Friday, June 27, 2014

Exciting News!

source: Oh So Nifty Vintage Graphics

Howdy folks!  Hope it's been a good week for all of you...for me, it's been one of getting back on my feet after a brief and really crappy illness.  Today I finally feel 100% again!  Wassup with the GIANT key, you ask? Well, here it is... I hinted in my last post that I might soon have some exciting news to share and I do!!  My friend and I (together we are Morning Glory's) are opening a booth in a new place called the Key City Antique Mall and Shops in North Wilkesboro, NC - about 40 minutes from where we are based.  It's still being renovated, but should be ready to open by late August - early September.  We went to tour it a couple of Fridays ago, but I was so sick I didn't even take any pictures.  I promise I'll post some as soon as I make my next trip up there.  I had been coughing and had laryngitis for a few days, but had started running a fever that day.  And it was a million degrees in the building too, so that didn't help.  It turned out to be the worst respiratory and throat infection I think I've ever had.  I mean, it seriously knocked me off my entire game for nearly two weeks! 

New site of Key City Antique Mall and Shops
source:  Wilkes Journal-Patriot
Anyway, it's in the coolest old furniture factory - creaky wood floors, overhead beams and ductwork, and lots of charm.  The concept is pretty unique - we have a lot of local vineyards 'round these parts and this place is going to serve as the only central location where you can purchase wine from all of the different wineries. There will be artisan cheeses and breads available as well and they'll have lots of wine tasting events to draw people in. Plus, they're building a craft beer distillery in the back section of the building that will be really neat too.  On the third floor will be studio space for local artisans to work and demonstrate their crafts and we've been asked to host some chalk painting classes there as well.  I'm really excited about doing that. Plus, we scored a great booth.  We'll be right across from the only stairway to the second floor, so you really can't miss us, and it's a space that's a little larger than the others.  We are SOOOOO excited because we've been looking for a place just like this that was affordable for a long time and it just kind of fell into our laps.  The best part is, no one else in the place will really have stuff like ours - vintage items that have been repurposed - so I think we should do really well.  We'll have a few antiques sprinkled in for good measure too.  And if we don't do well, we aren't locked into a long-term contract.  We figure it's worth a shot and will be easier than doing so many craft shows.

So, needless to say, I'm going to be really busy over the next few weeks getting stuff together for the big grand opening.  Our booth needs to be super full when we first open, of course!  Here's a look at one of the items I've been able to get painted since I started feeling better:


Isn't it a cute little cabinet?  It's hard to tell from the picture, but it's a really pretty color called Liberty from American Paint Company.  Just imagine a very faded Statue of Liberty and that's the exact color.  It's my new favorite color and I pretty much want to paint everything with it.  This cabinet is about 24 inches tall and 18 inches wide, so it's a good size.  And it could be used so many ways - in the kitchen, in an office, in the bathroom - just about anywhere!  I just love it.  I'll get some pictures up of our space a s soon as I can and will keep you updated on all the goodies I'm working on.  So, until I see you again, have a great weekend and try to stay cool!

Monday, June 9, 2014

Trash Talk

Howdy folks!  I hope everyone had a great weekend.  I had a lot to do to get cleaned up from the mess I left getting ready for the Farmer's Market Craft Fair.  The sale last weekend went VERY well - I sold almost everything I had!  Seriously.  Aside from a couple of chalkboards, everything I had left fit into two small laundry baskets.  So I was back out to the thrift stores and yard sales looking for more treasures to transform :).  In addition to the those searches, I picked up this "trashy" little dresser off of Craigslist...


And by "trashy", I mean it was in pretty rough shape.  My Dad went with me to pick it up and our conversation went like this: He said, "It looks like something you'd pick out of the garbage".  And I was all like, "I know, I LOVE it!!".  And then he was all, "You're weird.  But if you like it...".  Yes, it was painted a boring gray, was missing some hardware and the track for the middle drawer, but it's exactly what I was looking for.  I guess it just goes to show you - one man's "trash" is his little girl's "treasure"!

We have a student living with us for a couple of months this summer and this will be the perfect small dresser for her clothes.  So I set out Saturday to make it fabulous with some white chalk paint and antiquing wax.  I bought some new knobs for the top drawer and rigged up a fix for the drawer slide.  I think it turned out great and I absolutely ADORE it!  See what you think...







I love the rustic green top.  It looks a lot brighter than it is in the picture above, it's really a soft sage-y green and actually looks great in the blue spare bedroom.  The roughness of it kinda makes it feminine and masculine at the same time.  Bonus - it fit perfectly in the ONE spot I had for it!  If it turns out later that I don't need it or have a place for it, I can sell it or send it off with the Bub to a future college apartment. But I'm pretty sure I'm keeping it :).

Speaking of the Bub, his end of the year band banquet was Tuesday night and I'm super proud to announce that he was presented with the "Blond Bombshell" award.  What a tremendous honor.  Just kidding - the kids give each other silly awards at this thing and I guess that was the best they could come up with!  He's made quite the transformation this year as far as his fashion sense and clothing style.  Finally, no more South Park t-shirts and cargo shorts - he now dresses very nicely and looks so handsome every day.  And now with his blond hair and recent sun tan, I guess he does look like a blond bombshell - to the girls anyway!  But on a serious note, what I'm really super proud of is that he has been chosen as one of two Drum Majors for the marching band next year.  He is SOOOO excited.  Since he's decided on Music Education as his career path, I think it's going to be a great opportunity for him to get some leadership experience.  As for myself, I may have some great news to share later this week or early next week.  Here's a hint...I may be going RETAIL!!

Tell me about your latest "trashy" treasure in the comments - I'd love to hear all about it!

Today I'm linking to the following parties:
http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/2014/06/welcome-to-179th-masterpiece-monday-and.html
http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2014/06/before-and-after-wednesday-week-18.html

Toodles,