Your Questions Answered...An Updated Repost!

Where in the world is Flea Market Style? (translation, how the heck do I get my hands on a copy?):


Flea Market Style is slowly trickling in to stores like Walmart, CVS, Target, Barnes and Noble, grocery stores, independent newstands throughout the United States and Canada. Flea Market Style is not being sold internationally/abroad. If you are international, stay tuned to my answer as to where you might be able to find it...

Where others have found it in the U.S and Canada:

Barnes and Noble in Ft. Worth, TX; Apple Valley, Minnesota; Omaha, Nebraska; Orlando, Florida; Kingston, NY; Evansville, IN; Altoona, PA; Poughkeepsie, NY; Saratoga Springs, NY; Campbell, Ca.(by San Jose); San Antonio, TX; Ellicot City, MD; Salt Lake City, Utah; Birmingham, Alabama; Colorado Springs, Co;  Cary, NC;
Wegmans Ocean township NJ
Fred Meyers in Tacoma
Target in Bel Air, Maryland; Spartanburg, SC; Salem, Oregon; Silverdale, Washington;
Borders in Raleigh, NC and Tallahassee, FL; Burleson, TX, St. Louis, MO; Long Island NY; Union Square, San Francisco; Wheaton, IL; Mishawaka, Indiana;
Publix, in Lake Worth, FL; Ocala Florida; Franklin, TN; Brandon, Florida;  Greenville,South Carolina;
Tom Thumb in Frisco, Texas
IGA in Lewisport,Ky.
Roseurs (grocery store) "at the Y" on North Division in Spokane, Washington
Walmart in Duncansville, PA; Longview, WA (Ocean Beach Hwy); Dixon, IL; Bedford, Indiana; Hood River OR; Fairfax Virginia; Spanaway Wa; Valparaiso, IN; Western, PA; St. Marys, PA; New Iberia, LA; Roseburg, OR; Apple Valley, MN; Harker Heights, TX; Shawnee, Kansas; Monument, Colorado;
Wegman's, Buffalo, NY
Books a Million in Katy, Tx; Sevierville, Tennessee; Prattville, Alabama;
JewelFood Store-Chicago area
Winnie & Tulula's in Athens, Texas
Top foods in Lacy, WA
Kroger in Southern Illinois; Allen TX; Troy, Missouri; 
Dillons grocery store (owned by Kroger) in Wichita, Kansas
Giant Eagle (Grocery) in Parma, OH.
Walgreens in Canton, IL
Gillombardo's Giant Eagle: Cleveland Ohio Parma area
Stop and Shop in North Attleboro, MA
QFC grocery store in Everett, WA
Hastings in San Marcos, TX
LOWES, Killeen TX; Stillwater, Oklahoma; Tulsa OK;
CVS Pharmacy in Frankfort, IN
Weber & Judd Pharm. (Mayo Clinic subway level) in Rochester, Mn
Safeway in Salem OR
Weis in Laurel MD

In Canada:

Shopper's Drug Mart in Truro, N.S.; Ontario,
Indigo, Ontario,
Safeway store in Aldergrove (very near Vancouver); Surrey, B.C;
Chapters: Halifax, N.S.; Burlington, Ontario;
Pharmasave in Hampton NB
Atlantic Superstore in Saint John, N.B.; Sydney, Nova Scotia
Smokers Corner in Pickering, Ontario




I am an international reader (from Australia, Norway, France, Germany, etc.) How can I obtain a copy of the magazine?

Currently, I know of only three vendors who are shipping the magazines internationally. One is Margo from Margo`s Junkin`Journal. She has graciously set aside copies of the magazine to ship to our international readers and offers the following information:

For UK and Australia the total with shipping is $18.95 USD. and she can calculate shipping to other countries, if needed. Margo prefers to use PayPal for international orders.

Margo can be contacted directly at robolady@hotmail.com

The two other vendors are Grandma G's. International buyers may email for a shipping quote: info.grandmagscottage@gmail.com  Buy your copy here

**And Dolls Etc is also offering to sell and ship copies. Email mcgoo4@gmail.com  for more info.

We love to hear from you!!

Flea Market Style Magazine..in miniature - made by Mercedes at Liberty Biberty

We have received some very encouraging and favourable comments from those of you who have been able to lay your hands on a copy of the magazine. To the rest, who are still searching. I encourage you to continue practicing the remarkable patience you have shown. Some places have yet to receive their copies; but as we have been told by the publisher, it will be sold on most newstands throughout the U.S. and Canada. Again, to find out the answer to many of our readers questions, like where to find a copy, please go here. If you don't find the answer to your question there or here, then please feel free to email us and we will do our best to answer your questions in a timely fashion.

Now, on to the comments.

We read each and every one of them and we are so pleased that the magazine has been so favourably received!

What can I say about the magazine other than.....FABULOUS! ...My favorite article has to be Jocie's farmhouse. I shopped her Red Chair Antiques last Summer and am hoping to return again in July - I absolutely love her stuff, French, Swedish, Belgian......what more can a transplanted Englishwoman (me!) want!!!! Thank you all so much for the hard work you've each put into this wonderful publication - when can we expect the next issue????        Mary - ACROSS THE POND

Where can we sign up to be a groupie?? Ahh...to travel around with you all would be the best!
The Summer Kitchen Girls

I recieved the magazine today and all I can say is....BRAVO!!!!!!! I keep looking and reading it over and over again!!! Thanks for giving me a new magazine to look forward to!!
-Jennifer

I ADORE the cover you chose! It's such a delightful array of color, texture and pattern. That old bench is to die for, and hearing the story behind it makes it even more fun to look at. And I love all the muted flowers mixed with that beautiful, bright shade of blue. Such a pleasing combination.
My favorite item: The lamp! Oh how I love that lamp! :-) Thanks for sharing this post with us. You rock!    -Layla @ The Lettered Cottage

A cover is the most important parts of a magazine- they either pull me in or let me leave with just a glance. I love the picture you chose and it will be finding it's way in my basket as soon as I get to the big city to pick one up!  - Mary Ellen @ Me Garden Gal

I can't remember ever being so excited to get my hot little hands on a magazine! I think we can judge this gem by the cover - it's sure to be filled with sentimental finds, joyous color and great ideas and inspiration. Congratulations on your launch!  -Tammy @ Yesterday's Cottage

You could not have picked a more perfect team! Each one's talent shows in the magazine! Love it!
-She Dreams Big

I clicked my heels a few times and I find myself here! ....in paradise.... what a great web-site!
- Anonymous

I have mine in my hot little hands already... it is a fabulous magazine - more than I hoped for. I'm delighted with the depth and detail of the stories and photos. THANK YOU.   -Sue @ Lolo's Child

Hooray--I found my copy yesterday and I love it. My favorite so far is the Bring Home the Sea article. The garden shed is amazing.   - Joan


This behind the scenes thing and the editors being excited is soo refreshing! That's another thing I like about flea markets - the down to earth people!   - Megan

Hi I just finished reading the magazine from cover to cover. EVERY article was delighful. I enjoyed every picture and story!   - Ksarra

 

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(blogged by Linda MacDonald)

Studio Lara...with Lara Harris

Lara Harris, one of the online artists listed amongst our favourites in the magazine, is one gracious and talented lady. Inadvertently, and much to our chagrin, her website url was listed incorrectly in the magazine. So, because we admire her and her amazing talent, we want to make sure our readers know exactly how to find Lara and her inspiring work. For the record, Lara's website is www.studiolara.com

You might remember us making mention of Lara last summer after she was commissioned by me to paint a photo of Matthew and Jenny Mead's adiorable pup, Oscar. Oscar is a Flea Market Style mascot of sorts, and you can see him in the magazine sitting regally on the dog bed fit for a king that Ki made. No dog has ever had a finer bed and he made an excellent subject for Lara. Indeed, I simply sent Lara a photograph of Oscar and she painted the most gorgeous painting in his image. The gift was a hit and the Meads were so touched and grateful that Lara captured the essence of their beloved pup.

About Lara:  Lara Harris is an artist from Northville, Michigan. While she has taken a few art classes over the years, she is primarily a self-taught artist. Originally accepted at the Massachusetts College of Art & Design, she chose to go into teaching instead. A teacher for nearly 6 years, she picked up a paintbrush in 2004 and has been painting ever since! Her work is currently in private collections throughout the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK.

Here is just a sampling of Lara's work. To view more, visit her website and also be sure to check out her blog!

Please note: 10% of the proceeds of each painting will benefit one of the many dog rescue groups Lara currently works with.

Check out Lara's Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/studiolara316

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(blogged by Linda MacDonald)

Reality Television...Flea Market Style!

Check out our very own Matthew Mead spreading the word here about our pretty new baby.

What do you think?

I think he's a natural in front of the camera and shared the word about Flea Market Style with aplomb.

HGTV, are you watching?!

On a Need to Know Basis...

As promised, I am posting a round-up of answers of what you want to know and a little extra that we'd like to share. Because there is a whole lot of information to fit into one (long) post,  this will be concise and to the point:

The top question on everyone's minds:

Where in the world is Flea Market Style? (translation, how the heck do I get my hands on a copy?):

Flea Market Style is slowly trickling in to stores like Walmart, CVS, Target, Barnes and Noble, grocery stores, independent newstands throughout the United States and Canada. Flea Market Style is not being sold internationally/abroad. If you are international, stay tuned to my answer as to where you might be able to find it...


Where others have found it in the U.S (haven`t heard from any fellow Canadians):

Barnes and Noble in Ft. Worth, TX; Apple Valley, Minnesota; Omaha, Nebraska; Orlando, Florida; Kingston, NY; Evansville, IN;  Altoona, PA; Poughkeepsie, NY;  Saratoga Springs, NY; Campbell, Ca.(by San Jose); San Antonio, TX; Ellicot City, MD;
Wegmans Ocean township NJ
Fred Meyers in Tacoma
Target in Bel Air, Maryland; Spartanburg, SC; Salem, Oregon;
Borders in Raleigh, NC and Tallahassee, FL; Burleson, TX, St. Louis, MO; Long Island NY; Union Square, San Francisco; Wheaton, IL; Mishawaka, Indiana;
Publix, in Lake Worth, FL; Ocala Florida
Tom Thumb in Frisco, Texas
IGA in Lewisport,Ky.
Roseurs (grocery store) "at the Y" on North Division in Spokane, Washington
Walmart in Duncansville, PA; Longview, WA (Ocean Beach Hwy); Dixon, IL; Bedford, Indiana; Hood River OR; Fairfax Virginia; Spanaway Wa; Valparaiso, IN; Western, PA; St. Marys, PA;  New Iberia, LA; Roseburg, OR; Apple Valley, MN;
Wegman's, Buffalo, NY
Books a Million in Katy, Tx; Sevierville, Tennessee
JewelFood Store-Chicago area
Winnie & Tulula's in Athens, Texas
Top foods in Lacy, WA
Kroger in Southern Illinois; Allen TX
Dillons grocery store (owned by Kroger) in Wichita, Kansas
Giant Eagle (Grocery) in Parma, OH.
Walgreens in Canton, IL
Gillombardo's Giant Eagle:  Cleveland Ohio Parma area
Stop and Shop in North Attleboro, MA
QFC grocery store in Everett, WA

In Canada:
Shopper's Drug Mart in Truro, N.S.; Ontario,
Indigo, Ontario,
Safeway store in Aldergrove (very near Vancouver)
Chapters: Halifax, N.S.; Burlington, Ontario;


I am a shop owner; where can I order copies to sell in my shop?

Please contact Kellie Petersen with Matrix Distributing to order copies, while quantities last. There are no guarantees; but she can be reached via email: kpeterson@matrixdirectservices.com or by telephone: 757-482-9997 (extension 221).

Will there be more issues of Flea Market Style from all of you and/or how can I subscribe?

While we dearly hope we can continue producing this beautiful magazine, it is still too early to tell. Sales will be just one of the deciding factors and according to Ki, "We are talking to Harris about future issues....will update when we know more." To get the perspective of the publisher, check out this article from The Minnapolis Star Tribune.


With regards to subscriptions, they are not being offered at this time, but may be considered if more issues are produced.

I am an international reader (from Australia, Norway, France, Germany, etc.) How can I obtain a copy of the magazine?

Currently, I know of only two vendors who are shipping the magazines internationally. One is Margo from Margo`s Junkin`Journal. She has graciously set aside copies of the magazine to ship to our international readers and offers the following information:


For UK and Australia the total with shipping is $18.95 USD. and she can calculate shipping to other countries, if needed. Margo prefers to use PayPal for international orders.


Margo can be contacted directly at robolady@hotmail.com

The two other vendors are Grandma G's. International buyers may email for a shipping quote: info.grandmagscottage@gmail.com . Buy your copy here

**And  Dolls Etc is also offering to sell and ship copies. Email mcgoo4@gmail.com for more info.

What is the paint colour used on the walls for the Flea Market Style cover shot?

Matthew and Jenny used Pittsburgh paints 153-3 Seascape (flat). Matthew prefers using flat paint because he feels that "it has a richer depth and reacts differently to light..."

Where did you find that beautiful rug, also used in the cover shot?


Matthew: "Our cover was inspired by flea market items for sure, but as I often do with interiors, I started with a rug from my favorite designers at Company C. The SAVOY rug is inspired by the famous hotel and has a fresh palette of green and blue. I loved that the carpet has a historic foundation, but comes in this beautiful, jazzed up color.

**As for the curtains, I found them at BEST KEPT SECRET in Kingston, NH."

What is the Flea Market Style team working on in the meantime?



Ki: My focus is on Junk Bonanza 2010, including PR and website refresh along with my consulting project with Bachman's garden, floral, home and gift stores in the Twin City area. I have been contracted to introduce vintage products and artisan items into their home and gift departments. I am spending most of my time in Minnesota these days and visit my bunkhouse on the farm in Ocala, Florida as often as I can get away. I am also happy to report that my blog was featured on Blog.com's Top Ten Junk Collector Blogs and would like to extend thanks to C. Dianne Zweig.


Matthew: I am happy to report that I am launching the second issue of Holiday with Matthew Mead, a magazine that has been on the back burner for a while as I worked on my many other projects. Well, now it is on the front burner and is selling like hot cakes over at the website: www.holidaywithmatthewmead.com . With well known and well-loved features like Stephanie Nielson of the NieNie Dialogues, Mary Engelbreit and Tinsel Trading (and more!), HOLIDAY with Matthew Mead delivers a great mix of holiday decorating, entertaining, crafting and inspiration. Be sure to order your copy here!

In addition, I will be heading to St.Louis, Missouri to join Mary Engelbreit for her latest Home Companion Workshops (April 29th to May 2). Jenny and I will be leading a workshop on how we incorporate technology with crafting. Some of the other workshop leaders include Wendy Addison and Charlotte Lyons. Check it out, as I just know you would LOVE this jam-packed creative weekend!! Amy Butler will also be speaking, along with (of course) Mary Engelbreit herself!


I am looking at 2010 as a great new way to reconnect with my readers through all types of media. We are working on several new book projects, paper and gift products, three new magazines, and continued efforts to help our clients engage social media and use these new tools to connect to lifestyle enthusiasts. We are developing new hands-on seminars and weekend experiences to bring our readers closer to all of our home and lifestyle projects.


CONTINUE TO SEE OUR WORK IN:


Better Homes and Gardens
Victoria
Celebrate
Better Homes and Gardens DO IT YOURSELF MAGAZINE
Midwest Living
And, of course, HOLIDAY with Matthew Mead!


And mark your calendars for September 1st for the release of BOLD FLAVOR LOW LABOR a cookbook I styled and photographed with author J.M. Hirsch. Filled with over 200 pages of flavorful, full-colored photographs and fun and easy recipes.



Stacey:  I just finished designing a garden magazine, am currently in the middle of designing a food magazine, will start up on the design of two books in March, am producing "decorating with pets" shoot for the first week of March, and just finished designing my website - and will start programming in wordpress in the upcoming months.  Whew!! Oh, and I am very optimistic that there will be more issues of Flea Market Style, though that is not an official declaration!!


Heather: I'm working on preparing for my spring shows: one at Remnants of the Past (Nipomo, CA) on April 24th  and one at The Farm Chicks (Spokane, WA) on June 5 & 6th . Also, I'll be a featured speaker at The Creative Connection, a three-day event this September which is sponsored by Nancy Soriano (former editor of Country Living) and Jo Packam of Where Women Create.

Jenny: My goal is to commit to chronicling what it is we do in our day-to-day work to share with readers via the web site and blog. Some days are definitely more interesting than others, and I would like to open up these experiences and help the reader meet the people we meet and visit the places we visit through the use of images. I often pack the camera and leave it in the car, but it is my hope that by pledging to capture the nitty gritty of what we do, we can bring lifestyle enthusiasts even closer to the tactile and sensory experiences that we enjoy.

Sarah: In addition to raising my young daughters, I am continuing my freelance writing, having just completed a story for Better Homes and Gardens (May 2010). I also maintain my blog, Adventures of the Cheapskate Decorator.  When a day skews too heavily toward lunchbox mishaps and laundry, I retreat to my office for some wordsmithing sanity!

Linda: Focused almost primarily on writing projects at this time, I am excited for the new opportunities that are presenting themselves to me. In addition to maintaining and writing my own blog, Restyled Home  and the blog for Holiday with Matthew Mead, I am currently working away at writing two magazines and I have been approached by other online design sites to contribute posts - and was recently named on House and Homes Ultimate List of Online Decorating Destinations. I am very pleased to have signed on as Executive Editor for Holiday with Matthew Mead, due out in October 2010. In addition, I am currently collaborating on a book project (a decorating one, of course) but the details are hush-hush and there will be more to come on that!

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Do you feel lucky tonight?!

photo image source: Square America.com

Thanks to everyone for joining us for launch week. We so appreciate all of your comments and support and we are really hoping everyone will be able to get their hands on a copy of the magazine very soon. We will be posting a round-up of questions and answers on Monday addressing what you want to know. We will do our best to answer your questions and we will also be sharing what we are all up to now that the magazine is finished.

To help others find the magazine, we would love it if you would share with us where you have found your copy (store, town and state). We will then post a list of vendors so that others can find their own copy. Please let us know by commenting below!

Now, without further adieu, the winners of the launch week give-aways are:

The Lisa Leonard necklaces go to:

Kathleen of Fireflies and Family

and

Musings of a Patched Heart

The Vintage Soak goes to:

Erica at Zunky Chic

The Junk Revolution bag goes to:

Amy Duncan at Four Corners Design

The copy of the magazine goes to:

Hana of The Mom Tog Diaries

Congrats, ladies, and please email us your mailing addresses!

Unveiling and Revealing...

So, you've seen it, and some of you have had a chance to see what lies within. Others are still waiting. (Don't you hate waiting?)

How do you like it?

It's pretty, isn't it?

Most of you probably see a beautiful room brimming with great Flea Market Style, colour and texture.

When I look at the cover, I see a magazine that marks the fulfillment of a long-held dream. The dream to see my words in print and be a part of an industry I have long followed and admired. It also represents how much I have learned from some very talented people and how much more involved the process is than I imagined. I learned not every aspect is glamorous or even fun. I didn't enjoy having to inform people that their features had to be cut to make way for necessary ads, and imagined what that disappointment would feel like. I learned that such decisions sometimes have to be made at the very last minute...just when you think a story is safe. I experienced the thrill of having my daughter's playhouse photographed by the Meads, and being able to write the story - our story - of how we built and decorated it ourselves was such a wonderful experience. I got the chance to profile some of our favourite bloggers, designers and online sources for flea market style. And I want to showcase more of you...show off my friends and the people I turn to for inspiration.

Because we bloggers are talented, and sharing and have something to say!

Now, what made me squeal with delight?

Well, this was nice:

And so was this:

And I am proud and honoured to have written the following stories:

Sophie's playhouse story, Where Little Girls Dream

Jocie Sinauer's home tour: Natural Selection
Designer interviews (that was fun!)

My blogging feature and online shops, blogs and websites

Canadian Fusion: the story of the antique shop I scouted for the magazine.

So, for those who have been able to find a copy in their town (and don't worry, they are coming!), what was your aahhh moment?

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Check back later tonight for a list of winners for this week's give-away.

And, of course, one more prize:

Leave a comment to win, what else?

A copy of the magazine, delivered to your door!!

(blogged by Linda MacDonald)

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Contest is now Closed

Conversation with Stacey

Sarah: We were humming along pretty well until, what, mid October? Seems like that’s when stuff started to gum up the well-oiled design machine you were operating at that point.

Stacey: Yeah, there were some pretty significant revisions asked for by the publisher. And at that point in the process, I thought a lot of the layouts were good to go. Surprise! They weren’t! So I went back to the drawing board on several stories, while you kept sending me more and more copy for new stories. Occasionally, I would paste old copy into new layouts or the wrong copy into a layout. It became a challenge to keep up with.

Sarah: I know! I was forging ahead while you were swamped. What’s the Marines’ policy? Never leave a fallen comrade? I think I could learn a lot from boot camp. After a bit, I did stop sending more and more stuff your way. When I would call or email and it would take days to hear a response, I pictured you hunched over your mouse in your basement office, moving pieces of the layouts around feverishly on your computer screen.

Stacey: I was spending waaaaaay too much time in the basement, that’s for sure. That is, when I wasn’t running my children to the Doctor’s office for H1N1, pinkeye, ear infections, and other assorted ailments. Ay yi yi! Poor things, we were pretty sick there for a while. Thinking I was invincible, I continued to work whenever my son or daughter was resting. It took a few days of having a fever and aching all over to realize I was sick too!

Sarah: H1N1 strikes another Willey family member! Weren’t you in bed for 3 straight days??

Stacey: Yes! And I didn’t take my laptop with me. I was that sick!

Sarah: Let’s see, that was early November. You caught up with all those revisions, and were frantically turning out new things in hopes of meeting the publisher’s needs

Stacey: Yes, that was a tense time. But in the end, the publisher was pleased with almost everything I revised, and I was off and running again. At this point, we had three weeks until the entire magazine had to be wrapped up.

Sarah: Perfect timing for me to check out!

Stacey: Right! What were you up to again? Oh yeah, THE MOVE!

Sarah: Yep. After living in a house for 8 years, we uprooted and moved two blocks away. It was no small chore, as anyone who has moved knows. And I managed to schedule it for the precise weekend when the magazine needed to be finalized. I was proofing layouts on a desk I rigged up out of packed boxes!

Stacey: And you remembered my birthday! Only you would remember someone’s birthday in the middle of a move and during the Thanksgiving holiday! Anyway, after we crammed all our edits and design tweaks in, I high-tailed it to the FedEx counter at Kinko’s at 11:55 the next Saturday morning. The desk closed five minutes later, with the entire contents of Flea Market Style—perfected and proofed—on its way to the publisher in New York City.

Sarah: At that point, Stacey’s and my sighs of relief could be felt in New York City, I think!

Stacey: For sure!


Sarah: Was it worth it, H1N1 and everything?

Stacey: I could have done without the H1N1. But yes, it was worth it. Isn’t the magazine gorgeous?!

Sarah: If I do say so myself, it is!

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Sarah’s Question: Favorite part of the process of creating the mag?

Sarah’s Answer: Definitely working with the talented, wise, and fun team. We had a ball together, learning from one another, cheering each other on, and laughing about the missteps. It was a dream team, truly.

Stacey’s Question: Favorite story or feature?

Stacey's Answer: To pick just one would be impossible. I love them all for different reasons. “Delicate Cycle” I hold close to my heart because the images are just so beautiful and of course, I had to make sure my design and typography reflected the delicateness of the subject. “Decorate with Roses” became my War of the Roses. Many sleepless nights on that design – and to say that much is enough. “Backyard Soda Shoppe” was a delight to design as Ki and Kim gave me just the perfect opener to use and not to mention I love the punch of color in this story. “Where Little Girls Dream” made me smile every time I opened the layout and secretively made me wish for a playhouse of my own! And of course, “Born in a Barn” is probably my favorite story. I adored the homeowners, enjoyed their commentary and just loved how it was written. I could go on and on about each story, but I won’t. I just hope everyone enjoys this magazine as much as I did designing it.

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Today's give-away?

 

Lisa Leonard was so generous that she gave us a second necklace to give away to our readers!

Leave a comment to win this beauty:

 

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Contest is now Closed

Reflections on Canton...

What do I love most about my job?

Without question, the people! That's why I love flea markets! Shooting the story about Canton First Monday Trade Days was filled with new faces and wonderful stories. Thankfully, I had my friend and Canton expert, Margo, to introduce me to some of the nicest dealers on the planet. Where else can you meet a guy that sells hundreds of water skis - including a surfboard named Bubbles - while he entertains you with his quick wit and humorous quips as you hold the sweet hand of a charming woman while listening to her reminisce her 40 years as a vendor at Canton? I could have spent the entire day just chatting with folks.

Then, with ample southern hospitality, Maggie welcomed us with lemonade and cookies at the Veranda and Linda Hatfield, operations supervisor, delighted us with a narrated tour of the grounds, golf-cart style.

I felt so pampered.

Now, you have to realize that shooting and shopping are two different animals. Shooting requires focus and keeping to a schedule. You see, photos are required to be taken during daylight hours. I've been known to lack focus, as I tend to wander off track when seduced by a rusty piece of junk or when distracted by chatting with customers and vendors. Margo did an amazing job of keeping me on track as we tried to see and shoot it all. As you may know, Canton can be overwhelming and has more to offer than we could fit in 10 pages!

Okay. So while I didn't quite get all the photos I needed that day, fortunately Allen and Margo agreed to go back another day to grab the additional shots needed to complete the story. (Thanks guys!)

You meet the nicest folks junking! Really!

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What we asked Ki:

Q. Which member of the FMS team would you most like to trade jobs with for a week?

A. I would like to be the person behind the camera. Matthew, Kim Cornelison, Jenny, Heather, and Allen Arrick are my idols. To create such beauty and fun with a click of a button makes me drool with envy. I keep saying I will take a class someday....haven't quite gotten past those how-to photos.

Someday...

(all photos by Allen Arrick)

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Now for the give-away!!

Leave a comment for a chance to win one of Ki`s cool, one-of-a-kind canvas bags, made by her sister and embellished using vintage aprons. Check out her shop while you`re at it!

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Contest is now Closed

Bouquets of Gratitude...

For me, the best part of working on Flea Market Style is the constant inspiration and joy received from the homeowners, shop keepers and gorgeous locations. Who worries about content when you have such incredible people and places to feature? It's makes the job almost effortless. Almost. Of course there is the task of scouting the locations, finding props, conceptualizing a story line, getting everything to the shoot on time, praying for good weather and an easy day of everything falling into place. But all those tedious little details are forgotten once the story has been put to bed awaiting it's printing date.

Truly, the beauty behind this issue goes to those who are featured on the pages of Flea Market Style. Their passion for flea marketing overflows into each and every story. Without them it wouldn't be the same. It's a harmonious balance of beautiful locations along with a photographer's eye, stylist's vision and an editor's artful touch in making them all come together.

The warm hospitality given to our small staff here at the magazine was the highlight for me. From homemade lunches, free accommodations, touching thank you gifts, helpful hands and welcoming spirits, those featured are truly top notch. And now fortunately for me, fast friends.

Thank you for allowing us to come into your homes, shops and lives and helping us bring our shared love of Flea Market Style to the masses.

Your Friend, Heather

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Our question posed to Heather:

Q. Least favourite part of the process of creating the magazine?

A.  Reshooting details and waiting for it to be published. Ohhhh, the waiting is the worst!

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And now it is time for give-away number two!

Leave a comment for a chance to win this:

 
This textile soak is excellent for removing stains and restoring your treasured vintage linens and quilts.

(courtesy, Vintage Textile Soak.com)

 Again, all winners for our give-aways this week will be drawn and announced on Friday!

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Contest is now closed

Kick-off to Launch Week...Flea Market Style!!

Team Flea Market Style

(from left, in back: Matthew, Ki, Linda, Heather and Sarah; in front: Jenny and Stacey)

Although we have shared our cover, and some of you already have the magazines in your hands, many will not have access to it for another week or so. Please allow us to pump up the anticipation and bring you along for the ride...as we launch Flea Market Style with the fanfare it deserves!

Creating the Cover:

He Said/She Said...with Matthew and Jenny:

Matthew: We got our "feet wet" creating covers for Country Home magazine over the last twelve years. When Flea Market Style came along, it was familiar territory but on a tight deadline...

Shooting the cover for FMS meant painting and decorating a room in our house. It meant picking a rug, matching paint colors and rummaging through my own flea market finds to create a welcoming, colorful and tranquil space. It culminated days before Christmas - between location shots for a cookbook and finishing up some work for Dove Chocolate. Just like decorating any room in many of your lives, I painted the room at the end of the day and hung curtains before heading off to the studio. It's a lesson, I think, in what we all endure to carve out a beautiful space to reside. We work on it when we can, and when we have time and do it in an expedient way so that we can "hurry up" and relax. It is a real room with real projects from throughout the magazine, and I really enjoyed pulling it together to share with all of you. MGM

Jenny: Because our deadline fell smack dab in the middle of the holiday season, I wish a cover had been chosen from the existing stories found in the magazine. That one magical image would have shone above all others...could have been "the one", hands down, that perfectly fit the bill. Creating a cover is just like decorating a room. Things need to be "just so" - like a fresh wall color, nicely pressed linens, a throw pillow or two to create a welcoming and eye-pleasing setting. And while many images in the magazine had some of these elements, none of them had them all. So, with a check-list in hand and 36 hours, Matthew and I were able to create two, beautiful cover options right here in our own home. And our hard work really paid off...giving us a newly pulled-together space in what was once just a spare room.

The second cover try made use of the same angle, but we replaced the bench with a personalized work desk with fabric skirting. This look provided just a bit more of a "decorator" feel with a very specific project. The rest of the props were gathered from all different stories in the magazine to create a special and stylish flea market mix.

 Matthew's final word:

The settee on the cover is more of a love seat, like a bicycle built for two. That's what I think, anyway. Jenny and I found it at an indoor flea market very early in our relationship for about $125. I had rented a van for a wedding I was producing. We had ficus trees and flowers and bouquets, all to transport to a neighboring Massachusetts inn. So, I kept the van for an extra day so Jenny and I could canvas the countryside looking for oversized second-hand finds. It was late spring, and after we collected the bench, we pulled off the road by a brook to put our feet in the water. Wow, was the water cold; but after such a long winter, putting our feet in was a great way to engage spring. Now, when I see the bench, I think of that time together as we sat on the rocky landscape, enjoying each others company and fell in love...

Now, if that doesn't make it a love seat, then what does?

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Matthew's random question, asked by the FMS team:

Q. Whose role would you have liked to try for a week?

A.  I secretly think of myself as a graphic designer; and although I don't have any training in that field, I am most envious of Stacey's job because it really is the total fulfillment of the stories and the magazine. I would love to try Stacey's job for a week!

and the question posed to Jenny:

Q.Which team member  have you discovered the most about?

A. Linda has handled so much more than she really signed up for in this project, and has dealt with everything with such professionalism, humor and dedication. She is an incredible person and although I knew she was great, I am honored that we are friends.

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Now, because this is the kick-off to launch week, we want to announce just what this week is about. We plan on posting five great posts -sharing insights from the team - and are also hosting five great give-aways.

First up is a chance to win this beautiful necklace from Lisa Leonard:

Lisa has many beautiful pieces to choose from and if you leave a comment, letting us know what you think of our cover choice, you will be entered into the draw for the above piece.

Note: All give-away winners will be randomly selected and announced on Friday.

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Contest is now closed

Enter...Tricia Foley

I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing the incredibly talented Tricia Foley early this fall, and as an avid fan of Country Home magazine - which Tricia contributed to frequently - I was well aware of what an honour it was. As the author of nine design books - including her latest, "At Home with Wedgwood : the Art of the Table", which she is currently promoting across the country - and principal of her own design company, Tricia Foley Design, Tricia is know for her simple, classic style. 

Tricia's reputation for excellence is well-known, and her work has been published in magazines such as Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, House Beautiful, Country Home, Coastal Living and Southern Accents. One of her most recent and favorite projects has been working with Marci Klein (producer of SNL + 30 Rock) on her NYC loft and beach house in the Hamptons.

While her credentials are impressive, indeed, Tricia is also an avid flea marketeer! Frequenting sales in Long Island - where she is renovating an 18th century farmhouse - and New York, Tricia generously shares her flea marketing tips and experiences with us.

Enjoy!

LM: Tricia, how does vintage style factor in to your design work?

TF: I love beautiful old pieces and not only collect them to "save" them, but to incorporate into my life and home and use for inspiration in designing product and interiors.

LM: What are you collecting right now?

TF: I usually only buy functional things, especially glass containers, crystal, china, baskets, silver, vintage luggage, textiles, old books for research, and landscape paintings I can't live without. I'm currently looking for anything with calligraphy...old deeds, letters, notebooks, etc. I weave these things into my linen closet to use on beds and in bathrooms, incorporate china and crystal in table settings, and containers for storage. I really use my library for research as well as pleasure!

LM: What is the biggest thing you have ever dragged home from a flea-market or yard-sale?

TF: I would have to say a set of 20 Danish modern library chairs from an upstate college!

LM: What is your thrifting/flea marketing “uniform”? Do you dress down to get a better deal?

A. My goal is to be comfortable and have lots of pockets. Walking shoes and layers - to be ready for any weather - are a must! Basically, black leggings, flip-flops, and a well worn safari jacket are my uniform; and I always have an old cashmere sweater and wellies in the station wagon to layer on. A few canvas bags that fit over my shoulder to fill up are always on hand to tote my finds. Ultimately, I don't purposely dress down to get a better deal, and I don't like to bargain. I ask the dealers for their best price and if I want it and can afford it, I buy it!

LM:  Do you have a colour crush? And if so, does it influence your collecting?

TF: I love natural colors and materials. My signature colors are black and white, and I have lots of texture and old patina in vintage wood, wicker, and painted metal pieces. I am most definitely influenced by my color crushes! I zero right in on any cream ware, silver, natural linens, and Shaker or Scandinavian pieces in any flea market setting!

**Be sure to visit Tricia Foley at http://www.triciafoley.com/  and http://www.thenewgeneralstore.com/, where you can learn more about her approach to design, lifestyle and entertaining, and keep an eye out for her new book (below). 

**all images: courtesy, Tricia Foley. Used with permission.

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(blogged by Linda MacDonald)

Early Arrival! It's Here... It's Here!!!

Whew!

What a morning!

What a surprise!!

Ki just phoned me to let me know that a special arrival just happened, before its due date (a shop-owner friend received her copies of Flea Market Style this morning!). Soooo, after a little gathering of the minds, it was crystal clear that we needed to share the cover with you tout de suite!

At once!!

Thus, with much pride and big beams on our faces, we unveil our new child magazine,

and her name is:

Isn't she lovely?

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particulars:

weight wait: unable to ascertain. Yours (or your local retailers) may not arrive for another week or so, or it might be sitting in your mailbox, now.

length: 144 pages, give or take a few

value: priceless; but if you're picky, $9.95 USD

Nine months of growth, love, nourishing and creation, and while it won't wake you up at night, it just might keep you up...reading!!

Spread the word and, if you please, let us know where and when you find it in your neck of the woods.

To find out where to get your copy, go here!

Pass it on!!