Recycling is actually a "recycled" idea

Recycling is really nothing new. Settlers before us recycled out of the need for necessity. Nothing was wasted. When a chair seat became worn, the seat was replaced with other recycled materials on hand. It was good as new again. No need to toss out a chair that likely took weeks to make by hand, using primitive tools. Throughout the mid-century recycling sorta went by the wayside as consumer goods were readily available through mass production. Today, recycling is in "vogue" - though not necessarily out of the need of necessity but as a conscious effort to protect our environment.

While this group of chairs are valued as antiques and southern cultural history, I collected them for the make-do use of materials for replacing the worn out seats. I love the folky look and the spirit of the maker to create an interesting work with whatever materials were available in his/her surroundings.

The chair on the top left was actually made by former Tennessee slave, Dick Poyner in the 1800's. Originally, the seat would have been of woven materials. At some point in it's life, the worn out materials were replaced with woven wool yarn.

The chair on the top right, attributed to Tennessee chair maker, Billy Spencer has a seat woven from discarded ladies stockings. Various shades make for an interesting look.

The youth chair on the bottom left, attributed to Tennessee chair maker, Robert Baker has a replaced seat of plastic strips. I love the black weaving against the natural patina of the chair. The use of this material has changed the look of the chair to a very modern one instead of the traditional country chair.

The tiny chair on the bottom right, maker unknown, was made for a doll. The seat has been replaced with twine used for various utility purposes.

We have finally updated our website

After all this time we finally updated the website. There are some very interesting things as well as some great southern cultural material. Check it out - rescripted.

Everything is BIGGER and LOUDER in Texas

It's nearing midnight on Thursday, April 2nd, and back at the Bunkhouse (a place we share with friends), the bed feels comfy and cozy. It's been a long day. Out in the tents we have dealt with horrible winds up to 50 mph and selling has been slow due to the weather. It's dead silence here on the 10 acres of property in the tiny town of Round Top - even the Texas long horns which roam the fenced green grasses appear to be sleeping. Just moments before, down the road a few miles in yet another tiny town named Warrenton, it was anything but silent. They say everything is bigger in Texas and to that claim to fame they should add - louder! Two bands were rocking, booze was flowing, great barbecue was smoking, big hair was flying, and the most outrageous outfits of the evening were being flaunted. The tiny town of just under 100 residents was overflowing with everyone but locals; who had pulled their blinds, plugged their ears, and slipped fearfully under the covers until the whole thing passed - which would be about 3 a.m. This is undoubtedly the most talked about event in all of Round Top/Warrenton week (and has even been featured on Good Morning America) - The Junk Gypsy Prom. The whole thing started about 10 years ago and has been rockin ever since. If you don't already have an outfit when you arrive you can purchase one from the Junk Gyspy Girls Tent, or from one of the other vendors who add the prom attire to their inventory just in time for a last minute frock. Each year, the event grows and I do believe this was the most attended ever. Everyone was there - I do mean everyone - although we didn't see him, it has been reported that Willie Nelson himself showed up - of course it is the social event of antique week, so I'm sure it was possible.

Underneath the blankets at the Bunkhouse spilling through the silence from my subconscious, I could still hear the music playing, the smell of the wonderful food from Royers Cafe seemed to still fill the air in my room. There was quiet all around me - but the party was still going on in my head. It's like going from New York City to the country in 60 seconds.

Theresa - time-worn interiors. She has more prom pics on her blog as well.

All Ages Join The Fun!!!!

This had to be the most creative prom hat ever!

Too Much Fun For The Little One!

Me and David in the Outhouse Photo Booth. We were party poopers and didn't get an outfit.

The Junk Gypsy Outhouse Photo Booth.

Get Your Prom Frock Here!

Ways to waste time at an antique show

Ever wonder what antique dealers do when things get slow at the show? It's not busy all the time.

Sometimes we take silly photos of each other.

Somtimes we stick our face in front of the camera for no reason.

Sometimes we sing the blues - or is that the Yellow Rose of Texas.

Sometimes we take pics of cute little kids.

My friend Dave trying to hide from the camera.

Sometimes we just hang out beside the tent with our friends. My husband David on the left. Our friend Calvin on the right.

PARTY PICS TOMORROW!!!

More Texas Booth Pics

Absolutely amazing surface on this early Cigar Store Indian from Michigan dealer, Tom Hampton. Tom had some fabulous folk art and walls full of early paintings.

Lisa owner of Inner Pieces from Atlanta, GA had this amazing HUGE (and I do mean HUGE) vintage photograph from France. I loved it!!! I wanted it!!!! And, I still do - but it was out of my budget because at the moment I have other fish to fry (you'll here about that on Monday or Tuesday).

This is one of two photographs that I had in my booth. The photo was taken in the 1970s by photographer Kris Kristoferson (not the singer) of an old sign in the Vegas Sign Graveyard. It was printed on watercolor paper to give it a painterly look. The film was manipulated as well which gives it an interesting style. It didn't sell (wrong type of crowd) so it's going to hang with the other one taken in the same graveyard in my house. I'll snap a pic of the other and post it on another day.

An absolute "kickin" "stylin" booth from my dear friends from - winter in Florida - summer in Maine - Dave and Green Dave (our close friends know what this means)

It just wouldn't be Texas without a booth filled with vintage cowboy boots.

19th Century American carousel piece from Mary

Stunning Garden Urns from Marshall in New Orleans.

A stunning booth by Nashville antique dealer, Randy Farmer and his partner Micheal (who sometimes supplements their income with table dances at the Junk Gypsy Prom). And, speaking of the Junk Gypsy Prom - I'll have highlights from the prom on Monday. You will love this!! And, I'll talk about the parties.

The Beverly Hillbillies do Marburger!!!!!!!!

REMEMBER MONDAY - PICS FROM THE PARTIES AND THE JUNK GYPSY PROM!

Wish you were here... Photos from Texas Antique Show

Here is our booth at Marburger Farms. It was a mix of fabulous things. One of the favorites of the shoppers had to be the 12 jurors chairs from the courthouse in Mayfield, Kentucky. We split them up in 2 sets of 6. One set went to a customer who bought them to use on her drinking porch and the other 6 went to a young couple in Dallas for use in their apartment. They were totally cool with an iron base with a knob that turned to allow for rocking back in the chairs. They dated to the 1930s - Arts & Crafts style.

These vintage hay rake wheels were a big hit as well. They flew out of the booth. They were removed from an old hay raking machine and mounted on stands as art. The style was Steampunk - a new term now being used in the home furnishingS and fashion markets. They went to Dallas and Atlanta. I wish we had more.


This stepback industrial shelf was totally steampunk style. It was amazing and was my favorite piece. Constructed entirely of iron the shelves were woven like a basket. It had nice design elements such as iron ball feet and finials. It went home with a customer from Austin who is going to use it for clothing.

This is my friend Aaron Rambo's booth. He, along with his partner, Ruth Davis, own a fabulous shop in Houston called Found. Aaron's stunning "loft/warehouse like" home was recently included in the coffee table book Domestic Art published by Assouline. Aaron's work is to die for - he's one of the top designers in Houston. Their booth sold out twice



Looking for more great steampunk or something a little out of the ordinary? Well, it was all here in the booth of my longtime friends - Steve Schwartz and Casey Hale of Urban Country.

HEADS OR TAILS

MORE GREAT STUFF AT THE URBAN COUNTRY BOOTH

MORE BOOTHS, MORE STUFF, MORE FUN TOMORROW!!!!!

We're Back .....

FINALLY!! WE'RE BACK!

We have some great photographs and interesting stories to tell.

I'll be posting starting tomorrow.

Stay tuned - you don't want to miss this.

POSTING ON THURSDAY MORNING!!

Too Much Going On With the Kids Today.

If you're wondering why we haven't been blogging lately...

We are getting ready for Marburger Farms in Round Top, Texas. For the past few weeks we have been cleaning and scrubbing and polishing and packing for the trip next week. We leave on Wednesday morning. The Texas shows are GREAT! In the tiny towns of Round Top (pop. 83) and Warrenton approximately 5000 + dealers will fill the cow pastures, and farms with antique wares spanning all time periods. We have some great things for the show, a country store table, some industrial pieces, quilts, ironstone, lights, chairs - I can go on and on. I think my favorite thing at the moment would be the 12 Arts & Crafts period jurors chairs from a jury box in the courthouse in Mayfield, KY. Windsor in design with a cast iron base, they swivel and rock back with the slight turn of the cast iron knob at the front of the chairs - very unusual!

But, Round Top is more than about selling. Loads of fun will be had by all the next week and a half in Texas. There will be plenty of parties, (even a junk gypsy prom), loud Texas music, get togethers with friends, and did I mention parties!!!! If you have never been you should go - and go now!

I promise to take lots and lots of photos - because there will be many Kodak moments, I can assure you. It's not Vegas, but close. And, what happens in Texas, stays in Texas - well... usually. I will be back on April 6 so look for many, many photos after my return. I'm sure you'll get the full scoop from the many other bloggers who will be there. And, if I get a chance to use my friends laptop, I'll post some pics along the way!!

HI HO HI HO IT"S OFF TO TEXAS WE GO!!!

Loving My New Vernacular Snapshot Find

I recently purchased this amazing vernacular snapshot of a young couple reflected in a fun house mirror. It looks as though they are at a beach. As you can see they are dressed in formal attire. I wonder if they dressed up for the photograph?

Raccoons Everywhere - even the White House

The "First" Raccoon - friend of the White House

What is is with the raccoons? I wrote in my post yesterday about my little friend Bandit who shows up on my back porch every night. I got an email from a friend with photos of her friends as well. And, then, a raccoon at the White House - what a presidential raccoon? It's true - seems the masked bandit has been hanging out on the White House grounds and has managed to escape security until yesterday when he was captured by the park service.

Bullwinkle, Boris, & Natasha - Friends of Tattered and Lost

Rocky - another friend of Tattered and Lost

No one up but me and Bandit....

Rendezvous with Bandit

Sleepless nights often bring me to the kitchen for a midnight snack. But, I'm usually not the only one. Bandit, a large raccoon, lives in the huge oak tree beside our house and often meets me just the other side of the kitchen door for a snack - for me a cookie, or cheese puffs - for him yummy Meow-mix cat food. We have become goods friends and he isn't frightened. He even gets along well with the cats who share their food. They do seem to be disturbed that he washes his face in their water though. Blogger friends - meet Bandit.

Good-night Bandit - enjoy the Meow-mix.

Tomorrow - pictures from the show. I'm still recovering.

We're at the show.....

Finally at the show in Nashville! Opening tonight. Photos to come. You won't believe my booth - well yes..... you probably will, Stay tuned!

Valentine's Kisses My Love

"READ MY LIPS"

Give me three kisses - once on each cheek

and then my luscious red lips!

AFRICAN AMERICAN HOOKED RUG

IMPROVISATIONAL LIPS

Haywood County, Tennessee, Circa 1940

Once again the discarded fabrics of the life of the maker have found their way into the making of a utilitarian object. Constructed of discarded red knit socks, black wool suiting and black cotton dress fabrics this very unique rug is a true artistic expression of love. The deceased maker would likely be surprised if she knew the effect that her individual design has upon us - a deep appreciation for the simple, yet complex works of art that these objects represent. Black & Lip Stick Red!The rug is in excellent unworn condition. There are a few stray absent loops of fabric here and there but that is not the result of wear - it is as a result of the untrained hand of the maker. Additionally, some of the loops are tight are some are more loosely constructed - this was purposely done to create a look of texture. It's a fabulous work of art!!!

99 Hearts for Valentine's Eve

99 Hearts

African American Quilt Circa 1930's

Fantastic African American quilt found in Texas's oldest town, Nacogdoches. Clovers of 99 Red Hearts in two varying shades of red are laid to a bleached muslin ground. Outer 2 edges are halved with merely a single heart in lower corner - consequence of an African American superstitious tradition to avoid creation in symmetrical fashion - no evil spirits here. For a maker of pristine quilts, the lining (back) of this quilt would be an odd color choice for a red & white quilt. But for the African American quilt maker it would be a color she loved - the back is dyed cotton muslin in lime green.

Detail of Improvisational Heart Quilt

Detail of Dyed Back of Quilt