Dc Big Flea January 2010!

I can't believe the next Big Flea is only three weeks away!

As soon as Christmas is over I will have to get back to all of those projects that are in the works and finish pricing all the new inventory. Deb, Kim and myself have come across some great new finds for your shopping pleasure. Some sneak peaks to come in my future posts!

Happy Christmas to all!

Image courtesy of Tasha Tudor!

Time Travel

If we could go back in time The Truffle Pigs may want to visit a Civil War era Sanitary Fair. These fairs were held to raise funds for the war effort on both sides. Fairs and Bazaars would offer items for sale: handwork, needlework, gift items, food, plants, paintings, dolls and more. Some large fairs were held in Brooklyn, Philadelphia and Chicago. Many sewing items would have been made for sale: pincushions, needlebooks, pen wipes, knitted and crocheted socks and shawls.

Chicago Sanitary Fair

Doll sold at the Brooklyn Sanitary Fair

The Brooklyn Museum will have a special exhibit starting in January 2010

Brooklyn Museum Exhibit

courtesy of Historical Society of Pennsylvania

Living History Exhibit of a Sanitary Fair

Friends In Christmas

I will be heading to West Virginia this weekend for a fun show at my friend Paul Gordon's studio---I have known Paul for years and he is one of the most creative people I know. We will be joined by some other great artists and pals: Kitty Babendrier, Allen Cunningham, Dara DiMagno and Leslie McCabe.

Here are some picture's from last years show:

If this show doesn't get you into the Christmas spirit-nothing will!

Pretty Pictures

I finally have time to catch up after the Baltimore Big Flea. It was a great show and we met many new friends and customers and loved catching up with some we hadn't seen in a while.  We brought some fun Halloween themed items this time.

My Button People

Debbie's Cat and Mouse Pincushion

Kim's Rabbit Pin Cushion on Celluloid Box

Vintage Dog Tape Measures

2 Chicks hanging out in a Bra

I had many more pictures but they came out blurry. I must take some time to go to Pioneer Woman's Blog

and read up on the photo section. She has great tips, and I admire her photography as well.

Ciao!

Won't you join us?

The Baltimore Big Flea will be taking place

this weekend and Truffle Pigs will be there!

Dates: October 24th and 25th

Saturday 9-6    Sunday 11-5

Admission $8 good for both days

Free Parking

The Mid-Atlantics Largest Antique Flea Market

Comes to Maryland with over 800 Booths

State Fairgrounds, Timonimum MD

We are in Booths 599-600 in the Cow Palace and

are located in the right side of the building on a corner.

See you soon!

Chatelaine Bits

Chatelaine is French for "mistress of the castle". Whether it's an Equipage(waist hung item with long chains that held keys to storage areas of the home: spices, teas, documents and food stuffs) OR a Chatelaine ( a popular term during the Regency period to describe a waist hung adornment used to organize household tools and as a fashion accessory) I know that they are beautiful, rare and a coveted category in sewing collectibles.

circa 1883, source: NY Public Library

Pinchbeck (alloy of copper/zinc) Chatelaine c. 1730-1735

collection VMA

Sterling Chatelaine c. 1895 Collection Grant-Kohrs Historic Site

Ribbon Chatelaine, Godey's

Tools may include: scissors, perfume, pomader, pincushion, pinkeep, thimble holder, button hook, tablet, waxer, pencil holder, wax seal, tape measure, mirror, knife, spectacle case, purse, dog whistle.

Materials: silver, steel, brass, gold, leather, ribbon and bone, tortoise, gutta percha.

source: John Leech Archives

This may be the most practical chatelaine of all!

Feeling Creative-Yeah!!

I have been so darn busy lately---my part-time job (started working for the local symphony in January), gardening, daughter's activities, organizing the studio and inventory etc...I haven't had any time to do anything creative since July! For someone who used to spend 40+ hours a week making art this is a huge change. So a few days ago I decided to make myself sit down and create---an idea that had percolating in my brain for awhile. I am in LOVE with these cuff bracelets(even came home from work one day and resumed creating instead of making dinner!). They combine all my loves-textiles, lace, buttons and various bits and bobbles.

I'll be taking them with me to the Maryland Flea in a few weeks, but I will have to keep a few for daughter and myself.

We Return Triumphant!

Two or three times a year The Truffle Pigs (myself, Deb Hartwick and Kim Stout) get together for a buying trip. We spent last weekend doing just that at Extravaganza Weekend in Adamstown, PA--and we were joined by two good friends!  Nicole Bowen of Necessary Excess and Kitty Babendreier of Calico and Buttons. It was a whirlwind of shopping and the weather was great--we even took time for some show and tell in the hotel on Friday night.

If you know us very well you could probably guess whose loot belongs to which one of us. Most of this is for resale or to use in our art work but some will be for gifts (and a few just to keep).

Thisis a darling toy that features wooden acrobats, Debbie collects things like this as well as Push Puppets.

A sweet quilt scrap with early novelty fabric of a whippet dog.

A common scene--we search every bag, box and tin for good buttons--unfortunately this one held no treasures.

Charming perfume that Kim found.

Here we are (I am the photographer) left to right: Nicole Bowen, Deb Hartwick, Kitty Babendreier and Kim Stout.

Lastly, this was the find of the weekend--it looks like just your regular run of the mill stockinette doll but lift the apron and she is anatomically correct! With some strategically placed fur and a bit of beautifully crocheted lady parts. I would love to show you the picture but in these politcally correct times some may take offense. She is really quite charming and proud of her femininity. We plan to give her a name and make her the Truffle Pig mascot!