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!

Tomorrow

Well dear ones, tomorrow is the big day - the opening of the

Old Glory Antiques Show,

at Clement Park.

This lovely park is at Bowles and Pierce, in the Columbine neighborhood.

The show is all set up, and looking more amazing than ever!

There are dealers from a variety of states, along with the best of the Front Range.

I'm showing you just a little sneak peak, to whet your appetite, and to entice you to be there, bright and early. There are so many things I want!

Dealers are showing the best of the best in primitives and rustic Americana, along with

delightful folkart.

Bring a friend and enjoy this wonderful kickoff of summer.

You'll have a blast!

Last Minute Details

If I allowed you to peek into my normally tidy house right now, you'd believe

a crazy lady lived here!

I am sitting in a maze of packing boxes, stacks of ironstone, tissue and bubble wrap, scraps of this and that, price tags, glue, string, plants, potting soil, baskets . . . . and that's only the living room . . .

But it's all going away as I pack several trucks for the show.

(Really!!!!!)

Add to that list my tool box, furniture wax, rags . . . you see, I

bought this wonderful old dresser yesterday - and it will look even nicer after a little TLC - and you understand that I could not go to sleep without seeing how much I could restore it with a little elbow grease! Like I needed another project to add to the short list. With any luck, you'll see it at the shop tomorrow!

It has hardware now, and the mirror affixed - come see the transformation!

I'm busy today, beginning to pack for Old Glory my fav antiques show! I'm potting plants in vintage containers, framing antique flashcards, making pretty price tags, and wishing I had a little more time. (Isn't that the perpetual desire . . . ???) I must drive into town and get the shop open in a couple of hours, so I'm cutting this short and heading back to my tasks. There is much still to be done, but only I will know what I didn't complete. I have two incredible accomplices who are helping behind the scenes - veterans in the business. Lisa Morris and Barb McGregor are tying up loose ends, and helping to keep me sane. Hello to Alice, who, with broken foot is unable to attend. Good luck to Barb, of 'Simply Iowa', who is on her way to the Walnut show to sell her incredible antiques. That girl finds some wonderful things! Too bad these two shows are always the same weekend. Prayers for good weather and a huge crowd, and Happy Hunting!

French Soap

Many years ago, I was introduced to an incredible soap from France.

Incredible because it has it all. This soap was purported to be the reason French women have such beautiful skin.

I tried it immediately.

I loved it!

One day I was sharing my "find" with an old friend, and she claimed this was the soap her mother swore by, for removing stubborn laundry stains from delicate fabrics.

I tried that immediately.

I loved it!

I began searching for the wholesale source for these soaps, with no luck. I purchased as many at retail as I could afford, and put them in my shop.

(They sold for an unheard of price, I'm ashamed to admit.)

Women liked them so much that they came back for more . . . .

and more . . . .

Finally, I found the French source connection, and began buying wholesale.

For the past 12 years or so, I have carried these delightful French soaps at a

reasonable price.

They are chunky and natural, and loaded with lanolin

and embossed with

FRENCH WORDS!

(how much better does it get than that???)

LOL!

Recently these soaps became unavailable, and now they're back!

I should say, they're being shipped.

From France.

I recommend them. They make wonderful gifts, too!

Significant Virtues

Happy Saturday! My trip out to Kansas was pleasant, and I returned with several delightful items for the Old Glory Antiques Show!

You'll have to wait to see them, though . . . .

here are a few hints . . . .

I have a habit of collecting onesies.

I tend to pick up odd jars, chairs, pillowcases, picture frames . . .

where most sensible people choose to have matching items, or sets of things.

I like the odd plate or cup, unmatched glasses and silverware . . . the survivors.

This rough woven country curtain intrigues me.

The

texture

is lovely, but more than that,

for me, the essence of simple, unpretentious things has a decided charm.

I like to believe that this curtain was once used for some other purpose,

and now is in it's second

or third

life.

There is an honesty and vulnerability of self which we hide from others, possibly fearing that we will be laughed at, or judged to be too naive and unsophisticated. The nature of my decor may reveal much more about me than I would ever like to think.

I am, truly, a simple, unsophisticated person, at heart.

While my forebears may have had to use mismatched dishes out of necessity, and recycle dresses into aprons and quilt scraps, I choose to do so.

I love these pillows and tote bags, from a French firm, using old flour/grain/coffee sacks!

They are the ultimate in recycling and repurposing what one has.

They are also the essence of the simple life and some

very

significant

virtues.

COME ONE COME ALL SALE SALE SALE!!!!!

ANTIQUES, COLLECTIBLES, HOUSEHOLD ITEMS,

 OVER 30 CARS AND TRUCKS

ON THE STEGMAN/KOEHLER FARM

May 28th - 30th in Goodland Kansas 

off Highway 27.

Head 7 miles south of Goodland on Hwy 27.

Turn East on Rd 57  . . . . 4 miles to Rd 23.

Signs will be visible!

9am - 7pm

Rain or Shine, in big metal barn.

Not an auction - all antiques and other merch is priced to sell,

 and no reasonable offers will be refused!

Pottery, glassware, china, pictures, prints, oil lamps, teapots, cookie jars, primitives, kitchen collectibles, medical, ephemera, toys, dolls, games, cameras, clocks, lamps, chandeliers, display cases, silverplate, perfumes, diecast and Tonka trucks, jewelry, furniture, showcases  . . . .

boxes are still being unpacked!

This info through a friend of mine - and I've been assured that I won't be disappointed!

Come join me as I plow my way through the goodies and seek the very best, to haul back to Denver!

Please come and enjoy, and find some wonderful bargains!

Photo by Jeff March

Taking Care of Our Things

Hello friends,

Happy Saturday and happy Memorial Day!

Did you make any New Year's resolutions? As I told you earlier mine was to be more organized.

This week I decided to rearrange some of my favorite things around the house. After throwing open the windows to air the place out, I dusted and vacuumed, and stacked things in the middle of the floor, and sorted through the contents of vintage suitcases and baskets. I unearthed some old favorite pieces, and packed up others. Several boxes of goodies went to a thrift shop, and a few to a friend's yard sale. Clothing was passed along to a young friend, and papers were shredded and disposed of. It's cathartic to eliminate the extraneous things in life.

(The things that clutter, confuse and hamper our lives.)

Probably a little late to begin spring cleaning, but better late than never!

I waxed a few tables, doors and blanket chests, and polished some silver, and am feeling quite industrious and satisfied! There is never enough time in my life to keep up with the cleaning and socializing and filing and blogging and socializing and shop tending and buying and reading and socializing. The cleaning and organizing usually suffers I'm afraid. Then I lit a Votivo candle, and sank into a chair to enjoy the fragrance and the overall beauty.

When I do organize and clean, I tend to get bogged down in the small details, such as making sure that every little item in one basket is minutely straight and orderly, thereby leaving much of the bigger picture totally untouched. I run out of time, and have to throw all the rest of the room back together in a hurry.

But, let me tell you that that one part of the project is perfect!

Time flies when I'm having fun. I love the finished effect of cleaning and organizing.

(It's too bad the bug only bites occasionally, and for a short time.)

To make myself stay on task, I allow myself treats at certain intervals.

"As soon as I finish this box of papers, I will have a glass of iced tea."

"At 6pm I will stop and have a nice bowl of home made soup."

"When I finish dusting this room, I will indulge in a chocolate truffle."

It works for me!

It's healthy to take care of ourselves,

&

the physical, the emotional, the spiritual and the environment in which we live. Do something wonderful for yourself today - sort through one little stack of papers or one closet, and rid yourself of everything you don't need.

You'll love it!