Artifacts - Bruce, MS

I am a distant cousin of Mrs. Claus....

2010-10-26T16:36:00.001-07:00

... and I have already had inbox messages from those in the know about that asking me to pass along special wishes to her. For instance... one of the items in a photo earlier in the month on this very blog will be packed in Santa's sleigh for a lucky Bruce lady. Yep. And that's all I'm going to say about that, BUT I'll be glad to pass along your wishes to Mrs. Claus. All you have to do is let me know!

Also, I wanted to post a quick update to let you know I have new wall decor in (including this piece that we've had before) And I couldn't wait until the next newsletter went out to share this pretty bedroom in a customer's home. People often ask me what colors this piece works well with -- well, here's your answer -- anything! The walls in this room are rich chocolate brown, but I've also seen it on blue, green, and even generic beige. It's a great accent piece.

Guys .... just want to have fun

2010-10-21T08:11:00.000-07:00

I'm always on the lookout for things that make good "guy gifts".... here are a few I've unpacked lately. Really cool "antler" lamps and these pretty (but not girly) oval leather boxes. I think the boxes would be perfect for holding the remote control, or for him to throw all that "pocket stuff" he normally throws all over the place. Keeping it contained instead of strewn everywhere!

Just Sayin'.....

2010-10-15T07:43:00.000-07:00

Gonna be all subtle and suggest you go to www.artifactsbrucems.com and check out the sale page. That's all I'm saying. Not going to force you to go. Not going to mention it again. You didn't hear it from me. I'm being SUBTLE, I tell you!

Birds on the Brain or just Bird-Brained??

2010-10-14T06:11:00.000-07:00

If you're talking about me the past few weeks, you'd be safe betting on the latter. :)

But, I have really enjoyed unpacking some of the little subtle birdy-themed items for the Christmas window this year. I will have some full-blown Christmasy birds to show you later, but wanted to let you see a little sneak peek of some of the other things.

Left: holder for cocktail napkins with a little bird to weight them down. Below left: A wire cookbook holder (with chains and weights to hold your cookbook open) is topped by a little birdy. Below right: One of my favorite sayings for a child's room -- "always kiss me goodnight" -- is featured on this pretty frame, along with A BIRD! :)

Holiday Open House November 4-7

2010-10-07T08:51:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Holiday Open House preview for loyal newsletter followers! As I said in the newsletter earlier this week, I will be posting updates here as I unpack holiday goodies, and give you updates on the new merchandise that is coming in!

Check back often and email me if you have any questions!

Left: Look at these gorgeous turquoise canisters!! I just got them in yesterday, but I've had these pretty brown vases with TURQUOISE drip design for a while now and I think the combination just POPS when they're put together! On the right: HUGE new hammered copper bowl that just arrived. Look, it takes up my whole countertop! Would be so pretty filled with holiday greenery or use it before then filled with pumpkins, gourds, fall leaves, etc.

Decorating Tips & New Customer Photos

2010-06-24T20:14:00.000-07:00

I'm delighted to be able to share photos of some great pieces from Atifacts in the new home of a young couple! You can see full details on the Customer Photo page of the website.

There is a design tip on there that I wanted to share here, though. They selected a baker's rack with some iron scroll work for their kitchen and mimicked the ironwork with a coat rack in the entry hallway. They also carefully repeated a leaf/vine motif (without overdoing it!!) by using an accent piece with that design in the entrance and taking the motif into the great room with lamps, lamp shades, and the design of the end tables.

Sometimes in a new construction it's difficult to make them look more like a home and less like a catalog or furniture showroom. This young couple selected a somewhat "distressed" piece with a rustic crackle-finish accent table for the entrance and it sets the tone with the look of an aged, collected piece and the use of a piece with a finish like this is a great way to put a personal stamp on a new house.

They are not quite finished decorating, and I look forward to seeing more photos in the months to come. They've gone a super job so far -- go check it out for yourself here: Customer Photos

The weather is toooooo nice.....

2010-04-16T13:38:00.000-07:00

.... and people don't come see me at Artifacts as much when the weather is nice! They're working in their yards. And if I could be doing anything I wanted to do... uh, I'd be working in *my* yard too, so I totally understand. :)

BUT to keep me from going nuts during times like these I rearrange and dust and redo and dust some more and move things and dust and when I'm finished I usually find something I forgot to dust. HA! AND I think about things I could do differently in the store.

One idea is to group furniture items by color. But I'm not sure I like that idea. As a shopper -- would I like the idea of seeing a furniture finish I like & then walking around & going, "Oh, there's another piece with that finish!" and feel like I've discovered something for myself OR would I like things just all in one place? Hmmmmmmm.... I could group funiture items by use - put all the sofa tables together, all the small cabinets together. But same question arises. Better to see it all or enjoy discovering things?

I know what *I* prefer as a shopper and a shop owner, but kind of wonder what my customers feel, so let me know either here or through email.

I also think about lines I'd like to add, and one thing someone suggested in a contest I ran a couple of years ago was a line of Mississippi pottery. I loved the idea, but I still haven't added it.
:( Now that is an item that I would group together, not spread among the other items at the store, so that means before I add it, I have to come up with a dedicated area for it! That means cleaning out a big section of the big shelves and lately I've gotten so many great vintage items and glassware and pottery, etc in that those shelves are fuller than ever!

And then there's bridal, graduation, gift registries. Is there something I could be doing different/better there? What about my sign that I used to put outside on the easel, why don't I use that anymore & where did it go? What theme is my big Christmas window going to be this year?

Seeeeeeeeeeeeee all the directions my mind goes just because the weather is tooooooo nice?? :)

Graduation Registry

2010-02-25T09:02:00.000-08:00

Remember back when you graduated from high school & you opened all those cards with cash and checks tucked inside?? Do you remember what you used that money for?? No? Well, neither do I, but I probaby spent it on milkshakes or hamburger & fries! I think seniors are so smart now to register for luggage and other items they can use in their "new life" as a young adult.

In the past two years students have registered with Artifacts and now have antique dressers, jewelry armoires, chairs, lamps, etc. to take with them to college and onward. Won't it be nice for them to look at those items in the future and think of the friends and relatives who honored their graduation by buying them?

We have some great items that would be perfect for graduates, and we feature them on our web page, and run CCJ ads about their registry with us. If you know a graduate, encourage them to pick out something (from us or from Jeffery's or someone!) so they'll have more than a meal or two at a fast food place to remember their place in the Class of 2010.

Ideas: Lamps, cedar-lined blanket chests, antique (and modern) vanities and dressers (which also make great laptop desks, designer chairs. Check out our website for photos & ideas or come by & see us for more details!

2010-02-10T11:37:00.000-08:00

February 2010
BRASS TACKS: essentials; realities as in the phrase "get down to the brass tacks"
--~*Happy Valentine's Day to the SWEETEST Customers!*~--

** Happy Valentine's Day! **

For the second year we have created special Valentine's Gift Certificates to make your gift-giving a little easier. And, as we've said before -- gifts from Artifacts are 100% Fat Free, 100% Sugar Free, and 100% Calorie Free! :) And thanks to a suggestion from Jennifer B., we can now safely add this line "and they don't wilt either!!"

Please remember, that we do not sell candy/sweets or flowers that offer those promises -- just treats for the home and for the heart! Last year we literally had someone who saw the ad in the CCJ drive in to get the calorie free candy....

** Stay Warm **

As I write this, the National Weather Service says: A STORM SYSTEM OFF THE SOUTHWEST CALIFORNIA COAST WILL TRACK EAST ACROSS NORTHERN MEXICO AND SOUTHERN TEXAS WEDNESDAY AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT. BY THURSDAY NIGHT AND FRIDAY...THERE ARE STILL MANY UNCERTAINTIES CONCERNING THIS FORECAST SUCHAS THE EXACT STORM TRACK AND THE AMOUNT OF MOISTURE AVAILABLE. HOWEVER...AT THIS TIME THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR A FEW INCHES OF SNOW SOUTH OF OXFORD AND TUPELO MISSISSIPPI...

Well, that's close enough to tell me I need to prepare to stay warm. The combination of that and the article about the upcoming Quilt Show (March 5-6 at the Multi-Purpose Building in Pittsoboro) made me think about old quilts. You can have your snuggies, and come to think of it, even the polar fleece throws I have on my own couch; I prefer quilts! I'm going to drag out some of mine, wrap up in them, and think of the sweet hands of my great-grandmother, both grandmothers and my own mother who made them.

I think I'm safe in saying nothing warms quite like a quilt...both the body and the heart. If you need an extra one or two yourself, we have some beautiful vintage ones in Artifacts right now. Some quilt tops too, just waiting to be turned into heirlooms for your family.

**On Trend**
The hottest thing in home decor right now seems to be sconces, lamps, and plates/chargers on easels. We had so many customers take advantage of our tax-free Super Bowl Sale weekend (Thanks Guys!!) and those three items seemed to be on everyone's list. I have also noticed homeowners with a traditional decorating style going for a touch of modern here & there. They find a lamp or an accent piece that has a definite mod look and from all reports, they are liking the blend.

I think this means more people are leaning toward 'eclectic' decorating which allows more freedom in what goes with what. These lamps are actually a perfect example of a transitional piece that would work in a very traditional home, or in one that tends to be more modern.

The shades are a traditional white, but have just a little bit of updating with that flared-drum shape and the bases have a very modern feel with the sculptural element of the connecting circles, but maintain a traditional warm color.

We are expecting (if the weather holds) a BIG home decor load this week. Lots of new wall decor, metal accents, and even some pieces that will work well in the garden (spring is coming, I promise!) I will upload photos to the website when it arrives, and check us out on FACEBOOK for new photos, too.

** Coming Soon **

It's hard to believe, but it's time for Graduation Registries! Last year we had three girls pick out unique furniture items like antique dressers, zebra print chairs, and jewelry armoires to remember their graduation well-wishers. When a graduate registers with us, we label their item in the store, run an ad in the CCJ, and put information on our website and on facebook about the registry. We then keep a list of payments from friends and relatives to the graduate will know who to send thank you cards to.

If you have any questions, or if you have a graduating senior in your family, come in with them and pick out something for them to enjoy as they start this new phase of their life!

Graduation Registry Ideas: Lamps, cedar-lined chests,antique (and modern) vanities that can also be great laptop desks like this one:

and designer chairs (like this one, as seen on Project Runway's Models of the Runway!!)

________________~~~*****~~~_______________

** Bookmark & Check Often **
Artifacts Web Page
Artifacts Blog
Artifacts on FaceBook
Artifacts Layaway Policy

InFocus Photography by Brett King
It's not too late to book Senior Portrait Sessions!

Bridal & Gift Registry
** See all selections by going to Bridal Selections Page **

Kendra Mays, Bride-elect of Conmetrius Wright
Shower, February 20, 2010 at Calhoun City American Legion

Charlsa Carr, Bride-Elect of Cooper McCachren
Shower February 21, 2010 in the home of Jill Ferguson of Bruce

Paige Lancaster, Bride-elect of Drew Ross
Shower February 28, 2010 at Methodist Corner in Calhoun City

Ashley Weaver, Bride-Elect of Jason Wingard
Shower March 6, 2010 at Methodist Corner in Calhoun City

Nikki Pope, Bride-elect of Kelly Raulerson
Shower March 28, 2010 in the home of June Vaughn of Bruce

Previous Registries
Kristen Richardson-Bill Burnett
Mrs. & Mrs. Marshall Box(nee Brandy Stewart)
Mrs. & Mrs. Brian Stewart (nee Kayla Harrell)
Mr. & Mrs. Steven Thrasher (nee Deidra Hardin)

Recipe of the Month
Bacon-Stuffed Mushrooms would make a great treat for your Valentine honey! These are my copy of those served in Olive Garden. Just as good, and.... a LOT cheaper, too!! HA!
And yes, I know if you're my facebook friend I already shared this with you, but now you can go print it out with pretty text and picture and everything!

Ho Ho Ho & Away We Go!!

2009-12-18T17:57:00.000-08:00

The Claus family (who are personal friends of mine, and possible distant relatives on Mrs. Claus' side....ahem) have given me some hints about what items to expect under your tree and in your stocking this year! Aren't you lucky I'm sharing with you!?? :)

There will be some new computers and electronics, so it's a good thing several of Santa's helpers are cruising the inventory at Artifacts for desks to hold them. Several of these helpers are thinking outside the box & checking out interesting sofa tables and even this cool fold-out table

which doubles in size when you pull out the supports on each side & fold out the leaves.

These helpers are also checking out some of our unique chairs like the ones pictured below to work at these computer desks

There's still plenty of time to help Santa out and find a great gift of home decor, wall art, furniture, or great stocking stuffers at Artifacts! And don't forget, a gift certificate is always the right size, color & fit! :)

New Kitchen Items - UPDATED!!

2009-10-28T20:18:00.001-07:00

I don't normally buy a lot of gifty type things, but it's nice to have something this time of year for those secret friend gifts, co-worker gifts, little happies for teachers, etc. So, when I saw these I decided to pick up a few!

They're measuring spoon sets with a decorative wall bracket to hold them! They come in hummingbird, rooster, flower & cross varities. The picture below is a 1 tbs. coffee measuring scoop in a heart design that comes with its own hanger.

Barbara asked for more detailed photos... so here they are -- closeups of each set !

Above: Funky Flowers
Below: Hummingbirds with flowers in bowl of spoons

Above: Crosses with "...and a dash of jog/hope/love/faith
Below: Roosters with sunflowers in spoons

Countdown to Holiday Open House!!!

2009-10-23T19:41:00.000-07:00

It's just two weeks from tomorrow that we'll have the store turned into .... well, a furniture/home decor/antique store with Christmas decorations in it! HA!

We don't try to compete with all the great Bruce area shops with Christmas decor, just add a little bit to our furniture & accessories during the holidays. As I said in a recent newsletter, after you decorate your home and tree with items from other are merchants, you can find something to put UNDER the tree from Artifacts!

This year we're offering something a little unique. We have Christmas Wish List tags with which you can tag merchandise so your friends and family will know just what you really are hoping to find under the tree. A couple have already found their way onto some furniture items in the store! The deal with these is -- as many people as desire can "wish list" an item, but the first person (or person's family member, etc) who puts money down or buys it outright gets it and a "Santa has this item reserved for....." tag is added. All the other wish list tags are then taken off. All's fair in love, war & layaway, right!?

I hope to have new photos on the web page and facebook, (hello, all you facebook friends who like to see everything FIRST!!) after we finish doing some rearranging and remodeling this weekend.

Bookmark on your computer these VITAL websites! I try to cross-post pictures/information on all of them, but who knows what you might miss if you don't check them ALLLLLLL!

Artifacts Web Page (sign up for our email newsletter while you're there!)
Artifacts Blog
Artifacts on Facebook

Lots of new goodies in.... and they're probably germ free!

2009-09-24T21:02:00.001-07:00

I've been sick since Sunday -- running fever non-stop -- so I've been mostly banned from the store. Mike & Brett have been busy rearranging and filling up the spots from the pieces that were sold or went on layaway last week. They've also unpacked lots of new home decor. I was allowed to go down today & point at what I wanted them to do!

If you check out the Furniture and Home Decor page on the website, or check out the September album on my Facebook Page you can see shots of most of the new things.

More furniture and home decor coming next week if nothing happens (and I stop running fever.... gah).

Heading toward fall

2009-09-03T21:42:00.000-07:00

Don't you just love fall? I love the colors, the weather, everything. I have been dragging out my fall decorations and putting them around the house this week and it just has me in the mood for hayrides and pumpkin carving and.... well.... stuff like that. :)

This is also the time of year I think about where I'm going to move everything to make room for Christmas decorations and "do I really want that table anymore??" Seems like I do more fall cleaning/purging than I do in spring!

Also, not too early to start thinking about Christmas presents... I just hate waiting until November and December and feeling like everybody beat me to the good stuff! Just this week I've had emails or calls from three people planning their Christmas lists, so it might be a good time to get started on yours! Call me if you need help trying to figure out what to get ME... ha!

And.... VOILA!

2009-08-19T19:47:00.000-07:00

I was just about to post a photo I took of a new style baker's rack we got in today. I had actually purchased it for a customer who thought it might be the perfect piece for her home & I thought, what the heck, if it's not, it will be the perfect piece for someone else.

BUT.... she stopped in, picked up the piece and has already emailed me a photo showing it in her kitchen completely accessorized! VOILA!

Well, she may actually get angry at me for posting this photo so soon because she says she isn't finished accessorizing. This piece was perfect to hold her collection of cookbooks, and she needed to access a light switch so a tall piece was out. With this nice medium sized baker's rack she can still access the switch and has tons of room for her cookbooks. I can't wait to see it when she "does a little better decorating" as she said, because I think it already looks great!

There's ugly... then there's.... OOOOGLY.

2009-08-01T13:21:00.000-07:00

And this year, we have a truely oooogly entry in the Ugly Lamp Contest at the Calhoun County Fair!! Yes, a lamp so bad it's hard to imagine why anyone designed it, then why anyone would make it, then why anyone would BUY it... :)

But first, here's a shot of all 9 entries (nearly TRIPLE last year's number!! woohoo!!)

The lamp below was the "born ugly" winner -- this lamp started life as a kerosene lamp base. And frankly, I think the right shade on it would make it kind of attractive. But, I didn't over-rule the fair judges on it!

Then, there's this little lamp, which clearly started life as a fairly normal lamp with a bit of a wild side to it - (note the animal print trim on the shade). But then, someone decided a little bit of a good thing is never enough & went full scale safari on this baby.... so this is the winner of the "made ugly" division.

And now we have the GRAND CHAMPION of Lamp Ugliness.... and I have to say, before you see the photo, this one deserved a special award for, um.... perhaps vulgarity is the word I'm looking for?? This is just too, too much. I think you will agree that pretty much everything that could be wrong about this lamp IS wrong.... from the glitter to the gold plate to the birds to the fringe to the... um... well, say we call it a medallion?? Just so, so wrong. And so, so OOOOOGLY. Somehow, I get the feeling this was a gift from a mother-in-law.....

I Love Follow-Ups!!

2009-07-24T09:04:00.000-07:00

Remember the cute little cabinet makeover that I featured here on the blog and in the Artifacts Monthly Email Newsletter??? Wellllllllllll, here it is in the customer's home!
It looks terrific with a bold orchid on top and pretty botles and decanters inside. I think she has achieved a masterstroke of style by combining all of these slightly modern black/white/silver furniture pieces in a setting that is very traditional (wide-plank, dark hardwood floors, crisp white molding, and khaki-tone paint.)

These chairs are a nice solution for someone who wants that modern edge of black/white without going for the zebra print. It's the same chair frame, but even though it is bold, this graphic fabric still has a more traditional feel to it. LOVE IT!

This homeowner also selected a great little accent chest in apothecary style (I think that just means a lot of drawers! HA!) which worked great in a little off-set niche in her home. She has kept the mix of modern/traditional going by topping this piece with its strong graphic lines with traditional bottles and vases. Super work.

And now.... on to the bedroom! :) As soon as we get that sorted out, more photos!

As I said this morning....

2009-07-18T20:05:00.000-07:00

... on Facebook, I spent the first half of the day cleaning, sweeping, rearranging and filling up holes left from things that sold earlier in the week. (And thankfully, I'm going to have more of that to do after today! YIPPPEEE!)

This is one of the last-minute things I did just before we left the store for the evening -- all black & white decor in the front window. I had grabbed it to move up there and was also going to put the last zebra chair back with it. BUT, the zebra chair had other ideas and left headed to Starkville (by way of Pontotoc) with one of its legs hanging out the window of an SUV!! We can fit practically anything in a car, I promise! HA!

Anyway, the zebra chair didn't make the front window, but these pretty black & white items did. What do you think??

Black stacking baskets on the left, a vintage milk glass "open lace" candy dish, a white ceramic tray, lamps with funky silver base and black/white flocked shades and silver candleholders. Would be sharp in a red or green room, I think. One of my customers has a black/white/lime kitchen that she has shared with me and it is gorgeous! I can also see these same accessories being cool and modern in a turquoise/blue-gray room. Let me know what you think. Everyone who posts a comment here on the blog will have a chance to win something!!

UPDATE July 24, 2009: And the winner is.............. (everyone who commented on this post, I wrote your name on slip of paper & drew for the winner......) TYMPEL!

Congrats! In honor of this black/white theme we had going here, Tympel wins a pretty milk glass bird figurine so she can go off & start her own black/white themed room!! You can pick it up any time, Tympel!! :)

Big Impact Pieces

2009-07-14T20:57:00.000-07:00

A giant flat screen tv ... a huge tv armoire in the den... an armoire in the bedroom....

With some of the overscale furniture in our homes today, groups of small objects as accessories can just look cluttered & lost. I have a hard time overcoming this tendency myself, but sometimes one BIG piece makes more of a statement than many small ones.

These huge charger plates in stands (whether they are metal, ceramic, or glass) with maybe one other large scale accessory (a pot, a candleholder, or tray) may be all you need to beautifully accessorize that large piece.

Ahhhhhhhhhhh, Sawmill Festival :)

2009-07-12T20:19:00.000-07:00

I love Sawmill Festival Weekend. Why? Because I never have time to set foot on the square! It's always a super busy weekend for us and we also celebrate our anniversary during Sawmill weekend. We try to have plenty of new offerings in during this weekend and a two loads of furniture and home decor were due to arrive last week. Everything except one load of the furniture made it in time for the busy weekend, and it's a good thing it did because thanks to you, our customers, things really were flying out the door!

Check out the web page -- the furniture, home decor, and lighting pages have all been updated with new pieces that have arrived. Also check out the Sale page because our 4th Annivesary Sale Tags will stay up until the end of the month on any remaining items.

Congratulations to our doorprize winners -- Haley N. of Bruce for the $40 gift certificate, Debria P. of Calhoun City won the large clock, Jennifer R. of Bruce won the ceramic vase, and Ann H. of Springfield, IL (see why we love the Sawmill Festival -- you never know who will walk in!!) won the sugar mold.

THANKS everyone for keeping us hopping this weekend -- we're replenishing in order to be ready for your next onslaught! :)

Before & After

2009-07-05T20:52:00.000-07:00

I am so glad I took time to photograph this curio before and after its transformation. It is now at home in the new condo of a customer and blends perfectly with her Hollywood Glam taste in decorating. She loved the look of it originally, but said the brown/gold tones would not work with the black/white/silver look in her living room.

Soooooo... I suggested I could paint over the gold swirly designs with silver and have a round mirror cut for the top (which is a removable tray) and for inside the cabinet. I also knew she had been lusting after some mirrored furniture from earlier conversations!

Here are the before/after shots and I'm waiting on one of it in her condo which I will add to the customer photos page of the website soon.

I put the crystal on it to show you how beautifully reflective the piece is now. I can't wait to see how the homeowner uses it with the graphic black and white chairs she purchased for her living room.

Note: I shared this "before and after" for this cute curio in my July Newsletter last week, but thought I'd add this story to the blog in case you don't subscribe (You can do that and make sure you get future newsletters containing decorating tips, bridal and gift registry information, and monthly recipes by going to this link: Artifacts Newsletter)

Whew!

2009-06-24T21:06:00.000-07:00

I feel like I'm so behind I've almost caught up with myself. :) I still haven't gotten out a June Newsletter but I'll try to do better next month & I owe all my faithful newsletter readers 2 recipes to make up for skipping.

BUT, I do have three events this weekend to remind you about:

Housewarming for Autumn, Jaret & Greysen Prestage will be Sunday, June 28. You can see their selections here: Prestage Housewarming
Bridal Shower for Tammye Cook, Bride-elect of Mark Hill will be June 27 at Parker Baptist Church. You can see their selections here: Smith-Hill
Emily Regis will marry David Chambers this Saturday, June 27. Emily registeredfor a few items with us at the request of her local friends. You can see them here: Regis-Chambers

A large load of home decor has just arrived. Planters, candlesticks, wall pockets, metal wall decor, "barn stars" and much more. You can see some photos on the Home Decor page of the website. Also don't miss a new photo on the Customer Photos page!

Coming Soon: I want to share a blog post with you about the conversion of a table we recently accomplished for a customer! It was so much fun and I have before and after photos of the table in the store and she has promised to send me a photo of it in her home as well!

New furniture in this week!

2009-06-16T12:43:00.000-07:00

We received two load of new furniture pieces and lamps last Thursday & Friday. Several of them (a sink, and two jewelry armoires) have already sold, but we still have lots of pretties for you to see like the chair and table with crocodile top. Go check it out on the Furniture and Lighting page on the website and check them out.

Also, don't forget the Shower for Dr. Jonathan Collins and his bride-elect Nicole Epema. Jonathan stopped by Artifacts on his way to Missouri and bought some furniture from us and we are delighted that he & his fiance have used the website to make some of their selections for the shower this Saturday, June 20 in the home of Mrs. Cheryl Hendrix.

You can see the Epema-Collins selections and several others on the Gift Registry page.

Shower Reminder - Anna Stepp & Devin Cooper

2009-06-02T10:34:00.001-07:00

Shower for Anna Stepp, Bride-Elect of Devin Cooper will be this Sunday in the home of Mrs. Lori Longest of Bruce. You can see Anna & Devin's selections HERE.

Cha-cha-cha-CHANGES!

2009-05-26T10:29:00.000-07:00

Mike says I don't move furniture around at home as much any more because I get my fix doing it at the store. Maybe that's true because I do get to rearrange things when pieces are sold or put on layaway and we need to "fill up the holes"!

Nearly every time I rearrange the mantle area in the front room I think the current arrangement looks just perfect -- far better than the one I had there before. I guess I also scoot the old arrangement out of my memory bank because people will say, "You know that piece you had under the mantle a few weeks ago??" And my mind will just be blank and all I can imagine being there is the one that's there now!

That said, here is the latest under-the-mantle piece -- which is just perfect, don't you think? :)

Traditional, Transitional, and Contemporary!

2009-05-21T09:59:00.000-07:00

These tall floor candlestands just arrived and I love their clean, crisp lines mixed with the curve at the bottom. This is a perfect example of a "transitional" piece or transitional style. If you have more traditional furniture and accents in your home, look at them and you will see that most of them have curves, swirls, loops, a certain softness about them.

If you have more contemprorary furnishings and accessories they will have clean, straight lines, more geometric patterns and shapes instead of those from nature.

These candle stands artfully combine both styles and would work with either style decor. If I think about it this afternoon, I will photograph them with a contemporary piece and a traditional piece to better illustrate what I mean!

Okay... here they are with the contemporary pieces:

And with both:

And with traditional:

Busy Weekend

2009-05-12T13:51:00.000-07:00

Whew... is it Tuesday already? We had a great, busy weekend at Artifacts. The Cart Barn Inn had a full house and they sent them all to see us, everyone was looking for Mother's Day and graduation gifts and gift certificates, and those who couldn't work in their too-wet yard also came to see us!

Mike and Brett were kept busy rearranging furniture to fill up the "holes" and we were able to create a small break in an aisle in the middle room. We're going to try it for a while and see if it continues to be as handy as it was Saturday! You'll have to stop in and give us your opinion.

Still no progress on the camera front -- mine is being repaired and Brett's new one is stuck somewhere in customs because we bought it from a Canadian ebayer!! Duh -- should have looked at that before we bought it! As soon as we do get a camera, we'll post photos of some of the new furniture. We got most of the home decor shipment on the website using a borrowed camera, and many of those items completely sold out this weekend. Going to update that right now... remember to check the webpage often: www.artifactsbrucems.com

Also, some new bridal selection shots are up for Amelia Tunnell, too. Some that you can actually identify what she has selected, not like the earlier shots we had from the cell phone! Just bear with us while we work in the visual world of the internet without visuals.

Mother's Day Coming up May 10

2009-05-04T12:20:00.000-07:00

And just in time, we have received a new load of home decor items. Some really nice crosses, vases, metal wall pieces, cookbook holders.... Ladies, this is the time to send your men in to buy you a gift!!

Just a reminder -- don't forget your own mom. We have plenty of more traditional pieces she would love like an accent chair, a nice print, a mirror....

And for you male readers, don't forget the MOTHER OF YOUR CHILDREN!!! We have some special gift certificates printed up for Mother's Day and Graduation. You can see samples here.

Keep in mind the printed gift certificates look better than the stretched/squished versions I put on that page!

LOTS MORE PHOTOS on the store website. Go check them out! www.artifactsbrucems.com

Camera Crisis

2009-04-28T08:18:00.000-07:00

As Brett went off to shoot the alumni game at Calhoun City Saturday night, he discovered the camera had died. Soooooooo, no pictures of the NEW GOODIES that have arrived. And we have lots of new goodies, so this is the point I'll have to ask my blog readers to use their imaginations!

We have in some new credenzas and cabinets from Stein World, new lamps, and due to arrive later this week lots of new wall decor.

I have also packed up our sick widdle camera and mailed it off to Nikon for repair. Keep your fingers crossed for a swift recovery.

What's Hot

2009-04-20T09:33:00.000-07:00

Sugar molds, wooden bowls, and wood wall brackets -- that's what! I was thinking "why wood all of a sudden?" Then it dawned on me that people are ready for summer and more outdoorsy type stuff and eating on the patio or deck and making their dining table more informal and...well, I guess wood just fits the bill!
Metal wall pieces remain popular for outdoor and indoor use too and more are one the way soon. Some great wall planters and other wall pieces coming soon.

Shower Reminder - Jesi Rogers this weekend

2009-04-17T06:32:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder that the shower for Jesi Rogers, bride-elect of Jim McCormick, will be this Sunday, April 19. Jesi registered for a large curio at Artifacts (t0 house her large collection of crystal she tells us!) and if you would like your name added to the list as a gift-giver, just give me a call (983-8481) or email me & we'll make sure you're represented at her shower.

We have several new furniture pieces in -- tables, credenzas, decorative curios, bombe chests -- and lots of new lamps. Also some great metal wall pieces that would look good inside or out. Come see us!

Lamps and More

2009-04-12T22:13:00.000-07:00

We have several new sets of lamps in (because we're having a run on lamps lately -- with bridal selections and with people just needing to spruce up their homes for spring.) I thought these were especially pretty and looked good with this bowl & tray.

We also got in one of the prettiest credenza/console pieces we've ever had. I have to get the styrofoam it's shipped with out of it & get it up front so it can be seen better. Until I do you blog readers and web page browsers will get the first peek at it. I mean this piece would make a STATEMENT in an entryway! Would also be great as a dining room buffet, wouldn't it?

Shower Reminder - Chris Suber & Emily Rawlings

2009-04-01T22:04:00.000-07:00

Shower will be this weekend... See all their selections on the Bridal Selections Page

Welcome Sign....

2009-03-30T11:54:00.000-07:00

Another great (busy) weekend at the store, with lots of new stuff in to see on the webpage and on facebook.

Just wanted to post this picture of the large metal welcome sign that a local girl (who now lives away.... how dare she leave Calhoun County??) picked for her housewarming present from someone who told her to come in Artifacts and pick something out for herself. I was thinking she might use it in a foyer or a living room, but it looks great outside on her chimney! Way to go, Steph! :)

How Many King Men Does It Take....

2009-03-26T17:17:00.000-07:00

.... to move one small corner cabinet!?? HA! That's the heading I thought of when I snapped this photo of both of them reaching for the same 1 pound shelf!

But then again... I won't fuss at them too much because they finished hauling 2 pickup loads of the Kimzey estate stuff, unloaded the pickups, unloaded the NEW STEIN WORLD goodies (See photos on Furniture Page) that came on an 18 wheeler (the driver asked if we had a forklift & Mike said, "You're looking at him...." but the driver was really sweet & helped them unload), and they also loaded some sinks for a new customer in Mathiston who is remodeling 2 houses, and made deliveries. I have a feeling they will be pooped when they get in!

Indiana Carnival Glass pieces

2009-03-26T11:35:00.001-07:00

Posting this so a customer can see photos of the Indiana Carnival glass pieces I was talking to her about via email.

We have this bowl available in blue or gold:

And this pitcher in gold:

New Customer Photos Finally Up!

2009-03-23T08:32:00.000-07:00

We have some gorgeous new photos from customers' homes on the web page -- here's a tease:

You can see lots more by going to the Customer Photos
page on the Artifacts website!

Plus -- we just found out that the company that carries our canister line has added dinnerware to some of the colors. Check out this dinner plate from the taupe line! To die for, right? :)

New Pretties on the Way

2009-03-18T15:46:00.001-07:00

I have found a new company to get home decor items from and will be placing an order with them tomorrow if all goes well. Here's a sample of some of the nice things coming -- candleholders and wall brackets. Both things customers have been snapping up and asking for more of soon!

Also, just placed an order for new jewelry armoires, display cabinets, and lots of other great pieces from the popular Stein World line. They had some great lamps, too... like these:

Whew -- Busy Week!

2009-03-07T20:54:00.000-08:00

It's Saturday and time to go to bed & run the clock ahead, but wanted to update everyone on some of the new things that we got in yesterday. Photos of the newest furniture can be found on the Furniture Page and also check out the Home Decor page for a few new photos, too.

We had hordes of people in the store this weekend thanks to the buses from Brandon, Canton, and Cornith who were attending the matinee show at Bollinger Family Theater. It's amazing what folks manage to fit on those buses! I'm sure one day we'll have someone load a piece of furniture on one.

I had a request to see photos of the new canister color - Butterscotch -- in comparison to the Wheat set we have in the store now. So here it is:

But if you've seen the wheat set in the store, you'll know it's not quite as bland as it looks in the company's pictures above, so have to assume the butterscotch is a REALLY bright gold. The picture I took below is the wheat set in the store:

Graduation Registry at Artifacts

2009-03-02T09:07:00.001-08:00

Remember when you sent out those graduation invitations and the cards from friends and relatives would trickle in with $10 here, $20 there, maybe $50 from someone who really liked you!? And you felt like the money was rolling in and you could get anything you wanted, but then you'd go buy gas for your car or go out to eat... and pretty soon you had no money and nothing to show for it?

Well..... we've been talking about a Graduation Registry at Artifacts where graduates could pick out some nice lamps, or a wall-hanging, even a dinette set or a nice piece of furniture and let their family friends and relatives pay on that for them. That way they'd have something to remember their graduation and their well-wishers by even if they aren't going straight into an apartment or a dorm, they will be at some point and this way they have something with which then can start their independent, adult life.

Two 2009 graduates have already done that -- and one is coming back to make her selections. Go to our new GRADUATES page to see!!

Picture Frames and a Chair!

2009-02-20T17:57:00.000-08:00

I was looking at these today & thinking about graduation coming up. Wouldn't these be GREAT little happies for a graduate?? They hold either a 4x6 or a 5x7 photo and can be hung so that the photo is vertical or horizontal. A nice metal accent piece for a new twist on photo framing. Maybe I'd better take down and save them for all the graduates I get cards from!!

Also... am posting this chair photo for R. who bought a desk today and I promised I'd get Mike to put the chair together & send a shot of it -- so here it is! Email me or call if you're interested!!

Shower Reminder -- Kathryn Mize

2009-02-17T06:58:00.000-08:00

I'm working on a short article for the blog about a decorating style a customer asked me about this weekend, but in the mean time, just wanted to remind you all that Kathryn Mize, bride-elect of Ryan Baumann, will be honored at a bridal shower this SATURDAY, February 21 in the home of Sherry Beckett of Bruce.

Kathryn & her mom were in a couple of weeks ago and finalized her selections from Artifacts, which you can see on the Bridal Selection Page. Let me know if you need us to get something to the shower for you -- just call (662-983-8481) or email me.

The Goodies Have ARRIVED!!!!!!

2009-02-12T19:46:00.000-08:00

They were due last week, then Tuesday, then Wednesday, but TODAY they showed up! YIPPPEEE... we got the wall painted and room made for them just in time! You can go to the Home Decor section of the web page to see everything we got unloaded today. Crosses, wall decor, candleholders, vases, wall pockets, tabletop pieces... lots more!

Mike had to go to work at 3 & Brett left at 3:30 to shoot a basketball tournament at Eupora, so "we" still have one whole pallet to unpack tomorrow! More photos later this weekend of the goodies it contains.

Sweetheart Tips - Free & Nearly Free

2009-02-11T11:50:00.000-08:00

Change things up a ltitle bit to make Valentine's Day Special for your Sweetie!

Turn off the TV & turn on the music.
Eat somewhere different -- the weather is so nice this week how about having a Valentine picnic even if it's just on your porch, deck, or backyard? If we do get rain, don't let that stop you --just make a change in where you normally eat. Move a small table from another room beside your honey's recliner & put out a small dish of Hershey's kisses. (Whether he deserves a real one or not is up to you!)
Dim the lights, or turn them off completely & light a few candles.
Pull out your good dishes and tablewear! Do you save them just for big family holidays like Thanksgiving & Christmas? Don't.... use them for your fellow!
Scatter flower petals, colorful "shreds" or confetti over the table to add a little something extra.

Have fun & tell me how it works for you. Of course if you go ahead & do this tonight, tomorrow or Friday, you'll have time to use it to convince him to come get you an Artifacts Gift Certificate for Valentine's Day!

I just KNEW we'd eventually get it done!

2009-02-09T20:25:00.000-08:00

I was pooped when Mike & I got back from a buying trip today, but since I'd had several hours alone in the truck to nag him about getting the painting done, and he said, "Why don't we just do it tonight?"-- well, I jumped at the chance!

I rushed down to Spratlin's before they closed and got a gallon of paint and while I was doing that had Brett move allllll the stuff off the wall and allllll the furniture from in front of it and TADA! We had painting room, paint, manpower, and no excuses!!

Actually, it was the perfect time because we have new home decor items we bought today, and another whole truckload coming this week. This way we will have a nice fresh wall to put it on, and I'm happy & smiling about it, so what more could Mike ask for, really??? :)

Brett is sort of ticked at me for taking this photo. I think it's either because he normally likes to be the one taking the photographs or because he just doesn't want anyone to know he knows how to paint in case he's asked to do more of it!

Mother will be Cook of the Week!

2009-01-31T13:23:00.000-08:00

I couldn't resist sharing this photo RIGHT AWAY of my mother with the fridge we have at the store. She's going to be cook of the week in the CCJ next week and I made her pose for me with this 60+ year old fridge that has made the rounds in our family -- it belonged to my dad's cousin, then we had it when I was young, then it was in the utility shed with the freezers for a while, then I think my brother & sister-in-law used it, then into a shed... now at Artifacts! Think of all the good eating that has come from this baby over the years!! Not to mention the good eating that has come from Mother's handiwork!

And.... we rearranged the front room after selling the big tall hutch that has been on the far right forever as display space. It now has a new home and can live as a hutch, not a display cabinet. :) Anyway -- changed up that section and the middle room some more and made plans to PAINT the first part of next week before all the new goodies came in!!

I have some photos of new furniture that I will be uploading to the web page later tonight, and I can't wait to get the new home decor things in and get photos of them. Don't forget to check out the Bridal Selection and Housewarming updates as well!

2009-01-26T11:40:00.000-08:00

We just got back from Tupelo Furniture Market and I have to tell you about some of the great things we ordered that will be in the store in a couple of weeks! Be watching for:

New wall decor - some of the coolest metal things I've seen, very different
Large planter sets - the kind like on Kathryn Mize's bridal selection, big enough for icing down drinks for your summer cookouts or tailgaiting!
New trays and candleholders
Beautiful new large frame mirrors (some new and some like we sold out of during the holidays -- 3x4 foot and none priced over $180!!)
Tabletop metal pieces
New buffet bowls - these have been hot, but I found some new and different ones!!

ALSO - found a great new source for affordable furniture -- bedroom suites, dinettes, and large entertainment centers like this:

at prices you are going to LOVE.... We will have one of these in the store next week and we can give you a firm price by then -- email me if you want to know the general price range -- you're going to LIKE IT!! HA!

Things in the Dream Home

2009-01-17T06:22:00.001-08:00

I watched part of the HGTV Dream Home premier, and noticed the glass cloche on the kitchen counter that I mentioned in my last newsletter. I finally was able to get on their site & snag this photo of it. I ALSO noticed two things on the other counter that I had missed when I saw it on TV -- the large wooden bowl and the metal tray. Both of which look remarkably similar to ones we have in the store!

Gee, maybe the decorators for the Dream Home were in shopping during the holiday rush & I just didn't know it, huh? :)

I have new photos on the website on the furniture, home decor, and lighting page. Some of them are also in the post below.... THANKS!

Wood bowls, new furniture, new lamps

2009-01-14T22:18:00.000-08:00

Well, as promised, I have photos of new goodies for you tonight! Here are the latest lamps -- these are LARGE lamps and would work well in a sunroom or den, I think. But they're not too casual to use in a living room -- very antiquey-bronze looking. and the sections that are looking a bit blue-green in this photo look like that great patina copper or bronze would get over time.

We also have in a good many new wooden bowls and trays. These bowls are larger and deeper than any we've had before and they would be gorgeous with an assortment of candles in them sitting on your coffee table or ottoman. They're also big enough to hold a nice stash of your favorite magazines....

Go to the Artifacts web page & click on FURNITURE to see the latest furniture pieces we've received.

Hope says it's time...

2009-01-13T22:16:00.000-08:00

...for a new post. And since she bothered to leave me a comment, I will oblige!

Even though I have nothing to add right now (recovering from a day-long migraine) I will try my best to get photos of the new furniture pieces that came in & post them some time tomorrow.

In the mean time.... don't you just love pretty dinner plates?? I do -- these were inexpensive, no-name old ones but I like 'em.

Things on my list....

2009-01-08T20:57:00.000-08:00

Okay, folks... Furniture Market in Tupelo is coming up and it won't be long until we visit our regular wholesale spots for new stock. Here are a few things on my list that we're out of (or nearly out of) and that people have asked me for. So these are things I'm looking for!

1. Wooden bowls/trays

2. More of those glass cloches/bell jar thingies

3. Corner cabinets

4. Large jewelry armoires

5. New framed prints

6. Candleholders

What do I NOT have on my list that YOU would like to see?? Email me or respond to this post!

What's New for 2009?

2009-01-03T16:30:00.000-08:00

Ever heard the expression "everything old is new again??" Well that's what's new -- old things! I just received today one of the business magazines that I read regularly and that's what they mentioned in more than one article.

They applied it to bamboo - an old, old construction material ( how many thousands of years have the Chinese been using it to build?!?) used in new ways like fabrics and home textiles of all types. In addition to being in these textiles, bamboo will be featured on them and used as the basis for metal pieces too.

They also mentioned the fleur de lis design (pronounced: flure duh LEE) which has been around since the times of the Egyptians but is best known as a symbol of France. It is supposed to represent a stylized lily or iris, and once you start noticing it you will find it EVERYWHERE in home products. And you have to figure that something that's been in style for centuries is going to last a while in your home, right?

Another design that proves "old is new" is derived from the most ancient of all designers -- Mother Nature! One of today's hottest designers - Shelly Riehl David -- is sort of responsible for pushing this trend to a new level. She mixes hot colors, leather, wood, rich fabrics and ANIMAL PRINTS and FAUX FUR to create a look that is very "today"

Leave us a comment here or zap us an email and let us know what design trend you're noticing, or which ones you like or dislike.

Check out new photos on the web page -- new Bridal Selections, new home decor & furniture photos.

Our New Year's Wish

2008-12-31T12:17:00.000-08:00

Our wish for you is that 2009 will bring nothing but things that draw you closer to your family and friends! Thank you so much for becoming not only our customers at Artifacts, but our friends as well. Helping you find gifts for others or things for yourself, and then hearing about how well it went over or how much you smile every time you see the piece -- well, that's really the most satisfying part of what we do.

Here's hoping for great things for all of us in 2009 -- may we all grow closer as family, friends, neighbors, and a community.

Happy New Year!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like....

2008-12-26T17:15:00.000-08:00

...something other than Christmas! :) I have everything down at the store except the tree & the Santa & Snowman in the back window. But.... we still have some great Christmas ornaments and some Christmas decorations at 50% off -- a couple of the sleek white Mary/Joseph/Baby Jesus figures, the glittery metal Santas, some angels, and lots of ornaments.

The front window, though, sure looks sad to me without the lights and the glitz. I will be changing it out tomorrow, probably something BRIGHT after having only black, white & silver in there for the holidays. Check it out in person, or the picture I plan to post tomorrow night, and let me know what you think!

Last minute gifts....

2008-12-20T16:46:00.000-08:00

... if you're like me, despite your intentions to do better you have ended up with a few last minute gifts to buy. I have been pulling stock and putting it out for the past two days, and Artifacts WILL BE OPEN Monday, Dec. 22 & Tuesday, Dec. 23.

Also, if you're stumped, don't forget that we offer gift certificates that do not expire -- so the person you are giving to is not under any pressure to pick something by a certain date. They can wait until just the right piece shows up or they can do like a couple of people I know who are "stockpiling" those gift certificates to use on a big piece!

Just let us know if we can do anything to help you out -- give us a call at 662-983-8481 or email us artifactsbrucems@hotmail.com

Tour of Homes - 759 homes, for FREE and GUESS WHAT!!

2008-12-16T12:56:00.000-08:00

Wow... I just found this & had to share it with you. You might snag some ideas for your own home! You can go to

and see her photos, and then if you scroll down there are links to SEVENHUNDREDFIFTYNINE other blogs with photos of their homes at Christmas!

You might even want to join in, but be sure & leave a comment here to share you favorite with me!

And for the guess what -- Artifacts' Christmas windows are featured in the Tupelo BizBuzz blog -- Click here -- to see our store window along with some other gorgeous ones from around North Mississippi. It makes me want to start planning now for next Christmas!

Appreciation for All Things Southern

2008-12-14T21:33:00.000-08:00

How many times do we overlook what's right under our noses while searching for the latest chic item they are promoting on the West Coast or in New York City? Well........ guess what?? I found this photo on a blog called ArtsyMama and she has photographed her favorite store in NYC - Anthropologie. That's a pretty famous store -- locations on 5th Avenue & Broadway, but look at the items they've chosen for their display:

Yep, that's a rusty old tub of some sort with a rub board leaned up against it & filled with..... COTTON!! Wouldn't that be pretty on a hearth or on a front porch -- with maybe a few sprigs of evergreen in it and a big red ribbon somewhere? (don't know why Yankees didn't use color here, do you??)

But hey, if cotton and a rub board are good enough for 5th Avenue in NYC, it's good enough for Misipi, right!??

Beyond "the stockings were hung..."

2008-12-10T21:42:00.001-08:00

... by the chimney with care. :) Look at this photo a customer sent me today -- it was just one of many she shared of the pretty Christmas decorations she and her kids have put up around her house.

I wanted to share it because it shows how adding little things like a collection of ornaments or Christmas plates to an unexpected spot like a window can say festive all by themselves! The great green vase on the left is similar to some we had for Christmas at Artifacts -- ours are thick mercury glass, like the thin, shiny stuff you see on old-fashioned glass ornaments.

Have you added just a little something to a spot where you spend a lot of time? Perhaps your kitchen window or your bathroom vanity? Think of a way you can perk up what's there year round -- maybe steal this idea and hang a group of ornaments with a similar theme. And then share what you do with me!

Pretty Kitchen

2008-12-05T06:27:00.000-08:00

A very nice lady in Midland, Georgia recently ran across the Artifacts website and talked me into shipping her a set of taupe canisters and some accessories. And she was nice enough to send me photos of her beautiful kitchen showing how great they looked!

I'd like to drive to Georgia and eat at her counter, wouldn't you! More photos from her will be on the website soon.

That's Elvis, not Mike...

2008-12-02T20:26:00.000-08:00

...wishing you a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year -- if you have your speakers on, that is! If you don't have them on, turn them on to enjoy some Christmas music while you're on the internet! If you don't want to listen, you can click on the "pause" button on the playlist to the right of the screen (that's the one that looks like this ).

Since the newsletter, we've added another couple to our Bridal Registry -- Kelly Quinton, Bride-Elect of Chad Logan. Check out their photo on the Bridal Selections Page.

Happy Turkey Day!

2008-11-26T08:07:00.000-08:00

Thanks so much for supporting us at Artifacts by checking out the blog, the web page, and the newsletter. We appreciate all our customers and have enjoyed the opportunity to get to know you over the past few years. You have welcomed us into your homes and your lives and we are truly thankful!

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

More Christmas Fun at Artifacts!

2008-11-21T06:49:00.000-08:00

Our rocking chair has drawn another adorable kid -- enjoy this slideshow & come in and see for yourself how much fun a visit to Artifacts can be! :)

Beat the Rush....

2008-11-19T22:55:00.001-08:00

Before all the big retailers start their big time holiday "FAUX-motions" (that's my attempt at a clever play on words for what they do when they mark something so high that they can then mark it down and call it a promotion) -- stop by and check out what's available in Artifacts and around Bruce -- remember, if you buy it here, you get service here. :) Oh, and the latest rather goofy one I've heard is an "After Thanksgiving PRE-SALE" this weekend. Yeah. Still trying to wrap my brain around how you have an after Thanksgiving sale before Thanksgiving!

We have in lots of new lamp sets, some of the cutest shades we've ever had (should have a photo for you tomorrow evening) including one polka-dot green/pink one that is adorable. I will try to get a mini-newletter out this weekend, because I'm expecting some new furniture by then, too.

Come see us! :)

Sing Choirs of Angels....

2008-11-16T19:28:00.000-08:00

In my last newsletter I posted two emails I received from readers who collected vintage Christmas items and I was lucky enough to see just part of one of those collections this weekend. Gayle invited me to her home to see some of her great vintage pieces (more of which will be pictured in the next newsletter) and I just had to go ahead and share this one with you. Aren't these little darlings cute??

I'm betting you have some vintage ornaments or other Christmas goodies that you haven't used in years tucked away somewhere. Make this the year you get them out & mix them with your new pieces and enjoy them all over again!

Talent

2008-11-13T20:41:00.000-08:00

I mentioned these in a recent newsletter and I wanted to show you these hand-carved Santas we have this year created by the extremely talented local artist Tammy Jackson. She takes cypress knees and turns them into these detailed and expressive Santas!

Please visit the web page's Home Decor, Furniture, and Lighting sections for new photos just put up this evening. Give us a call if you see anything you just have to have!

Photos & Web Page Update

2008-11-11T19:33:00.000-08:00

Santas and Snowmen in the cute "package" design like the candleholders that we have in the front window. You can see these guys in the front window, too.

See more photos on the Home Decor section of the website, and the Lighting Page. I didn't have time to get pictures of all the new lamps and furniture pieces that we got yesterday, but I'll try to get those tomorrow afternoon.

The good news is I just tonight downloaded a new program to update the web page with, so I can now concentrate on getting those new customer photos I've been promising you. AND, I can now get my old computer out of the middle of my floor and spend time learning this new program!

See ya soon!

The goodies, the goodies!!!

2008-11-10T19:15:00.000-08:00

I was really going to post photos tonight because I got such great things today and I think you'll love them, but the camera card (with Brett's Vardaman football photos) is still at the CCJ because I forgot to pick it up before they closed today. I will get it tomorrow, take photos, and hopefully post tomorrow night. Got Santas and snowmen that match the cute "stacked packages" candleholders that were such a hit the past two weekends, metal Christmas trees with jingle bells, a gorgeous woodland Santa that will knock your socks off -- and so will the price, in a GOOD way! HA!

And on the non-Christmas side beautiful palm design pottery, knock-out turquoise pottery, more glass bowls and stands (so great-looking on top of an armoire or dresser), lots of metal wall decor, glass jars............ photos tomorrow if nothing happens. Check this blog or the Artifacts web page tomorrow evening.

Teaser for one of the items -- I was looking for a photo online just in case some company had one and I did find a picture of the palm jungle vase - you can go to this site and see it, BUT I want you to know first that I nearly fell out of my chair when I saw the price of this online -- $169.95? Say WHAT? You can buy a piece of furniture from Artifacts for that! I marked this vase this afternoon for.... $42. Clearly, I need to re-think this Artifacts business and start selling online!
See vase here.

Oh, and about that tree in the Museum.... I really really really really do want to do one. I am going to try. I even have a great theme for it, it's just a matter of finding time to get it done.

Oh Christmas tree.....

2008-11-06T16:29:00.000-08:00

Don't you love the trees in the Museum this year? I walked down just before we closed today to look at them and they look even better up close. If you haven't seen them up close, you have to make the effort!

I decided I wanted to put one in as well, but a certain male member of my family (the one I'm married to that happens to have a white beard & look a lot like Santa Claus) thinks I have too much to do to put a tree up in the Museum. I think that might be because he thought I was going to ask him to help with the project, but I wasn't.

Anyway, I think I actually will be putting up an Artifacts tree in the Museum this weekend. So keep your eyes peeled for it when you're checking out all the other pretty ones.

Don't forget
Sunday, November 9 is the shower for Lexi & Justin Haire. .
Silent Auction for Celia Miller Scholarship Fund at Mt. Comfort Church -- ends November 23
Silent Auction for Friends of the Bruce Library - at the library ends at 4 PM on Tuesday, December 9

Open House at Artifacts

2008-11-05T10:05:00.000-08:00

WELCOME to the Artifacts Blog!

Pretty Kate enjoys a break during her visit
to Artifacts during the Open House weekend.
More cute photos of Kate during Open House in a SlideShow below!

Lucky Kate was one of the few who had time to enjoy a break! We were (thankfully) swamped this weekend with nearly 300 registering for doorprizes, and probably nearly that many more that didn't sign up.

We appreciate all of our visitors and hope you will all find time to come back and visit again before the holidays are over. For all those who have asked, you can click here for recipes for my mom's pecan brittle, and for my foolproof fudge.

Pecan Brittle Recipe
Foolproof Fudge