Will they come?

Having a place to sell one's wares is a lot of fun.  For me it brings back memories of 'playing shop' as a child where I would save empty packages, tins, and bags, line them up on a piece of furniture and 'sell' to my mum or my next door neighbor girl friend.  I guess that's how I learned to make change.  I also loved wrapping items - especially tying pretty bows, and was often named 'best gift wrapper' in the family.

Now I'm playing shop again, selling alongside my booth partner Vanessa.  We started out small last weekend, displaying treasures we've been saving for a while.  We've hunted and gathered together over the past two plus years, having more fun in often grungy thrift and antiques shops than ever possible in a shiny mall.

Above, Vanessa's awesome handmade pillows from grain sacks and lovely fabrics, and the ugly yellow chair she painted French grey and slip covered in soft burlap ~ I'm tempted to take this one home myself!

Oh yes, we love the awesome style of Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn and Ballard Designs, but their offerings are very expensive for many of us with a limited decorating budget.  Instead, formerly loved and owned, old and tattered, chipped and scraped, even almost new and perfect treasures can be a lot of fun and bring the look you want for your home without the huge price tags dangling before your shocked eyes at the mall!

We will also be bringing pretty jewels to our little shop ~ nothing precious, just lovely things to wrap around your wrist or neck, slip on your finger.

Vanessa's quilted coasters and rose strew burlap table runner ~ I love these alongside a mix of old silverware ~ getting that modern farmhouse feeling, so lovely to live with.

When I popped into SuzAnna's Antiques on Sunday afternoon I found Bruce back in our booth repairing a cracked window pane ~ love how the light shines in on our treasures.  Bruce and Susie had also spent much of their afternoon adding another wall made from fabulous vintage painted doors, and topped with a shelf, on the other side of our booth, giving us more display options.  They are just marvelous people who love helping their dealers get the most from their space.

Later this week I'll have more pics to show.  My huge painting project at the cottage is done at last - I waved a happy au revoir to the men in white and what looked like fifty ladders yesterday, thank goodness!  This morning DH and I will be putting our outside areas back together, but come tomorrow, Vanessa and I will be shopping so you just know we'll have lots more to add to our booth!