Letting Go

So, a young gal I know is going through a hard time and a break-up. I gave her some advice a girlfriend gave me a long time ago: try to figure out, are you sad over the relationship you lost or over losing what you hoped that relationship would be. If you find after thinking about it that you're more sad over losing what you hoped it would be, then it was never what you really wanted and most likely could never be.

Today I sold a my beloved Burke Tulip table set. Gosh I loved that thing. Mitch and I bought it at a yard sale 5 or 6 years ago. We both fell in love with it immediately. I've always been a huge fan of Mid Century Modern furniture and he just thought it was so cool. We stood there debating the purchase trying to figure out where we could put it. We finally decided we could put it on the porch and had ourselves just about convinced it would be 'the perfect porch set'. We stood there imagining the family meals we would eat at it, reading the Sunday paper while drinking our coffee and watching the river flow by and of course, decided to buy it.

Well, it's important now to point out, our house was built in 1840. It is a historic farmhouse very much in typical upstate New York rural farmhouse style. Tall, steep roof, few details or adornment, wood siding, tall windows and painted white with green shutters.

As it turns out, a Mid Century Modern table set which was so space-like when it was originally designed and produced, that it appeared in Star Trek episodes, is not exactly a match made in heaven for a rural farmhouse. For several years we went on arranging our primitive shipping barrels, antique tools and skis around our space-age stark white table set trying so hard to make it work. We both took our turns defending the reasons we should keep it. Mitch felt it was so comfortable. I just loved it when people came to the house and gasped, "Oh my gosh, I LOVE your table set!"

Once I decided to sell antiques and vintage items, we decided it was time to let it go. Since deciding to sell it, I've taken it to a few road shows and have had it in the store space since December. I priced it fairly - not high, not low and have been offered considerably less than my asking price many times and each time I have refused the offers. Each time it didn't sell, I was sad I had to load it back up, but happy it didn't go.

Today it sold with just a 10% discount off the price I've been asking all along. I'm happy it sold, I'm happy I didn't have to drop the price considerably (which I never would have anyway) and I'm happy I never have to move it again. But, as it turns out, I feel so sad the set is gone.

All the typical break-up feelings are running through my head. Oh, it was so sexy! We gave up one of the few remaining Burke Tulip table sets and if we ever want one again, we may never find one again. Gosh, I wish we just tried harder to make it work.

But I have to remind myself of that advice about break-ups. Am I sad about the loss of the table set or of what I hoped it could be? I guess it's time to find that porch set that really is what I've always wanted.

A Terribly Clever Customer - and Her Wardrobe Redo

There's nothing I love more than to see how a customer has used a Sixela Co. buy in their home or office decor! No wait, that's not true. There is one thing I love more - to see them repurpose, repaint, refinish or revamp a piece with their own personal flair!

That is what Mary Maruscak did with a nice and simple Mid Century wardrobe I had. She got an extra special bargain on the thing by trading her and her husbands time helping me haul some items in and out of the shop space at Early Owego Antiques Center.

Mary is the perfectly suited wife for my friend, Eric Maruscak. Eric is a fellow chalk artist only his skills and experience outweighs mine by FAR. Mary works with non-profits, is incredibly smart, sharp, charming, clever and an artist in her own right! She bakes pies that are becoming famous, she knits, makes paper crafts and cooks like nobody's business. She is also an entrepreneur! She sells her handmade wares, pies, can help you set up meal plans and make food to put away for fast meals during your busy week and she's a Thirty-one dealer. You know those really pretty bags they sell? If you're interested in any of her items or to book a Thirty-one party, email her at: mary_maruscak@hotmail.com.

Anyways, look, look what Mary did! She added detail pieces to the wardrobe and painted it a vibrant color! So clever, right?

 





And if you need a piece of furniture or accessory for your own revamp project, check out the pictures of our inventory on facebook, shoot us an email with a description of the item you're looking for, or shop our booths at the Early Owego Antique Center in Owego, NY. You'll also find us at Brimfield in The Meadows for the May show!

The Dilemma of Heirlooms - Mrs. Hodge, Please Come Get Your Basket!

I have this incredible dilemma when I come across something that I feel is clearly a family heirloom... Do I sell it or try to track down the family it belongs to. Obviously, I am selling items to make money, so I can't do this with every item I have. And, I buy a lot of the items at estate sales or auctions, so in reality, I try to tell myself, these families already decided they didn't want these items!

I had a huge box of photos all from one family once and I fantasized about sending it to them and then laughed to myself thinking when they opened it they would be all aghast and upset, saying, OH MY GOD, we can NOT get rid of these things! 'Mary, didn't you just dump these at the auction house?! WHY are they here again!?'

Now, here I am with this commemorative silver plated basket from 1905 that I really just love. The thing is so darling I can't stand it. On one side it says "From The Dorcas Society" and on the other it says "Mrs. Hodge - 1905".

I'm listing the basket on ebay today, but I will end the auction if anyone with the last name of Hodge contacts me or if anyone who can prove they are a relative or decedent of 'the' Mrs. Hodge listed on this particular basket. You can have the basket for $10 (that's what I paid for it). I would love to have the family of Mrs. Hodge have this basket! 

This little end table by the Mersman company was in such poor condition no one would buy it at an online estate auction. So when I went to pick up my other items, the auctioneer said, 'Are you sure you can't do anything with that little Mersman?' What a sweet little table with its triple column base and splayed legs, albeit it at 3 different lengths and missing trim. I thought it had tons of potential. So, I made an offer and brought it home.










Mersman is a furniture company in the United States that has made tables under many different names since the 1870s. My favorites are their Mid Century tables. They're always excellent quality and have great lines. Though mass produced in their later years, they have become a hot collectors' item. Do a search on Ebay and see how hot this brand is right now!

So, I brought this little guy home and played with it a bit. I sturdied up the legs, did a little sanding, gave it a coat of "Tiffany" colored milk paint (my favorite) over the top of hand cut paisley patterned tape appliques I made to reveal some of the beautiful wood tone through the new paint.



When it dried and I removed the tape I felt it still needed a little something, so I added some hand painted white paisleys to the top. Then I felt like the white was too stark. AH!! So, I sanded the whole top again. Oooh. Now I liked it!




Threw a coat of natural beeswax furniture wax on it and wallah! I hope someone gives this little Mersman a new home Friday or Saturday as it'll be on sale at the Parlor City Indie Market and Craft Faire.

Watch for these tables at antique sales and flea markets or call me if you have any you want to unload. I'll even take the uglies and try to give them a new lease on life.

Bench Retro Redo

Here's a nice little Mid Century bench. Good and solid, but the wood is a little scratched up and the fabric is gawdawful. Poor thing. It wants a makeover!

So, we start by taking the top off - SO easy, it's just attached with 4 screws.

I used my recently purchased 100% natural Ginger's Milk Paint in Eiffel Tower Gray. I mixed it with bonding agent because I don't want this piece to be 'chippy'... that would be the WRONG look for this style of furniture. I can't say that I love using milk paint yet. It's like trying to train a wild animal, you just never really know what's going to happen with it.

But, this time, it came out perfect!

I recently bought a piece of vintage fabric at a flea market. This is straight out of the 50s. I just love the funky little pattern. I'm an orange fan and grays are SO in right now, I decided to go for it.

You put the fabric on, make sure your pattern is straight and start stapling! Always start in the middle on one side, put about 3 staples in (or about 6" attachment) then go to the opposite side, pull the fabric nice and tight (without causing creases) and staple on the opposite side of the staples you just put in. Next you do the other end, then you work from the middle sections to the corners leaving about the last 2" loose. Once you have the sides all secured your goal is to have taught corners without loose fabric or hard creases or corners of fabric sticking out. You can achieve this by working your way around the corner, making small creases in the fabric, pull it all tight and staple it down fast before it gets away! Don't get your fingers!

 

Then put the cushion back on the bench with the original 4 screws! Easy peasey.

Talkin'bout Crazy Cool Medallions

This makes me laugh: http://www.hulu.com/watch/274881 

Check out this crazy cool medallion.

Rehearsal for Death! A Mystery - Just in Time for Halloween!

Calling All Ye Theater Folk! Calling North High grads! Calling the class of 1954!

Help us solve the mystery of the “Rehearsal for Death” vintage poster from 1954.

See picture – who was “The Guild”? Who remembers seeing this play? How can we find the list of actors who performed in it? Are Raymond Merchant’s relatives still around?

Was it a good production? ;-) Ok, it's not necessary to answer that question, but it would be fun to hear about it! At any rate, people weren't paying ALL that much to go, 75 cents for adults! Not bad.

This poster is for sale for $28. unless the mystery uncovers a famous actor appeared in this performance! However, help us solve the mysteries and tell us a good story and get this for $20!