Use a Screen Door for an Organizer, Room Divider, or Craft Show Display

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I wanted to share this screen door that we use a lot. Over time this has evolved into something that I’ve changed to be functional and beautiful.

I currently use something similar in my antiques booth to display items on, but here you can see that you can create a home organizational piece with a screen door.

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Start by finding a screen door. You can either repurpose an old one or buy a new one from a home improvement store. I bought this one from Home Depot for around $20. Either paint or stain the door the color that you want. Staple chicken wire to the back of it. Make sure that you purchase a roll of chicken wire that is at least as wide as the door. At this point you can decide if you only want chicken wire on it, or if you want to back the chicken wire with something. For the one in my antiques booth I put some burlap fabric behind the chicken wire. On this one I used an old lace curtain that I purchased at a thrift store.

The final steps in this project are to make the door stand up. Screw some decorative wood corner pieces (Home Depot, trim department) onto the front and some metal L-brackets on to the back.

Diesel, our maltese, really thinks that you should give it a go and let us know if you like it!

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XOXO,
Abby

UPDATE: Thank you for all of the interest in the desk and screen door, both have sold. 
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Fall Antique Festivals in the South

 

Hooray! Hooray! One of my favorite times of year is here — fall. Not only does it mean mulling spices and pumpkin everything, it also means fall antique festival season is here. And that, my friends, is almost as yummy as a pumpkin spice muffin with my pumpkin spice latte while my pumpkin spice candle is burning. Ahhhhhh, sweet heaven on earth…antique festivals.
 
 
Below is a list of festivals that are on my radar. I am more than happy to add your favorite to my list and get it some publicity. Please email or leave a comment and I’ll add it to my list. The only requirements are that #1 It’s an antique festival #2 It’s in the fall. #3 It’s in the South. (Nothing against our neighbors to the north of the Mason Dixon Line, but that’s the theme of my blog, after all.)
 
 
Crabapple Fest Antique & Art Festival (One of my faves! One day only.)
Milton, GA
October 5th10-6
http://www.crabapplecommunityassociation.org/CCA/Arts_Festival_MAIN.html
 
Clinch River Antiques Festival
Clinton, TN
October 11 & 12
http://clinchriverfallfestival.com/
 
Georgia Apple Festival (This is an apple festival, but the town of Ellijay where it is held has some fantastic antique stores. Have a blast at the apple festival and stop at the stores before you leave.)
October 12-13; 19-20
http://www.georgiaapplefestival.org/
Elligay, Ga
 
The Chapel Market
October 19, 2013
Pike Road, Alabama
http://theletteredcottage.net/goin-to-the-chapel/
 
Braselton Antique & Holiday Festival
October 26 & 27 Besides the festival, there are 5 antique shops within one block of the festival.
http://www.countrysideantiques.net/braselton-antique-festival.html
 
Country Living Fair
October 25-27
http://www.countryliving.com/cl-fair/country-living-fair-atlanta
 
Scott Antique Markets
http://scottantiquemarket.com/
 
Raleigh Flea Market
Tuesdays, Saturdays, Sundays 9-6
http://www.raleighfleamarket.net/
 
 
Lakewood 400 Antiques Market
http://www.lakewoodantiques.com/ 
 
I hope you have a blast antiquing this fall. Be sure to stop by my Facebook page and post some pictures of the treasures you get.
XOXO,
Abby
 
 


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Cosmetic Sugery: A Furniture Facelift

I have a big birthday coming up in a few weeks. Okay, no I don’t. It’s not a big one! It may or may not be a mid-life number. Okay, it’s not. I refuse to believe that half of my life is over. It’s not. I’m calm over-reacting.

*sigh* At what number did I stop wanting to get older? One minute I’m wishing that everyone would take my super-young, over-achieving, bossy-pants self seriously. The next minute I’m wishing that everyone would just chill out, relax, and get over themselves. How did I get from having two small kids, to having one that is bigger than me? Today is the day. It’s the day that I start my savings account for cosmetic surgery when everything is sagging and dragging on the floor mid-life crisis therapy.

Speaking of “cosmetic surgery.” Check out what got a facelift! Within a couple of weeks, we found two, almost identical chifferobes. This one, I’m embarrassed to say,  has been sitting in our foyer hallway for nearly 6 months. If you aren’t familiar with chifferobes, basically it is a closet, outside of a closet. Houses never used to have the enormous walk-in closets that are standard in today’s new construction. Closets were tiny, and if you needed more closet space, a chifferobe is what you got.

On one side (the left in this case), are drawers and a small cupboard. On the other side is a door that opens to a bar for hanging clothes. In this particular chifferobe, when you open the door, there is space under the drawers for a pair of shoes.

This piece definitely needed a face lift. It’s wrinkles cracks were spackled. It had a limp (one missing wheel). Surgery was successful.


I made my own chalk paint using Martha Stewart’s “silhouette” from Home Depot. Afterwards I used Valspar glaze in “mocha.” I finished it off with Minwax Paste Finishing Wax.

We had originally planned on keeping the mirrors, but while adjusting the hinges I dropped one of the doors. The mirrors were out and the chicken wire and burlap were in. I’m actually kind of glad it happened, because I love how it turned out.
I am having a hard time saying “goodbye” to this one. I would love to keep it in my foyer to hang guests’ coats in. Or perhaps it would be good for hanging the kids’ backpacks in. I can also imagine this being used in a kitchen for aprons, kitchen towels, and other linens. 
I will most likely have this for sale at my next antique festival in April.
I hope you love it!
XOXO,
Abby

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Spring 2013 Antique Shopping in Georgia

I’m over winter. Bring on SPRING! Bring on the sunshine! Bring on the warmer temps, estate sales, & antique fairs! 🙂

Here are some Georgia shows that you may be interested in checking out:

March

8-9, 2013 Peaches to the Beaches “Georgia’s Longest Yard Sale. Thousands of visitors travel the parkway the second Friday and Saturday of March for the annual “Peaches to the Beaches” Yard Sale in search of antiques, collectibles, and hidden treasures.”

10 – Greater Atlanta Coin Show at the Hilton Atlanta/Marietta Hotel and Conference Center

15-17 Southeastern Horticultural Society – 2013 Flower Show & Antiques March at the Cobb Galleria Centre


April

13-14, 2013 The Revival of Vintage “100+ vintage vendors, expert-taught seminars, live music, and vintage-inspired food that will make you say ‘Hallelujah!.'”
20-21, 2013 – Hogansville Spring Festival  Antiques, uniques, art, collectibles, arts & crafts, musicians and food vendors.   
27-28, 2013 Braselton Antique & Garden Festival “Antiques, Collectibles, Local Artists, Primitives, Vintage Tools, Jewelry, Pottery, Iron Works, Gardening”



May

4-5, 2013 The Cotton Pickin’ Fair “Return to 1910 where the Farmhouse, the Cotton Gin, and the Cotton Warehouse form a unique backdrop for a great day of 21st century fun.  Amidst skilled artisans and antique specialists, the Fair shares remnants of farm life in days gone by.  New talent keeps the  festival fresh and interesting while returning artists welcome loyal customers seeking to add to individual collections.”

Monthly:

Scott Antiques

Woodstock Market and Antiques Fair 

Happy junking to you!
XOXO,
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Santa called…

Santa called, y’all. You’ve been a little too good and his list is WAY too long. He needs your help with his shopping!

Come see Belle & Beau Antiquarian at Christmas in the Country this Saturday, 11/10 from 10 – 5. Christmas in the Country has been rated #1 Christmas craft show in North Georgia.

Look for Belle & Beau Antiquarian in the Fellowship Hall close to Santa and Mrs. Claus. Bring the kids and have their picture made with the big guy!

We’ve been hard working elves, and we’ve got some fabulous goodies that make great gifts! Want to get 10% off your purchase with Belle & Beau? Like our Facebook page, and let us know at checkout to receive your Facebook fan discount.

Ho! Ho! Ho!
XOXO,
Abby

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Belle & Beau take on Lakewood 400!

Probably not all shoppers go antiquing with a camera, but I just had to take you along on our adventure to Lakewood 400 Antiques Market. We love Lakewood 400! You never know what you’re going to find, and it is always a good time. Don’t miss it this weekend, October 19-21.
What I love most about Lakewood 400 is that there is a lot in one place. If you plan a day of antiquing with a friend, driving from shop to shop is going to wear you out. But with so many dealers in one location, you can really take your time and find some treasures that you’ll love at Lakewood.
The whole show is great, but our favorite area is Hall G. On Hall G you will find The Georgia Peach, T and E Antiques and Collectibles, Brown Eyed Girl Antiques, Alluvium Design, and Geppetto’s Closet, just to name a few.

T and E Antiques and Collectibles has an amazing selection of Jadeite, one of my loves. They also have a large selection of other great finds.
Not on Hall G, but ones we still love are The Pyrex Chick and Ginny’s Vintage and More.
The Pyrex Chick
How lucky am I that I get to spend the day antiquing with this guy???
Ken checking out the price on a piece of Pyrex.
A few tips for you from Belle & Beau:
  • Dress comfortably. You’re going to be doing a little bit of walking. 
  • Dress for the weather. If it’s cold outside, bring a sweater. Some of the dealers are outside, and the cool air can follow you inside.
  • Always ask if prices are negotiable. Dealers are usually willing to work with you on the prices, especially if you buy more than one item from them. At the very end of the show, prices may be even better.
  • Although prices may be negotiable, this is not a garage sale giveaway. Items are usually being sold for close to what they are worth. Trust me, finding antiques and collectibles is HARD work. Dealers aren’t going to mark items so low that they don’t make money on them.
  • Most dealers take credit cards, but cash is still usually preferred.
  • I like to bring my own shopping bag.
There is a concession area with yummy food, so you can stay and eat right at the show. Make sure to enjoy yourselves; antiquing is supposed to be fun, you know!
Ken
Abby
For more information on Lakewood 400 Antiques Market, check them out on Facebook, their blog, and their website. The next show is November 16 – 18. The show is located at 1321 Atlanta Highway, Cumming, GA 30040.
 Let us know if you’ve been to Lakewood before, and what kind of treasures you found.
XOXO,
Abby

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Come see me!

Please come see me Saturday at the Hamilton Mill United Methodist Fall Fling from 10 – 3. There will be games and food outside, and the craft fair will be inside. For more info and directions visit www.hmumc.org.

Here is a sneak peek at what I’ll be bringing:

All of my frames are handmade and include either a vintage or antique book page. You can either leave the book page in, or you can replace it with your own photo.

Some of these frames have antique spiritual hymns that are just beautiful.

Several frames have recipes from vintage cook books.

This is our son Jackson’s favorite, complete with furry mustache. I only have two of these, once is antiqued and the other is not.

I will also be bringing lots of special vintage collectibles that will be available for purchase.

Just a small portion of the vintage milk glass that I have available for sale.

My frames and treasures make great gifts. You won’t want to miss my original artwork, linens, insulators, and other collectibles. Feel free to pin any of my photos to Pinterest. Be sure to tell your friends about the Fall Fling on Saturday 10/13.

Happy Fall Y’all!
XOXO,
Abby

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Working Hard All Day (in my pj’s)

I’m trying to get ready for a fair on Saturday. Today the kids had off from school, so I was in my pj’s until 5 p.m. working at the “frame factory.” Amazingly enough, I *did* get dinner on the table. AND, it even included a vegetable! Ah, small wonders.

These are turning out really cute! In the spirit of Field of Dreams, I keep repeating to myself, “If you make it, they will buy it.” Right? That’s how it works, right? 🙂 The kids have been so funny, trying to decide which one looks the best and is their “favorite.” I love the ways that they support me! Which is something that I totally needed today. It’s been a crazy long weekend. The tip of the iceberg was when I brought both kids to their soccer games wearing the wrong uniforms. And one of them didn’t bring shin guards. (They won’t let you play without them.) So, yes, I really needed a day where I could stay in my pj’s until 5 p.m. Even if I was working hard in the “frame factory” all day. XOXO, Abby

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