Next Up: Grayslake; Kane Report: Bookend

GRAYSLAKE: Just outside my window, the snow is piling up -- already looks like about 4 inches. BUT! The weatherman says it ain't gonna last. The weekend highs are supposed to be almost 50! So come get your spring on -- join us at the Grayslake Antique Market this Saturday and Sunday. Remember to print this page for HALF-OFF general admission. And visit us on Facebook later this week for a peek at what we are bringing. See you there! REMEMBER THE TIME CHANGE IS SATURDAY NIGHT.

KANE REPORT: Many thanks to everyone who came out for the Kane County season opener last weekend. It was chilly, but clear. And the place was rockin'. Sales were good in all categories - think everyone is ready for spring. Plus, it was great to see our regular Kane customers and dealer pals, all back together again. Here's to a great year!

BOOKEND: Are you a fan of the Sartorialist? If so, you may want to check these sites out, too: Stylites, On the Corner, Spain Street Style, The Expressionist and Hel Looks. Thanks once again to our pals at the WSJ for the heads up. Happy looking! xo

KANE COUNTY -- THIS WEEKEND! Plus Bookend

KANE: You can keep your ground hogs and San Juan Capistrano swallows -- all Midwest antiquers know the surest sign of spring is the return of the Kane County Flea Market, which happens this Saturday and Sunday, March 2 and 3! Click the link in our show sidebar to visit the promoter's site for more information, and check our Facebook page later this week for a peek at what we are bringing. See you there -- can't wait!

BOOKEND: Wanted to share one of our favorite online reads with you AbbyKerr.com, a must for anyone interested in the creative process, entrepreneurship, blogging, marketing and more. We actually worked with Abby a few years back when we redid our business plan, and she is as awesome and inspiring in person as she is online. She was formerly the owner of a lovely vintage-filled boutique in Ohio, but closed it to pursue her first love, writing. Check her out next time you need a creative pick-me-up. xo

Wonderful Wheaton

Just a quick note today -- our computer is in the shop -- so that means my limited tech knowledge means no imported photos from the Wheaton show, which was actually quite good! Quiet for early buy, but then a nice little rush right around 8 am and steady the rest of the day.Many thanks to all who came out to support the show. This week, we are off to Columbus, but then ...drum roll ...it's back to KANE, the first weekend in March. More about that next week, xo

More on Those Great Thoughts; Grayslake Report; Wheaton Coupon

 GREAT THOUGHTS: I was dying to tell you last week about some interesting articles I'd just read, all from the Wall Street Journal. If I were a better (aka had more time!) citizen of the blog-o-sphere, I would give you the links, but if you want more info, just leave me a comment, and we can do things the old-fashioned way (aka I will send you a copy!) Anyway, the first article was about one of my all-time favorite creatives, John Derian. Here is a photo of his wonderful store, where I am dying to go someday. Basically, the article talks about the informal network of artists he promotes. Sounds like he is both generous and not too self-important -- which sounds wonderful to me. Makes me like him even more.

 I am sorry to say the second and third articles are all the way back from an issue in March (memo to self: stay caught up on reading this year!) The article on creativity was top-notch, making a number of good points, including that creativity is a skill that can be cultivated. My favorite tip -- to increase creativity, try to practice solving problems in areas not directly related to what you do. Being an "expert" can actually inhibit problem-solving. Also, a relaxed brain is more likely to be creative. Gonna have to work on both of those! Also in this issue was a wonderful article on another creative hero of mine, chalk artist Dana Tanamachi. So much goodness, all in one place. We heart you, WSJ!

GRAYSLAKE REPORT; WHEATON COUPON

Grayslake turned out to be a good show for us -- we were busy both days, with sales across the board. This was really welcome, as things had been a little sleepy since right before Christmas. Many thanks to all who came out to support us! Next up: Wheaton, this Saturday. Remember to print your coupon for HALF-OFF general admission. See the link in our calendar sidebar for more show info. xo

Great Thoughts; Grayslake Coupon; Expo Report

GREAT THOUGHTS: I had all good intentions Tuesday of blogging about some wonderful articles I had just read on Creativity, John Derian and Chalk Board Artistry. But considering it is now Thursday, time is a-wasting. So I guess all that is gonna have to wait. Sigh.

BUT WE ARE VERY EXCITED THAT GRAYSLAKE IS THIS WEEKEND! Do make plans now to join us. We have a wonderful new load of furniture, an entire van full of excellent smalls from yesterday's treasure hunts, plus prints, paintings, handmades and more. Remember to print this page for HALF-OFF GENERAL ADMISSION. Visit us on Facebook later this week for a peek at what we are bringing. If you need more show information, just click the link in our calendar sidebar to visit the promoter's website.

EXPO REPORT: We were very busy all day Saturday at the DuPage Expo show, getting to see several clients that we have not had the chance to work with for a bit, which is always quite wonderful. Sunday was kind of quiet, but we did some great buying. Many thanks to all who came out to support the show! xo

Join us for the EXPO SHOW, February 2-3

Joe and I are super excited -- it is time for the February DUPAGE EXPO show, one of our favorites during the winter season. We've got a great new load of furniture, lots of prints and paintings, some wonderful smalls and tons of handmades. Be sure your weekend plans include this show. Just print this page -- or call it up on your phone at the door -- for HALF-OFF general admission. Perk Alert -- there is no early buy for this show, so everyone gets first-dibs. Just be sure to get in line early! Need more information? Just click the link in our show calendar to visit the promoter's website. See you there. xo

Our friend, Dan Palmer

This is a tough business. I get discouraged when it seems that time and again, competition does not bring out the best in people, and then Joe has to remind me to focus on all the good we do see and all the great friends we have made. One such friend is Dan Palmer, dad to our SoBo Style pal, Katie. We actually met Dan the same day we met Katie, more than 10 years ago now, the first time we did the Springfield Antique Market. Over time, our relationship with Dan grew from father of a friend to simply friend. There are many wonderful things we could say about him -- awesome storyteller, seasoned businessman, avid collector, true outdoorsman, vital part of SoBo Style. In fact, there is a wonderful post about him right now on Katie's blog, where she shares many of these things. So we'll just add one more from our own experience. We found that Dan shared his friendship with us more through actions than words. He made us feel welcome whenever we were in town, saving us a parking spot big enough for truck and trailer right out front. He was always there to help us unload each delivery, and reload, when we had our trunk shows. He became a mentor in many ways to Joe, sharing all sorts of tips for making things a little closer to perfect. In fact his relationship with Joe grew to the point that Katie had to put a three story limit on their swapping of tall tales each time we visited! Sadly, our visits with Dan have ended. He passed away suddenly on December 25, just a few days short of his 83rd birthday. Due to a family commitment, I was not able to be in Columbus for the service, but Joe was. And he reported that he'd never seen so many people or so many flowers, surely evidence of all the other lives Dan touched. Many years ago, I heard Emily Dickinson's "If I Can Stop" read at a funeral, and it has stayed with me since. The gist of it is that if you can help even one person during your life, you have not lived in vain. Judging by the outpouring Joe saw in Ohio, we think Dan Palmer's life was certainly well spent. xo