Down on the farm...and on up to Kokomo

What a great show yesterday at Osage Farm -- country antiques, delicious food and live music, all under one roof! This twice-yearly event (once in spring and again in fall) has such a great, laid-back feel to it. Thanks to Diane & Gary Cole our wonderful hosts...and thanks to everyone who shopped with us! For those of you who missed the show, here's a look at some of the items in the ForeverMore booth.

Next up, "Pure & Simple" in Kokomo, Indiana next Saturday, May 1 from 8:00 to 3:00.

ForeverMore's booth will feature early textiles, plenty of quilts (as always!), an early rope bed, decorated blanket chests in original paint, a one-door, grain-painted dry sink, lots of decorative early smalls, baskets, some architectural pieces and a bit of garden decor....plus, lots, lots more!

Come see us and shop with 60 select dealers from over 12 different states in this first-of-its kind show. If you need more info to make it a weekend full of antiquing, check out the show website for nearby hotels/motels as well as dining options. http://www.theoldshed.com/pureandsimple/index.htm

Make yourself at home and enjoy the show!

The Shows Must Go On...

This spring show season has been a whirlwind so far! Following the always wonderful primitives show "A Gathering on the Prairie" in Arthur, IL, we joined a local show in St. Joseph, IL where we showcased more of a vintage spring look. Depression era quilts and vintage linens were the crowd favorites.

The next weekend was ForeverMore's Early Spring Open House. The weather didn't cooperate -- it was COLD, windy and rainy -- but we still had a nice turnout. Word of mouth brought us new friends from Champaign-Urbana and a good time was had by all (despite the weather)!

After Easter, we turned our attention to getting ready for the Brocton Red Barn Market, a unique mix of antiques & crafts in nearby Brocton, IL. The show is actually held in an old barn so its perfect for farm primitives. Although the crowd was smaller than last year, we had a great time with a group of dealers we don't see often enough. Sharing ideas with other sellers and with customers is always part of the fun. "Best idea of the day" in our booth went to a simple tray-style galvanized chicken feeder planted up with purple violas. It seems almost everyone has one gathering dust somewhere but no one had ever thought of it as a container for plants. There should be chicken feeders blooming all over Central Illinois by now!

Our old green wicker porch swing went home with a happy customer as did lots of other items destined to add a touch of spring. One unique item in the ForeverMore booth got tons of attention -- a blue & white painted handmade child's stepback cupboard, made for a little girl in the early '40s by her great-great-uncle in mid-Missouri complete with a pull-out bread board. It would be great sitting on a table or hanging on a wall -- maybe in a hallway, or even a guest bathroom as a place for soaps and hand towels. It's a true one-of-a-kind.

Next up is "Arts & Antiques At Osage Farm" near Charleston, IL on April 24 from 8:00 - 3:00, rain or shine. Just over a dozen select antique dealers will be offering quality country antiques alongside beautiful handcrafted folk art, live music and tasty food. It's a great day in the country as show promoter Diane Cole hosts one of the most unique shows you'll find in this area. Mark your calendar for next weekend - you'll be glad you did! (more info? directions? http://www.artandantiquesatosagefarm.com/ ) If time allows this week, I'll post a few of the unique pieces you'll be able to see in our booth.

p.s. Don't forget the upcoming "Pure & Simple" show in Kokomo, IN on May 1st! Everyone is talking about it and from what I hear it's going to be amazing! A couple of weeks ago, Antique Week had a write-up that is sure to bring people from all around the country. More about that next time. Meanwhile, see our website for info or go to http://www.theoldshed.com/pureandsimple/about.htm.