FALL IS FOR . . . SHOPPING!

Maeystown Oktoberfest

I love this time of year!  Its prime for some outdoor shopping!  There's a crispness to the air, the leaves are turning and there's more festivals and markets than I can make it to, unfortunately.  I missed Festifall in Columbia this year and the Pumpkin Fest in Waterloo (there's always next year) but I did make it to the Maeystown Oktoberfest on Sunday, October 9th.  They had a beautiful day for it too, this year!  I'm not "needing" much right now, heck what I'm needing is to get rid of things (another shameless plug see posts on BIG BARN BONANZA) so I didn't purchase much but I will tell you about a few of my favorite vendors, some of which I have purchased from in the past.

First up is Sycamore Creek, I haven't purchased from them yet but the friend I was shopping with always buys something from them.  They deal in Vintage Postcard Art.  Their grandfather was seriously the biggest collector of postcards, I think in the world!  They have made prints of the postcards in his collection and sell them.  My friend collects Victorian Christmas ones and uses them in her decorating for the holidays.  You can choose from holiday cards, travel ones, sports, business and you name it!  For more information you can email them at supchuck84@yahoo.com or call Dawn at 636-332-6171 or Carol at 314-741-4167.

Double Trouble Collectibles had a wonderful assortment of vintage finds and upcycled items.  And they were selling the most beautiful pendants made out of buttons and other findings.  The pendants were reasonably priced at around $12 if memory serves me right.  For more information on where you'll find them next call Pam at 636-448-9249 or Denna at 314-920-1853.

My purchase from an artisan from O'Fallon, Missouri

Next up is Pairabelles out of St. Libory, IL.  You'll always find Mary Hummert and her gang at Maeystown events.  She upcycles all kind of interesting findings into necklaces, belt buckles and other accessories and carries a line of antiques and upcycled vintage decor.  You can see more of her work at www.pairabelles.com.  My friend and I both have bought an assortment of pendants from her over the years.

Last of all was a new vendor to Maeystown and to the business, but such a neat, neat purveyor of wood furniture, Burning Barn.  A nice young couple, with the husband crafting beautiful pieces and his wife selling them on this particular day.  You can check out their craftsmanship at www.burningbarnfurniture.com or call them for more info at 618-363-3766.

Don't miss the Freuhlingfest the first Sunday in June next year and mark your calendar for the 2012 Oktoberfest while you're at it!

Maeystown Oktoberfest

This past Sunday I took in the Wentzville Flea Market, held every Sunday.  For more info on the location and hours check out their website at www.wentzvillefleamarket.org.  They were voted the best flea market in the area by the Riverfront Times this year.  So of course I had to go check it out!  It was a wonderful mix of items - junk, antiques, junk, plants, collectibles, food products and more junk.  But I have to say even some of that junk was good junk!  I bought a concrete squirrel for $2, I couldn't believe it with the rally squirrel phenom going on right now!  I'm still deciding if I'm going to leave it as a plain brown squirrel or turn it into a rally squirrel!  I also purchased 2 decorative kale plants for $6 to decorate my porch at the cabin for the rest of the fall season.  My friend purchased beautiful large mum plants, I think they were 3 for $20.  And she got a wonderful antique green cut crystal bowl for $3.  I don't think this vendor even knew what he had, but we did!  I bought a few other items but I'm not sure yet which ones I'm going to keep and which ones I may sell at the barn sale, I just couldn't pass up the great deals I was seeing!  If you like flea markets and picking through some junk to find your treasure than this would be a sale to check out!  And I'm checking out . . . for now!  See you shopping!

OH, THE PLACES YOU'LL SHOP!

Exterior of Fabulous Finds

Wow, sorry, its been awhile since I posted.  I've just been so busy shopping and working on the Big Barn Bonanza (shameless plug for my own sale set for Sat. 10/29 and Sun. 10/30, see prior and upcoming posts for details) I haven't sat down long enough to write!  But I'll try to update you now with my adventures of the past couple weeks.

A couple weeks ago I FOUND FABULOUS FINDS.  Its the cutest little new shop in Columbia.  Mary Fitzgerald is the owner, she was also the original owner of the old Curtain Call in O'Fallon and worked some for Elements Off Main in the past.  Her new show Fabulous Finds is located at 315 North Main in Columbia.  The shops phone number is 281-1954.  She's peddling fashion, food, furniture and other "finds" including repurposed items, gently used items and seasonal merchandise.  She's carrying brands such as Wind & Willow, Country Home Creations, Copper Leaf and Rabbit Creek.  Her hours are Tues., Wed., and Fri. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thurs. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sat. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  I LOVED her selection of jewelry and accessories, and sooooo reasonably priced!

Inside Fabulous Finds

Speaking of shops, another great find was Consign and Design in O'Fallon IL.  The shop is located at 1727 West Highway 50 and they can be reached at 622-9443.  Its a wonderful home decor and furniture consignment shop.  They have just beautiful gently used furniture and decor to spruce up your home with.  Baubles for inside and outside your home.  And their prices were very reasonable.  I took home a sweet little rag rug for the cabin for just $5.  The friend I was shopping with bought a few Longaberger baskets with liners and protectors at great prices and a couple other pieces to decorate her new log home with.  The owner, Bernie, is super nice and great to chat with.  We had so much fun shopping that day!  I can't wait to have an excuse and the time to go back up there and shop.  The merchandise turns over frequently with such a great selection and super prices.

Check back in the next few days, I've got a post coming on the Maeystown Oktoberfest and the Wentzville Flea Market.  And of course more photos and info on the BIG BARN BONANZA!