Long Beach Flea this weekend...and unveiling some new looks!!!

I just have to jot a few quick lines....I am really excited about a few new things we will be bringing to Long Beach...We have 2 new table designs and some amazing new lighting...all using reclaimed wood, salvaged metals and such...I am hoping to post some photos before tomorrow (Sunday the 19th), but if not...be sure to stop by and see us!  We are in D527 and 528...our usual spot at Long Beach Veterans...the whole fam will be there this time, so stop by and say hi!!!

On a side note...We have such a creative group working together, and its all in the family (or so!) which makes it so much better!  (More on that bit soon!)  HOW MUCH FUN IS THIS!!!   I love my "job"!!!

more thoughts (and photos!) from Farm Chicks 2011

Thought I would show you a little bit of "behind the scenes..." just a little glimpse into what goes on when we set up for a show like Farm Chicks....

Note the look of puzzlement on my face...also note lots of folk standing around with similar attitudes.."Hmmmm.....how does all of this fit in our space....?"

This is how we start creating our "style" ...and each time, each show, we must find a way to make so many fun and curious pieces work together to give a unique look...it has to be fresh and new each time....

                                           "pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!"

and this is the finished product....VOILA!!!!

we are having so much fun creating over here...see the apron?  That is a "new" item for us...made from swiss grain sacks from the 1940's...each one is as unique as the sack it comes from...I wear mine all the time...in the garden, while I am setting up (and selling) in my booth....of course, cooking!   They range in price from $45 to $65, depending on the material used...burlap, hemp, linen....

and the ribbon necklaces...see the horses?   (one of my favourite things....you can always find something horsey in our booth....

Again, as always, we will be joining our friends for white wednesdays...vintage inspiration fridays...and.....?

until my next post...thank you for looking in....

Farm Chicks retrospectively....

Well folks, we are just back from Spokane Washington!  What an amazing trip...wonderful people (Serena, THE Farm Chicks "head chick", you are so talented, so unflappable amidst 200 crazy dealers and untold numbers of super excited women ready willing and able to shop til they dropped!)  And speaking of all those shoppers...all I can say is WOW!  How nice to have met so many of you, and thanks for the warm welcome to your neck of the woods...we loved our time there....really really loved it! 

We sold a few of those amazing tables the Brothers have been creating...and some fun new lights...table lamps made from well plugs (they are the lamp in this first pic and are of course available for sale!)...(have any of you seen a well plug before?  They were new to me!  and lamps made from old shell casings...they definitely caused a stir in our booth...everyone loved them!  Then we had our usual curious finds mixed in...just to keep it interesting!  I am including a few photos from the show and hopefully they will give you a feel for the show, our space and a bit of the energy that goes into Farm Chicks!   Believe me, more to follow, including more photos...but for now, 
Join me over at Vintage Inspiration Fridays...

Farm Chicks Here we come....

wish I could share with you the process that goes on behind the scenes as we (Brothers of Industry, and me, the mother of the brothers....) get ready for a major show like this one, the Farm Chicks or Remnants of the Past...

because we create a good deal of what we bring to each and every one of these shows, we spend quite a bit of time in our workshop...coming up with ideas, doing some "what if we tried this...? scenarios....and mostly a lot of good old fashioned hard work....for the last few weeks, my sons have outdone themselves in creating some fabulous new tables...(did you know, by the way, that one of their tables was featured on Secrets of a Stylist on HGTV?  they made a table out of a bowling alley lane...so cool!)  Anywho....they made two tables out of bowling alley lanes...one would be an awesome kitchen island...hmmmm....could I knock out my own island, and put this one in instead?  I'm thinking!!!!!  and they also made an amazing table from reclaimed beechwood from an old Alabama distillery with a really amazing metal base....i will have to have a photo....can not describe it as well as a picture, but unfortunately, it is now packed away (in a very full trailer) and heading up to Spokane...for my part, I was busy with designs, putting the final touches on some soft goods...purses, pillows, aprons and more....plus drawing out the layout for this show....and packing up box after box of smalls (ironstone, glass,toys,and all sorts of curious bits of fancy) to make our little spot special (I do hope!)

All this on the heels, and I do mean, the day after our last big show...did I mention that this is one very crazy busy life we are all in?   I do have to say though, we are trying very hard (it is not easy when the stresses of this busy ness get to us all)  as a family to make time for family time, (we have had some really nice times out in the garden, barbequeing and snacking on some delicious meals), and my husband and I did get away for 3 days... just to be together...so important to make sure to put those things first....cause without those relationships....what is this business worth anyway?  

So....here we go....my sons are on the road...(and I am praying for travel mercies...hear the weather may be bringing snow...in June! sigh) and my husband and I fly out tomorrow...and then set up...meet some new wonderful folk and see some dear old friends...and then two days of FARM CHICKS.....YAY!   please come by to see us if you are going....say hello and let me know you follow us at our little blogs!!!

In the meantime, I am hooking up with white wednesdays, and vintage fridays...(on Friday!)

may your week be a blessing, and may you be a blessing to those around you,

cheers,

kate

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO ALL OF YOU!

Tomorrow is Mother's Day...and though I have always believed that we honour the ones we love in each day's actions and in each thought and prayer for them...May I just take this moment to say...I am blessed with both a mother and mother in law, who have been true inspirations to me as I have raised my own family...their character, their quiet strength...their love for their family...as I say, I am blessed!
my mom has been "in my corner", my supporter, encourager, cheerleader, and true friend all my days...she has loved me, stood with me through so much and simply, I love her...and when I married my sweet husband, I gained in my mother in law, a kind, caring second mom...how lucky can you be?

To all of you, mothers, children, and friends...

• Making a decision to have a child-it's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. - Elizabeth Stone
• Anyone who doesn't miss the past never had a mother. - Gregory Nunn
• A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie. - Tenneva Jordan
• The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness. - Honore de Balzac

Happy Mother's Day! with much love to you all,
Kate

Springtime Remnants of the Past...now past...

Though I will be posting more of my thoughts...and photos... of the Remnants show...I (along with my sons, the brothers of Brothers of Industry!) would like to send our deeply felt gratitude to Judy Watkins...hostess, organizer, dreamer of dreams, and fearless leader...for undertaking this enormously daunting task...we as dealers face the "normal" challenges of setting up our treasures in many unusual places...at odd hours of the days...in all kinds of weather...with hopes that people will see our things and love them like we do (and hopefully buy some of them!)...Judy, and her sweet friend Judi Powers (owner of the lovely property we are so fortunate to have been able to use) go above and beyond the scope of those challenges to take on this whole huge undertaking that is Remnants...bless you, both of you, and keep on dreaming and doing...you are truly inspirational....!!!!

Back in a few days to posting, (after I catch my breath a bit!) but in the meantime...here are a few photos...one of the barn the night before the show...in the calm peaceful quiet of the evening...and one, a little vignette of my space (the beautiful workbench has an amazing patina...sort of a greeny grey over a warm weathered wood)  I used antique Weck Jars ( canning jars originally from Holland) for display pieces mixed with beautiful ironstone compotes....enjoy...

And to all of you...a grateful thanks for coming...chatting with me, and taking home a few treasures...it was such a great show! and you made it so!
fondly,
Kate!

(and I am linking to White Wednesday...a little late, but thanks for stopping by!) and I am just adding Vintage Fridays to my blog as well...glad to have found you!

and here we go!

First of all, let me share that this weekend....YAY!!!....is the Spring time Remnants of the Past show in Nipomo!  We have been so excited about this upcoming show...it is my very favourite among many favs...Judy Watkins organizes this show twice a year, and the dealers who come and share their treasures are my favourite dealers as well...I have often bought from almost every single one at one time or another!  If you can...take a moment to follow Judy's blog over the last few weeks and you will see what I mean!   Oh SO MANY wonderful things...I am almost hyperventilating as I write, and I know I have been up the last few nights...both thinking about my space there...(I am inside the barn just as you come in....) and also thinking about how I can make enough time to get around and see everyone before the show is over...it just gets so busy and goes by SO fast!   Be sure, if you are coming up, to get there early!  Judy has added some new dealers so there is even more to see, enjoy and take home for your very own!  I want to share one of my favourite things from last show that I brought home....that wonderful linen settee!  Sigh...Doesn"t this space look inviting?  these things are from my friends Sidney and Sandy...and they are right next to me in the barn...

And I am adding this to white wednesdays....

I also wanted to mention that the last few weeks have been a bit of a journey for me (not my normal crazy busy self getting ready for Remnants...instead I have been visiting doctor's offices and small surgeries and all, just for a little something noticed while having my eyes checked for new glasses...and I have a grateful heart for the hands, eyes and efforts of all those involved in this little process (especially my good husband, in whom I am truly blessed), and a thankful heart to God for having His hand in this whole thing...timing, results, people, care, and more...
all this to say...Do NOT let "little things" go...thinking, I will take care of this later, when I have more time (and when does that ever happen?)  be "care-ful" of others and yourself...be proactive...and along with these things, DO things to help take care of yourselves...excercise, REST (oh yes! this is important!) RE CREATE...all the best to you all,
kate