Based on the long line of people waiting in the rain to get into the Farm Chicks Antique Show this morning, I'd say moving the event to Spokane from Fairfield was a good decision. The place was still packed, but not claustrophobically so, like the tents in Fairfield two years ago.
There was inspiration aplenty--so many adorable projects and products, whether they were made 100 years ago or made by hand by a crafter just in time for the show. Some projects--like the fabric tree and the felt cake below--are similar to ideas I've had on my crafty to-do list for months, so it was fun and surprising to see other people conjure up and create them. The rest will serve as inspiration for years to come (wouldn't the little cabinet with small drawers make a great advent calendar???).
I tried for a while to write down which vendor was selling what, but I lost track. Sorry. Here's a link to all the show's vendors.
I can tell you the amazing paper flowers (yes, those are made from paper) are by Mary and Nathan Eberle, owners of Anemone Handmade Paper Flowers. They sell their flowers in shops around town and rent them out for weddings--which is how they got their start. They made all the flowers for their own wedding several years ago, and friends were so impressed they convinced them to go into business.
Update: OK, I took my lazy brain off the shelf and was able to remember a few of the vendors responsible for some of the items below. The flour sack bags are by Arlene McComas; the baby pillows in the crib are from Kitschy Kitschy Koo; and the repurposed T-shirt and skirt are from December's Child. She sold patterns, by the way.
Lots of photos here. Sit back and enjoy the show (sans crowds and rain-soaked pant legs).
I know Mary (of paper flower fame) from directing a play with her, and she and her family are so deserving of the success they have had. I have flowers of theirs on my table right now in fact!
I found your blog through the Ohdeeoh contest, and am excited, since I am a Spokane gal myself. I missed the sale, since my little ones are sick, but it's probably better - I never can leave a show like that empty handed!
Posted by: ivymae | June 08, 2008 at 09:54 PM
How great to hear from you, Ivymae, and how funny that it was through Ohdeedoh that you found me. That crazy Al Gore and his World Wide Web--it really does deserve its name.
I wrote a story about Mary and Nathan and their flowers a couple years ago for a magazine I was editor of at the time. They were so humble and talented and fun to talk to. It was great seeing them again at the Farm Chicks.
Sorry you couldn't make it this year. I went again at the end of the day today hoping for a great bargain on a dollhouse (no such luck) and vendors said customers wiped them out. Sounds like it was a big success.
Posted by: Megan | June 08, 2008 at 11:59 PM
Your photos are wonderful! I am laughing because we have so much of the same things pictured on our sites! Great minds think alike. I thought you would have been too sick to go. We were actually probably there at the same time...I wish I would have called!
Posted by: mrs. french | June 09, 2008 at 05:50 PM
I had a feeling we'd shoot photos of a lot of the same stuff. No worries about not calling. I was pretty drugged up. Glad to see (on your blog) that you had a good time here in Spokaloo. It really is a great city. Wish it hadn't rained on you the whole time. It's still coming down now. Ug.
Posted by: Megan | June 10, 2008 at 12:02 AM