Deep Thoughts

I haven't watched Saturday Night Live in a long time....but one of the things I do remember is the "Deep Thought" clips. They always cracked me up and I thought that would be a good seg-way into my own "deep" thoughts.

I admit, I'm an overachiever when it comes to self analysis. I'm definitely my own harshest critic and at times it can be really debilitating. With the seasons changing and lots on my mind lately. I'm finding myself on the presuppose of change. With a heavier work load and growing children my expectations for myself and my family are changing. I still have trouble thinking of myself as a "working" mother...but I certainly am. But that doesn't make it any easier to ask for more help from the kids and hubby. Old habits die hard...and most days I just feel like I'm drowning in a sea of dirty dishes. Hmmmmm, what to do? Chore chart? Nervous breakdown? Tears usually get my hubbies attention. A maid....definitely a maid. Right?

In the end, I just have to speak up and ask for more help. I need to keep reminding myself that delegation is not a sign of weakness.

Words of wisdom...learned the hard way

Since I'm a crash course kinda of gal, it's taken me a few "blunders" to get some techniques under my belt. My best friend Gen is more the research type, as I've written about before. She will research and test out a new product, judiciously conserve her paints and tools, etc. Basically, everything I don't do.

I tend to just open the can and start slapping it on. I think that was part of the appeal of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. The theory is that you don't have to sand or prime and it sticks and covers anything. Which I have to say is mostly true. I have however, also railed through can after can of this rather expensive (but totally worth it) paint. Finally I got wise after a huge buffet that took something like 5 coats of pure white ASCP to cover the bleed through of mahogany stain. Hmmmmmmm, maybe I could save some time and money and put a coat of primer on first. Genius!!! Not really...actually it was what my partner Brenda had suggested at the beginning with that mammoth buffet. So on certain pieces, ones with bright original paint colors or strong dark stains, I now happily use a primer coat.

So that was the starting point with my bubble gum pink darling. Here she is with one healthy coat of primer....actually, when you're not entirely sure what color you want to paint something, sometimes a primer is the best place to start. I find it gives you the opportunity to see the piece as a blank canvas. Often a strong color can blind you to the beauty of piece.

My last tip for today my seem dumb, but I say it only because I've learned this one the hard way too. Always remove your hardware before you start to paint and put it in a safe spot. I put knobs in a sandwich bag, then in one specific drawer in my work room.

There's nothing worse than hunting for a missing screw or drawer pull when your at the end. Its like having the perfect pair of earrings for an outfit...you're about to walk out the door for your date, but you can only find one.....arrggghhhh! 

Lipstick on a pig...

Painting furniture is hardly a new concept. You see it everywhere blogs, stores, Craigslist....the list is endless. And now, more than ever, there are some really great products on the market to transform your garage sale treasures, such as Annie Sloan Chalk Paint or Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint. With so many great paints and tools available on the market place it can be overwhelming to choose the right medium for your piece.

I've been doing my fair share of painting lately, so I don't get too attached to my work. I don't always paint with my favorite color or use my favorite technique. I've learned that every piece of furniture has a color that will elevate it, not detract. This is sometimes a tough pill to swallow...."I don't want to paint this piece blue!" But instincts have taught me to go with my gut on what will look best for each item.

Think of furniture like the latest style trends....I really love skinny jeans, but in no universe that I live in do they look good on me. Same goes for paint. Some colors and techniques just end up looking like lipstick on a pig. Definitely not what we're going for!

So the question is.....How do you choose the right paint color/type? Hmmmmm, this is a tricky question. I think first you have to consider the condition and age. What sort or details, i.e. carvings, finials, knobs does the piece have. Is the wood dark or light? Is the finish old and dry or high shine and pristine? It's a lot to try to navigate at once. So to start I thought I would leave you with an example of what not to do. To whoever painted this little night stand, no disrespect...judging by the price I paid for it and where I got it, I don't think it ended up being a prized possession.

Ain't she a beaut!

OK....so besides the fact that this nightstand is painted bubble gum pink....the real bummer is that none of the great details have been highlighted. Stay tuned....I'll be working on this one today and I'll give you a step by step of the resurrection.

Back in the swing...

I think I'm getting back into the swing of things. After a long internal struggle, I choose to leave Summer Cottage Antiques and just concentrate my efforts over at French Hen. I must admit, it was with a heavy heart that I did so, for many reasons, mostly though, I'll miss working with my Bestie Gen.

I felt a little out of sorts for awhile. Sometimes the right decision for your business isn't the one you wanted to make. At the end of the day, I only have two hands and so much time and I couldn't stretch myself that thin. I dearly love my friend Gen as well as the wonderful dealers at Summer Cottage, that shop will always feel like a second home to me.

All that said, I had sort of felt like I had lost the wind in my sail for a bit. In general, I HATE CHANGE!!! I have a tendency to avoid it at all costs. The price of my avoidance however, is usually more than the change would have been. Oh well, I guess none of us are without faults. So I'm slowly re navigating what my business plan is, what my hopes and goals are for the future and how to get "there". Where is "there" anyway? Wow...I sound like a hot mess, LOL. I think what I'm trying to say is, I have a lot of dreams, ideas and creativity and I'm just trying to funnel it into the channels that will best suit (and profit) me. I know I'll get "there" if I follow my heart.

The thing in business and in life, is that if it feels really comfortable....then it's time for a change. I know I'm really reaching for something new, because everything I'm doing is such a stretch from my comfort zone. I read a blog post yesterday on Miss Mustard Seed, and she encouraged her readers to put your dreams in print. Which when you go to do is INCREDIBLY SCARY!!!! I thought a lot about what I really want from my creative business and I've come up with three things I'm really dreaming of. So here they are:

1.) Continue to grow and thrive at French Hen Antiques
( This was the easy one....already on my way here!!!)

2.) Work directly with people to teach them "how to's".
"How to" what?? How to choose a paint type for a piece of furniture, how to stage a room, how to.... well the list goes on. Basically, I enjoy sharing my creative process and I'm always surprised by how grateful people are for tips and tricks. I'd like to find a way to combine the two.

3.) Drum roll........This is the biggie....... I want to host my own sales.
But in my dreams they are BIG! I've been to some great events, but I feel our local marketplace is missing a certain type of Antique Show/Barn sale extraordinar that I feel like I could produce. Why this? I like people, I LOVE EVENTS, I'm a good organizer (my laundry room discluded) and I love antiques and artisans. The BIG BIG BIG dream is to be able to own the property to have these sales on.

So there it is in print...doesn't seem that scary now.

Over 1,000!

Everyone who has started a blog, no matter what the intention is, has little milestones along the way that they would like to hit. For myself, just getting started and having the courage to put myself out there for judgment has been a leap of faith.

I don't feel like I have anything particularly earth shattering to say, I know my photography is comical...but I love the process of sitting down with something in mind to write about and sharing. I hit just over 1,000 page views the other day. I'm sure many blogs get that by the hour or even the minute. But for me, it took awhile to creep up to that point and I'm proud.

It is so easy to compare yourself to everyone else's standards for excellence or achievement. I'm doing something I enjoy, I know I get to connect to people I didn't even realize I was reaching and...? And, that's enough for me.

Please send me a comment so I know who's been checking this blog out, besides my Mom, Aunt's and sisters... he, he.

Half way there...a countdown begins

We are about at the half way point of summer vacation for my children. Let's just say that the lazy day's of summer are not in the forecast for me or my kids with my new work load. That's ok...I just find myself longing for the school year to begin, instead of dreading the start up of the grind. I'm definitely looking forward to resuming the routine and having the kids occupied and entertained.

I always feel like I'm jumping the gun on seasons and prematurely ready for a holiday months ahead of time. I guess I'm perfectly suited for retail. Actually, Brenda and I were picking our Christmas merchandise just this last week. Yep...that's my life these days, x-mas in July and wishing the first day of school was tomorrow, not a month from now. Oh well, anybody else thinking about the holiday's yet? I know there's a mom or two out there who's ready for school to start....wink, wink.

The above photo is of my mother...in her Halloween costume, as Sister Mary Fear the beard Wilson (SF Giant's fans unite!) Since I've been mentally planning my Halloween window for French Hen today...I thought this was appropriate. I think I need to buy a new pair of flip flops, get a spray tan and embrace summer while it's still here.

Wishes won't wash dishes

Sometimes in the antique business you come across unique finds. About a year ago I met a woman named Suzie at a flea market. Our conversation lead to an invitation to her home to see more items she had for sale.

Let's just say that pulling up to her house was a dream. Picture a beautiful farmhouse with wrap around porch, acres of landscaped country side, chickens roaming freely in the yard, old wheel barrels brimming with succulents, flowers cascading out of old buckets and cement urns, fabulous old barns...all packed with treasures. It was an inspiration to say the least.

I walked away with a truck load that day, but what I was really interested in was a collection of dishes. Suzie has a lot of great things and is a total creative spirit. In one of her barns, I discovered a HUGE stockpile of dishes. She had planned to make mosaic with the pieces and been collecting for years. Close your eyes and imagine vintage metal locker baskets packed full of every imaginable pattern of china, stuffed into shelves, on tables and under tables. Dishes in boxes, in baskets and on the ground. Dishes everywhere...all topsy turvy, dusty and dirty.

"Would you like to sell any of your dishes?" I asked..."Yes," she answered "but you have to take them all". Well, now this was something to consider. It was definitely a take the good with the bad proposition. "How much?" I asked...her price was beyond reasonable, so a tentative deal was made and I drove away expecting to be back soon.

Unforeseen circumstances made the deal hit the brakes until just a few weeks ago, when I received an email from Suzie to come and collect my loot. And so with boxes and my bestie Gen along for the ride, we headed to her fabulous property.

What did I walk away with....definitely more than I bargained for! The sheer volume of dirty dishes was a huge undertaking. It took two days and two truck loads to get them home, but I would be lying if I didn't say it was a total blast.

Gen and I set up two galvanized tubs in my yard and started to wash. It was like a treasure hunt, we didn't know what we had until the dust washed away.

What did I end up with? A little of everything...transfer ware, restaurant ware, kitchy styles, soft romantic florals, ironstone, Limoge, Wedgwood, Georgian, tea cups, plates, platters, bowls, figurines. You name it, I got it.

Gen and I would like to keep service for 30 of mixed matched florals for an outdoor farm to table style dinner. I'll be bringing pieces into both shops this month. If your in the market for something particular let me know...chances are I have it.

Thank you to my Mom and Aunt Ellie for helping me wash and sort. And a very special thank you to Gen for sharing the experience (and crap ton of work) with me. The whole endeavor was something I will never forget.