With a week to re-group after the Bella Rustica show, I'm back in mega-production mode for CLF, and among the projects I'm hoping to finish is finding a unique way to utilize all these silver creamers and sugars! The above idea is 'all I got' at the moment! (I'm starting to pray for level ground...dry weather...and no blustery wind! Outdoor shows are so much fun but also very challenging!)
Even though my flip trip was abbreviated, I still managed to get a bit of wandering in, and my favorite stop in Franklin was Scarlett Scales Antiques (just off the downtown area).......
.....and LuLu (on the main road through downtown). My new favorite TN town is Leipers Fork (a short drive SW of Franklin).....the rural countryside around this area is absolutely stellar! The main draw in town is Puckett's restaurant, which serves great food and features talented musiciansthroughout the week. Serenite Maison was closed when I went through, but I have heard great things about this shop. I loved the old vine-covered train depot I came across on the backroads out of town. A quick stop in Bell Buckle yielded some good pickin's (don't miss the two antique malls BEHIND this row of shops) and leg-stretching before hitting the dreaded interstate. Phillips General Store was having an open house---they always have awesome displays. There is also a good restaurant--Bell Buckle Cafe--among the main row of shops. So much to see....so little time!
I'd forgotten how beautiful the Tennessee countryside was and seeing the show venue for the first time was exhilarating! Pulling into the farm entrance you encounter a long tree-lined drive leading to the farmhouse..... ....with the show area situated all around the barns.....an absolute perfect setting for a gorgeous fall weekend show! On the front lawn lunch was served to the vendors (what a nice surprise!) with BBQ, sweet tea, and homemade pies! Everything about this unique show was carefully planned and amazingly carried out by the dynamic duo below--- Art Woods and Linda Lindley of AGAPE (our show sponsors) and all the wonderful volunteers who made this event such a huge success!
Pictured below is the ranch owner Mr. Frank Ingram (Taproot Farm) who came around and personally thanked everyone for their contributions to this effort. Also volunteering their time were the many local musicians who blew us away with their amazing talent--their music really gave life to the show, and it was great to be able to meet some of them.... ....like Goose Gossett (goosegossett.com), Kyle Knutson (on Facebook) and Alison Joy Williams (Alisonjoywilliams.com) pictured with Brenda below. We were directly across the aisle from the Magnolia Pearl collection and enjoyed the fashion show as everyone tried on clothes, boots and hats the whole weekend! There were so many quality dealers with amazing offerings! It was interesting to see how the barns and stalls were utilized....every nook and cranny held unique treasures.
And just when I thought I had seen it all....I discovered a new use for gutter screens hanging from the rafters!
Another vendor/blogger Kim from Kim's Collectables and Treasures was set up in our tent, and it was great fun getting to know her.....she makes the very cool jewelry pictured below and so much more! Keep your eye on these two talented young artists because they are rocketing to notoriety quickly......Deann of Deann Designs (far right) with her beautiful paintings.... ....and Michael West of West Vintage Trading Company
.....with his cool signs and unique antiques.
And this is how our booth turned out..... .......it all got just a little bit lost in the white expanse of the tent, and it was tricky getting everything to stand upright (I haven't done an outdoor show for a few years so I forgot how to deal with stuff like windy conditions and uneven ground), but it finally all came together! Sharon's amazing artwork (Hunter's Crossings) was so stunning! Her killer junk crosses were a HUGE hit..... ....as were her awesoome concrete pine cones, pumpkins and angel wings! I didn't have the time or energy to wander the surrounding area as much as I had hoped (I needed to get home to go with my Kayla to the Children's Hospital in ATL) but I know I will return to Franklin, TN very soon!
~It's all about the thrill of the hunt and cruisin' backroads searching for rusty gold. Rummaging for cool pieces of antiquity is only part of the adventure. Next comes the challenge of re-purposing into new creations with updated functionality. Favorite finds are architectural iron, wood salvage, industrial, lighting fixtures, automobilia, farm salvage, and old hardware. But the real story, which always transcends the pickin', is about the interesting people and the unique places discovered along the way!~
With a week to re-group after the Bella Rustica show, I'm back in mega-production mode for CLF, and among the projects I'm hoping to finish is finding a unique way to utilize all these silver creamers and sugars! The above idea is 'all I got' at the moment!
(I'm starting to pray for level ground...dry weather...and no blustery wind! Outdoor shows are so much fun but also very challenging!)
Even though my flip trip was abbreviated, I still managed to get a bit of wandering in, and my favorite stop in Franklin was Scarlett Scales Antiques (just off the downtown area).......
.....and LuLu (on the main road through downtown).
My new favorite TN town is Leipers Fork (a short drive SW of Franklin).....the rural countryside around this area is absolutely stellar!
The main draw in town is Puckett's restaurant, which serves great food and features talented musicians throughout the week.
Serenite Maison was closed when I went through, but I have heard great things about this shop.
I loved the old vine-covered train depot I came across on the backroads out of town.
A quick stop in Bell Buckle yielded some good pickin's (don't miss the two antique malls BEHIND this row of shops) and leg-stretching before hitting the dreaded interstate.
Phillips General Store was having an open house---they always have awesome displays.
There is also a good restaurant--Bell Buckle Cafe--among the main row of shops.
So much to see....so little time!
I'd forgotten how beautiful the Tennessee countryside was and seeing the show venue for the first time was exhilarating! Pulling into the farm entrance you encounter a long tree-lined drive leading to the farmhouse.....
....with the show area situated all around the barns.....an absolute perfect setting for a gorgeous fall weekend show!
On the front lawn lunch was served to the vendors (what a nice surprise!) with BBQ, sweet tea, and homemade pies!
Everything about this unique show was carefully planned and amazingly carried out by the dynamic duo below--- Art Woods and Linda Lindley of AGAPE (our show sponsors) and all the wonderful volunteers who made this event such a huge success! 
Pictured below is the ranch owner Mr. Frank Ingram (Taproot Farm) who came around and personally thanked everyone for their contributions to this effort.
Also volunteering their time were the many local musicians who blew us away with their amazing talent--their music really gave life to the show, and it was great to be able to meet some of them....
....like Goose Gossett (goosegossett.com), Kyle Knutson (on Facebook) and Alison Joy Williams (Alisonjoywilliams.com) pictured with Brenda below.
We were directly across the aisle from the Magnolia Pearl collection and enjoyed the fashion show as everyone tried on clothes, boots and hats the whole weekend!
There were so many quality dealers with amazing offerings!
It was interesting to see how the barns and stalls were utilized....every nook and cranny held unique treasures.
And just when I thought I had seen it all....I discovered a new use for gutter screens hanging from the rafters!
Another vendor/blogger Kim from Kim's Collectables and Treasures was set up in our tent, and it was great fun getting to know her.....she makes the very cool jewelry pictured below and so much more!
Keep your eye on these two talented young artists because they are rocketing to notoriety quickly......Deann of Deann Designs (far right) with her beautiful paintings....
....and Michael West of West Vintage Trading Company 
.....with his cool signs and unique antiques.
And this is how our booth turned out.....
Sharon's amazing artwork (Hunter's Crossings) was so stunning! Her killer junk crosses were a HUGE hit.....
....as were her awesoome concrete pine cones, pumpkins and angel wings!
I didn't have the time or energy to wander the surrounding area as much as I had hoped (I needed to get home to go with my Kayla to the Children's Hospital in ATL) but I know I will return to Franklin, TN very soon!
