Down Lilac Lane at Waterloo

It's a junkalicious trifecta now at the Waterloo Antiques Mall.  At the top of the stairs, Gracie's Cottage, just to the right Altered Ever After, and now in the corner just to the right of that, my friend Kathy has set up her space, 'Down Lilac Lane'.  The following pics are from her space...a hint of all the great things you'll see!

While Kathy and I were working in her booth this past Friday, it was so busy in the mall that it was like working a show.  We met so many great folks. (Thank you all for your business...we enjoyed meeting each of you!)  I got Jean to stand still just long enough for a photo.

We'll be restocking Waterloo on Tuesday this week...I've picked up some more great things.  Come one out and catch us there!

Down the Rabbit Hole - A Visit to Simply Iowa

I left early on Saturday for Cedar Rapids so that I could make a stop at Barb's place, (Simply Iowa).  Barb's shop, known as "The Rabbit Hole" did not disappoint.  Barb has a heart that is bigger than the vast acres of Iowa cornfields.  She feels the history of each old piece that comes to her, and finds a place for each one.  The cozy shop is packed tightly from floor to ceiling, with little trails leading from section to section.

There are honest old survivors at every turn. I was awed by the soulful collections, and in looking at the photos now I'm noticing things that I don't even recall seeing!  Enjoy the tour, and don't forget to click on the pics to enlarge them!  

A big thanks to Barb for taking the time to visit with me on a busy day.  (Barb's dear friend Peg is struggling with some health issues right now and many are praying for Peg. Watch Barb's blog for updates.)

400 Miles for Two Items

Driving all day for two items is not usually my idea of a good time, but I think yesterday's trip was worth it. First, I picked up this little beauty in Oregon, Wisconsin.  It measures 11" x 97".

....and presto/chango turns into this table which 

measures 22" x 97" x 33":

I think it's great!  It's an old wallpaper table, the type a contractor would have carried from location to location.  He'd unroll the paper on it, paste it, book it and hang it up.  A conversation with an Elkhorn customer reminded me that I had found this awhile back and never followed up on it.  I went back through my e-mail and found that the seller still had it, and the price had dropped since our last contact.  

 My sunroom is a tiny 8' x 11' . It's my favorite room and where I prefer to work on my laptop. It's currently furnished with two white wicker chairs, a lamp table and a small wicker desk.  I find that I don't sit & read here as much as I used to.  My aim now is to redecorate and turn the room into a studio/office.  When time permits I'm going to see how the table will work along one wall with a stool next to it.  It's the perfect height for crafting or photographing small items.

After leaving Oregon, I zig-zagged across the state up to Little Chute, Wisconsin where this beauty was waiting for me:

It was found in an attic and the paint is in great condition, although the wood is splitting in some areas.  I'm sure that decades in the attic contributed to the shrinkage of the wood.

It's a wonderful example of black Americana, folk art & advertising.  I just spoke with a staff member at the New London museum and she's going to send me the dates when Freiburger & Archibald were in business. 

 *Update: (With thanks to Alice, the Assistant Director of 

the New London Public Museum.) 

Freiburger & Archibald were in business from 1897 - 1903.

 Off to get ready for the show in Iowa this weekend.

Happy hunting!

More Photos From Northwind

Wow - where did last week go?  Between business and some family time, I haven't had a moment to post. Sadly, there hasn't been time to read recent posts from favorite bloggers, either.  There is some serious catchin' up to be done around here!  Here are some more photos from the show.

Another view of our booth

 

We enjoyed meeting Mindy from Vintage Nest

Her shop is in Glenview IL and I can't wait

to visit one day

   

The Chippy Shabby booth was wonderful...as always!

 

It was a fun show and we enjoyed seeing some of our regulars including Catherine, Jill & Chloe, Terry & family from Daddios Diner and Sue T.  

It was great to meet Lu from Sadie 'n Stella and our neighbor Jamie from Hollyhock Garden Antiques.

I'll apologize in advance as I'm sure I'm forgetting someone, but we sincerely appreciate all who stopped by.

 

I'll leave you with a few more photos of the grounds, and we'll see you at Elkhorn this weekend.

Goodbye My Pretties ... (Letting My Hats Go)

A few years ago I became obsessed with vintage hats.  It started when I purchased a portion of a collection of fantastic Edwardian hats. Soon, the closet was loaded with hats & hat boxes and there were full bins in my storage area. Kathy also had loads of great styles and we began to feature them in our space at the Elkhorn Antique Flea Market. Here's a snapshot from last year.

One of the best moments of that show was when a young customer named Chloe purchased one of Kathy's hats to wear in a July 4th parade.  Isn't she adorable? (It was fun to see her again at Elkhorn a few weeks ago!)

Hats have been good to me and I feel a little disloyal in saying that I'm going to let them go, in the interest of creating space for other things. While I still admire their beauty and unique personalities, there are other types of old things that are calling to me now. I'm realizing that having too much inventory can become a burden and stashing things away for "some day" is not the right course of action for me.

Our neighborhood rummage sale is  tomorrrow. My hats will be out with hopes that they will find new homes where they can be loved.  Goodbye my pretties...