Some more snippets of Spring

I will save the commentary since there are so many photos, it was late at night too so they are a little dark. With Valentine's Day nearing we're bringing sexy back! Can you spot the vintage lingerie? As always...everything is for sale but not all is in the Shopping area of my website. If you see something you would like more information on please feel free to email me at urbanfarmhouse@gmail.com or call the shop at 740-246-BARN. Thank you and enjoy!

Searching for some feathered friends...

I am currently on the hunt for some lovely songbirds or finches to keep in the shop. My friend Kathi at KD Vintage had some in her showroom in Atlanta and I fell completely in love with the ambiance they created. I am quickly learning lots! Zebra finches seem to be the most prevalent and least expensive...but there is a reason, they are prolific little buggers. I have no desire to get into the bird business so on to another breed. I am also running across all kinds of cage possibilities. Here is a wonderful post from Martha with some lovely cages and the history of bird keeping.

A punch bowl for how much?

AMERICAN SILVER BOWL SETS RECORD AT AUCTION
An American silver bowl (est., $400,000-$800,000) set a record of $5,906,500 at a Sotheby's auction last Friday. The punch bowl was made about 1700-1710 by Cornelius Kierstede and descended from the original Royalist owner to his present-day English relatives, who revealed its existence in 2009.

Amazing...truly amazing. So much more than a punch bowl. Some background on Kierstede:

Kierstede was born in New York City on Christmas Day 1674, into the third generation of a Dutch-American family. After serving an apprenticeship, he began working as a silversmith and registered as a freeman of New York City on July 26, 1698. For more on Kierstede click here.

Snippets of Spring

All things pink, red and sparkly are here! Hugs and kisses for your sweet Valentine. Fill this pink pitcher with chocolate sauce and serve with fresh berries on pillows of puff pastry. The perfect romantic dessert.
Silver and beveled glass memento boxes. Fill with your most treasured possessions, only three left! The most fabulous red, mercury glass heart to present to the one you are smitten with, sign it from your secret admirer.
Just in...tiny bottles of imported German glass glitter in three colors and coarses. Or pick up one of our Valentine's glitter kit packages, perfect for homemade cards and creations.
The BEST jewelry has arrived, more one of a kind creations from Jordan of Opulent Oddities. Shop in store or on line here but hurry, Valentine's Day is right around the corner! You'll need time to give it to him so he can wrap it for you!
Love these! Wrap them around a candle as I have done here or attach them to a concrete statue, lots of ideas!
The 2 days of 50 degree weather has really got me ready for spring. How about you? This evening in the woods behind our house I actually heard one lone peeper trying to get the festivities started. He's a bit early to the party but I understand how he feels.

This is just a teaser...I'm expecting six more orders to arrive this week.

Helping out Haiti...

Below is an email I just received from one of my vendors, Kalalou, Inc. Below is a concrete way of helping very basic needs of those devastated by the earthquake. Please read and join me in donating. Even $5 helps.
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Hi Everybody,

As most of you know, Haiti was hit by a devastating earthquake last week. As some of you may know, Susan and I have been doing business in Haiti for over 20 years. We’ve developed many friends there that we consider our extended family, and we both feel a bit helpless not being able to do more, faster. So after much consideration we have come up with a care package that we know will be handed directly to the people that need it most. Having travelled to Haiti for over 20 years, we recognized what is considered necessities in helping start up a new household. This care package consists of the following items that will be packed in a box small enough so each recipient can easily carry it.

1 Five Gallon Bucket
6 Cotton Towels
1 Fleece Blanket
1 Cook Pot
1 Sleeping Pad
5 T-Shirts
10 Bars of Soap
3.5 LBs of Powdered Milk
12 Packs of Tuna or Chicken
1 Plastic Bowl
2 Flashlights with Batteries
1 Box Saltine Crackers
1 40 oz. Jar of Peanut Butter
4 Pack Storage Containers
4 Plastic Plates
4 Sets of Spoons, Forks, and Knives
50 Pack of Tea Light Candles
1 Roll of Duct Tape
3 Boxes of Stick Patches
1 Pocket Knife
1 8’x10’ All Purpose Tarp
1 70’ Plastic, Multi-Use Clothes Line
4 Toothbrushes
1 Tube Toothpaste

And for the children of these families:
1 Bag of Hard Candy
1 Box of Crayons
1 Coloring Book

The total cost of each care package is approximately $100 USD. We have already ordered all of the ingredients to make 200 care packages. Once they are packed, they will be loaded on a trailer and sent to our custom broker’s warehouse in Miami, FL. As soon as the port is operational again in Haiti, the packages will immediately be sent by ship. Once they arrive in Port-Au-Prince, they will be picked up by my friend Victor Boulos and taken to his factory where they will be distributed to those in need.

If you would like to help, please send a donation to
“Doug and Susan’s Kids Foundation”
C/O Haiti Care Package
3844 W Northside Drive
Jackson, MS 39209

Or you can go online to the following link: http://pledgie.com/campaigns/426. All administrative expenses are paid by our company, therefore every penny will go toward this effort. Any amount you can give is appreciated and 100% tax deductible.

Thanks and please forward this to all of your friends.

Doug and Susan Williams

2010 - Country Living Fair returning to Ohio and.....?

Just received an email from Stella Show Management...The Country Living Fair will return to the Ohio Village in Columbus, Ohio for 2010 and also (YES I SAID ALSO) Stone Mountain Park in Atlanta, Georgia!!

Mark your calendars now!!

Ohio Village, Columbus OH: September 24, 25 & 26, 2010

Stone Mountain Park, Atlanta, GA: October 22, 23 & 24, 2010

Greetings from Atlanta!

Hey y'all (well, I AM in Georgia)! I'm so excited! I'm in Atlanta at the gift show and unearthing new vendors and getting reacquainted with some of my favorites! I have been here two days and have only been thru 3/4 of one building. I am not lolly gagging folks, there's 20 floors to this building and 2 more buildings to go..so many wonderful goodies!

I was also able to see several of my pieces used in the showroom of KD Vintage!! Kathy, owner and creator extraordinaire visited me at the Country Living Fair last year and loaded up her trailer with urban farmhouse finds. She completely redesigned her showroom and worked these pieces into her fabulous displays. Here in her vintage pink Christmas vignette is a darling petite dresser I found. The top middle drawer was missing so I covered it with an old piece of ceiling tin. On top of the dresser is a architectural piece of porch railing. Sorry for the photo quality, took it with my phone. Don't they look great with Kathy's designs?

It's very overwhelming and exhausting but I am so thankful to have the opportunity to find and bring you gorgeous new treats. I've found some ruffly white totes, fabulous purses and pillows with vintage ephemera graphics, drool worthy crowns, short, flouncy white skirts to dress up any side chair, red mercury glass hearts (for your Valentine's Day sweeties), the most darling little robins complete with a perfect springtime chapeau, and so much more. I can't wait to share it all with you! I hope you're staying warm...it's FREEZING down here...and to think I picked the hotel that had a roof top pool. This week it's just for the Polar Bear Club and I am NOT a member, thankfully.

((((If you brave the cold to shop in person at urban farmhouse you will enjoy 70%
(70%!!) off loads of Christmas decorations.))))