Kitschy Summer Fun at Fleetwood Antique Mall!

I have been wanting to shake things up out at the mall for a little while and found the time, motivation and assistance this morning.  I have taken out many fun new items and if you are a fan of flower power, you will love it!  Currently featuring the cafe set at my rock bottom price, you can  take a look and take it home right at the mall!  Here is a little slide show and I will be adding more items soon.  Located on 2nd Floor, Rear of Fleetwood Antique Mall, 14129 Kutztown Rd, Fleetwood, PA 19522.  Shop WED-SUN 10am-6pm.  

Coming attractions!

I am back in Heywood refinishing mode, thanks to a friend who is working on the sanding for me! I have 2 end tables just like these that are sanded and ready for finish.  I will be working on them this week in WHEAT, this set of 3 left with him tonight and I will be making them CHAMPAGNE.  Because I am the ADD of projects, I have many things going on now.  If you are interested in ANY of them, just reach out and I will focus on that project for you.  :)  I have ONE ladder back chair left to weave and am hoping to get that done this week as well.  Then a big photo shoot!  

I just picked up a traditional rocking chair today in oak (hand made too) and it needs new cane on the back.  Future project but have not done any sheet cane in a little while so figured I'd put that in the queue to get it back to usable.  I have a few small projects to do once these big items are behind me and hope to knock them out this summer.  

PYREX SWAP

I am about 2 weeks out from the spring Mid Atlantic Pyrex Swap in the Baltimore area and I am very excited to participate again this year.  I will be focusing on getting things ready to take in the next week.  It is always a fun time and promise to share some pics of the great day.  This is an annual event and if you are interested in participating in the future, make sure you search for and join the Mid Atlantic Pyrex Collectors group on Facebook.  

END OF SCHOOL YEAR

Just know I am super busy right now with spring softball games and practices, spring music concerts and my own band practices and performances.  I try to get my items packed and out within 24 hours or less and will continue to try to keep up with that.  Deliveries/meets are subject to availability.  My weekday availability is Tues, Wed and Fri.  Thanks for your support and I hope to assist you soon!

Have a great week! xo Malissa

Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend.

Welcome to the grand finale of my latest restoration!  I spent Friday trekking to my friend's to retrieve my diamond chair, now all welded and super shiney in it's gloss black powder coat finish.  I started the trip by swinging by WXPN's free at noon because it is totally free and a great place to hang out when in Philly on a Friday!  ​I almost talked myself out of stopping for foam thinking I could fill with cotton I already had. As I was waiting to get on my ramp to cross town I realized that was a dumb move as the supplier I go to in Philly is a wholesaler and if I get home and decide my cotton idea sucks, my only choice is Joann's and that place is overpriced with a not always stellar selection.  So I got off 676 at 8th and headed to Katz's Upholstery.  I decided on 1/2" foam and got 2 yards.  I took my roll and headed to NJ.  My friend was at work so I collected my chair, left him a Vanagon part I picked up for him the night before at our local supplier, used the restroom and headed to an estate sale he tipped me off about.  Due to my slow recent sales and our strike situation, I was not in the market for much but I did snag 2 pair of vintage Sears binoculars and a cool melmac ash tray.  

I left town with a kick ass cherry pie and headed back to PA, just in time to take my kids to a dance at their school.  ​Of course I was thinking about my chair while my kids were dancing to 'shake it off' but the work would have to wait!  

Saturday I got to work on the cover.  Over the last week I opened the seam maybe 12" or so, then dumped out the powdered foam, scraped as best as I could at what was stuck to the fabric inside and washed in the tub by swishing in cold water with a mild detergent and rinsing a few times.  I did test the fabric and it is indeed wool.  I hung over the side of the tub to dry so as not to stretch the fibers.  

Washing the cover.  Yuck, eh? 

My first step was to cut the foam.  Remember, I am using in a 3-D contoured situation, so I realized I would need to compensate.  I started by cutting the left side to match the side of the chair.  Using a bag of flour to weight the seat down, I followed with the right side. There is excess foam now that needed to be removed so I decided I would cut a V out and the center top and bottom, then spray adhesive to close it up.  ​

Removing the foam excess to contour the seat. 

My spray adhesive idea worked well once the glue started getting tacky.  I placed the foam inside and evaluated.  I thought a little cotton would help fluff it out a little so cut a piece the width of the chair and put on top of the foam.  The kids tested and said yes, the chair was comfy and they loved it!   

Kid tested. 

So this morning I got to work sewing it all back up and then took my pics.  I did decide to list the chair because I have a lead on another I could repeat this on and would like to save it if I find a home for this one.  So here are some pics, see listing on etsy for more details if you are interested and please send friends! If you know anyone looking for furniture and appreciates my era, please send them to my shops!  I would greatly appreciate the referrals! ✌🏼️  Thanks a bunch and thanks for all your support!  I had a great April in the mall!  Xo Malissa https://www.etsy.com/listing/279478194/knoll-harry-bertoia-large-diamond-lounge

Naked.  Look at her shine! 

In her threads. 

Besides the foam deterioration, the cover is in great condition!  Charcoal wool with some orange ombré into white threads through like stripes.

The shock mounts were cleaned and conditioned.  They would be expensive to replace but luckily, these are still in great condition.   

Original label dates this to the 50's.  I suspect this is an early production chair.  So happy I could help it get ready for it's next 70 years! 🎉 

Birthday week!

Another year older for me this week!  My week has started off great with my first sale on Chairish.com last week and my second sale this week! 🎉🎁✌️. That said, I am meeting my buyer in Elizabeth, NJ midday This Friday, so if anyone in the area would like to meet up for something delivered, please reach out!  Also anywhere on I78 through NJ and ABE.  It's a birthday road trip for me!  I will find something exciting to do on the way home for sure.  

BARWARE!

I will be picking up some fabulous barware soon from a collector downsizing.  I mean nice sets of 40's era Hazel Atlas.  These are high end collector pieces.  If any of you are interested in barware, please shoot me an email and I can let you know first what I have available after I collect and go through it. I promised I would find good homes for this collection and I may keep a set for myself, because, well PINK ELEPHANTS!  😍😍😍. 

NEW CHAIR! 

I just added a GREAT chair to the etsy shop today.  It is US made by Norwalk Upholstery Co and dated 1974.  Norwalk is still in business making custom upholstered pieces and weathered many ups and downs but are going strong.  Always good to support these companies manufacturing in our country!  This chair is styled like a Danish lounge chair, made of heavy hardwood (maple or birch, my guess), stained a medium pecan with gloss finish.  A little chunkier than their Danish cousins, I am liking the gracefully sculpted arms.  So many companies made chairs of this style and unless marked, it is sometimes impossible to figure out it's origins.  This one is tagged.  Upholstery is really in excellent condition! No tears or stains!  Structurally, the seat could take some web tightening but at this point it is not bad off and I do not want to disturb.  I did have some webbing and foam done on my England chair and it was very inexpensive at a local upholsterer. (That cutie is still available as well!)Have a look!  It is a lovely khaki green with orange tweed.  I took the pics in the rising sun so a tad warmer than reality but you get the idea. 

 https://www.etsy.com/listing/271417550/norwalk-upholstery-co-lounge-chair

Inside light last evening. 

The Heywake chairs are still in my booth and will be for at least another week unless they sell online.  Please stop by if you are in the area and see them!  I would love your feedback! Have a great week! 

Xo Malissa