Olney Crafts & Antiques Market

Getting up at 5 makes for a long day y'all.  Getting up at 5, and the hauling furniture in heat and humidity makes for an even longer day.  I need a light-weight hobby.  But we had fun!  Thanks to everyone who visited us at the Olney Crafts & Antiques Market today!  

 

We met some awesome people, especially the lovely Heidi and Chris (and Jacob!) who were selling painted furniture in the tent next to us.  It was nice to chat with someone who does what I do and learn they go through the same trials and tribulations. 

We debuted a few new furniture friends today.  This guy came back with us from our Pennsylvania haul.

He's my farm chair and I love how raw he is.  For our pint-sized furniture lovers we have Aurora.

I swear y'all.  If this chair were a little bigger (or my rear a little smaller), this would totally be my new desk chair.  We also showed off this lovely lady today as well.

I picked her up at the same estate sale where I snagged Joan.  She's old, and she's gorgeous.  Maybe that makes her a cougar? 

We had so much fun this Sunday in Olney, we're going to head back next Sunday the 7th so be sure to come check us out!  Due to the memorial service for our friends son, we won't be able to attend the White Oak Market on Saturday the 6th as scheduled.  Swing by Olney on Sunday instead!  We'll be there from 9 to 1, come out and say hi!

German Shepherd Strong

Remember Joan?

Well I received an update tonight on how she's doing at her forever home.

Looks like she's doing great!  I'm glad to learn she's preferred by the German Shepherds in the house.  Next time we'll build one that's big enough for both of them.

Wait till these guys check out the next piece that's coming to live with them.

She's still a work in progress, hence the wood filler, but this is a custom piece I'm working on for a wonderful repeat customer.  She was interested in a buffet, and did I happen to have anything that would work?  Never, ever, under estimate what I have in my basement.  Seriously.  I had this lady hanging out, she looked like this.

The client came over, and checked it out, we talked colors, she chose what she wanted and now here we are.  Some significant sanding, filling, and priming, and she's almost ready to go to her new home!  While she may be spoken for, she does have a brother that I haven't done anything with yet.

He's a handsome vanity that matches the dresser turned buffet.  Interested in having it customized to your color specifications?  Let me know, and let's talk colors! Outside of the traditional space for a vanity, I think he'd look gorgeous in a foyer.  He's been serving as my full length mirror for months now, and it would be nice to do a once over of my outfit as I'm heading out the door instead of heading into the basement to look at myself from all angles.  

More updates coming tomorrow.  I've got a couple new, smaller pieces that will be at our show this weekend that I'm excited about! 

Save The Date!

See, there's an exclamation point!  Today was rough, but this evening was better.  Tomorrow is another day.  I think that may be a James Bond movie.  I digress.  Let's focus on the exciting news. 

We've added another show! 

We'll be at the Olney Craft and Antiques Market this Sunday, June 30th from 9 AM to 1 PM.  

The market is located at Prince Phillip Drive and Route 108 on the grounds of Montgomery Hospital Thrift Shop.  The Olney Farmer's Market will be going on at the same time at the same location. 

You can learn more about the Olney Crafts and Antiques Market here.

You can learn more about the Olney Farmers Market here. 

The Antiques Market just recently moved from the Sandy Spring museum so be sure to make note of the new location.  

Come on out and say hi!  

See a piece you like?  Send me an email and let me know what you're interested in and I'll bring it to the show!  And as always, tell me you saw it on my blog and save 10%.  Also, check back later this week for updates of some of the new pieces that will be joining us this Sunday.  

Until then, mark your calendars.  See you guys on Sunday!

Heavy

It seems that lately it's been a never-ending string of bad news.  I'm trying to remain positive but right now, it's a struggle.

My heart is heavy tonight, as we received the sad news that friends of ours lost their son.  We didn't know their son well, but we know his story very well.  I hope and pray our friends and their son find peace.  I hope and pray that others like their son find the strength to know they're not alone.

I'm sad.  

But I'm grateful.  

I'm grateful for my little chicken who turned one this weekend.

    

I'm grateful for all my boys (Terry included).  They always have tail wags and kisses for me (Terry included). 

I'm grateful for simple beauty.

I'm grateful that tomorrow is another day and another chance to find the good.  

I hope to have some fun, exciting updates tomorrow so check back.  Hopefully by then I'll be back to my normal self, excessive use of exclamation points and all. 

Late Night Update

I had a conference call this evening for my real job.  It elevated my blood pressure so in an attempt to wind down, I wanted to post a quick update.  Ready to check out the Chippy Chairs?!  Remember, here they were before (the two white chairs).

Also, don't forget about the little BJ table!  His name is not a sexual acronym; that's really what it said on his price tag: BJ.

 

Well here they are now!

TURQUOISE LOVE.

I'm loving the Chippy (and saying Chippy)!

BJ's so cute!  And he's truly unique.  Think rustic, but with a cute, modern color.

Second Chippy Chair!  Since they're Chippy, it's impossible for them to be exactly alike, which is why I like them.  It's the same chair, with the same finish, but each one has it's own identity and charm.   

This little lantern doesn't get the recognition he deserves.  He's been jazzed up in Annie Sloane's Old White.  His doors open to hold a votive or tea candle.  He's the perfect contrasting accessory amongst all the turquoise.

Once again, I'm in love, and want to keep them forever.  Save my boyfriend from a future of furniture hoarding, and check 'em out over in the Items For Sale section!

I started working on this guy tonight.

Well hello there, vintage footlocker!  He came from Road Trip #1 to PA.  I can't wait to share him with you when I'm done, one coat of paint on and I'm already in love.  I know, I know.  I'm getting repetitive.  I can't possibly love all my stuff as much as I say I do.  But I promise you, I do.  The transformation process, the before and after, I love it all.  

Lastly, remember Kenny's coffee table antics the other night?  Things haven't gotten any better... 

   Dude.  I'm right there.  Can you at least WAIT until I'm out of sight? 

Mirror, Mirror, On The Wall

This gorgeous girl went to a new home tonight!

And the best news?  She's going to be in a wedding!  How cool is that?!  Someone liked my stuff enough to be in their wedding, I'm so thrilled and she'll be such a gorgeous detail.  

But as one mirror leaves, another one to take it's place!  Meet Molly.

Molly is showing her age some as some of her mirroring is fading, but that's what makes her amazing.  Her solid wood framed has been painted in Annie Sloane's Duck Egg Blue chalk paint, and lightly distressed.  She has wire along the back so she can hang.  At one point she must have hung from a dresser, hence the knobs.  Either way she's gorgeous, and she's in the Items for Sale section of the site.  Mention you saw her on my site, and receive 10% off!

I also had time tonight to work on my turquoise chair that I washed yesterday, from here on out known as the Chippy Chair.  She got a good sanding, which made me sweat, so my apologies to the wonderful girl who just came to pick up Candra in case I smelled.  Anyway, here's Chippy now!

She's distressed pretty heavily, and the only thing left to do is seal her up with some poly.  I love her and am secretly thinking of places I can stick her.  You see, her finish was imperfect to start, which is part of her charm.  She was a little drippy, and crackley.  Giving her a wash in turquoise helps to accentuate her imperfections.  She'll have a twin that'll look identical.  Two turquoise Chippy Chairs, what's not to love!  I have to remember to steal borrow some rubber gloves from work.  Since I rag my washes on, I received lots of questions about my Tiffany Blue manicure.   

But for now I must go.  The World's Tiniest Dictator just jumped up on the coffee table, drank out of my glass, and proceeded to walk across said coffee table before hopping down.  Clearly we need a lesson in boundaries.  Or at the very least a reminder to walk across the furniture when Momma's not in the room.

Road Trip - The Sequel

Happy Sunday!  Can't believe it's already Sunday night, where does the weekend go?  Oh right, our weekend went to Pennsylvania!  I headed back up to PA yesterday, this time with the boyfriend and the truck to pick up the rest of the awesome furniture I couldn't bring back last weekend.  But before we even made it out of our neighborhood I picked up this handsome lady.

How awesome is she!  We need to repair the legs a little bit but beyond that I kind of don't want to do much to her.  She's perfect just the way she is.

On to our "imported" finds!  I'm loving this little guy; the store I snagged him from had him staged as a small side table with just a lamp on him.  I love that idea!

I'll paint him up, but not much else.  His chippy-ness is what gives him his charm!

Need some chairs?  I now have 13 different chairs in my basement.  These three joined the rest of the gang yesterday.

I love chairs, and I think they're a great way to incorporate color and character into any space.  And the best part?  They serve a purpose because who doesn't like to sit down.

The biggest piece of our haul was this vintage kitchen table and chair set.

We're thinking that's a fiberglass top, which is in pretty good condition considering it's age.  It spent the last part of it's life on a screened in porch, so the legs of the table and chairs are pretty rusted.  But the vinyl of the chairs is in great condition, and I'm thinking we'll work some turquoise in on the wood trim of the table.  Turquoise and red is my favorite vintage color combo and I can't wait to try it out!

Since we spent yesterday in the truck, today I had to hustle to try to get some stuff done!  I was finally able to take advantage of some Spray Paint Weather, and then this happened.

Well then.  Just make yourself comfortable.  On my drop cloth.  In spite of The World's Tiniest Dictator's nap time, I still managed to complete this darling vintage metal shelf.

Believe it or not, that's the original color of the shelf.  I managed to match it - so seamlessly in fact that I had a hard time distinguishing between what was wet and what was dry.  It looks great, and I really kind of want to hang it in my bathroom.  But alas, I'm a giver, and it'll be at the next show!

Today I also tried a turquoise wash on the beach chest.  This was at the suggestion of the client and I'm kind of jealous I didn't think of it first.  Check it out!

While I was washing the chest, I wanted to try it out on one of the chairs we brought home yesterday.

I'll take better pictures tomorrow when the sun is out, but so far, I'm kind of digging it.  It's a wash, so it's not a perfect finish.  But the chair wasn't perfect to begin with, and that's why I like it.   Should I do the same thing on the other chair?  I'm thinking yes.  These guys will be at the next show, and they'll soon be listed in the For Sale section of the site.  

The downside of all the awesome turquoise washing?  It looks like I got the manicure ever.  

The Little Blue Table, The Little Blue Chair, and now The Little Blue Mani.  

Watch Out Seacrets, Here She Comes...

Alright y'all, this little lady is just about ready for the beach.  The client requested the chest be turquoise, with a grey wash finish.  Remember, this is what she looked like when we got her almost a month ago.

First we stripped her.

Then we primed her.

Next we painted her.

Tonight, we washed her.

I'm really excited with how she turned out!  The wash finish helps enhance her character and makes her a truly one of a kind piece.  Can't you totally see her spending the rest of her days in a window nook, overlooking sea grass and sand dunes?!  Placing some bright throw pillows on her will allow her color to pop even more.  Imagine how nice a coral would complement her...

Speaking of coral I met another awesome furniture lover this evening!  Our new friend Kim came over and met with me to talk about this guy.

That's Quincy and he's totally going to be a coral desk.  Should I change his name?  I will support him in whatever lifestyle he chooses.

Anyway, Kim was initially interested in this handsome devil, Dylan.

Alas, the colors weren't quite right because she was looking for something in turquoise or coral.

That's when I introduced her to Quincy.  

We went over colors tonight and I showed her our coral bathroom to let her know I am totally on board with her color choice.  It's like her, me, and Quincy were all just meant to be.  I'm excited to get started on this guy! 

If you ever see a piece that I've done that you like, but isn't quite what you're looking for, let me know what it is you had in mind.  I have a fair amount of furniture in my basement just waiting for make-overs.  I post plenty of "before" pictures on here of the pieces I drag home, so if there's a "before" piece you're interested in, let me know!  So long as I haven't started working on it yet, I'm always happy to customize one of my pieces to become one of your pieces.

In the meantime, I'd love to hear what you think about the beach chest! 

People Who Aren't My Mom Read My Blog!

Disclaimer:  There are a lot of words in this post.  I apologize in advance.

In the past three days I've heard from more people that are complete strangers (and totally not my mom, or my best friend, or my co-workers), that read my blog!  

That is SO stinkin' cool.  

Yes, I realize that is the whole point of this medium, but it's always nice to know that people read my stuff.  Before I rehabbed furniture, and before I managed associations, I was first and foremost a journalism major.  Anytime someone reads anything that I write, I still get an awesome journalistic high; people who don't know me care enough to read what I write.  Or at least care enough to gloss over what I write to hurry up and get to the pictures.  Except when I write meeting minutes because those are pretty boring and I'm pretty sure nobody reads those anyway.

The point of all this is to say thank you.  Thank you to those of you that have reached out, thank you to those of you who are just stopping by and are wondering what's up with all the nonsensical rambling about stuff that isn't furniture.  Even if you're not interested in anything I have to offer, now or ever, don't ever be afraid to say hi.  Except if you don't like what I have to say, then maybe we can just agree to disagree and keep it movin'.  

One of the reasons I started all of this (the furniture, the blog, etc.) is to show people they don't have to settle for mediocre furniture.  To the 22-year-old who just got her first apartment and is desperate for furniture, you don't have to settle.  I was you once, and I was lucky enough to have a mom that dragged me (very early in the morning on Saturdays) to yard sales and flea markets every weekend to acquire pieces that had character and were affordable for me at the time.  There is a part of me that will forever be 22 in my first apartment, and that part of me comes to life when I paint a piece of furniture.  I'm painting it for my 22-year-old self and I just have to hope like hell that other people like it as much as I do.  

Also to the 22-year-old in her first apartment - stop texting that boy who only seems to have time for you when he's bored and/or drunk.  That will not end well.

A great piece of furniture goes beyond 22-year-olds.  It's classic, it's timeless, and I believe it's one of the great equalizers.  Everyone loves and appreciates a nicely done piece.  So no matter your age, we all have at least one sentimental piece of furniture we can't dare to part with but we still kind of hate to look at.  It's ok to admit that, and it's ok to want to paint it.  Remember, that's how the beach chest started.  It belonged to the client's grandmother and it was in bad shape.  It sat in basement storage.  Now it's getting a new lease on life and will be used and appreciated.  Is the piece any less sentimental?  Absolutely not, it's even more beloved than before because it's being used and admired.   

Speaking of the beach chest, how about a quick update.  

 

She's now topless and on her back... But she's never looked better!

Here's her top!

Tomorrow she gets washed, fingers crossed all goes well.  

Check back tomorrow for the end result (I hope!).