Behind Closed Doors

When I spotted this little cabinet I was attracted to original finish, beautifully 'alligatored'.

Of course I couldn't wait to open the doors.  I was expecting to find shelves, but it was better than that.

An old lab kit!  The top tray holds old microscope instructions. 

Next up, a tray fitted for bottles, ....and dust.  (I never want to disturb authentic layers of age.  You don't find dust like that on "made in China" goods!)

 There are four slide trays on the bottom; aren't they cool? 

I'll confess that I didn't know much, (anything), about ostracods.  I now know that "a feature that distinguishes an ostracod from other crustaceans is the carapace that encloses the body".  Awesome!

It would appear that the best pine cells come from Germany...

...but the best household pest specimens can be found right there in Chicago.  Who knew? 
Bring your microscope and come on out to Grayslake this weekend to see for yourself!

Hot Night at the North Shore Flea

 The North Shore Flea is a fun place to hang out. The atmosphere is great, and with a farmer's market and gourmet food vendors just steps away, you'd be hard-pressed to find a more pleasant way to spend a Wednesday evening. 

This past Wednesday Kathy, (Down Lilac Lane) and I teamed up for another visit to the market.  The two of us always manage to bring enough to fill several spaces and never seem to be set up on time. Just down the way from us on one side was Diane Landry.  Mary Ann was a couple of spaces away on the other side and brought this fab dress form.

 We made new friends when we met our neighbors Pete and Mo.  This fun duo has terrific stuff, including some killer architectural pieces.

 The evening was humid which probably kept the crowds down a bit.  The extreme weather has really provided a challenge to this young market.

Still, the crowd was a nice size this past Wednesday.

Thanks to everyone that stopped in to see us! We won't be able to be back at North Shore in the near future, but you should still head out there and shop if you get a chance!  (Our next show is the Elkhorn Antique Flea Market on August 14th.)

You can read more about last week's market at Pure Vintage Chicago, At Home in English Valley, and ChiPPy!-SHaBBy!  Promoter Melissa Sands keeps the North Shore Flea Facebook page up to date with the latest info...check it out!

Flea Shots

Our evening at the North Shore Flea in Highwood, Illinois was pleasant.  Merchants of vintage and artists were set up in the street while food & farmer's market vendors were in the park.  

Kathy and I had adjoining spaces and co-mingled our merchandise, as we normally do. 

 This was just the third week of a new weekly market so we didn't know what to expect. There were several vendors of vintage clothing; we were glad that we'd brought some. 

 This trio, (girlfriend, brother, sister), went home with Kathy's three matching Hawaiian shirts.

 Maria Tirabassi was next to us...we fell in love with her whimsical style and the sweet manner she had of dealing with the youngest buyers in the crowd.  It was a great group of vendors all around; everyone was relaxed and friendly.

 The market has a wide variety of food selections, from the sophisticated to the simple.

My vote for the best available dessert goes to this coconut cake with coconut buttercream frosting.

 Buyers were mainly local folks enjoying the pleasant weather.  While the evening was profitable, sales were nowhere near the level of most of the shows we do.  We met several folks who mentioned how surprised they were to see great vintage items. 

We think this market has great potential. The promoter, Melissa of Pure Vintage Chicago is working to spread the word that shopping for great vintage items doesn't have to wait for the weekend. We hope to be back at the North Shore Flea again later in the summer, schedule permitting.  

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P.S. 

We'd love it if you'd 'like' us on facebook!  We're posting interesting tidbits there. We don't always get the time for a full blog post, and if you're like us you don't always have time to read a long post. 

Come See us at the North Shore Flea - Tomorrow!

At the cottage, we're nothing if not spontaneous!   We've just made plans to be at the North Shore Flea in Highwood, Illinois, tomorrow night from 4-9.   This fun market is promoted by Pure Vintage Chicago.

 The weather promises to be perfect and we'd love to see YOU there!  If there's anything specific that you're looking for let us know.  We just may have it!

A Good Time at CREATE Artists' Faire

Thanks to Candyce from Altered Ever After for suggesting that I sell at the CREATE Artists' Faire...it was a hoot!  It was too much to hope that Candyce & Jill would be nearby, but we could see them from across the room. 

(CREATE was an event in the Chicago area, sponsored by Cloth Paper Scissors magazine, offering four days of creative workshops, with a three hour shopping event Friday night.)  My "junksista" Kathy wasn't able to share the show with me this time, but offered to go along and help. Bless her - I couldn't have done it without her!

As soon as the doors opened shoppers flooded in to purchase supplies for their creative endeavours and finished creations from talented artists. My best sellers included vintage ephemera, keys, charms, clock & watch parts, ad mats & cabinet cards.

By the time the show ended, we were starving.  Giordano's was nearby; the perfect place for a late dinner before heading home.  We decided we'd make points and take home leftovers of the famous Chicago pizza for our hubbies, so we each ordered a whole pie.  After the waitresss proclaimed  "You girls must be HUNGRY!" loud enough for the whole city to hear, we got the giggles.  (After the 'subtle one' had walked away, Kathy threatened to eat the whole thing just to give her something to talk about).

This is Kathy's deep-dish pizza...the leftovers!
Thanks for the memories, Chicago!