Repurposed window project

We have been saving an inspiration picture for a project using reclaimed windows.  Right now, we happen to have a lot of reclaimed windows in just about every corner of every storage space we have available.

With a few hours set aside for projects today, we decided to make a cabinet with a reclaimed window as the door. Part of the fun and frustrating part of working with reclaimed materials is that you have to make it up as you go. There are no standard sizes or measurements. Our materials can look nothing like what is represented in the inspiration pieces.

We started with the window and build the cabinet to fit. After some thinking and planning and digging for materials, we are super excited about the finished product.

We can't wait to show this off next weekend at Vintage in the Valley.

Unpack the trailer sale - a good idea or no?

This is the season for spring shows and we have been burning up the roads.

First, the Red Barn Outdoor Market near Benton, KS.  We followed that up with a trip north to the Funky Junk Market in Funk, NE.  Then, we went south to Dewey, OK for the 2 Friends & Junk Sale.  All fantastic.  But, whew, we are exhausted!  So much good stuff has been passed on to great people.  We have met so many new, cool, like-minded people and reconnected with treasured friends.  We are having a blast.

Now, to unload the trailer and reset the studio. We have a love/hate relationship with this part of our work. It's always fun to dig out new inventory and reconfigure what we have on hand, and it also means carrying some heavy stuff. Ok, not some.  We carry a lot of heavy stuff.

I pitched an idea to my husband and he thinks I am crazy. So, I'll pitch it here and you can confirm or deny if this is a good idea.

My idea: have a unpack the trailer sale.  We name a day and time and set everything out in the grassy lot behind our studio.  We'll make some great deals and I'll slowly reset the studio.  You get great deals and maybe I don't have to carry as much heavy stuff as far. Win-win.

If you are thinking that all of the stuff left in the trailer is all the stuff no one bought at the sale, you have to know that we always pack WAY more than we could ever sell in a space during a one or two day show.  We are prepared for anything. That means we always bring home a lot of good stuff and if we shop on the way home, we might even have some new treasures.

Plus, our show schedule means that we have neglected anyone who is local who wants to browse.  We just couldn't pack and unpack and pack again and keep on the road.  So, the unpack the trailer sale would be a great way to catch up with anyone in our area who has been feeling the need to take a look at some signs or has wanting to check out some great vintage finds.

So, what's the verdict?  Have an unpack the trailer sale or no?

2 Friends & Junk - Dewey, OK

This season has been all about shows for us.  We have challenged ourselves with four shows in four weekends.  In addition to the time and energy in keeping up with inventory, we also worked our first two out of state shows and our first two-day show.

What a great time!

This weekend was the 2 Friends & Junk show in Dewey, Oklahoma and we checked the out of state and two-day show boxes.

We upgraded our booth size to accommodate the indoor show set up and to be able to include more items with a better flow for shoppers.  Overall, we were pleased with the layout.

Added bonus of the weekend - seeing dear friends who live in Bartlesville and another couple who we always see at the Vintage Treasure Market in Emporia each summer.

Favorite quote from the show:
Red Hat Society shopper: "Anybody ask you if these boards are warped?"
(Referring to these awesome wine barrel stave coat hangers we had for sale in the booth.)
Us: (laughing) "Yeah, actually, someone asked us last night why we had bent wood for sale."
Red Hat Society shopper: "Well, they're warped!"

Next up - graduations and catching up on custom orders.  Then, the Fabulous SugarPete Flea on May 23.

Funky Junk

 Last weekend was a lot of fun.

We traveled to Funk, NE for the Funky Junk Market.  Funk is a little town of around 200 people and on the day of the Market, nearly 2,000 people visit for vintage shopping. We love the idea of bringing something with energy and people with spending power to small towns!

Held on the grounds of an old school, there were spaces inside the gym and outside on the playground.  We had a great spot under a shade tree and we needed every bit of shade because it was well into the 80's by the afternoon.

The morning had a crowd waiting to enter and the shoppers came out in full force.  Graduations and other commitments must have kept the afternoon crowd away, but overall, it was a great day!

We got to see some dear friends and visited with some really nice people. One of our friends recommended the Flippin' Sweet pizza for lunch and it was awesome!

Look for a possible market in the fall!

Ideas for Mother's Day

Mother's Day is right around the corner and many of you may be searching for gifts.

We have some really great options available.  We love to shop local and to buy directly from artists, makers, and small business owners. We also love repurposed, vintage, one-of-a-kind, and meaningful gifts.  We work really hard to try to provide all the same things we love for the people who shop with us.

Here are some ideas that might work for your mom or the people in your life who provide the love and support of a mother figure.

Maybe she used to read you this book - a true classic and something that you will always share. This saying is so popular and we love it when people tell us they have their own version and have changed up the words a bit.  We have made a few custom signs to honor a family's own personal saying.

Maybe someone on your list is a young mom and she can relate to this saying - unless she's too exhausted to find it funny.

Maybe you have a grandma who would appreciate one of these signs. We have been honored to be a small part of surprise announcements of new little ones on the way. Some couples have chosen to tell their parents by gifting them with one of these signs.  So sweet.

If we can help with your shopping, please let us know!  We love to help!