LIFE AT THE COTTAGE

Friday, April 30, 2010

Give Me Liberty



As you know, the Yankee and I have been busily participating in antiques and collectibles shows around North Carolina. 

It has been rather interesting to note how each show has had its own distinct personality–created by the type of goods being sold and the particular venue of the show.


The first thing you'll notice about the show we attended last weekend, in Liberty, NC–beyond the wonderful pastoral setting–is the sea of tents dotting the landscape.


With over  375 dealers from 20 different states packing this 100 acre farm, there was no shortage of wonderful antiques and collectibles to choose from.


Walter had a booth full of fun conversation pieces.  Isn't this old seesaw the cutest thing?!


George–set up directly across from me–tempted me throughout the show with some of the most incredible antiques...like this wonderful little aqua chest.

It called to me for days.  I had to put my fingers in my ears just to silence its cries!  ; )


Carolyn made an offer to me on this old pie safe–from the NC Biltmore House–that I couldn't refuse.  Well, almost couldn't refuse.  Sorry, Carolyn.


When I saw this booth, I instantly thought of Cline's Antiques.  I didn't get a chance to talk to this vendor to find out where she buys for shows, but I suspect Cline's might be on her list.  What do you think?


If refined antiques is more your style, there were plenty of those as well.


This aqua canoe–in the front of this booth–was such a touch of whimsy, considering how polished everything else was.


Country farmhouse antiques and collectibles were the biggest sellers at this show.


The piece pictured below was from my booth.


I could have sold this piece at least thirty times the first day of the show.  Of course, I only had one of them to sell!

Well, the Yankee is pacing the floor waiting for me, because we need to leave for the next show.  So, stay tuned; I'll show you more terrific treasures when I return.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Worth the Wait


Framed Vintage Button Art
By now, I know you must think me to be a terrible, teasing tormentor. 

I'm not...really!!!

Vintage Half Doll / Vintage Millinery / Vintage Bead Strands
While I did want to create a little suspense, I had no intention of stretching things out this far. 

I promise!!!

Silver Plate Tea Tin / Gerity Silver Plate Serving Set
I have a really good explanation for why it has taken so long for me to get the giveaway goods posted. 

 Honest...I do!!!

Vintage Shell Pink Butterfly Dish / Lovely Linen Piece
As you  know, the Yankee and I have been traveling—for weeks now—doing antiques and collectibles shows.

Vintage Molds / Rusty Iron Piece / A Brambleberry Cottage Beaded-Board Box
Between shows, we are scouting out new items to sell—or at least, the components to create new items—from some of our favorite spots. 

You know the places I'm referring to.  

I've shared them before:  Cline's, Lexington Flea Market, and even the locations where we've done shows—like The Big Classic, as well as, several others I will be posting about later.

Mini Vintage Whisk Broom
After each show, we have to pack up any items we've not sold, load them on the truck, and take them back to be stored until the next show.

1920s Sheet Music
But, the venue of a show dictates which items we are able to take with us each time. 

And, not every category of item can be sold at every show.

T.J. Maxx Metal Heart
So, after each show, we attempt to repack any leftover items with the next show in mind.

1930s Teacher Magazines
When I decided to do this giveaway—to celebrate my birthday with you—I began to set aside specific items from our various excursions to include in the giveaway.

Vintage Skeleton Keys / 1980s Necklace Beads / Old Stock, New Cigar Labels
After packing up the goods from a handful of shows—some of which involved a harried, hurried packing to beat the rain—many of the giveaway items got mixed up with the show items.

Vintage Valentine Cards
My original intent was to tease you just until Saturday night or Sunday morning—when I returned home from this last show.

I promise; It was meant to tease, not torture!

Vintage Valentine Envelope / Vintage Easter Postcard
You can imagine my panic when I arrived home Saturday evening and couldn't locate half of the items I was including in the giveaway!

Vintage Jewelry Pieces
I have spent the past few days, unloading the truck and pouring through boxes of packed goods, desperately seeking the treasures I bought—with you in mind.

A Pair of Vintage Glass Knobs

I am delighted to say...
they're all accounted for! 

Whew!!! 

Take a  look just below each image, and you'll see—in smaller print—the goodies the winner of this special giveaway will receive.

Now tell me.  Was it worth the wait?

Am I forgiven?  ; )


I'm sharing all these wonderful vintage treasures at Diane's for 2nd Time Around Tuesday,

at Suzanne's for Vintage Thingie Thursday,  
and at Leigh's for Thrifty Thursday.

And there's plenty of red, so I'll also share at Rednesday.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

An Earth Day Birthday Giveaway!!!


I'm sure most of you are aware that today is Earth Day.  But, did you know that it happens to be the fortieth anniversary of that environmental movement?  

That's right!  Forty years ago, today, U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson proposed a nationwide protest to heighten awareness of and appreciation for the earth's environment.  Over the past forty years that movement has gained such momentum that it is now observed in 184 countries around the world.

 But, April 22nd also happens to be a day of celebration for another reason...

It's my birthday!  ; )  


And...I have an awesome idea for how you can help me celebrate.  Rather than you give me presents, I'll give presents to you!  Sound exciting?

This will be another very special giveaway at the Brambleberry Cottage. 

I wasn't sure I could come up with the ideas for forty different presents–to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of Earth Day.  And, if I couldn't think of forty, I certainly couldn't think of 53–my age, as of today.

So...will 22 do?

But, instead of twenty-two different winners, there will be ONE VERY HAPPY WINNER!

I'm involved in yet another show–which I left for today–so you'll have to wait patiently to see the glorious goods for this giveaway. 

But, I will tell you this...

they involve some of the items I've shared with you in the past several posts–items from Cline's, the Big Classic Antique Show, and the Lexington Flea Market .  Does that pique your interest?

Good!

Here's the scoop:

  • Leave a comment on this post for one chance to enter the giveaway.

  • Grab the button for this event from my sidebar and place it on your sidebar (close to the top would be appreciated)–to invite others to participate–and you will get an additional entry.

  • Leave a comment on any of my additional posts, between April 22nd-May 22nd, and you will receive an entry for each comment left on those additional posts.

  • Join as a new follower, and you will receive two additional entries (Already a follower? You'll be given one additional entry).

  • Publish a post, on your own blog, about this giveaway, and you will receive three additional entries...each time you post about the giveaway during the month-long event.
The winner will be announced on May 23rd.

And, although I know the suspense is just about to get the best of you, you'll have to wait a day or so to see just what I have in store for this celebration giveaway. 

You'll love it...really!  ; )

EDIT:  For those just now entering the giveaway, click here to see the goodies in the giveaway.


Wednesday, April 21, 2010

A Thrifty Fifty



I've been somewhat AWOL from blogging these past two months...but with good cause.


Ten years ago, the Yankee and I laid down the mantle of an antiques and collectibles business to devote our time and attention completely to our children. 

Well, we've decided to pick that mantle back up and take our show on the road.

For the weeks that you've not heard much from me, I've been traveling around NC, with my Yankee sweetheart, reestablishing the business. 

And when he and I are not actually in the midst of a show, we're busily buying, repairing, refinishing, creating, and preparing for those shows–often from sunup to sundown. 

Those of you in this business, or one of a similar nature, understand how time consuming such an endeavor is.

I've been taking lots of pictures to share our travels–and our projects–with you, like the ones I took at the Charlotte Metrolina for the Big Classic Show

But taking pictures is one thing, while preparing them, and the text, for a post is quite another.

Rather than go back two months, I thought I would start with our most recent activities and sprinkle the others in, here and there, over the next week or so.


Revisiting our old haunts–like Cline's Antiques and Collectibles–in search of treasures to sell (or keep, when they're just to terrific to give up), has been loads of fun. 

Want to see another of our favorite hunting grounds? 

Well, actually, you've already been looking at pics from part of it. 

The gorgeous shrubs and plants shown above are just some of the fabulous finds at the Lexington Flea Market.


I thought I would show you the pretty part of this market first, 'cause the rest ain't so pretty!


Only dumpster-diving, thrift-store-plundering, yard-sale-seeking individuals need attend. 

I think the online blurb describes this place the best:

"Davidson Farmers Livestock & Flea Market. Old Highway 64. Market open all day Tuesday and half day Wednesday. Ample parking. Used merchandise, garage sale items, treasures & trash, farm items, lots of tack, new merchandise, pre-packaged food, clothing, house wares, produce, livestock, pets. Food available, restrooms. Lots of walking."

The highlighted items are what we seek out, but, more often than not, we have to dig through tons of the other items listed, in order to find them. 

But hey...what's a little digging around in the dirt to unearth treasure?  Am I right?!  ; )


There are no fancy-schmancy store fronts here. 

People sell from the shanty-like buildings you see in the images above, and from under tents, beneath the trees and from cars, trucks, vans...and even horse trailers.


Sometimes the best goods are still waiting to be unloaded. 

I'm not the least bit bashful.  So, often, I'll ask if I can poke around in the back of the truck.  Most folks are good-natured about it and let me look. 

After all, they're there to sell.


As I was walking down this particular aisle, something caught my eye, and I knew I would have to go in for a closer look. 

Nope, not the white shelf–although it was cute enough.


And, it was definitely not all this brown, brown, brown furniture!

Look further beyond...to that glorious ocean of blue. 

I'm not a milk glass collector, per se, though I do have a few pieces around the cottage.  But that blue was just the most fabulous shade!  And, yep...I found a treasure there! 


Yet another way that the Yankee and I differ is in our methods of "picking" in an environment like this. 

So, we usually just kiss goodbye at the gate and go our separate ways–only to meet up later with our finds.

If we were pieces of equipment, I'd have to say he's a scanner and I'm a microscope. 

While he's out doing a quick sweep for the bigger pieces, I'm down on the ground scrounging through boxes, buckets, crates, etc. looking for those smaller treasures.


For instance, I spied these soda crates and plastic containers–spilling over with the most wonderful vintage, chippy, rusty, crusty hardware–down on the ground behind loads of larger pieces.


A quick scan would not have unearthed these beauties!


Sometimes the treasure at this market is in plain view–as was the case with all this beautiful jewelry.


Though some of it was displayed in such a way as to accommodate a brief look...


much of it required a bit more plundering than I had time for on this visit.


So, what did my little treasure hunt produce, you're asking?


Three old farm implements–$8.00,


and an awesome assortment of vintage glass, plus two wonderful old pieces of millinery–to be used in future projects that I'll show you later–$8.50.


By the way, remember that ocean of blue I was so crazy over?  I scored this little guy for three bucks–because he had flown the coop...leaving his nest the vendor knew not where. 

I have such special plans for this beautiul blue birdie.  ; )



I also uncovered this quaint cache of country charm–shown in the two photos above–from various spots around the market–$10.00.


This lovely little vintage lamp and shade doesn't offer much to coo about– in her present state...


but I have an idea that will bring out her inner beauty–$3.00.

Without a doubt, these next two finds were the ones I was most delighted to discover.


This incredible vintage cart with its wonderful old time-worn wooden handle and wheels–$10.00.


Even with its imperfections, I think it's just the greatest.

And check this out!


The vendor told me that this is most likely a rack for hanging small game on.

Note the sharp pointy hooks.



OK, so that feature will have to be corrected before it can be used as a coat / hat rack, but it was the unbelieveable patina of this piece that sold me, anyway.


And the price for this awesomely aged aquisition–$10.00.

Grand total for my fabulous flea market finds...$49.50. 

Yes, I know that's not exactly $50.00.  But, what can you buy for fifty cents?

The truth is, at the Lexington Flea Market, fifty cents can buy a treasure–or two–if you've got the time to dig them out.


Now, I'm going to show off all my wonderful vintage thingies at