Beautiful Saturday...at the Shop.........

(A sign I painted a couple of years ago.)

Today, I was working at the antique shop (The Colonial Housefitter). It's a beautiful day, unusual as of late, we've had so many days of rain and overcast skies in the northeast. In the Syracuse metro area there are so many "fests" going on this weekend, it's hard to count. There's the "Great American Antique Fest" at the Onondaga Lake Park, the "Ukrainian Fest" at Saint John's church, "Irish Fest" just to name a couple. It's also "Syracuse Arts Weekend" downtown. There are many, many skilled craftsman from all over the country, artists and food booths dotted along the streets. There's music and all kinds of entertainment going on downtown!

(A couple of my paintings...the one on the top sold today.)

That's OK, I'd rather be right here at the shop. I've had several regular customers come in, the breezes are blowing the curtains, the sun is shining, I have a cool drink and a good book and it's exactly what I need right now. I'm reading Tara Frey's book, "Blogging For Bliss" in between customers. I ordered it (and Sue Whitney's "Junk Beautiful-Outdoor Edition") from Amazon last Sunday and much to my surprise it came yesterday, a full week before it was scheduled to arrive! I've gotta tell you, Tara's book is so interesting! I am an avid follower of her blog and true to form, the book does not disappoint. Tips, profiles of bloggers (some of which I already read), everything from: why blog, how to blog, how to beauty up your blog, how to use it as a tool for business and just general blogging issues and fixes. I LOVE this book! Thank you Tara!

I also have to mention that I got my new issue of Romantic Homes this week. Among all the usual great reads, there's a couple of awesome articles on fellow blogger Debbie Dusenberry of "Curious Sofa" in Kansas City. There's an article about her home and another about her shop. There are plenty of wonderful pictures that illustrate her style.

So, I decided to snap a few pictures of the shop and show you what we have here. The shop is all country antiques, mostly country primitive, with enough wriggle-room for someone like me who's personal style is more country-vintage-farmhouse-cottage. Wow, that was a mouthful! All of our artful items are handcrafted by local artisans. I sell many of my works here, paintings, ornaments and other handcrafted items. Notice the mural I did (going up the stairs). I had a blast doing it and we're planning another for a wall upstairs. My friend, Chris is the owner and her taste and her displays are wonderful. Our favorite time of year in the shop is in the Fall and Winter. There's such a sense of coziness and peace. I know for a fact that because of that, people have been known to hang around just to rejuvenate and relax themselves! Enjoy the pics!

(Upstairs, isn't that cupboard awesome?)

(Front wall where the new mural is going.)

(Bed and bedding upstairs.)

(Another view of that great cupboard.)

(At the top of the stairs left.)

(The top of the stairs on the landing.)

(Blanket chest at the very top of the stairs.) (Antique feedsack tote bags.)

(First floor toward the back.) (Looking straight ahead as you walk in the door.)

(Looking to the right as you walk in the door.) (Straight ahead walking in the door.)

The following pictures are of a mural I did about 4-5 years

ago that goes up the stairway at the shop.