Best Customers in the World!!

This past weekend was the Winnie Trade Days show and what a good show it was!  Although we didn't make as much money as we did last month we did ok-- but the real joy came in meeting some of the greatest customers in the world!!

I had the great pleasure of meeting many new customers as well as seeing some long-time returning ones. What fun it was to visiting with people, make new friends and 'share' the love of God with so many!!  I felt truly blessed to meet each and every one that came into my shop.

There was the lovely mom-in-law and daughter-in-law who came in with the cutest of babies (don't worry Brayden, grandma still loves you the best!).   The young ladies husband was in the military and had been deployed.  She was part of a military group that was raising money for the troops by creating a calendar of military wives dressed in vintage clothing---which just happens to be one of my specialties.  We talked and shared thoughts about vintage clothing, she checked out all the different vintage styles I had and even purchased some.  I gave her my contact info and hope we will stay in touch with each other.

Then there was the young girl (17 yrs old) who came in with her mom to look for and buy vintage clothing, not for any party or event but just because she LOVES vintage clothing!!  It just thrills my heart to see young people enjoying great things from the past.  And her mom was the best--she bought her daughter a complete outfit, dress and matching hat.  This young lady is a definite individual, one who knows who she is and not likely to fall into the 'status quo'!

And remember my little buddy Zack, the one who won the American Pickers youth contest, a $10,000 scholarship and a trip to the Smithsonian?  Well, my little buddy ain't so little anymore!!  I saw him walking down the hall and almost didn't recognize him!!  He's grown a foot and it now taller than me and has 'leaned-down' and lost his baby fat.  And even though he's a young teenager, he stopped to visit and we had a good hugging session!!  That kid definitely has a place in my heart!!

Well, that's pretty much how our weekend went.  We only had one minor issue that was our 'fly in the ointment'.  I was cleaning off one of our glass shelf units when one of the shelves collapsed and all the glassware on that shelf broke.  But I count my blessings cause I could have been hurt/cut my the flying glass however, I came away without a scratch!  Thank you Lord for your protecting hand!

So, here are a few pictures for you to enjoy, unfortunately none of our customers--it was just too busy to stop to take pictures.

My 'little' buddy Zack in a 'before' picture---he's NOT this little now!!

The top shelf is the one that collasped--pretty much everything on it broke

And of course, the most beautiful baby in the world, my Brayden!

I had to include this pic of Brayden in NOT one of his finer moments--that's not chocolate he's covered in--ughhh!

Here is he all cleaned up and happy again

He's full of McNuggets, french fries and a smoothie--not his usual diet but ok once in a while

And that's it for now, thanks for stopping by and taking a peepie-poo (sorry, didn't mean to mention 'poo' again!).  God Bless all and any who read this,

Pat, A Remade Life

Vintage Hats are Cool!!

I have a confession to make---I looooooovvvveeee vintage hats!!  No really, I have this fetish for just about anything vintage/retro, but I LOVE vintage hats!!  I look for them everywhere I go---garage sales, estate sales, resale shops--anywhere I might be able to find them.  And because of that, I've attained quite a collection.  I find it very hard to 'let go' of many of these hats, some are just so beautiful.  I find myself wondering about the woman who wore it.  Did she only wear it for 'special' occasions or was it a regular part of her attire?  Was it a church hat or more a party hat?  Was it worn with a party dress or to a funeral?  How did she feel when she wore her hat--did it make her feel pretty, more confident?  Silly questions, maybe, but hats are such a personal choice and are a little 'window' into what the wearers life was like.

I managed to acquire some wonderful ladies accessories recently and thought I would share the beauty of a time gone by when hats were not only an addition to your wardrobe but a statement of  life!

These are just a few of the many wonderful hats I've been blessed to find.  Some are very elegant, some are dressy and some, like the 'fruit' hat, are just for fun!  All these will be posted soon in my etsy shop--so if you're interested in a great accessory for your new outfit then drop on by and try one on!!  And don't worry......I've got plenty more!!!

God Bless all and any who read this,
Pat, A Remade Life
www.lovethatvintagestyle.etsy.com
www.aremadelife.etsy.com

Winnie in June

The June show in Winnie is now past and was an 'eye-opener'.  I'll explain that a little later.

Friday was a slow day, as it usually is, but my son Jonathan did a good job and sold several things.  Of course, my good friend and helper, Kay was there as well and she is always a blessing to me!  Saturday started out well with our first sale of the day coming early in the morning so we had great expectations.  Unfortunately, the 'expectations' didn't pan-out and, although we made numerous small sales, the total earnings at the end of the day were disappointing.

Sunday morning broke hot and humid (this is Texas after all!) and somewhat slow.  The people started coming about mid-morning and we again were encouraged but the rains came around 1:30pm and that was pretty much that for the show!

And now to the eye-opener comment:  I have been battling back and forth with the decision to close the shop at Winnie.  Sales and the crowds have been down for about 5 to 6-months and the shop is barely breaking even.  It has become increasing harder to rationalize staying there and continuing to struggle through the bad times.  It would be different if I didn't work full-time or even if money was not an issue--but then, who doesn't have 'that' issue!!

I had decided to ask a vendor whose partner was getting out of the business if she would like to come into our shop and rent part of our space.  She's a great person and it would have been fun to have her there!  Unfortunately, she had already asked another vendor to come in and share her shop so that she wouldn't have to move out.  Makes sense and I'm happy for her to have found someone.

So, back to the decision.  My first decision was to get out of the antique mall in Spring, TX where I rent a small booth.  My overhead there is eating me up and the sales are also sluggish.  I plan on turning in my
30-day notice today or tomorrow.  I'll run a really good sale and hopefully will be able to unload items so that I won't have to haul too much to the warehouse.

And now for Winnie:  unless something changes over the next few months, we will be pulling out of Winnie soon.  I've got numerous pieces of furniture that need to be refinished/painted so I would like to get those redone and sold first.  I plan on putting a huge sale on the last few months there so again, hopefully, we will be able to unload stuff and not have to bring much back to the warehouse.

It has not been an easy decision and not one I've enjoyed making.  BUT, I know my heavenly Father has a plan for me, a good plan for us to prosper!  He will guide my steps and show me where I need to be at this time in my life.

I do ask for your prayers, that my eyes and ears will be open to His guidance and that my heart will be receptive to His will.  I have said all along that my customers are some of the best people in the world!  I have truly enjoyed them and have been blessed to be apart of their lives--I hope that in some small way I have also been a blessing to them!!

So, stay-tuned cause it looks like a new 'adventure' is on the horizon for "A Remade Life"!

Here are some pictures of a few things in the shop,

God Bless All and Any who read this,

Pat, A Remade Life

Another one bites the dust!!

Well, the Winnie May show is now done and over with.  It was a very difficult one, one that was once again  not very profitable!  The weather was terrible the first day and the crowds were sluggish, even after the sun came out.  My son and I are now left with making the decision of giving up our shop or hanging in and renting out part of it.  Not a pleasant decision and not one made quickly, however, we can't keep working so hard for such little return.  Please pray that God will direction us to the right path to take!

We would so hate to leave Winnie---we have soooooooo many great customers and visitors to our shop.  There are many who will stop in just to say hello or to let us know the latest happenings in their lives.  We are so honored to know them all.  It is our hope that we will be able to stay in Winnie, but only time will tell.  We are very thankful for the many friends we have made there and pray God's blessings on each and every one of them!  We will, of course, let everyone know as soon as we decide.

In the meantime,  here are a few pictures I thought you might enjoy--hope all the moms out there had a wonderful mother's day!!

                     My mom, Goldie Marie Shockley and her great-grandson, my grandson Brayden

                                                 Mom, Brayden and my son Jonathan

I'll be posting again soon with some new ideas and possible plans for the future!!

God Bless all and any who read this,

Pat, A Remade Life

Good Stuff!!

Last weekend was great---when to a church sale first thing in the morning and then found another one right in my own neighborhood!!  Then went to work on my shop in Winnie on Sunday and stopped to visit with an old friend on the way back home.  She told me about a great estate sale right down the road and, even though it was very late in the afternoon, I took a chance and went to see if they were still open, and they WERE!  Picked up this great, handmade rocking horse and a few other great items.  Can't figure out why the word 'GAS' is painted on the side of the horse---anyone got any suggestions?

I think this is an old wooden flour bin--cool right!?

A wooden drawer liner and a vintage frame

What a cool, handmade rocking horse

GAS?!

These cool items are going to my shop in Winnie this weekend.  The next show will be the following weekend, May 10th-12th.  If you don't have anything to do that weekend and find yourself in the mood for some really good shopping, make your way out to Winnie Texas to the Winnie Trade Days---- and be sure to come by and say Hello!

God Bless all and any who read this,

Pat, A Remade Life
www.remadelifeemporium.blogspot.com