Thursday, November 10, 2011

A step back in time...


  


  Thought that I would back up a bit and share with everyone how I got this passion for the antiques and certainly for primitives…

 I can honestly say it’s my parents fault to a degree! They love antiques and would have sales at there home a few times a year and god forbid us drive past a garage sale, antique shop or a auction no matter what we where doing we where stopping. My parents where always stripping off old finishes and paint to make the old look new and “better” but, I do remember loving the pieces that had the chippy old paint on them or the old grazing varnish. I remember thinking how “awesome” it looked! I loved going to the grandparent’s farm and the floors being uneven and the furniture was dated but the barns had old boxes and cubbies that I remember so vividly in my mind. I even remember me stacking 3 different wood boxes up one time while in the “big barn” and loving the look of them.  I remember looking into mirrors and thinking and wondering how many people have seen there reflections thru the same mirrors. I remember when I first had my first shop that I wanted it to be all shabby which was such a “IN” look but when I would see a old cupboard that looked like it was about to fall apart I would tell my mom how much I loved it and she would look at me and laugh. She would say it looks like it needs to be cleaned or stripped but in my eyes that would ruin it. I love, love, love the aged, grungy, dark, drab, full of life to me look.



  Now jump to where I am today… I am known as the “Primitive Chick” not only in my shop but to anyone that really knows me because that is what I know and love. I am by far the most random whirl winded, going in every direction at times kind chick, but yet a perfectionist, and at time a soft hearted, but brutally honest and have a vision of what thing can be and try hard to make it get there, ALWAYS right and hates being “THE BOSS” but can to do it well, hates paperwork because it is stationary and boring, loves change no matter if it’s in my home or at my shop, I love being a mom but whoever said that it gets easier as they get older is very wrong,  by far the best friend anyone could have and I cherish my friendships probably too much which leads back to “wears my heart on my should” statement but most of all I am ENJOYING life to the fullest and this is turning out to be the best ride so far and my husband is truly my better half, my best friend and someone that I can’t see me ever being without. He tries to keep me grounded but I am too much of a flutter bug to even think that I will ever slow down enough to be grounded for too long… I am a work under pressure kind of chick and wouldn’t know or have it any other way…This is who I am and have always been.

  As I describe myself it is clear to me why I love the worn and primitive pieces. Primitive stuff starts out as perfect and clean all put together and not wobbly, chippy, all shiny. It’s not yet” loved” enough but as it ages and years get the best of it people might try and bring it back to life because they do love it and don’t want to let it go yet. They might try and repaint or repair it, change it in ways to be “in” again to the point that it becomes unwanted junk… In life everyone wants to be wanted and loved that is only human. We often try and change or fix ourselves so that we fit in with everyone but there is a small group of people that don’t and they learn to love something about themselves no matter if it’s in or hip... That is ME! Thru my life I have tried to be” in” and “hip” but was very unhappy because that is NOT who I am! I guess I am as true as they come but as primitive as can be and so darn proud of it that I can’t think of me any other way.  

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Change is...GOOD

             BREATH.....is what I have to be reminded to do from time to time!!!
  There has been some changes happening inside my shop over the past few weeks... and have to say that it's a breath of fresh air! I was super nervous at first but super excited at the same time and now that I can see the results as they change I have to admit that I am extremely ecstatic for everyone to see how GREAT the new vendors are turning out to be! Through this week all 4 of them will be moving in and getting ready for the "Primitive Christmas Open House." It's so easy to stay the same even when you know in your heart it's not the best it can be... but to disrupt what is "working" in hopes that it can be better is a scary thing!!! There's lots of "what-ifs" that sit on your shoulder and whisper in your ear...saying "are you making the right decisions?" and I am happy to say...I DID!!! But, I certainly can't take all this credit because Jane has been the hand in guiding me in the right direction! She is one of them people that through your life you know they have been sent to your for more just the obvious reasons. She was sent to me for reasons that I and her know but for our customers to enjoy! She is the breath of fresh air I forget to take from time to time :) She reminds me that I need to breath and everything will workout in the end...I am and will be forever grateful for what she is teaching me! So, this is a SPECIAL "THANKS" to Jane and ALL four of the newest "CHICKS" to join us...GOOD JOB! You are all such a wonderful addition to my shop! I can breath easy again...'cause I know we made the right choices!

Saturday, November 5, 2011

A Primitive Holiday...Open house

All the chicks have been busy finding, cleaning, waxing, painting & pricing there things to bring into the shop next week for our Primitive Holiday event!! There will be all kinds of goodies to eat and drink along with drawings for gift certificates and a wonderful gift basket filled with Prim goodies for someone to enjoy! We have been moving things around inside the shop to make room for even more CHICK'S to join us! This will be a even unlike any that we have had so far! Make sure you mark your calendars for Friday, November 18th 10:00am until 9pm and Saturday the 19th 10:00am - 5pm and Sunday noon until 5pm. Make sure you bring your friends and enjoy the whole town's holiday weekend! Many if not all the shops will have something going on as well! Hope to see you then!!!

Thursday, November 3, 2011

November...already



Oh how it does NOT seem like it should be November already...This year has flown by as so many in the past have too! My mom was right when she told me to Cherish everyday because time flies by but what a ride it has been... At the shop we are busy busy busy getting ready for our Holiday open house which will be help on November 18th, 19th and 20th. We will have treats to eat and drink along with a basket filled with prim goodies and 5 gift certificates will be given away.  We have all been painting, sewing, cleaning, waxing and preparing for this event! If you haven't been to our shop before you just might want to take a ride and check it out. I have to say I have to have one of the best group of chicks any shop owner could ever wish for! Together My husband and I along with every chick inside our shop have built a shop that is so different from many around. Not only will you find us if you come to De Kalb but many other shops and great places to eat or just have desert. All of the wonderful shops are located within walking distance of one another.