Report Card Day

Today was report card day at the Dumas household. Brice got accepted into the REACH program that will start next year in his new school. We couldn't have been more shocked when he was invited to begin testing a month ago. Never under estimate the class clown I guess.

Olivia made it into the Honor Role for the 2nd time in a row.

What a day. This brings me to my wonderful report card that I got when I was 10 years old from the International School in Manila. (We lived in the Philippines for 3 years when I was younger.) Look closely at the teacher comments for ART..."Could Do Better". Oh well, not everyone is a fan!

You can see my new encaustic paintings at the Canvas & Cocktails event that will take place on March 27th from 5pm-9pm. Hope to see you there.

Happy Monday

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. I was lucky enough to have a double dose of soccer this weekend. Brice had his normal game on Saturday and then a rain make-up game on Sunday. Here you will see one (of many) of his awesome goals. The ball was too fast for the goalie to catch!!

Some new paintings for our Canvas & Cocktails event this Friday. The Nest... encaustic on luan board

Les Caraibes... encaustic on luan.

Also working on a new look for The Vintage-Flea website. A few tweaks here and there are yet to be had but you can preview it here and tell me your thoughts.

My Flair

I love vintage broaches!! Today I am showing my Flair for St. Patrick's Day.

I saw this idea several seasons ago in the INSTYLE magazine and I think it was a tip from Sarah Jessica Parker. Criss Cross your sweater (do not button) and then pin your fabulous collection onto one side. This will give you the illusion of a smaller waistline. And when you are 5'9" and shaped like a tree trunk, you need all the help you can get!!

Have a Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy Monday!

Well even though it is raining here in Newnan, I am still happy when I look at this beautiful face. These are some new paintings that I did this past weekend. The first is a bird encaustic and the second is a lake landscape. Both are going to the framer today and will be available for our Canvas and Cocktails event on March 27th. Thank you to Shawn who also made my Monday. She and her beautiful family from Charlotte bought both of my encaustic flower vases. I am glad they found a home together.. I couldn't imagine the pair broken up.

on the line... close up

on the line, encaustic

misty morning, encaustic

Happy Monday

Two new creations to show off on this Monday posting. The first is another spun cotton figurine that I made. This will be our Ladies Night Out project for April 2nd.

The 2nd is a painting I completed a few weeks ago but finally got back from the framer today. I was unsure about the painting at first but I really am in love with it now that it is framed. Strange how a frame can make such a difference.

The Lake, Encaustic 2009

Stairs and Ladies Night Out

We have stairs!! Yes handrails will be added. I've had some very concerned customers ask me that last week. I believe everything will be finished by the end of next week, then we get our renters moved in.

And now that the renovations are almost done, I can concentrate on a new Ladies Night Out project. Spun Cotton Figurines on April 2nd from 7pm-9pm. We will be making rabbits but once you learn the technique, you can make ornaments and figurines for any holiday. You will see these beauties again for our Nordic Christmas theme.

Come by the shop to see these in person. The class will cost $15 and will include all materials. Call 770-683-2825 to reserve your spot, or email us at flea@numail.org.

Stairway to Heaven... not really

It all started with an idea I had after Christmas... why not turn the upstairs into a Brocante/Antique Mall? On a weekly basis I am asked where is the closest Antique Mall and I am sending people out of downtown Newnan to the only 2 malls that we have near us. The goal is to keep the customers downtown, right? So here we are in March and the construction has finally started.

This is the upstairs area that will eventually host 10 or more booths.

This is the opening to the upstairs area.. did you know that our building is the only one downtown with a cupola?

This is my nightmare... do you see the mess. It took 8 guys to unload the 35' long beams and one police officer to stop traffic so that they could do it.

They have to jack up the ceiling at least 5 inches... fortunately they have a machine for that and don't need my daughters help.

And finally these are the original stairs that will be put back into place. This process has taken a lot longer than any of us had imagined.. 2 days now the store has been closed. Thank you to everyone for your support. I can't wait to show the final results.

Happy Monday!

I have to admit not much was accomplished this past weekend. My daughter came down with the flu bug on Saturday so I babied her all weekend. Then on Sunday we woke up to an icy snow storm which is a wonderful treat in Atlanta. Somebody explain Global Warming to me?

But I did start thinking about some upcoming Ladies Night Out projects that I have had in mind. The first inspiration comes from a fabulous etsy artist Vintage by Crystal. I fell in love with her cotton spun creations a while ago. In fact our 2009 Christmas idea "A Nordic Noel" was born from seeing her designs.

I spent the weekend trying my hand at these little beauties. I am not done yet. They still need all the bells and whistles added to them (not to mention faces) so give me another week and I will post them along with a Ladies Night Out date to learn how to make them.

Another LNO idea coming soon will be these Byzantine Chain bracelets. Jenni Horne and I will be co-hosting an event at the Dogwood Gallery sometime in March. She asked me to start thinking of some jewelry ideas and I am stuck on this one. I hope she agrees.. it looks like a lot of fun to make.

Finally I am working on 3 new paintings but they are not ready to be photographed yet. Therefore, this post will have to be continued......

Happy Monday

20 pairs of Fine Silver Earrings have made their way to The Vintage-Flea. Hand forged, Patinaed and rubbed to a warm glow. No 2 pairs are exactly alike. All available for $20 each.

The Buzz

The Vintage-Flea is now on Facebook. Click here if you want to become a fan.

Happy Monday

Happy Monday! I am starting a new feature on the blog that will showcase something handmade every Monday. Quite frankly I need the motivator to paint and make more jewelry. Here are two little paintings that I did this weekend. I wanted to try out a Photo Encaustic technique that I have been reading about using Epson Velvet Fine Art Paper. I definitely love the look of the pattern wallpaper behind the flower vases.

Now I just need to get them over to our fantastic framer... Philip. Soon these babies will be in the store for all to see.

It's a bird thing....

“Be as a bird perched on a frail branch that she feels bending beneath her, still she sings away all the same, knowing she has wings.” -Victor Hugo

You know spring is coming soon when The Vintage-Flea starts putting out the bird merchandise. We just can't help ourselves...I can even hear them chirping their praises.

Take the Challenge

Take the Ten-in-Ten Challenge! Give ten recommendations to your friends, neighbors and customers in the next ten days, encouraging them to patronize a Downtown business. Can you do it? The "Save Downtown Newnan" blog offered this challenge and I was up for it. Over the past 10 days (give or take) I have:

1. Sent a group of women to eat at Peach and told them about the squash casserole.
2. Told a customer to try What's in Store as she was looking for blue & white china.
3. Told our neighbors Fabulous by Design about Newnan Computers because they were looking to buy a new computer really cheap.
4. My customer from Florida called looking for a place to buy chocolates and she wanted them delivered in downtown Newnan. I gave her the number to Broad Street Sweets and convinced her to buy a box of Valentine Cupcakes instead.
5. I told a lady from Savannah about the driving tour because she was interested in the older homes around town.
6. A customer was telling me how she was having a house built and that she was having trouble with the details. I told her about the design services offered at both Panoply and Fabulous by Design.
7. An older gentlemen was looking for a Women's clothing shop and I directed him to Brothers.
8. A mother and her children were looking for a fun place to eat and I told them to go to The Half Shell since it is my kids favorite restaurant in downtown. The Oyster Stew is amazing.
9. One customer bought a bag from us and asked about Monogramming. I told her to go to either Plane Stitches or the Sportsdome. All within walking distance.
10. I've been telling many of my customers about the Spring Art walk on March 27th.

Tell us what you like about downtown Newnan and what you tell your friends about... take the ten in ten challenge.

New Custom Products at The Flea

Every few months or so I get the itch to find something new to introduce to our Custom Products line at The Vintage-Flea. This is not an easy task since most of the products out there fall in the cheesy category. A lot of it is trial and error... so I am excited to show you 2 products that actually look nice. The first is actually a product upgrade. I found these beautiful silver bezels that fit the round porcelain discs perfectly making them look even more stunning. Total package, $25.

Next we have the Aluminum Water Bottle for only $12! Photo Area: 4 3/4" x 9"• Put one long panoramic photo or a different photo on each side of your water bottle. Contact The Vintage-Flea for more information or you can go to www.thevintage-flea.com for more product choices.

Valentine's Day Treats

(1) Fun Apron and Dishtowels, $26 & $12 (2) Message Bangles, $15

(3) Jean Bling Buckles $40, (4) Initial Soaps, $12 (5) Oyster

Shell Votive Holder, $8 (6) Custom Silver or Gold Charms, $10-$25

(7) Sea Shell Coin Purse $4, (8) Initial Paperweights, $14

(9) Dazzled Measureing Tape, $12

Beginner/Refresher pastel class

Have a look at the January class still life studies ..I am delighted to see they are preserving their values while exploring a full range of colors. We have been considering the “optical mixing” unique to layering colors in pastels.
NEXT 4 week class begins FRIDAY the 6th.

FRIDAYS 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th $15.00

class meets at the Vintage Flea with Deborah Kidwell

www.deborahjohnsonkidwell.blogspot.com

770.301.8990 (Deborah) 770-683-2825 (Flea)

I love books... craft books and home decor books that is. (Although I am enjoying reading the Twilight series at the moment.) So like I said I love my books and below is my library to show them off...

I actually bought the library ladder before our house was built!

These two books were waiting for me on my doorstep when I got home today. Vintage Redux and Custom Cool Jewelry. I am still pouring over every page and can't wait to get started making jewelry. Here are some examples in the books....

I see a Ladies Night Out coming soon to the Flea!! Maybe a charm swap?

XOXOXO

Normally I don't go all out at the shop for Valentine's Day decorations... I figured Michael's and every florist in town has that covered. However I couldn't resist after seeing these little beauties from Etsy Artist PaperEclectique. Now I am happy to say the my store is filled with her little creations.

Tussie Mussies are perfect for filling with Candy.. $1.50 each

8" Large Glitter Heart with Silk Ribbon.. perfect for the front door.. $12

7 assorted varieties of hang tags.. .60 cents- $1.25 each.

Supplies are limited so come by soon.. Hugs and Kisses/The Vintage-Flea

As Seen In....

This weekend I was fortunate enough to watch not one but two movies... this is actually a big deal in my house because I never have the time to watch anything on the big screen. We went to see Bride Wars on Friday and then Hotel for Dogs on Saturday. I was thrilled to see that both of the main characters were wearing necklaces similiar to what we make at The Vintage-Flea.

At the Flea you can order either the Sterling Silver or 14k Gold charms with your choice of initial, name, or date. Prices start at just $10!! Come on by and order yours today.

Save Downtown Newnan

Today I get an email from a local business telling me about a brand new blog dedicated to saving our small downtown Historic Mainstreet. You see several shops around me have either gone out of business or have "store closing" signs up on their windows as we speak. And although this particular blog is dedicated to the revitialization of Newnan, this economic slow down is hurting all the 'Mainstreet Communities' across the United States. This is what they have to say:

"Local, independent businesses are located here. You can grab an espresso to go, pick up locally grown produce or fresh baked goods, shop for unique gifts or household items, or choose a good book. You can get your hair cut, have your taxes prepared, or apply for a mortgage at your friendly community bank or credit union. These businesses add to the character that is Newnan, contributing more than just goods and services. They offer personalized attention, add diversity to our shopping options, and bring life to historic buildings. And they pay their employees—and local taxes—with the income they receive. Each time you choose to spend your dollars at a local, independent business, you are voting for the continued strength and vitality of our community. "

So I ask, if you are lucky enough to live near a mainstreet community, go and support them this week by buying a cup of coffee or new outfit. Every little bit helps.

Pastel Classes in 2009

Pastel Classes in 2009

Beginning PASTEL at the Vintage Flea

8 Greenville Street, Newnan, GA

Shop : 770.683.2825Instructor/ Deborah Kidwell : 770.301.8990

4 weeks (offered monthly)

FRIDAYS at 10:30A.M until NOON

Discover the joy of the very forgiving medium of PASTELS.

It’s a little like DRAWING and a little like PAINTING! Each week we will explore different papers/supports a variety of subject matter. Emphasis will be on mark making./blending/layering within the context of understanding color “temperature” (warm/cool) and value studies( dark/light).

$15/week or $50 for 4 weeks (to paid at 1st class)

BEGINS : Jan.9thClasses Jan. 9th , 16th , 23th and 30th .

supply list:
A 30 to 60 count set of SOFT PASTELS (I found a real deal at www.jerrysartarama)

½ sheet of Mi-Teintes CANSON pastel paper (color: steel gray)

kneaded erasure

twig charcoal

“EBONY” pencil

masking tape

2 cheap mats with 5”x7” opening and small sketch pad.

New Beginnings

Happy New Year!!

To a new year and to new beginnings. I am toying with the idea of adding something new to our little store. Our little downtown area is seriously lacking one major thing... an antique mall. Other successful small towns have at least 2 of them, making their area more appealing to visit. I constantly am giving directions to our one and only antique mall in Newnan which is about 2 miles away from the Historic District. So my bright idea.....
is to turn our upstairs storage area, about 2000 sq. feet, into a French Brocante (or flea market). My plan is to reinstall the original grand staircase that was taken down a few tennants back....leading our customers up into the cupola and into about 15+ booths. So there is my New Year's Resolution... stay tuned to see how this story unfolds.

Flea Chick PIck of The Week

Well the week is almost over and I still have to make my Flea Pick for this week. I have to say that I am really digging the new soy candles from Swan Creek Candle Company. I am especially liking the Frosted Spruce scent! It smells just like a fresh cut christmas tree and that is nice to have in my house since my tree is artificial and champagne in color. No real trees this year! The candles are clean burning and have no black soot residue. What could be better. Priced at $14, $12, and $9.