You've come a long way baby!

It may look like a painting, but look again, it's a window blind!

Isn't she fabulous!

Smiles,

To paint or not to paint?....

I was researching sites last night in search of a painting tool when I stumbled upon a great site called Design Sponge. This wonderful site has loads of projects and is a great fishing spot for inspiration and tips! Another thing I loved about this site were all the before and after shots.

One of the projects had a box full of comments, some with very passionate views about painting antiques!! Below are the before and after photos from the post I'm referencing.

photo credit, Design Sponge Online

This leads me to a question, although not as it applies to these particular piece of furniture. Remember, these are not my projects, just examples. In general, how do you feel about painting antique pieces / aged wood? Give me specifics.

I'm pleading the 5th on this because I've done both, I've refinished pieces and I've painted pieces......it's subjective for me. What I'm seeking are honest opinions....I really want to know your thoughts. I'm seeking input for a future project.

Smiles,

Be sure to check out Design Sponge...it's an amazing resource for you DIYs! Thanks Grace for giving me permission to use the photos!

For the birds...

Not so fast..... this beautiful birdcage houses more than birds!

Tucked inside is a beautiful pendant light dripping with prisms. I wrapped a pretty sash of burlap ribbon around the waist, a nice contrast to the grey metal.

This birdcage chandelier, one of our "new vintage" Spring items was a favorite at Serendipity Market! Don't let the photo fool you, it's large...measuring just under 3' tall!

If you're currently on the scout for a chandelier for a decorating project, don't cage yourself into the traditional.....look for something unique!

Smiles,

Repurposing...

This is another photo from Serendipity Market. Here, an antique mantel became a twin headboard. I'd seen this done before, but was waiting for the perfect mantel. I loved the original Robin's egg blue chippy paint on this one and was thrilled to find the original aged mirror to be in great shape! And the firebox?.....exactly the width of a twin bed frame......it was meant to be!!

As for the canopy hanging beside the bed......it's a vintage hoop skirt!!

Don't you love repurposing?

LaurieAnna

Some items pictured above can be purchased on-line. Click on the following to purchase:
Burlap bolster;
Burlap pillow cover on bed;
Burlap tufted cushion on stools;
Mercury glass pendant light;

A Pearl of a day

This pic of Doc and Sam pretty much sums up our Sunday at the Farm. It's been a peaceful, delightful day.

Have a wonderful week!

Treasure Hunting this weekend!

Hubby and I hitting the road and doing a lil treasure hunting this weekend! I'm excited...the store needs stuff and I get to spend some time with my sweetie!!

I'll post some pics of our finds in a later post! Have a wonderful weekend!

Shout out to Girls Gone Junkin'

I'd like to call your attention to some of the rockinest chicks in this biz! They are among my favorite people, they are Cathy, Deidra, and Pam.

Cathy and Deidra are the owners of Girls Gone Junkin and are blessed to be joined by several other wonderful vendors, Pam, Jeri and Sue.
With some gentle nudging, they've made the leap and have joined us here in the blogging world, please visit their blog and make them feel welcome!

And be sure to shop with them during Canton First Monday, you can read more about them on their website.

Their booth is always a favorite for finding treasures, but they are the real treasures!

Smiles,

LaurieAnna

A week of surprises...

When I was little, my grandmother always encouraged me to write letters. She felt that the art of letter writing would one day be lost. Now living in this age of electronic communication, I believe she was on to something all those decades ago. So many times we send thank you sentiments via email, and although they are lovely, it's not the same as a handwritten note or letter.

I'm certain my grandmother smiled from heaven as she watched over me the past week as I opened four thank you letters and a thank you gift from Kaci and Luann. My heart feels blessed on so many levels that it's hard to grasp it sometimes. I truly love what I do, those close to me know that I live and breathe this business, so to be thanked for it is very special indeed.

I'd like to share the uniqueness of the thank you gift from Kaci and Luann. Tucked inside of a burlap bag, was a vintage bottle adorned with an antique earring that had been soldered to the top; a vintage sales book with beautiful ribbon wrapped around it; a mini flash card with the word "like"; a slip from an old receipt book that included a hand written sentiment, and a vintage embossed thank you postcard with a handwritten note on the back. The thoughfulness and clever presentation made me smile.

All of these kind gifts and letters have been added to a collage that is perched next to my sales counter. I know I say it often, but my heart is very full.

Thank you for all the kindness.....it means more than I can ever express. I love this business, but love the people that accompany it far more!

Smiles,

LaurieAnna

Does anyone really know what time it is?

No problem with this big guy! The picture doesn't show it, but this clock is HUGE!!! It's almost 4' in diameter and is metal. The style of this clock is so fabulous, kinda vintage, kinda modern....I love that! Clocks have always been a favorite, but the wonderful size of this one makes such a statement, particularly on larger, hard to accent, walls.

This is what I call a Texas size clock!!

Smiles,

LaurieAnna

Pull up a stool and let's talk!

This shot was taken before Serendipity Market, it gives a partial view of my favorite item in the store....a 12 foot antique table that once resided in the cafeteria of a Catholic Boy's School. It's early 1900s, has 14 swing out stools (7 on each side), and took 4 super strong guys to get it into the store (without the top!)!!

It's heavy, filled with history, and is truly amazing! No doubt about it, it is one of the current conversation pieces of the store!! Even has some of the old gum stuck to the underside of the table top.....love it!

It will be a bittersweet day when this one sells!

Smiles

LaurieAnna

Oh my sad lil store...

Thank you, thank you, thank you for visiting us this Canton, we loved every minute of it!

It's hard to believe that it was just a bit over a week ago when the store was filled to the brim for Serendipity Market. So much stuff you could scarcely move, but you'd never know it to see the store now! Mayron came in for a visit this afternoon and was shocked at how empty it was. It looks like a turkey the day after Thanksgiving dinner....picked clean! I have lots of work ahead of me this month!

But for now, I'm going to collapse and stay in my jams for the next 18 hours! It's been an exhausting but glorious week!

Sweet dreams!

LaurieAnna

An Award For Me!!

A blog award! Donna with Curious Goods has given me an award! Actually, she gave me this award in January, but somehow in all the chaos surrounding Canton and Serendipity Market, I missed it! Thank you Donna!

This award (Originally written in the Portuguese language of Isabel at Maison Douce) focuses not on the glory and fanfare of blogging, but in the PROXIMITY to one another through this on-line world. Here's the definition of the award:

"Blogs who receive this award are 'exceedingly charming' say its authors. This blog invests and believes in the PROXIMITY-nearness in space, time and relationships. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

In return, I would like to share this award with 8 incredible blogging friends that inspire me with their creativity and kind hearts!

First and foremost is Tina of Cherry Hill Cottage, she works with me, she laughs with me, she cries with me, she tells it like it is and she's my friend for life! And for those of you who don't already know it, she's blog royalty...truly a celebrity blogger!

Next is Deb of Talking Trash. Her blog is incredible, and she is one of the sweetest, most genuine people, I've ever met! She's currently off-line, please keep her family in your prayers while her daughter is in the hospital.

And while we're talking sweet and genuine, let's talk Kaci and Luann of Patina Green. I just can't say enough about them.....absolute dolls and amazingly talented! I will post something I recieved from them later this week! Such sweet classy ladies!

Can't possibly overlook Mayron and Marcie of Unique Unique Designs. Not only super talented, they are delightful and charming. They've been so supportive of me and the store - I can't thank them enough for that!

Cindy at Yapping Cat is definitely award worthy, although she's probably gotten so many awards that she'll roll her eyes! Her page is amazing and she is incredibly creative and talented. I've only met her a few times, but feel as though I've known her forever...she'll make you smile!

And talk about smiles.....just adore Crystal of Sparkled Life. She's such an inspiration, not just creatively, but spiritually. Her page is a joy to visit, always uplifting. She's beautiful!

Always enjoy visiting Deb of The Junkin Yaya, her artistic creations are so inspirational and she's so supportive and uplifting to all the bloggers in her circle. Her page is a delight!

And my most recent blog treasure is Lorri of Cute as Pie Cottage, love her page.....love her spirit!

Smiles!

LaurieAnna