Tools, Picking and eating New England.
/Last week was a whirlwind but worth the stress of making sure everyone’s life would be smooth in my absence. I embarked on a road trip with my friend, combined forces and expenses and came home with some great new items, memories and new friends. I don’t care what you sell or specialize in, we are all the same deep down and the cast of characters at the auction will keep me laughing for years.
The first leg- We had concert tickets for a Monday night show. A Philly band we both like, Waxahatchee. The tickets were bought months ago so I ended up getting home very late and doing my two days at work Monday and Tuesday. Home for Tuesday evening but not really as that is when my band rehearsed so I did not get caught up on my sleep. Wednesday morning I had to head back to NJ to leave for the trip but not until I stopped at the upholsterer to pick up the finished X Benches. I buffered in time to that stop and luckily so as he was still finishing them up. I left before 10am and headed straight to my friend. We arrived within minutes of early other and got on the road. We made great time and it was a very scenic trip....New York skyline, the NEW Tappon Zee Bridge, beautiful areas I could never afford to live in and continued through Connecticut and Massachusetts. We arrived in Nashua, NH by evening and had dinner with some friends in the hotel restaurant. It was good to put faces to the stories my friend tells me and everyone was excited about the buying and selling happening all week. I even caught some interest in what I do so conversations were easy and light.
My friend was out shopping the swap meet at 5am Thursday and I was getting up and ready to do my scheduled delivery. Turns out it was a beyond crappy morning with rain and yes even snow. Cold and miserable. My friend had his fill of shopping and decided he would accompany me to the coast and by the way, found an estate sale close by just across the boarder in Massachusetts. We stopped and I snagged some great items including a just listed Calif/Asia rattan lounge chair and a set of Amish Butterprint Cinderella nesting bowls. After trying to buy a set of Jarts and being told they were illegal by the estate sale company, my quick thinking friend spun the request to just buy the plastic fins and nuts. I have a set of wrecked ones so hope to make him a set with the parts. You do know kids split skulls with that famous yard game? 😂 We continued on to Rye, a beautiful coastal town just outside of Portsmouth and delivered the goods. Then had some lunch in a cute little burger joint. Portsmouth is really adorable. We got back to the hotel and then had a super seafood dinner at a local joint with all the characters we were hanging out with. Of course, it was Lobster Roll for me! Friday was more parking lot swap meet action, I was schooled at how to shop for Stanley Chisels, in case I find any while I am picking. Who knew people were so passionate about chisels? The auction started so we hung in there a bit. This is one of the biggest tool auctions in the country so there was definitely many collectors and dealers driving up the prices.
As the auction winded down and the money ran out, it was time to move on to the next leg of the trip. We headed to Rhode Island to my friend’s Aunt and Uncle where we stayed for the night. It was my first time in the state so excited to have now been in all the north eastern states. I got to try Quahogs or Stuffies, which are like a crab cake only with chopped clam. So good! There were some other delicacies like wine biscuits that were also pretty awesome. We had a great night visiting and loaded my van with some furniture that was going home with my friend and we headed out for the trip home. It would not have been a complete trip without a craigslist deal and my friend had one lined up. We actually went to PA to pick up a tiller before we got back. Then we hooked up with my family and our VW friends at a car show for the night in Trenton. It was an awesome week and hope we can do some more joint adventures soon. 🤘🏼
So what did I bring home? First off, here is a look at the X Benches! I am in love. These great benches were popular in the 70s and often attributed to interior designer Billy Baldwin. They are super popular now and look fabulous at the foot of a bed. I used the plush Blush Royale velvet from Joybird after my client selected it in another color for the wave couch. Amazing fabric!!! I have some yardage left if anyone is looking for a small project. Available now in the Etsy shop!
Another darling restoration in the books! These were extremely labor intensive and are priced accordingly to cover the upholsterer, my fabric and markup. I have included shipping in my price. If you are local I may be able to come down some. Reach out!
They are sturdy and comfy and you can sit on them! Under a console table, at the foot of a bed, in a small sitting area, these make awesome room accents! Interior designers love them. Blush is a hot trending color and looks great in a white washed room.
Super hot in boho, Jungalow and eclectic decors, this Calif-Asia bamboo and wicker chair is so cute! In excellent condition! Add a fur or skin, kilim pillow or other accessory and you have a loungy chill space. Just listed! Milo Baughman actually designed some lines for this company although I do not think this chair was his.
Another super Pyrex set just in! I am saving this and the pink gooseberry set I have for the Mid Atlantic Pyrex Swap in just a few weeks. If you are headed there too and want to reserve one of these sets message me!
Gorgeous Victorian Settee! This chair is in amazing condition and is superbly made! One cushion needs a patch. Bad 🐶. I will assist in repairing that for you. Some sun fade but otherwise in amazing shape. A very cool piece for a Victorian home or eclectic decor. I just love the details and look at the fringe!!! Upholstered in Philadelphia. message me for info!
I am headed out today to swap some things out in my booth space for the weekend. If you are coming to Kutztown or Adamstown this weekend for the spring Antiques Extravaganza, stop on by the Fleetwood Antique Mall and check out my space! If you want to pick up anything in my online inventory there message me and I can get it out there for you! i am taking camping, picnic and summer stuff out!
Have a great week! XO MALISSA
