I feel relaxed a BIT now that I have my spaces full and found such great things this weekend.
I spent the day looking at some of my favorite places for ideas and the evening I spent reading magazines, books and Pinterest....the best Time Suck Ever Invented.
Now THAT is what I call a good day.
After our great New Orleans dinner that went very late into the night...Mr. Hollands woke me saying "It's time to start WORKIN' IT!!!!!".
Ouch. I hate morning people.
We tried many a thrifty venue. No success. No success. No success.
Then, the end of the day was pure FUN!
We found European postcards/stamps & travel photos. Jell-o molds.Iron gates. Crazy lamps. Mercury glass. Buttons. Handmade wooden boxes. Shells. Rusty pails. Glass. Even CRAZY cute shelves marked "free" on a curb. WHAT? THAT is some good ju-ju!
And the best news of the weekend WAS that I had found a copy of Flea Market Style Magazine....a FAVORITE of mine.
THEN the good news shifted. It was that they have a section called "Best Vintage Sales from Coast to Coast" and that two of my favorite sales, that I take part in, were voted in the magazine! I am SO proud to be part of something that really smart, savvy business people make happen.
A Vintage Gathering. Ohhhh......the sweet ladies that helped me through a really rough year. I got my groove back with these LOVELY gals. I knew that for one Saturday a month, during the spring and summer of 2011, that I would laugh my head off while being surrounded by people with the same crazy obsessions that I have! I never knew if I would be holding onto my tent for dear life (spring wind storms!) or sweating to death in the full shade.....but it was ALWAYS worth it!
And Funky Junk Sisters (Junk Salvation)...my very first forray into the occasional sales. Dixie and Linda are the Fairy Godmothers of Vintage. Cool as cucumbers...they make the whole show run as smooth as silk from start to finish.
I cannot get over how AMAZING 2012 is going. Knock on wood....I am loving every day of this year so far. Root canals and all....this is a year of fun, new discoveries and WORKIN' IT.
It took one visit...and I fell in love with New Orleans. Head over heels in love. I came home from my first visit there and researched condos, apartments, & homes.
We'd been doing Mardi Gras parties for years from people who had donated 5 course meals to the local school auction. Now, after our visit, we cook it ourselves and make everything we loved while we were there. I LOVE marinating foods for days, tracking down hard to find ingredients and I really enjoy being with my friends and family at the end of it all. It's hard work....I will not lie....and it all pays off.
When I think of New Orleans, I think of some of the strongest sense of pride & community that you EVER did see. That was what struck me.
So today I cleaned, decorated, cooked, diced, chopped, simmered and blended.....and ended the night laughing, eating and sharing such funny stoires and moments.
Happy EARLY Mardi Gras to everyone...
My daughter has been a member of organized sports for 12 years.
I have heard the "attitude is your latitude" phrase after games more times than you can imagine, but I never really HEARD it. ( I was busy packing snacks, uniforms, sweaty socks & water bottles into the back of my car that was ALREADY packed with estate sale finds).
The economy, the situation around me and my business choices had really weighed me down to a point I couldn't rise above it all.
I finally had a COMPLETE Oprah "lightbulb" moment. A moment that told me I was so much bigger than ANY of the stuff that I was letting get me down.
Right around the first of the year, I had that moment. In the middle of it, I heard my daughter's coaches words. I really HEARD them.
And quickly, I made all the plans I should have made month (years?) ago. My name on antique mall waiting lists all over Portland. Stores that had intimidated me quite honestly.
And here I am....in stores that many LONG to be in.
I left Splendid/Stars on Tuesday after filling my space with my fun weekend finds and when I looked over my shoulder to do a once over, I stopped and realized I was so happy. Ridiculously happy.
I want to be a shop owner again, but it's just not the time for our family, or the economy. But I am still young. (Kind of).
I want to see my customers face to face again. But I can't. That's okay. It is what it is. There are WORSE things to deal with.
All I can do is be the best vendor I can be at Splendid/Stars and Camas Antiques. I can do what I love...share old goods with people who share the passion.
Cheers to attitudes and latitudes!
I woke up with bells on this Sunday. I WAS nervous that I would sleep though the alarm.
First off....I forget that it's so dark then. But then....that sunrise. I KNEW it was going to be a good day.
We got to our flea market at 7:45. I got this sticker that let all the people around me know that I had waken early and I was DEDICATED. Okay. Everyone who paid before 9:00am received one, but mine felt extra special. It is not often (ever) that I see these on MY person.
GREAT finds at the flea market, then off to the Goodwill Bins. Not ANY luck there, but we saw this....THAT is dedication. (Look closely...there is a black lab in the front seat...FUNNY!)
As we drove to our next destination, hearts beating quickly looking froward to the next find, we saw this....my coffee survived the u-turn. (Yes...those forest creatures are on an old gurney).
The "adventure" that followed lasted 3 hours. It involved a call to Portland BEGGING my husband to meet us with the truck. And quickly. Before we die....
I saw things like I have never seen. It was like living in a Hoarders meets American Pickers episode . No matter WHAT I picked up, it was the owner's FAVORITE thing and had some crazy price. (Get a good picture of the owner in your mind. It's necessary. Cigarette hanging out of his mouth, nicotine & black fingers, hunch backed with rheumy eyes...a QUICK wit though!) He would then promptly drop his quote 60%, but little did he know he was dealing with Miss A.D.D. and I had moved on to the next item.
Bee & Mason scored left & right because she is very brave and tall. She was not keeping one eye on the door the entire time as was I. Note: I am zooming in because I was very far behind her...trembling.
That we didn't encounter rodents STILL blows my mind.
This is a PILE of chairs. As in, EASILY, 100 chairs all nested together like a Rat King. (I, of course, wanted the one in the MIDDLE, on TOP. Leave it to the person who is 5 foot 3 inhces.)
I sent a picture of the store to my husband so he knew where he was going. He wrote back..."Get out of there now. I will be there SOON"
That was FUN. Slightly terrifying & completely out of my comfort zone, but it resulted in some FANTASTIC finds for my booths.
I am loading up the truck and headed into the stores today.
Cheers to adventures and Happy Valentine's Day!
I might need a 12 step program for old stuff. I am so re-energized that I cannot stop thrifting.
It's so fun to fill a booth and come back to see things missing. I went to my space at Stars yesterday to bring a bit more and then went straight to an estate sale to get even MORE.
I am on the Splendid side of Stars...when I say that, I get a quizzical look. Stars has two stores across from each other. I am on the East side of Milwaukie Street. Confused? Okay....look at the buildings. Look UP. You will the word "Splendid" on one of the buildings.
I might need a 12 step program for old stuff.
I am so re-energized that I cannot stop thrifting. It's so fun to fill a booth and come back to see things missing.
I went to my space at Stars yesterday to bring a bit more and then went straight to an estate sale to get even MORE. I am on the Splendid side of Stars...when I say that, I get a quizzical look. Stars has two stores across from each other. I am on the East side of Milwaukie Street. Confused? Okay....look at the buildings. Look UP. You will the word "Splendid".
Now....Come on in....shop awhile!
I am bringing Mr. Strong and our son Mr. Strong Part 2 to help me flip things around a bit. I do not leave here empty handed...
And tomorrow, as a true sign of my new found dedication, I have my alarm set for 6:20 to go a flea market. Yes. 6:20. For those of you who know me, that is 6:20 A.M.
Yep. Take that Junksters! (Will Brake for Coffee).
I walked into my favorite Portland art store for some Un-Du. I am OBSESSED with Un-Do and have been for years. I last bought a case wholesale and it finally is all gone. It takes estate sale/thrift store tags off in a snap. I have tried other products for 12 years....I ALWAYS go back to Un-Do. It can be used on paper and PHOTOS (dries with NO marks), it can take off a sticker you DO like and once it dries, the sticker can still be used! And, should you ever have a guest who sits on some gum on your couch and it melts onto her backside over the 4 hours that she never moved while you served her all night, it will take it right off her "brand new jeans" that "cost her 99.00". FYI....
I walked into collage. I promised I'd ONLY get Un-Do. Yes. Right.
So now....the pressure is on. I might actually be crafty again! Could it be?
2011Taxes are done, my three spaces are NEARLY full and this weekend is finishing touches on Camas and Stars. Branches, lights, some flipping of the furniture, curtains and Mr. Hollands is going to come help me with the stuff that is "way up high". I am BEYOND vertically challenged. I married wisely.
Very sadly, my sweet little Uncovered Ruby has decided to close the doors. I need to remove my items by February 25th. My heart breaks for the owner. Been there, DONE that. It's never a easy decision, but the owner is young...she can do this again someday. She has an amazing eye, so muh talent and oddles of followers. I have no doubt we'll see her again once she recharges. It was a great place for me to slip away and recharge myself for a few months and I will be forever grateful for those hospitable Battle Ground ladies. I would have never tried A Vintage Gathering without the Uncovered Ruby folks.
Off to drive, fill, move, fill, clean, hang and fill more empty spaces! Cheers to crafting tonight....darn you art stores! You get me every time!
I came home yesterday EXHAUSTED from Junk Salvation. Junk Salvation was as good as ever. Junque Soiree and I made magic in a VERY brief window of time!
Between set up, take down and the actual SALE.....my head was spinning, feet were throbbing and I knew Stars set-up was LOOMING on Sunday!
I woke up VERY early on Sunday, drank one cup of coffee, thought about my day and all I can guess was my adenaline rush peaked because suddenly I was sound asleep in our family room.
Today I got to Stars to set up (after about 4 bad dreams) and I realized I might just have the best life ever. I trust Uncovered Ruby, Camas Antiques and Stars to be the best venues for my love of Things That Are Old. If I cannot be the one talking face to face to the customer, I trust these people. THAT'S a good thing!
AS I walked away from Stars, I realized I have a PLAN. After 7 months, my A.D.D brain has a PLAN and I see that's all I really needed!
For Camas, brighter colors....pinks, aquas...
I have a color plan for each store, so when I go to Estate Sales, I can NOW see a specific STORE for each item!
I just discovered that I LOVE plans!
Tomorrow (today???) is Junk Salvation!
The event takes place Friday from 6-9 and Saturday from 10-4.
I am not really sure if it's the "buddy system" or one single space verses TWO by myself or having done the sale before....but I feel cool as a cucumber. Junque Soiree and I decided on a specific color palette which was partially GREAT and kind of scared me. We have four "colors" to work with. I have to say...I like it.
Here are some sneak peeks...
I cannot believe how good I feel and I am very PROUD of my items.
Maybe I need to be wrangled in more often with specific colors and looks!
I did my last Thrift Run this afternoon. Just praying for some wood, rust, cream and "old looking" items.
Instead, I found things that MIGHT make me lose some sleep.
Watch out Winnie! And little Blazer Bear...you don't stand a CHANCE.
DANG clowns.
I hope we see you tomorrow or Saturday. It can ONLY be good because the Funky Junk Sisters are amazing that way!
A bit of sleep and I am off to make magic!
Cheers to MAGIC!
No...really.
I got into all of the vintage spaces I could have dreamed of, my son got the lead in a play he tried out for, we have great family vacation coming up....it's all good!
I had asked Dixie at Funky Junk Sisters way back in December if there was a space left at the February 3rd/4th sale in Hillsboro, but my husband and I had believed we were possibly going on a Super Bowl Trip to Vegas.
We JUST decided to pass on Vegas and somehow I convinced Denise at Junque Soiree to join my booth....so you can find us at the Oregon Funky Junk Sisters Sale in just over a week......GULP.
I feel good about this....Here's the look we're after.
Think wood, reclaimed, creamy love and a dash of color. What's the color?
Oh.....just wait. It will be good.
And did I mention I move into Stars the NEXT day?
Yes. Anyone can make it EASY.
Oh dear........
