Well, I am having a grand time hitting some of my old favorite antique stores and some new-to-me ones as well. I haven’t had a chance to photograph everything and, besides, it’s a little hard to do photoshoots that look and feel like “me” when I’m not in my own house. But, I wanted to share a few things I found…
I headed up to Carlisle, PA last week to visit a couple of my favorite antique stores – Bedford Street Antiques and Stonehouse Road Antiques. They were two of my favorites five years ago and they will remain securely on that list.
This is just a cool old building across the street in Carlisle.
This store is always packed with goodies and has a pretty nice turnover. Some booths look the same year after year, but there are others that are very dynamic. I had to laugh when I saw my antique buddy Paul’s “ironstone room.”
You see, this is what happens when I’m not around. The ironstone just piles up on shelves in my favorite stores.
I only bought a few pieces because I’m not sure what I’ll *need*, yet. My ironstone sales before the move are a bit of a blur. I know I still have plenty, though, but I might have a hole here and there that I’ll want to fill. Both Bedford Street and Stonehouse Road have tons of ironstone and it’s fairly priced.
From one of Paul’s booths, I bought a huge collection of mini Sir Walter Scott books published by Scribners in the 1890s. I haven’t counted them, but there are at least over 50. I love little leather books, so I couldn’t pass them up.
The books have these beautiful blue leather covers…
…and a fragile ribbon bookmark in each book.
I also bought the Stiffel lamps at Bedford and a few other things at Bedford and a lidded, woven basket, the umbrellas, and a few other things from Stonehouse Road. I will definitely be visiting each of those stores again.
Barbara from Stonehouse Road suggested I visit Ivy Hall Antiques in Abbottstown, PA. It is a beautiful store that is higher-end than the stores I typically shop at. The nice thing about going into stores like this is you get to see true antiques from the 1700 & the 1800s that are very high quality. The prices reflect that, though, so it’s not going to be very appealing if you’re a bargain shopper unless you’re just going to look and learn. One thing to remember, though, is that high-end dealers look for high-end pieces. In my experience, they tend to undervalue pieces that are chipped, cracked, or just aren’t as desirable by their typical customers. So, I did find a lovely old ironstone pitcher for $18.
I also bought this small pair of European stag antlers…
And an antique thistle butter press. I am going to use it to make salt dough ornaments this year. (You can see my recipe HERE.) I have been wanting to get some antique molds to use for this purpose, but I haven’t found any that were just right. This one had a nice, sharp pattern and it was a good size for an ornament and reasonably priced.
I’ll share more finds and shops soon, but I also snapped a picture of this little bust I picked up today. Isn’t it so sweet? I thought it would be fun to sketch, but it’ll be a nice accessory in my studio.
My mom and I are heading back out tomorrow to hit some stores we didn’t have time to visit earlier this week. If you want to follow along, I’ll share some pictures and videos on my Instagram Stories. Otherwise, they’ll make it here to the blog soon enough.
Hi Marian, I have a question about all of your art books. Do you actually read all of them? Or do you skim them?
I would probably faint if I saw that many ironstone pieces in one place. I only see them scattered here and there. I gotta get out more apparently. Lol
Can’t wait to see all your new things in your new house (wherever that may be!). I hope for your sake it’s coming to fruition sooner rather than later.
What fun! Once you get your new house you will be busy putting it in order and won’t have the time to shop.
PA is filled with treasures but I am not sure exactly why that is. Any ideas?
I have that same bust! I think mine was fairly inexpensive, but I like it!
I lived in Carlisle for 3 years. Loved it and the antique shops.
Oh, that is a treasure trove of books! yeah for you! 🙂
How perfect that the books had blue covers! They were just waiting for you!
I have never seen that much Ironstone in one booth! It would be my dream to shop with that many choices…maybe a trip to PA is in my future. 😉
I have very similar Stiffel lamps. They have a very particular shade. Wish I knew how to send a picture. They make the lamps.
I saw that stiffel,com has replacement shades.
Ohhhhhh the books…be still my heart!!! Such an awesome find!
I would have no idea what might be “reasonably priced” if I were to find a store in my area!
Marian, If you ever get to Western North Carolina esp to Highlands and Cashiers there are many beautiful shops full of antiques from all over the world. Its not unusual for cont ainer loads of goods being unloaded at the shops. And treat yourself to a stay at The Old Edward’s Inn in Highlands if you don’t stay there eat dinner there.Its our favorite place to stay besides with friends. It’s a beautiful place and so many lovely homes up in those mountains. We have been there many times visiting friends and enjoying stays the hotels.
Marian, where did you say in your blog that you are building your new home? I missed it if you mentioned it bcuz life has been pretty crazy for us the last few months and I haven’t had a chance to “catch up” on your older posts. I noticed here that someone else asked, as well.
Oh this post is getting me so excited for fall! That’s when we vacation, rather than summer. Much more enjoyable! We will be sure to check out those shops in Carlisle and also the ones in western N. Carolina. We live in Charlottesville area of Va., so are equally close to both. I need to book some rooms or we won’t be going ANYWHERE! LOL!
WOW, you are lucky at finding your favorite treasures! ENJOY!
My brother and his family have lived a little north of Carlise for many years. My dad is actually on his last day of visiting them and I do know they have been in Carlise. Love reading your blog and Instagram.