Monday, September 27, 2010

What is it about auctions?

Is it the vast array of antiques and collectibles? Is it the people watching? Is it that one treasure that you spotted in preview that you just can't live without? The competition? The education? Of course it might be the hot dogs with sauerkraut but I doubt it.

This past Saturday Janet and I ... as usual joined at the hip.... decided to take a quick preview of a local auction. No such thing. This auction had such a diverse collection of treasures I could feel the excitement within the first 5 minutes of being there. My first find was 2 very old, very distressed old clocks that I had to have. The second was among boxes and boxes of books, a box FULL of old ledgers dating from 1906 that I also had to have! I couldn't wait for the bidding to begin! I knew I just couldn't live without either... that I must have them.
We sat for about an hour when the journals came up for bid. I was so hoping that they wouldn't break up the box and start selling the ledgers individually. No, they are selling the WHOLE BOX of journals together as one lot! The bidding started at $10 and between myself and one other woman it steadily progressed. No, I was not going to show a moment's hesitation. She needed to know that I was going to have those ledgers no matter how many times she bid against me.

I got them! I think Janet was as excited as I was. There are quite a few more than in this picture and the most beautiful ones aren't showing. (Too lazy to go back downstairs)


 (Imagine...5 # sugar for 60¢)
Trying to look cool/calm/collected when handed the box I wanted to stand up and do a kabuki dance, instead I decided to take them straight out to the car(lest someone take my treasure away) and when I nearly dropped the heavy box into the car this big cloud of dust blew up in my face. S'okay.. that means they've been tucked away in someones attic for a century... adds to the intrigue.

We stayed for a couple of hours and they auctioned off countless old coins, jewelry, original photographs that were part of the estate of a Daily News reporter. There was Elvis, Jackie Kennedy, John and Oko.. etc. etc. .. going for big bids. Two gorgeous spool cabinets went way over my bidding limits... I could go on and on. It was great fun, but it was hot in there! I left an absentee bid on the clocks and we headed back to my house where my husband had dinner nearly ready. So nice to come home after a hard day of bidding to a home cooked meal. ;o)

Janet and I are very fond of period movies and we'd been watching a series called 'The Aristocrats', so that's what we were engrossed in when the phone rang around 9 or so. "Hello, this is *** auction market calling to let you know that you've won the clocks." Another Kabuki dance! I got the two most precious things in my mind's eye that day!

So what is it about auctions? It's all of the above...(well, maybe not the hot dogs with sauerkraut) just plain exciting and fun... and I won the ledgers and clocks!

I'd love to hear about your fun at auctions.. the best treasures you've won etc.

Happy bidding!

Best... Canace

Friday, September 24, 2010

I can't wait!

I just had to share this little gem with everyone!

A woman from the local Historical Society demonstrated the greatest little hand held/lightweight/amazing scanner last Sunday and I am one of the first pre-production orders. It comes out in October and it's called a Flip Pal. It doesn't need to be hooked to your computer as it has a chip.... you can scan in books, in albums, pictures on a wall. AND... if it's a large picture you can scan it in sections and the software stitches it together for you automatically. I could go on and on about it... but here is a link to her page that describes the Flip Pal. If you click on the word Flip Pal on her page it will take you to the manufacturers page where you can purchase the scanner. First look at the Youtube videos though... you will be so excited by the possibilities.

If you go directly from her page to the manufacturer's page and make your purchase she will get credit for doing the demo and could earn a scanner for the Historical Society. They could definitely use one for old documents and pictures!

Can't wait to get this. I can't tell you how many times I've had to verrrrry delicately smash an old book or try to get a picture out of an album. No more... that little gem will fit right in my purse!

Have a great weekend...

Best... Canace

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Less than THREE WEEKS to Art Is You!

I'm so excited to spend my 3rd year attending workshops at Art Is You in Connecticut. This time around I am taking  classes with Keith Lo Bue (again) and Michael De Meng.  Can it get any better?! :o)

I wanted to mention too that there is a special event on Saturday the 9th as follows:

 East Coast Art Trunk
and
The Miracle of You Art Auction


Saturday 9 October, 2010

7:00pm - 11:00pm

The Danbury Plaza Hotel
18 Old Ridgebury Road
Danbury CT

Over 45 unique pieces of handmade art up for auction to benefit The
Little Baby Face Foundation plus over 30 vendors selling art papers,
kits, beads, frippery, collage sheets, fibers, yarns, fabrics, unique
vintage and contemporary items plus all your supplies for rubber
stamping, scrapbooking, art dolls, collage, assemblage, art quilts,
steam punk jewelry and altered art. Entry is free to all, with a
donation to the Little Baby Face Foundation encouraged.

I have donated one of my art pieces (an assemblage) to the auction and I will also be vending. A fun/busy time! Hope to see you there!

For more information regarding the auction and trunk show:
Art Is You




Best... Canace

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

It's been a long time.......

Some of you may have tried to pay a visit this past couple of months and been greeted by an 'Invitation only' message. For this I apologize, but it all relates to an episode where I was being threatened and harassed. I'm hoping that childish endeavor is over now and things can get back to normal. 

A lot has happened in my life in the past months and I hope to share some of it with you soon. Right now I just wanted to open the door once again to my friends and say hello, I missed you.

Best... Canace