Treasure Broker

There are many benefits to being a Treasure Broker (words used by Cari...Cash for Cari on HGTV). I like that title. It sounds exotic...but that is exactly what I do for a living now. After retiring from teaching, I took on the occupation of someone who searches for "treasure", cleans it up and presents it to others for their enjoyment.It is more fun than I ever knew.

 This week I have not only found special treasures, but have met the most interesting people. Thursday a young man entered the shop and stayed quite awhile. He was quiet and unassuming but once engaged in conversation, was fascinating. He is a maker of mid-century modern furniture; he lives in an Airstream; writes fiction and has a great appreciation of all things vintage.

Then there is the "Toy Man" as I call him. He drops by the shop every week to see if we have any new toys to add to his massive collection. His dream is to find a curator and a town to house the toy collection strictly for others to enjoy. My son's old record player is now in the collection!

There is the lady who is about my age who enjoys collecting to help re-kindle "good times past". I so look forward to her visits (whether she buys anything or not!)And the younger woman who LOVES furnishing her house with as many vintage items as possible. She has a VERY understanding husband.

 Due to our location, we meet people from all over the United States every day. They are so different, yet so much the same.

I have divided our customers into several groups:

1. People who are on a mission. They enter, survey and either buy immediately or leave. I call them the "Tunnel Vision" folks.

2. People who are bored at home or need a break and come in just to browse and may or may not find some little something to purchase. Potentially could become Hoarders.

3. Hard Core Collectors, the purists, who put narrow constraints on themselves and don't look to the right or left...they only want what they want....period. Price isn't really important..they buy what they treasure. They want their purchases to be in v.good to excellent condition.

4. Then the group that is the most fun of all...the people who really "get vintage"... "The Visionaries". They make a round the shop once, twice, maybe three times. They "take it all in", they start bringing their finds to the counter...they ask questions, make comments, and tell stories. They may or may not be purists...but most are folks who love "the old ways"...dovetails, square nails, rusty enamel, gears, old screens...the items don't have to be perfect. As a matter of fact, they like a little chip or dent or scratch. Perfection isn't their goal...their goal is finding a treasure that will evoke fond memories for both themselves and their family.

This week I sold a wheat penny album to an older gentleman. He was delighted. We also made a gentleman's day who was looking for an old hoe with a wooden handle.

I bought a yellow push reel mower because it reminded me of a friend's daddy who mowed his lawn every week with an old mower like it. A good friend's husband picked out his birthday present...a vintage oak ice box...I've never seen him smile so broadly.

Yes, I think I like being a broker of treasures. Even broke treasures...lol. To hear people tell others about how "grandma used a dipper just like that" and then take it home with them to re-kindle memories of days gone by is something I am enjoying very much!

Greenhouse Basil "Pops"

Does anyone else recognize that this is the hottest summer since I was expecting a baby back in 1974? Whew!! It's mighty toasty down here in Mississippi!

The hubster and I tackled a long overdue project at the shop...

painting the two long church pews sitting out front under the windows. 

Poor, Poor thing...she looks bedraggled and bewildered!!

So did we when the painting job was finished. 

Off to pick out a "popping" color for the porch!

The "turquoise" door and trim  paint is on the left;

my choice for the benches is on the right.

Ooh, lala! Much better!

 (You must understand that 

...I was down for the count with the knee thing

and my son and his wife were running the place, doing all the buying and trying to manage

5 days a week with little to no help from me.) So "cutsey pieing" it up was low on the totem pole.

However....I am back and feeling much better...it's time I contributed.

So the hubster and I spent the better part of an afternoon cleaning and painting.

Next will be addition of shutters, repainting the doors,new topiaries and wreaths for fall

and an 8 ft. Antiques sign for the front!

Inside things are changing also...

Reproduction football players and frames and desk set for baseball lovers are

set on my barn wood tray.

A quilter's delight (below)...

a vintage Singer Featherweight sewing machine with carrying case!

A centerpiece anchored by an old milkman's crate..

Another cutter quilt...piles of individual squares to be used in a variety of ways!

Priced at only $1.50 per square...better snap these up quickly!

Below is a McInnis and McInnis collaboration on a farmhouse wood coat/jewelry rack...

(and remarkably, we are still speaking!)

Vintage children's dishes

(& a little china tea set is in another room!)

Look at the little mixer...it still turns!

Do you remember any of these items?!

All the above items (except for the Featherweight) are on "my" side of the store.

The "sonster" (aka: my son) and his wife have tons of new collectibles on his side, too!

Their new "man cave" room is a big hit...

and I am getting ready to produce some Man Cave signs

for the holidays.

As you can see, life is gradually getting back into high gear for us!!

Thanks for all the prayers and good wishes!

Hoping you had a great weekend!

*What's Good for the Gander Isn't Good for the Goose?

Well, well, well.

Some things never change...everyone's an art critic.

If you and I are friends on FB then you will know what's going on, but for those of you who don't know...here's the story.

I am working at my shop, Dwellings, and 3 ladies enter,

look all around and one becomes enchanted with my pin cushions.

What can I say? They ARE so sweet!

She purchases two...well, you know what that means, don't you?

Of course, there will be a run on them...I must dash home and crochet more.

 A few little changes and additions and they are ready for their coming out party.

So it went...hours and hours of crocheting...and many, many cushions are now ready to be sold.

Everyone in the fam...is making fun of my pin cushions...but YESTERDAY ANOTHER ONE SOLD! AND THEN ANOTHER!

 I may have found the golden egg!

I even have a pumpkin cushion in honor of the long overdue Autumn season!

So what you may ponder?

Well, let me fill you in....

My delightful husband of over 34 years saw my feverish efforts and remarked that

all my "money making" ideas were futile. He stated that I didn't make things people HAD to have..

that in a recession nobody wanted a pin cushion. Heck, women don't even sew anymore.

Or so he said! Now tires...there's something I could sell. They wear out...a pin cushion does not.

Yes, yes, yes....tires. I could mount them and rotate them, plug them...

I could see the gold mounting  in his mind.

Personally, I think he's stripped a gear, but really...tires?!

So I posted our conundrum on FB...all sorts of comments came popping on the screen..mostly in my favor (because they are all my friends after all)...

but today really took the cake.

As I arrived at work, my crochet basket filled to the top with pin cushion yarn galore,

I heard the snickers...I heard them laughing and smirking about "here comes the pin cushion lady"...

nevertheless...

I worked until 4:00 (and didn't once have a chance to crochet, I might add) and just as I was preparing to leave, I saw my son (the #2 Snickerer) whispering with a customer...

The customer had just brought in something he thought we might like to sell...

What was it, you ask? Oh, let me tell you!!

How about a Singer Featherweight Sewing Machine...but that's not the worst of it...

attached was an old Victorian metal bird that clamps on the machine...guess what kind of bird?

A PIN CUSHION!!

#2 Snickerer couldn't get to his wallet fast enough.

All I have to say is, "MEN!"

Before's & After's & New Shop Service

My "chief scout" Susan found this bedraggled old chair by the curb.

Oh, she was quite the sad sight!

So with a little clamping and gluing and puttying...

A little paint...

A little wax and distressing..

Here she is...so pretty!

She will go to work with me tomorrow!

I also have added a little service to the shop that I think customers will find helpful.

I have begun a notebook of ideas that will stay on the counter.

Pictures from magazines (mostly Country Living) which show the creative use of  vintage items will be easily accessed by anyone who needs some creative guidance!

There are also pictures from magazines posted close to items in the store...for instance, pictured below

are several pictures showing the "new" way to showcase the "old" round oak table!

The pictures are taped to guess what? The real oak table!

Below are some end pieces from fruit and vegetable shipping boxes.

Taped below the actual ends is a picture of how to display them for a colorful area in your kitchen.

Old Readers' Digests anyone?

Can you spot the magazine article within the display of the real books?

Matches in this magazine article below are $16 per little box! What??!!

My version may be bought for $1.50.

 I am working on more covered ones: burlap, toile and ticking as coverings.

Helping others with their dreams is our purpose!

* Little Miss Apple Crateness

So my overactive conscience has been carrying around a bucketful of guilt for the past few days...I'm almost over it, but there's still a twinge every now and then. Now that there is some space between "the event" and the present, I'm feeling a little better, really...I'm ok. Let me expound...

Background:  When I was 5, I attended the all-girl kindergarten of Mrs. Walter Doty...I don't know, to this day, Mrs. Doty's first name. Everyone knew her as Mrs. WALTER Doty. Every little girl (and her mother) longed for a much sought after place on the roll of Mrs. Doty.

At the Merry Morning Kindergarten, we spent most of our morning, tap dancing and learning ballet. We sang our anthem, "We're from the Merry Morning Kindergarten. We have a lot of fun in all we do. So if we make mistakes, Oh, won't you pardon? For after all we're very little, too."

AS you can see, I took all of this very much to heart.

I don't remember if I ever learned anything more than the alphabet and how to write my name..but I loved tapping in those shoes. (I still own a pair...)

We had a Christmas Dance program and of course, our graduation Dance program.

Our costumes were rather costly for the 1950's, but everyone paid through the nose and obeyed all the commands of Mrs. Walter Doty...

including our mothers who I think feared and respected her as much as we did.

My graduation tap dance costume was hot pink satin with a white tucked bib front and a black satin bow at the neck with matching hat. The ballet costume was to die for...a beautiful shade a sage green...the tutu was matching green with golden sparkles strewn all over...I'm telling you, I wanted to live in that tutu.

 (Personally, if I had been taller (and thinner) I think I would have made a great ballerina.)

What has all that got to do with the picture above? Bear with me, as this is difficult for me to confess. That little apple crate chair pictured above was built by MR. WALTER DOTY...yep, all little girls had their own red apple crate chair. We sat in the top part and stored our ballet slippers and tap shoes in the bottom. At the appointed time, we'd change shoes, push the chairs under the tables ("very quietly ladies") and tap until our feet were exhausted or our toes were crunched to death.

Fast forward:

My niece, Lauree, let me know that an antique dealer in my hometown, had some of those apple crate chairs. She dutifully purchased one for me and I've had it for years. It doesn't exactly fit in anywhere and I've had it stored forever. One day last month, I decided on a "let's clear some stuff out of the attic" moment to take it to my little shop as a display piece. There Little Miss Crateness sat...and I'd explain her significance to every customer that would stop long enough to be enchanted with this magical story.

Enter "K"....pictured below.

"K" and I  were kindred spirits the moment we met at my shop. We talked and talked and exchanged ideas and I just really liked her a lot. I had to run an errand, so I left the store in the capable hands of my son, and bid farewell to my new friend. When I came back, "K" re-entered the store and approached me with the idea that she couldn't live without the little red apple crate chair...would I consider selling it?

Yep, you guessed it. I did.

 After all, I had known "K" all of an hour and a half....I had this feeling that she would take care of  Miss Apple Crateness. So I let the little chair go...I launched her into the world in the care of "K". sniff.

All I asked is that if she ever lets her go, that she makes sure she goes into capable, loving hands. 

double sniff

 I know some of you have lost all respect for me now that you know what I did...but this young woman is getting ready to be married. She loves "old stuff" like me...she has great visions of the future...she is an artist...she is a happy bride- to -be who loved my little crate. She will be a wonderful caretaker!

Now that the shock has worn off, I am happy I made the decision...I will always have my digital pictures, my scrapbooks filled with kindergarten recital pictures and my memories!! (and my tap shoes)

Have a great life, "K"!

Tip of the Week, Scattershooting

I may be waaaay behind, but I had an idea while breezing through Wal Mart that is guaranteed to save you money if you are a crafter! I hope nobody has thought of this before, but just in case they really haven't, I'm sharing!!

While being held captive er, convalescing from knee surgery, I was frantic to do something creative...so I turned to my old stand by, crocheting. I made these fat, little pin cushions which have sold well in our shop, Dwellings. I can knock out several of these in a morning sitting, but stuffing the pin cushions with fiberfill became rather expensive...so when I was purchasing the first bag of the stuff in several months, I was astounded to see the price...$8.97!!! What in the world?! The last time I purchased fiberfill it was priced around $4!! As I was grumbling to myself, I passed the pillow rack... hmmmmmm....light bulb!

There was the answer to a crafter's prayer...a HUGE pillow filled with you know what!!

I compared tags...all was well...plus I actually got more in the HUGE pillow AND it's encased in a cloth cover that keeps the stuff contained! Price: $3.00....now that's what I'm talking about!!

(For years I refused to remove these tags from all bedding...

I was positive that the Pillow Police would surely come arrest me..how dumb can you get?)

My "Also To Tell You" List:

Our little shop has become an "outlet" of sorts for a lovely NE Jackson, MS gift shop...when their season ends, they will have odds and ends left that need to be moved so that

new "holiday" and other buys can come in...therefore, somebody needs to take those odds and ends off their hands...enter, US! We will have lots of new things at greatly reduced prices...below is an example.

The iron figures really make a statement..right now we have a cowboy, soccer girl, man skiing, and cheerleader...we have them priced at $15. They are substantial and a very good size!! We also have

jewelry...wrap watches, leather bracelets, penny necklaces and an assortment of key chains. All reduced more than 50%. Some things are as low as 75% off. Secret Pals...take notice!

Here's a little happy that I also made during my "down time"...covered match boxes with vintage buttons on top...as you use the matches, you can refill the package and keep using the decorative box. I have them on sale at the shop for $1.50 each, but you could whip them up yourself to give as favors (however, not for children's birthdays or anything...but for your grown up friends. LOL)

Another item I recently found for the shop was this pretty Happily Ever After Celebration plate. The idea here is for guests to sign the plate with a special pen. "Bake" the plate for a few minutes and the signatures become permanent. The plates are usually pretty pricey...but since I only have one...it's just $10.50...it comes with box, directions, plate and pen. That's the great thing about scoring a great find, you can offer it at a discount.

We've divided the shop into two parts...the creative, gifty side and the collector's side. There are all kinds of things scattered about in both sides that you will find interesting, like these porcelain pear knobs...very Tuscan...beautifully glazed...I think there are 19 or 20...at $1 a piece, this is a steal!!  deal!

I just wanted to check in today...before heading to work..I have several blogs rumbling around in my head, and will post them this weekend. If you are in the Mississippi area, please, pop in to Dwellings...located on hwy 49 south just outside of Florence, Mississippi...we are smack dab in between the large Donna's #6 Produce and Magnolia Flea Market on the right side of the road if you are traveling south. We are the small brick building...Little building...but big imagination...Come see us soon!

Hope today is a most productive one for you,

Paris In the Spring?

Summer days are fleeting...it's almost time to think about going back to school! Oh, wait!!! For the first time in over 31 years, I DON'T HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THAT! I can hardly wait for the first day of school....when I hear the alarm...I will turn over and go right back to sleep! Oh, happy day! What fun that will be.

Knee surgery is a thing of the past..sort of..I was dismissed from Physical therapy last week and I actually worked 3 days with a minimum amount of pain. I have really dropped the blogging ball this past year...living in constant knee pain sort of knocked my socks off...plus opening a new business while still trying to finish my old one, was difficult, but this is a new day...a new adventure has begun and I'm excited...

What does this Paris pin and old hankie have to do with the subject at hand, you might wonder?

 Well, the answer is absolutely NOTHING!

 But I did find this very interesting sack at the thrift store along with some other items and

just wanted you to see that I am still out unearthing neat "finds" and slowly getting my life back on track.

 BTW: I don't like the term "junking"... I prefer "treasure hunting"...

In the same sack were these violet items....and even though the mirror front was broken...

 the mirror itself is beautifully tarnished.

Tiny porcelain teapot and cup and saucer...

A little French lady,  in all her glory...

right along with the other discarded items...hand painted, broken armed and broken hearted,

 I am sure. How do I know this? Well, here is what I think happened....

Oops, one more pic before I begin the story. The chalk/plaster Scottie was on a nearby shelf...

I couldn't resist him.

What do you think the story is here?

A Jackson, Mississippi, Southern belle has her heart stolen by a beau...

said heart is also set on marrying and honeymooning in Paris...

probably in early spring..thus, the violets...

However, things don't go as planned and over tea, he breaks the engagement and her heart.

She hurls the mirror at him in a fit of rage,

gathers all the sentimental items, rushes to thrift store and donates them to charity.

The dog? Oh, it's a Scottie and is now her only companion...

Oh, yes...all items are on sale at my shop Dwellings...except the French doll...she sold the very first day.

What do you think?