"Every single problem that you have in your life is the seed of an opportunity for some greater benefit."

                                   Deepak Chopra

Who says I'm not tech savy?

Actually, me, I'm saying it....
"I AM NOT TECHNICALLY INCLINED!"

I've long said that I could shape you a swan out of tin foil any day, but ask me to program a VCR, never gonna happen. And if the mere mention of a "VCR" gives any indication to my limited realm of tech awareness, then you know I might be a lost cause.

At any rate, Hello! I haven't blogged in quite awhile...that's how long my Internet connection has been down. And today was the day I finally picked up the phone and called my provider to figure out the problem. Since my last post was in late March, you can tell that I am:

A.) A procrastinator

B.) Not hooked to all things online

C.) Content to do most things on my iPhone

The answer being all of the above. I live in a low tech household and it suits me just fine. We have one TV (which until this last December was not flat). In my entire adult life I have never purchased ink for a printer (because I don't have one). I didn't have an email account until I was 30......I'm now 34.
Needless to say, life in Bruhn household is pretty "unplugged".

So I'm back....I have lots of fun things to share, furniture projects, gardening adventures, decorating my chicken coop, planned shopping trips, baby projects for two (soon to arrive) nieces. I love summer and all the fun things it brings!

Spring!!!!

I know it isn't officially Spring yet...but it sure feels like it around my neck of the woods! I wish I had time to just play in my garden ALL DAY LONG but sigh, I have a laundry list of things to do today.

I'm very fortunate to have tons of space to plant, maybe a little too fortunate. The vision in my head for what I want to plant this year is a little daunting. I'm trying really hard to stay grounded in reality, but I keep having visions of gardens like this...

A girl can dream right?
Have you started your garden yet?

Accumulating

Lately, I've been loading up on stuff for the upcoming Petaluma Antique Fair, which will take place Sunday, April 28th this year.

I've rented an entire space for myself, which means I'm going to be a busy girl getting things ready for the show. In addition to my space on the street, I want to make sure I have plenty of items in my booth at Summer Cottage Antiques, which always gets tons of foot traffic on fair day.

Right now, however, I'm just in the buying/day dream stage. I'm trying to gather the goods and then slowly piece together my displays. It's always tricky to predict what customers are going to want. In the end I think you just have to go with your gut and what you like, because until it's sold....you own it!

I've been trolling Pinterest, what a treasure trove of inspiration that is! It's been a nice project to focus on and I'm feeling like I'm starting to make some progress. But this isn't my first rodeo and I know it takes a TON of stuff to really fill a booth. If you would like to dive into antique shows, my advice would be to share with a more experienced friend first so you don't get overwhelmed. That's what I did and I can't tell you how many wonderful lessons I learned from the dealers who took me under their wings.

Here's a little round up of just a few of the pieces I have....they obviously all still need paint. But like I said, I'm still in the buying stage. It's soooo much easier to buy than it is to paint...oh well. Spending is always the easiest part ;)

I'm super excited to work on this piece!

This Armour is a bit of a risk for me...but I got it for such a screaming deal it's worth it!

This photo doesn't do this little cupboard any justice, but it's adorable both inside and out.

So those are my first projects, I also have a pair of arm chairs, three dressers, a set of six chairs and a handful of other pieces. Yes, I think I'm going to be a busy girl!

Is anybody else planning on showing at the Petaluma Antique Fair?

Deep thoughts Monday

Hello all....feels like forever since I blogged last. I've been busy with all that Spring seems to bring, mainly activities with my two daughters.

Spring tends to usher in so many new things. My life has definitely been changing with new projects coming and lots of fun things to do with my family. It amazing how much life can change from month to month or even season to season. I think that raising a family has that effect. My children are constantly changing and as each month passes it seems we are able to do more together than before.

My oldest daughter will be turning 10 this month and somehow the reality of having a ten year old in the house is totally blowing my mind. I'm realizing what a short and precious thing childhood is...it really is such a short season in life. And yet, it has such a profound effect on all your remaining "seasons" as an adult.

As a mother, I'm just trying to step back right now and really see my life, my children and the joy of raising a family for what it is....a wonderful season in my life.

What season of your life are you in? Looking back which ones had the most profound effect on your life....which were the hardest or your favorite?

Coloring outside the lines

What type of artist are you?

Even if you don't consider yourself an "artist", we all have some type of creative spirit that we administer in our everyday lives. Tasks like cooking dinner or putting on your make up are actually little creative endeavors.

So I pose the question again, this time in a different way. Do you color inside or outside the lines....metaphorically speaking. I know I have a definite creative style and its pretty much always outside the lines. There are many days I wish I had the discipline to follow the directions on a paint product or patiently watch a how to video online before diving into a project. But alas, that's just not me.....and that's ok.

I've been doing some regrouping creatively since I left my bigger space at French Hen Antiques. It's so nice to just be alone in my quiet house, working on my own to do list...which some days may include folding laundry while watching cooking shows and other days painting. Right now I'm just enjoying working at my own pace.

I have lots of "painting for hire" jobs lined up, so I thought I would include a few pictures of projects in motion. Sorry for no before's on this dresser...I forgot to snap one. I'm doing lots of experimenting right now with black as a base color, this piece is an example of that.



Here's the drawers I painted them using Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint

Fugley brass hardware? No problem....just paint it!
 

The details of this piece are the best part!

I painted this dresser first with Typewriter, then a custom blended grey blue and finished with Linen. Why three colors? When you sand all the layers come through giving your piece lots of dimension and interest. It may look unfinished...and it is. I've learned to trust the process, most times my pieces look ugly before they look good. ;)

Housework...The never ending story

image via

boozebagbettygoestorehab.blogspot.com

Sometimes I feel like I'm drowning in a sea of dirt. Be it laundry, dishes, cob webs or just clutter in general I never seem to have everything clean at once. I'd like to interject here that my standards are not very high, I'm just talking about an empty kitchen sink or seeing the rare and elusive bottom of the laundry basket.

I feel like I'm stuck in the same problem areas all the time (kitchen/laundry room/living room) while some rooms, I literally won't step foot into for a week at a time. I want to feel like I've collectively gotten every room clean at the same time...I know, fantasy island, right?

So I've devised a new plan, I'll let you know if it works, today is Day One of a 30 day personal challenge.
5 minutes, every room, everyday! That's it!
My Aunt always says to just do little bits everyday and it will add up, so I'm hoping that rings true. My strategy is to choose a different cleaning activity to power out on everyday. Today's mission; eliminate garbage and items for donation. So I'm going to hit every room with two bags, one for trash, one for the goodwill.

Five minutes, every room, everyday....in my house this equals one hour so we'll see what I can accomplish. I'll keep you posted. :)

High hopes

Picture courtesy of heatherbullard.typepad.com

I've been with my hubbie since high school and over the years I've learned a few tricks when it comes to negotiating for things that I want. Anyone who's been married for awhile knows that marriage is a dance...one might even call it a balancing act. Give and take, trying to lean his way on some issues and hopefully he in mine.

I struggle to effectively communicate my wants. It's a flaw, what can say. I ALWAYS have a definite idea of what I want, but rarely do I shoot for the stars and ask for everything. I think it's my natural defense mechanism...if I don't ask, I can't get let down when I don't receive. The problem is my poor husband isn't a mind reader, so with my latest project I've decided to shoot for the moon. I figure if I aim for a 10 and get a 7, I'm still ahead. Usually, I would express the desire of a 5 get a 2 and be left pissed. Men of the world this is why women drive you crazy.

So what is this mystery project? A chicken cottage! I don't think that the term "coop" sums up what I'm shooting for. A "coop" doesn't have an foreye, pitched roof with awning and most important chandelier! "Chandelier in a chicken coop.....are you crazy?" my hubbie asked. No I'm not crazy, but I know he doesn't think I am. Over the years he has learned that the details matter to me (I love that he's able to see that).

photo courtesy of vintagehome.tumbler.com

I am very fortunate to have both the space and the man power to achieve what I want, now I just have to start gathering the supplies. I have champagne taste and beer pockets, so this project is definitely going to take some scrounging.

photos courtesy of thefancyfarmgirl.com

In addition to being pretty, the cottage also needs to actually effectively and safely house my lovely chickens. And yes, to the Bruhns out there reading, there will be an honorary "Plucka". What type of chickens do I want? Just regular laying hens and one rooster. None of those fancy pants furry fluffy chickens...not my style.

photo via pinterst unknown source

photo courtesy of picasaweb.google.com

I've been trolling pintrest for ideas and coop eye candy, I hope to include some of the pictured design ideas. ;) You can't blame a girl for trying!

photo via pinterst source unknown

Deep Thoughts Monday

"The purpose of life, after all,
is to love it,
to taste the utmost,
to reach out eagerly and without fear
for newer and richer experience."

~Eleanor Roosevelt

Treasure hunting!

Today's loot

One of the best parts of the antique business is shopping for treasures! One of the reasons I became an antique dealer is because of years of inadvertent training I had as a kid. If I had a nickel for every time I went to a thrift store or the Goodwill with my mom...I'd be rich!

I remember this one place called the "Bargain Store". It sold beads and all sorts of bits and cool things, the owner would barter and trade, which made it a favorite of my moms. Even in my late teens I would frequent Antique stores to drool over the Jadite dishes and depression glass.

My taste in antiques has changed over the years, but my love for the older and weathered has not. I think old things just have more personality...and besides, it's just in my blood. I couldn't just fill my house with new things, I literally wouldn't know how.

I'm always on the hunt for things for resale, so you would think that I'm constantly finding wonderful treasures for myself as well, right? WRONG...I completely forget to shop for myself! It's actually a resolution of mine, to shop for myself as well as my retail space.

So what have I been looking for? My new space at Summer Cottage is fairly mono-chromatic, which makes shopping and staging really simple. I'm always on the hunt for ironstone, great furniture that I can paint, interesting farm/industrial items, enamelware and cool bits that jump out at me. I think the best thing to remember as an antique dealer is, if you love it, someone else will too. With that I'll leave you with some pics of things I'm in love with now...hopefully the new year will bring plenty of these stunning items my way!

Ironstone!!!

Unique Boxes and crates

 

 

Butter Pats!!!

Natural wood furniture and cubbies

 

 

Carts and industrial salvage

Galvanized anything & everything!

Latte bowls

 

Ohh....and there's so much more!!! Here's to prosperous and happy treasure hunting to all in 2013!!!