New Paint Line Being Brought to Troubadour (alternative title: Paint all the things!)

I'm happy to announce that our latest vendor, Sharon of Transformational Divas, is bringing Country Chic Paint to Troubadour in mid May.

From Country Chic Paint's website:
"Country Chic Paint is a chalk and mineral based paint that is specifically designed for DIYers with a love for refinishing furniture and home decor. This fabulous paint is VOC FREE and contains no harmful solvents.

Applying Country Chic paint couldn’t be easier - whether you want to make a new piece look old or transform an old look with new color and style, you will love the beautiful smooth matte finish and all the delicious color choices. If you want to distress your piece, then this is the best paint for the job. You will love how simple it is to create a shabby chic look with Country Chic Paint."

The mid May arrival of the paint lines up perfectly with the Brimfield Show. Grab your awesome antique pieces at the show and then head over to Troubadour for supplies to refinish them. I test drove the Country Chic "Strawberry Ice Cream" paint yesterday and loved the great coverage, no smell, no hassle factor. After I painted this ladder-back chair, I made a pretty little shabby chic woven seat for it. I still need to wax it, but this is what the end result looks like.

Stay tuned to our facebook page for the arrival of the Country Chic Paint line and upcoming paint classes where Sharon will teach you all of the awesome techniques you need to know to start refinishing your own pieces!

How to be random: Chapter 1

Preface: When I turned 30 I decided that I would say “yes” more. I would take more risks, do things that scared me, and live outside of my comfort zone. I truly believe that if an opportunity falls in your lap and you don't take it that you're doing yourself a disservice. Chance is fun. Surprise wakes you up. Saying yes opens doors. There is nothing more invigorating than the unexpected. Now, carry on.

Ok. So I spent a good portion of yesterday wrapped up in what may very well be the weirdest thing I've yet to experience. It all started on Tuesday when I got an email from a customer regarding a casting call. The casting group was looking for Massachusetts shop keepers for a tourism commercial and she instantly thought of Troubadour. The casting call was vague and I have absolutely no experience in this area, but I figured “what the hay” and sent in some photos and the required information. If anything came of it, it would probably be good for the shop. I thought about my appearance on Chronicle last year, couldn't be much different, right? Ten minutes later, my cell rings. I was given an appointment for the next day, which was yesterday.

I hung up from the call and had that instant “how do I get myself into these situations” response, made arrangements for my son for the next day (because I figured a 5 year old probably wasn't supposed to tag along,) and laughed about the randomness while pulling together my clothes for the interview, particularly looking for a shirt that wasn't Doctor Who oriented. I mean, I own some, but they aren't heavy in the rotation these days.

Flash forward to the casting call the next day. Mind you, I wasn't nervous. This seems to surprise people. My anxieties mostly apply to things that I have no control over. Ya know, like pop'n fresh biscuit tubes and the imminent death of my favorite fictional characters. I was, however, awkward. There really is no other way for me to be. When I arrived at the casting place I was asked if I brought a head-shot and resume. I laughed and said “I have this 4x6 that I just picked up at Walmart.” She smiled and gave me an information sheet to fill out.

There was a long crowded hallway where we all waited. On the far end of the hall there was a group of guys running lines for another audition that was going on at the same time. It kept me entertained while I waited. There was a steady stream of people in and out of the place. The regulars exchanged banter and namedropping. It was people watching at it's finest. My appointment time came and went. No one seemed surprised by this, so I went with the flow. I was told by one of the assistants that I'll be in the next group. It's at this point that it dawns on me that I'm going in with all of these actual actors and auditioning. Yeah, I have a hard time with the obvious.

My group got called in. There were chairs for us to sit in, a very nice lady sitting on a stool holding a clip board, and a camera guy.... with a camera. Thankfully, the nice lady on the stool who was calling the shots sensed that this was my first time doing anything like this (how she could see through my amazingly cool facade, we'll never know) and she had me go last. She asked me about the shop and I answered. It was that simple. She thanked me for coming and I said it had been a fun experience and I walked out. I had a good laugh to myself in the parking lot as I walked to my car.

I'm not expecting a call-back just based on the unreal amount of us who auditioned, but I'm so glad that I went and took part. If anything, it was another chance to talk about the shop and my passion for the handmade movement.  I do, however, think the shop and the town of West Brookfield would be a great filming location so if you're a movie mogul get in touch.

Have your people call my people.

Friday Find: His and Hers Tea Cups

Today's "Friday Find" is a pair of tea cups. Sounds ordinary enough, right?  

Well, not this time.

This set of cups with their saucers is over 100 years old. The man's cup says "Forget me not." and the lady's says "A present."  Made in Germany at the turn of the 1900's, these his and hers cups were quite the trend. This is back in the days of handlebar mustaches. You'd think that those long elaborate mustaches would make tea drinking difficult, wouldn't you? Well, this "his" cup has a secret.

 The frilly, floral, pink, glittery man's cup has a mustache guard.

 Amazing, is it not? Aside of the awesomeness associated with an antique mustache cup, both cups have highly detailed and delicate 3 dimensional decoration. The elaborate and, for lack of a better word, froo-froo design on these cups does make them a bit kitschy but in the best ways possible.

It's not everyday that you come across a set like this, all intact and in perfect condition. It has everything that an antique should have, in my opinion. Character, curiosity, and just the right amount of weird.

Now, I've held off long enough but I mustache you, would you like a cup of tea?

Yeah. Sorry about that.

DIY: Lovely little chair redo

For some reason, when my friends see some item of age that looks beyond repair they think of me. I have quite a collection of misfit items. Old rolls of wallpaper, water stained vintage fabric, tables missing a leg, frames without the glass... you get the picture. So, when a friend of mine came across the grody chair it was only a matter of time before it was in my DIY clutches.

Chair or science project?

It was a sturdy little chair, had all it's legs. Why not give it the TLC it was yearning for?

I first removed the plague ridden cushion. I only kept the wooden base. This chair, like most of this style, had some screws on the underside holding the seat in. The rest of the fabric and padding all went immediately in a trash bag. I usually wear a face mask when doing this kind of stuff, partly because it helps me look like the mad scientist I feel I am, and partly because I don't enjoy breathing in other people's grime.

Then I wiped the chair down with a wet rag to get all the dust off. I sanded it on a few rough spots and wiped it down again. Time for paint.

I set up a little paint area on my back deck with a tarp so that I could pop back into the house easy enough to check on my son. As long as you have a place that is well ventilated and protected from any over-spray you're good to go.

Primed.

I used Kilz Spray Primer. I gave it 2 even thin coats and let it sit to dry while I tackled re-padding and covering the seat of the chair.

If you're lucky and your chair isn't in need of all new padding you can just skip the next step and put your new fabric over the old fabric, but that won't do for our nasty little friend here. To give the seat a comfortable and even amount of padding I used some solid colored fleece. You can buy this by the yard at most discount fabric shops. I doubled it up and stretched it across the seat base and with a heavy duty staple gun, secured the fleece at each corner before stapling around the perimeter. It's not unlike wrapping a present. Well, half of a present.

Fleece padding

Next, do the same with the fresh new unstained fabric, taking care to center the design or line up your stripes if your fabric has that kind of pattern. Or if you're OCD. If you really don't care, put it slightly askew and freak out your right angle loving friends. You rebel, you.

Now, head back to your primed chair. You picked a fun color spray paint to finish this guy off with right? Good. Apply 3 thin even coats of your spray paint. I used Valspar Tropical Oasis. Let it dry. Touch up with a spray here and there as needed. I like to let paint dry and cure for a full 24 hours at the very least. Once your chair is all dry and resilient reattach your seat.

Now. Stop and marvel at your work. Surely that can't be the grody little chair that you remember?

Blog Guilt

Yes. I'm guilty. I created this lovely little blog as a platform to discuss my shop girl life, my exploits in local business, and my crafty triumphs. And yet, here it sits. Unwritten.

I suppose, had I just put off watching that extra Doctor Who episode or allowed myself to walk away from the burlap projects for just an hour... but why dwell in the past? Dwelling won't  get this blog post written. I'm determined, determined I say! I will become a regular blogger. And a year from now, I'll look back and say "hey, remember when I never blogged? How lame was that?"


Just watch me. (cue mental video montage of me blogging set to the music "Eye of the Tiger.")

Troubadour's Tips for Shopping the Show

I was able to hit up Brimfield for a couple of hours yesterday. I have to admit, even after years of frequenting Brimfield it still takes me about an hour to get my shopping groove going. There's just so much to see and absorb. It's a bit like Disney World.

Brimfield: Where it's ok to caress and drool over the giant corbels.

Preparation is key. Remember, this is the marathon of the antiquing world. That being said, if you want to make the most out of your visit to Brimfield here are some suggestions...

•  Bring a rolling cart so you aren't stuck trudging through the fields like a pack mule. Borrow one from your great aunt Tilly if you have to. You might feel silly towing one, but you'll be glad that you did.
• Comfort is key. You'll be walking miles. In dusty, gravel filled fields. It may rain. It may be windy. It may be hot. Dress with light layers and please, for the love of all that is vintage, it's not the day to wear those cute espadrille wedge sandals that you just bought. Also, wear sunscreen. If you're like me and are bothered with allergies, be sure to take your allergy meds. Spring pollen plus dusty, musty antiques is the perfect cocktail for sinus sufferers. 
• Travel light. Chapstick, cash, bottle of water. Really. Maybe a cell phone if you need to stay connected. Most vendors are cash only. There are a couple of ATMs in the area if you need one.
• Have a basic idea of what you want to shop for just to focus yourself. I usually make a mental list of my 3 top finds. That doesn't mean that you shouldn't stray from the list when you lay eyes on that vintage pink bowling ball that is calling your name...
• Haggle. If you're not used to junking and flea markets it can feel awkward at first. Trust me, 80% of the time the sellers are willing to work with you on their prices. It's part of the experience. Give it a shot. 
• If you have special dietary concerns you should probably bring your own food. If you don't have any restrictions get a cider donut and a fresh squeezed lemonade. It's a Brimfield must.
  

   

   

  Most importantly, have fun. Talk to the sellers, ask questions, have your picture taken in front of the over-sized velvet Elvis painting.  Try on a vintage hat or two. People watch. Stop and listen to that guy playing the guitar. After all, he's a fellow Troubadour. 

   

  These are the donut guys you're looking for. You're welcome.

   

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

The Junkers are coming! The Junkers are coming!

It's that time of year that treasure hunters across the country wait for. When you wake up at 5am on a Saturday morning, put your game face on, and grab your favorite rolling granny cart. Soon it will be packed with odds and ends. You can almost taste the cider donuts and the fresh squeezed lemonade. Other than the granny cart you carry nothing but chapstick and cash. You can't risk being burdened with silly things like a cell phone. After checking the laces on your sneakers, you step out of your car and onto a dusty field lined with tents for miles. This is what you've trained for. This.... is Brimfield.

Ok, so perhaps I've gotten a tad theatrical. The theatrics are deserved, though, as any good junker who has been to Brimfield will tell you. On your first trip to the Brimfield Antique Show you can expect to feel many things: elated, overwhelmed, excited, exhausted, sunburned, thrilled, amazed, amused.... well, you get the idea. Vintage geeks come out in droves. Some wear shirts that have haphazardly been decorated in sharpie that read "looking to buy old maps/jadeware/rare coins/insert your idea of junk treasure here" in hopes that the right person will spot it and the Brimfield gods will smile upon them.

It's quite an experience. Even if you just go to people watch and enjoy the day browsing, I'm pretty sure you won't be disappointed. If you're looking to shop the show like a pro stay tuned! I'll be sharing some valuable info and tips later today. In the mean time, practice your haggling and shine up that granny cart!

March Vendor Spotlight: Angela Poller of Cedar Lake Designs

This is our first Vendor Spotlight! Every month or so, Troubadour will select one of our vendors to feature on the blog, in the shop, and on our facebook page. It's just a little way for us to appreciate them and for you to get to know the person behind your favorite shop items.

Angela Poller

Cedar Lake Designs

www.etsy.com/shop/Cedarlakedesigns

1) Describe what you make and sell at Troubadour:

A variety of handmade pillows in different sizes and materials. Burlap is my most common material! 

2) How long have you been working on your craft? When and how did you first learn?

I have been sewing since I was about 12 years old. It all started when hair scrunchies were in – I must have made hundreds of those! My Mom taught me a lot – how to read patterns, take measurements, etc…  then, I moved on to making curtains, pillowcases, quilts  and pillows for my own home and realized that pillows are so easy to change out for each season. They can really give that extra “punch” a room needs.

3) What inspires your creativity?

Nature! My favorite medium is burlap. The look of it attracts me because it makes me feel like I’m bringing a part of the outdoors, in. Then, with all the seasons and holidays we have, it’s fun to add a different design to each one.

4) What is your favorite thing you’ve ever made? What made it so special?

It’s not a pillow, but my favorite thing is the New England Patriots hooked wool rug I made. It only gets put out during football season and we like to believe that wiping our feet on it brings our team good luck!

5) Anything else you’d like to let our customers know?

 My items get changed out every season and holiday, so be sure to check back in the store or online for different things. Also, if you see something on my Etsy website that isn’t available in the store, just email me and I can bring it to Troubadour so you can buy it there and avoid shipping charges!

Staging on a Sunday

I've been working hard to get the shop nice and full. It's coming along nicely, with the help of a few new vendors this month. I have to say, it's fun moving things around and creating new vignettes every week. Last night I moved this sweet shabby chic cupboard into the shop, so of course today I'm playing dress up with it. I love the retro combination of turquoise an red. It's fun and vibrant without trying too hard.

We've added a few events to our line up too. Next week, Sunday February 10th, we're hosting a victorian silhouette artist in the shop. We also have a card making workshop scheduled for March 1st and a Troubadour Caravan to the Brimfield Antique Show in May. We'll be adding more soon so keep an eye on our Facebook page for more updates.

Love Stories, Letters, and Lace

Chalkboard Guilt. I was feeling it. I had painted an entire wall of the shop with chalkboard paint. I opened that wall up to infinite possibilities. I had visions of grandiose swirling letters and nostalgic quotes. It was a blank canvas of awesome... until the night before opening day.

It was past midnight on November 24th and I was an overtired, over emotional, over stressed soon to be shop owner. I had chalk in my hand and I was staring at a blank wall. A wall that I had to write on. Like, right now before I pass out in an exhausted stupor. All of my lofty ambitions of vintage lettering and clever phrases lost a very short battle with my desire to curl up in bed for a few hours before our shop had it's grand opening that morning. Ambition, at that point was greatly outnumbered and, quite honestly, never stood a chance.

I scribbled "Welcome to Troubadour," dropped the chalk where I stood and blearily drove straight to my warm bed.

Now it's mid January and I am lulling into a routine with the shop. I decide it's time to revisit the chalkboard wall battle. Thankfully, I had already had an offer from one of our vendors, Christine Brown of Fawn, to be the artist of Troubadour's first official chalkboard wall display. With Valentine's Day just around the corner we go for a "Love Story" theme. Christine described the end result as "walking into someone's love story." A pretty cool notion if I do say so myself.

The shop window also reflects the theme. The window is framed in pieces of aged book pages scattered with the ubiquitous paper doily hearts. Stacked antique and vintage books act as pedestals for some merchandise while book page paper hearts are strung from the top.

I love the look of the displays and I'm so thrilled that Christine helped my neglected chalkboard wall reach it's "infinite possibilities" potential. Come see it in person and take a stroll through someone's love story.

Christine getting started.

The amazing finished product.

A vintage mailbox gets romantic.

Details from our shop window display.

Pretty little love story.

Mission Monday: Clean House

I'm ashamed to say, but my Christmas decorations are still up. My house looks like it could be on an episode of "Hoarders" and I just can't take it anymore. Since the shop is closed and I have no plans of leaving the house (side story: my husband took my car keys to work with him) today will be the day. Today I will take back this house. For the good of all of humanity.

One of the major issues in my household is toys. I have a three year old son who has grandparents that just can't stop buying toys. It's like Toys 'R' Us threw up in my living room. We have a toy box... ok, well it's really a vintage steamer trunk... but it holds toys. It's obviously not enough as it's full and there are still toys all over the place.

Exhibit A:

So today I am tackling the toys and getting rid of Christmas (until next year of course.) If you're having an organization battle, Pinterest has loads of possible solutions. Here are the ones that I've pinned and hope to emulate in my own home. Wish me luck!

Welcome to Troubadour

Troubadour is a home decor and gift shop in West Brookfield Massachusetts that showcases the work of local artists and crafters along with hand selected vintage and antique pieces. We have artists from all over New England and get new items in just about every week. If you're looking for a fun place to shop for unique home accents and one of a kind gifts, then make a stop at Troubadour.

Troubadour

6 Central Street

West Brookfield, MA 01585

ShopTroubadour@gmail.com