On Thursday, my mother-in-law and I snuck away for an amazing lunch and a trip to Lucketts to restock my space. If you’re ever in Gettysburg, PA, you must go to Herr Tavern and savor a bowl of their cream of crab with corn soup. Oh my. Velvet in a bowl. Heaven in a bowl. The very best shopping day ever in a bowl. And crab. AND cream.
Here’s where I ate some humble pie. I received lots of e-mail, comments and even a phone call letting me know that an iron and damp towel would’ve made my life (and the top) a lot better. This is evidence that there is always more to learn in my craft. Thanks so much, ladies, for graciously sharing YOUR tips with ME.
Here’s how my room shaped up. Like I said, I was in a big rush and I had to work around two big pieces that sold (the table and the curio.) They were my prime display pieces, so I needed to clear them off and have them accessible. I really need to take a long day and fill holes, repaint and take some good time to work on my space.
Now for the venison. Yes. I bought a deer head at a yard sale. You have to remember I live in PA where hunting is a way of life, so finding a deer head at a yard sale isn’t that crazy. Despite that fact, I felt a little crazy carrying it to the van and then up the stairs at Lucketts and hanging it on the wall in my space.
44 Responses
Hi:
I had to comment on your find. I agree that people kill the deers for fun, but I see them all the time in a family in my back yard, they are so beautiful, that it saddened me to see your picture. Perhaps you could find something else to hang in your wall, it really made me cry,
martha
Love what you find. Love what you put in Luckett's – keeps you VERY busy. Love your blog. Nice Mother-in-law.
– Joy
I love the deer head! It definitely adds character to your room– not that it did not already have great character. 🙂
Good for you for hanging the deer on your wall as art! Many people also eat them and it is not "for fun". Ever enjoy a slice of ham or a steak? The poor cattle and hogs don't get displayed as art.
Love your space by the way. Wish I was closer to come shop.
I love everything about this post…what a great shopping day…LOVE Charlie! 🙂
I'm so happy there is another solution for removing veneer. You were working way too hard on that dresser
"Poor Charlie" is right! I think I'd prefer to look at just the antlers. Those beautiful eyes looking at me would make me feel terrible!
Speaking of a damp towel and iron, I once tried to remove candle wax using a towel and iron. I put a lovely iron mark permanently on the tabletop! It helps to know what you're doing!
Happy shopping!
Wow, your room looks great! Did you use milk paint or AS on the dresser with the formerly gouged top?
My husband is from a small town in Southeastern Ohio, where hunting is something you're around from the time you can walk. I didn't grow up this way, but by way of my hubby and in-laws, I have been schooled in gun safety, and while I still don't understand the fun of hunting as a sport, there is another aspect some of us tend to forget. Not only can a well-regulated and short hunting season help with population control, but it can also feed a lot of people. My mother-in-law has a deep-freezer in her basement, fully stocked with deer meat. They, and many other hunters, make a point to donate whatever meat they know they cannot eat to food banks and neighbors. Venison-burgers are also fantastic!
And the deer mount in our basement is named Henry 🙂 Your store space is beautiful!
Lord, you're one busy girl! I think you need to just take some time for you. Busy business woman, busy wife, busy mom. Yep, you need some "me" time.
Brenda
I had a similar "gouging" experience with a veneer top…I left it out in the rain and-pop! Just like that, the top came off. I wouldn't recommend it, the towel and iron sound like a better idea, but as a "happy" accident it was great:)
Thanks for mentioning the giveaway…
Jackie
Bliss Farm Antiques
LOL…..my husband happened to walking by as I was reading and he spied the deer mount. He is an avid hunter and he quickly said, "hey scroll back I wanna look at the deer" to which I obliged. When I began to scroll away from the deer he said, "oh here I thought you were looking for a present for me". HA he knows my stand on critters on the wall. Nice try buddy.
But I thank you anyway at least now I can use the deer as a lore to get him to Lucketts! (BTW he says nice 8 pointer)
I think Charlie is a girl and needs some pearls and a nice little feather adorned hat a la Rachel Ashwell style. 😉
Seriously, she has one like it at her B&B; in Round Top and it is super fun!
I love the way the dresser turned out!
You're so good!
xoxo
I think your dresser looks beautiful. I'm so glad it sold already. I'd say hustling to keep your space filled is a high class problem LOL. Oh and that soup sounds divine.
Hi Marion:
I apologize for my comment, but I forgot to tell you that in my family we don't eat meat, so it really was rough to think of the meals people enjoy from the animals. I think your shop is gorgeous, and your work outstanding, I wish I could paint a little bit like you, but you have God's gift for the art of painting furniture. Again, the eyes of the deer left me in tears. I live in a small ocean side town with lots of acres and trees. We have a lot of deer, turtles, turkeys, and all kind of creatures even when I leave my driveway, sometimes they are in the middle of the road, they are so beautiful that I thank God for them. I am against hunting, and arms, just the way we believe. Sorry, but I didn't think that anybody would put this creature in their homes. It really doesn't go with antiques, just my taste.
God bless you in your church work, and in your business, I'm sorry again,
martha
UGH! I'm so sad not to see more pictures of how you managed that dresser! 🙂 I'd been checking back hoping for more on it! I'm glad it sold for you though!
Hi Marian!
Charlie looks great above your newly revised dresser. I am loving it all.
Wish I could shop there.
Will have to figure out where Luckett's is since I am from PA and my entire family is still there.
🙂
Great pics.
xx
A
Love the dresser and no surprise it's already sold!
Heather
The dresser really came out nice..And it's sold..That's great news..Can't wait to see what ya find next..
Janet
love that dresser….would love to learn how you distressed it!! It looks more aged then distressed..was it just a brown wax that got the look around the edges…?
thanks danyelle
Oh that soup looks and sounds so delicious!! Yummy!!
And your space a Luckette's looks fabulous!
Congrats on all your sales! That is super!
Hugs
SueAnn
PS I am not sure about Charlie…makes me feel so sad!!! But it does work in your space so…..
!!!!
Hi Marion,
It looks like you have a busy buy fun-filled day! You are so lucky to have such good traffic in your shop space. I am still working on my first piece to resell (thanks to you and your blog!). Hopefully I will have it finished by next Friday and get to show it off on the weekly linkup party.
I had to laugh about the deer head….my husband's name is CHARLIE ~ LOL!!
XoXO,
Kristal
hi marion
There is a great antique fair the sat of labor day weekend in arden delaware…well worth a trip for you……i find inexpensive furniture and great stuff for resale…just google arden antique fair and im sure there is directions for you..over 75 dealers..then another field with crafters and food and fun for kids..its free….I know i have at least 10 pieces of furniture cheap and im sure there will be much more…hope you consider it…would be fun for your whole family….
kim
That soup does look good – and I don't even like fishy things!!
I love Charlie, am wondering if I could get away with one in a 1970's English semi-detached house?!!
S x
Can you explain how the iron and towel would have helped with the top?
I love the dresser! Looks gorgeous! And I have a couple deer heads adorning my walls. Had to get used to it but, I love an avid hunter 😉
Hahaha! I absolutely love Charlie! He needs a bow tie! Great name for him Aunt Linda!
Poor Charlie is very handsome. I'm sure someone will give him a good home. I'd love try the cream of crab soup. Sounds divine.
Babs
Humble pie sure is delicious. Maybe that's why I need to lose weight. hehe! I love that your space at Lucketts sort of reminds me of a room in your home. Very pretty and has your signature all over it. The dresser is gorgeous.
xo,
Jami
I take that back. The stromboli that I just ordered for lunch is why. No metaphors in a slice of that. 😉
I love Charlie! Is he for sale at Luckett's? Or must he be your's for a time??? I do need some advice if you have the time. I have a set of 3 antlers that I acquired. All 3 are mounted on a board. I would like to change their appearance, maybe. I have seen these antelope and small deer antlers in home decor blogs but cannot remember where. I plan to look thru your past blog posts for ideas. I could send photos if needed. HELP!!
Lovely work on the dresser! ASCP? Which colors did you use? I love the brush strokes in the piece. A step by step of the veneer removal with a damp towel and iron would benefit a few of us I'm sure! Put it on your list of blog ideas 🙂
OMG that soup looks good! I love that dresser, you must have had a hard time with the top! I think I'm just going to have to come down there and shop at Lucketts!
Have a great week!
Sherry
Within the last year or so, someone on our street had a dear head stuck in the trash. I was amazed (!), but didn't know what in the world I would do with it, so didn't pick it up. In FL it is a bit crazy :).
Omg, that dresser is insane it's so awesome. And Charlie is beautiful…
Cindy
Love the finished dresser – hope you will share the towel/iron technique. I have to post as "anonymous" as I don't have a "blogger" account.
Jean from Wisconsin
Sounds as if your business is doing great! Good for you. Keep it up!
Marian,
Yummy, I think that soup looks amazing.
Your booth is so inviting and clearly, your artistic flair with refinishing is so appreciated by the lucky shoppers.
I was born and raised in California and I love antlers and deer and some taxidermy…I know it's controversial among some (as a nature/animal lover, I get it) but I do love the look. I hope Charlie goes to an appreciative home.
Karen
Oh, the crab soup at Herr Tavern is SO GOOD. I drooled a little bit on my keyboard when I read/saw that up there. Mmmmm. Oh, what, huh, what were you saying?
I love your deer on the wall he is just lovely like all of your other items. I want to say that as a child the food on my families table was hunted, grown and fished. The beauty of these animals were preserved by many people who appreciated and needed the food that came from their demise. I have very fond memories from the animals that fed our families and their beauty should live on.
I was thinking about you today, while I was painting a ceiling for my client. This may have been said before, but I doubt it gets said enough. You deserve an immense amount of kudos for having the courage to put yourself out there publicly, and on a regular basis. You show your techniques, trials and errors, with the possibility of feedback telling you what you did wrong. Many people don't even have enough courage to pick a paint color, let alone show real honesty about themselves in a place as vast as the world wide web. So cheers to you Marian. Your Grace and Moxie are noticed and appreciated. I just wanted you to know that…….
Do you just want to come decorate my house for me?! It would be greatly appreciated;) I love love love ALL your work. Wish I had a quarter of the talent you do!
I really like the rug in the room. Did you stencil it or purchase it that way?