I am sure that I am not the only one among us who often embarks on adventures, hoping to happen upon that elusive find. It has been a while since I had a satisfying
Quest, but this last weekend my mom and I set forth and traveled afar in pursuit of bounty. We were well prepared for our mission, laden with picnical nourishment. It was a wonderful day for a picnic, and a picnical day for a lark. As you can see above, I was quite successful in the hunt.
We headed out early, driving south on Route 29 towards Ruckersville, Virginia, which is just south of Charlottesville. (Charlottesville is home to
a particular Virginia University, and though my loyalties lie
elsewhere in the state, I can admit that their institution is not without worth.) Our destination was the intersection of routes 29 and 33. Our first stop was the Greene House Shops Antique Mall (14843 Spotswood Trail, Ruckersville, VA 22968. 434-985-2438). I can give the establishment two thumbs up for variety, prices and ease of navigation. I found a ton of items, and nearly left with an antique ironing board. Our next stop was across the intersection, to a row of shops. We started at the far end, with a shop called Backwoods Antiques (14936 Spotswood Trail, Ruckersville, VA 22968. 434 990-4232). It held some potential for some diamonds in the rough, if you didn't mind searching amongst some
fewments... I didn't find anything that called to me, but my mom bought a little something. When she asked for a bag, she was reluctantly given a bag from a trash can, complete with bloody tissues and other unmentionables, which we discovered when we returned home. (I pondered whether I should include that bit, but I figure if you're going to pull that kind of stunt in this day and age, you'd better be ready for it to hit the interwebs.)
The next stop was the shop nextdoor, Rambling Rose Antiques. (14926 Spotswood Trail, Ruckersville, VA 22968-3033. 434 985-2932) I had better success here, most notably several wood and metal pulleys with great charm. The photo above is taken from the intersection towards this row of shops. The nearest shop was our next stop, and as you walk down the sidewalk you approach Rambling Rose and Backwoods.
I found armloads of goods at the Country Store Antique Mall (14918 Spotswood Trail, Ruckersville, VA 22968. 434 985-3649). This was where I fulfilled my obligation of finding the heaviest, most awkward to carry items. The store is pretty big, and very full with a pretty good selection, but we happened to be there at the same time as every other shopper in the Greater Ruckersville Area, so navigating through some narrow spots and between oblivious customers was frustrating at times. But I wouldn't hold that against the establishment. A note to anyone considering a visit, they only take cash or check.
Our next stop was the
Antiquers Mall (8287 Seminole TrailRuckersville, Virginia 22968. 434 985-1977) It's a bit down the road from the intersection we had been prowling, and you'll know it when you see the giant statues and yard art out front. (Hence the bull above.) This shop had the widest aisles, making navigation easier, which was especially useful because I picked up a long wooden yoke pretty early on. The range of items catered a little higher class than I typically shop - I like to find the junk and clean it up myself, and nicer antiques are not likely to withstand the daily stampedes at my house. But I found plenty of pieces nonetheless. Our last stop was Cattail Creek Antique and Garden, which was on our way home, just north of the intersection. (9157 Seminole Trail, Ruckersville, VA 22968-3320. 434 990-0090) It's a nursery and an antique/gift shop. I was hoping they would have a
fiddle leaf fig tree, but alas they were sold out. Next time... The plants looked fabulous, the setting is amazing, and the shop is charming. I would call it less of an antique shop than a gift shop, but it is very well curated and pairs very nicely with the garden theme.
But you want to see more of the bounty, right? I will relent and show you some closer shots of my spoils (or tower of junk, as my husband called it).
But I may allow myself some time to rest, because Questing is a tiring business.
I knew I had to do a post about this shop as soon as I saw it. I've done posts on decorating with dogs, but what about decorating FOR dogs?
Wouldn't your hounds love some artwork that fit their tastes?
Run over to straydogarts and fetch a Kong or tennis ball. There is a whole section of Art For Dogs. Sniff around the website, too. Meanwhile, I'll be looking for the perfect spot on the wall... maybe above the leash rack in the mudroom...
It desperately wants to rain today, but the clouds can't seem to get their act together, so it's mostly just grey. A few sprinkles here and there, but no real rain. (Vintage umbrella from bellalulu above, starburst pillow from yorktownroad.)
Felted slippers, onstail.
Gray willow branches by GollyBard.
Gray pussywillow sachets, SewnNatural.
Collection of vintage motorcycle mirrors, ethanollie.
3 baby pears, elementclaystudio.
Vintage baby cup collection, calloohcallay.
Vintage industrial mirror on tripod, bellalulu.
Vintage platinum starburst teacups from amye123.
Some recent shots of the studio - not cleaned up, clay everywhere.
Inspiration board, bulletin board, letterpress trays, vintage T square. It's interesting to see the evolution of what winds up tacked to the boards over time.
Above the utility sink, calipers as paper towel holder.
Clock, chalkboard, gourd owl, raku bowl, shadow boxes, one of my first pottery pieces, a tiny mason jar, plant, remote controls.
Plants by the window and a salt lamp.
The plant is growing through a rake, and you can see my (paternal) grandfather's fishing poles in the corner.
I think the paperclip on the side held a piece of paper, probably a list of channels. I use the contraption for pens in the studio. I also keep his plumb line handy.
Succulent closeup.
While antique shopping this weekend, I stumbled into a find that was not in fact vintage, but better. This tiny bottle is wood fired, with a great shino glaze.
It isn't signed, but I recognized the stamp near the bottom. It's a Kevin Crowe. I'm so glad to have rescued it from obscurity, and to give it a home that appreciates the piece.
Here are the shelves I got from Ikea - all set up and drying pottery already. They're set up in the closet, next to a black milkcan full of willow branches (and a wooden spigot). The antique bread box belonged to my grandfather.
This one loves spending time in the studio.
I am sure that I am not the only one among us who often embarks on adventures, hoping to happen upon that elusive find. It has been a while since I had a satisfying Quest, but this last weekend my mom and I set forth and traveled afar in pursuit of bounty. We were well prepared for our mission, laden with picnical nourishment. It was a wonderful day for a picnic, and a picnical day for a lark. As you can see above, I was quite successful in the hunt.
We headed out early, driving south on Route 29 towards Ruckersville, Virginia, which is just south of Charlottesville. (Charlottesville is home to a particular Virginia University, and though my loyalties lie elsewhere in the state, I can admit that their institution is not without worth.) Our destination was the intersection of routes 29 and 33. Our first stop was the Greene House Shops Antique Mall (14843 Spotswood Trail, Ruckersville, VA 22968. 434-985-2438). I can give the establishment two thumbs up for variety, prices and ease of navigation. I found a ton of items, and nearly left with an antique ironing board. Our next stop was across the intersection, to a row of shops. We started at the far end, with a shop called Backwoods Antiques (14936 Spotswood Trail, Ruckersville, VA 22968. 434 990-4232). It held some potential for some diamonds in the rough, if you didn't mind searching amongst some fewments... I didn't find anything that called to me, but my mom bought a little something. When she asked for a bag, she was reluctantly given a bag from a trash can, complete with bloody tissues and other unmentionables, which we discovered when we returned home. (I pondered whether I should include that bit, but I figure if you're going to pull that kind of stunt in this day and age, you'd better be ready for it to hit the interwebs.)
The next stop was the shop nextdoor, Rambling Rose Antiques. (14926 Spotswood Trail, Ruckersville, VA 22968-3033. 434 985-2932) I had better success here, most notably several wood and metal pulleys with great charm. The photo above is taken from the intersection towards this row of shops. The nearest shop was our next stop, and as you walk down the sidewalk you approach Rambling Rose and Backwoods.
I found armloads of goods at the Country Store Antique Mall (14918 Spotswood Trail, Ruckersville, VA 22968. 434 985-3649). This was where I fulfilled my obligation of finding the heaviest, most awkward to carry items. The store is pretty big, and very full with a pretty good selection, but we happened to be there at the same time as every other shopper in the Greater Ruckersville Area, so navigating through some narrow spots and between oblivious customers was frustrating at times. But I wouldn't hold that against the establishment. A note to anyone considering a visit, they only take cash or check.
Our next stop was the Antiquers Mall (8287 Seminole TrailRuckersville, Virginia 22968. 434 985-1977) It's a bit down the road from the intersection we had been prowling, and you'll know it when you see the giant statues and yard art out front. (Hence the bull above.) This shop had the widest aisles, making navigation easier, which was especially useful because I picked up a long wooden yoke pretty early on. The range of items catered a little higher class than I typically shop - I like to find the junk and clean it up myself, and nicer antiques are not likely to withstand the daily stampedes at my house. But I found plenty of pieces nonetheless. Our last stop was Cattail Creek Antique and Garden, which was on our way home, just north of the intersection. (9157 Seminole Trail, Ruckersville, VA 22968-3320. 434 990-0090) It's a nursery and an antique/gift shop. I was hoping they would have a fiddle leaf fig tree, but alas they were sold out. Next time... The plants looked fabulous, the setting is amazing, and the shop is charming. I would call it less of an antique shop than a gift shop, but it is very well curated and pairs very nicely with the garden theme.
But you want to see more of the bounty, right? I will relent and show you some closer shots of my spoils (or tower of junk, as my husband called it).
Having been to the antiques cluster of Ruckersville, Virginia, I can say that I will not have been there just Once, but will Quest there again in the Future.
... at what I've been working on lately.
Hedgehogs.
And nests.
And a few other prototypes in my last kiln harvest.
Now that I'm trying to step up throwing pottery at home, I have found that I need more shelves. I've been setting pots all over the place to dry, covering all my work surfaces. I also need some metal shelves to set up near the kiln, for pots that are waiting to go in/have just come out. The other day I saw a mention of the Ikea Hyllis shelves, and they seemed like just the thing I needed for both problems. So off I went to Ikea after work, and after a lot of wandering and looking through the displays, and then wandering and less happily looking through the warehouse aisles, I found the shelves (not where the piece upstairs had directed me, nor where the internet had directed me). But I digress. At $15 a bookshelf, I believe these galvanized steel shelves were worth the hassle. And once I found the bigger Phillips head screwdriver to actually grip the screws, it wasn't that hard to put together. I have two in the studio now, and I'll put the shelves in the garage together soon. I will post pictures later, but in the meantime, here are a few I found on the interwebs.
This picture appears to be from a catalog. I like all the pots and plants and books.
I found this one on Flickr.
I had to include this 
