Around The Mulberry Bush

The Skeleton Key

I don't pretend to know all the "Ins, Outs, or Secrets" to running an Antique Mall.

But I do know one thing for sure...

I. Love. My. Dealers!

They are such a talented group of people.

And they are so dedicated and passionate about sharing

their love for vintage and antique pieces.

I am the lucky one

who gets to see the joy in your face

as you reminisce about and purchase their items.

So, I thought I'd give you a little glimpse of them in my next few posts.

Today I'd like you to meet Mindy.

Mindy's business is called The Skeleton Key and

she has developed quite a following (including me!).

She is extraordinarily talented and creative!
She has a gift for repurposing vintage pieces into functional new items
and I'm blown away every time she brings new items into the store.

Take a look at a few of her past and present creations and you'll see what I mean!

Mindy showcases her items at The Mulberry Bush Vintage Market , The Beauty Shop in Clinton,

and on her facebook page The Skeleton Key.

She's so inspiring! And I'm blessed to call her my friend!

Thank You Mindy!

Enjoy!

Happy Birthday!

Five Years!

Already?!

At the urging of my friends Steve & Donna, I took the plunge from occasional retailer

to a full-time retail storefront five years ago today.

It's a big day!

I've often heard people call their store their 'Baby'.

I get that.

We bought our own building last year and it's true--it is kind of like having a child.

We named her (Lillie Pearl)

And though she's hardly a baby (she's 92 this year) we still tenderly care for her as if she were.

We longed for her. Spent many sleepless nights worrying, coddling, bathing, and bandaging her.

We dress her up special for the holidays, feed (fill) her with great merchandise, and are constantly grooming her to be a 'young woman' we are proud to show off to the world.

We swell with pride when others tell us how much they love her, and how special she is.

We have big dreams. And it warms our heart when we can share those dreams with others.

So, Happy Birthday to Lillie Pearl and The Mulberry Bush Vintage Market.

And many more!

Hugs!

The Key...

Such a small thing. Such a huge responsibility.

The key to success...

The key to knowledge...
The key to wisdom...
The key element...

But for me... right now... it is...

THE KEY TO MY NEW BUILDING!!!

{Do the Happy Dance with me!}

I closed my previous Antique Mall last year.

And I have missed it all SO MUCH!!

I missed my store. I missed my dealers. And I missed my customers.

So...after much prayer...Billy & I took the plunge!

We signed the papers

And, this past March, we bought a building in Downtown Clinton.

More posts to follow as we introduce you to...

The New

Mulberry Bush Antique & Vintage Market!

Hugs & Blessings!!

Extra! Extra! Read All About It!!

Sorry for the short notice
but TODAY is the last day to enter a blog giveaway
hosted by my daughter and her newest blog.

It's such an awesome blog idea and I just know it's going to be a hit!

Her blog is called Pedicures to Puddles.

And it is aimed toward all things boys.
Boy parties,
boy gifts (which are SO hard to find!),
and even Boy Moms.

Oh Boy!
(Sorry I couldn't resist).

Anyway...
Even if you're NOT a boy mom (like me)
you surely know a boy mom,
or have a grandson, nephew, or friend that you will need gifts for.

Her site even has great party ideas!
(I'm so proud of her and I think she's going to go viral!)

There are so many ways to enter
So HURRY ON OVER!!
And Good Luck!

Hugs!

Is It Really Wrong to Love a Light? (Part 1)

I'm in love...

...with a light.

That's right.

I just can't GET enough. BUY enough.

MAKE enough.

Chandeliers.

I've got no explanation for my weakness.

I've loved them for as long as I can remember.

They must be why I love fairy tales so much.

In my eyes a fairy tale's not worth watching unless it has a

beautiful, bright, sparkly chandelier.

I want to surround myself with them.

In any way, shape, or form.

So, I spent a few hours

making this one...

I painted the chandelier onto the glass of an old window frame,

covered it in bits of sheet music,

painted the frame black, and Voila!

Instant chandelier!

All the romance. And no electricity required!

I want more!

I must make more!

Women will see them!

Women will want them!

Women will love lights as much as I do!

Okay, My Fair Maids and Maidens!

I'm off to the far, far away land of Chandelierdom!

My Handsome Prince awaits!

Seriously? Wallpaper?

Amy and I went shopping at one of my favorite stores the other day.

And I came across a really hideously painted 'entry table',
'television table', 'table thingy'.

The price was great but the paint was...well, you decide for yourself

So, I started painting, and wallpapering, and enlisting the help of random folks just passing by.

No, seriously, that's just my friend Nancy who stopped by to say 'hi' and I promptly put her to work.

"Thanks My Friend!"

It took a bit of painting, measuring, cutting, and gluing but we did it!

And well, I'm just tickled pink at how great this turned out!

I hope you are too!

Here are some tips for achieving the best finish.

You can learn from my mistakes...

Use newspaper or butcher paper to make a pattern of the surface you're wanting to cover. Once you know that your pattern fits then cut your wallpaper (paying close attention to the pattern of the wallpaper so you get the best pattern centered on the piece)
Don't rely only on Mod Podge or only on the wallpaper glue to adhere your paper to the surface. You should wet the wallpaper just like you're going to hang it on the wall and adhere it in combination with the Mod Podge. It will take both to stick permanently.
After you've positioned your paper in the right place use an old credit card to smooth out any air/glue bubbles. Start in the center and work out. This will ensure that your paper lays smooth and gives a more professional look.
Once you get your wallpaper attached to the piece, and it has dried, take a fine toothed rasp, nail file, or piece of sandpaper and file/sand the outer edges where the paper meets the wood. This will give you a uniform 'painted' rather than a 'papered' look. You can go back in later with paint to cover up any rough areas.
When you are satisfied with the look spray or paint a clear sealer for protection.
In case you're wondering, for this table I used 2 different types of wallpaper and 1 piece of matte-finished gift wrap.

And that's all there was to it!

If you try this (or any other new projects you'd like to share)

then post a picture here so we can see how great they turned out!

Oh. And Note to friends...

...If you stop by to visit be prepared you may be put to work {grin}.

Hugs!

Pop!

So it was Spring Break.
Amy and the kids were coming to spend a couple of days with me at the store.

What could we do to have fun??....

I saw this recipe in a book and just HAD to give it a try.

So...We Made Marshmallow Pops!!!

It was so, so simple!

Here's our Prep Work...

First, we melted some almond bark in a wide bowl in the microwave--we used two different types (white almond bark and chocolate chips) and both were delicious.
Then we piled a few different types of cupcake sprinkles onto a platter.
We put skewers (the recipe called for popsicle sticks but I didn't have any so we used skewers--we just broke off the sharp point for safety) into each marshmallow (we used pink marshmallows I found at the grocery store--Yummy! and way cuter than the white ones!)

And then the fun began!

They dipped the marshmallow in the chocolate.

Swirled the covered marshmallow in the sprinkles.

And placed the finished product on a plate to dry! Voila!!

Easy Peasy!!

It really was Just That Simple!

And surprisingly good even for an adult!

Try it out and let me know what you think!

It was really a lot of fun and a great way to pass the time for the kids!

Enjoy and...
Sticky Hugs to ya!!

Deep in the Heart...

I recently had the opportunity to spend time back in Waco.

It was a bittersweet time.

Sad time spent grieving with my 'sister-friend' Deb and her family

over the loss of our Me-Maw.

And happy times shared with my own Mom, Dad, and sister.

I spent a few hours at Deb's house and

after walking around her yard I just knew I had to

share her little piece of Texas with you.

These are all pictures taken around her home.
And even though it's still early in the spring,
there's a little green peeking through.

It all just screams Texas doesn't it?

Look closely...

Do you see her daddy's boots?

Once the sedum starts growing to fill in this little wagon

it will be such a juxtaposition against the rusty metal hanging from the tree.

Love It!

Don'tcha just love old rusty stuff and cactus--or is it cacti? hmmmm.

Beautiful old cemetery fencing is

just the right touch around this cactus garden.

Just the right touches of wood, metal, and glass...

...and even a flower bed! {snicker}

Nope...

not every Texan owns a horse.

But a hitchin' post is always a great touch.

Gosh I had such a wonderful visit.
And though I was born and raised in Austin
it was in Waco that I spent the last 20 years
and raised my own family before we moved to Oklahoma.
I didn't realize how much I loved Waco until I was back there again.

Oh, how I miss home.