Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween!!

Our Pumpkins
Our day started with lots of costumed children lined up around the corner. We estimated that we went through 500 pieces of candy in 1 hour. Here is our sweet Mary charming our little Flea customers.

The Vintage-Flea wishes you a Happy Halloween!

I heart enameling

As an investment to The Vintage-Flea, I purchased an enameling kiln from Thompson Enameling about 1 month ago. Problem was, I still couldn't figure it out. So Jenni and I decided to take an enameling class at the Atlanta ArtWorx studio. Our 3 week class ended yesterday night and we had a blast. It was an introduction course where we learned about making enamels with torch firing and kiln firing. I am hoping to intermingle some fine silver pieces with gorgeous pops of color very soon.

All I want for Christmas

A brand new Roland Cutter! I've been wanting to make t-shirts for a long time now for The Vintage-Flea but haven't found the right equipment. Until now!

Jenni and I went to the SGIA, specialty graphics and printing show last week and found some great new technology out there in the custom printing field. Some machines looked like carnival rides.....
Some printed large mural sized posters....and some can cut images out of aluminum, pvc, plexi, and wood.
But since I can't afford the $1600 Roland Cutter, I will enjoy my free guitar.
Rock on Sister!! T-shirts are still in the foreseeable future!! Just stay tuned.

Mercury Rising

New Votives at the Flea.. $4/$6 This beautiful vase has antique metal mixed in. $18
I've been asked by a few of you if I was going to carry Mercury Glass this Christmas and originally I had said no. Been there done that! But then I looked at my Mercury Glass collection that I have at home and changed my mind. I just love the way they sparkle and like a kid in a silver leafed candy store, I drool when the new shipments come in. Created in the late 17th century mercury glass was blown-double walled, then silvered between layers with a solution containing silver nitrate in a liquid formula and then sealed. Although it may be called mercury glass there was not a single ounce of mercury included into the mix. It was considered to be the "poor man's" silver as sterling silver prices were outrageous. Original Mercury Glass is extremely rare to find as it was very fragile but the knockoffs are just as beautiful. It can be found in a wide variety of shapes and can be made into many different colors like silver, gold, blue and pink. Happy hunting!! my mercury glass in a curio cabinet

Ladies Night Out.. Halloween Bracelet

I wanted to post my finished sample for our Ladies Night Out- Halloween Bracelet. The LNO will be on October 14th from 7-9pm. The fabric cuff portion of the bracelet was made from a recycled fabric scraps scarf which the ladies at The Recon Zone had made. I met them this weekend at Market Day and their booth was filled with fabulous recycled gifts. (My daughter picked up the cutest bookmark for her reading assignments.) I think they about died when I bought 5 of their scarves and said that I was going to cut them up. But see how cute the bracelet is???

I then took Halloween images and transferred them to vintage tea towels. Then I cut them out and sewed them along with several beads onto the fabric cuff. I added a magnetic closure at the ends.
My inspiration for the project came from an etsy artist I discovered a few weeks ago named Jean. According to her profile, she makes "curiously unique wearable art" and this is so true. Check out her etsy shop called Charmed I'm Sure and enjoy her beauties. Here is a sample of her fabric cuff bracelet.

This was definitely a fun project to do. Come on by or email us at flea@numail.org if you want to join us on Tuesday. The cost of the class is $20 for all materials. See you then.

Ever Changing Week

On Monday our front store vignette was dressed for our "Cinderella" theme. Invitation from Prince Charming on the dresser, pumpkin waiting to be turned into a carriage, dress pressed and ready to go, even a shoe box that says Glass Slippers.

On Tuesday we got our deer heads dressed in their Halloween Masks.

On Wednesday the Cinderella chest of drawers sold so we had to do it all over again. On Thursday we set our front vignette for another kind of feast. Maybe a vampire dinner party. Skull heads and crosses are carefully placed on this 8 foot table.

Rats are crawling all around.

Who sits at the head of this table.....

Happy Friday! This weekend downtown Newnan has Market Day so I hope you all get a chance to come out and enjoy the beautiful weather, talented artists, and great food.

The Gathering Place

This is what we have been lately.. The Gathering Place. It is nice to see the store so lively with customers coming and going. I hope you are all enjoying the new products... seems there is something new almost every day now. For example our "The Gathering Place" framed samplers both in large and small. We have also received our final Halloween shipment today which definitely has a more vintage look. So gather up your friends and spend a day downtown. See you soon.

The Gifted Flea

I had the idea of doing a Holiday Show for awhile now. Last year we did a Trunk Show series at our store that was a huge success but a nightmare to keep track off. So this time I want to put everyone under the same roof at the same time. I chose the dates of November 8&9 for several reasons. Market Day will be on Saturday and the Holiday Open House will be on Sunday. Also that weekend the Newnan Arts Association will be hosting their annual Holiday Show at the Train Depot. So keep your calendars clear for this weekend.. we will be having some wonderful local artists set up in our art studio, refreshments, give aways, and as always.. a great time! If you are an artist and are interested in participating at the Flea this weekend, please email me at flea@numail.org.

New Friends at The Flea

Can you resist these cute little faces! Treat buckets only $7.50 each.

Some new Ugly's waiting to be adopted..Suntan Target, Babo's Bird, and Poe.


Available only at The Vintage-Flea

Kudos

Another successful Art Walk is once again behind us. Kudos to all those that came by The Vintage-Flea, especially since both the local high schools had home games. Kudos especially to my wonderful staff. Since Jenni has left, I have had a lot more on my mind and more lists to complete. These girls make me laugh everyday and The Flea would be nothing without all of them. Speaking of the Flea, I got a lot of comments on our store decor. The Halloween section was especially a big hit. Well believe it or not I start getting ideas several months to a year in advance. (I am now finding vintage items for the 4th of July holiday in 2009!) So I was especially excited to pick up a new magazine called Halloween Tricks and Treats by Matthew Mead. The magazine is mostly filled with spooky edible treats for parties and since my son has an October birthday, I thought it would be fun to try some of the recipes.

I was tickled when I found some great decorating ideas as well. Look at how cute this pumpkin is painted with chalkboard paint.
Speaking of pumpkins, this is a felted pumpkin with a sculpted face. I am thinking a Ladies Night Out project for next October.
This coat rack is amazing and will certainly be at the flea next year. I especially love the "Save the Date" calender page and black and white socks.
What a treat basket this would make at our Fall Art Walk next year!! Filled with yummy bags of flea treats.
Our next merchant mainstreet event will be our Holiday Open House on November 9th from 12-5pm. Get an early start on your Christmas shopping downtown Historic Newnan.

Halloween Peek a Boo!

"By the prickling of my thumbs; Something wicked this way comes." -MacBeth

What a busy week and it is not over yet! I wanted to get my Halloween stuff out before Art Walk this Friday evening. The family and I were here all day on Sunday moving things, ripping up things, decorating things.... what a way to spend an afternoon. Here are some pictures of our little spooky house and surroundings. More Halloween merchandise should be arriving in a few weeks to add to our displays. Check back for more photos....

owls displayed in old wire cone in a plaster bust

Lori Mitchell's highly collectable Halloween figures are finally back at the Flea.

Caged up high above our table... Skulls with LED lights

Our Gothic Princess all decked out

My favorite pumpkins this year

This display is fun. Old doll head with an animal skull. Do you see Medusa?

These guys are creepy and so real looking.

Playing Tag

I have been tagged by Jenni so here it goes... hope I don't disappoint! It was difficult to pick out 5 bloggers to introduce to you all. Most of them are like movie stars to me and I admire them from a far. However, we all have one thing in common...we are shop owners. So sit back and enjoy these amazing boutiques.

Here are the rules:
1. Link back to the person who tagged you
2. Mention the rules on your blog
3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours
4. Tag 5 bloggers by linking to them
5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged bloggers blogs letting them know they've been tagged.

Here's my list:
Poppin
The Cottage Gals
Prairie Home
Urban Farmhouse
The Pink Funny Farm

Now for my 6 uninteresting quirks:

• I love eating sugary cereals, especially with the little marshmallows. (I'm eating chocolate lucky charms as I am writing this)
• I have a huge shark phobia. I can not go into the ocean unless someone is in front of me. My theory is that if a shark comes, it will eat them first and I can swim to shore.
• I have to sleep with the ceiling fan on.
• My mother wanted to name me Valerie Doreen but my father refused saying he didn't want me named after an STD. Ha Ha.. now I am Valerie Dumas!
• I am addicted to all the reality shows on Bravo. My favorites are Project Runway, Shear Genius, Salon Takeover, Top Chef and Top Design.
• My brother, father and I saw a haunted house in the woods once. The next day- it was gone. Spoooooooky but true!

Have a great weekend.

1 week to Art Walk

Count down... 7 days left until the Fall Art Walk. There will be some fabulous artists showing at The Vintage-Flea this year... collage, folk art, acrylic, encaustic, charcoal, mixed media jewelry, beaded jewelry, and much much more. Circle the date, September 12th from 5pm-8pm.

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!