The Green Vase Antiquesa

I have been a fan of Connie of the The Green Vase Antiques for nearly 16 years.  Actually, my daughter, Devon, introduced me to Connie when she was working at a small dress shop in the Village of Arroyo Grande.  Whenever Devon would bring me a gift, it was always unusual and wonderful. I would say, "Honey, where are you shopping to find these amazing treasures?" "The Green Vase, Mama."  Don't you love when you start recognizing the treasure hunting gene in your children!  I was hooked and The Green Vase Antiques was always my go to shop when I had the need for treasure hunting. Connie has such eclectic taste and her store will quickly become one of your favorites, too!

Please welcome Connie of The Green Vase Antiques!

XOXO

Judy

Debbee Baxter Thibault

One morning when I woke up at my usual 4:00 AM, I opened up my laptop to check my emails and saw an email from Jen O'Connor.  I thought that can't be "THE" Jen O'Connor of Earth Angels Studios.... I clicked the  email and sure enough it was.

 Hi, Judy

Funny enough I have been meaning to write to you -- Jo was here for our event and there were copies of the current issue and I was of course thinking of you --

I have been looking into doing appearances at several more retail venues where the vintage loot from various dealers is showcased…Would you consider having Earth Angels as the Art Girls' RoadShow appear as a vendor at your event sometime…I know you are vintage and antique only, but had to ask…

Had Jen been reading my mind?  For years, I have dreamed of combining the handmade artists with the vintage.  I feel that someone that loves vintage is more likely to buy something handmade versus new.  I was so excited!  My dream was coming true!  I called Jen and we had a lovely chat and decided that Remnants of the Past would be the perfect place to host an Art Girls' RoadShow and set it up for everyone to come to sunny California on June 1st and 2nd. 

 I will be introducing each of the artists that will be gathered at Remnants and first up is Debbie Baxter Thibault.  I met Debbie for the first time about 14 years ago at my friend's, Eileen Paulin's home in Southern California.  Eileen would gather several talented artists together at her home for dinner.  It was such an inspiring evening. Debbie was no exception.  Debbie is a paper mache artist but not just any paper mache.  Debbie love of paper mache came from a love for old toys at an early age.  The older items seemed to have a soul and a story to tell. What I love is that Debbie creates each item with such love and has become the top artist in her field. Debbie has stood strong in keeping the work here in the USA and she has a very talented staff.  They all work hard at making true works of American Art.  The pieces go out to fine stores and galleries all over the nation.  Debbie and her team create all of their handmade items in Southern California and have been in business for 16 years.

What is very exciting is that Debbie has created a special collection just for Remnants of the Past Show.  Here is a peek at her gorgeous collection.

Please welcome

 

Debbee Thibault!

xoxo

Judy

Brothers of Industry

I've known Kate, Mom, for many years and love her style, her personality and her kindness and when she joined forces with her two sons, Peter and Andrew, to create Brothers of Industry, I knew they would hit the ball out of the park. You mix Kate's design style with the creativity of Peter and Andrew and WOW... On to the answers to my questions.

--What is the funniest antique item that you have purchased from an antique show or flea market? and why?

About the funniest piece that came home from a flea market hunt...

let me share a story about a piece I found with a great friend of mine, and managed, between the two of us, to drag home (literally) from Texas. I had just managed to find a quirky and "instructive" set of medical posters that lit up when you touched certain areas...(remember the childhood game? ) so that you could learn all about the central nervous system, or circulatory system...and as I went to meet my friend, she took me by a life size BULL head & chest, Texas longhorns and all. Well, of course, we both thought...Texas, Bull...you bet, lets bring it on home! Now, if you know anything about RoundTop Texas, you know how BIG those fields are, and how faaaarrr you have to walk to get anywhere near your car, never mind getting a big ol' Bull up and in for its ride home. Now imagine two women, well, "woman handling" the bull all the way down the field, then down the road, and back to her RV...needless to say, I am sure there were a few photos taken by the passersby that day.

--If you had to leave your home because of a natural disaster, what collection of yours would you grab first and why?

Now, on to your second question...

As you might know, we have had a few "opportunities" to practice the preparations of "in the event of fire or flood, what would you take?" It was a real life lesson for us. I learned to hold on Lightly to any "thing"...and the collections I treasure, become transitory, to be enjoyed for a season, and then be replaced by something fresh. Yes, family photos and favourite artwork still grace our walls, and I would happily gather them up if I had time...but even these, I move about with the seasons, as if to tell myself, really look at them, and remember...remember our old home, the boys" childhood, our parents when they were younger...remember where we found that painting, and what spoke to us about it...remember that summer, or that Christmas, that year in school...remember, REMEMBER.

--If you were to write a book about your life, what would the title be and why?

I realize in answering all these questions I am telling my story, more than the family story (and I am equally sure the guys would prefer that). I also know that the Brothers story is still very much a work in progress (as are all of us)

That being said, I have considered Sense & Sensibility, Pilgrim's Progress, and An Unexpected Journey...and the last is the best.

Thanks Judy, for this opportunity to ponder.

Please welcome Kate, Peter and Andrew of Brothers of Industry!

xoxo

Judy

Vintage Art and Charming Finds

Patti and I met at the Santa Monica Flea Market about fours years ago. Patti had the kind of booth that you did not want to leave. Everywhere you turned there were neat and unusual treasures. I invited Patti to participate at my very first show. The Barn was full so she was outside on the grass with just a few other vendors. She arrived on Friday to set up her booth. The day progressed and so did the weather. The forecast was for high clouds. Well...it looked like more than high clouds. Patti was so worried that it was going to rain. We left for the evening and fell into an exhausted sleep until the phone rang at 2:00 in the morning with the owner of the Barn telling me that the rain was collapsing the booths. Your worst nightmare. My husband and I rushed out and started working on getting the water off the tents. By morning, you would never had known that it had even poured it was so gorgeous. Patti had an awesome day. I am so happy that she has continued to participate after such a rocky start. Thank you Patti! Please stop by Patti's booth in the Barn. Her booth is a favorite amongst the customers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love the chandelier!