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Friday, August 19, 2011

Antique Week at Madison-Bouckville


We arrived here on Monday and began to set up for a week of selling. I have to say I've never seen anything like this little town before. As I heard one person joke there are more antique shops in this town than there are people. This amazing little town, located right outside of Syracuse New, York, is host to a massive antique week long festival that covers several different fields all the way through town. This one town has survived for 40 years because of this one week event every year.  As we walked through town last night, Donnie and I estimated this show probably cover 2 miles square miles.


Some of the dealers travel from field to field. My friends have tried to get me here for the last several years but we always had a conflict. This year we made the date work and I'm glad that we did. We chose to setup only at the Cider House Field for the entire week long event (if you know me you know I have too much stuff to be packing up and literally hauling across the road to the next field).

During Donnie and Courtney's first trip out they ran accross the a booth that was open but not manned.  There was a simple sign that stated "today is self serve" with purchasing info etc. as you can see in the picture.  This was a first for all of us. I guess you can tell we are in a trusting small American town.

My question is how do you barter? Or is this his way of standing firm with his pricing? I'm not sure, but I definately had to share this one.



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I finally managed to get out and shop alittle today with my good friend Barb.  My first observation is this is like a tent city for antiques. I've never seen so many tents. I've been to alot of shows but I've never seen anything like this place.  There is something here for everyone and it comes in every price range. In a place this big, you will find a huge array of pricing differences because there are so many vendors from various areas of the US and Canada. I have met buyers from Greece, Canada, California, Washington state, Missouri, England, and Germany to name a few.
 
This has been a great week and I've met some wonderful people.  I look forward to making this one of our annual trips.  
 
Check out this link from the Utica New York Observer Newspaper.  Yes we made the cut of photos used.  Actually four of the pictures were taken in my booth.  Check out the photo of the guy relaxing by the Arts and Crafts Lamp.  Ed is from Conneticut we met at Charlotte back in November.  We figured we'd never meet again but low and behold I pull into my spot for him to be in the space next to mine.  What a small world we live in. 
 
http://www.uticaod.com/photos/x386667516/Madison-Bouckville-Antique-Festival?foto=0
 

Friday, August 5, 2011

Courtney's Farm....


As many of you may know we have been working very hard on an upcoming estate sale.  We've been referring to it strictly as "the farm".  I have liquidated several farms over the years but this one has been one of my favorites.  There have been so many finds, with digging out the barn, an old one room school house, crib, chicken house, garage, and don't forget the house itself.  Not only is it challenging digging out all of these different places, we threw in an added bonus...Courtney.  She has cleaned, polished, taped, dug, rode in the Polaris Ranger, right in stride with us all of the way.  When she wasn't helping she was digging holes in the backyard (please watch your step), swatting flies, and just loving the farm life. 

Most people mark special memories of their child's "firsts" in their baby book.  In Courtney's I have added for August 2nd she cleaned out her first barn.  What an experience that was.  Donnie was lowering everything down with a rope with no pulley system, while Courtney and I would catch and untie them. 


She had her hands on every piece.  She attempted to carry everything.  When it came to digging out stalls she was the first through the doors.  If I didn't know better I would say she loves this old stuff more than I do. 





When she wasn't working we watched her carry a song book around and sing.  And sometimes she would attempt to play the Gibson Guitar or Mandolin, but luckily we would stop her before she began making music as she would put it.  Or she would have a rockstar moment, crank up the radio and really get into the music. 

Everytime I attempted to photograph an item or a room she felt a need to pose.  I had the hardest time getting all of the photos with her around.  If nothing else she would stick her hand or foot in the pictures. It was almost like Alfed Hitchcock who had to always have his shadow pictured somewhere. 

 One afternoon we had a scare, she had vanished.  But we found her sound asleep in the iron bed. She loved being in that room with the dolls.  If you find items with tags that aren't exactly legible then they are probably her tags.  Shes perfecting writing her letter "A" as she helps me price. 







(She's even priced my camera)







Yes, she is a sweet heart, we love her dearly, but she won't be at this sale. 



I have many pictures to post of this sale and I will hopefully have them loaded here on the blog by Monday.