Country Living Fair Followup

We had such a great time at the Country Living Fair - South at Stone Mountain Georgia.  My lovely daughter Carrie, worked like a Trojan the entire time, setting up, arranging, and rearranging all weekend.  We arrived on Wednesday with our 24' gooseneck horse trailer, and quickly found out how difficult it was going to be to get that trailer to our space around the twisting narrow paved pathway and forrest of huge pines.  The setting was wonderful, the access was horrendous.  A good Georgian friend, Victor, met us at the showgrounds and saved the day.  He got the trailer to our boothsite, helped us unload and set up tents, and got the trailer back out.  We had just enough time to cover everything up  before the setup time was over.  Thursday morning Carrie and I set to work, finishing the furniture arrangement by noon, and working all afternoon on smalls and decor.  We were dog tired by Thursday night, but were relieved to have help from my husband who came to join us.

Because of our schedule and busy day on Friday, I was not able to leave the booth for pictures until Sunday!  My camera got left in the truck so I used my husband's cell phone (mine was set up for credit card sales) and managed to get my first walk around the show.  I got several nice pictures and enjoyed a quick browse through, but lost all of my photos when my husband changed phones on Monday!  At least I still had my booth pictures on my camera which I had brought in for setup!    Sorry I could not share with you what all I saw, it was such a wonderful show, filled with such talented people who did miraculous things with jewelry, antiques, vintage, artwork, metal, pottery, glass, and you name it!   It was not your ordinary country fair by any means. 

Our booth space allowed us plenty of room to spread, and since we had a tree in our front yard which prohibited setting the tent up by the road, we opted to set the tents up by depth instead of width, and used the tree to set up a mancave display with the antique mantle, oars and paddles, lobster traps, log tables, old weathervane, lots of old barn and fishing items, and my husband's creation coffee table made from an antique drag(old mule-drawn cultivating equipment).   The glass-top table got lots of great comments, as well has his hand-hewn log tables.  

Our antique mission child's desk was a favorite with many lookers.  It has old green paint and built-in electric sconces.

It was nice to have the room to create an island of furniture.  The island dwindled over the 3 days, and had to be rearranged every day,

 Among other smalls, my handpainted Paris signs were a hit, and none came home with me.  Most of what is seen in this display went home with others!

 There was not much remaining of this grouping either.

Sold a bunch of my crocheted hats.

Inside the tents I had my big cupboards

 My husband hung this lamp and put all the crystals back on the rim of the shade.

 I still love my old Brimfield step-back cupboard.

 After selling several wood bowls, I sold the display out from under.

 I painted and antquied the white hamper and then added the fluer de lis, which sold on Saturday.

 My daughter caught a picture of me still in my coat from the morning chill on Friday.

My husband shot this of us two girls, my daughter and me.

 Our early plantation desk was not only a conversation piece, but went to a new home on Sunday.

 My potpourri was a hit and made a great earlybird special.

 My daughter even sold my crocheted spread that made the backdrop for my vintage linens.  We had to redo this area for Sunday.

This mustard yellow cupboard is one of four early stepback cupboards I displayed at the show.

Sold my little refinished hanging lamp on Saturday.

 The cherry rope beds also found a new home. They were unique in that there where two identical matching twin beds all intact.

 This is what was left of what was in the picture below after Fridays sale and after we rearranged for Saturday.

I love my husband's log tables and still got to bring them home.  They have another purpose, maybe in our log cabin.

 I

 I happily sold many pieces of my handmade jewelry, which made me happy since this is the first showing of it.

The old wavy glass door made a good backdrop to hang necklaces. My jewelry is available on Etsy.com

All in all, it was a very good show, and I hope all those that patronized our booth will come back to see us next year.  Thanks to each and every one of you for making our first Country Living Fair such a success!

Bella Rustica Antique Show Franklin, TN

Last weekend I had the blessing of visiting the Bella Rustica Antique Show in Franklin, TN.  This was the first year for the show, which was held at beautiful Tap Root Farm.  Upon entering and driving up their long tree-lined driveway facing their gorgeous 2-story historic farm house, one entered the first tent of booths set up on the east side of the front lawn.  At first I thought that the booths in the tent were the entire show, but soon found out there were booths in both barns and tents behind. 

My first stop was to meet Nancy of Sassy Trash where I bought my first item, one of her lovely metal and pearl crosses that I now have hanging in my office window.  For some reason my picture of Nancy's booth did not turn out, but be sure to visit her blog and get the whole rundown. Her interesting and creative metal work is a study in itself.  Nancy is not only talented, but just a friendly and personable as she is in her blog.  I was so glad to finally meet her.  We will both be exhibiting at Country Living Fair in Atlanta, Oct. 21-23.  Her booth was great; my favorite of the show.  

Entering the first tent was a delight.  Nancy's booth was right across from Magnolia Pearl, with her enjoyable array of vintage boots, linen pantaloons, doiley vests, and asseccories.  I visited her booth twice.

Donna Grainger of Bessie Mae's had wonderful antiques and gorgeous linen covered chairs she had apholstered.  She is a very talented lady and so very nice to visit with.

I adored the vintage truck and trailer.  He was just setting up, so I didn't see what he had.

The barn has a big feed bin filled with hay and flowers and decor, and a menu for the barbecue cooking behind the barn. 

An artist worked on one of her paintings as we entered the barn.

Carter's Creek Station Antiques & Grainery had some really great antiques and smalls.  I found a wonderful ivory crocheted spread and some ivory linen I needed to cover a stool.  These ladies had a combined booth, but their shop is in Franklin area.  I can't wait to visit it. 

I really enjoyed the numerous landscape designs set up around the show.

The girls at Carter's Creek were so friendly and accommodating. 

My friend Martha from Sonora, Ky met me at the show.  She found a really nice  vintage mail bag with great lettering (no pun inteneded)  from Carter's Creek

Martha has a great eye for the unique, and found several nice items.

Martha's friend, Sandy came with her; I was pleased to meet her and get to know her a bit at the show.

An old

sugar cane sack had Cuba stamped in the back.  Most of the younger generation could never relate to all of our sugar coming from Cuba years ago. 

This lovely lady is Colleen Meffe, who does beautiful calligraphy.  She will do custom sayings and commission orders.   Colleen is also from the Franklin area.

Peggy @vessels.us had a very nice booth with great vintage items.  Every stall of the barn was filled, and Peggy's was no exception.  We were kindred spirits and had a great conversation before I had to leave to catch up with my friends. 

The all-girls band that was playing while I was there, was just fantastic.  Like Nancy said in her blog, they so added to at atmosphere of the festival.  They were great musicians and had wonderful music.

Orchard pond had such an eye-catching fall display to draw you into their both. 

It was so nice to see original artwork at the show.  As an artist myself, it is always a pleasure to me, to have the opportunity to view other work. 

I do hope Bella Rustica returns next year.  I would love to exhibit there, and can only give good kudos to the organizers of the show. 

Country Living Fair South

Visit me at the CL Fair...Country Charisma.  I am delighted to be exhibiting, and working hard to prepare. 

Country Living Fair

IT'S OFFICIAL!  I WILL BE EXHIBITING AT THE COUNTRY LIVING FAIR IN ATLANTA OCT. 21-23 STONE MOUNTAIN, GA.  HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!  http://festivals.stonemountainpark.com/mini-section/default.aspx?season=fall&id=126

Later, I will post my booth space and directions on where to find me at the fair.  I will be bringing primitive and cottage antiques, vintage fabric pillows, handmade jewelry, and many nice accessories.  Be sure to stop by and introduce yourself!  See you at the fair!