Editor's Note: Many thanks to all who came out to support us at Allegan, including my husband, Bob, who was playing the part of Joe this weekend. Joe's boys were graduating, so Bob came along to help me for the first time in my 15-year -plus career. We had a great time! Thought I'd let him play guest editor today. xo

Hi I'm Bob, Sandy's husband. Nobody would know this but I once worked at Chicago's Woodfield Mall selling gourmet cookware at Williams Sonoma. The store manager hired me -- not because I knew anything about cookware -- but because she knew I'd be friendly and welcoming to all who came in. That's about the sum total of my skill set.

I do have a few other skills that Sandy values. I can go get coffee and food. I'm also really good at cleaning the undersides of old pieces of furniture and rusty metal things. That said, it was fun to go from my regular work behind-the-scenes ... and get out there where I could welcome and smile at real customers (see previous description of my skills).

Of course, I tried as much as possible never to let Sandy actually leave this booth. That would have left me all alone there... and it would have caused me to radically change all the pricing ... to declare to everyone... that everything was momentarily "free of charge" because the whole selling thing was freaking me out. Then again, having put so much "sweat equity" into rhubarb reign, I now have a better appreciation for assigning some sort of value to what we do.

I also see how demanding it is for Sandy to go through show set-up, show selling and show tear-down. And as always, it stormed and I got REALLY, REALLY WET. Then again, having a good attitude is one of my few skills. So that was okay as we huddled for like two hours in the back of rhubarb reign's trailer.

The only regret to mention here ... isn't mine. I think Sandy still regrets that I didn't work at Williams Sonoma long enough for her to score a huge employee discount on Calphalon cookware. But that's another story.

Last photo is a detail of my favorite piece from this show -- an excellent child's mannequin that we bought last weekend in Ohio. Check back later this week for an update on all things KANE! xo

Come See Us at Allegan This Weekend!

Come see us this weekend at the Allegan Antique Market -- our first of the season! Details are just a click away on the show sidebar.

We've been saving these wonderful 1890s fish graphics just for this show -- and there's so much more! We've got a brand-new load of furniture:

Original paint, garden, industrial, containers, signs, mirrors, lamps, glass containers galore:

I could go on and on. Everything was still in process yesterday at photo time, so come and see for yourself! Oh, and did I mention, there's gonna be BOB. Yes, you've heard the rumor for 10 years, but come meet my husband live and in person! Joe will be off this weekend to attend his sons' high school graduation, so Bob will be making his flea market debut. Can't wait. See you there! xo

Allegan Preview and Weekend Review

Feelin' lucky? Well, we sure are! We're coming off a great weekend in Ohio, restocking at SoBo Style. An added bonus this time was an invitation to stay with Katie's folks, Dan and Mary Kay Palmer, as Katie had another commitment. We had so much fun. Mrs. Palmer made a wonderful supper, including home-made Georgia peach pie. We laughed and talked until I was tugging on Joe's sleeve, saying we had to let everyone get some sleep.


The next morning, we met Katie at the store -- check out this great set of lockers, just one of the treasures she scored at the weekend's Springfield Extravaganza:

And I love these new birdcages -- great for a little tabletop vignette or to showcase a collection of littles:

We unloaded the van and trailer and had just enough time left for a peek at Katie's new backyard garden -- complete with pergola and raised vegetable beds. It is simply lovely! We were back on the road by lunch time, heading for some serious restocking ourselves at the Heart of Ohio. Check out the photos on our Facebook page for a peek at what we found. All this week's treasures will be headed to this weekend's Allegan Antique Market. Details are just a click away on the show sidebar. Plan now to join us. And you will get to meet my husband, Bob, as Joe will be off this weekend, attending his sons' high school graduation! See you there. Check back later in the week for more photos. xo

We're Headed to Ohio Today, but There's LOTS Going On All Over the Vintage World

We're head to Ohio today to re-stock at SoBo Style, but there's lots going on for our Chicago friends, including the Na-Da Farm show on Saturday and the Arboretum Antiques Market on Sunday. Both sound like lots of fun, so check things out!

For our Ohio friends, it's time for the Springfield Extravaganza. So, pick your weekend destination, and then send us some photos of what you find. We'd love to see! xo and have a great time -- Sandy and Joe

Stormy Weather: Midland and Burlington

Restocking the Midland went smoothly for us Saturday. Not a drop of rain, despite the predictions for thunderstorms all day.

Love this funky group of letters and how they work with the other pieces around them;

The original red paint on our harvest table adds just the right amount of color to this corner;

My favorite vignette consisted of two log pedestals, a group of machine gauges and a pair of fun mushroom salt and pepper shakers, all nestled on top of an industrial cart -- a great mixture of textures!

But once we were back on the highway, the rain found us. We did get the tent set up under clear skies, but once we were back the next morning, the rain was pretty much non-stop, despite the Weather Channels assertions to the contrary. In fact, we kept showing people the phone, saying "no, look, it says it's NOT raining!" Despite the damp, business was fairly steady most of the day and everyone was in a good mood.

This potting table made from an old, galvanized chicken feeder was one of my favorites and sold during early buy.

We have the good fortune to be right in front of one of the horse barns, so we can display our ephemera and other weather-sensitive pieces, rain or shine

By the end of the day, we were pretty empty! Many thanks to everyone who came out for the show. We have a conflict in June, so look for us in July and repeat after me, "rain, rain, go AWAY." This week, we'll be in Columbus, restocking at SoBo, then look for us at Allegan. Check back later this week for an update and come visit us on Facebook. xo

Burlington/Midland Sneak Peek

Just a little peek at what is headed to Midland and Burlington today:

We've never met a cubby we don't like!

Lots of great metal for home and garden;

Stuff in the rough Thursday that is now all cleaned up and ready to go. Plus we have a van load of awesome painted furniture, smalls and projects, containers, industrial and more. Details for both locations are just a click away -- do come see us! xo

P.S. Check out our Facebook page for more photos -- just search Rhubarb Reign Inc and please LIKE us while you're there. (:

Grayslake Report, New Projects, Heading South

A big thank you to everyone who came out to spend part of Mother's Day weekend with us at the Grayslake Antique Market. Things were a little different than we expected. Usually Mother's Day is one of the craziest shows of the year, but this one was more tortoise than hare. But the good, ole turtle came through for us in the end! We made our sales goal during the show's last hour. Phew!

We debuted several new handmades at this show. Our collage mushrooms sold out before I could get a photo, but I love the ones made from metal tacks even more:

These magnetic memo holders are a variation on a project we did last year, using parts from a time-card holder and a quilting frame:

The ledger paper flowers continue to sell out each week -- my mom is busy working on a new batch as we speak. We really appreciate every one's interest in the handmades. They are part of what makes rhubarb reign, rhubarb reign. Working on them is one of favorite parts of the week.

The best moment of the whole show came mid-morning Sunday when our customer, friend and show neighbor Kellie Halkitis' two boys came in with their dad to surprise her with flowers for Mother's Day. They were so excited to do something nice for their mom. Let's hope that never changes. You could hear all the other moms go 'ooohhhh..."! It was awesome. I wish had my camera out right at the moment they came. It was really something to see. Thanks, guys! You made out day.

Now we're getting ready for our first OUTDOOR show of the season, Burlington. Check the show sidebar for details and come join us. Check back later for a peek at what we're bringing. Photos will be here and on Facebook. xo

Grayslake Is This Weekend: Half-Off Regular Admission, Great Stuff!

Don't miss this weekend's Grayslake Antique Market! We went to some wonderful sales this week, so there is LOTS of awesome new stuff. Print this page for half-off regular admission and plan to join us.


We have great new furniture:

Signs and lots of graphics:

Smalls galore:

Treasures like this lovely old painting on tin:

And SO MUCH MORE! Industrial, garden, containers, projects -- you name it. Check us out on Facebook to see more photos. Details are just a click away on the show sidebar. See you there! xo

P.S. A very Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there, including Cris and Jean -- ours! And should you find yourself in Columbus, Ohio, this weekend instead of Chicago, don't miss SoBo Style's 10th birthday party!

Just for Fun: Year of the Rabbit; Plus Remember to Vote for Sherman by Thursday

According to Chinese tradition, 2011 is the Year of the Rabbit -- home and family, the arts, diplomacy, investments and peace keeping will rule the day! If you were born a Rabbit,* this is your lucky year.

I was born in '63, so that makes me a Rabbit. Just for fun, I decided to make rabbits my Summer Crush for 2011 -- same rules as ever apply; nothing over $10! And of course, I had to read "The Year of the Hare," by Finnish author Arto Paasilinna. It's a hoot -- "droll" is the best word I can think of to describe it. Definitely recommended.

And as my first official act of Rabbit-Luck-Sharing, I'd like to ask you to join me in supporting my friend Sherman (Mark "Sherman" Trombley, Hospitals 2 Category) in the National Culinary Competition. Sherman is a semi-finalist and needs your vote to make it to the next round, the finals in New York. The last day to vote is May 5 -- so Hop to it and click here! More information can be found in last week's post.

Many thanks to all who came out to support us at Kane County last weekend. We're now busy getting ready for Grayslake. Check back later this week for a peek at what we're bringing and to print out your half-off-regular-admission coupon. 'Til then, see you on the Bunny Trail. xo

*1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011 are all Rabbit years.