A-hoy maty

Way back in May, I was at the fabulous Elkhorn flea market when I saw this stack of these beauties.

Loved everything about them, the size, the rope, the colors. BUT, it was not in my budget or plan, so I walked on by admiring from afar.

Fast forward, a crisp late September Wisconsin morning and one admirer, was once again face to face with that awesomly cool stack of life preservers. Well, this time the fish took the bait. Turns out they were now $35 each. Which made me wish I had unlimited capital so I could buy the entire stack...but this was not going to get resold.....it was going to go in my house.

Although, I have never lived on the water, I have accumulated some quite interesting marine inspired decor, so this was the icing on the cake.

The rope is that wonderful safety green and the tags are written in Chinese. Rich red and a vanilla paint stripe the circumference. It is just the coolest.

I hung it on the side of the garage, right in front of the fire pit, and each time I walked by it and smiled. Love, love love it.

I have a bunch of other treasures to share this week, but this one deserved one all of its own.

Country Living Fair-Ohio

If I was just a little closer, you bet I would be there. The Country Living Fair in Columbus Ohio is this weekend. Much like the Bonanza, the fair is full of handmade goods, vintage finds and really great ideas.

And, my new friend Dewayne is going to be there with his awesome graphic decor. He was across from me at the Junk Bonanza, so I got to admire them for 3 days. These tapestries are not just screen printed either. You know the double deckers buses in the UK that has a small window at the top that shows the stops ? Well, those are part of one long huge roll. Dewayne sources these route signs from old buses, cuts, launders and transforms them into stunning wall hangings, ottomans and toss pillows. I see one of them in my future...they are such a conversation piece with a lot of history.

image

What ever this first weekend of fall has in store for you...make it a good one. I have a big flea market on my list.

map to it

It just wouldn't be a show unless I did something with those old National Geographic maps I love so much. So when planning out my merchandise for the recent JunkBonanza....I did a whole collection.

a small nightstand

with a map of Italy that split the two drawers.

lined of course. It went home to a very nice woman, whose dad bought it for her.

a small end table

using one full page map of Canada and the Northern US. It went home with a couple that bought another one of my tables.

And a chair. My second one of these, so this time I kept track of the hours it took to complete. It was alot, but turned out fantastic.

there were lots of great curves and angles to highlight.

Together, they really made a neat impact and got quite a bit of attention.

I think I went thru an entire huge jar of glue of this trio, but with the holidays fast in our sight....you can bet I'll have some more in the works.

Bon voyage!

Junk Bonanza 2010

Thank you Minnesota for such a warm welcome at this weekends Junk Bonanza. Being my first 3 day show, I was so energized by all the great vendors, the excellent treasures and those hot out the fryer mini doughnuts I started each morning with along with a strong cup of coffee.

I am still beaming from all the kind words and the bustling traffic in my booth. A big thanks to Ki and her team for hosting such a unique event, bloggers Margo & Tamara for stopping in to shop and chat, & most importantly Nate (my hubby) for driving the trailer, hauling in all the stuff, being such a charming salesman and smiling all summer while our house looked like a flea market.

As soon as the show ended, I signed up for the next years. So mark your calendars for September 15-17th 2011 as my booth will be bigger, better and even funkier than this year.

More recaps will be coming later in the week. I still need to unpack, collect all my info,....& catch up on some sleep.

the wonder horse lamp

Yee-Haw! My favorite purchase from last years Junk Bonanza, has been transformed and is ready for her trip back up north for this years sale.

This old playground horse, already had the hole drilled, so after deciding on a few other factors, Nate and I assembled this darling addition for any little buckaroos bedroom. As always, he brought his carpentry hat to this project and fit everything perfectly, while keeping the details and making it surprisingly lightweight.

New PVC pipe (painted hammered copper), lamp hardware and a rubber plumber's flange for the base were the new additions.

For the re-used..the horse, a thrift store lampshade, a scrap piece of MDF, & to give it a little height, an old cabinet door. Isn't it grand ?

Get it while you can. Today is the first sale day at the JunkBonanza & it goes thru Saturday. Look for my new vendor sign (it is an old screen)....or the wonder horse, she is hard to miss.

packing up

It is here! In just 2 days I am packing up my treasures and heading north to MN for the annual JUNK BONANZA.

I have spent the better part of the summer collecting all these fantastic finds from estate sales, auctions, flea markets....and after spending the weekend laying them all out in the backyard, I came up with 5 different categories (or mini-shops) to highlight. You should have seen my backyard....it was like the greatest rummage sale ever! Here is what I came up with.

Roughing it

complete with boy scout patches, retro thermoses, guide books, sporting goods, arrows and a 1930's swimsuit

Primitive

antique farm gears & pulleys, a fabulous green ice cream churn, a set of wooden exercise clubs, salvaged architectural molding and lots of paper memorabilia (war ration stamps, postcards, railroad tickets)

Child's play

loads of retro games & toys, flashcards, Lincoln Logs, books, lunchboxes and a table with a Parcheesi board top.

Bon Voyage

Vintage luggage, train cases, garment bags, travel art, books, maps & tourist themed linens

In the kitchen

enameled bowls, wooden mashers, cookbooks, unique food tins & big pile of old sugar sacks

These, alongside all MY transformations, will be up for grabs at the 3 day event. Early bird tickets are still available and worth getting. You get the first dibs and it is much less crowded. Either way, if you are in the Midwest, make your way to this huge show to see for yourself, you will not be disappointed.

Fine Earth Studio & Gallery

As of this weekend, there is another local retailer where you can pick up my wares. Fine Earth Studio & Gallery.

I met Sara the owner, and potter, at last years Artists Open House. She had her eyes on the racket mirrors from my Etsy shop and after seeing her gallery space, I think it is a perfect match.

If you have never stopped in, Fine Earth is located on Regent, and besides the beautiful pottery, Sara offers beaded necklaces as well as handmade soaps, fine art....and now....vintage racket mirrors.

They offer classes too if you want that hands on feel. Holiday shopping is right around the corner.

5 years

Some of my favorite shots from Nate & I's wedding 5 years ago today.

I love you babe.

new media

Thanks to my Mac and Vista Print....I will be debuting these postcards at the upcoming Junk Bonanza. I think it gives a pretty good feel for what I do, don't you?