Neutral Position

I've been collecting textiles and other items of interesting texture 

since I was about . . .

well,

never mind how long,

but 

for a

  really

long time.

I'm a lover of textures,

and this, 

possibly,

is why I live in a world of

limited color and pattern.

Many of us collect "things" and then struggle to find the way to show these "things",

without being over run with clutter.

Containment, organization and appropriate display

are not always easy.

Harmony is delicate . . . requiring a trained eye.

A subtle and limited color palette is one solution.

I'm currently

in love

with

concrete

putty

dirt

mud

stone

and similar

"greige"

shades of taupe - y

grayish

brown.

These

 "dirty", 

muddied tones 

are

simple and calm.

Easy on the brain.

They are found everywhere in nature.

They are the neutrals I'm using in many spaces

and

 upon which

I am able to display

many collected treasures.

I find my eye searches for 

innuendo and detail

in this neutral palette.

Weathered 

barn wood

galvanized metal

river rocks

gray seashells

heather

flax

twiggy bird nests

Ahhhh . . . 

More Random Thoughts

As I continue the work of opening another shop in south Denver

I have moments when I wonder

just

how I think I'll ever be able to accomplish everything

that

I 

need

 to accomplish

in

life.

I'm not talking about the biggies

********no*******

I'm talking about the daily chores

 of

laundry

and

housework

and 

having my car serviced

and

keeping up with 

shredding junk mail.

Hair cuts

and

dentist appointments

and

birthday parties

for

my

grandchildren.

I have a plan.

I'm going to give up housework.

........No........

my mother would never approve of that.

I 

AM

taking advantage of 

buying

bakery bread

instead of 

pulling out the breadmaker.

Great Harvest is just across the street from 

my existing shop

and

they are awesome.

Some days I believe I COULD live on bread alone.

OK, and some butter.

A

 LOT

 of butter please.

I have tried to get off all the junk mail lists,

but,

they keep sneaking up on me,

filling my mailbox with

more catalogs

and

insurance offers

and

restaurant

fliers.

If I had the time

I'd do something creative with all that paper - 

like

 weave baskets.

But

I'd rather go on an

 antique buying trip.

So,

I continue trying to simplify life and multi task

and shred

and occasionally

sleep.

My game plan is like this:

1.) Spend one day a week just enjoying family and church.

(Also perhaps, a little nap.)

2.) Whenever possible, have a second cup of coffee in the morning.

(This may involve that bakery I was mentioning . . . )

3.) Relax each evening before bed with a good book.

I'm scheduling an hour into my plans.

4.) Go for a walk.

(Or sit still and envision myself going for a walk.)

5.) Do you think I can entice my grandchildren to clean my house???

5.) Give up trying to shred the mail and just trust that no one wants my identity.

I sometimes put it in the trash and then clean out the fridge on top of it.

If anyone has the strength to sort through that - more power to them.

6.) Stop fretting about being organized and clutter-free 

and just do what I feel like doing.

There,

I have more energy already!

July 4th

Happy July Fourth

to

all 

Americans

everywhere

!!!!

Have a real celebration today and remember what America was founded upon.

See Our Brand new Store

Yes . . . 

I'm back to blogging again

following a hiatus 

while I recovered from the best show I've ever had!

Old Glory 

Rocked

!!!!!

The new venture I've been working on was premiered at the show:

Dwell Antiques & Home

It was a huge success, and the compliments were awesome.

SO,  
MY ANNOUNCEMENT:

With new partners Kellie Brown and Melanie Everhart,

Joy will be opening
 a second shop!

DWELL ANTIQUES & HOME

While I continue to grow and upgrade my inventory 

at

PATINA ANTIQUES & HOME

in

Greenwood Village, Colorado,

we three will create a fresh and innovative shop

in the same neighborhood.

(Yep - Joy will be at both locations)

As you may imagine, this is quite a challenge

with the beautiful boutiques and antiques shops already in the area!

We're working hard to design a store you'll want to visit on a regular basis.

We want to energize and excite you.

We want to be the place you visit whenever you have the urge to be inspired!

It is our dream to present you with a joyful environment
where you can breathe in the ambience
and release all the stresses

bask in a peaceful and pleasant
shopping experience

and have your spirit refreshed
*!*

We are juggling the brick and mortar facility

and

our website/online store

as

we prepare
this
special place.

There are weeks and weeks of preparation before we'll be ready. . . 

but

we're working hard for you!

Travelling

Buying

Inventorying

Designing

Painting

Sewing

Sanding

Polishing

(you get the picture)

I'll keep you posted, right here . . . 

and,

you can follow us at the
Dwell blog

http://www.dwellantiques.com

Come Visit!

http://www.dwellantiques.com

Don't Miss The Fun

Joy says:

"Find a way 

to get to the show!"

Old Glory Antiques Fair

this weekend

Clement Park

Colunbine neighborhood

Friday 9-5

Sat 9-4

(I'd get there at 8:30 Friday morning, 

if I was you)

Best Show!!

Best Dealers!!

Best Antiques!!

Best get there!!

Don't miss the fun!!

What Is This Woman Up To Now???

It's a little confusing, but I'm just one person, 

attempting to do several things at the same time, 

and to do them all correctly

 I've become something like an onion.

There are suddenly many layers of Joy.

My legal business status

 is my limited liability company

called

Antiques by Joy.

(Hence, the blog you're reading . . . 

http://antiquesbyjoy.blogspot.com)

and 

Antiques by Joy

on facebook. 

As 

Antiques by Joy

I do business in several locations.

I have a delightful shop in a sweet neighborhood 

in which I sell all the treasures I search out and drag home.

The shop is called

 PATINA ANTIQUES & HOME.

(you may follow Patina on facebook . . . )

My friend Deb and I have filled Patina

 to the brim

and

it's got it's limitations.

Size-wise,

and parking lot-wise.

We have the perfect clientele,

and we love them oh so much!

They support us and love on us

and 

it's a happy

life.

But growth,

in this case,

requires additional space.

The landlord said, 

"no . . . you may NOT raise the roof to add a second floor".

"No."

So, 

I am opening another shop called

DWELL ANTIQUES & HOME

{like us on Facebook too!}
not so very far away from

 Patina.

Now, 

Antiques by Joy

will be doing business 

in

two locations.

That's not so complicated.

You'll have even more fun shopping in 

two stores

that are filled to the brim with

found objects

naturals

antiques

home furnishings

and

luxurious treats!

******

There will be two new partners joining

 Joy

at 

Dwell Antiques & Home.

Melanie Everhart

and

Kellie Brown

which gives

 Dwell

 a new and exciting flair

......and......

 a fresh slant on providing

 an awesome shopping experience for you.

We believe you're going to like what we three are cooking up!

and . . . you can follow us 

on facebook 

and on our blog.

Until we're open in our brick and mortar shop,

you can see us at the 

Old Glory Antique Fair

Friday June 15th and Saturday June 16th

at

Clement Park

in the Columbine neighborhood;

and keep up with us at

dwellantiques.com

Hunting and Gathering

It's early, but I'm on the road again

to seek and gather

some timeworn 

mellow

patina



It's what I do.