the next victims

Well, here it is...the latest line up.

With July in my sights and some very successful recent shows, I am on a mission to replenish my inventory...starting with these beauties.

Although I have quite a large collection of other projects in mind for the next month, I was out of chairs, until today that is. Traditional, modern, rustic...a little of everything. I think this one is my favorite.

The colors & fabrics are still in the incubator, but I plan to have all 4 completed by this years Atwood show, July 31st.

and speaking of street fairs, thanks to all who came out for the inaugural Highwood Street market. Despite the downpour Sunday, Diana & I had a very colorful, eclectic booth that attracted a decent crowd of admirers.

The big hit...remember these cool wooden test tube holders? As either bud vases or taper candle holders, they are truly one of a kind.

Although we can't make the July show, we plan on attending the Vintage show in August. Expect even more industrial goods, vintage housewares and of course some remarkable transformations.

California Dreaming

The words are almost synonymous...California & Sunny. So when a boring white, fiberglass topped, side table found its way into my trunk, I had just the plan.

Mount a vintage 1966 National Geographic map of Southern California on top and then coat it in a glossy resin.

For the metal tubed legs... multiple coats of sunshine yellow. Juicy, bright and full of that modern Southern California design. As well as a fun conversation piece, I think it is a perfect resting spot for an afternoon glass of Chardonnay....Californian of course.

Find this, and many other of my transformations, this weekend, at the inaugural Highland Street Market in the north 'burbs of Chicago.

Highwood Street Market

Here is a cool event that you will not want to miss. The all new Highwood Street Market (along the North Shore of Chicago) happening this weekend, June 26th & 27th.

From the producers of the wildly popular Randolph Street Market, this market will feature antiques, vintage, indie designers, food, music and... me, Green Cricket. For this inugural market, I am pairing up with Diana, of Fine Diving fame and we will be having some fabulous treasures to offer you.

Upcycled chairs, vintage dress patterns, epherma, lighting and loads of cool antiques. This chair, this stool, and some awesome old farm stuff will all be up for grabs.

The market starts Saturday from noon to dusk and Sunday from 10-4.

For directions to the event, click here . See you there.

Big Cirque market

Step right up ladies and gentleman, the market at Confectionique has a 'big top' of treasures in store for you this Saturday.

In conjunction with Middletons Big Event, the theme for this months market is "Big Cirque event". In addition to the vast array of upcycled home goods, groovy vintage and fun jewelry, there will also be a bit of a circus theme involved. For my part, I am offering these 3 little guys.

Peanut sized watering cans, perfect size for your littlest gardener.

As always, the event runs 10-4 at the Moray Airport, in Middleton. Don't be left out of all the fun.

cafe collection

As many of you know, I work part time at this great little coffee and wine shop Barriques. There are 5 in the Madison area and throughout this month, Green Cricket will be the artist gracing the walls of their Old Sauk location.

Now, I normally do more 3 dimensional things, but I was up for the challenge of creating some more wall-worthy art, and had just the idea. Boring, old thrift store paintings transformed into kitschy eco art.

I have played around with a few in the past, but for this I wanted to do a whole series of jazzed up paintings. I picked them up at various thrift stores over the last few months, and although quite different, they really look fun grouped together.

I kept true to the original theme in all of the paintings and altered them with paint, glitter, natural objects (bark, moss, etc) and lots of quirky, found objects. So, see, I still was able to bring in that 3-D effect.

Here is a break down of the seven I re-created. The photos don't really do them justice, but you can click on them to get a better idea of the details.

"Bridal Showers"

"I don't know Bob, this looks a hell of a lot like Wyoming"

"Call me!"

"Dog Park Utopia"

"Exotic groundskeeper"

"Tuesday in December"

and "Farm Chicks"

The works will be on display thru June and will be for sale after that. Email with any inquiries and I will be happy to reserve one for you.

Mama's Happy

Without even knowing what was inside, if you drove by this bright, cheery facade, you would just have to check it out.

And once you got inside, you would not be disappointed. Filled with home accessories, upcycled furniture, fine art and a few antiques, Mama's Happy is having its grand opening this weekend in Mound, MN.

This occasional sale, just west of downtown Minneapolis, is the brainchild of my dear friend Amanda. We met just out of college as department store buyers, became roommates, moved to different states and careers and now, are connected again thru this amazing venue.

The shop is open Thursday-Sunday, the second weekend of every month and has over 12 vendors participating. Organized a bit like an antique store, there are little areas, or shops, set up where each vendor has their own space. Here is mine.

The patio chairs , the 9 paned door, the Danish chair and the U of M table all made the trip up North. Although all different, each booth provides a common recycled feel and a wonderful boutique style of merchanding. I went up for this Sunday for a sneak peek, and their are some real finds to be had.

Mama's Happy will no doubt be one of those places you mark on your calendar to not miss each month. With new merchandise every market, it is like a new store every time.

Besides the shop area, Mama's Happy will also be offering space for crafting nights and even birthday parties in a wonderfully open, bright, creative space.

For for information on their sales, becoming a vendor or just for some inspiration, check out their site or find them on Facebook.

images found here

Game on

Calling all Golden Gopher fans have I got a piece for you.

I live in Wisconsin Badger country. So when I found this old slab of a U of M bar-top, buried under a pile of headboards, I knew I had to not only find a new purpose for it, but to help it finds its way up north to its true fans.

Since the top was already coated with a heavy resin, all I needed to do was outfit it with legs....and I had just the thing. 4 well used bowling pins salvaged from a Madison bowling alley. Perfect for a coffee table, but I love the idea of using it as a game table. It is a great height for sitting cross legged on the floor and bellying up for a good round of cards or Monopoly.

A little beyond my carpentry skills, Nate pitched in and gave it a beautiful stained collar plus 4 very sturdy braces for each pin. This is a piece that will stand the test of time.

I just brought it up to MN yesterday for this weekends debut of, Mama's Happy in Mound (just west of the cities) where it can be truely appreciated. This shop deserves a post all of its own, so more on that later in the week.

I still have 4 more pins, so chances are you will see another interpretation very soon. Enjoy!

Austin recap

Back from Austin and recovering from all the fun. Here are just a few highlights... mostly food and drink.

An unbelievably tasty fried avocado taco at the Torchy's trailer

A great local brew. 512 IPA at the tap room at the Gingerman

Margarita's at Gueros

Lots of local art

and some I made as souvenirs for my girlfriends

loads of cool oddities and antiques at Uncommon Objects

2 night stay at the super cool Hotel San Jose

Not documented but also fantastic....a dip in the chilly Barton Springs, boating on Lake Travis, migas at Magnolia cafe, and lots of reminiscing with my 4 college buddies. Sadly the bats were not in action. I had heard that they just gave birth and were not out searching for bugs. Maybe next time.