Business with pleasure

I finally returned to The House of Goodwill in January, and was able to complete painting the hallway molding.  (Exciting, I know.)  But just as I was getting started and feeling excited about making some progress, I had to return to the home/house for three weeks of marketing work I had lined up.

The start/stop is frustrating; I'm about halfway through my work on the house and I just want to get it done.

But I won't be able to get back to work again for another week and a half.  Then, as far as I know, I can stay for a while and focus on finishing it.

Meanwhile, I'm doing some marketing work, which has consisted (this week) of delivering advertising materials to businesses.  

So, it just so happened yesterday that I had a window in the afternoon of about two hours of down time between stops when nowhere I needed to go was open.  And it just so happened that my last stop before this break was two miles from a huge antique mall that I haven't been to in over a year.

So it only made sense for me to kill some time at the antique mall, right?  Of course!

In the middle of a long, boring work day, it was over an hour of joyous wandering, perusing antiques and eating a pop tart.  I'm not sure it gets better than this.

Here are some of the random, interesting things I saw:

This Nashville antique mall is enormous.  While I've bought a few things there, the prices are on the higher end since it's in the city.  So it was more looking than shopping.

When you're used to thrifting and craigslisting, city antique stores always seem expensive.  (Not that the stuff isn't worth it!  I think antiques are often much better made and higher quality than most modern furniture, and are still often cheaper or at least comparable with the cost of new stuff.)

One thing I noticed: when you're used to Goodwill and having to wash everything you bring home, or clear layers of dust in the store, you definitely appreciate being able to clearly see everything you're looking at. 😉

I thought this watercolor painting was really charming.  Whenever I see something like this, it makes me want to start painting.

A closer view.  

Why buy a generic "art" print that matches your curtains, when you could buy a cool, original piece of art like this?

I saw these BEAUTIFUL bird pictures that stopped me in my tracks, marked down to $45 for the pair.

The tag said "crewel work."

A closer view.  

Unfortunately, there looks to be a little mildew (?) on this one, but it's still beautiful.

Look at the water droplets the bluebird is shaking off!

Again, such detail!

Look at the seeds!  And the snow on the tree and feeder!

I wish the scene at my feeder was this diverse.  😀

Being an extreme novice when it comes to sewing, though I've heard the term "crewel work" many times.  I could not tell you exactly what it is.

I just know that when I see it, I think it's amazing!

Wikipedia gave me this definition:

Hmm.  I wonder how difficult it is to do?  As amazing as I think it is, I doubt I'll ever learn it.  I've started crocheting this year and I appear to be quite a slow learner.  I don't have enough years in life for all of the interests I want to pursue, so I'll probably have to settle for buying other people's crewel work...

Here's one more pic from my phone, that shows some of the intricacies:

So beautiful!  I hope this does not become a lost art.  And it's always a good day when you learn about something new.

I kind of regret not buying the birds, it made me so happy just seeing the pictures again.

I saw this book, started paging through it, and knew I wanted to read it:

I remember seeing old pages from "Godey's Lady's Book" when I was a kid (THE original woman's magazine from the mid 1800's) - not sure where I saw them, but the pages always fascinated me.

I still love reading them when I see them.

I had never heard of Sara Josepha Hale, or was aware of her accomplishments, but what a woman!

I can't wait to read this!

I did buy it.  I wasn't sure I'd ever see it again.

And finally, I saw this:

A smaller acrylic & crystal light fixture for $65.  

(In my opinion, that's a great price for this antique mall.)

If the metal was painted a different color, how pretty it would it be?

If only I had somewhere in my house to put it!

I really have an obsession with beautiful glass (especially colored glass).

Anything with crystals always captures my heart.

I love this!

I ended up using my Christmas gift money to buy the book and a little waterford vase.  (Thanks Mom and Dad!)

"Just looking" is so hard!

But it was the best lunch break I've had in a long time!