Casual Cottage Chic ~ Brocante

Repurpose a Vintage Folding Ruler

Here's a great way to repurpose one of those vintage wooden folding rulers you may have picked up at a local flea or antique market.... Once you've formed the ruler into a star {it takes some time to do this but you'll get it} you can attach to a holiday wreath or hang in a window or on a door.

FARMERS MARKET

  The perfect wooden sign for your farmhouse kitchen! Handpainted, very distressed, chippy paint and faded charcoal lettering; handrubbed with a clear wax. Perfection! Sign measures 24 inches by 16 inches. Contact us for a price.

Minerva Tin Head Dolls from Germany

 If their bodies had been as sturdy as their composition of metal heads, these antique dolls would survive indefinitely. Heads molded from a thin sheet of tin (or metal), Minerva dolls had kid leather or all cloth bodies. Tin heads with painted hair, eyes and lips were also sold separate from the cloth or leather bodies.  The dolls were manufactured in Germany from 1894 through 1925 by Buschow & Beck. Recently doll collectors have started to appreciate the unique quality of these simple tin or metal head doll children.   This Minerva tin doll head (available on our webshop) originally had painted blonde hair, blue eyes and soft pale pink shoulders. She is still in wonderful condition considering her age. Measures 4.5 inches tall; her shoulders are 3.25 inches wide. Display with a collection of dolls or alone atop a shelf or leather-bound vintage books. Of course, if you can find a complete Minerva doll, she is highly valued by doll collectors!  

Rearranging Furniture In Shop...

Thought you might like to see how I've recently rearranged some large furniture pieces to improve the flow of my small (8' by 11' ) space at Serendipity Antiques in Old Town Temecula. Casual Cottage Chic is situated just inside the front door, so it's important that first glance is a positive impression!  I try to add to our selection of vintage/antique treasures weekly. You'll mainly find treasures from France and England; a wonderful selection of French enamelware and touches of cottage chic accessories!  Stop in to browse when in the area. Our annual HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE is Saturday, November 5th from 10am - 6pm!

The Groves Antique Market....Here I Come!

Spent yesterday and today deciding what to take to the monthly Groves Antique Market held the first Sunday of each month in Irvine. Then Amy (my partner for the booth space and fellow dealer from Serendipity Antiques) and I packed up her car; I packed more into my little car and I think we're ready! Meeting up at 4am at Starbuck's to caravan with another dealer from Grannie's Antiques (also in Temecula). Should be great fun...I only do this once a year! Last year, November; this year, October. I don't know how dealers do shows every Sunday, but I do know some that do just that...schlep their treasures to and from. Too much work...that's why I prefer my webshop and my small space at the local antique shop. Do you have a favorite Antique Market or brocante?