She's ALIVE!

No, I didn't get sucked into the blue brick building never to return again!

I have been SO busy the last couple of weeks. Collecting merchandise, setting up displays, figuring out my systems (yes, even a Drow can have a system). I have to make myself keep regular hours at the shop so I don't neglect things on the homefront. Here are some photos:

The sofa is a piece that was brought in by my first consignor. I have over a dozen consignors already!

The settee came from the auction that Holly and I went to. The Ethan Allen nesting tables are from a consignor and the jelly cupboard in the background was a treasure that Walter found at a yard sale!

I have books for summer reading and an antique beach chair. The hassock fan on the floor is a great conversation piece. It runs ALL day long.

The lamp is a Wildwood porcelain (gorgeous) that I got at auction, the little display case holds miniature items and trinkets. It has been a favorite "impulse" purchase location because I don't put anything in it that costs more than $2.

This is the "kitchen". Chris brought me the china cabinet...a roadside find! It is great for display space (which is at a premium when you have so few pieces of furniture).

Finally, the "Guy's Room". Boat parts, tools, fishing equipment, and outdoor items. I even have a hunter's camo umbrella. The dog muzzle sold yesterday to a boy who said he needed it to take his dog to the vet

I'm working really hard but am really enjoying meeting all the interesting people and exchanging stories! It's almost as good as being a greeter at Disneyland!

JUST PICTURES

One week from opening, and I still have tons to do!

Catching Up

I have been spending so much of my time at the shop since the end of June that I have been remiss in keeping my blog up to date. Here is the condensed version:

I signed the lease on the 30th of June. I was very pleased with the terms of the lease and the landlord has been good about taking care of some things I needed in the way of housekeeping issues. I got my phone connected on Monday and the modem for my internet should arrive any day. I'll really feel like I'm set when I can get online.

Red helped me choose some great colors at the paint store last week and Friday was the start of the painting blitz. W helped on Friday and then Red came to Deale again on Saturday with paintbrush in hand. It looks ever so much better now!

Getting inventory entered in the consignment software is pretty easy. It took a few hours, but with Red's help on Monday, all the items I had collected so far were described, accounted for and tagged with prices. I don't know what I would do without all the help I have been getting from my local support team! W even found a great truck so I can go to the auctions and buy things for the shop and not have to try to cram them into my little station wagon.

Red and I went to the BIG auction in Crumpton, MD today. It was a beautiful day with temperatures in the low 80's and low humidity. Thank goodness. It is a full day in Crumpton. The auction starts every Wednesday right around 9AM. By 3:30 I was finished. However, we had only gotten half way through the outdoor section of the auction. What a production! We loaded the truck and headed home. It is about 1 1/2 hours from Deale to Crumpton and a nice drive on a beautiful day with a friend...

Wearing my SPF 70 sunscreen and my favorite sun attire...

There are always lamps!

Acres and acres of treasure!

I will spend tomorrow cleaning our "finds" and entering them into the computer. I'm really even sure what I have; so many items that I bid on were part of "lots" that included items I may not have selected were they offered separately. W calls it "bycatch"! Sometimes it's good, other times...you never know!