Dead People's Stuff Antiques

Winter in Prince Edward County

2011-02-01T20:55:00.000-05:00

I am blessed to live in a beautiful part of Ontario where tourists flock in the thousands come summer. This is rather like a 'good news, bad news' joke. The good news is that they fuel our economy. The bad news is...well, there are rather a lot of them and those of us who live here have learned to avoid the masses. We know that the beaches will be crowded. We know the back routes to avoid Picton Main Street at noon in summer. We know that the two proudly Canadian stop lights (one at Tim Horton's and the other at the liquor store) will contribute to traffic congestion rather than easing it. We know that the Wellington LCBO sells beer by the 24, and that the Foodland there will be faster and just as friendly as the Picton Sobey's.

And then they leave.

And we are left with the beauty to savour; poorer in pocket as winter settles, but richer in spirit as we explore our County quietly, in silence, at one with nature.

Imports

2011-01-27T22:21:00.000-05:00

I recently had dinner with a group of Prince Edward County women. There were ten of us in total including a visual artist, a wine maker, a teacher, a fibre artist, a restaurant entrepreneur, a writer and a photographer. We ranged in age from mid-thirties to mid-sixties; married, single and divorced; of varied economic status.

Everyone knew at least two others at the table, but no one knew everyone. So there was generalized chatting in a 'getting to know you' way as we sorted each other out. What emerged was that of the ten of us, only one is a County native: the rest, like me, are imports who made a conscious and considered choice to move to Prince Edward County in adulthood. While that statistic would probably be abnormal in Kingston or Ottawa, here it is not too surprising, as the County has an exponentially-growing population of disaffected denizens of 'The City' (County-speak for Toronto) and other more urban places.

What was more interesting though, was that eight of us were actually four pairs: an explorer and a follower. Just as I followed my friend Sabina McLuhan to the County, so too did three other women in this group follow their close friends to a new life here.

It seems that this is a place where people lead by example...literally leading their friends and family to embrace the beauty, vibrance, and rural renaissance of Prince Edward County. And once here, we have a canvas on which to draw an antique shop in my case, or a restaurant, a winery, an art studio, or whatever our head and heart desire.

Which makes me think...it's my turn. Will my life here influence friends and family members to make Prince Edward County their home? Will I too have followers? All interested please apply.

Reuse, Recycle, Repurpose!

2011-01-05T16:37:00.000-05:00

One of the reasons I love vintage treasures is that in so many cases they beg to be repurposed. I so often find myself asking not, "What is this?" but rather, "What could this be?"

For example, I couldn't bear to part with these crystal glasses. Although each has a tiny chip, rendering it unsafe for drinking, each is still beautiful. By grouping them on a tray and inserting tea lights, I created a lovely centrepiece. I change the oddments on the tray with each season or holiday.

Another example is the Hoosier cupboard that I had for sale recently at Dead People's Stuff. For six months I told potential customers who looked at it not to think kitchen, but to think craft room, computer desk (demonstrating the pull-out enamel table top), games cupboard, laundry room storage, etc. I finally realized that it was the perfect piece for our stereo system, CDs, DVDs and games, and moved it into my own family room!

Similarly, the old dresser mirror below had seen better days: its glazing was shabby and its joints decrepit. Not worth fixing, but charming nonetheless. So I thought I'd give it one more life by spraying it a funky lime green and hanging it on my front yard fence. There it has resided for two years, reflecting pretty foliage in the summer and twinkling Christmas lights over the holidays.

And as you can see in the foreground above, no dilapidated wicker chair here goes to the dump without spending a season on the lawn or in the garden as a plant stand!

There's Something About Clotheslines

2010-10-01T01:21:00.000-04:00

I made a huge mistake the other day. I oiled my clothesline pulley. I got out the WD40 and sprayed the moving parts. For weeks I had thought that the squeak it made was annoying. Wrong. Oh, so wrong.

My clothesline now moves noiselessly. And to my chagrin, in its silence it has lost its charm...its essence...its authenticity...its squeaky 'you know that sound in your soul' clotheslineness.

As a child growing up in the 50s, clotheslines were the norm. One of my earliest memories was venturing to the ditch in front of our house where on that particular and every other Monday morning warm sudsy water poured out from my mother's washing machine. The clothes would be hung on a long line that stretched to the end of the backyard. In winter, I can remember the clothes being frozen on the line, stiff and brittle with frosty ice.

I believe that clotheslines mark both a social and environmental evolution. There was a time when a clothes dryer was a status symbol, and the use of a clothesline an indication of lower economic status. Eventually dryers became the norm. I remember a time in suburban Ottawa when clotheslines were actually banned as unsightly and inconvenient reminders of the reality of daily life.

And now, the 'green' generation has discovered that if you hang your laundry outside in the air and the wind and the sunshine, it will not only dry, but it will smell wonderful and, guess what, it's free!

Clotheslines also say something about the reality of the lives of women. As a young stay-at-home mother I had time to hang my laundry on the line. Later as a working mother, I depended upon my clothes dryer. Now, in my 50s, I again have the time to hang my laundry on the line, and cherish the sun and wind and intoxicating aroma of nature-dried laundry.

And there's another side to the clothesline that appeals to the little bit of obsessive-compulsive in all of us. It demands to be orderly: Sheets bisected and hung straight to dry, pillowcases following; towels arranged by size; shirts, underwear, socks, each grouped together. I'll be the first to admit that I have rehung items on my line because to my mind, they were obviously out of order. (Question to self: Would men do this?)

I love my clothesline. I love being out of doors to hang the laundry. I appreciate that I am blessed to have the time to make use of nature. I revel in the wonderful aroma of freshly dried laundry.

There's just something about clotheslines....

In the Gargoyle Garden

2010-06-17T23:17:00.001-04:00

My gargoyle friends have a new home at Dead People's Stuff...a garden created just for them! Don't let their looks fool you, they are thrilled to be together in the morning sun, and shaded from the afternoon heat.

Although they roam Bloomfield at night, they always return home before sunrise, gathering at first light to guard the house by day. The secret to ensuring that your gargoyles return from their nocturnal wanderings is naming them: once they are named, they know they are a special part of your family, and will always be loyal.

This is Edgar. He used to live atop Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

Horace is very shy.

Bubba is a big boy, but he's afraid of spiders!

Guinevere is the only girl in the garden.

Oh Legalus! Love those Elfish ears!

Erminio is new. His nickname is Soccerball. When I'm not looking I think he may sneak into the house to watch the World Cup, but I'm not sure....

Stop by and visit us sometime. We are always happy to make new friends!

Christie Spring 2010

2010-06-17T21:43:00.000-04:00

The Christie Antique show was great again this spring. The day was perfect and the crowd was large and enthusiastic! A good time was had by all...lots of sales and happy customers!

French Country

2010-05-12T22:23:00.000-04:00

A couple of years ago I became part of a group of women who organize a sale called French Country...a VERY upscale outdoor sale of antique, new and used goods. Here are a few pictures of our May sale.

The weather was uncooperative...very windy and rainy on Saturday. We tied the tents down to our vehicles overnight to keep them on the property!

But we always have a lot of fun, and sell a ton of marvelous things.

Prince Edward County now looks forward to our French Country Sale!

The show season starts!

2010-04-29T21:50:00.000-04:00

We set up today for the Prince Edward County Antique Show at the Crystal Palace in Picton from Friday April 30 to Sunday May 2. I decided to showcase painted furniture this time...a nice fresh Spring look. When we open tomorrow, I'll add baskets of flowers to the booth for a punch of colour and a reminder of the Summer bounty to come!

Your table is ready...

2010-04-14T21:35:00.000-04:00

Monday was a good day at the auctions. Started at 10 am at auctioneer Boyd Sullivan's auction in Milford (always a good time had by all) and ended at 9 pm south of Napanee at Neil Lambert's auction. Since we missed the ferry back to Picton from Hwy #33 by 10 yards, Terry and I had a nice half-hour walk in the night air looking out over Picton Bay and Adolphus Reach. A lovely way to end a long day!

Best buys of the day were these two tables. Each is 8 feet long, one pine and one oak. They will make fabulous dining or work tables.

I have cleaned both of them and they are ready to go. I wish I could keep one as a sewing/cutting table! They are now in the store and waiting to go to the Prince Edward County Antique show at the end of the month, unless I sell them before then.

Tomorrow I'll tackle the rest of my finds!

Welcome...have a seat!

2010-04-11T15:42:00.002-04:00

Welcome to Dead People's Stuff Antiques...please have a seat!

I live in a place where....

2010-03-29T22:02:00.000-04:00

...my front lawn is on the busy Main Street of our village and my back lawn looks out on a century-old dairy barn and the old mill creek.

...the bank is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 in the morning 'til 2 in the afternoon.

...the library is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and there are no library fines.

...the United Church still rings real church bells on ropes on Sunday morning.

...the post office ladies close every day for lunch.

...the best handmade ice cream in the world is made and sold within sight of my house.

...you can just give the last 4 digits of your phone number, and people know the rest from where you live.

...there are two operating dairy farms on the Main Street.

...I can buy the freshest of food at local farm markets.

...the local micro-brewery puts maple in their spring beer.

...neighbours get together to enjoy each other's company.

...we have a summer drive-in theatre, and $9.00 buys you 3 first run movies on a Saturday night.

...you can walk to the local pub at one end of the village or the award winning French restaurant at the other.

...lost dogs are walked home to their owners.

...visitors love to visit and I love to live.

I live in a place where friends meet.

I live in the village of Bloomfield, Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada.

When I'm not being an antique dealer.....

2010-03-23T20:12:00.000-04:00

...I'm gardening. I chose to consider the huge new fence on the front of our property as a challenge and have fun with it. This is what it looked like during the summer of 2009.

Summer 2010 will see a sculpture by local artist Terry Williams gracing the garden, as part of Bloomfield's Art in Public Places program. Can't wait!

Antique dealers are the best recyclers!

2010-03-22T15:27:00.000-04:00

Do You Buy Antiques?

2010-03-11T21:23:00.000-05:00

"Do you buy antiques?" That's the question that will make every antique dealer I know cringe. How are we supposed to answer this? The immediate thought that comes to mind is, "How the heck to you THINK I get this stuff?" However, it is not polite to say this out loud.

I have a couple of answers, depending on who's asking. If I am face to face with the questioner in my shop, I usually say brightly, "No. As a matter of fact the Antiques Fairies leave things on the front lawn each morning for me to gather up." This generally elicits a blank look, and then a slow look of understanding that I have made a funny.

Depending on my mood, I may instead confide, "No, my husband and I make them in the basement. Was there something in particular you wanted?" Again, a blank look usually ensues, and then a dawning recognition of the stupidity of the question.

Those posing the offending question are always trying to sell me something, and it is amazing how many of them "have absolutely no idea" how much money they want for the object at hand. In this situation my answer is always the same, "I'll give you ten dollars." Doesn't matter what it is, an armoire or a bread box: "I'll give you ten dollars." From the shocked look I surmise they are thinking of a bit more cash. "Ah, so you DO have an idea how much you want!" I find this perhaps unorthodox method saves quite a bit of time in negotiations.

That's all for now...I need to be awake early to see what the Antiques Fairies bring me tomorrow!

One year ago...

2010-03-03T17:46:00.000-05:00

Today, I am officially a non-smoker. One year ago today I quit smoking after more than 35 years. It was very difficult, but also sort of like letting go of a heavy cloak I wore every waking hour. Although I resented them at the time, all the no smoking rules finally did me in: smoking simply isn't socially acceptable any more.

So, on with the rest of life! In the coming months I'll need to focus on weight loss. Has anyone ever calculated the calorie-burning effects of refinishing furniture? It certainly takes a toll on my back, let's hope it takes a toll on my waist as well!

Spring is around the corner, and with it will come so many projects for Dead People's Stuff. Bring 'er!

For now, I'll go to the local for 1/2 price chicken wings and start dieting tomorrow!

Well, here we are...finally.

2010-02-25T19:49:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Dead People's Stuff Antiques. We (Sue and Terry Hierlihy) live and work in Prince Edward County, after previous lives lived in Ottawa. We are not in witness protection, just escapees from city life into the freedom to do what we love in a place we love to be.

Dead People's Stuff is Sue's business, started many years ago at the now defunct Stittsville Flea Market, and evolved through hundreds of Antique Shows in Ontario. The shop is in a converted drive shed on their property on the Main Street of the beautiful Village of Bloomfield.

Terry's business is called, rather appropriately, Sue's Husband Terry. Sue rents her husband out legally for money, something many women wish they could do, and he does all the things he won't do at home...minor renovations, drywall, carpentry, minor plumbing and electrical improvements, small building projects, flooring, and whatever else he finds interesting. After a long career as a salesman, Terry is happy emulating his role-model: George the Handyman on The Bob Newhart Show. He even has the overalls.

This blog will serve many functions, and we hope you enjoy them all!