Inspired Ideas from Inspire Co.

Stacey and Kim are appearing in the Spring Issue of Inspired Ideas over at Inspire Co. aka Amy Powers. This emagazine has over 20 projects authored by artists including Mary Engelbreit, Charlotte Lyons and Jenn Docherty. Click below for a little preview.



Amy does an absolutely amazing job of compiling a great mix of projects and the graphics are gorgeous. Just reading it puts me in the mood for Spring already!
I designed a fun and funky Pincushion Ring using vintage fabrics and Kim instructs how to make her sweet thimble size waxer using bee's wax.

Follow the link to subscribe!

Shout Out to a Truffle Pig Fan

We love it when our friends share pics with the blogging world about their collections and one of my favorite blogs to read is Elizabeth Holcombe's "Words & Whimsies" . Her recent post about the haul she came home with from Truffle Pigs is a visual feast! She muses on all sorts of topics concerning vintage collectibles and decor and her adorable pincushions have been featured in several national publications. Be sure to check it out!

Home Again Jiggety Jig

Finally unpacked now after the whirlwind of the DC Big Flea this past weekend. This was our best show in 2 years as evidenced by the mobbed booth that didn't subside until after 4 pm on Saturday. We are thrilled and optimistic that perhaps the economy may be on the re-bound. Our friends and customers have always been loyal and we pride ourselves on making items available at all price points; from the trims and buttons for 50 cents to the sterling silver chatelaine for several hundred.

We are grateful that the Flea is one of the few antique shows that allows us to sell our own sewing designs. They are made with all vintage materials and this time we really pulled out all the stops with some unique items. Our favorite part of set-up is show-and-tell when we reveal our newest piece to squeals of delight from each other. Almost all of them have found new homes so it's back to the drawing board to start planning for the next show.

Thank you dear friends for stopping by to purchase and more importantly to chat--we love catching up with you!

Shopping at the DC Big Flea Market for awesome deals.

Check out this video by these two collectors of vintage clothing.

Join Us This Weekend

Spotlight on a Truffle Pigs Fan

Oftentimes we get to meet other creative artists when we are at one of our shows. Last July we met the talented Christina Muse who makes amazing boxes filled with found objects. As you can see she is particularly fond of sewing items when it comes to creating her art.

Here is what she has to say:

"I have a fondness for sewing items because our whole family sewed, even my dad. He made down vests and jackets for camping. My mom would make hot mini skirts and dresses and everyone wanted to know where she bought her clothes. She refused to buy me clothes and bought fabric instead and said make it yourself. Didn't mind because I loved sewing. Now those little items are making their way into my art".

 

Christina's work has been sold in some local galleries and shops. You can view more of her work and contact her here.

Just goes to show that the vintage sewing and craft items we sell are often parlayed into something far beyond their intended use!

Truffle Pigs at the DC Big Flea!

Saturday January 8, 2011 9 AM to 6 PM

Sunday, January 9, 2011 11 AM to 5 PM

Expo Center in Chantilly, Virginia

We are Booths # 433-434,

Row H in the South Building

(click to see larger)

We will be bringing many "fresh to the market" antique and vintage sewing items, trims, fabric, buttons and toys and will be seriously discounting some of our older inventory.

In addition we will have some exciting new designs of our own artwork (pincushions, emeries, sewing boxes and more).

Check back for more updates about the show!

Follow this link for directions and lodging Damore' Promotions

and follow The Big Flea on Facebook for show updates.

Feel free to comment with any ??? or requests

Hope to see you there!

Stacey Bear    Kim Stout    Deborah Hartwick

What Will The Weekend Bring?

Two big events are occuring this weekend and the Truffle Pigs (Stacey, Deb, and Kim) will be hoping to make some good purchases for our show coming up. Both of these venues will have antiques that just may be beyond our reach financially, however we always consider these outings an opportunity for learning and inspiration.

Jeffrey S. Evans Auctions will present the Sewing Collection of Hilda S. Fried which will contain a lifetime of fine needlework and sewing items. Seeing such a beautiful array of fine antiques in one place is a great way to educate yourself and the excitment of an auction can be contagious--I hope we don't get carried away!

We always make it a point to attend the Eastern National Antique Doll Show. Vendors often bring doll related items and some of the most rare dolls, toys and textiles can be found here.

We also plan to stop along the way during our travels at some favorite SECRET spots to gather more treasures for the show in January.

Friends in Christmas

Stacey will be heading to Martinsburg, West Virginia for "Friends in Christmas". The show is on November 13, 2011 from 9 AM - 2 PM at Paul Gordon's Studio.

Click here for more information!

A Gathering of Craftsmen

Debbie will be traveling to Connecticut this holiday season as one of the exhibiting artists at "A Gathering of Artists". The show will take place on November 13 & 14 at the Gallery: New England Historical Connection, 300 Danbury Rd. Wilton, CT. Show hours are: Saturday 9 AM - 5 PM and Sunday 10 AM - 4 PM.
This is the 2nd year for this high quality show, an offshoot of the Wilton American Craftsmen Show.
More information can be found here and here.