D. Johnson’s Antiques - best antique store in Canada!

“You have to have a passion for what you do!” Doug Johnson

D. Johnson’s Antiques is one of the best stocked shops in all of eastern Ontario, Doug and his shop are one-of-a-kind. Located just 1/2 mile north of the city of Cornwall, Ontario, on Hwy 138, with over 6,000 sq ft and more than 10,000 items on display. Doug has been in the antique and reproduction furniture business for 30 years and I’m proud to say that Doug is a good friend. I met Doug over 15 years ago, while I was shopping for antique furniture and over the years our friendship has grown. Doug and his wife Ann always make you feel welcomed, they are kindest and most generous people you can meet. And Doug has tons of stories to tell and wants his cool stuff to be your cool stuff so other people can enjoy it the same way he has. Did I mention he’s willing to ship?  “It doesn’t feel like a job to me. I get to hang out and talk with people all day.” says Doug. His shop is always an adventure, you never know what you might find, china, jewelry, old gates, windows, quilts, garden ware, collectibles, any type of furniture even the kitchen sink! The reproduction furniture is newly-made but with an aged look and is made out of wood that has been salvaged from old homes, barns and buildings. You can check out his website http://www.johnsonsantiques.com/ and find him on Twitter or swing by the shop everyday from 9am-5pm, I’m sure you will leave with a new treasure and a smile on your face. I love you Dougie!

Doug and Patches

http://www.johnsonsantiques.com/

Books: the Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry

Summary: Every gift has a price . . .

Every piece of lace has a secret . . .

My name is Towner Whitney. No, that’s not exactly true. My real first name is Sophya. Never believe me. I lie all the time. . . 

Towner Whitney, the self-confessed unreliable narrator of The Lace Reader, hails from a family of Salem women who can read the future in the patterns in lace, and who have guarded a history of secrets going back generations, but the disappearance of two women brings Towner home to Salem and the truth about the death of her twin sister to light.

The Lace Reader is Brunonia Barry’s first novel, published in 2006, and is a New York Times Bestseller. There is just so much to say about The Lace Reader that I’m sure I won’t do it justice. The writing is spectacular, the storyline is incredible, and the characters are just so well-developed. The characters in this book are so memorable -- all of them, not just one or two. The the story and characters in The Lace Reader have stayed with me for days! Probably one of the most memorable characters that I have “met” in recent years is Towner, the story’s narrator. I loved that she begins the book by admitting that she lies all the time. It made me question so much of the story. I can’t tell you any more of the story, (although I can share a few key words:  lace that tells the future, secrets, witches, romance, an old house, tunnels, dogs, the sea...) so you will just have to read it for yourself. This book has definitely earned a spot on my heart, pick it up, read it this summer and enjoy the magic!

Pick up the Lace Reader this summer and enjoy the magic!

The descriptions of lace in this book are so beautiful, lace can be found in so many objects

Enjoy the day at Finnegan's Flea Market

Real treasure lies not in what that can be seen, but what that cannot be seen. Author Unknown

I’ve been going to Finnegan’s Flea Market for over 17 years and always find some unique treasure to bring home. Finnegan’s is located in Hudson, Quebec at the west end of town in the fields of the Aird’s farm. The Aird’s started the market over 26 years ago and named it after their dog, Finnegan, as it was a “flea” market. Since then it has grown to include antiques and many handicrafts and has spread to encompass the whole field beside the Aird’s house and barns. Today you’ll find hand crafted goods (who knew birdhouses came in so many varieties), flowers, organic foods, artesian dog biscuits, paintings and collectibles of every kind. We always have lunch under the huge willow trees, they have the best bbq hamburgers, the food there even seems to taste better. And if you are a dog lover, bring your dog along, everyone seems to bring their dogs. Finnegan’s is the perfect weekend trip for the whole family, enjoy the atmosphere, enjoy the treasures, enjoy the food and support handmade/hand-grown!

Finnegan’s market is open Saturdays from the first Saturday in May to the last Saturday in October. Even though it opens at 9am in the morning (close at 4:00 pm), vendors - some of whom come from 100’s of miles away - line up as early as 2 am for a spot. Some show up every weekend. Others, only occasionally. Understandably, the better the weather, the more competition there is for the few non-reserved stalls. Finnegan’s is located at 775 Main Road, Hudson (Trans Canada Highway exit 22) and east of Montee Lavigne (Trans Canada Highway exit 17).

On our last visit I found lots of treasures for Crazy Fox, below are two new pieces, one made with the found treasures from the day. “Home” which includes a compass from the 1950s, vintage skeleton key and locket all on this one-of-a-kind necklace. The other is a vintage flower necklace “Summer Garden”. Originally I was going to transform it into something else however, it is so beautiful and delicate that it is going to stay the way it is. The woman I brought it from said it was from and estate sale and dated back to the 1930s. The rose flowers are made from brass and hand painted in the brightest colors, pink, aqua, orange, mauve and yellow. Perfect condition and can be worn with any summer outfit!

Compass, skeleton key and locket necklace, objects found at Finnegans - "Home"

1930's hand painted flower necklace - found at Finnegans - Summer Garden - SOLD

Over 150 vendors arrive at Finnegans every Saturday during the summer and early fall

GIVEAWAY - on Etsy Stalker

From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life. Arthur Ashe

Crazy Fox Studio is back on Etsy Stalker’s blog, in one of the gallery shadowboxes, with a wonderful giveaway! Etsy Stalker features artists who have been hand-selected to bring you variety, creativity and style. Check out this great blog that offers wonderful giveaways and highlight some worthy Etsy sellers through interviews and profiles, and share with other lovers of handmade goods.

Leave your comments all month and on August 7th, I’ll be picking 3 random winners! 1st prize, YOUR CHOICE of any NECKLACE on my site with free shipping. Pick any necklace you love and I’ll send it to you absolutely FREE! 

2nd prize are the below FEATHER EARRINGS “Mid Summer’s Eve” includes free shipping. I made these earrings with black and turquoise beautiful laced hen saddles feathers, and aqua guinea fowl feathers. These feathers are securely clamped and hang from decorative copper cone with a turquoise bead at the top. Earrings are 3.25 inches in length and hang from copper ear wires. They are lightweight and comfortable to wear and are perfect for a conjuring magic into your life! “Mid Summer’s Eve” will arrive gift wrapped with a vintage ribbon, ready for gift-giving or simply a gift for yourself.

And 3rd prize are the below VINTAGE BOBBY PINS “Starry Night” includes free shipping. These beautiful repurposed vintage Triad rhinestone earrings are mounted on to floral copper bobby pins (2 inch). They can be worn with pretty much anything from jeans to dresses to gowns! Incorporate these fun, feminine pieces into your wardrobe. “Starry Night” will arrive gift wrapped with a vintage ribbon, ready for gift-giving or simply a gift for yourself.

How to Enter:
1) Leave a comment on Etsy Stalker about your favorite piece of jewelry at Crazy Fox. (1 entry per day, please).

2) Follow Crazy Fox on Facebook, and leave a comment on Etsy Stalker with your Facebook user name saying you’ve done so.

3) Follow Crazy Fox on Twitter, and leave a comment on Etsy Stalker with your Twitter user name saying you’ve done so.

4) Follow the Crazy Fox blog!

Good luck and enter often!

2nd Prize - Feather Earrings - Mid Summer's Eve

3rd Prize - Vintage Bobby Pins - Starry Night

Hidden Treasures - Lachute Farmers’ Market Lachute, Que.

A box without hinges, key, or lid, yet golden treasure inside is hid. J. R. R. Tolkien

Flea markets are a shopper’s delight, a perfect source of hidden treasures. Historians trace “flea markets” to the unclean goods sold at an 18th-century bazaar near Paris. In the 1950s, farmers began selling produce and auctioning horses at the Lachute Market and now Lachute is opened all year round. The warmer the weather, the more vendors there will be. 15 acres with several hundred vendors in the summer months. The market is an ALL day affair starting with antiques at 5:00a.m. and finishing with a horse auction and western band in the afternoon. Over the years, the market has become the largest in western Quebec, but it retains its roots with wares ranging from horse saddles to live ducks.

WHERE: 25 Main St. (Highway 148), Lachute, Quebec
WHEN: Tuesdays, 5 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

What to Bring:
Comfortable shoes and several layers of clothing are a must. You’ll be walking for a long time and need to have comfortable shoes. Dress down, dress casual. Don’t forget the sunscreen and a hat to protect you from the sun. In addition, a pull cart or recyclable shopping bag will save you from trekking back to the car with your purchases. Remember to bring water and a snack. A wish list, but be flexible you never know what you could find. A measuring tape is great in case you want to measure an item. And MOST of all, bring plenty of cash (with lots of smaller bills), as most vendors won’t accept checks or credit cards.

Negotiate Flea Market Prices:
If you see something you like, don’t be afraid to ask the vendor if the price marked is the best he or she can do. They expect negotiation from customers at flea markets. Make sure you don’t show too much excitement when looking at the item, or they will know you are already going to buy it. And if you really like it don’t wait and go back for it later in the day because it may be gone. I’ve done that so many times and got mad at myself for not paying an extra $5.00! And arrive early, better parking and first choice at the items for sale.

And most of all have fun searching for those hidden treasures.

Pocket Watch Necklace - Sparrow's Song - SOLD - watch case and key were picked up at Lachute

Skeleton Key Necklace - Willow Sage - both items were picked up at Lachute flea market

Skeleton Keys, rhinestone buttons and locket necklace - Twin Sisters - SOLD

Add a little SPARKLE to your life!

For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream. Vincent Van Gogh

I love buttons, when I was a little girl my “nana” Stirling would give me a jar of buttons to play with to keep me amused. I would spend hours sorting through colors, shapes and sizes but my favorite were always the shiniest buttons the RHINESTONES.  Even when I was 5, I remember stringing the prettiest buttons onto ribbon and making necklaces for my mom, nana and of course myself. I loved the sparkle and beauty and thought my button necklaces were like stars in the sky. Over the years my button love has continued to grow and my necklaces are a reflection of that love. I find buttons at garage sales, auctions, thrift shops and flea markets. This pass weekend I found all the buttons in the below picture and have already created two necklaces from them, one is already sold and off to Washington! These buttons all have a story and we only have to close our eyes to hear their voices.

When it comes to collecting, nothing really beats antique buttons. Button lovers get crazy about their subject, and there are many online sites to wander through by searching such items as antique buttons, collectibles, antiques and Victorian buttons. There are button clubs, button conventions and button fairs, not to mention the fact that some buttons are truly valuable treasures. It’s really fun to learn how the different little treasures were made, too. Once you get started collecting antique buttons you are unlikely to ever stop. From rhinestone, glass, shell, bone, wood, to colorful composition to handmade buttons, the button search is on! So clear out a drawer and put some empty boxes and jars in it, then hit the antique stores, thrift shops, garage and estate sales and remember to add a little sparkle into your life.

I found these buttons at a local garage sale this past weekend.

Repurposed button necklace - Moonlight Reflection

Repurposed belt/button necklace - Starlight Reflection - SOLD

Skeleton Keys - Unlock Hidden Doors

The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence. Confucius

What waits for you behind the unopened door – perhaps it’s fate? 

The first locks and keys were probably invented by the Egyptians around 4,000 years ago, but since they were made of wood, they haven’t survived. Once keys and locks started being manufactured of metal, especially bronze, which doesn’t rust, they became collectibles. Skeleton keys consist of a bow (the part you turn), a handle and a combination (the part inserted in the lock.) Many of these antique and vintage keys have highly decorative designs on the bow. A set of Victorian keys in different sizes, for instance, might be beautiful when arranged and framed against a background of velvet. You can wear an ornate key as a necklace. You could even weld or glue several together to make an impressive brooch. If your home is older, leave them sticking out of door locks, or from the locks of cabinets, sideboards or pianos. String several together to create a unique wind chime. Tie a key onto a vintage bottle to create a unique flower arrangement. Try your luck at hunting down some vintage keys at garage sales, auctions or maybe your Grandmother has some in her basement just waiting for you to explore with some creative ideas. Who knows they may even unlock the door to your future...

When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us. Alexander Graham Bell

Skeleton Key Necklace - Mystic Journey - SOLD