rhubarb reign

Join us this weekend for the Grayslake Antique Market at the Lake County (IL) Fairgrounds! As always, print this page for HALF-OFF general admission -- or just show the red coupon on your phone at the door. Click on the link in our show sidebar if you need additional information. And be sure to visit our Facebook page at the end of the week for a peek at what we'll be bringing! And, oh yes, this month's popular show-within-a-show will feature VINTAGE VINYL and all things musical. Will be lots of fun. Don't miss it!

It's Always SUCH a Project: Dress-form Makeover: OK, I know I have done this post before, but I always forget to take a photo of the finished piece. But not this time! So, here goes again, from start to finish -- the Vintage Dress-form Makeover. Step One -- find your form! It is getting harder and harder to do. Since they fit right in with the steampunk/industrial trend so popular right now, the forms have been harder to come by at a reasonable price. But hang in there; one is bound to turn up. Once you've found a suitable candidate, peeling is the most time-consuming aspect of the project.

For your form to look well finished, you have to get as much of the fabric off as possible, which is tricky around the metal findings. But it is worth the effort! Separate the sections as far as you can, so you can really reach inside. Needle-nose pliers make the job easier. Expect to spend a couple of hours on this part.

Once the peeling is complete, you will need shellac and a brush to seal the outside. We use a mix of three colors to get a finish that looks old, but not too orange-y. Next, we dig through our boxes of lamp parts for a suitable base. Then Joe gets to work, rigging up a series of pipes that fit the base, but allow the form to still be height-adjustable. That can be tricky. Usually there is some sailor talk at this stage.

But here she is! Pretty as a picture. We modify a lamp part or wooden finial to make a top-knot, in case the original is missing. Let us know if you decide to give it a try!

KANE COUNTY REPORT: Well, it was a weird weather weekend, once again! Saturday, the A/C in our building was struggling to keep up with the 112-degree heat index. No lie! And as predicted, there were heavy storms in the afternoon that sent many of the outside folks packing -- literally. We actually lost power in the Main Building from 2:30 on. So there we all were, sweating in the dark! But Sunday was lovely. The outside had filled up again, and the cooler temps brought out lots of shoppers. Many thanks to all who came out to support the show. Sales were strongest in the smalls and handmades, but we did sell some cute pieces of furniture. Yesterday, work started on a new load for our space at Mishawaka Antiques, for Grayslake and for Etsy . Plus we continue to work on our special load for SoBo Style's Harvest Market, coming up in September. Stay tuned for details on everything! xo