Objets Trouves

"Say hello to my little friends".... imagine my best Al Pachino voice from Scarface! But seriously, these guys are so darn cute! Made from found objects like baking pans, shoe horns, cheese graters, jello molds, and brushes. What a perfect way to recycle. Available at The Vintage-Flea.

Saying Good-bye

I was at the store today packing up the art studio. It's hard to believe that what began as a little art studio on West Washington Street would grow into what is now a wonderful vintage inspired boutique and art studio on Greenville Street. I've not wanted to write this, I guess I was procrastinating because it will be my last one, and wanted to really think about what I would say. Most of you reading this blog right now are likely to know the story behind The Vintage-Flea. It started as a friendship while teaching Olivia art lessons almost 6 years ago. We began the journey of shop owners a little naive, bursting with energy and plenty of ideas. We've had amazing adventures during these years. Together we've been to New York City twice, Portland, Birmingham, Destin, and of course Atlanta. I have had more fun junkin' with Valerie than I have blogging space to share! More than anything over the past 4 years I have grown into the artist I am now. I have more self-confidence in my personal work and am so very happy to share my news with you. This has not been an easy decision for me to leave the Flea by any means. I've shed more tears than I can count over the past 6 months! After sharing my dreams and desires with Valerie on a Friday morning in May, she too saw the glint in my eye that was to be my future. After letting the news sink in, I think she too can see what the future holds for her with the business as I take leave. She has amazing plans! She confided in me before the Flea was even an idea, that owning a little French inspired store was her dream...and now she has just that. I am so happy I've been able to help her realize it.

Now don't get any funny ideas folks, we are still friends, yes we are. I can't imagine my life without her, and I am pretty sure she'd say the same for me. We've grown in so many ways over the past 6 years not only as business owners, but as mothers, wives, friends and artists. You've not seen the last of me for sure! As far as the art studio goes, she'll be hosting Ladies Night Out's, with a few guest artists and teaching some herself. Daly Lee is hopping on board to help with Birthday parties and summer camps, and I will be back next summer for some Thursday fun!

For now though, I'll be doing a little of this:

A lot of Mattie Paintings:

And hopefully tons of these:

For now you can see what adventures I am up to at my blog here, Mattie's Social Circle. I also have all my work for viewing on my flickr account. Also, look for Mattie in her Costume in the upcoming Holidays and Celebrations issue published by Somerset Magazine. For now, I say good-bye to you all, but only as a shop owner. I say hello to you all as a fellow customer of the Flea!

Something in your pocket or you just happy to see me....

In your pocket watch that is... Here are some gorgeous little Sailor Valentines that I have been working on. I saw this idea almost 2 years ago at a gift boutique at the beach. The owner was asking $150 for each one. Me pay that kind of money!! Ha Ha. So with some tiny seashells, elmers glue, tweezers and lots and lots of patients.... viola. My little valentines are available at the shop for $20. What a steal. Oh and I have to mention some of our new products. We are gearing up for the Fall (even with 80+ degree temperatures). Many of you have been asking for the mini pumpkins. They are extremely hard to find this year due to the drought conditions from last year but have faith in this flea girl!! 54 bags are now available for your fall decorations.
We are going back to grandma's house this fall. Well I mean my French Grandmother Meme, that is. French inspired linens with red and white ticking stripes. Burlap pillows with French writing and 26" pillow covers with red & white and blue & white ticking. Oversized table runners and linen curtain panels. Brown wooden eggs in creamy white compotes.
Oh and my favorite... the market bag. We even offer a monograming service now for $10 on all of our linen merchandise. A bientot!

A Little Playhouse

Most of you reading this blog know that we Flea Chicks are women of many talents and skills. Actually some skills are questionable, but we try which is most important. Valerie had this idea in her head for sometime about constructing a little house in the store. We've certainly got the room in our store for several little houses! So last week, while I was off on Wednesday, she did it. I had suspicions earlier in the day when I called, and sure enough on Thursday there it was in all its' adorable glory! You've got to come in and take a tour soon. You enter through this passage above.
In the house there is room for more than just a tea party!

Here is the back wall structure. It's just a wonderful addition to our store. It also is going to be a great site to see come Halloween time!

Just In! New Pick Up Sticks Line

We just ordered these great charms at the July Mart Show. You have to come see all of the selection. There are so many to choose, you'll have to have more than one! The tiny charms are great to add to a bracelet, or wear multiples at once. Come on down and see. And priced under $25.00 they make a great gift for a friend or yourself!

New Vintage Finds

This fun vinette is complete with wicker bike. A favorite find of Valerie's.
We found these fabulous concrete urns that make a nice compote for shells. Valerie has one I've always admired on her kitchen table usually full of fresh fruit.
We also found these beautiful vintage wicker wine bottles. Valerie made lamps out of a bunch we found last year. Soon these will light up the store as well. Or you can come by now for one as is.

The Art Camp Countdown

I don't know about the other Mommies out there, but this Mom thinks summer has flown! Having camp every Thursday has been almost like a little countdown for me, with only one to go that means only 2+ weeks of summer left! Yikes! This past week we did animals you'd find in your home, at least Valerie and My homes! We both have a house full of sweet, fun animals. Valerie has 2 cats and the prettiest dog, Gracie. I recently witnessed her opening the back door to let herself out. The trick Valerie says now is teaching her to swat it shut with her fan sized tail! I have 4 cats, a silly dog named Lily and new to our home is a goldfish. So this week was fun for me to share pictures of my animals and us create whimsical art based on them! We did a dog, cat and a goldfish. The day was all about painting whimsical, silly, fun and creative! I think we did just that! Next week is the last in the series and it will be about animals at the aquarium. See you then!

Framed Nautical Flags

We ordered these beautifully crafted nautical flags in NY at the gift show. Honestly they stayed in the back room for the past few months all on a single strand. Valerie got this great idea to put them into frames individually and voila! An instant wall hit. Don't these look wonderful framed all together? So if you have a boat house, lake house, beach house, or nautical themed room, these are the perfect wall accessory for you!

Art Camp- Two Weeks of fun!

Today was reptiles...and oh the creepy critters were enough to make my class of mostly BOYS even squimish! We made pet rock turtles, alligator paintings, gecko paintings and paper snakes.
Last week on the farm we painted roosters on wood, horse watercolors, cow/bull cut paper collages and my favorite- fingerprint ducks!

Finally Here!

These great bracelets and now necklaces with embossed inspirational messages have finally arrived. And priced at just $6.oo each, I am sure they won't be here long! Come on by and pick yours up today.

For the Birds

Last Thursday we studied birds for art camp. One of my favorite things to paint personally! We made this Mommy and baby painting.
A Toucan is always a fun bird to paint. And they all turned out so adorable!
This was a new clay for me, air dry. We made little nest bowls and a birdie for it. Adding the feathers made these little fellas too cute as Mommies! The day was full again and Abby and I were tired, yet super excited by the end of the day. So if you were wanting to get into any of the last 4 classes available, call now and place you name on the waiting lists. The rest of the summer classes are now FULL! Wow! Thanks for such a great response this summer!

These are a few of Our Favorite Things

We've had a very busy couple of weeks for the summer here at the Flea. Last week the store was looking a bit sad, so we turned to and have re-arranged again. We even had people come in on Monday and say, you've got a ton of new stuff. We just giggle knowing that it's mostly the same, just in a different location and different light it makes it seem new! Come take a peek for yourself!

News From France

Valerie and her family are off to France for a lovely vacation with Albert's family. She's been sending me tons of pictures, but none with her in them until now....so I just had to post this one! She is with her Mom Kay

Circus Fun and ART!

This past Thursday's art camp featured animals you'd find in a circus. I LOVE the circus so it was particularly fun for me! These elephants were inspired by Jennifer Murphy and her adorable pom-pom characters. Did you know that chenilles and pom-poms don't come in gray? Nope. These babies are hand dyed by me. But it was very worth it. Look at how cute they are!At the last Ringling Brother's Circus we attended they had tons of dogs, in costumes, doing super tricks. Drawing a dog is much easier than a horse, so we did these. Oh my goodness did they do well with this project. Max, a 6 year old made this one. Don't you love his ruffly collar and party hat?

Spotted it!

Valerie and I love to look at magazines. We have piles and piles in our homes and at the store. While flipping through Country Home this month I found this page on a Lake Burton home. And look what's on the wall! Our forks! We have those beauties in our store for $45. What a steal! And hung like this they make a fabulous wall statement.

We've got your flag!

With the 4th of July around the corner, I am sure you are digging out your old faithful flags to wave high. If you want to replace your old one, or need a new one, we've got a great selection here at the Flea! We have new flags that look old, crisp new brightly colored ones, and a fabulous banner size. It's like the one's they hang on our courthouse on the 4th. We have some bunting too. So come on down. I just found another box of fun 4th decorations in the attic too....we'll see what we can whip up with those!

On Safari this Week!

This past Thursday we went on a wild animal safari. Again, 19 kiddos, Abby and I explored the great animals you'd see while on an animal safari. We did a ton of painting, and a little with collage(I forgot to take pictures of our roaring lion paper sculptures!) Here are a few shots of the final products and a few zebras too! What a time we had. See you next week as we head to the circus.

We Went to the Zoo!

This past Thursday was our first art camp adventure and we went to the zoo! We had 19 kiddos, yes 19. And you would not believe how well behaved these little artists were! Abby and I kept them very busy making collage monkeys, watercolor flamingos and acrylic painting pandas. Above is a great collage of images from the day Valerie put together for me. And no, I did not do any of the drawing for these kids, who are ages 4 and up! They were just very good listeners and fabulous artists! I can't wait to go on Safari next week!

Chaise est fini....

The chair is done! Yipee. My favorite part was learning about cording and making the box pillow for the seat. I will definitely be using those skills later on when making pillows for the store with gorgeous fabrics I plan on getting in France this summer. Thank you Lisa for the thousands of laughs we shared together. I look forward to taking another class with you soon. If you would like more information on upholstery classes, pillow making classes, or sewing classes... please contact Lisa or Cindy at 34 Madison. Now come by The Vintage-Flea and have a seat!

Closed on Memorial Day

With the 3 day weekend ahead, we decided to close on Monday in observance of Memorial Day. We Flea Chicks will be busy with this and that all day. Parades, fireworks, lake time, and BBQ's to kick-off the summer fun. We hope your family has a wonderful day together. Be sure to wave if you see Jenni in Senoia, she'll be driving Albert's super cool car! We'll see you back at the store on Tuesday!

Above is a way long ago parade. Mailey and Brice were 2, Olivia maybe 5? My how they've changed!