housemartin

walking shoes

Well, I am off for my 5th trip to Brimfield - the largest antique show in the country. I will be filling up part of one of these freight rail-cars with all sorts of goodies for the shop.
Here are my tips if you are going:
1. always bring cash
2. those metals dragger carts are evil - they have eaten small children - watch out behind them!
3. always look for the heaviest thing you can find and get it very early in the morning so you have to haul it ALL DAY - I am very talented at this...
4. fried dough is not a food group
5. never bargain a dealer down and then when paying say "will you break a $100?"
5. when waking at 5am to go out antiquing, there is only so good your hair will ever look, if you know what I mean. We all look like that...

I will be back next week but have some posts already lined up so keep your comments coming!
Happy hunting!

(photo courtesy of Look Deeper's flickr set)

spring charm

Orders for 2 weeks ago. I was wanting some fresh spring looks...
Here we have Classic Cezanne, Sonia, Spanish Dancer, and Moonstruck roses, peach ranuncula, billy buttons, hyacinth and rice flower all grounded with a burgundy ti leaf wrap. Smells divine...

dollhouse

Loved this little graphic for Ferm Living's press release for the ICFF show. You can see their lovely pillows, kitchen towels, wallpaper, and bedding here.

rosy sunset

An order from last week...
All warm tones of buttery yellow, coral, orange, and plum.
Pincushion protea, Ambiance roses, burgundy ti leaf loops, yarrow, orange ranuncula, juicy coral tulips, and apple blossoms.

growing trend

love these wall decals from dVider...

thorny

I am in full wedding mode this weekend with 675 of these lovely "Hot Lady" roses.
The biggest thorns I have ever seen! Anyway I off to make bouquets and wish everyone the best weekend!

vonblum

Shop owners are an interesting group. We all seek each other out trying to find answers and trying not to re-invent the wheel when it comes to small business. I am so thrilled that Vonblum in Barcelona has finally opened its doors! I have been following their progress via emails and their blog since September. It is a clever mix of gift items and a cafe. I will have to add it to my list of travels to meet them in person...
also check out their blog which charts their progress here.

manos

Wonderful pieces created as a collaboration between artist Camilla Engman and ceramic artist Karin Eriksson at a show at Karin's shop called Manos which started a few days ago. 2nd from bottom are vases in the Manos shop by the Mighty Bearcats (from the Skin Series). At the bottom is a bowl by Karin Erikkson.

clay

Loved this article on ceramics in Inside Out magazine from Australia. I was so thrilled to find out that they have some articles online here.

5 zero zero

Yes, that's right folks - a whopping 500 posts for me here at housemartin!
Thanks to everyone who has has been so loyal - new readers and old...
Thanks also for all your wonderful comments and support - they keep me going!
It has been a pleasure bringing you all the things that inspire me!
Here's to 500 more - hopefully many of which will include beautiful inspiration from the upcoming shop!
(field of ranunculas photo from Larry Gerbrandt at Flickr).