Highs and lows of junking

Today I took my second trip over to Warrenton to shop Antique Week. It is unbelievable how different the shopping conditions were today compared to last week - yesterday's buckets of much needed rain brought cooler temperatures and lots of mud! I swapped my sunglasses and Cougar visor for rain boots and a hooded jacket and enjoyed shopping in weather that actually felt like fall! 

Since the show was officially open, I hit several of the fields that weren't open last week. Some of my favorite vendors are in the Zapp Hall area. One of the most widely known vendors here is none other than the Junk Gypsy team. I always visit them, but there was additional anticipation this time since I spent half of my summer watching episode after episode (on repeat) of their decorating adventures on HGTV. I love their creative displays and I was also hoping to maybe catch a glimpse of a celebrity!

Here are a few of my favorite J.G. displays at previous shows:

Back to today: I walk up to see Amie, Jolie, Phillip, and Archie all standing there in the tent. I did a good job of keeping my composure, and I even went up to Archie to ask her if they minded if I took pictures of their displays. Her response, "Girl, you take all the pictures you want!" Awesome. (Disclaimer: forgot my camera today and had to use my phone's camera.) 

 

 

 

 

I didn't get as many pictures as I would have liked because I was too busy deciding which t-shirt to buy. There are so many good ones! I loved this one:

But I ended up going with this bright one:

I went to check out at the cash wrap and Amie & Jolie's dad Phillip rang up the shirt. I enjoyed talking with him briefly; at one point when struggling with the credit card machine, he laughed and mentioned that he was supposed to be retired. Then the one and only Jolie came up to finish my transaction! Again, I did a good job of hiding my intense excitement as she described the best way to cut out the neck of the shirt to make it look like the one on the mannequin (wish I had taken a picture of how it looked on the display!). She then showed me how just this morning she cut the neck off of her shirt and just pulled on it to make it more stretchy and roll a bit. From my 3 minute interactions with three of the Junk Gypsy family members, I can tell you they are genuinely sweet and down to earth! Shopping there was definitely a high point of the day. 

So the low point came at the end of the day, after I had already made it back to Austin. I needed to get to the antique mall to drop off a new piece (straight from the fields to the booth!) and pay my rent for October. I arrive at about 5:40, which gave me twenty minutes to drop in the new little table and olive bucket, as well as turn in the rent check. When I got to my space, I saw that the piece I sold yesterday was still sitting there - which meant I needed to move several things around to make room to get the cabinet out. I cleared a path and a few of the gentlemen lifted it up and out; I then quickly tried to put the space back together. I knew it was after 6 and I was rushing. I finished up, grabbed my bags, and as I was walking up the aisle, all the lights went off. I get to the front door and see that it is chained shut with a padlock. Um.....ok. Guess they don't go out this way to lock up. 

I walk toward the back but need to get my phone out to light the way. I say, "Patrick?" Nothing. Now I am starting to panic just a bit. I get to the back door (where I have never been before), only to find it also padlocked. Like a prisoner, I look through the bars on the door to see Patrick halfway across the parking lot. I pound on the door, but nothing. There were people in the parking lot talking, but they couldn't see or hear me either. I was locked in! The children's book Corduroy came to mind and I thought about all the fun that the teddy bear would have in this store. 

That moment was the low point of the day. I didn't have any of the employees cell phone numbers, and I didn't even know any of their last names! I tried to stay calm and headed back to the office to see if I could find any numbers. I walk in, and the alarm goes off. I feel like a complete burglar! The phone starts to ring and I assume it is the alarm company, and I attempted to answer it, but there was no one on the line when I picked up. I found a list of every vendors' name/number, but again, without knowing a last name, I had nearly 200 names to go through in hopes to find the owner! 

More panic. I call Andrew and tell him I am locked in. I sit down at the desk and as I am talking to him, I see a rolodex. There on top was a laminated card with all the employees' cell numbers. Relief! I hang up with him to call them, and finally get ahold of Fredi. I feel terrible that she had to leave dinner with a friend to come let me out! 

Funny text conversation between my friend Jenny and me while I was locked in:

Wish I could have let her in to shop!

Have a chic week!

~Sarah

The fields of Warrenton are filled with character(s)

Though this post is about my trip to Warrenton yesterday, I couldn't resist posting these 'before' pictures of Marburger Farm. Their show doesn't start for another week and a half with opening day on October 2nd, but you can see the preparation is well underway! I can't wait to post pictures of the 'during' to show how the vendors transform these fields into some of the most beautiful displays of home decor and vintage charm. 

 

 

 I love me a good rusty mailbox! This one is perfect!

 

 

The tents are standing in anticipation of the crowds and treasures, and my excitement is growing!

I spent about five hours in the fields at North Gate and Bar W in Warrenton. The show hasn't officially started yet, but the merchandise is there and the vendors are ready to sell! Though it was probably 10-15 degrees cooler than when I went last fall, it still felt miserably hot. I started out in flip flops with makeup on and my hair down, and within thirty minutes I was back at the car getting my game face on: tennis shoes, hair up, and sunscreen. Much to Andrew's chagrin, if I had had my Lady Cougars visor in my car, I would have had it on! It was the first day of fall, but the sun didn't get the message! Despite my efforts, I still came home with a bit of a sunburn. Can't forget that visor next time....

One of the first spaces I visited helped me feel a little bit cooler just thinking of the holidays. All the plastic characters on the planet could be found right here in Warrenton!

 

Other than the Santa in the back, there wasn't much mingling among the different holidays.

Even Mary and the Wise Men made the journey to Antique Week!

This guy gives thanks for being plastic.

The snowmen were a bit worried about melting.

I don't see any elves on the shelf in this gathering; guess they aren't vintage enough yet.

Gorgeous old card catalogs!

Have you ever seen so many rusty metal mattress springs?? This vendor cut the springs to make crosses, letters, and other designs.

Love these sea sponges.

I think the heat was getting to me because when I first saw this group I had to do a double take -they seemed so real! Notice how well covered they are to avoid getting a sunburn.

She seems a bit overdressed, no?

The Fun Dustrial both, run by Susan and Hector, is always one of my favorites. 

 

I am a sucker for blue - this lovely piece will be with me at the Rusted Gingham Barn Sale, if I can save it til then! I had just the perfect amount of space left in the car, so it was meant to be. 

Another great purchase - a whole box full of Ball jars! And of course they are blue. Notice how careful I was to not describe the color of the jar and the brand at the same time....

So the vendor I bought these blue colored Ball jars from had pallets full of old mason jars, and he tried to make me a deal on all the quart sized jars. I told him that I was picky, and I didn't want the Atlas jars or any others. So I then said, "I will take all your balls." The minute I said it, I knew it sounded bad - we looked at each other and just laughed. I not only teach middle school, but I act like I am in it too! This was one of those honest slips that led to one of my most memorable purchases in Warrenton. 

Guess the characters at this show aren't just the plastic ones! 

I'm sorry I didn't get more pictures. I promise I will be back and will have more to share soon! 

I took many of my new purchases to the booth today, and I added a little touch of spook. 

May your week be chic!

~Sarah

The Funkiest Tote Bag Around

It is Christmas in September for me! I just received the coolest seed sack turned tote bag ever made, and it was custom made by a local artist. I feel truly spoiled rotten and I cannot thank the seamstress enough. It is so perfect that I am afraid to use it...but I will get over it.

I bought this funky seed sack on my last trip to Illinois when I explored Amish Country with my mom and sister. We had a great trip and I loved being able to bring home to Texas a piece of my rural midwestern past. I thought that I might turn it into a pillow, but with my very limited sewing skills, I knew that was probably not going to happen. I couldn't stand the thought of me ruining it with my attempt to be crafty.

Fast forward to July when I met a very talented seamstress and new small business owner, Caitlin of Rally Made. We got together to talk shop since she sews with vintage materials. I took a look at her items on her Etsy shop and saw some of her wares were made with upcycled seed sacks and the like. I asked if she would consider sewing my Funk Farms bag into a pillow, and then she suggested it might look great as a tote bag. Well, what creativity she has! Otherwise it would have been one very tall and skinny pillow.

She created a masterpiece. I adore this sweet little bag and got compliments on it within five minutes of receiving it from Caitlin. This bag is precious and the craftsmanship is impeccable. She even used organic cotton lining to make the bag more durable. 

The leather straps are the perfect compliment to the design.

I even have a zippered pocket! The zipper is upcycled from a vintage pair of men's shorts. WOW.  

I borrowed these last three pictures from Caitlin's blog and that is where I discovered the fun details about the cotton and the zipper. She thinks of it all! I know this was a time-consuming project and the price I paid doesn't even begin to compensate for her investment. I am so very appreciative of her creation and so impressed with her skills. I would wish her luck as she takes on her first show at the Austin Flea this weekend - but she doesn't need any luck. 

Have a chic rest of the week,

~Sarah