Tuesday, November 29, 2011

A Trip to Anthropologie

I had to meet someone at the Summit today and couldn't resist going into Anthropologie. They say a store or shop should appeal to all senses and Anthropologie does that from the minute you walk in! It smells so good, there is great music playing and everywhere you look is just so colorful and beautiful!








Monday, November 28, 2011

Southern Soiree



I met Kelli and Shawn at a trunk show I did several months ago and they have recently started their own event planning company, Southern Soiree. They are going to do an advertisement in a quarterly bridal magazine, "Engaged, A Wedding Library", and I am going to provide them with some vintage props for the photo shoot! You should check out their website, www.mysouthernsoiree.com, which will also link you to their blog and facebook page and consider them if you are planning a wedding or other type of event - I am sure they do a wonderful job!

Distressed Picture Frames, Burlap Cross Boards and Initial Boards

I am working on lots more distressed frames, burlap cross boards and initial boards for an Open House I am doing on Thursday at a friend's house so if you would like to order any of these before Christmas, just call or email and I can make them for you -prices range from $10.00 - $18.00! I will also be making more of the little houndstooth block frames.







Kitchen Hutch and Painted Piece

Here is the kitchen hutch/cabinet I ended up painting and distressing in black. It is in my booth at Encore!





Here is a piece I recently painted and distressed for Kristen - she is going to add cute knobs and put in her little boy's room!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Kitchen Hutch, Chest of Drawers and Etsy

So I just got a really cute kitchen hutch/cabinet piece that I'm going to paint to sell but sometimes it's so hard to decide on color! Here are some cute hutches I found on Pinterest - what to pick! I think I'm leaning toward gray or black but I'll post a picture when I get it done!








Here is a cute little chest of drawers in my booth with ball feet painted antique white and the drawers are a light gray and distressed!


Nate had a segment on his show today (The Nate Berkus Show) on Etsy. Etsy now has over 11 million members and over 800,000 active shops and sales in 2011 through September are over $350 million! It was neat because someone from Etsy who did the interview said that their offices are completely decorated in items from Etsy shops and when a new employee comes on board, they are given a handmade desk and $100 to furnish their desk with Etsy finds!

Etsy is a great place to find unique items and you can know that when you order from Etsy, most everything is handcrafted from a crafter or artisan and not mass produced! A lot of sellers on Etsy share their stories of how they started out selling part-time and eventually were able to quit their "day jobs" and have a thriving business selling online.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Wrapped in Warmth Blanket and Throw Drive

I saw on Hewy's "No Sleep in Helena" blog (helena-alabama.blogspot.com) that they are doing the blanket drive again this year. This would be a great way to give this Christmas season!

Here is what Hewy wrote on his blog:

Ashley L. told me that the Wrapped in Warmth Blanket and Throw drive is happening again at Helena Intermediate. This event has been covered in the news in years past and really makes an impact locally. They are hoping to collect over 250 NEW blankets/throws that will be donated to New Beacon Hospice in Alabaster. They provide in-home service to terminally ill patients in our area. It doesn’t cost much; Walgreens and Dollar General have them for just $3.99 and $4.99. They will be collecting them at HIS from Thanksgiving to Christmas. Please help wrap those in need in warmth this holiday season! I always want to instill a sense of giving in my children so I remember going with them to Walmart and having them chose a blanket and explaining how this would help someone else. I would encourage everyone this season (even with the tight budgets) to include your children in one of theses activities.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Here are some cute things I saw on Pinterest today!

Christmas decor doesn't have to be just red and green!


I love the fur stockings with brooches on the cuffs.

An interesting way to use those old silver trays.

Great idea to turn an old basket sideways and store towels.

Personalize a gift by adding the person's initial on the wrapping!

These stocking holdings are so cute and I know that Lamb's Ear used to sell these.

Add colbalt mason jars to a chandelier!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Open Houses This Weekend along Shelby County Antique Trail!

Here is some info. from Sue at The Blue Building about an event going on this weekend - hope you can check it out!

It's time for another great event at The Blue Building! Join us for our Holiday Open House this Saturday and Sunday Nov 19 and 20! Vendors will be on site providing refreshments and incredible sale items. All regularly priced merchandise will be 10% off for storewide savings. As usual, many vendors will offer greater discounts!

Stop by and register for a door prize...25 wonderful items donated by our phenomenal vendors!

Other stores along the Shelby County Antique and Resale Trail ( our Rt. 31) will be hosting open houses and specials as well. Please stop by and visit our friends at Farmhouse Antiques, Somewhere in Time Antiques, Faith Furniture Consignment, Classic Home Decor Consignment, Encore Resales, and Urban Suburban Pelham. We have info at the front desk to help you find these great stores!

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Birmingham Junior League Christmas Market


The Junior League of Birmingham will be hosting their annual market this Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 17-19. Hope from "Days of Our Lives" (Kristian Alfonso) will be there showing her jewelry line! There will be lots of other events going on during the show, here is their link for more info.:

http://www.jlbonline.com/?nd=market

A Few Pics in Booth and Hobby Lobby Drawer Pulls

Here are some pics from my booth today. The angel and nest artwork is by my sister!










I love using glass knobs and pulls with really distressed pieces. Hobby Lobby had a pretty good selection today:

Etsy Page

Flickr Page

www.flickr.com
thefrenchfleashop's items Go to thefrenchfleashop's photostream

Followers

Blog Archive

About Me

My photo
The French Flea is a Birmingham, AL based business specializing in selling painted and distressed furniture, rustic home decor and more. It reflects a love of anything french, rustic, shabby, chippy paint, distressed! We currently have a booth at Greystone Antiques on Hwy. 280 in Hoover and The Blue Building in Alabaster. We also offer custom furniture painting and will be your "picker" or personal shopper and look for pieces you are in search of! To contact The French Flea, call Karen at 721-0578 or email kbush422@gmail.com!