Heather Bullard

Gettin' Crafty & Fall Finds

Just to warn you...this will start off as a fun post, something you will really like. Then somewhere in the middle you will be mad at me. So, if you'd like to click away now, I won't get my feelings hurt. Continuing on for those who are willing to forgive me. Aren't those pumpkins the coolest ever? I made them with the most scrumptious velvet I've ever seen. Hand dyed beauties with crinkles and sheen. Gorgeous preserved squash stems and velvet leaves to accent them. Beauuuuutiful Autumnal Perfection!

 

I can't take all the credit though, they came from a kit. The talented Kim at Olive Juice came up with the idea and I couldn't wait to buy one. They're called Posh Squash. Now...here's the part I warned you about. They're completely SOLD OUT! I know. I'm sorry. It's taken me a while to finish them to share with you and now look what I've done. Shown you something that isn't available anymore. But I'm hoping some of you crafty divas will still be inspired to make your own. I know you're out there. You're the ones who always think..."I can make that". So now you'll have to do just that. And hopefully next year Kim's fingers won't be worn to the bone and she'll be able to create hundreds upon hundreds of kits for those who like me, need direction and a fool proof plan. ; )

So to end things on a better note...did you notice my table? My new rustic farmhouse table? The one with the perfectly aged wood and spindle legs? Last week my buddies Pam, Amy, Jenny and I were at the Long Beach flea market going over details of our upcoming event. We were standing next to this table while we were talking and when I finally looked down to notice....I had to have it! So Amy, being the great junker that she is, went over to the dealer and got the price down for me. Thanks Amy! Now it sits on my patio waiting for dinners, parties, luncheons and photoshoots. Here's a silly video we shot that morning after I bought the table.  

In the video I tried to show you the completely awesome handmade journal Pam brought to take notes. If only I could craft like that woman. I jotted my notes down on my phone...not quite as glamorous as the way she does things. I'm sure those of you coming to our Brocante Carnival will now be relieved at seeing how serious we all are. Flea markets bring out the best in friends!

Brocante Carnival

  

What is it about a secondhand market, also known in French as "brocante," that stirs our souls? It is where we search for weathered chairs, vintage books, and antique linens. It is where we find objects that sing to us as we invite the power of potential to unleash our imaginations as we seek to elevate how we live, what we create.

If the hunt for flea market treasures is something you’d like to discover for the first time, or enjoy in the company of like-minded friends, it is our hope that you’ll join us for a special outing as outlined below:

Heather Bullard, Pam Garrison, Amy Hanna & Jenny Doh

Cordially invite you to

Brocante Carnival

Date: Sunday, November 8th 

Place: Pasadena Rose Bowl 

Start Time: 9:00 a.m.

A limited number of goody bags will be dispensed at 9:00 a.m. at the front entrance gates. Once they’re gone, they’re gone. After the goody bags, we will enjoy quick introductions, followed by a review of friendly flea marketing tips, and some fun surprises. And then, we will all enter the grounds to shop. You are free to roam the aisles alone, or with other guests, or alongside Heather, Pam, Amy, or Jenny.

Lunch Time: 12:00 p.m.

At noon, you are invited to join us at the green picnic tables with a lunch that you have packed for the day, or purchased at one of the food stands. During lunch, we will enjoy the best part of flea marketing, which is a "show & tell" of what you’ve found with others. After we have re-fueled, Heather, Pam, Amy, and Jenny will award very special handmade prizes to those with the best flea market "tote-ables" as follows:

    Best flea market apron

    Best flea market cart

    Best flea market totebag

Notes:

Brocante Carnival — in terms of the activities planned by Heather, Pam, Amy and Jenny — is a free event that will officially conclude with the best tote-able awards, but of course everyone will be welcome to continue shopping until the flea market closes at 3:00 p.m. Please note that in order to enter the flea market, regular admission of $8.00 per person will need to be paid at the gate. For details regarding admission, please visit the Rose Bowl Flea Market site here.

You are encouraged to visit my blog post containing some of my best flea marketing tips to help you prepare for the event here.

Throughout the day, photographs will be taken as we aim to cover the adventures of Brocante Carnival in a future issue of Somerset Life magazine.

Will we be seeing you there? Let us know. We are looking forward to meeting local flea market loving people from the blogosphere! xo

{Update: No need to RSVP, just show up if you feel so inclined that day}

Would You Like To See Some...

Here are a few highlights of the Junk Bonanza. I hope it gives you a feel for what the vendors had to offer. Really, there was so much great stuff. I saw lots of towering displays, big furniture pieces, galvanized everything, letters and more letters, really awesome clocks, jewelry galore and row upon row of fantastic finds.

Hope you enjoyed the little tour. If you ever have the chance to shop the Junk Bonanza you won't be disappointed or come home empty handed. Everyone of us were loaded down with treasures to bring home. Here's Nancy Soriano in her killer vintage dress wrapping her goods to be shipped home.

I can't wait to tell you the funniest story about how we all wanted the exact same item. It can get dicey when you're shopping with folks that love the same things. Guess I better edit those images next!

Back from the Bonanza

It's been a whirlwind this past week and I have SO much to share but don't know where to begin. I think I need a day or so to gather my thoughts and go through a thousand images on my computer. Right now it's running at glacial pace because of photo overload. I'm hoping it doesn't crash and burn anytime soon.

I have to say that being away from home is much easier when you get to spend it surrounded by the most amazing people. Ki did an outstanding job bringing spectacular vendors to her show and giving shoppers an experience they'll never forget.

Matthew Mead is incredibly funny which only adds to his charming character and stellar talent. His wife Jenny was delightful and full of quick wit herself. They make an adorable couple. It's so great to be working with them and I'm looking forward to a shoot next week with Jenny. Did you know she's an incredible photographer?

And to top it all off were Nancy Soriano, former editor of Country Living and Jo Packham of Where Women Create. Spending time with them and sharing ideas, stories, goals and news of their upcoming projects was very inspiring. The three of us also had the chance to do some serious shopping. Let's just say there were boxes shipped home, stuffed on airplanes and hauled away in freight trucks. Black belts in shopping. 

I'll have more stories to tell after I go through all my photos. While I was in Minnesota, I did some work for Jo, another project for Ki and worked on some things for the Flea Market Style Magazine which creates a traffic jam of images. In the meantime you can check out the FMS blog because I'm going to share some fun behind the scenes stories over there. I'm going to get back to work and check out what a few of you have been up to. Time for some blog hopping!

Junk Bonanza Blog Party

Well in a few weeks thousands will be flocking to the biggest junk round-up in the midwest and I for one can't wait to get there. From September 17-19th, the famous Junk Bonanza will feature many of the best dealers in the country along with book signings with The Farm Chicks, Matthew Mead and Ki Nassauer the founder of Junk Bonanza.

To add to the excitement there will be plenty of activities during the show including a Happy Trails Blog Party filled with prizes, drawings and treats on Thursday, Sept 17th from 1-2pm. We hope you can come by our meet and greet to say hello and if you're lucky...win some great prizes! 

Official Blog for Flea Market Style Magazine

The official blog for Flea Market Style Magazine has been launched! I'm a little behind on the announcement due to my travel schedule but wanted to give a shout out for those who haven't heard the news. There will be lots of behind the scenes insights and antics. We've had a few goofball moments already and freely share how real it all is. Magazine publishing isn't as glamorous as one would think. You can also follow along on Twitter and read our random thoughts, comings and goings. And we've created a Blogroll you can sign up for to become a Flea Marketeer. I hope you enjoy all the interaction. It's like one big flea market family! 

  If you'd like we also have a great little blog button for you to use to help spread the word and share in the excitement of the new magazine. Grab yours here.  

Vintage Horse Show Ribbons

     Two months ago at the Rose Bowl, I brought home this GIANT box of horse show ribbons from a dealer who did not want to pack them up at the end of the day.

     There was a minor amount of negotiating before a deal was struck. I think he was happy to see them go since he closed the box up with tape and put it in my cart. Customer service is alive and well at flea markets.

     There is around 100 or so ribbons with most being from the Santa Barbara area and from the late 50's thru the 60's. I love all the muted colors together.

     They've been stored away in my warehouse waiting for an idea to strike me or an opportunity to use them and sure enough one has come along. So now I'm going to be ironing all of them for a photo shoot this week. Funny how you pick something up at a flea market without any reason other than because and eventually find a way to use them. Something to be said for tucking things away. Now let's hope I just don't burn any. Ironing isn't my strong suit.

Playing Catch Up

    The last two weeks have been a whirlwind of activity around here. With the relaunch, birthdays, graduations and such it's been non-stop action nearly every day. In my sparse free time I managed to put in a few hours of shopping here and there. I thought you might like to see a few pretties instead of a million graduation photos taken from my seat a mile away in the grandstands. Sheesh, it's hard to SEE your kid graduate. Can any of you relate? In any event, here's some of my recent finds.

    The flatware and brass hooks are for a couple of projects The Man is doing for me. And I bought some gorgeous antique French bed sheets to reupholster a few chairs. I've been in a neutral mood for a while now and found several bolts of trims all in lovely shades.

    And it's almost impossible to pass up anything black and white. Especially when they are as cool as these old cardboard price tags. Love, love!

    Any kind of beautiful white china is always on the list. I thought this set of Limoges luncheon plates were so pretty with the delicate gold trim and I know they will mix well with just about anything. 

    I plan on using this huge zinc tub for outdoor parties to hold drinks. Or I just might give Bella her summer baths in it!

    Today I went to the Rose Bowl and The Man tagged along with me. He's going diving next weekend for Father's Day and said he wanted to spend time with me. Ahhhh, makes my heart happy. Anyway, we came across this antique oil painting of a ship at sea. It was painted in the early 1900's and needs a bit of cleaning but I loved it so much for him. It still had it's original frame which was icing on the cake.

    I'd like to do an entire wall of these for his man cave. The ocean theme is so perfect for him and he appreciates the beauty of antiques just like his wifey. Another collection to search for while out flea marketing!

And I finally finished lining the inside of my chest. Voila! Here it is.........

    At last count the blue wallpaper was winning. I don't know if more have been added since I tallied them up. Thanks so much for giving me your 2 cents. I really love the blue peeking out under my linens. It's sort of like a surprise. And since most of my linens are white or cream it makes a lovely contrast.

Well, I suppose that's enough rambling for today. Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the Blogworld. Now I'm off to get a home cooked meal. One that's not actually home cooked by me. ; )

Your 2 Cents Needed

    Ok, I've been wanting to line the drawers of this chippy old dresser for about 3 months now. And I keep picking up vintage wallpaper rolls (like I need more) thinking "oooh, this will be perfect". I've narrowed it down to these two.
Grey/blue toile or gold/cream damask?
    I know some of you might remember I said "so long" to toile when I redid my kitchen but you know how things find a way to sneak back in. At least it would be inside the drawer and not on the walls. So should I go with the pop of color or the creamy color match?

    And I found this framed castle picture at the flea market this weekend. I sort of like it propped up on the dresser. Sorry for the bad photos but I'm tired folks. I've been editing photos for a week straight and I got lazy here.

Which brings me to this...I'll be announcing the shop Grand Re-opening date this week! And it's closer than you think!

Garden Lantern

    A month or so ago while at the flea market, I came across this old lighting fixture that had been removed of all of it's wiring and attachments leaving just a hollow piece of beautiful scrap. I asked the dealer how much he wanted and when he said $3 I thought to myself "Hmmm....I'll think of something".

    When an idea finally struck me I asked The Man to help out. He found some old chain in the garage and attached it to the top metal tabs to create a way to hang the lantern.

    And I found an old brass tray that I was going to throw away because it wobbled and wouldn't sit right on a table. Drove me crazy! So, I asked him to cut out part of the tray to use as the bottom for the lantern. Just a little bit of glue and it was secure. Now I have a unique outdoor lantern to nestle in my garden beds. And don't you think it looks much more expensive than $3? Gotta love repurposing and reusing!