Here are some of the recent finds that are coming with me to the Lucketts Antique Market... ...horse show ribbons from 1957 & 1960... ...this petite paper cutter (it's about 6" square)... ..this apparently came out of an old … [Read more...]
Shopping & Grain Sacks
April 24, 2012
I've been working on some rewrites for my book for the past week, but I've also turned my attention to getting ready for the Lucketts Antique Market. That means lots of shopping. I'm always afraid I won't find enough. Given that I sold almost everything on the first day last year, I am even more stressed about it this year. I want to have a lot of great stuff and I want to keep the prices … [Read more...]
Milk Paint Dresser
April 21, 2012
For those of you who have missed my furniture before & afters - this post is for you! Today I'm sharing a classic Miss Mustard Seed dresser makeover. I bought this dresser off of Craig's List a couple of weeks ago. It looks like it's natural wood, but it's actually painted brown. It did have the original hardware, though and it's solid as a … [Read more...]
Latest Ironstone Finds
April 18, 2012
I don't try to hide the fact at all that I love ironstone. I spotted it about 12 years ago in a magazine and the love has remained constant. I've waffled on crazy quilts, baby dresses, milk glass and silver plate, but I have never waffled on ironstone. My collection has grown to the point that I have to pick and choose what I want to keep and what I want to sell. When I find a new piece I … [Read more...]
restocking my room
April 11, 2012
My *plans* have been derailed so often lately that I'm hesitant to use the word. I'm afraid my spleen will burst or we'll have an epic snow storm in April or maybe lose power for two days. Who knows. I am just using the word *plans* generally. So, when I planned to go to Lucketts this Thursday, I wasn't going to hold my breath. Tomorrow is Thursday and the plans are looking good. (I'm wincing … [Read more...]
pretty little dresses
March 26, 2012
I go through different phases when it comes to shopping antiques. There are periods when I am digging through every linen rack and pile in sight and other times when I'm scouring shelves for silver. In one of those phases, just about any antique baby item caught my eye. That phase was in my pre-baby years and that probably had something to do with it... I was drawn to little … [Read more...]
the doctor’s bag
March 12, 2012
When I was shopping at the flea market in Raleigh, NC last Thanksgiving, I purchased this very old alligator doctor's bag for $20. It was an unusual purchase for me. It's not very practical, it doesn't serve a purpose. It's not something I'll use in a bunch of photo shoots. But I knew it was something I wanted for me. Something I would keep and enjoy (at least for a little … [Read more...]
Topflappen?
March 1, 2012
As I was shopping last week for props for my photo shoots, I found this awesome German enamel wall pocket. It's labeled to use for "oven cloths" but I thought it would make a nice holder for chalk and a cloth (eraser) for the new chalk board wall in my kitchen. I'm quite smitten with it. I just love it when you find the perfect thing you didn't even know you were looking … [Read more...]
teal china
February 28, 2012
I received tons of comments and compliments on my teal china, so I thought I would share a bit more about it. A few years ago, my mom and I went to Virginia to clean out my Opa's attic after he died. I had been treasure hunting in his attic for years (with permission, of course) and found all sorts of cool things that no one else in the family was interested in. The attic was filled with … [Read more...]
How to Clean Ironstone & Houzz
February 22, 2012
I often show off my ironstone collection and when I do, I almost always receive questions about how to remove stains. I've never actually whitened my ironstone, because I love when a piece shows its age. I understand that some people want their ironstone bright white or might want to remove a stain if it is unsightly. So, I got some advice from Kim of Truffle Pig Treasures (she's an avid … [Read more...]
the peanut scale
February 4, 2012
I don't believe I ever properly showed off this peanut scale I purchased in the fall from one of my "pickers." As soon as I saw the picture of it, I knew it would be mine. Oh yes, it would be mine. I have no idea why I have a soft spot in my heart for scales, but I do. … [Read more...]
I Love Ironstone
February 1, 2012
From the moment I spotted a hutch full of white Ironstone in a magazine, I knew that's what I wanted to collect and I have hunted it down for the past ten years. I don't look for the high end stuff, though. I look for the bargains. Pieces that are chipped, crazed, stained, missing tops, missing bottoms...whatever. I don't mind. Of course, if a fabulous piece falls in my lap, I don't … [Read more...]
just my type
January 30, 2012
Excuse the pun. Those who "know" me, know that I have a soft spot for typewriters. I usually go for the really old Underwoods and Coronas, but while I was at the furniture shop last week, this little guy caught my eye. The color is so pretty, isn't it? I haven't restocked my space at Lucketts since Christmas (Thanks Karen!), so I'm starting to make a pile … [Read more...]
back in the saddle
January 29, 2012
I went out last week to a used furniture store and, much like a kid in a candy shop, I didn't leave empty handed. Here's my favorite find... ...and a sneak peek at another one... They both need some work, but I think I can manage. I'm back in the saddle again. … [Read more...]
an update & acquisitions
December 3, 2011
I finally read through all of the comments from the announcement post about my upcoming book. Wow...thanks so much. Getting started is a little overwhelming and all of that encouragement gave me a huge boost. I had my first photo shoot for the book yesterday and it was also encouraging to me. As I started staging and snapping photos, I knew it would all come together and ideas and … [Read more...]
{the coverlet}
November 22, 2011
I received so many questions about the coverlet on my guest bed that I thought I would write a post about it. This spread is very special to me, because my great-grandmother made it by hand for my grandparents. It was on this bed (which belonged to another great-grandmother) in my grandparents house for years. I remember picking at the detail of the "flowers" when I was a child … [Read more...]
another keeper
October 24, 2011
Thanks so much for all of the feedback on my horse. I've decided I'm going to keep him. You're all a bad influence. You know that? Or maybe a good influence. I know I'm going to be glad I kept him. Maybe we'll have a "name that horse" contest to win ornaments from my Christmas line or something like that. While shopping on Friday, I found something else I knew I was going to … [Read more...]
if wishes were horses…
October 22, 2011
You know those things that you see in magazines and spot in antique stores and pine after and always keep in the back of your mind? Well, one of those things for me has been an antique rocking horse. I've seen a few in magazine homes, perched on an elegant buffet or the top of a French armoire. A child's toy turned art. I've had my eye on one in an … [Read more...]
fan fetish
October 15, 2011
I admit. I have a thing for fans. Maybe you've noticed. … [Read more...]
busy busy
October 11, 2011
I'm in a tight spot again. It's that time of year. Last year at this time, I thought, "I need to remember this and gear up early next year." But that's easier said than done and here I am. Mini Mustard Seed and I are glittering and gluing just about every spare minute. Today we turned our attention to shopping. I need stuff to fill my entire room at Lucketts to … [Read more...]
fun finds
September 26, 2011
I did some shopping last week and found some very cool things to sell (and some to keep.) The second I spotted this sign I knew it was mine. Oh yes, it would be mine...well, unless it was outrageous, but it wasn't. This one's a keeper. I have the perfect place, so it's within my guidelines to keep it. Another keeper is this ironstone sugar jar. It was only … [Read more...]
Miss Mustard Seed’s Wuslu Pick of the Month & a Giveaway
September 2, 2011
One thing I have thoroughly enjoyed about blogging is meeting amazing, resourceful and creative women who have started their own businesses. I have met some all-around awesome entrepreneurs. One that I had the pleasure of meeting last week was Yasmin (and her sister, Nadia) of Wuslu. We met for dinner in Frederick, MD and I was fascinated to learn their story. I'm … [Read more...]
a business purchase
August 30, 2011
There are times when I see something that is fabulous and I really want it. Now that I have a blog and antiques business, I have a reason to buy some of those "must haves." Perpetual calendars have been on my radar for a while, but I never felt a burning desire for one until I spotted one on The Savoy Flea. It was all over after that. One must be mine. I needed … [Read more...]
latest finds
July 31, 2011
I set out Friday afternoon to hit one of my favorite antique shops and I was not disappointed. I found...A small storage caddy that was handmade out of vintage cheese boxes. How resourceful is that? And I love the grass green color. ...a tool caddy. Again, I love the color of the chippy, worn paint. ...an antique sheet music book....and some antique … [Read more...]
Wuslu Bamboo Mat Giveaway
July 27, 2011
I tell you...things could not have worked out more perfectly. I posted about my bamboo mat last night and received an e-mail this morning from one of my sponsors, Wuslu, notifying me that MY bamboo mat is the deal of the day TODAY!! (July 27) I swear this wasn't planned. You can buy it today only, while supplies last, for the great price of $134 plus $5 shipping. It gets … [Read more...]
