Simple Times and Simple Decisions

I've made some simple decisions this week that have been long overdue.. if you remember my Taking a Rest post at the beginning of this year, you will recall that I had an important decision to make concerning The Vintage-Flea. But more on that later....

Today while I was helping the kids put together a lemonade stand, my daughter told me she was going to use the Crystal Light Lemonade Sachets for lemonade. I asked her how much was she planning on selling the lemonade for.. she replies 50cents. I then explained to her that a box of 6 packets cost around $2.30 so .38 per packet. Then you have to add the cost of cups, napkins, and then your time. Your time?? Well sitting outside on an excruciating hot day like today.. you better get compensated somehow.

So we opted for the koolaid packets instead that can make a whole gallon of Lemonade for less than 50 cents each. A smart business woman in the making!

(At last check the Lemonade possie had $46 in their tupperware container and even bigger smiles.) A store owner once blogged that owning an indie retail boutique is intense, interesting, sometimes magical and absolutely all-consuming. This brings me back to my point about precious time. I get asked frequently.. how do you have the time to do it all?? Well I can't do it all and I've come to the decision to NOT renew my lease in March 2011. So in 7 months there will either be a new owner taking over where I am leaving off or an empty building for a hopeful dreamer to start something new.


So my friends this is my last blog posting for The Vintage-Flea. Please, if you are not already, join our facebook fan page where I will be introducing new products for Fall. I plan on making the next 7 months the most fabulous ever and want you to be apart of it!!


The past 6 years have been a wonderful roller coaster ride and I want to thank you all for letting me share it with you.


Hope to see you soon at The Flea!!

The Indie Spirit

I've got spirit yes I do, I've got spirit how 'bout you??

This summer I set a goal to try to learn as many new crafts/art forms as I can. You see the summer is when I am in mommy overdrive and can not be at my shop as much as I need to be. Since I can not rearrange the shop, I need to find outlets for my creative juices... this is where the learning comes in. So in June I took a crochet class at the Two Sisters Knitting Nook in downtown Newnan. This was actually a kid's fiber camp so I dragged my 11 year old daughter, her two friends, and my 8 year old son with me. Well they took to this like nobody's business and started making their potholders.. just as happy as clams. I, on the other hand, was secretly cussing and gave up 1/2 way through. Such a role model, right?? So later that night my daughter helped me with my homework and I had a lightbulb moment (I actually said lightbulb like Gru in Despicable Me). Now I am a crochet addict and aspire to make the following projects... pictures found on Etsy.
Okay maybe the last one is a bit over my skill level at the moment.

For July I purchased a clutch purse kit from a company in the UK that boasts it to be "easy peasy". Well it was and now I am addicted to clutch purses. My daughter wants me to put a wrist cuff on the side so it is easier to hold and I also plan on making them much larger so normal wallets could fit inside. Either way I am now enjoying the hunt for vintage fabrics.

So do you have spirit??? What new things have you learned this summer??

Happy July

Came into the shop today to do a little fluffing after our blowout 4th of July weekend.. seems like everyone and their momma was downtown on the square this past Saturday. Somehow this blue owl was overlooked and I had to bring it home and put him on my front gate. Artist Sherry Cook has several of these folk art beauties upstairs in her booth. Everything from owls, fish, angels, mermaids, and more. This folk art piece was $45.. a steal in my book. Sherry also has several pieces at the Southern Living Showcase House in Senoia, Georgia. Have you been yet?? Neither have I but have plans to go very soon when both kids go to camp!! In the meantime.. Happy JULY!! New merchandise is coming into the shop every week even in this dead heat. Hope to see you soon.

Change is Good

Hi Guys!! I am back from my trip with some great new ideas and possible new merchandise for the store. Change is good, right?? No I didn't fulfill my dream of opening up a shop on the coast

yet... But I did open up my email to find that some class changes were made to my upcoming Creative Connections Event in September.

The Art & Coronation class was still a go....

The Folk Art Painting Class was still a go...

But my Needle Felt Kitty class by Pat Murphy was cancelled. So before I left on my vacation, I switched my class to Jennifer Murphy's felted pin cushion class. Boy did I ever get a better surprise when I found out the pin cushion class got switched to the Let There Be Peace clip ornament project!! Yipee Skippy!!

And other changes are coming your way... The Vintage-Flea is now a fully operating Antique Mall with over 30+ consignors. Crazy how 6 years ago we started with 1200sq feet of unique retail treats. After one year at the Summer Grove location, we moved The Vintage-Flea to Downtown Newnan and have spent the last 5 years in a 4000 sq. foot building. Now with the hardships of the economy, many changes had to be implemented to help keep The Flea a float. So now that we are operating 100% as an Antique Mall we have implemented a new return policy:


The Vintage-Flea
All Sales are Final on Clearance items, Holiday items, and Original Artwork. All other merchandise can be exchanged from the same vendor it was purchased from within 7 days and with receipt.


Thanks for your understanding and continued support!!

Hitting The Road Jack!!

Yes that time of the year has come again where my family and I go off for a bit to explore the coast. This year we will be visiting Charleston and meandering our way down to my favorite city, Savannah. In the middle we will be visiting Hilton Head and Beaufort.. two new places that I have never been before.

vintage suitcase picture found here

So I wish you Aideu and hope to bring back some wonderful new treasures and stories to share.
See you soon at The Flea!

A Colorful Flea

"If you're quiet, you're not living. You've got to be noisy and colorful and lively"

- Mel Brooks

Blasts of colorful new items have come into the Flea recently and we love it!! Our peacock feathers are back (18"-20") and are only $1.00 each.

Dried Lavender bundles are also back in for $5.00 each.

New colorful Robes.. yes something different for our Flea customer but look at those colors!! Cotton robes with two large pockets in the front. We only have 6 in stock, $35.

Some fancy new mannequins have taken over my turquoise display. $55 for the small, $65 for the large. All with a linen body with Paris stamped on top and wooden base.

Quilted journals with the French Provencal color palette. $12.50 each. Framed Bird prints are $22 each. (Only 5 remain)

In the French Provencal color palette we also have clip boards, $12, and trays (not shown), $10 & $14.

Finally these would be perfect for Father's day, colorful globes $8 each.

If you want to see some of our new Americana goodies that have also come into the shop, click on "Flea Bite" at the top of this post. See you soon!!

Bloom

Heading over to one of my favorite new stores in Serenbe today called Bloom. Sisters Lindsey and Lauren have got it going on for sure in this adorable, funky & eclectic shop featuring some of the neatest one of a kind items. Lindsey and Lauren do a great job searching

out the Indie Artist and want to have a shop filled with handmade, quality items.

I was honored to be asked to bring some paintings by to hang in their little paradise. Here are a few of my new ones headed their way..

I think they will like this one called Bloom. $275 Encaustic on Luan Board. 24"x16"

One of my favorites that will fit really well in the Serenbe Community is Lakeside. $275 Encaustic on Luan, 24"x16".

And another mini landscape. I've been selling lots of these lately. La Plage is $150, Encaustic on Luan board, 12" x 12".

Thanks Girls!!

If you are interested in any of these paintings, you can call the Bloom Shop at 770-629-1756.

Meet the Neighbors...

We have some new neighbors that have moved into our backyard paradise.. Romeo and Juliet. We have lived in this house for 7 years and we have seen several geese, a blue heron or two, but never any swans!! What a treat. The kids and I decided to play the welcoming committee this morning.

This brought back fond memories of my childhood living in South Florida. We lived on a small canal and I remember fondly treating the ducks to white wonder bread at least once a week. My father and brother would fish for catfish and my friends and I would take the canoe out and someone would intentionally turn us over for a fun dip in the canal. That was until an alligator showed up in our backyard and decided to hang out with us for a few days. We never swam in that canal again and the "what happened to the cat" question was finally answered.

Back to Romeo.. what a handsome fella. He had his feathers ruffled up for us the whole time making sure that his lady love was always protected.

Juliet stayed in the back for awhile before coming up to say hello herself. She was definitely very shy.

Olivia told Romeo over and over again.. please stop eating all the bread pieces, Juliet is hungry too! What a typical male.

Brice (blue shirt) had his friend over to "hang out". Ever see Diary of a Wimpy Kid?? Boys don't play together, they hang out. Oh and let me just say that my son probably has the largest collection of silly shirts amongst 8 year olds. His favorite in his collection says "your lips keep on moving, but all I hear is Blah Blah Blah". With that smirk you KNOW I have my hands full.

Finally this is my backyard that Romeo and Juliet have come to call their own... definitely prime real estate.

300 acres of pure bliss living sans alligator. Anyone want to go for a swim??

A Visit From Olive Rue

So it all started with this..

an amazing image transfer from Olive Rue (btw I didn't get this one last time but OMG.. I am so buying it now) which I was planning to use to make some great new products for the shop. So that purchase led to a convo with Crystal, a.k.a Olive Rue, where she told me that she was from Carrollton. A few days later.. she visits the store. Talk about talent.. this girl not only runs her Etsy shop but she is a fantastic photographer. You can catch her on her other blog (did I mention that she has 2) called Vintage Remixed.

We must have been friends in another life because she is as crazy over shells and beach decor as I am!! Head over to see Crystal at Vintage Remix and see all of the lovely shop photos!!

Thanks Crystal!! Your a hoot!!

Feeling Flirty??

Some new jewelry came into the shop today.. I think you will LOVE it!!

Pearls, Pearls Pearls.. white pearls $15

silver pearls on silver wire $10 (also in white)

I'm calling this collection Vintage Flirt!! Love the new headbands. $20 each

some pretty flirty new earrings have also come in.. $14 each.

see you soon.

New Store Pictures

I was feeling a bit blah lately about the shop... a colorful makeover

was all I needed!!

Lots of Japanese lanterns are hanging from the front room

to highlight our newest pottery from Rae Dunn. Rae is

a California native whose handmade pieces are simply

stunning.
A colorful new clock has found its way onto our walls.

New bird prints that just flew into the shop.

Our new Sea Horse lamps are gorgeous and really

make our beach section complete.

Our Memorial Day Sale will be this weekend on Friday and Saturday. You will find amazing booth wide sales from 10-20% off, a $20 children's clothing rack from Simple Treasures, Low Country Produce Gourmet will be 50% off, all plant kits are now only $5, and much much more.

Hope to see you soon.