Miss Mustard Seed Book Signing

Last week on December 11, my husband and I had the opportunity to go to a book signing at

 Summer Cottage Antiques in Petaluma.

Marian a.k.a. Miss Mustard Seed

 was signing her new book

  Inspired You.

We traveled part way down the evening before and the next day hit a few shops before the book signing.

You might be asking why I would travel almost two hours to meet Marian.  Well, about 3 years ago I was introduced to her blog by a friend.  I have followed Marian's journey of building her business.  Her story and projects were very inspiring to me.  I was interested in starting my own blog but was a little overwhelmed at the thought.  I wrote to her a few times and she very kindly answered back, encouraging me to go ahead and do it.  She told me all I needed was a few pretty photos and a brief sentence or two, and that it would help to grow my business.  So when I heard that she was coming to Ca. and not too far away from us, I was anxious to go.  It was also nice to meet and visit with fellow bloggers.

Here we are together in front of a display selling her line of Milk Paint.

Marian with Gen from Gracefully Worn  who stocks the Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint at Summer Cottage.

Michelle (owner of Summer Cottage ) & I.

Kate-Centsational Girl , Marian-Miss Mustard Seed, Maria-Dreamy Whites .

Even the husbands enjoyed visiting with each other telling fish stories and sharing building tips.  This is Jeff, Marian's husband and my husband, Danny.

And finally, here is Marian, signing my book.  If you have not had the chance to purchase your copy, I highly recommend it.  It is full of beautiful photos of Marian's home, tutorials and words of wisdom.

Thank You Gen and Michelle for hosting the book signing.  Thank You Marian for all the inspiration.  Thank You Maria and Kate for your blogging examples.  It was so good to meet many others that night, including a few (Michelle & Maria) who are where I was a few years ago and want to start their own blogs and businesses. If I can do it, anyone can. 

And Thank You Danny, my wonderful husband and business partner for the chance to work together every single day!

After almost 2 years of writing my own blog and owning our own store for a year, we are so happy to be able to be following our dream.  Please visit us on our Facebook page and like us there, Follow us here on the blog and come see us at our store,

The Vintage Bricoleur

3750 Taylor Road

Loomis, Ca 95650

Inside the High Hand  fruit sheds.

Soon I will share some photos of the beautiful store Summer Cottage Antiques in Petaluma.

Terry (one of the bricoleurs)

More of the TVB Anniversary

This has been such a busy month!  

With the One Year Anniversary, The Sacramento Antique Faire, busy days at the store as people prepare for the holiday and meeting Miss Mustard Seed in person.  

All in the first 10 days of the month!

But...

First things first, I want to share the rest of the photos from the Anniversary Celebration.

Our T-shirts are now available in the store. 

 Are you a bricoleur?  You might need one of these.

The front of our little store, people in-and-out all weekend long.

This is just a sampling of what we had available over the Anniversary weekend.  Many of the items here have found new homes.  

Thank you all for supporting us this past year.

The Vintage Bricoleur

3750 Taylor Road

Loomis, Ca 95650

Inside the High Hand fruit sheds.

Next up...

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Tutorial

Miss Mustard Seed Book Signing

Sacramento Antique Faire - New Location

Summer Cottage Antiques in Petaluma

Terry (one of the bricoleurs)

A Small Mantle Finished in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

This is the story of a Small Mantle.

 

A few months back as I was planning what I wanted for our Winter displays, I asked for a small mantle.  Something that looked vintage.  It just seemed that we needed one to complete the space in the store.  The other bricoleur assured me that it would be no problem to create one.  Well time went by and other custom orders were being completed and I still did not have the mantle.  By this time the first day of the celebration was approaching very fast. (like in two days)  He told me that he had started it but I did not see how it could be done in time.  So I started to think up a new display idea.

 

 

Well to make a long story short, The evening before the celebration, after we had been at the store for over 12 hours, we went home and finished it!  It really didn't take too long.  I sat on a stool while the other bricoleur worked away.  It took me back to the days when we were first married and we would stay up late in the garage building and creating things.

 

 

After it was built we took it inside to paint. (yes inside)  We laid out a tarp and painted away with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint - Old White. (The paint is very low VOC.) Now, this is another reason why I love this paint.  We did NOT sand or prime this piece.  We were also working with different wood surfaces.  Some had already been painted, some was raw and some stained.  It took only a few minutes to cover it.

 

  The next morning, we distressed it with some sandpaper and then gave it a coat of Clear Wax.  After a good buffing it was ready to go! 
We moved it into the space planned for it and opened the store doors about 30 minutes later!!!

 

So the piont of my story is, for one:

 I am married to a very capable and talented bricoleur. :)  He was sure of himself in knowing that it would not take too long to complete.  It turned out exactly how I had asked for it to be.

and two:

once again the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint was awesome!  By using it, it allowed us to complete a project very fast with beautiful results.

  

Also,

if YOU have a project that needs to be built, a custom order, a cabinet, shelf, farm table or mantle ;), contact us.  Danny (the other bricoleur) is very talented in creating just what you want.  Many times he uses reclaimed lumber, or wood that has been salvalged from an old barn.

 

And,

we sell the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint here in our store.  We carry paint, waxes, brushes, books, and offer classes.

Next Class, January 15,

Beginning 11-1:30

Intermediate 2-4.

 

The Vintage Bricoleur

3750 Taylor Road

Loomis, Ca 95650

Inside the High Hand fruit sheds.

Terry (one of the bricoleurs)



The Vintage Bricoleur is One

The Vintage Bricoleur is One.

  We celebrated our Anniversary last wekend with 20% off most items in the store, some great Giveaways, refreshments and fun visiting.

 

I am still working on editing the photos from my big camera, but I wanted to share some random shots from my iphone.

French wire shelf hanging just outside the door.

We always have a chalkboard with the definition of "bricoleur" displayed somewhere.  Here is one hanging over a vintage chest done in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint - Old White.

 Here the mantle that  Danny and I were working on up to the last minute.  I love the way it turned out. I will share more about how we created it soon.

The vintage newspaper books didn't last long.  This was a fun display.  It has many layers.  As items sold we just made adjustments to it.

 

There were lots of pretty winter decorations.

This adorable little snowman found a new home.

Snowshoes, tree globe, red table scrarf, paper mache snowman, and snowball candle.

  I love it all!

 

 Headbands and necklaces from Bombshell Betty Shop.

These are some of her leather cuffs. 

 I love mine!

 

Sparkly tree topper.

Scrabble ornaments and a "Let It Snow" hoop.

 

Vintage sheet music wrapped boxes.

Paper flower gift tags.

 

It you notice, most of the items are handcrafted and repurposed items.  We try to carry that theme throughout the store.  Everyone was so creative!  Sheet music, game pieces, hoops, buttons, hardware, leather, sewing notions and burlap were all used.

 

The back of our T-shirts. 

 Available now in the store.

 

 

Thank you for your support this past year.  It has been a good year and we are looking forward to the next one!  Come visit us.

 

The Vintage Bricoleur

3750 Taylor Road

Loomis, Ca 95650

Inside the High Hand fruit sheds.

 

Follow us on Facebook.

 

Terry (one of the bricoleurs)

 

 



TVB Anniversary Coming Soon

We are going to celebrate our 1 Year Anniversary soon!

 

My this year has flown by! 

It seems like just yesterday that we were doing this.  Framing up walls.

 

and this.  Painting.

 

 

yes, it is me. :)

 

We worked for a solid month. 

Early hours and late evenings to be ready for this!

 

  Our Grand Opening was Dec 1, 2011.

 

One of the windows on opening day,

and the other window.

And then, this is what it was like that night.  Sooo many people! 

Thank you so much for your support this past year!!!

 

So......

 Now a year later, we want to celebrate with you.  On

Nov. 30th, Dec.1 &2,
we will be offering a 20% off discount on most items in the store.  There will be some fun Giveaways, refreshments and fun visiting.

 

The night of Nov.30th 6pm will be the lighting of the High Hand Nursery.  Something you don't want to miss.  It is so beautiful!

 

 

  Come see us inside the High Hand fruit sheds.

 

The Vintage Bricoleur

3750 Taylor Road

Loomis, Ca. 95650

Tuesday-Saturday 10-5

Sunday 10-4.

 

Terry(one of the bricoleurs)