Latest Updates on the French Flea!

After a day of vignetting, and re-vignetting, and then re-vignetting again, the shoppe is starting to look like a shoppe! With the help of many of the dealers, it's all coming together. And with an ad in the local Star and Tribune today, I think we'll have a great opening day! Here are some more pictures of how it's coming together . . . .

For more info, go to their website at www.frenchfleamarketofanoka.com.

Spring at the Round Barn Potting Co!

As some of you may already know, I consign some of my vintage finds at the Round Barn Potting Co. in Andover, MN and spring is definitely is in the air! Lori Miller, owner and decorator, has a passion for the garden and she has brought it right into the store. With statuaries, and florals, cloches and planters, bird baths and bird cages, you'll find many items to bring the garden right into your home.

Open six days a week, the Round Barn Potting Co., carries both new and vintage items. You'll find from dishes and food, to antiques and furniture. There's something there for everyone. Here's a few pictures from the inside of the store.

Round Barn Potting Co. is located at 13736 Marigold St NW, Andover, MN 55304 763.427.5321

The French Flea - My Latest Adventure!

Beginning May 1, I'm starting out on a new venture. An occasional sale is opening in Anoka, MN called "The French Flea" and I will be a part of it. If you're not from Minnesota (ya sure, ya betcha!) and not familiar with occasional sales, they are sales typically only open four to five days a month. They are very exciting and the frenzy that ensues at the beginning of these sales is incredible to say the least. This particular sale is running on a French/European Country theme (oh-la-la!) and will be open every second weekend of every month.

One thing they're doing different with this sale is that it's not going to be individual booths, say like a typical antique store. All the different dealers, about ten in all, will be mixing their items together, to have a more cohesive feel. It will be more muted colors and neutrals, and of course black. But all vintage!!

So if you happen to be in the Twin Cities, live near it, or are looking for something to do, come and visit us. It will be tre magnifique!

Here are a few "before" and "during" set-up pictures. And yes, we are painting the carpet! Ha!

Julie breakin' after all that paintin'! Ha!

And some additional info:

One of My Top Ten - Cloches!

After seeing Sue Whitney of Junk Market's, Top Ten picks from Round Top, I decided to showcase one of mine. Cloches are definitely one of my favorite pieces in decorating. They are a great way to display your unique items. Vintage ones may be hard to come by (and can be pricey), but not impossible. I have a few vintage, and then I also improvise with other glass pieces. New ones can be found quite easily. Here are a few examples of ways I use them.

Cloches are a great way to showcase collections. Here I have a collection of vintage clocks. The cloche on the left is actually the globe from a vintage hanging light fixture.

If you know me, you know I love scales. I also love cloches. It's only natural to put them together!

Simply yet impactful, this set of three cloches sit on top of rusty upside down colanders showcasing a plant.

Now you can't get much simpler than this. It's just a wine stem placed upside down.

If you group them together you can make an even bigger statement. Here I have them displayed for Christmas.

This is a fun display! Soap stacked with a vintage hair tool!

Here I just took a small vase and showcased a flower. The door knob vase idea I took from Sue she shared when she was on the Today Show with Kathie Lee and Hoda.

This large cloche filled with green apples sits on top of a metal farm tiller piece.

The base to this was unfortunately broken, but it works great to showcase a small cement bird.

This was the top to a dessert server. It sits on the top of a vintage automobile side mirror!

I love cloches on vintage dresser mirrors!

Now you've seen my ideas, go have fun with your own!

Final Post of My Advertures with Ms. Sue and the Junk Gang

After a busy Easter Weekend (I had 18 people over for Easter dinner!), I figured I needed to complete my posts on my Marburger adventures before I forget all the fun things we did. I've included a ton of pictures, so hopefully I won't bore you!

On Wednesday we were back at Marburger manning the booth, with Sue doing more book signings and giving a Green Ribbon Tour of the show. She was very popular and gracious enough to continue signing books even past her allotted. time. We did take a little time to jet off to a place called Chula's where they had an awesome selection of vintage dresses for the Junk Gypsy Prom. I was able to find a sequin, rhinestone and pearl jacket, Elizabeth found a wonderful pink flirty prom dress, Kimberly picked up an awesome long flowing red skirt with layers of tulle, and Georgia purchased a black layered western skirt for the event. Sue was able to find a long vintage olive green velvet dress, but later opted for something she already had.

Later that evening we attended an event of wine and hors devours at the Red Barn and mingled with some of the vendors, while getting in a little more shopping. That followed with dinner at a local steak restaurant. We ended the evening with a night of talking and Sue looking for fire ants. If you have a story to tell about fire ants, but sure to share it with Sue. Ha ha!

The last day we were there we headed out to Warrington and did a little shopping there. Sue picked up some great metal chairs she planned to use on the Today show. I wasn't really looking for much, but had fun seeing all the great stuff and was able to pick up the rest of my wardrobe for the Prom.

We finished off the night with a barbecue back at the Heartland and then the dance with the Junk Gypsies. What a hoot that was! All the southern hospitality just blew me away. We danced until midnight and never laughed so hard. What a great group of people I was with. I will never forget this adventure and hope to return again in the fall. Here are the remainder of my pictures from that memorable time. To see more Junk Gypsy pictures, check out Theresa's blog at cottagegardens-theresa-smith.blogspot.com

This guy was great! He was selling and strumming.

Wonderful vintage Coke and Advertising Collectibles.

Oh, I do love rust!

These guys were a little disturbing!

How cute were these two. Notice the sun glasses on the one!

I saw lot of European/French Country Antiques. Love 'em!

The Magnolia Pearl Booth

Sue and Kathy having a little down time between book signings at Shelly's booth!

Part of the Gang, minus Sue and Georgia, at the Red Barn.

Coffee? Tea? Elizabeth? She's so darn cute!

Don't we make a cute couple? Ha!

Elizabeth and Kimberly behaving like children, having fun on a teeter-totter!

Love that "E"!

The three clowns . . . Kimberly, Elizabeth and Georgia!

Texas blue bonnets (plus Doug)!

Karen and Ms. Sue

Sue, Karen's Husband Elton and Elizabeth

Doug and a couple one-night-stands, literally. They were dressed as lamps on an end table. Ha!