Picks of the weekend...

Sometimes, you know it when you see it. You just know that it is special, that people will love it. There is a British TV show called Lovejoy, about an antique dealer and the mysteries or sometimes murders that happen around him- a Murder She Wrote, but British and antiques, not books. Lovejoy is the main characters name. And he is a "divy" or someone who can tell, by sight, that what they are seeing is "the real deal" or special or valuable. I like to think I am a divy. But, I think it is more that I study the market that I am selling in to know what is going and what's not. It's more trend spotting.

A few weeks ago I found these flocked reindeer. Part of me said, "plastic reindeer?" and the other part said, "magically kitchy" so I bought them and they sold in 12 hours.

Yesterday, I bought a set of glass Christmas trees and they sold in 12 hours. 

Fortunately, I could get more from the second day of the estate sale. Including the 12 inch tree below.

Along with a lovely Nippon tea set, 

a Limoges tray- both in a violet pattern and a collection of pretty demitasse cups and saucers in pink.

Happy Prissy Christmas! And forgive the quick photo-editing!

Iron Gates for the wall!

I love gates and fencing- they can be the whimsy of a formal space. And, they can come inside when no longer useful outside! I picked up this awesome gate this weekend.

Not the large wood with iron studs, the French-y looking iron one leaning against the other... though I would love to have the big wood ones! This gate is about 5 feet tall and 4 feet wide. It just fit in the car.  So, I am running through all the possibilities of mounting it!


Perhaps over the fireplace, like this pretty one from Better Homes and Gardens.

Or this one from HGTV.com


Maybe as a jewelry display piece in the bedroom, like this great piece from Funky Junk Interiors.


An awesome headboard like Urban Country style.


A great half wall, like this one from Design*Sponge.


Or in an interior doorway as an elegant dog gate.


Very elegant on top of a mirror found on Pinterest.

So many choices, I might need more gates! What would you do with my gate?

Blenko glass- why you should have some!

I love a collectible that is functional. Murano glass vases, vintage salt and pepper shakers, and my personal fave vintage metal office items... but that's a whole 'nother post. I would suggest adding Blenko to that list!

Blenko glass is an American glass company that started making glass for windows in 1893 and later moved into the caste and blown glass objects still in production in West Virginia since 1921. Glass lends a lightness and elegance to a space. The colors can change with the light in the space and it gives a bit of sparkle!

The glass pieces from Blenko range from vessels like water bottles, bowls and decanters, to holiday items, candle holders and bookends. The bookends are my latest obsession. You can find them signed or unsigned, in the pebbled "ice floe" patterns- which really look like melting ice, and figural work.

starburst cubes

Half circle bookends

Cute "ice floe" bear bookends

Public Broadcast channels across the country are a great source for the story behind Blenko and often run the program during fund drives where you can get a piece of Blenko for a certain pledge amount. Though this is a great way to support public broadcasting and begin you collection, it's one of many. There is the website with new pieces, that can be signed for a small up charge. As well as the vintage market, where you will find a variety of styles and themes.

Doing Scott's Antique Market in Atlanta

Normally if I am "doing" Scott's Antique Market in Atlanta, or Lakewood 400, I am referring to going and shopping, however, this weekend I turned the tables. I was a dealer for the "extravaganza" weekend!

There were many of those "what have I gotten myself into" moments, like when they told me to arrive at 4:00 in the morning to set up. Or, when I drove up, long before dawn, in my loaded-up Prius and got in line with all box trucks and huge trailers on trucks.

This was somewhere between the little engine that could, and that terrible sinking feeling.

Then, there was the actually loading in with huge diesel trucks, diesel fumes, and tons of glorious furniture wheeling off the trucks. Not to mention the beautiful rugs, hides and tapestries. I love seeing all the action, breathing the fumes for 4 hours, I can do without.

Then there was the lovely, rich displays that I didn't feel like I pulled off.

Their display- rich and riotous

Their display- beach-tastic

My display- clutter and contemporary, not to mention overwhelmed by the giant furniture behind me.



However, I learned more than I could have possibly imagined! The dealers around me were gracious, funny, and generous with tips and suggestions. I understand the market better, which will guide my buying in the future. I learning that these folks are successful because of years of building a base of people that come to them regularly. They have a clientele just like interior designers and I plan to count myself among their followers! This is not about showing up with the latest trend and assuming people know the trend, want to adopt it, and will buy. This is about educating the buyer, and yourself, about trends, makers, product components, furniture construction, etc. This is an "always learning, always moving" business and as one dealer told me, "we are gypsies" referring to the always picking for shows and going to them across the country lifestyle.

There is a good chance I will not be back as a dealer any time soon. I have to do some deep thought about it and make good plans. Best of the show was that I made some excellent connections that would have taken years to develop, as just a buyer. Also, I have a new outlook on my space at Interiors and Antiques.

I look forward to going back next month, or maybe January, to shop and see my new friends.

Pretties at Scott's Antique Market in Atlanta

I'm selling at Scott's this weekend and the show is not only full if beautiful things, it is also full of photo ops. Here are some of the beauties I found.

Moss Rock Festival- day one

What a great first day for Moss Rock Festival! Beautiful weather, huge crowds, lots of fun! Below are pics from the booth! Now off to make a mad dash at re-stocking. Hopefully tomorrow, there will be coffee!

My new "booth shot" for art show applications.

Wall of pretties- felted, dyed, assembled, handmade.

Necklace board after a few sales and some "filling in".

Bracelet tree- ready for gift giving!