Marburger Farm Antique Show Fall 2010

A few months before the Marburger Farm show this fall, I had the pleasure of being asked to write a short article about antiquing for The Howdy, the program that everyone receives upon entering the show.  It is a great little guide and was designed by Cynthia Kinney of Kinney Design, with illustrations by  talented artist, Karla Man.

My story was to be light and entertaining, and it was quite fun to see my story in print when I got there! You can see it here.

So, typically I am one of the first in line to enter the Marburger Farm Antique Show when it opens the Tuesday before the Round Top Show opens on Wednesday. It didn't work out that way this year, and after taking my daughter to school that morning, I got to the show about noon. So, the two things I really would have loved had SOLD tickets on them when I spotted them - proof that someone else also loved them!

The dog painting spoke to me immediately and when I saw the SOLD ticket, I was not really surprised. It was just the most charming painting done in 1917 and 4 feet long.  Turns out the dealer is also a blogger and though we do not know each other, I was delighted to find a comment from her on my post after I got home. She is Nance Harper of My Favorite French Antiques.

Nance has great taste and I, for one, plan to follow her and get to her booth sooner next time!

I made a point to visit my friend, Mary, who sold me my carved Indian and wonderful water bird planter last fall. She also sold Joni her beautiful kitchen clock,  which unfortunately fell to the floor and shattered shortly after she hung it. Very sad.

  We got a kick out of the fact that she and I bought from the same dealer, unbeknownst to either of us, until we read each other's blogs and saw photos! Mary had quite an impressive collection of southwestern and Indian items this show. She has a great eye for vintage southwestern art and memorabilia.

This little painted chest also caught my eye and I would have nabbed it if someone else had not already gotten to it first. Oh well,

I guess I could say getting there late saved me some money!

Here are some more images from the show. Enjoy!!

Loved the bottle collection and the cute burro behind the painting - too bad he lost his ears, poor guy.

The last four images were taken of the booth created by American Garage. If you know me, you know I am crazy about folk art and the composition of interesting fragments and objects put together in playful and meaningful ways. This booth was colorful, fun and so, so well put together. 

In hindsight, I wish I had visited with the dealers and learned more about them and their antique business. Visit the American Garage website here to see more of their huge talent.

Last but not least, some of my favorite artists, Brad and Sundie Ruppert of Vintage Sculpture.  

Always clever, always colorful, and always something new I had not seen before - I have three of their pieces (see below) and try to resist buying another one now when I visit them at the show. 

It is always a treat, though, to see their latest sculpture and one day I am sure that one sensational creation will come along that speaks to my heart (again) and I won't be able to resist!!  

 This piece is called "Love Bird - Love Letters" and I absolutely love it.

 Details of the drawer with an old love letter inside and the inscription "Keep your memories here" stamped on the edge of the drawer.

 I can't remember the name of this one, but it has to do with a rodeo, and of course, is perfect for a Texan to own! The photo surrounding the base is a vintage rodeo picture and the horse has an old Texas Ranger badge on it. His head is a golf club and his ears are tiny red Christmas lights.This was the first piece I bought.

 This piece was one of those "I cannot go home without this" pieces. It is called "Let Your Love Shine Through" and the heart actually has a light bulb in it that illuminates the interior of the heart and the box. It is lined in old love letters and the sides of the box are decorated with hearts in hands, as seen below.

There you have it! I didn't get to take as many photos this year, but thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Marburger Farm show.

It gets better and better and I encourage anyone who just has a day or so to see what is going on during antique week at Round Top to visit this show. Of course there is SO MUCH more to see, but if your time is limited,  this show will give you  a taste of a little bit of everything the shows have to offer.

Antiques and Art, Wiscassett, Maine - Part Two

                                                                 "What is this shop?"

" I don't know....want to check it out?"

"Oh look...we have to go upstairs."

"I don't know - I am about ready for lunch"

"Well let's just run up and see if it's any good."

"Ooooh, love the hooked rug - great colors"

"Oh my gosh, look at this one! Look at that one! These are incredible!!"

I love seeing hooked rugs mounted and hung on the wall, elevating them to the art that they truly are. We had stumbled upon an exquisite collection at John Sideli Art and Antiques in Wiscassett, Maine.

 

 The rugs were displayed on the walls as we climbed the stairs, and then continued into the gallery. Mixed with other charming pieces of American country furniture and folk art, we couldn't believe we had almost passed this shop by!

 "I think we are in some one's living room," I whispered. Indeed, we were.

Antique dealer and artist, John Sideli, lives in this well edited space, displaying antiques for sale, as well as his compositions of objects, or "Object Poems" as he has been known to call them. He told us of taking years to gather three little red trucks to create the piece below.

Don't you love the eggs under the glass dome?

Rooms flow from one to another with a mix of high country antiques and playful folk art.

I was crazy for this old blue door with the skull and old patriotic textile.

John will often live with found objects for weeks, months, sometimes years, contemplating how they might fit together to create a playful and poetic construction that tells a story.

John has an amazing talent for putting these odds and ends together to create clever compositions, the way a poet might fit words together. He has an instinctual talent for combining form, texture and color.

The color mix here is superb.

Fine, traditional antique portrait of a family.

 Clever, playful, thought provoking.................

Love the mix of contemporary painting and all the antiques.

Art, architectural pieces, rugs, fine furniture, fragments and random found objects creating object poems, all in an exquisitely polished environment - John Sideli Art and Antiques was one of the highlights of our trip. After going a little research I discovered that Mr. Sideli has exhibited his works nationally and internationally. We were just fortunate to find him at home on that one glorious day in Wiscassett, Maine!

Thank you, John, for allowing me to photograph and write about your sensational gallery.

October in Texas - may I just say....

...that it is absolutely the prettiest season in Texas. Typically hot, hot, hot in spring and summer, we are now getting cool mornings and afternoons in the 80s - that is cool for us, folks. (OK, the truth is it still sneaks up into the low 90s, but we try not to think about that)

The grass is as green as it gets and my ground cover is full and lush. Love it.

 Love these big, fat begonia leaves.

The color is not great, but I love my white lantana creeping across the limestone walkway.

While doing my watering and pruning this morning I was struck by what a gloriously cool morning it was. Usually I have to slather on sunscreen and wear a hat just to traipse around the house watering pots and beds here and there. In the end I am typically so hot all I want to do it rip off my clothes and jump in the pool! 

Today I actually sat on the porch with my coffee after watering. It you are from Texas, you know what a treat that is!

It just made me feel so happy I had to share. Have a glorious Sunday!

Antiques and Art, Wiscassett, Maine - Part One

The coastal town of Wiscassett, Maine is loaded with charm. The main street is lined with historical homes, antique shops, galleries and various shops geared towards tourists. Of course my favorite part, besides being on the water and the availability of lobster rolls, is the antiquing.

Marston House has had a presence on the main street for as long as I have been visiting Maine and is a must stop for me when passing through. Proprietors, Sharon and Paul Mrozinski, have been offering 17th, 18th and 19th century American and French antiques since 1987. They also have two bed and breakfast rooms available on the property. Visit the website for Marston House for more information on staying there.

Textiles, charming little whatnots, folk art and pottery fill every nook and cranny in the shop. Sharon may not like the ironing board in the photo, but why do you think all those textiles look so lovely and crisp?!

Poking around the shop I also found......

gorgeous French toiles,

stacks of antique linens and wonderful antique paper covered boxes,

and this fabulous, old French armoire. It was a built in piece in a house in a small french village. I absolutely love the faded blue paint and the perfect imperfection of it!

Wait, there is more.....

Loved these little ironstone pitchers with pewter lids and spouts - not sure what they are called but they look like syrup pitchers.

 Beautiful woven fabrics in jewel tones - wish my photo was brighter.

Everywhere I turned there was some interesting and unique fabric or object - I could spend hours in here learning so much from Sharon!
(Click on any of my photos for more detail.)

Fabulous antique pewter candle sticks................. 

another piece I adored....an antique American southern sugar chest with traces of bittersweet paint showing through.

wonderful old books, pens, wire baskets..................

Love the shape and the patina of the old wooden bread boards.

Hope you have enjoyed peeking into Marston House. If you find yourself  traveling along Highway 1 in midcoast Maine, you really should visit yourself. You won't be sorry!  Stay tuned for my other favorite place in Wiscassett!