Tales of this shopkeeper.....Truck treasures

It's my regular Thursday junkin' day....last night I mapped out where I wanted to go and now I'm heading north. Even with mapquest and gps on my new phone which I haven't mastered yet, I tend to make a wrong turn at least once. Usually I'm day dreaming and pass an exit and have to turn around and go back. No worries...it's my day and I don't have any particular schedule.
I come to my first stop and enter the place I was really looking forward to seeing. Not at all what I was expecting so I hurry out, check more shops and end up in my truck a half hour after parking. Onward....
I'm down the road a bit and find a garage sale sign off the beaten path. Love those! But it's full of all things plastic and not my cup of tea so back in the truck I go and head east. Finally, I end up in a great place with lots to explore and, yes, I find some great things! Treasure!

Okay, I'll give you a better view...

So, lots of ideas for these things!

Tales of this Shopkeeper....The Liebster Award Surprise!

Last week a friend of mine gave me the Liebster Blog award.  I have known Debbie for many years.  She is one of those people who you can tell truly listens to you when you're talking.  You like her instantly when you meet her.  She is beautiful inside and out.  Our hearts share the same love affair with God and Debbie models that unashamedly in her life.  She and her husband have opened their home weekly to high school and college age kids for years in order to encourage them in their walks with God.  Both my kids have been impacted by their strong faith and warm hospitality.  Debbie has been blogging since 2009.  Her descriptions and instructions are clear and precise and her photos make me want to jump right in to whatever project she's working on.  I love that she talks about life and family (and she has raised a beautiful one) in between her knitting and purling.  Thank you, Debbie, for thinking of me!  So...here are the instructions....stringsofpurls.blogspot.com

1.  Thank the person who gave you the award.
2.  Link back to their blog
3.  Copy & paste the Liebster Award to the blog
4.  Pick 5 blogs that you feel deserve to be in the spotlight(they must have under 200 followers)
5.  Blog about it and leave a comment for your nominations to let them know you have chosen their blog.

And now I will pay it forward....

1.  Vanhook & Co., my friend, Rachel....I have blogged a bit about her and her husband.  Rachel is a busy mom, wife and very talented, creative artist.  She loves God and it is evident in the choices she makes in her life.  Her blog is full of her amazing creations and events in her life.  It is well written and photographed.  We have a business connection as Rachel and her husband have allowed us to sell some of their wonderful items in our shop.  I am grateful to know Rachel's precious mom as well.  They are both blessings!

2.  FleurishCreativeStudio, my new friend,Colleen...She moved to Ohio last year from the west coast.  I always enjoy talking with Colleen when she comes into the shop.  She is fun and full of energy.  We share a love of vintage.  Colleen collects old vintage parts ie. chandelier crystals and recreates them into pretty pieces of jewelry.  She has been published in "Jewelry Affaire" magazine and I believe will be published again soon.  Colleen's blog is full of wit and humor and definitely worth reading.

3.  East Street Design...I have never met Keri but have been checking in to see what she is up to on and off.  We share the same love of transforming old worn out furniture into fresh new looking pieces.  She has done some beautiful work and is using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint something else we have in common.  Her online store offers unpainted furniture for you to choose from and then the opportunity to have it finished the way you want it.  I look forward to her before and after photos and enjoy her descriptive language.  She is in Ohio as well.

4.  What's Old Is New.....very new for me.  Cathy commented on my last blog and I'm so glad as I have enjoyed catching up with hers and look forward to following her from now on.  She is an educator and speech pathologist.  She also loves vintage and I really enjoyed how she draws analogies between the children she has taught and the treasures she finds.

5.  The Summer Kitchen Girls....also very new.  This is going to be one I really enjoy as well.  Two sisters with differing ideas on home decor but together make a nice ecclectic blend.  Love it!  They commented on my last blog and I have caught up with them on theirs and really look forward to following them.

So, ladies, if you are interested....pay it forward:)
I am new to the blog world both in reading and writing but I believe these blogs are deserving of the Liebster award for their content and creativity.

Tales of this shopkeeper......Inspiration Thursday

Today was the day.  Inspite of the gloomy, rainy morning I was so looking forward to my big idea for the day.  I have hired a girl for Thursdays now so I can hunt for treasures and visit other shops for inspiration.
So...I leave the house to stop at the bank for change for the register and make a quick run to the shop to fill the cash drawer.  I decide to turn on the twinkle lights for Jennifer just to greet her on this gray morning.
As I'm leaving, Jennifer comes round the corner.."Oh, Marykay, it's suppose to get really bad this afternoon.  The temperature is suppose to drop 40 degrees and get windy and stormy." she says, concerned.  "Really, I say, "I hadn't heard all of that".  I'm thinking a 40 degree drop would make it in the teens and then ice and should I even try to go anywhere?  "Can I close if I need to go pick my kids up from school if it's bad?" Jennifer is saying.  "Yes, of course, just put the sign on the door" I tell her.  I get in my car and quickly call my husband as I head for the highway.  Nothing seems to be on the radar that even compares to that report so I continue on my way.
An hour and forty five minutes later I'm on Hwy 13 and in the middle of country.  There's an intersection up ahead with a red flashing light.  I turn right at the light.  On my right is a gas station and this sign......

I have arrived at my destination!  Up the hill and into a very quaint little town I come to what seems to be the center.  There on the corner, across from the pharmacy is "Urban Farmhouse" a business that I have been following online for several years.  It has inspired me and encouraged me so I am happy to actually be seeing this business in the flesh (or brick).
It is housed in a wonderful old brick building with great windows for display.  It is raining harder now and I try to get a picture of the outside but taking it through the car window is just silly...look for yourselves.

I must explain.....once I finally got here I felt funny about taking pictures.  I'm never very comfortable when people are snapping pictures inside my shop so I wasn't comfortable doing it myself.  To actually see beautiful pictures of Urban Farmhouse and the goods inside go to: http://www.myurbanfarmhouse.com/ or http://www.urbanfarmhouse.blogspot.com/.
The shop is everything I imagined and more with vintage treasures and beautifully painted furniture.  Once inside I began just wandering around and enjoying everything.  Birds were chirping in a cage near the counter as the Fed Ex guy came in with a package.  The pleasant lady behind the counter was chatting quietly with him when from the back of the shop a younger lady walked in with a camera.  She seemed on a mission and was going about taking pictures of different items.  I was thinking to myself....I wonder if this is a photographer from a magazine?
There were so many things I would have liked to treat myself to but I ended up with a few nice treasures.....

Love these!  The soap smells wonderful!

When I went to the counter I asked if Lisa, the owner, was there.  "That's Lisa" the sweet lady said pointing to the photographer behind me.  So I introduced myself and we chatted a bit.  Lisa has been doing this for ten years.  A real veteran in my book and she is a very sweet down to earth type of person.  The lady behind the counter was her mom!  How special is that? And, yes, I got up enough nerve to ask to take a picture of this precious mom and daughter....I am sorry I didn't ask for mom's name:(

Urban Farmhouse recently participated in the first "Vintage Marketplace" held in Henderson, Tenn.  There is another one coming up in Springfield, Ohio in May.  Go to: http://www.vintagemarketplace.com/ for more info.
Also in May.... The Rural Society Antique and Garden Show at Warwick Farm in Mt. Vernon, Ohio

Visit http://www.theruralsociety.com/ for more info. Urban Farmhouse will be there.  I hope to make it to several of these shows this year.   So....I actually made it to one of my favorite spots in Ohio and it was everything I had imagined:)  The trip is worth it if you're thinking you'd like to go.  I am once again inspired!
Once I left Thornville I headed to Lancaster, Ohio to pick up Hwy 22. Along the way I spied this.....Rush Creek General Store...www.rushcreekgeneralstore.com

It's apparently about a year old and very clean inside.  A mixture of vintage, antiques and crafty things it is set up in booths and I enjoyed wandering through.  The lady behind the counter was very nice and friendly.  I noticed this...

I ask how much it is and the lady calls the owner.  It is a peddlar's cart on wrought iron wheels.  The cubbies are on BOTH sides with doors that close up.  There is a door in the top that opens up for storage.  Loved it!

I am in a Ford Focus today so "no go".  But....I did find this and have all kinds of ideas for it.

I head out of Lancaster on Hwy 22 through towns like Circleville and Williamsport.  The rain has let up and I'm enjoying the time to myself.  One more stop for the day....the town of Washington Courthouse where another favorite shop graces the Main Street.

Memories Gate began as an antique shop and has slowly turned into painted vintage.  It is warm and inviting with a large selection of painted beauties.  I am disappointed that the owners are gone today but the shop next door which shares an entrance is open and I am able to wander around Memories Gate.  Jill, who is manning both shops is friendly and bubbly.  Good customer service I think to myself.  I leave a short note on Memories Gate counter and head for home.  Find Memories Gate at: http://www.memoriesgate.net/



Tales of this shopkeeper....Slipcover blessings!

I just have to share this with you....and there's two points to this one but both have to do with the same thing.  Confused??  Well, hear me out.....

I love slipcovered furniture.  Love the way it just makes you want to dive onto the chair or sofa.  It gives a warm, comfy look to even the saddest looking piece. 
For awhile now, I have wanted a couple of slipcovered pieces in the shop, just for props.  Ever since I saw the Miss Mustard Seed tutorial (http://www.missmustardseed.com/) last year I have wanted to slipcover a couple of wing backed chairs.  Love the look of bleached painter's cloth!!!
This past week, I was thinking maybe I could carve out some afternoon hours on the weekend to watch the tutorial again and get started on a chair I already have at home.  Well, the weekend came and went and I felt a bit frustrated because once I get a vision for something in the shop my mind doesn't rest until I do something about it.  What to do?
Well.....here's the second point that will go with the first once I explain.  We have this precious and incredibly talented couple that makes things and sells them in our shop.  My husband and I marvel at their creativity and ingenuity.  I mean, they ooze talent!!
Last year, Rachel, the wife of this couple, made a couple of slipcovers from watching the same tutorial.  That's the difference....she actually acted on it after she watched it!  AND she has two little ones at home!  They turned out beautifully and I asked her if she would take orders for them if we put a piece in the shop.  Well, that's a tricky thing trying to custom make slipcovers and what about the hauling and delivering...so, no, she didn't think so and she was right.  But....she is now making and selling in our shop these great pillow slips that she hand stencils, usually with some words of wisdom on them.  People love them!

Tuesday, I was in the shop thinking how I could find some time this week to make those slipcovers and while checking my email....I found one from Rachel.  She was excited because they had just scored a fabulous like new sofa from an online auction.  It was big and would I be interested in taking her slipcovered love seat and sofa to use in the shop!!!!!  I mean....what????  Well, of course I was elated and that night we hauled the two pieces up to the shop and the next day I spent rearranging and decorating.  What a blessing this is!!!
So, here's how things look now with the fabulously slipcovered by Rachel furniture:)

Sweet, huh? And then there's this one....

Love them!!!  Because this is long overdue....I want to post some photos of a few of the things this couple has done.  Well, for starters...see the photo above with the love seat? The coffee table in front of it was made by Chad, the husband of this couple.  We had the window and we said "this would make a great coffee table" and gave it to Chad.  When it came back it was the most fabulous one of a kind piece with an iron aged frame.  People loved it but it didn't sell until THIS MORNING when it was put in front of the new slipcovered blessing!!! Woo hoo! Way to go Chad!
If you look at the sofa photo you will see a coffee table painted by Rachel. Love it!!
And here are a few other items made by this fastastic duo.....

And....

And...

And....

Plus...

And...

Plus...

Well, you get the idea.  We are so honored to have their creations in the shop and now we have Rachel's slipcovers!!:) 
But the best thing about this couple aside from their insane talents is that they are very humble and humility is a character quality that the human race is short on these days.  Talent plus humility...a rare find. 
We are blessed with all that this business has brought us including this couple....and slipcovers.  To follow Chad and Rachel go to http://www.vanhookandco.blogspot.com/.

Tales of this shopkeeper - Our very first ASCP Workshop

Last night was Winsome's first Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Workshop.....here are some highlights from the evening.

The very talented Debra Campbell of Wallartistry demonstrated many different techniques and tips...

Seven very sweet ladies attended and ......

I forgot my camera!!!!???? But Holly let me use her camera phone so we could record parts of the workshop.  Thanks, Holly!!

Debra left it to me to figure out a project for the workshop....I had these 12 x 12 tin embossed tiles, then fixed them to wood, put a hanger on the back, then drilled holes for a hook.  It was so fun to see each lady choose a beautiful color and begin painting.....

Debra continued demos and tips while we waited for the first coat to dry.....and waited....and waited!!  Because the tin wasn't porous the paint was taking extra long to dry:(   A call to my sweet husband and soon we had a couple of blow dryers.....the second coat went on, then we "rubbed back", then wax, then dark wax .....

So pretty!! Provence with clear and dark wax!  This one is going to the cabin:)  I can just see what's going on in all seven homes this week....creative transformations!!
Our next workshop will be April 19th from 6:30 to 9:00 another basic..........stay tuned for a scheduled advanced workshop in June sometime.

And now..........I said I would post our after photo of this little china cabinet.  Here's a reminder of what it looked like before....

And here it is now.....

Cute, huh?  We used ascp cream on the inside and ascp french linen on the outside.  A couple of glass knobs and some chicken wire and bah dah bing!
So, that about wraps up the week...thanks for stopping by!

Tales of this shopkeeper...we interrupt this regularly scheduled life..

We interrupt this regularly scheduled life to bring you a brief mini crisis!!  As a shopkeeper our business and personal life often intersect, become entangled or one just takes over.  Such has been my week so far....

Without going into too much detail I will give you some background info.  My dad lives with us.  He is 90 years old, very sharp but has become physically frail the last few months since my mom passed away.
He has enriched our lives in many ways and being a business owner himself in the past has cheered us on to start our own business.  He has gotten a "kick" out of watching us unload all sorts of industrial items that he just couldn't believe people would want and then gives us a "pat" on the back when he hears we have sold them.

Monday is my day off to do cleaning (sometimes), errands and run dad around.  In the back of my mind I had the day all planned out.  By 1:00 I figured we would be done with most everything and I could get started on some projects for the shop.  Then, I planned, my hubby and I would be up after dinner at the shop painting and waxing.  Great plan??  Ah, yes, those plans.....

Reminds me of the verse  "The mind of the man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." Pro.16:9

Well, direct He did!  I won't go into detail except to say that early Monday morning a very scarey 15 minutes ensued, followed by a 911 call and trip to the ER.  Six hours later, dad was admitted for tests and an overnight stay.

 Tuesday, I'm usually open for business but not being able to get someone at short notice to work for me I ran to the shop, put a sign on the door and let go.....letting go involves realizing Someone bigger is in control.....thankfully!  Letting go involves trusting the One who has the whole picture in front of Him and who has my best interest AND my dad's at hand.  The shop could wait and all the things that were going to fall into place for the week as I so neatly planned would have to wait.

Tuesday brought more tests and nine hours of sitting and waiting with dad as the hospital decided to discharge him.....nothing conclusive, all tests negative.  My dad was safely in his bed by 8:00 Tuesday night grateful to be home.

It's now Wednesday a.m.....the "open" sign is on the door and I sit in the quiet of the shop thinking through the last 48 hours.  A good friend of ours has offered to spend the days with dad while I'm at  work.  He is able to work from our house on his laptop and enjoys being with dad.  My dad is comfortable with him and respects him......those plans.....my plans...."the Lord directs our steps".

Yes, I missed customers, yes, I missed phone calls.....I missed the results of my neat little plans.  But the shop is still here and nothing can replace the time spent with dad, the "being there" for him when he was struggling and the huge blessing of a friend who has stepped forward to help us out.

A customer walks in. "I was here yesterday but you were closed" she says sweetly.  "I read your sign that there was an emergency. Is everything alright?"  "Yes, it is for now" I say," thanks for coming back."
I realize now that this little shop....this business that I've enjoyed so much will only exist for as long as
"the Lord directs my steps" in this direction and that no amount of planning on my part will ever compare to the richness and blessings that come from trusting Him with those "interruptions in my life."

"Excuse me. I'm sorry to interrupt...." the customer is saying as I'm ringing up a sale and I turn and smile.

Tales of this shopkeeper - one of the best kept secrets in Ohio

Winsome Cottage is located in the heart of Waynesville, Ohio.  A historic little town right off Hwy 42 about 45 minutes north of Cincinnati.  Established in the late 1700's, it still maintains a certain quaint, old fashioned charm.  With over 60 shops and restaurants, it is great day or weekend destination for shopping, dining and exploring.

It is here in Waynesville that I have had the privilege of owning a business since July of 2009.   I wouldn't change a thing.  It's smalltown USA to a tee.  Let me walk you through a typical day in one of my favorite little corners of the world....

It's 9:50 a.m. on a Thursday.  I'm heading up Main St. not a soul around. I pass "The Peddlar House on my right.  Debbie, the owner, is a friend of mine.  Her shop is always a wonderful experience and she is just a sweet person. I see her heading out to hang her open flag and wave as I pass by. The sign out front of The Village Restaraunt says "special....soup beans and cornbread".  "They'll be packed today" I think to myself.  The light is red at the first of only two stoplights on Main and as I stop the car and look to the left I see that the Fabric Shack is opening it's door for business.  Housed in two separate buildings in town you won't find a better selection of home decor and quilting fabrics and supplies anywhere around.

I turn left on Miami St. to park around the corner from my shop.  Across the street and down a bit is the post office.  I decide to check my p.o. box for mail before opening.  As I head to my shop I see Mary Jo, owner of Cheap John's, out front sweeping the walk.  We exchange "morning!" and I continue past Canada Goose Gallery to Winsome Cottage next door.  I'm just turning my key in the lock when Laura, owner of Canada Goose Gallery, pulls up front to park and open her shop.  She begins to haul in large framed pieces of P.Buckley Moss.  I'm thankful to have her right next door.

The "closed" sign has been flipped to "open" at Mad Anthony's across the street and I hear the church bell a block behind us ringing ten times.....the business day has begun....
Lamps and twinkly lights turned on, celtic music softly playing,  my first customer of the day walks in.  "Good morning" I say.
"I was here on Monday and no one was open" she began.  "Oh, I'm sorry. Monday isn't a good day to be here in Waynesville.  Most shops are open Tuesday through Sunday and, well, you know, everyone needs a day off." I say with a chuckle.  The customer isn't smiling or replying so I ask her if she is on the hunt for anything in particular today.  "No, it's just that I've been here since 9:30 and alot of the shops are closed" she complains.  Now, it depends on my mood but sometimes I just say "Well, I'm open!" and smile.  But, this time I get our pamphlet and begin to circle all the shops that open at 10:00 and tell her that by the time she gets through these the others will be open.  She takes the pamphlet and leaves and I know the day can only get better from here on.

It's now 12:00.  The door flies open and there is my landlord, Lee.  "Hey, kid, would you be interested in yoga classes on Thursday nights with some of us?  Lee is 77 years old and works circles around most of us.  She wants to take yoga to "get loosened up".  I say yes.  It will be fun to be with these ladies.  Most of them are  current or past shop owners and have been in Waynesville for many years.

I haven't brought a lunch today so I call Hammel House to see what the soup of the day is.  Marilyn answers and I am delighted to hear that Corn Chowder is one of the choices.  Hammel House has a wonderful menu and it's owner, Pam, is as genuine as they come.  I order my bowl of soup and Marilyn says "I'll have it ready in a few minutes for ya!"  Let me just say that this isn't your ordinary corn chowder, no, it's much more!  Thick and delicious.

As I'm walking the half block back to my shop with my lunch sirens go off and the fire truck pulls out of the fire house across the street.  Lights flashing and siren blasting, it turns to speed quickly down Main to parts unknown.  There are three ladies standing outside my shop and I apologize for being closed.  My little handwritten sign on the door says "Be right back" but I stopped to chat a bit with Marilyn while paying for my lunch.  The ladies are smiling and friendly.  Whew!

My message light is blinking on the phone as I walk in the door.  It's from Belinda, owner of Treasure Trove.  We use to be neighbors on a side street in Waynesville and have both moved to a new location.  I have missed talking with her on slow days out front of our shops.  She has some news.  She is moving her business across the street from me in the spring! Neighbors once again and I am really excited.  I think alot of Belinda.  She is an eternal optimist, not easily discouraged and runs her business with intelligence and perseverance.  Her easy going temperament makes customers want to come back.  I know her move will be a profitable one and I will love being able to wave and talk across the way with her.

It's now 3:00, the sun is shining and the day is mild.  Gary, from the antique shop around the corner is sitting on a bench across the street.  I decide to get some vitamin D and go out to sweep the walk. "Hi, Marykay!" Gary yells.  I wave to him and as a truck pulls up to the stoplight, Gary starts talking with the driver.  They seem to know each other.  My phone begins to ring inside.
It's Dawn from the Chamber of Commerce.  Did I want to put any specials for the shop on the website this month? A previous shopowner, Dawn, works hard to promote this little town.  We appreciate her efforts.

There is a comfortableness about this place along with the people that work here.  There are standards and values here.  It is the slower pace that draws people here and the friendliness of the shopkeepers that care.  There's a reason customers say they skipped work that day to come to Waynesville.

It is now after 5:00.  As I turn down Main I notice most of the shops are closed and there are a few stragglers wandering around hoping to find an "open" sign. Fifteen minutes ago the church bell chimed five times.   The parking lot at Village Restaurant is full..... yes, soup beans and corn bread.....only in small town USA:)