Set to Launch....

Hello Friends!
Well TODAY is THE DAY!
Today I will proudly launch Olde Tyme Marketplace to the trade.
I . am. so. nervous.
Let me just say that this event  has been overwhelming.
I have had YEARS of showroom experience, I know what it takes.
I wasn't surprised at the sheer amount of work it took.
I wasn't scared of the work or the time it took~ after all it's the passion for what I do that fuels the fire.
This is just another step in my journey to get where I am going.
In my life, I feel like I have been sitting on a branch and when an opportunity presents itself, I scoot down a little farther on the branch. I fully expect it to snap any minute and I fall........
but I don't.
And I know the only thing keeping me up there is faith.
I pray that I don't fall.

I am very proud of how the showroom came together and along with
the butterflies I've got, I AM EXCITED!!!!
Today at 12:00 the doors open to a different world......
I AM READY!

I look forward to all the people that I am going to meet...

Plus...being surrounded by so much talent for this next week is
so good for the soul.

My creative juices will be in over drive.

I can't wait to share the stories of the week...

So with that I am OPEN for business!!

I will be keeping my fingers crossed for a good FANTASTIC show.

I owe a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who helped pull this together.

It does take a village and I appreciate you all so much.

My hope is that I am still on the branch at the end of it all~

ready for the next big thing.

:0)





Product Submission Photo

It took me HOURS to decide on this photo.
Literally~ I've been at this since 8:00 pm and this post is getting ready to go live at 11:30 pm.
So here's what I had to do:
I need to provide a single product shot to use in the High Point Market Week Preview guide.
I needed something that could convey the "look" of Olde Tyme Marketplace.
I knew without a doubt that it had to be chippy AND white. But it also had to say
farmhouse, rustic,weathered, original finish, natural patina, industrial and architectural.
It had to make the readers want to see more.
Sometimes I make stuff just too dang hard.
I kept second guessing myself and thinking that it is soooo different from all the other submissions from last years Market Preview issue. Everything looks so professional and cutting edge and perfect. They all look great!
That's when the light bulb went off! It looks sooo different from the others! Yippee right?
Different is good.
Heck~ different can even be fantastic. So I hit submit button  and fully  expect a phone call sometime tomorrow from the preview rep asking me if I'm serious about using this photo. LOL! I guess we'll see what happens!
I am more than open to their assistance being a newbie at this.
I also had to add a short description to add under the photo. Here's what I went with:
Olde Tyme Marketplace
A rustic weathered collection of farmhouse, architectural and industrial pieces specializing in original finish.
Or something close to that.
Anyway, let's hope it brings um to the showroom!
I'll let you know if I get the call.

Here's a Clue~It's Chippy AND it Floats......

Well today was a FIRST in our JUNKIN HISTORY!
We bought a BOAT!
A white chippy VINTAGE 1951 wooden Sunfish Sailboat!!
I am all but crazy over this thing!
Scratch that.....I am totally crazy over it!
This is exactly how it was when we pulled up to it.
I hopped out of the truck and in less time than it takes to say
Chilly Chilly Chick Chick (previous post)
we were inside payin the man!
She is 13 feet long with fabulous chippy white paint over blue paint~ and a beautiful "you can't get it from a can"
natural patina!
We have already taken it up to the High Point showroom (also a previous post)and now all I have to do is figure out how to display her!
Got any good ideas?? One option is to hang it from the ceiling.
I am so excited to get this cuz it's something different and I have never seen one before~ let alone in my booth!
This should be fun~ stay tuned!!

Why I am not an Antique dealer......

THIS is the reason I call myself a junk dealer and NOT and antique dealer! Any reputable antique dealer will know the style of this...couch, sofa, davenport, settee...in a jiffy. ME...not so much.
I am calling it a vintage sofa.
So there!
(Seriously...if you know......please tell me so I can at least pretend to have a little clout in this biz~ and I need an accurate description for the price tag!)

Let me set the stage...I found this in Goodwill.
It's like 20 feet long
(at least 6 cuz my feet don't touch the other end when I lay down)
It's in PRIMO fabulous condition , covered  in a brown ultra-swade (the way I would spell it)  OR ultra -suede( if
you already have clout)
It has a GAZILLION tacks (that look amazing)
And was a PERFECT candidate for a simple make-over that would TRANSFORM and update it in a heartbeat!

Here it is during the make-over. Let me just say that poor planning not being patient left me with only a LINER brush to use to cut in around all the tacks. It took FOREVER in 200 degree heat in the shade  to do it  but why would you think I would bother to get in the car and drive to the hardware store to grab a different brush!
I had a project to complete people...I need to see results!!!!
I am my own worst enemy...I swear!
(How bout that hillbilly bucket "prop shelf"? Nice huh?? TOP SECRET TRICK OF THE TRADE!)

Looking at this photo you would never guess it's 200 degrees outside with the cute little sun dapples and fluttering leaves.....ugh......

And here we are with the after!

We already took it up to the High Point showroom yesterday and I think she looks great
with the brick walls and wood floors!

The distressed finish took it from blah...to BAM!

I am really happy with the results on this one. I would love to find more pieces like this that just need a quick update.
One thing I know for sure...I WILL be running to the hardware store in the near future to get some different brushes!
Have a great day!
P.S. remember....if you know what style this is...pleeeeze let me know!
THX!!

Opportunity Knocked......

When you open a business , obviously your main goal is to succeed and be able to enjoy what you are doing.
You also continue to dream on how you can grow and flourish to keep the experience evolving.
I've been in this business for 25 years. During this time I have had  the joy of being able to work in many different facets.
I opened my first shop in 1987 fresh out of high school (I knew EVERYTHING I could possible need to know right???lol!) and that has created the path of this  fantastic career of doing what I love!
Along this path I designed and made every product I sold. At one point I was asked to help a friend of mine set up her show room at some major trade shows across the country. In return I was able to feature my products in a small section of the show room and take orders. Not much of a display for my things but a  presence none the less.
It was during that time I was "discovered" by the owner of a leading home decor company and I contracted with them for 5 years to design products for their company. As a designer I was also encouraged to work some of the major shows through out the country. The experience was amazing and I learned ALOT about how this business works.
All the while I did this, I would find myself imagining what I would do with my OWN showroom one day.
I would day dream about the products and how they would be displayed. I would get all excited at the thought of working with designers and new clients.
One thing was for certain: I wanted to take all that I learned and  be able to sell MY LOOK of "antiques" and use my designer eye to incorporated the right touches that clearly defines me. Every chippy, rusty, crusty side of me. I was done being in the shadows of others and wanted to be able to
"spread my wings."
Some day.
Well, I am so excited to tell you that SOME day became TO day!
At this moment I am all tinglie and pinching myself to believe it.
PINCH  PINCH PINCH!
Last week I got a phone call that put my dream into motion. The gal on the other end , Karen,  left me a message that I was thrilled to hear. She had seen my booth displays at  The Depot and The Sleepy Poet was most impressed with my products and display design.  Because of this she said that she would like to invite me to become part of the Antique and Design center in High Point NC.
I am PROUD to say that I have OFFICIALLY signed on as one of the exhibitors for the Fall Market.
I am showroom 53.
My dream is now making me a nervous wreck.

This is their ad for last years fall market.
I love the motto:
Continental ~Glam~ Industrial ~Garden ~Artisian Made ~Chic ~Glorious!
Speaking of GLORIOUS.......
take a peek at my showroom!

The back wall is beautiful brick , the floors are gorgeous hard wood  and the side walls are a wonderful neutral soft sage green. I don't have to do a thing except decorate it out!
Yep..it's as simple as that! UGH!
Right now the previous vendor has to move his things into the showroom across from me (neat stuff huh?) and then I get to get started. I already can't sleep.
I go over and over the layout in my head.
I need some big pieces for certain and have been lucky to score a few this past weekend.

I cannot wait to see these floors filled with awesome items and CUSTOMERS!
Then...maybe then will I be able to relax.
The best part of realizing this dream is that it goes hand in hand with my other dream of having my shop.
My hope is that by having the showroom I can lead designers and clients to the shop for year round service.
Mr. OTM is excited too. He has already shared some great design ideas and so far things are falling into place.
His encouragement means the world. Couldn't do it without him.
So there you have it! I just filled out the contract and put it in the mail box.
Opportunity knocked...(pretty loud too!) and I can't belive that I had the courage to answer it.
Here I come dream!