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Living A Dream

I vividly remember starting my business.  I remember having a nervous tummy and sweaty palms as I filled out my PA-100 to register my business with the state.  I remember sitting in bed after midnight scribbling things in my idea and to-do notebook.  I remember brainstorming with friends and family members about a perfect name.  I really had no idea what was in store.

 A business that started with a decorative painting and mural emphasis evolved into my true passion – antiques, home decor and refurbished furniture. A surprising thing also sprouted out of my business, this blog.

 I was sort of poking along until August 2010.  Then, things started happening that were beyond my wildest dreams.  HGTV asked me to write for them, Romantic Homes and Flea Market Style wanted to feature my blog, Lynette from Wild Rose asked me to be a part of her shop and booth at Chartreuse, I started writing for Cottages and Bungalows, Karen asked me to consign furniture in her space at Lucketts, and the list goes on.  It’s been an exciting several months to say the least.

This Monday, I received another exciting opportunity.  The Old Lucketts Store called.  A pavilion has come available and they asked me to fill it.  I am going to be the newest vendor at Lucketts.  This is the place for me.  The dream.  The place where I fell in love with antiques and my very favorite place to wander around in.  I have a long history with that store.  It’s been exciting to be a vendor at the Lucketts Antique Market and Old Lucketts Fair over the past couple of years.  It was thrilling when Amy from the Lucketts Design House bought a bunch of pieces from me.  I almost cried when Karen asked me to sell furniture and signs in her space.  Now, I am over-the-moon that I will be a vendor. 

 

Exciting opportunities do come with tough choices, though.  I’m only one person (with two toddlers), so something had to give.  I already pulled out of the booth at Chartreuse last month and this week, I had to tell Lynette that I could no longer be a vendor at Wild Rose.  I just couldn’t turn down the chance to be a vendor at Lucketts and I simply can’t do both.

So, here I am.  On the precipice of something exciting; a new chapter in the Mustard Seed Interiors journey.   I am constantly amazed at where this business and blog have taken me and how the Lord has blessed this venture.  I’m living a dream and I’m so thankful. 

Oh, I forgot!  Donna and I were in the same issue of Flea Market Style (Spring 2011) together and we’re both giving away an issue to celebrate our successes.  

Just leave a comment here telling me one of your dreams and you’re entered.  Make sure you leave an e-mail address if you don’t have one on your profile.  The giveaway will close Thursday, March 10 at 10:00 pm EST. 

Marian Parsons 

Paint Enthusiast | Writer | Artist | Designer

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201 Responses

  1. Congratulations on all of your success! It is so well deserved. You are a constant inspiration for me! You let me know that it can happen if you just follow your passions. THANK YOU!!!!!!!

  4. Such wonderful news for you, I am so happy that your dreams are coming true. I wish for only more great things to come your way in the future. You are a very lucky lady to be doing something you love. I'm still dreaming but you are a true inspiration.
    I look forward to seeing all the great things that you will do in the future.
    Congratulations!
    Penny

  10. Congratulations Marian, this is so wonderful and you totally deserve everything that you have worked so hard to achieve. I believe this is only the beginning for you. Bravo!

  12. Wow!… and congratulations! It's truly an inspiration to hear the dreams of others that have come true… and the potential for others to follow… simply by pursuing what they love and are passionate about. Thanks for sharing!

  13. That's wonderful, congratulations! I hope to make it over to Luckett's this Spring or Summer – definitely want to go to the fair – can't wait to see your new space!

  14. Congratulations! I'm sure you are so grateful for your retail opportunities in the past, but it will be amazing to put all your energies into your new dream space!

  16. WOW! God is good! My dream is to be in his will. Congrats! You are amazing at what you do keep inspiring others to follow their dreams!

  17. Big Congratulations flying your way!!!!!!! I'm so excited that your dream has come true. It gives me faith that one day I will have the space to be able to create pieces that people really want to buy. It's in the works…..just slow at developing.

  20. Congratulations. Letting go isn't easy but when you have a chance at a dream you do what is best for you. You are a wonderful influence to your readers. Thank you for all you do.
    – Joy

  22. I paint furniture and have begun selling it in a local consignment shop. So far so good. I dream of putting my things in another space and develop my business even further

  23. Oh that is fantastic news! I love that these amazing new opportunities are fulfilling your dreams.

    I have been on the search for that Flea Market issue. I have the last issue but I'm just not sure these have hit the stands here yet. I can't wait to see your feature!!

  24. Congrats on your success…you're an inspiration to many women across the country! My very biggest dream is to have my own consignment shop but I'm not sure that will happen until I am retired from my F/T job. In the meantime, I satisfy my creative side by tinkling in my studio.

    Abby

  25. I already have a beautiful copy of Flea Market Style, Marian. What fun it was to see you and several other of my blog buddies listed for their endeavors. I'm just so happy for you. Every time your name pops up, the chandelier from the first "Miss Mustard Seed" post I visited comes to mind.

    Congratulations to you on all of your happy news! You definitely deserve it!

    : )

    Julie M.

  26. Wowza! It's going to be fun to see what the Lord has planned for you as you step out onto this new path! I know it will be more than just a business with you and I am thrilled to hear that a dream is coming true for you! Take lots of pictures for us!

  27. WOW! This is so exciting for you. Huge congratulations, and what a fantastic story of building a business from a dream. Love the new look on the blog. I already have a copy of Flea Market Style. I was so excited about seeing your blog in there! So looking forward to hearing about your newest adventures. Best of luck!!!

  28. Congratulations on another well-deserved dream come true. Again, I can't thank you enough for taking me under your wing at Wild Rose & Co. and just inspiring me all of the time. I already have a copy of the magazine so I won't enter the giveaway, but ONE of my dreams is to create a strong brand with freckled laundry and eventually design my own line of fabrics. I can see the most comfy, cotton, textured textiles in my head, but can't find them anywhere.

    Hugs,
    Jami

  29. Congrats Marian! How exciting. My dream is to one day open an antique/primitive shop…and sell ice cream too…ahhh heaven! I'd love to be entered for the fleamarket style copy!
    Thanks,
    patti

  30. Yesterday was international womens day in Canada. I tip my hat to successful women in business all over the world. We carry a lot of weight on our shoulders and wear and fill many shoes. Congratulation on all your successes and balancing motherhood in between all of it. My dream would be quite similar to yours.
    Bonne chance dans la future. Many wonderful successes in the future.
    Caroline

  31. Dreams do come true! I'm so excited about the changes that will be happening in my booth at SuzAnna's Antiques… I have dreamt about this for so long and things are coming together. I'm so happy for you and your dream! Congratulations! Wishing all the best! Hope to see you again sometime at the shop. 🙂 Vanessa

  32. Wow, how wonderful and exciting for you… Congrats! My dream is to grow my little blog into a place that shabbychicks everywhere will love to visit.

  33. Wow Congratulation, it sounds like a dream job. Nothing better than doing what you love and calling it making a living. It is more like living your life.
    Kat

  34. Marian,
    I am so tickled for you. It is a hard road to realize your dream….as you already have seen. The good thing is it does not seem like hard work when it's your passion. I have had many dreams in my life time. God is and has been good in my life.
    Smiles,
    Alice

  35. I can't tell you how inspiring it is to see women make their dreams come true. Maybe because it makes me feel that my dream just might come true one day. It would really be a dream come true if I could have my own brand name on shabby and french style furnishings.. and even a bigger dream if all I had to do was design them and have a team of women sewing for me… ! It's nice to dream.. best of luck to you on your new venture.. enjoy it! take care, Maryann

  36. I want to be an InnKeeper… I want to open a B&B; on our little farm. My little boy said he is happy that I can be an 'InnKeeper' when I grow up, tee-hee. I guess for now I don't have to be grown up, snicker!

  39. HUGE congrats! you give me hope that I can do that someday too! Thanks for all of your inspiration!
    p.s. I'd love that magazine of Flea Market Style!!
    Erin from A Little Something, Too

  40. Congrats and much future success on your new endeavor…..You sure have been a great inspiration in my life, and from what I've heard, tons of others…I look forward to seeing what's new on your blog, everyday…Please, keep up the good work…

  41. I am so happy for you! So excited to see your new venture!
    (I am waiting for my shelf to turn into a booth!)
    You and Donna are well deserving of a spot in
    Flea Market Style!

  42. Congratulations, well deserved. I enjoy reading about all of your helpful tips and suggestions. Thanks. 😉

  43. It has been so wonderful watching your journey! Your evolution is far from over.

    I so wanted to ask you at Blissdom if you have a PR person yet. I think your going to need one :0)

  44. Congratulations! I am really impressed that you are prioritizing. We can't do it all at the same time. 🙂 My dream is to design sewing patterns and fabric. I'm working on it a little at a time.

  46. Congratulations on the Lucketts spot.
    and on the magazine write up too!

    I am so excited to see that your business is zooming. I am even more thrilled that the LORD is priority for you and you are Praising Him and seeking Him in the adventure.

    Pat

  48. My dream is to have a "painting booth" in my basement or garage so I could paint all year long and not spray on things that don't need to be painted! Love your blog!

  49. Congratulations! Thank you for sharing your dreams with us, your devoted readers. 🙂 One of my dreams is to be brave enough…and skilled enough…and have tools enough…to build furniture!

  51. ~*~congrats!!!~*~*You so deserve it!!;)~*~One of my dreams is to open a quaint little antique/coffee shop~*~*Hugs,Rachel

    French Farmhouse 425

  55. Marian, I am going have to plan a vacation out that way just to see this Luckettes place you always drool over. I am so happy for you! I think you have it wrong though, they are LUCKY to have you and they just don't want you to know it.

  56. COngratulations! You are turly inspiring. My dream would be to find the perfect balance between my business and family. It's so incredibly hard to do.

  57. You are living the journey you were meant to live, I am so happy for you.

    One dream is tough to choose. My creative dream is take my chic-cycling hobbie to the next level.

  58. oh can I come live next door to you and have coffee every morning and learn from you??? I just wanna be like you!! You are terrific and you have a wonderful opportunity with all you are doing! Blessings to you! Call me anytime for coffee!! I'm sure I can run right over from Arkansas! Teehee

  60. one little dream is going to Round Top at the end of the month…I remember you giving me some advice in a comment, when I first started blogging, you are so sweet, congrats to you! Lezlee

  61. I just can't tell you how happy I am for you! And for me too as I will be able to come see all your goodies every time I am in Lucketts (which seems to be every weekend lately!). Where will you be situated? Not that I can miss your 'style'! Congrats again Marian – there's no stopping you now!

  63. Wonderful news! Congrats. I owned a shop for 12 years and look back at it as some of the hardest but best years of my career. My dream now is to go live in a beach house with enough money to decorate it as I would like to.

  65. I am glad you have had a fantastic and exciting year! You deserve it!

    My dream is to live a well-balanced life in which I can spend time with the ones I love, work on my master's, and still have time for projects and fun DIY stuff, which is my true passion. 🙂

  66. Congratulation ! Your journey is remarkable and inspirational for every creative individual …
    I would love to teach children in difficult regions , especially girls as I strongly believe that by educating a girl we educate the whole society !

    I wish you unstoppable flying !

  67. That sounds SO very exciting…I wish I was closer by you so I could hit those shops and see your stuff up close!

    my dream would be to do something similar…to quit my 'real' job and work doing what I love with decor, putting things together creatively AND get paid for it – dream!

    congrats congrats congrats!

  69. What exciting news about the Store. I know you'll do well, you have God on your side.
    My dream would be to get my current house finished and sold and move to somewhere with a garage so I can use it as my workshop for renovating furniture.

  70. Wow, I'm so happy for you! You will do an amazing job and I'm sure inspire more women who will love Luckett's as much as you do. Right now my dream is for my children to love and serve the Lord as they go out into adulthood.

  71. My dream? To obtain regular commercial commissions!!! I must get busy and see where they are! Ha!
    Congrats on Lucketts'!! That is super!!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

  73. Congratulations! You sure are living a beautiful dream but you have made that dream come true with all your hard work and determination.

  74. Several blogs I follow mention from time to time "what they saw at Lucketts". Now I have even more reason to wish I lived near by so I could come in often. Good Work!

  75. Wow!!! Congratulations!!!…I'm so happy for you and all you have accomplished. You are truly an inspiration to me. I woke up at 1am last night and couldn't sleep because I've been thinking constantly for a while now how I can turn this passion I have had for 15 years into a successful business. I am brainstorming constantly, trying to figure out the correct road to getting there. Since I couldn't sleep, I got on the computer and saw your blog post!!! You are living your dream and mine too. I am hopeful that someday, I can accomplish a bit of what you have…I'd love to talk to you sometime…The first step for me was to join the blogging community and I have been thrilled with the feedback so far. It's only been a month, but what fabulous women I have met and so supportive too…I could babble on forever about all of this….
    Thanks for inspiring me and showing me that I can get there and dreams do come true…xo
    A huge fan,
    Mariaelena

  76. Good morning Marion,

    I am so very happy for you! I love wandering around Lucketts..so much fun. I am sure you will be a vending Queen.

    My dream was to get published in a national magazine someday.
    Well in the past year I have been featured in SIX!!

    Goodness beyond my wildest dreams

    have a wonderful week

    Janet xox
    http://theemptynest-janet.blogspot.com/

  77. Congratulations Marian! I'm so happy for you! I can't tell you how many of us need to hear that our dreams can come true! It's easy to get overwhelmed working toward "the dream" but your wonderful attitude and sweet voice always bring me back into focus. Thank you for sharing each step of your journey with us, inspiring us all and doing it with such grace!

  78. I found your blog around the time you said everything started happening. I thought you had been this "successful" all along. What an achievement to have accomplished all that in such a short amount of time. Congrats!

  79. This is not a suprise to me. You are amazing with the work you do and so generous to share your knowledge with us. And smart enough to not do it all, just a lot!
    I was afraid you were going to tell us you had to give up your BLOG! Made me a little nervous.
    Enjoy your time~KarenSue

  81. So happy for you, Marian! You are an inspiration, and though I don't believe I could churn out the amazing work that you do, my dream is to make our new home a place that our grown children will want to bring their friends to, and one that others will feel welcome to come to for Bible study and home church. My dream is to make ours a home where the Lord is glorified in all!

  82. With children gone from the house now this blog has been an awesome way to inspire me into being creative again.
    My dream is to start an online business and get more stores to take my work. Maybe even be on HGTV someday!
    dreaming-n-color.blogspot.com

  85. Congrats I'm so happy you followed your passion! My dream is to lose 40 pounds….oh I hope you weren't looking for home decor dreams…..okay I dream also to find more blue and white china for a deal!

  86. Congrats!! That is fantastic and well-deserved. One of my dreams was to go to France, which I have now had the oppotunity to do several times. My next dream is to take my oldest granddaughter when she is old enough. She is 6 now and has already asked me when I'm taking her! I bought her a sundress yesterday with white drawing on black background of Paris scenes, including the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe and cafes! Linda

  87. Congrats to you! I am happy to hear you have been so blessed and even understand your limits during this time. I think that type of wisdom is going to continue to take you far. My dream would to be own my own little gift shop in an old house that I can have a handful of retail gifts that I purchase from vendors and space to rent out to select crafters and antiquers? such as yourself. That is my dream! I would love to enter you contest for the magazine issue. Thanks!

  88. Congrats girlie! I'm currently living one of my dreams of living in Europe & travelling. Another dream I have is for my kids to grow up to be productive & responsible citizens. Maybe learning to sew again is on the list of dreams also lol.

  89. Congrats! What a great year you are having – thamks for sharing your journey with us :)! I am in the process of starting my own decorating business (website is up and I have my business cards on order)! Eventually, my dream is to have a store where I could sell a mix of antiques/vintage & decor items and have a design studio set up with it…

  90. Oh, Miss Mustard Seed – You are my inspiration! Your blog brings me so much happiness and inspiration (and eye-candy….love that new mirror!) I have just posted my first-ever blog post and have opened an Etsy shop! I dream of filling my Etsy store with unique vintage treasures (and of all the fun I'll have scavengering to find them)! And, maybe someday being able to open an Estate Sale company too! Who knows? One step at a time! 🙂 Congratulations on your much deserved success!

  91. Congratulations! No doubt your dream will continue to bring good things your way!

    Usually my dream list would include something on my "to finish" list in decorating our now five year old home, traveling some place with my DH or the afternoons I will be spending with our first grandbaby in the fall. But today my dream list only contains one thing – to hear the doctor say to me this afternoon that I don't need to worry anymore because I don't have cancer.

  92. Congratulations MMS such an exciting opportunity for you! My dream is to be able to papercraft as my full time job!

  93. I am so happy for you Miss Mustard Seed! I follow you and Funky Junk Donna all the time and am ASTONISHED at all you do….especially with a family to boot! To me, you are truly a "Wonder Woman"!

  94. Your blog always inspires me! Congrats to making the Flea Market Style mag and for moving into Lucketts Antiques. I first found their website way before blogs were even started. My dream was also being featured in the Flea Market Style Magazine's current issue. I'm still on Cloud 9 about this.

  95. AWESOME! A Lucketts pavilion of your very own?!? It couldn't be better. I was on their waiting list for YEARS. Now I'll be able to see your wares all the time, and hopefully run into you someday. Congratulations on your well-deserved success and recognition!

    XOX P.S. I'll be selling at the Lucketts fair in May

  96. You're living MY dream! I just don't know how you do it all. I have 2 kids and a full time job and work on projects every chance I get and love it! I just wish I could quit the day job and be able to afford doing it full time.

    Thank you for being here doing what you do, this way i can live through you and you give me so much inspiration everyday to keep going and creating and my home thanks you too! It looks so much better since I've found you on the web!

  99. Congrats. How exciting.

    I'd really like to foster animals someday…when I was a kid I thought I wanted to be a vet, but realized I was too emotional for that kind of work, but I sure would like to help some find a home. I've been looking into it, so we'll see.

  100. So happy!!! That is awesome! It amazes me everyday what happens when you put your heart out there and take a chance—what happens…I got a call last night from the Nate Berkus show—asking about my projects and possibility of being on his show! I can't wait to see what the future brings!!

  102. I'm so happy for you! Your sharing of your business's evolution has been a great source of inspiration. Thank you!

  103. Congratulations on your next big adventure! I'm sure it will be a big success for you.
    A long-held dream of mine is to buy a little old cottage to renovate and live in forevermore.
    Tomorrow I'm off to look at one! (Trying not to be overcome with excitement here!) 🙂

  104. i love your blog! just stumbled across it today, good stuff!! your story spoke to my soul…next week i'll be leaving my job of 14 years to be a fulltime SAHM! it's funny b/c for so long i struggled with trying to figure out what it was that i was called to do…long story short…when you put your faith in God and just pray for His will to be done amazing things happen! so happy i discovered your blog, so very inspiring! being a SAHM mom is the dream God has placed in my heart…and im so grateful to start next week!

  105. Congratulations! I always knew you were headed for big success.I'll always be a big fan of yours.I know you are so busy, but if you have some time i want you to take a look at the slip cover i made.It's on my blog.

    Kathy

  106. following your dreams…
    nothing can make you smile so much…
    hue congratulations from the english countryside…

    this was my dream…to experience life in another country with my gorgeous husband and three wonderful travelling children…
    3 years on the experiences- from the beaches of sydney to the wilds of the english countryside have been more than we could have hoped for…

    an exciting chapter for both you and your family…
    enjoy every moment…
    wish i was on that side of the globe to visit you!

    melissa x

  107. I'm so excited to hear how your life has turned out and that you are very happy with what you do. I'm not happy with what I do (seat all day in an office), but I have started my dream little by little, I've been buying old things (small items) and making them look like new or nice and pretty, I will be having my first craft show for mother's day and I'm very excited, to tell you the truth, my dream is to be like YOU! you are a great inspiration for me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

  110. Congratulations! I'm not sure what my dream is yet, but I know what I don't want…no more 10 hours in a cubicle! I guess my short term dream is to have work-life balance. My long term dream is to find the job that is a labor of love, not just labor.

  111. How wonderful and exciting! I am excited to return to painting furniture and being able to sell it again.

  112. Congratulations, that is truly awesome. I too am very thankful to be living my dream. After working for 20 years in the corporate world, I am now running my very own home-based business – it still spins me out when I think of it. I really love reading your blogs. You are such an inspiration and you really help to keep me motivated (I really don't know how you do it with kiddos and all). Best of luck with your new venture. I look forward to seeing how it all goes.

  113. Congratulations! My dreams are just starting to fly out of me after following blogs like yours. My first is to just slip cover my couch. We'll see where that leads me! Thank you so much for sharing what you do and inspiring others. You deserve it! Thank you!

  114. I guess we are living similar dreams! I started as a stenciler doing stenciled murals and furniture. It evolved in faux finishing, but my heart is tugging me back to furniture and repurposed items and antiques. We have our first "barn sale" in 2 weeks. I can only feel it growing from here!

  115. Congrats! I love your blog, I learn so much from it. You are very inspirational.
    Good luck with your new venture.
    I would love to start a business!

    Susan

  116. Congratulations! I am so happy for you. You are truly an inspiration. I am at a cross roads in my life right now. I'm in my 50's and am seriously considering starting my own business. I have read your business start up info (over and over) and am scared to death! I love the saying "You are never to old to create the life you were meant to have". (or however it goes, LOL) Thanks for proving that it really can happen! Marcia

  117. I am fairly well convinced that the store at Luckett's is what heaven looks like. I could spend HOURS in there. which is hard with a toddler. I can't wait to take the trek to see your space! Congratulations!!

  118. Congratulations on being a vendor at Lucketts! I love that store and I visit it every now and then. I will be sure to look out for your corner! I have so many dreams and none have come to fruition because I get distracted so easily…LOL. However, I would love to run a home based business so I can be with my children and help out with the expenses too. Thanks for the giveaway. I saw this magazine at the store but I had to put it down because I have a magazine budget to adhere to. It would be so lovely to win this though! thanks!

  119. Glad I'm a follower so I can be one of the first to see your new space! Congrats on your new venture…and here's to your continued success!

  120. Congratulations on your new venture! I'm inspired by your creativity. I dream to one day have the same amount of energy to get my house done! Thanks!

    Christy (armyscrapwife@gmail.com)

  121. YAY, you!

    I have a lot of dreams… traveling dreams, business dreams, family dreams…

    I think the one that's on my mind the most right now… are photography dreams. 🙂 I want to be a professional photographer someday!

  123. My biggest dream is my daughter starting college to study vocal and piano and second …restoring an old farm house.

  124. Big Congratulations to you! There is a Luckette's type antique mall around my parts called "the screen door." i often wander through and dream of having my own space there. but right now my big dream is for the church plant we moved here to start to have a lasting impact on our city.

  126. Congratulations, I only see big things for your future. I have been dreaming of starting my own blog. Just as a way to get out some of the crazy thoughts running through my head. I am constantly thinking of things that I would post if I had a blog. Maybe some day I will get up the courage. You are my inspiration.

  128. Oh, that sounds like Heaven, Marian! I aspire to fulfill even a little piece of your reality for my own. The antique booth alone would be fabulous! It will happen……I have faith. I started a blog a month ago, so that's something I can check off the list. One foot in front of the other……..

  129. Congratulations! I loved seeing you and Donna in the Flea Market Style magazine. You deserve all the successes you've earned!

    My dream is to one day own a shop of my own and fill it with all the things I've made.

  130. My dreams are in the process of coming true. I opened up an vintage etsy store that is doing well, and I am hoping to get into a huge craft fair in my neck of the woods. If I got in it would be a blessing to help our family as my husband goes back to school!

  131. My dream is to someday soon have lots of children and become the best mom I can be with a family that's healthy and happy! Also, I'd love to re-finish furniture pieces like you do, and make a modest income of that so I can contribute to my husband's salary.

  132. I love your posts about you starting and growing your business. . fun and inspiring. . thanks for sharing!! One of my dreams is to write and get published a book.

  133. Yay! I have read and re-read your blog post on how you started your business! It has been very inspiring to me and although I'm still very much in the "daydream" stage of the game, I am less afraid to start planning the next step in my future! Thank you! 🙂

  134. Congratulations Marion. I fell in love with your booth at the Lucketts Fair last summer and am the proud owner of one of your Fresh Oysters sign. Congratulations on all of your success. And thanks for inspiring me to tackle more DIY projects lately! Keep up the awesome work!

  135. Congratulations! It is well deserved.

    I have a few dreams. A beautiful home, a successful blog, and (eek) another baby. They all seem so far fetched. The last is VERY far-fetched, but who knows… 🙂

  137. WOW! I am so excited for you!! Luckets is my all time favorite antiques store, so I totally understand your excitement. We live in Mechanicsburg, PA so we are not too far away! I'm sure I'll see you there!!

  138. Thank you for sharing all your talents…I feel like you are a good friend. You are blessed, you have your priorities. And I love that your mom works with you. Sue

  139. Congratulations, that's so awesome!! 🙂 My dream is to very soon get my own business up & running – teaching music lessons and accompanying. 🙂

    God bless!

  140. Congrats!! It is so nice to see that Dreams do come true!! I have a dream of leaving the business world and do something with cooking, decorating, crafting, gardening, etc. all of which are my passion.

  141. Congratulations to you! My dream is to own a bakery or win the Pillsbury Million Dollar Bake-Off. I'll take either or both! 🙂

    cereza25 at yahoo dot com

  143. Congratulations! How exciting! Looking forward to seeing more of your exciting projects. I'm living my dream…I get to stay home with my two kids and have left the corporate world behind.

  144. Wow! Congratulations…you've hit the big time. Your stuff is great so even though I don't know you personally, by reading your blog, I know you deserve it. Congrats again,
    Bernadette
    agirlandherhome.blogspot.com

  146. I am so glad to hear your tough choices,hard work & dedication has pay off & that your are truely following your dream. Congrats to you!!! I am beginning to prepare and making plans to follow my dream in the creative word after after retirement which will be soon. I hope to start a small business then. You are truely and inspiration. Way to Go GIRL. ~Suz

    suz.p (at) comcast.net

  148. Congratulations on your success! My goals are to become perhaps a fraction of what you are. I'd love to be able to sell some of my creations. I'm just starting out with all this and I love everything I've tried so far. If I can make money being creative, I'd be in heaven:) Thanks for being an inspiration!

  151. Marian I am so happy for you…Congrats! I love Lucketts Store too. Way Kewl! I will have mosey over there soon to check out your new space. Hate to see you leave "Wild Rose", you'll be missed I am sure of it.

    As for my dreams, at the moments, they are simple, I just want another home to decorate, since selling mine in December, I miss decorating.

    Hugs!
    Cindy

  153. congratulations on all you've done! your blog has evolved too! love the new look! my dream is to be a full time artist. you inspire me.

  154. I so love your blog and enjoy your success. Wish I had had that much confidence when I was your age. My dream used to be doing just what you are doing, now it is just to get caught up on my many projects and have fun in the process.

    crazymom6@juno.com

  155. Congrats on your business! A dream of mine is that my 7 children grow up to be unselfish,loving and thankful people that love God.

  156. I dream of moving to a big old country house and filling it with beautiful old furniture that I have redone with my own two hands!

    All the best!

    Rachel

  157. Congratulations! It's so great to hear when good things happen to good people. I'm so happy for you. I am wrestling with the idea of starting my own business and you're a great inspiration.

  158. wow you have come a long way huh! 🙂

    Im waiting for the day to be able to say that about myself. Ive been dreaming of opening my own childrens boutique! building a house with my husband! and much much more… I still have a long road ahead but little by little its all working 🙂

  159. Congratulations on Luckett's! I have to take a drive there and check it out! It sounds like a lot of fun. I have taught elementary art for 23 years and my dream is to retire in 7 years and start my own estate sale business on Long Island! There are lots of people with tons of stuff just waiting for me to sell it!

  161. My dream was to lose 50 pounds when I turned 50 years old and it came true (with a lot of hard work and persistence on my part.) Now my dream is to keep it off and stay fit and healthy for the next 50 years.
    mary
    2ricks@gmail.com

  163. our dream was to close our construction business and do something that we love…God has been so gracious! 2 or 3 years ago I would never have believed that we could have supported our family selling decals…now it's a reality…God is so so good!

    congrats!!

  164. My dream has to have my own business that really does pay, so far not so, but i haven't given up yet. I love the same things you do and just think I am in the wrong area to make a go of it. Thanks for all your hard work and inspiration and am so happy for your hard earned success. God Bless you and yours. your friend in southeast Iowa.

  165. That is great news! A friend and I just went to Lucketts again last weekend. I can't get enough of that place — your work fits in so well there!

  166. WOW!! How incredibly exciting for you.. congrats. You get back what you GIVE!! Your blog has been inspiring – educational – an uplifting place to sit and have my morning tea.
    Seems the angels are smiling down on you 🙂
    Well done.

  167. silly dream, but you asked:) I have always dreamed of singing back-up for James Taylor! I can sing so it's not that far fetched but, probably not!

  168. Congrats! My husband and I started refinishing furniture about 6 months ago. This is my dream to make this a career. I absolutely love doing this!

  169. Congrats to you! I know how proud you must be. My dream is to one day be able to visit you at the Luckettes Store!

    Nancy5678 @ aol dot com

  170. Congratulations!! I'm so delighted to watch your success change and grow.

    My dream is to be able to furnish and decorate my home on a tiny budget making it comfortable and inviting.

    Mary Ann

  172. Congratulations!! I'm so happy for the new things happening in your life and business.
    I love your blog, it is a favorite, that I read everyday!!
    You inspire me to try new things. My dream is to have a business with my daughter Katie someday, decorating, painting, just creative stuff. Dreaming!

  174. You deserve very blessing! My dream is to litter blogland with new fun headers and cute little buttons that I've designed! haha… that's a funny little dream when ya read it back. But, it's true, so true! Congratulations on your success! (I also realize I love exclamation marks!)

  175. Congratulations on your success, you've worked hard for it! My dream is simple- to have a clean house all the time! I would have to work hard for that!
    Thanks,
    Sarah

  176. So thrilled for you! I cannot wait for my dream to come true- I am counting down to being a stay-at-home-mama 🙂

  177. What a wonderful blessing to have this dream come true! I'm a new(ish) follower, and I just love your blog and your work. I love checking my Reader every morning to see if you have a new post. Congratulations!

  178. First love your blog and I am so excited for you and this new adventure. My dream is to write a novel. oh and win the magazine, of course!

  180. Your news is exciting and encouraging and I wish you the very best. Congratulations! I am considering what to do next and playing with blogging and possibly a small consignment store booth to get started in something new. Praying through what to do next!

  183. My dream is to have a home where everyone feels welcome, the way everyone felt when they came to my grandmothers home that was filled with worn but loved items and a garden full of flowers that always made you smile.

  184. I am so happy for you and your grand adventure! My dream is to be selling my jewelry, furniture and home decor both online and in shops. I would LOVE to have my very own boutique someday. Oprah, are you reading this? Ha!

  185. Congratulations I pray that God continue to bless you and show favor on your business. You have been such an inspiration and I admire you. I really started to think that refinishing furniture was possible once I read your blog. And I have three beautiful pieces waiting for me in my garage. I wish I could spend the day with you and just learn. Thank you so much for you commitment and transparency on Miss Mustard Seed. I have big visions for my future like helping in ending modern day slavery here in America and all over the world. I created my blog so I could raise awareness and sell the pieces of furniture I did so the proceeds could go to ministries and non-profits directly impacting victims of Human Trafficking.

    God Bless,

    Crysmrussell@gmail.com

  187. Marian ~ I am so thrilled for you! You have worked hard to get where you are and have followed your heart and your dreams all the way. They have taken you to a place where I know that you'll continue to succeed and be very happy! Congratulations, friend! 🙂 Sure wish I lived closer so that I could be your customer!

    xoxo laurie

  188. I just had one of my dreams come true today too!!! I am a 23-year-old artist and have just started selling my work at shows and in an antique mall in Memphis.

    Today my paintings were put in YORK & Friends, a new gallery owned by a man in Nashville who started representing my mother's artwork 20 years ago. He asked me to put my paintings in his shop and my dream of being a successful artist is coming true!

    facebook.com/dorothyart
    dorothyart.etsy.com

    Cheerfully,

    Dorothy Spencer

  189. Thank you, MMS. I'm sorry I was having a pity party this morning. You see it was early. I've not been sleeping well the past two days. Anxious, to say the least. The news was good, but surgery is still required (just had a procedure two weeks ago, so he will wait two weeks). Hopefully, that will be the end of it but we won't know for sure until afterward. My outlook is much brighter this evening. Visiting your lovely blog always makes me feel better too.

  190. I found your blog about a week ago, promptly added it to my Reader and it's only this evening I actually clicked over to view your blog on the web to discover you are a LOCAL to me! I am having a lot of fun exploring your blog. Love the slip cover videos. I am in the middle of an upholstery project myself. I think I will be lost over here till bedtime. 🙂

  192. I'm so very happy for you that your "Big" dream has come true!! Just keep being yourself and the future will bring more "Dreams come true" for you and yours! Congratulations and very many good wishes in your new endeavor.

  193. Congratulations Marian. You certainly deserve everything that is happening. You've worked so hard and are so talented and it shows. I'm enjoying following the progress. Please include me in the running for your giveaway.

    Hugs…Tracy 🙂
    cottonpickincute(at)hotmail(dot)com

  196. Hi, I'm a new reader and follower of your blog. Until this post, I didn't realize you were in Chartreuse and now you'll be in Lucketts. I love shopping at Lucketts, (I live in the DC area) and can't wait to find you in your new spot and see your creations, Kathy. Congrats

    I also want to say that I just linked up with your furniture Fridays, I'm # 141. I updated a pair of vintage built-in bookcases. Check me out if you get a minute.

  197. I dream of having a venue to sell my various art projects. I jump around from painting, fiber arts, quilting, knitting, furniture remodeling jewelry making… the list keeps going. I would love to quit my day job and support myself doing my art. Until then, I fit what I can into my life and try to keep the house reasonably clean too. you inspire me, Barb

  198. I'm so happy for you Marion! You deserve every bit of fame and fortune and then some! I know you'll kick a$$ at Lucketts *winks* I have a feeling there are even bigger things in store for you. Vanna

  199. Sounds like a dream come true!! After a 5 year "I can't do this" delay I had no idea how an uplanned stop at thrift store,a $5 castaway chair and an old box of packed away ideas would begin to transform my life. After only 8 months I have moved from my kitchen counter paint station and saw horse dining room to a 4500 sq. ft. workshop and two retail spaces. I continue to be amazed each day as new and wonderful people and opportunity continue to show up in my life and all that I really need to do is remain humble, grateful, and do the next "right thing" for myself and others. Keep an eye out for me on Esty a website and a maybe even a blog. You have and continue to inspire me each day. We are R.Lucas Scott Co.

  200. What a wonderful opportunity for you and your business. I wish you the best in this great new adventure. You deserve it. I noticed a photo where you are smiling! Yaaaay!

  201. Congratulations! I've had a dream to quit work so I can devote more of me to my Lord, my husband and family, and to my shop Dwellings…I was able to resign in February.
    Blessings,
    Cindy

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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four things | seventy five

May 21, 2026

I had an original art sale yesterday, so I spent the bulk of the day babysitting the sale (answering questions, managing presales, etc.) and packing

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Original Art Sale Preview | May 20, 2026

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Before I share my Lucketts recap, I wanted to let you know my next original art sale is Wednesday, May 20, 20206, at 1:00 pm Eastern.  For those interested in early access at noon, you can sign up HERE. On Thursday night, we packed our van with oil painting supplies,

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