Tolentreasures

I have been thinking of how to word this... Should I even address it?  Decisions?  Changes... Here is the back story.  Last September I started having health issues.  No doctors could seem to find the problem.  In January, they escalated and I went on a downward spiral of problems.   Actually until I started to feel better these last few weeks, I did not realize how sick I had been.  When you don’t feel well, ant hills become mountains.   My ant hills became Mount Everest.   I made the decision to sell my business and semi retire.   Immediately, I had a buyer and I would be able to keep a booth there and above all, it would be a situation where my vendors would still have  a place to sell.  Many of them have been with me since the start four and a half years ago and I felt an obligation to consider them in my decision.  I was actually looking forward to having time and freedom from obligations.  No more filling in and...

At the shop, it seems like that is all I do.  Rearrange Rearrange Rearrange But it works!  As soon as I do that,  I start selling better!  Check out this spoon carved dresser.  JWS was amazed it was leaving camp UNPAINTED!  Furniture in it's natural state as he called it.  And, a new booth at the shop!  So pretty!  

Since I opened the shop in Smicksburg, I have wanted a work area.  I have filled it with vendors and left no space to work. Honestly, I never thought that the shop would be as busy as it is and thought that there would be time to fill. I guess that was a happy surprise. However, winter is here and things do slow down a little. So, when I had a vendor leaving in a prime spot  for a workspace. I took that opportunity to create a three month work space for all those faithful workers that help me out so much. Yesterday, I took advantage of it. Can't wait to see how each worker uses it!

The day started out pretty calm. Painted this tray and table for Jenn's porch. It was a purple kind of day.  Then Shawnee put together this lovely arrangement at Time Works for me. Even the butterflies liked it!  Then I painted some wine bottles, still sort of purple-ish. And even strayed from the purple  (actually the table WAS purple) and painted the kids picnic table. This was accompanied by a bit of sadness  knowing that by the time it needs painted again,  all the kids will be too big for it.  Then sat down on the porch for a little quiet time reading and crocheting,  not at the same time, mind you. When the final PURPLE arrived. Wyatt wanting in the Hot Pool,  as he calls it,  puked something Purply looking all through the  Hot Pool.  So that is why at 9:50 at night we are sitting outside  waiting for the  Hot Pool to refill and...

JWS, left alone at the auctions on Thursday nights has proved interesting. Clowns, neon signs, parrots.   So, I never know what he is going to bring home. Last night he made it home before me.   These books and vintage cards are great! The picnic baskets....re-sellable. The vases?   Maybe to the right person. Pyrex and Glasbake? Wonderful buys....   This shelf....10 feet long?   Really?   You might think that is the worst.     However..... After 12 hours at work.....when I turned the corner to go in the kitchen, This was serenading me with "Won't you let me take you on a Sea Cruise?"       I'd like to send someone on a sea cruise.... without a life jacket!            

What a ride this has been! Setting up and opening a shop, a winter of paint classes, all more craziness than usual... if that is possible.   I have loved getting the shop ready, enjoyed the entire process and really like working there.    The vendors work most of the weekdays, mostly the weekends are tied up for me for the time being.     Yesterday, I was on my own.   Worked at that REAL job in the early morning and then off to Time Works.   Busy day, I took paints and brushes. Didn't really accomplish much there. My two last customers of the day came in.   Wandered around and then.... The one woman brings two yearbooks to the counter.   Her voice is shaky.   She has just found her father's yearbook!   Not just the 1946 yearbook that he was pictured in... His personal yearbook, with all the messages from his classmates!   Stories from the...

  What a thoughtful gift!    I received it from a friend for Christmas for the new shop!    I love it!   Can't wait to hear it ringing in the customers!