changes are afoot

there are few things that get me as jazzed about being a shopkeeper as doing a BIG switch-a-roo at the shop.  we have new things rolling into the shop, so my creative juices have been flowing.   it takes  a while to build-up to making such a big change, but once i decide the major pivot points—so to speak—we start the shuffling.  we move the small pieces off of the display furniture, reposition the furniture and start putting it all together again. 

we work the new merchandise into the displays and show new ways to use and display the items we have had for a while.  what better way to show folks that we offer home décor that they will use year ‘round?  i mean, when you decorate for the various seasons you choose to celebrate, you don’t move all of your existing furniture and accessories out of the house—you make additions (along with a few subtractions).

I hope, if you live nearby, you will come in for a “look-see” yourself, but here are a few pictures to show you a few of our changes.

 

I will be posting some detail shots of the inventory and displays later this week, but as I said—I hope you plan to come for a visit soon.

thanks for your indulgence,

Paint it Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

 

So, I was reading the facebook post of one of my friends, Oohlala Furniture , about a week ago.  In her post she challenged her fellow furniture painters to “paint it pink.”  She suggested we paint a piece of furniture pink, then auction-it-off to benefit breast cancer awareness.  I immediately thought of the friends I need two hands to count who are currently battling this heinous disease—then there are those in remission—then there are those . . . okay—I want to do this!

Here’s my contribution—a vintage vanity I painted (with the help of Kathy Owen and Caromal Colours).  My message . . .

The disease is ugly,

but you . . .

you are beautiful!

 

I was sharing the notion with Kimberly Santiago who immediately chimed-in that she’d like to make something to contribute.  Her one-of-a-kind creation is this beautiful mixed media rose.  She used the subtle innuendo of contour maps in creating the rose.

 

Kathy Owen also wanted to donate something for the cause—she was quick to offer up an Angel of Reclaim which she made especially for this auction.  Kathy recycles all of the materials used to create these unique angels.

 

My sister, Kendall Thomas-Welsh, also wanted to make something to donate.  She has created a great new sign to help promote the importance of focusing on this issue. 

‘nuff said, eh?

Most doctors agree and early detection is the key to combating breast cancer.  The Nation Breast Cancer Foundation has an early detection plan which you can view here.  Remember—YOU need to pay attention to your breasts!

This is going to be a silent auction.  You may place your bids at the shop or by calling the shop.  Bidding starts Oct 6th at 5 p.m. during Art Walk.

All proceeds will benefit the

Clarksville YMCA ABC (after breast cancer) Program.

During the 16-week program, participants receive full access to the YMCA, a customized exercise workout designed by a Pink Ribbon Certified® personal trainer, nutrition counseling with a registered dietician, along with encouragement and support by a caring staff and other breast cancer patients and survivors.

The services are offered free of charge thanks to donations and other funding.  I hope you feel this is worthwhile cause and will support the program by coming out to bid on these items.

If you have questions or (better yet) want to place a bid, please call us at the shop, 931.647.0444.

Thanks for your indulgence!

Wardrobe Wow!

Remember that amazing, custom made wardrobe I referenced a few blogs back?  Well, it is finally in place and looks fabulous!

About two months ago, Whitney sent me a picture of the  wardrobe she had in mind.  We talked about their needs  and decided which changes we needed to make.  Then my friend, Jeff, went to work.  He recycles old shutters for a lot of pieces—they were exactly what we needed for the doors.  We painted with sea scape—a valspar paint—then I finished it with the toner from Caromal Colours.  It looks great—if I do say so myself!

We also helped Whitney choose some new bedding.

She has a new ruched duvet and matching euro shams.  Then we added these beautiful shams and coordinated bed skirt.

I understand that this beautiful headboard is Whitney’s own creation!  It took all of my restraint to not jump in the middle of the bed—it looks so comfy and welcoming!

Thanks to Whitney for allowing me to share these pictures with you.

and, thanks for your indulgence.

Fresh Approach

I think it is safe to say we’re all ready for an end to the summer of 2011—between the record setting heat and our bickering leaders on Capitol Hill—I know I’m ready!!!

Since there is little, to nothing, I can do control either of these frustrating situations, I decided to focus on things I can control or, at the very least, influence.

Darren and I have made some decisions about the business that we think will put it on the right track. I’ve been participating in a great Christian book discussion with friends. They’ve helped me gain insight—through which I’m reaching new spiritual perspective. Then there is the recent addition of my business partners, Kimberly Santiago (Creative Corner) and Kathy Owen (Petticoat Junktion). New ideas and fresh approaches are almost always a good idea. Ask, Believe, Receive.

All of this positive energy has manifested in various ways, not the least of which is a desire to bring change to Hodgepodge. I love working on the “floor” at the shop—this means with customers and with our products. I absolutely loathe being behind the desk, but it is required if I’m going to properly tend to our business. But I’ve been working on better balance and feel like it’s coming.

The other day I posted on facebook about some new displays we’ve put together at the shop and someone (my sister, Nikki) was kind enough to request pictures. Well, Nik, flattery will get you everywhere with me, so here you go . . .

Have you tried a fresh approach lately? I'd love to hear how you make changes in your life.

Thanks for your indulgence!

Creative Outbursts

Do you have those? 

I’ve noticed that, while I’d rather have consistent creativity, my opportunities for aesthetic expression come in fits and spurts.  Fortunately, there are times when I justify the laying aside of the “should be doing” list in favor of the “would rather be doing” list!

Last week was like that at the shop.  I worked on displays; pulled stuff from the backroom and found places for it on the sales floor.  (It sure does make it easier to sell when the customers can see it!)  Painted furniture and worked on various other projects. 

In between these endeavors, I had the occasional customer (nice!) and we chatted as I rang-up their purchases.  While waiting for them to conclude the decision to purchase, I would type a few words here for my blog.

Next week may be nothing but book work, filing and order filling, but this past week was fun.

One of the best things—on several levels—was the sale of one of my farm tables.  While I loved the table, I was glad to have it leaving to fill a void in a local home.  The problem was it would leave a large “hole” on the sales floor—with a lot of displaced merchandise.  Since the customer wanted to pick-it-up the following day, we had to think quickly.  After a quick run to ReStore to see if they had something I could work with, I remembered a round oak table on the third floor.  I’m not a fan of the orange tones of oak, so I have been waiting for a chance to  paint it and the matching chairs.  Then my mind went to the new paint we’re carrying at Hodgepodge.

 

This is what happened next—I called my dear, strong and handsome husband (who, thankfully, was home for the week and occasionally reads these) to ask if he had the time to come move it to the “front porch” of the shop.  He did and he did . . .

At 5 p.m.

At 5:30 p.m.

At 6:15 p.m.

And here it is the next day—on the sales floor—holding a great new display of Hodgepodge merchandise!  I’ve been painting furniture for a long time—never have I found a product like this!

(Incidentally, I used the ReClaim in Latte.)

But I digress . . .

How do you do it?  How do you block-out time for yourself?  Is your family respectful of your need for your own time?  Do you, like me, put the limits on yourself?  (I don’t allow myself time to do things I enjoy.)  Don’t get me wrong—my family would understand—these are self-imposed restrictions.

Do you do that?  If not—how do you  avoid it?

Thanks for your indulgence,

My Trip to the July Market in Atlanta

(What follows is my article for the Leaf Chronicle newspaper, which appeared on Sunday, July 17th.  I hope you enjoy it!)

I am sitting at my cousin’s place, preparing to hop on the Atlanta transit system (MARTA) and head downtown to the AmericasMart. This is the market where thousands upon thousands of wholesalers and retailers converge.

There are several markets throughout the year, some specifically related to clothing, some to rugs, some to food and tourism. This is The Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market® --note the registered trademark--this is big stuff! The campus occupies nearly three city blocks of downtown Atlanta--that’s just the foot print. The buildings are 23, 18 and 15 floors high. There is so much to see and do it can be overwhelming.

I’m shopping this one alone, but hoping to run into some friends. Andrea Herrera of Mildred & Mable’s--our newest boutique on Franklin Street--will be there; we’ve got a dinner date. I also have friends from Nashville and Kansas City I hope to run into. I enjoy looking and mulling things over, but it’s more fun when you have someone with whom to discuss your ideas.

So, what am I hoping to find? I have no idea.

I try to go with an open mind. I take a list--thoughtfully compiled by myself, Patty and Jennifer--based on items we’ve been looking for and items our customers have requested. I try to keep Hodgepodge constantly evolving. I want it to be an inspiring place for my customers, but also for me. I love to hear my clients walk in and say, “Oh, you’ve changed it again!” To that end, I’ve been making plans for a few changes throughout the shop.

If you haven’t been in recently, you need to stop by and see our new “Creative Corner” at Hodgepodge. This area has all you will need to be inspired to go home and create your own unique art work. Kimberly Santiago has put together kits to help you create works of art using mixed media. The finished works look like those an artist, such as Kimberly, has created, but now the artist will be you!

I’ve also partnered with Kathy Owen to offer Caromal Colours--a paint line I’ve discussed in this column in the past. Paints from Caromal Colours help simplify the task of transforming furniture, kitchen cabinets and even countertops into something you can love and live with for years to come. They are easy to apply and can be used alone or in layers to create a look that is as individual as you.

The items can be found on the mezzanine level of Hodgepodge--also known as the Strawberry Alley entrance--but I hope you’ll drift through the Franklin Street level to get there!

So, as I said, I hope to keep Hodgepodge evolving. I do it for my customers, but I also do it for me. I need inspiration as much as anyone. That is the main reason I come to the market. I read about products and trends 365 days a year. This is the place I come to see those products and trends “up close and personal.” The folks that work on displays in these showrooms are phenomenal and I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to soak it all in.

So, enough with the writing--I’m off!

Thanks for your indulgence~

I’ve been painting . . .

I love working on a piece of furniture—taking a piece of discarded furniture and making it desirable again or simply adding a finish to a unfinished piece.

This project was a custom made piece—a platter rack.

I had a customer in the shop who had been looking for just such a rack. She saw our display piece and we started discussing possible finishes. Fortunately, my friend, Glenn, had time to add the finishing touches to a rack he had already been working on, prior to leaving for Norway. He delivered it to the shop and I proceeded to add a Country French yellow finish to it. This is how I did it . . .

I started with a provincial stain from Minwax.

This was my base. I the started using the Caromal Colours products. The next layer was the chipping crème. You can see it on the lowest shelf—it appears milky white, but dries clear. This is the layer you need to apply if you intend to “age” the piece you’re painting by removing (sanding) away the paint layer.

(I thought you might be able to skip this step, but I assure you—you cannot. This paint has such an incredibly powerful bond with the object, that simple sanding doesn’t work.)

Here is the painted piece.

Here is the rack after I’ve sanded it. I could barely get the paint to budge where I hadn’t used the chipping crème.

This is one side after I’ve sanded it.

Here is the same side after I’ve brushed it with the toner . . .

Then the same side (albeit turned-over), after I’ve rubbed the toner off again!

And, viola, the finished piece!

I love, love , love how it turned out! I hope my client is happy, as well.

Just a side note . . . Hodgepodge will soon begin carrying Caromal Colours! I’m very excited to be partnering with Kathy Owen of Petticoat Junktion to offer these amazing paints! We’ll share more information as the inventory begins arriving. In the meantime, let us know if you have questions.

Also, let me suggest you sign-up to receive my emails if you think you’d be interested in learning more about these paints. Kathy will be offering a class in the coming weeks. (The link is on the side bar of my blog.)

I'm linking to Vintage Inspired Friday with Debra at Common Ground.

Thanks for your indulgence!