet friend who has been going through some rough times.

I have experienced a fair number of rough times myself throughout my life.

I know we all have.

While thinking about her, I began to ponder the things that made me smile during those hard days and nights. I know you'll guess that my faith in a loving God is number one. My unshakable belief that He is in control, and has a plan for my life that's way bigger than I'm capable of discerning.

Beside that, there were numerous people who brought me joy and comfort, in material ways.

There has always been my daughter, who, throughout all my difficult days, was sunshine in my life. Just the thought that she was there, and that she loved me was reason enough to persevere. The thought that she might be watching how I dealt with my struggles, (oh my!), usually caused me to think about my attitude and demeanor. I am far from perfect, and I know I'm not the best role model, but I will always strive to get through the trial of the month for her sake. Hopefully, when she's an old woman, with much grace and a somewhat dimmer memory, she will think back and say "my mom got up, did what she had to do, and got us through it".

In addition to my daughter, there have been those dear friends who reached out to pull me up from the depths and warm me and give me respite. There have been friends who prayed for me. There have been friends who brought me gifts. There are friends who ran my business when I couldn't. There have been friends who sat and listened to me cry and wail and gnash my teeth. There have been friends who shared their supper table with me. There is a friend who carried me to the hairstylist, because that's what I needed. (There is friend who came and cleaned my house!) Most importantly, there are friends who have believed in me, when I couldn't even believe in myself.

There is something about going through trials that makes us more tender hearted, more understanding, more grace-full, and more willing to see our lives as a process. The process takes us up hills and dumps us into mud puddles and lifts us back up, only to toss us into a raging river current . . . we struggle across dry deserts, are whipped by hurricane winds and dropped over cliffs. There is fire and flood and hunger and loneliness.

The lesson is that we are to tend to others the way we needed to be tended.

Some days, the only things that keep us going are those small kindnesses that give us a ray of hope when we have misplaced ours. Some days . . . . the word of encouragement and the reminder that, "you are not alone". The friend who admires your ability, your spunk, your integrity, your whole person. The friend who shares that she respects you and will walk beside you, through it all. She believes in you!

It is good to remember that everyone goes through these seasons in life. None of us are immune, and those who pretend to be on top of the world will, sadly, be falling off their own cliffs and plunging into that icy river.

We each take our turns.

So, sweet friend, know that I believe in you. I respect you. I delight in your faith and your spirit and your integrity. I am wowed by your creativity and beauty and thought process. I will be there for you, any time.

Keep the faith, and know that it is vital to have friends.

We will need their love and kindness, and they will need ours.

Your friend, Joy

Show Favorites

Hello again, I am remiss . . . and being chided for not reporting sooner on the Old Glory show!

So much to do . . . .and how I admire those bloggers who can race home and download their photos and write about their adventures the same night!

I'm going to grow up to be like those girls, one day.

What a weekend! I'm finally getting around to writing again, after recovering from the excitement, restocking the shop and going back to work. I'm just not as young and resilient as I used to be!

The show was delightful, as it is every year . . . . and as always, I came home inspired. It was hot and sunny on Friday, and cloudy and cooler on Saturday. We were a little tentative about the rain clouds that seemed to be moving ever closer, and we continuously condensed our displays as things sold, moving more and more under the tent. The weather held, and we even got the show torn down and packed before the sprinkle ensued. All in all, you couldn't have asked for a nicer 2 days, during our notoriously tumultuous June weather

There were shop keepers and designers and tons of customers, and pretty much like most shows, the serious ones made an impact during the first 4 hours on Friday. Saturday had steady traffic and sales, until about 2pm. I had a delightful show, with smalls being most popular. I made several wonderful early buys, and resold the items during the show . . . .

always a coup in my book!

I had the pleasure of meeting Jo Packham, editor of the magazine,

"Where Women Create",

and her super photographer, Dana, took pics of our booth.

Jo may return soon, and do some photos of our shop!!!!!!

The camaraderie of the dealers was magnificent - many returning from previous years. I was treated each morning to coffee & donuts, and a breakfast burrito on Saturday,

by sweet Amy, of The Pink Attic Cat, (downtown Littleton).

I bought a folk art angel from Claire Roberts, of Coming Home,

and a number of items from Cordie Webb.

I think the friendship among dealers is as much the reason we stay in the business

as the income.

(Although we all know that the addiction is the true reason we stick to it!)

Thanks to Holly Kuhn, and her husband, the ever calm and smiling Brian,

we all had a smooth and easy show.

Those two are the best!

On The Road Again

I'm planning a road trip with my friends Alice and Lisa, to search for treasures for the shop! We'll be traveling cross country for several days, poking into a variety of haunts for those unique pieces you'll love for your homes! It's spring . . . the weather is iffy . . . could rain or blow or be sunny and perfect . . . no one can predict!

The truth is, we don't even care.

We're packing the essentials and our music, and hitting the road. There's nothing quite like the anticipation of a road trip. (I'm smiling, even as I do my laundry.) Of course, I sort of like doing laundry in my well outfitted laundry room.

I have accumulated some delightful European washboards and antique clothespins and the little shelf is filled with vintage jars and baskets which hold essentials such as soap and fabric softener. There is a peaceful sense of things being well ordered, as laundry flows from basket to washer to dryer to hangers and neatly folded piles. I feel content that I have accomplished my task and enjoyed the process.

Back to the matter at hand . . . shopping!

The store is busy, and that means lots of beautiful items going out each day - and lots of new items replacing them. It's a constant turnover of wonderful finds . . .

and necessitates a constant search for special items that will spark your interest, make your home more beautiful and orderly, and help you express your personal decorating style. I loooove my work.

It's who I am . . . it's what I do!

The thrill of the search is one of my favorite parts of the business. I'm travelling with two of the best shoppers I know - and will have to be on my toes to garner the best, before they discover it! We'll be up early, face long days, walk miles and miles, brave weather and all terrain, fight off other shoppers . . . oh the trials we'll endure . . . lions and tigers and bears, oh my!

(Doesn't it still sound like the most fun you can imagine????)

I wish I could take you all along, to share the excitement.

Watch the post for photos and updates. I'll let you know how it goes!

The Simple Life

There is much to be said about the gift of the simple life. While I may, from time to time, have just a small twinge of envy over something unattainable, I find myself in quiet reverie and delight at the simplicity of my life. Maybe there is much that I'm missing, but there is so much to be marvelled at in the microcosm of my world! If you asked me to define that simple order, I would have to list my priorities in this way:

God, family, friends and home, followed by work and play.

The delights of my profession include friends found across the country, travel, the thrill of the search for "hidden treasure", enjoying regional food specialties, breathtaking scenery and being with kindred spirits. There's nothing more fun than arriving at your destination, meeting up with your cohorts, being treated to a home cooked meal, then relaxing and reminiscing on the front porch with a cold iced tea. The following morning before daybreak, you're up and preparing . . . donning your hat, comfortable shoes, and backpack, adrenaline pumping, ready for the hunt. There is a coming together for lunch and the first sharing of bounty . . . oohs and aahs, and you're off again to find even more wonderful things. At the end of the day, (weary, sore, hot, dirty), a shower is the most precious gift you've ever received! Supper at a down home restaurant that specializes in local cuisine . . . sharing the day's victories with comrades . . . heaven!

I love that I do what I love to do!

More importantly, I love returning to my quiet little nest. My home is my peaceful haven, arranged to my peculiar taste, and it makes me exceedingly happy to land there, kick off my shoes, turn on my music, and light my candles.

Little things are important. The way sunshine streams in my windows and warms the room . . . the reflection of a happy plant in a mirror, doubling it's beauty . . . fragrances that cause one's spirit to relax . . . home cooked meals, shared with a friend or two . . . good conversation sprinkled with laughter . . . getting the giggles . . . inspiring music . . . my grandson snuggling in my arms, (if only for a few minutes - you know 3 year olds) . . . a smile from the one you love.

I revel in these little everyday blessings . . .

my simple life.

Friends & Family

Hey, I'm just an old fashioned sort of girl and I admit it!

I'm not known for my tecnological savvy.

O.K., that's an understatement.

I'm known for being stuck in the (antique) Dark Ages.

I just mastered my cell phone's camera, and finally got my first digital camera. (As a gift.)

They say I need to get up to speed . Hey - I do have a blog - isn't that pretty up to the minute?

So I've had to rely on my genious daughter to design my sites and on my sweet friend Jeff

to provide wonderful photos. It's so nice to have friends and family who will assist me in inching into the 21st century. (Read: "pull me kicking and screaming into the 21st century".)

photo of my sweet photographer/boyfriend Jeff March

(Note: This was following a 14 mile hike into and out of a mountainous area, carrying photography equipment, and he thinks he is not looking his best . . . . I beg to differ! )

I'm learning more about my camera and computer every day, and that's what counts, after all. (At least I hope it counts!) I am now posting photos and artwork on my own . . . which is quite the accomplishment for me. Do I hear applause?? Thank you!!

I'm writing today to thank these wonderful members of my support team, (and life team), for keeping me on target, pointing me in the right direction, and propping me up whenever I need assistance.

No matter what they tell you, I do not

"usually get inspired and call them up at 3am".

O.K.

I DO get inspired at 3am, but I usually wait

at least until daybreak to call them for assistance.

They have inspired me and encouraged me and provided me with technical assistance and artistic advice. They love me anyway . . . in spite of my limitations, and support my endeavors, my brainstorms and my dreams. Thank You, Gang!

There is a little saying I heard a few years ago . . . and I'm sure they were talking about ME!

It goes like this . . .

"she sometimes had a storm inside of her head"

smiles