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 right now…)

I’ve been pricing, sorting, cleaning, loading (only a little) and working on last minute things I can take to restock my space.  It’s almost like I’m moving in all over again.  I moved into my new space on the first floor in December, but Karen and Jennifer started babysitting the space for me almost right away.  I had a few pieces in there, but now all you’ll find is one dresser, a handful of smalls and some glitter letters.  I’m now regaining my energy and strength and I can shift my focus to the retail side of my business again.

This is the part of my business where I feel total freedom.  There are no deadlines, parameters, schedules. I can create and buy what I like and put together an ever-evolving space that represents my tastes.  Yes, the tagging and cleaning and loading and unloading get tiresome on occasion, but I really love it.

We’ve got the trailer and the van packed up and I’m excited to get settled.  I also have some ideas of ways to put my stamp on the space itself, so when people walk in they say, “Oh, this is definitely Miss Mustard Seed’s space.”  I didn’t have the time to pull those ideas together, yet, so maybe next week…

Here are some things I’m taking –

Mini came here with a paper folding book one day and we worked together to create these sheet music & glitter (German glass, of course) pinwheels.

She made a bunch of them today and we’ll see how they sell.  I thought they would be fun for Spring and will look cool in the space whether they sell or not.

I painted a French night stand in ASCP duck egg…

(I can’t move furniture around, yet, so I had to take some pictures of it where it was.)

Mini also made a bunch of glitter letters, so I can restock “the board.”

…and I’m bringing two boxes of lavender…

…a really cool industrial cart (that has great wheels and is an amazing blue)…

…and a glass door cabinet that was removed from an old home.  It was obviously built around a pillar or pipe or something, but that didn’t bother me.  It has the original hardware and glass and the color is fantastic.

I’m bringing a lot of other things (a farm table, a shelf, a huge wooden cog…), but those are some of the highlights.  I’ll take pictures of my space and share them in a couple of days.

I’ve also picked up some other pieces recently that are “in the hopper”, most likely for the Lucketts Antique Market.  I found this dresser at a yard sale.  I don’t normally go for Queen Anne style pieces, but I thought this one was pretty and the price was right.  I’m thinking about painting it in a greenish/peacock color.

I found this antique hutch on Craig’s List and I am totally in love.  L-O-V-E.  Over the moon love.  Love that’s appropriate for a piece of furniture, though.  (If I cry when it sells is that appropriate for a piece of furniture or over-the-top?)  It has the original wavy glass…

…bin cup pulls…

…an old lock box and key.

Love.

I am going to paint it in a softer gray with a white interior.  This one’s for the Lucketts Market.  If I can let it go.  I’m afraid I don’t have the perfect spot for it in my house, though, and that’s my rule for keeping things.

I also picked up this sweet French chair.  I’m bringing the two barrel back French chairs tomorrow to sell at Lucketts, so this one will take a spot in my office until I do something with it.

I’m also antsy to get to work on some of my new pieces for the market.  I’m working with Reni from Bliss & Tell Branding on really cool t-shirts for me and my crew to wear (and we’ll bring some to sell) and I’ve collaborated with Jami of Freckled Laundry on some freebies for people who come to my booth.  I’m really excited about both!

The winner of the Oreck Steam-It Mop Giveaway is…

~ Janice Smith ~

Congratulations, Janice.  You’re going to love it!