July Buying Trip to the Atlanta Mart Part 1

Every January and July, we go on buying trips to order our new accessories and gift items for the store.  The marts we go to are only for people with stores and you have to wear a badge at all times to get in.  We just got back from Atlanta and wanted to share our pictures form the adventure.  We usually bring a team of friends or employees, but this time, it was just my mom and I (Lindsay).



Angie in the Bethany Lowe Showroom

 We spent 6 days in Atlanta where there are 3 huge buildings full of showrooms.  Some of the showrooms have cool, vintage inspired decor, some are ultra modern, some have only lamps, some are always there and some are only there twice a year for the big markets.  There is so much to see that we didn't see everything in 6 ten hour days!

Bethany Lowe Spring 2012 Collections.

Every showroom has a minimum order amount.  Most are between $500 and $1,000 and you have to make sure that you see enough things to be able to meet the minimum.

Got these cute paper hangers for next spring.

We have so many customers that get excited about this designer, Leesa Daley's, pieces.  This is the Spring 2012 collection

Here's Angie making decisions.  Every item has minimum quantities so sometimes, we really want to order something, but you have to get like 24 of them and we have to pass on it.  It's so hard!!!

Every showroom has reps that take orders and they get commission based on how much you spend.  You can usually ask them what has been selling really well, what kind of special deals are being offered, and get their opinion about what to choose.



Ordered great garden inspired things for next Spring.



We saw a ton of hearts at market.  Is that going to be a new trend??

Below are pictures from one of our favorite showrooms ever.  They always have great things at affordable prices.  We ordered $8,000 in goodies here!

Ordered this cool jar and then saw it in another showroom for twice the price.  Whew!  Lucky us!

Got one of these cabinets with the clock.

We got some of these cool rugs with script and old looking maps on them.  Ordered lots of chandeliers, picture frames, mirrors, mercury glass, and lots more.  It took us about two hours to get through this showroom.

After this huge order, we headed down the hall to Peacock Park, a fun vintage, french wholesaler.

Look how cool their window was!

I can't even begin to describe how confusing this place is if you haven't been here before.

This is what the hallways look like in the permanent showroom areas. 
 

Ordered some awesome paperweights for Christmas gifts.  I really liked the peacock one.

Some of the showrooms do such a good job of luring you in with cool displays in the entrance!  We just had to go in after seeing this mossy elephant.

We were glad we did go in because they had great chandeliers!

Getting a little frustrated with how slow my photos are loading so I'll post part 2 soon...

My Trip to the Texas Flea Markets

I have been hearing for years about the annual flea market and antique show in Texas.  I've always wanted to go, but the opportunity never really presented itself until a few months ago when a sweet customer of ours offered us a place to stay during the show.  It was an offer I couldn't refuse and before I knew it, I had a person to drive with and I was ready to go.

My friend Tracie and I left early Friday morning in the sleet, snow, and cold.  We were Texas bound and wondered what kind of trip we might have with the roads so slushy.  But, after a short time on the road the skies cleared and the temperature warmed up.  You might say we were a bit excited to get to Texas and planned to drive the 800 miles in one day. 







We saw the coolest giraffe statue in Oklahoma.

We reached our destination about 10 pm.  It was just light enough we could make out hundreds of tents and tons of antiques and junk for as far as we could see.  We both squeeled with delight!  We saw old doors, iron beds, dressers, tables, chandeliers, etc. just sitting next to the road for buyers.

 The ladies we were staying with had to meet us in town to take us to the farm that we would call home for the next week.  It was very dark and we really did not know where we were going or what the house looked like until the next morning.  The house was clean with one bedroom and one bath, a kitchen and a family room with a sofa bed that Tracie and I shared.  But for $30/night we didn't complain. It is difficult to get a place to stay for the flea market and we were very close to the road that held all of the vendors. 



This is the little ranch where we stayed. 

When I went outside the 1st morning I noticed it was really warm!  I loved it.  I also noticed we were really staying on an actual farm with cows, and a pig, and pastures.  It was really fun to wake up to the sound of the mooing and oinking.

This guy was not happy we were looking at him and he started butting the wire fence with his "long horns".

So now that we see where we are staying, we are on our way to town.  We would be seeing the tents for the first time in the daylight.  With a short trip to town we are in Warrenton, Texas where lots of dealers have set up to sell anything and everything!

These tents go on and on literally for miles! 

I love my shopping cart!!

Sweet Pea Bedding!  Such beautiful bedding and great displays.  Very high end but so fine.   I would love to carry her line but she does not allow for enough markup for a small store like mine.

I also love Carolyn Westbrook who had a fun small 2 room cottage full of her lucious ruffled bedding and decor.  If you have not purchased her book- "The French Inspired Home" you must buy it NOW!!  You will not be disappointed! 

You never know what you might see next!

During the week we spent in Texas there is a special show at Marburger Farm where the higher end designers set up to display their wares.  The displays were fantastic and the prices very high!  But we came away with so many ideas it was well worth the $20 early entrance fee.

One of my favorite looks was Robin Brown's from Magnolia Pearl.  She has a line of clothing that is linen and ruffled and very romantic.  Also very high end.  Her displays are wonderful as seen here with the doves inside the wire dress.  She had huge flowers made out of paper that were so fun.

We stopped for a break and had margaritas on the deck of a little cabin.  Doesn't Tracie look happy?  Notice the short sleeve tee?  It was so nice and warm!! 

Just getting started on describing the trip.  I have lots more photos and I'll post them soon.  To be continued....

-Angie