a rare find

It’s been awhile since I’ve found anything really, really interesting.  But luck was on my side this past weekend. You may have caught a lame picture of my new treasure on instagram or facebook but I thought it was due for a proper showing with real photos.

antique Victorian crib bed

What is it, you ask?  A Victorian crib/ daybed, of course.

antique Victorian crib bed

It’s pretty much the first crib ever made that converts into a toddler bed.  Oh, those Victorians!

antique Victorian crib bed

A little mechanism on each side un-latches to let the wall down.

antique Victorian crib bed

Just like that.

antique Victorian crib bed

The beautiful oak detailing has a great patina to it. Although it would benefit from an oiling.

antique Victorian crib bed

So what am I going to do with it?  I thought it would make a fantastic daybed for our screened in deck.  I have a vision of a sleeping porch lined with daybeds. antique Victorian crib bed

But the fact is,  this antique was made for children, not adults.  It is in such great, original condition that I don’t want to alter it in any way.

antique Victorian crib bed

Therefore, I will be selling it.  I’ll bring it to Clover Market in Ardmore, PA on May 18th.  It would be a fantastic prop for a baby photographer.  Did I mention that it folds up?  And has wooden casters.  Sigh, I just love it.  Don’t you?

antique Victorian crib bed

where has the time gone

Wednesday already?  Mid-April?

Oh my, the usual Clover Market hangover has lingered an extra day or so this time around.  Being the first market of the season, I seemed to forget how much work goes into the prior days of preparation, early morning day-of setup, evening break down and clean up for such a popup.  Not including the actual 7 hours of selling and schmoozing!  I think many shoppers probably don’t have a sense of what goes into an event as epic as Clover Market.  I try to price my items fairly so it can be frustrating when someone asks for a big break on a price in the first hour of the market after I’ve already put in about 5 hours of work.  I certainly understand the sport of haggling and it can be fun but I prefer to wait until later in the day to make a deal.

Clover Market Spring 2014

At any rate, we had a great turn out in Chestnut Hill on Sunday and absolutely stunning 80 degree weather which, by the way, where did that go?  I was happy to see so many familiar faces in both fellow vendors and regular shoppers.  Everyone was ecstatic to be out and about after the long winter.  Would you believe I didn’t take a single picture?  I really have no excuse.  #livinginthemoment  There are plenty of photos posted on the Clover Market facebook page along with new previews.

The market will be back at its freshman location in Ardmore in two weeks.  Circa Dee will not be at that event.  I have a spa date!  But we’ll be back at the May 18th Ardmore market fresh from a trip to Brimfield so who knows what goodies we’ll have.

West End Garage April-3443

So what’s next?  Well this weekend is Easter, duh, so we’re working on stocking some new plants and other spring holiday & gardening pleasantries at The West End Garage in Cape May.  Stop by Friday through Monday if you find yourself at the shore.  The adorable Ribbit succulent gardens will be back in stock.  Perfect for a beach house!

ribbit succulent garden

Can I digress a bit?  I haven’t mentioned Houndstooth in a while – Ryan’s West End Garage venture.  We’ve been adding new inventory there weekly.  The latest additions are yummy beach themed dog cookies.  Perfect for your pooches’ Easter basket.  Do people do pet Easter baskets?

Houndstooth - Cape May dog cookies

The cookies look and smell so good that I want to taste one.  They are made from human grade ingredients so why not?  Ok I won’t but Wilson goes nuts for them!

Wilson

Finally, I’d like to add that on Saturday afternoon at 1 pm I will be popping into Serendipity Shops of Doylestown to talk milk paint.  Stop by for a free demonstration while you’re out running your errands.  Bring project questions, before pics, etc.  If you can’t make this one, next month’s demo is tentatively scheduled for May 17th – time TBD.  You can always check milk paint demo deets here.

Serendipity Shops of Doylestown

So that’s what’s in store for this weekend and beyond.  Do you have an Easter egg hunt planned?

clover preview & lucketts green

Do you want to see the haul of treasures we’re bringing to Clover Market on Sunday in Chestnut Hill?

Clover Market Preview-3465

Well this is merely a sneak peek of what I could fit into one frame. I feel a bit of a Robin Hood theme going on between the emerald-green trench, the arrows and antlers. Right?

Clover Market Preview-3468

There are lots of outdoorsy spring items like the large and in charge rear bike basket, plenty of McCoy planters and some beachy accents as well like wooden and glass buoys.

Clover Market Preview-3462

So the question is, are you going to the season opener of Clover Market on Sunday? This one is located in Chestnut Hill. All the logistics and details can be found here.

Clover Market Spring 2014

Let’s zone in on a few of my favorites items here, shall we?  Check out this fantastic champagne bucket.

Clover Market Preview-3444

When I found this it was extremely tarnished.  Like completely black.  I like a little tarnish on my silver but it was so far gone that the beautiful detail around the rim couldn’t be appreciated.  Gorgeous, right?

Clover Market Preview-3458

It needs a swanky mcswankerson new home.

Clover Market Preview-3456

Did you notice the table it is on?  That cute little side table was in need of some TLC and a pop of color.  First, it received a base coat of MMSMP Trophy and a 2nd coat of MMSMP Lucketts Green.

Clover Market Preview-3447

The gray is producing such a subtle sliver of silver poking out.  After some light chipping, it was finished with antiquing wax and a bit of white wax.  This too is on the truck for Clover.

Clover Market Preview-3449

Can’t wait to see you Sunday!

P.S. Follow these tips from Philly Mag’s Shoppist on how to tackle Clover.  We certainly agree that you should stop by Circa Dee first 🙂