The answer is 2

The answer is 2.

Boy am I going to hear about this post, forever. Too bad, it made me laugh and that was a good thing!

Hi Everyone,

Back from a day of oppressive heat and sweltering humidity, our North Shore Flea was busy and packed. We saw a bunch of great customers we hadn't seen in a year or, so it was old home week as well.

But that heat, it was just awful. If you blinked your eyes, you sweat. Turn your head, sweat some more. It took for ever to pack up and and leave just cuz we were so tired and worn out from the heat

And from laughing.

We had the best time visiting with two of my dearest friends and fellow vendors Kathi and Annie from 3 Wrens. We joked around, sat and sweat together and just made the best of an incredibly tough weather day.

Then to top it all off, we got a great laugh in at the very end.

The question is . . .

How many 3 Wrens does it take to get one itty bitty little 10 X 10 tent back into it carrying case at the end of the day?

The answer is two, these two trying their darndest to get it in

We laughed so hard, Annie looks up and sees the DH snapping pictures and the threats start flying, "You had better not be taking pictured of my backside George", all the while I am snapping away on her other side. My answer would have been throw that thing in the car and hope it makes it home in one piece, who cares about a carrying case! ! ! 

Such an incredible fun day with them. Wish we had more and we just might get that wish come October as they are coming to the new market in the suburbs. I couldn't be happier.

Annie, thanks for the hours of bagging help in my tent and for sharing Mom as well. You girls are a hoot! We were honored that you drove in from Wisconsin to show with us.

We head to Midland MI this coming week to do their special 45th Anniversary show, complete with all sorts of celebrations. See you all there.

Here is the rest of the schedule,

July 20 - 21 2013 - Michigan Antique and Collectibles Festival, Midland MI

July 28  2013  -  Allegan Antiques Market, Allegan County Fairgrounds, Allegan MI

August 10 2013  - North Shore Flea, Highwood, IL 

August 25  2013  -  Allegan Antiques Market, Allegan County Fairgrounds, Allegan MI

August 31 - September 2  2013  -  Indie Arts and Vintage Marketplace with Warmfest at Broad Ripple Park, Indianapolis IN

See you soon,

Suz

the Muze

take a memo . . . go to North Shore Flea TODAY! ! !

Hi Everyone,

Displaying all the new journals, shabby bags and this lovely item here in Highwood this AM . . . 

I was able to repurpose this incredibly gaudy memo board into a wonderful shabby accessory for an office, kitchen desk, bedroom, you name it. This beauty will go anywhere and be a heavy duty work horse for you.

The coffee bean bag fabric (Honduran coffee originally) is accented by heavy jute ribbons and topped off with soft chiffon roses. A perfect accent for anyone.

On display for only a short time,(positive thinking here) in our booth at the North Shore Flea, downtown Highwood IL from 9 to 5 today only. 

See you here! ! !

Suz

the Muze

being creative

Hi Everyone,

Things are really getting complicated here, what with all the wonderful shows scheduled, a ton of weddings taking place with our accents, the new market coming to Illinois and our everyday life, whew, I am tired just writing that. My friend Julie uses a spreadsheet, I think I need the whole Excel program to track it all.

One thing that happens when doing so many wedding orders is that it is more than repetitious. All 150 of this thing have to be identical and for someone who likes to plays with her B O S, all the cast aside pieces of everything, I get to chomping at the bit to just do something different.

Well, I escaped today. After cutting a couple hundred of our gorgeous lace covered burlap bows, I started playing with the end pieces I had accumulated.

This is where I ended up at. I cut several of these 'pouches' from the leftover pieces and found all sorts of beautiful embellishments to go with them.

Here is one of them

A cute piece with a muslin handle and sweet rose accent. I will try to capture a couple of others before they disappear this weekend at the flea.

Now it's back to our regularly schedule program for tonight, 200 pieces of another order. Such is the life of the bridal supplier! ! ! 

Suz
the Muze

meanwhile . . . back in New Jersey

Hi Everyone,

Now that all of our mentionables are finally drying out, I had a few minutes to recover some of the pictures of some of the things that have been going on here over the last month or so.

Back in June we were able to slip away for a couple of days to the East Coast for a half and half trip, partial business and partial getaway. 

It was divine, this was definitely before the strep incident.

One of the stops we made was Hoboken, New Jersey. I had read about the magnificent architecture at the Hoboken rail station. Back last year when hurricane Sandy went through the East coast, I remember reading about hard hit the station was hit. I really wanted to see for myself, hoping against all odds that it somehow survived.

It did. It is hurting pretty bad, but it survived.

This is a picture taken several years ago of the beautiful Tiffany glass ceiling in the main hall.

It's almost like a glorious ballroom. Today, there is no electric on the ground level yet and those shiny floors are quite dull from all the water damage. All the furniture has been removed and it is a huge open space.

I was able to shoot a close up of the beautiful pattern of the ceiling.

nothing like Tiffany in the world

 I had a chance to speak to one of the employees who told me what they have been going through, how bad it has been. Interesting note, they were only completely shut down for 3 days and once the water rescinded, they came right back to temporary housing of offices and started working back to full operations, which will be quite some time.

After we left the station my eye caught this fantastic site. Since one of our biggest parts of our business is our wonderful frames, with and without poultry netting, imagine how excited I got when I spotted this beauty . . .

This is the Right Angle Frame Shop on Washington and the entire window is framed out in one of the most beautiful frames we have ever seen. All we could do is stare and wonder how in the world we could get it back on the plane ! The store owner saw me snapping the picture so I went in and explained what we do and she was so pleasant and amused that we were in love with her huge beauty. I think it was about 7 foot by 7 foot, just unbelievable.

Our afternoon was made complete by a fantastic lunch at La Isla, a genuine Cuban spot also on Washington that was out of this world. Super staff, unbelievably great food and reasonable, what more could you ask for.

There was a ton of construction going on, condos and apartments going up everywhere you looked but I didn't see as many parking facilities being built. Someone needs to get on that pronto. Parking was a bear.

All and all it was a wonderful trip to Hoboken and we enjoyed it thoroughly, can't wait to go back and see the rebuilding after Sandy.

More from New York next post,

Suz
the Muze

News flash about NSF

Hi Everyone,

This is short and sweet but I am so excited about the North Shore Flea Market in Highwood this coming Sunday July 14th, I am about to burst

Why you might ask?

Because I just found out that two of my bestest friends are joining me.

Live from Grand Rapids Michigan, my buddy Mark Miller, Lost and Found Grand Rapids Michigan is coming down and oh my word look at what he's bringing . . .

Old olive jars, handmade farm table and Romanian dough bowls, serious drooling going on over here . . .

anyone need a great work cart / table or cool bins?

Also, joining me will be my sweet buddy Annie and her family family from 3 Wren Street from Wisconsin. Annie is the queen of cool vintage and just unique things. I am over the moon that they are sharing their great stuff with the market this Sunday. It will be so great to laugh with them all as well.

So make plans to come see us, this Sunday in beautiful downtown Highwood at the North Shore Flea from 9 - 5, we will be the noisy bunch outside, laughing and having a great time!


Or on the road . . . 

July  14  2013 - North Shore Flea,  428 Green Bay Road, Highwood IL

July 20 - 21 2013 - Michigan Antique and Collectibles Festival, Midland MI

July 28  2013  -  Allegan Antiques Market, Allegan County Fairgrounds, Allegan MI


See you at the flea!

Suz
the Muze

Indy = Rain

Hi Everyone,

If you have followed along here for anytime, you are well aware of the running joke about our doing the Indianapolis show, Indie Arts and Vintage Marketplace and the fact that hands down, for two years running, the outdoor shows have the worse weather record EVER known to mankind. Ever, anywhere.

Saturday was no exception.

When we woke up at o'dark thirty, approximately 3:45 AM, it was misting rain. This did not come as a surprise and had it been any other market anywhere else in the world, we would have called off and said, "NO, can't take the chance in bringing all our paper and fabric goodies out today."

But, this is Indy. And Indy is different. 

We have trained these poor folks into thinking that a little bad weather is so worth coming out to see us that they do, REGARDLESS of weather.

This is not an exaggeration. Last month, it was tornado warnings. Last year it was hurricane weather and a tornado and they still shopped. Doesn't matter they come out to see us.

So we have to show up.

Soaking wet, hotter than you know what because it is now sooo humid you could proof bread in our booth!, but we are there and so are they.

On a good day anywhere else in the country this is what we look like

 Burlap and lace panels grace the walls, people coming and going, a really nice setting.

This is the top of our tent Saturday

See those huge raindrops at the top of the tent face? They and about a million others stayed with us all day long.

And so did the customers

See how covered up the tents in front of us are. Normally we can see our neighbors. Not Saturday. We did see umbrellas in every shape, size and color tho.

Thank you Indy for being such dedicated customers and braving the weather every single month. We will be there, slightly soggy, but we will be there. 

I'm the one that squishes when she walks.


Later, after I dry out, sometime next week,

Suz
the Muze
  

Medium Sized Blessings

Hi Everyone,

After a full weekend, two shows and three bridal orders and a whole lot of exhaustion, we are trying to get ready for more bridal orders and heading to Indianapolis this coming weekend. See under the heading, way too much to do in a way too short period of time. 

We had a really great Harbor Market in Benton Harbor Michigan on Friday, where we saw a nice crowd of local folk and over 50 vendors that were there to show off their stuff. It has really grown and we are so proud to be associated with this venue. And as promoter Julie Montgomery says, Buy Local. The Harbor Market is every Friday from 11 - 4 and this week there were loads of early summer fruits available and a fresh pasta vendor. This place is just too cool. We will see you all next month, wish it could be sooner.

We headed north towards Allegan for Saturday, busy business day, a great meeting with our website designer. I have finally found an intelligent, non-condescending artist to work with, (more on him later) and then we traveled on to set up at our beloved Allegan show.

Truth be told, we arrived a bit tired from the one day setup and teardown in Benton Harbor and a busy and entertaining morning at our friends, the Gryzbowski home, earlier. 

We laughed and smiled and had such a great visit with all 10 of them and they too were getting ready to leave for set up at Allegan. So we said our farewells and headed off to the fairgrounds.

Shortly after arrival at Allegan, we started unloading, very slowly I might add, when we saw three of the young ladies from the  G family bounding into our booth. General Victoria, she puts orders out to the younger ones, who quickly move to do as dispatched, soon vanished from my sight inside the tent. As I looked around the end of the tent, I spotted this

and then this 

next time I look, I see this

and with a few minutes, our trailer is completely empty. They pitched in, moved items so fast and before we could turn around, we were unloaded. Such a huge blessing!

Ignore the fact this pic is sideways, they were so happy to have helped

Brian and Michelle are raising such great young ladies, self confident, charming, very feminine and each a delight to hold a real conversion with. They just pitch in and never expect anything in return, which makes a form of payment a bit difficult. But this time, I got around that. Ha, Michelle! They deserved so much more.

When we were packing up and keep in mind their family is packing at the same time, when their said duties for pack up was finished at their booth, I would see them running down towards our booth, all smiles and eager to see if they could help. I can not express how grateful we are for all of their help and the laughter they bring us.

I think the pictures are a bit cloudy because they were shot through their little angel wings. Just pure, innocent joy, each and every one of them.

So to Victoria, Sarah Grace, Isabella and Isaiah, who also popped in a couple times to help, you have our undying gratitude and thanks for making things so much better for us. George and I love and cherish each of you more than you will ever know. To Brian and Michelle, thank you for sharing them so freely. They are truly indispensable to us. 

I am still trying to figure out how to smuggle a couple of them home with us the next time we see them.

On the road, still:

July  6  2013  -  Indie Arts and Vintage Market,  Glendale Shopping Center Parking Lot, Indianapolis IN 

July  14  2013 - North Shore Flea,  428 Green Bay Road, Highwood IL

July 20 - 21 2013 - Michigan Antique and Collectibles Festival, Midland MI

July 28  2013  -  Allegan Antiques Market, Allegan County Fairgrounds, Allegan MI

More later,

Suze
the Muze

106 degrees of definite separation

Greetings and Salutations,

After spending entirely too much time recuperating from a nasty bout of strep throat, (hence the 106 degree reference),I am attempting to re-enter the work world tomorrow in Benton Harbor MI at our beloved Harbor Market. 

I may die there.

Just saying, slight chance that has yet to happen but I have felt like that for going on 13 days days. It doesn't help that it so humid and hot outside that you want to die anyway. This will be entertaining to say the least. Stay tuned.

The staff here has been so supportive of my recent illness

You know they sleep for 22 hours a day with no prompting? Oh yea, great encouragement for taking multiple naps a day.

So we will attempt to get up, get dressed and start toodling down the road about 3 AM, hate that hour lost between here and Michigan. Then on to Allegan and a full day Sunday. Two of my dear friends, Becky and Shari will be bringing their handmade jewelry to show with me in our booth so I guarantee a good time will be had by all. I will try to take pictures.

Don't bother looking for me, I will be sound asleep at the ironing board/desk as I will be long over due for a nap by then,

Till then,
Suz
the Muze

Seriously dude?

Hi Everyone,

If you haven't had a chance in the Chicagoland area to come up north to check out the North Shore Flea, do it soon. Seriously, a great venue put on by my friend and fellow vendor/promoter Melissa Sands. So easy to get to and so worth the effort. One of those something for everyone shows.

It was packed all day, great merchandise selection, you know I am having a good show when you keep hearing me ask, 'where did you find that treasure?'. No, I did not get to go shopping, way too busy in our little world.

And so entertaining. She had arranged for the best Mexican food to be prepared on site by a Mexican/Jewish restaurant, La Casa de Isaac, LOL I know, isn't that the greatness name ever for a restaurant? The food is grilled fresh right in front of you and they are hysterically funny as promoters, 'Get your tacos, tacos, tacos', 'A taco a day keeps the Dr away', and many, many more, he had us laughing all day long. The smells just about drove us crazy, they were so good just like the food.

We met great new customers, saw some old customers/friends and it never rained, so all in all, a perfect show. When was the last time I wrote those words?

Oh and there was this guy. He was with three buddies, all very conservatively dressed and him

Makes you go hmmmm. I think he did it for attention as people were bumping into each other staring and trying to walk, it was pretty funny. Thanks Dude!

Thanks Melissa and Jim for a great day and see you next month,

Here the schedule:

June 30  2013  -  Allegan Antiques Market, Allegan County Fairgrounds, Allegan MI

July  6  2013  -  Indie Arts and Vintage Market,  Glendale Shopping Center Parking Lot, Indianapolis IN 

July  14  2013 - North Shore Flea,  428 Green Bay Road, Highwood IL

Suz
the Muze

Indy MIchigan recap

HI Everyone,

As promised, here are a couple of highlights and wind lights from our recent world tour.

At least that's what it felt like to us.

We started our little adventure heading to Zionsville Indiana for Nikki Winkles, A Vintage Farmhouse, Enchanted Spring Market on that first Friday and Saturday.

When we arrived on Thursday to set up, it was windy and sprinkling. Poor Nikki was a little undone and my best advice to her was, "Breathe, as long as no one is bleeding and nothing is on fire, everything will work out just fine".

I was right. The first day of the show was really good and the people that came out to see us, were so appreciative as everyone brought their A game and there was a ton of lace, pink, vintage everything and lots and lots to look at down each aisle.

We had asked Nikki if we could scoot out a bit earlier than the 4 PM close as we needed to drive over 4 hours and get into Allegan Michigan and get set back up for the second show in three days. Nikki's family had us packed and loaded in record time and we were back on the road.

After a slight mishap, missing car keys in Kokomo IN, thanks honey, we finally pulled into Allegan after 10 PM, just exhausted. Our friends Mark and Christian from Lost and Found, the best shop in Grand Rapids, MI, just saying, had called because we were not in our space and they were worried about us. They hung around and help us set up and close up for the night. Bless their hearts, such good, good friends to have.

Bright and early the next morning after 3.75 hours of sleep, 5 AM, we headed back into Allegan. put our tent back together and had our usual, busier-than-a-one-armed-paper-hanger-day! After closing, we packed up again and headed into Midland for our 8 day, work your backside off, show up set for The Shabby Experience and Industrial Way Pavilion.

By the way, we got to sleep in Monday morning, it was divine.

I don't know if I mentioned last year, but the location of our special tent pavilion is directly inside Gate 3 at Midland to the left. I was told by powers to be that this was the worse location because for 44 years folks had been coming in Gate 3, about 89% of the crowds and they ALWAYS turn to the right to start their show experience.

I changed that in one single show last June, much to everyone's surprize and much relief to me when my idea worked! Whew, what a few tense moments waiting for that crowd to start making their way down our section.

My secret? Give them something unbelievable to see.

Last year was our bed of roses, literally an entire pillow covered in full bloom gorgeous roses, remember this guy?

Well, this year I decide on doing something a bit different and it started like this . . .

Take 16 different chairs and add 16 cans of different colors of Krylon paint and you get . . .

Seriously Blogger, get your act together!

They look so much better right side up.

Then take your drop cloth

Why is this one straight up, argh!

I wanted the design student to use it as a piece of artwork, really!

After they finish drying, take them on a ride to their new home . . .

Four golf carts loaded to the brim, all with these beauties, interesting to say the least.

I will post later and show you how they ended up. Basically cuz I can not find said pictures right this second and the SOB's are probably upside down anyways.

I am so tired and need to rest a bit before we go play at the new North Shore Flea up in Highwood on Sunday. Two shows in one weekend, we are definitely certifiable . . . 

Here's the schedule:

June 9 2013  -  North Shore Flea Market, 428 Green Bay Road, Highwood IL

June 28 2013  -  Harbor Market, 519 south Main Street, Benton Harbor MI

June 30  2013  -  Allegan Antiques Market, Allegan County Fairgrounds, Allegan MI

July  6  2013  -  Indie Arts and Vintage Market,  Glendale Shopping Center Parking Lot, Indianapolis IN 

Night . . .

Suz
the Muze

New Show in Illinois

Hi Everyone,

Quick note, we are so excited!

We are going to be in Illinois on Sunday June 9 at the 

North Shore Flea Market
428 Green Bay Road 
Highwood IL 60040

from 9AM - 5PM

Come out and say hi!

Suz
the Muze

Update for Michigan

Hi Everyone,

This is a two second post as we are headed out the door AGAIN to Benton Harbor MI for the kick off to the Harbor Market there Friday  from 11-3 at 510 Main Street Benton Harbor MI.

Our trip to Indiana and Michigan was entertaining to say the least and I will leave with this picture to ponder on.

You know you are in huge trouble when you show up to build a show in the middle of nowhere and the local inhabitants are looking at your property to build a new residence because there is SO MUCH water everywhere.

And yes the flipping picture is sideways. I have sent it to myself four times and same results everytime. I give up.

In the background of the picture you might notice tent frames on the ground. This was Tuesday, tents were supposed to be up long before that. I knew I was in deep poo-poo -ka-ka as we were running out of time quickly. 

And it kept raining.

I will post in a day or so to let you know what happened,

Til then, see you in Benton Harbor at the Harbor Market on Friday,

Suz
theMuze