Miss America? Where? Plus an Expo Update

Strike up the band and join me on the chorus! "There she is...Miss Americaaaa!"
Now, if you're thinking, "Where? All I see is a bunch of butt-ugly mannequins," stay tuned.

These ladies may not take the sash and crown right now, but after their make-overs, we'll show you how they've topped our sales sheet all year long. The transformation starts today! Check back later this week for a peek.

Here's another pretty face:

All things Christmas were in high demand over the weekend at the the DuPage Expo show! Thanks to everyone who came out to support the event. Sales were brisk Saturday, with holiday, smalls and graphics leading the way.

Sunday was quiet and not much furniture was sold, but paint-by-numbers were a huge hit! Go figure. Overall, we were satisfied with the show and are looking forward to January. Work starts on Kane today. We'll shop tomorrow. Check back later this week for a preview of the weekend's attractions. xo

New Show Details and a Very Happy Thanksgiving

The hall is sold out and the excitement is building! Hope you can join us this weekend:

We will have a brand new selection of furniture, both big and small, plus industrial, containers, smalls and LOTS of handmades for holiday gift-giving and decorating. Come join us. Additional details are just a click away on our show sidebar. See you there!

And Thursday, have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Joe and I are truly thankful for all our fabulous customers, for our friendships with many dealers and promoters, for the support of our families and for being able to be part of the inspiring indie business community. We are blessed. All the best to you and yours this holiday season. xo

New Show!

Be sure your calendar includes a visit to the BRAND NEW DuPage Expo Center Show next weekend, November 27 and 28, in St. Charles, Illinois. Details are just a click away on our show sidebar.

The sold-out hall will be packed with antiques, handmades, collectibles and more. Joe and I did the market the only other times it was held -- January and February of this year -- and thought it was fantastic. Due to the enthusiastic response of both shoppers and dealers, this third date was added. Make plans now to join us. Check back next week for a sneak peek of what we'll be bringing. xo

Grayslake Was Great! Plus Expo Center Preview

Just a quick note of thanks to everyone who came out for the Grayslake (IL) Antique Market this past weekend -- what a great show! The hall was packed with dealers -- many there for the first time -- and the crowd was really enthusiastic in response. You could feel the excitement in the air.

Handmades and holiday were big sellers for us, but furniture, industrial and smalls also sold well. Plus, it was great to see so many of our blogging friends -- Gracie's Cottage, Hot House Market, Chippy Shabby, Apron Strings -- if I get a chance later today, I'll post the links; already running behind, I'm afraid!

Today, we are getting ready for a trip to Columbus and Indianapolis. Don't forget about the new Expo Center Holiday Market in St. Charles -- coming up the Saturday and Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend. Check back later in the week for details. xo

Grayslake: Getting Ready!

The weather has been fabulous the last few days, so we're jumping on the chance to work out in the sunshine as we prepare for this weekend's Grayslake (IL) Antique Market. In the pipeline are these great vintage frames, just waiting to become chalkboards:

Some new industrial pieces, like this fun book truck:

Lots of handmades, such as our signature jewelry stands:

Plus tons of stuff for the holiday:

We'll also have a great group of furniture pieces, both large and small. Make plans now to join us! Details are just a click away on the show sidebar. And make sure your November calendar includes the DuPage Antique Market at the Expo Center in St. Charles on Thanksgiving weekend. This brand new show started last January and is only held three times a year. Don't miss it! xo

Wedding Wonderland, Plus a Kane County Update

I promised last week to share with you a few more photos from customer Chris Barickman's (Emerson Creek Pottery and Tearoom) wedding to her sweetie Dave Demiduk, so here goes! The sepia tone of their engagement photo hinted at the color story of their "glam country" wedding:


Here's the view from the front of the tent, just as guests were arriving:

Cocktails, cake and later dancing took place in the barn, adjacent to the tent:

Remember these chandeliers? Our friend Lynda found them at the Third Sunday Market and had them painted white. They turned the barn and tent into a fairyland:

Especially when you added the candlelight!

The event was photographed for "The Knot," a Chicago-based wedding magazine, and Chris is already booking weddings for 2011! Click the link above for details.


Kane County Update

A chilly, but sunny, weekend awaited shoppers at the Kane County Flea Market. Christmas was definitely on every one's mind and was selling briskly. We didn't sell much furniture until Sunday, when several architectural pieces also found new homes. Ironstone and ephemera were popular with customers, but our apothecary jars and banker's cabinet are still looking for new homes! The talk of the town was definitely the opening of Architectural Anarchy, a new venture for customers Gosia Korsakowski/Blue Bell Bazaar and Bill Rawski/ZAP Props, which will take place next Friday, November 12, at 2229 S. Halsted in Pilsen. Be sure to check that out. And thanks, as always, to all our wonderful customers for coming out to support us at Kane. Check back later this week for a Grayslake update. xo

Holdidays, Here We Come!

Several years ago, two of our favorite Chicago customers, Rich and Laurel Seidelman, lugged a big old bag of random Christmas tree parts into our booth, thinking that we'd come up with something to do with them -- bless their artsy hearts. After a little head-scratching, a rhubarb reign holiday staple was born: the repurposed feather tree. We've used all kinds of things for the bases -- lamp parts, stove rollers, croquet mallets and more -- and I'm sad to say that I used the last couple of branches yesterday for an order. Thanks, Rich and Laurel, for thinking of us! Those branches were the start of a lot of fun.


Happily, we've found another tree to work with so the tradition can continue for at least another season. Come see what we have for the holidays starting tomorrow at the Kane County Flea Market! As always, details are just a click away on the show sidebar. In addition to seasonal stuff, we have great furniture, industrial, some wonderful finds from a Wisconsin estate, tons of vintage fabric and LOTS more. It's supposed to be chilly -- that just fits with the holiday spirit -- but sunny. So grab your mittens -- we'll see you there.

A quick congratulations to our friends the Demiduks on their beautiful wedding last weekend. More on that to come! xo

"Oh, You Better Watch Out..."

Today, I'm all about snowflakes, glitter and ho-ho-ho! Working on rhubarb reign's 2010 Christmas line-up. Check back later this week for a sneak peek of all things merry and bright, which will debut at Kane County this weekend. xo