We're registered!

Hi everyone! I've been a bad blogger lately, due to "hectic life schedule" issues. Hey, I just invented a new term! I'm sure this might describe the life of many of you, doesn't it?

Anyway, here's what's up with Second Chance Art & Accessories lately. I had applied for a trademark registration a long time ago... and after a few glitches (ie - trying to fill out the application myself without professional legal help), and about 1.5 years (& real legal help) - we're now officially registered! I decided to pursue the registration status to protect & promote the Second Chance Art & Accessories "brand" - I haven't figure out what the future will hold, but I've got a few different directions in mind. We'll see where the road leads as we continue to travel down it. Here's a peek at my registration certificate!


I've been to a few flea markets in the last month - here's some goodies my Mom & I found at the Sandwich Antiques market on Sept. 28:
Here's a picture of my mom, sister, & I as we load up the finds from a local flea market this past weekend.
Here's a few "interesting" items we saw at the same local flea market - but they didn't make the cut for Second Chance Art & Accessories. I'm not sure I understand what this was or is - half of a man with a construction hat on. Anyone know what this was for? Maybe he is actually captain hook, since he has no hands. Hmmm...
All I can say here is: Ewwwww! I'm definitely the squeemish type when it comes to bugs of any kind.
On a different note - I've been trying to ramp up my inventory for my next show, which is Fall Diddley - this weekend in Belvedere, IL. (Boone County Fairgrounds - oct 11-12). My parents (who are invaluable to me as volunteer "slave" labor) helped me assemble a large number of "his/hers" windows the other day - one of Second Chance Art & Accessories' most popular items. Hopefully if you come looking for these in the future - I'll have something in stock that fits your color scheme. Yes, they really do seem to go on forever. (not really - but I do have quite a few right now).
Anyway - if you're in the vicinity - come visit the booth at Fall Diddley - Second Chance Art & Accessories is in building #3, booth #25-26. Hopefully it will be a fun weekend! The next scheduled show will be the One of a Kind Show & Sale at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago - Dec. 4-7.

take care -
:) Amy

Sandwhich Antiques Market

Hi Everyone -

After checking out the local Marley, IL flea market this past saturday, I dragged my hubby to the Sandwich Antiques market on sunday, June 22. I know I have some date conflicts in the future for both Kane County Flea Market & Sandwich Antiques Market - so I figured I'd better stock up on more finds while I can! Here's a peak at some future Second Chance Art:

Cool old hose nozzles - I think they'll make great peg-type hooks for something.... Here's a "lovely" chandelier - needs a little help at the moment, but I can picture this one cleaned up & working....
Here's the back of our truck, with about half of what we picked up removed. I did get a few interesting windows with great old privacy glass. Only time will tell what they'll become.....
It's the bin pull army! Actually, I'm thinking I'll save these for a future kitchen renovation that my hubby & I are planning. Lucky me, I found about 20 matching bin pulls of 2 different styles. Hopefully my dogs won't want to sit there & lick these. (they have a penchant for licking cold metal objects.....I don't get it).

Thanks for stopping by! Take care - :) Amy

Flea marketing

Amy combed the Marley Church flea market Saturday morning, snapping up treasures like a bag 'o door knobs, a squoval-shaped mirror and a bench. And some old feed bags.






Some items that did not make the cut for Second Chance:

Trunk-tacular!

Hello everyone! Hope you had a great holiday weekend. I feel so blessed that we live in a country with so many freedoms - because of our great military. I hope everyone was able to pay a little respect to someone in the military, past or present.

Because we have freedom, I was able to check out a "flea market" this weekend. I took a picture of the sign from my car at a stoplight. Of course, I tried to blow it up - but it became a little fuzzy. My resulting picture shows off my vast array of technical skills, as it has a large white area around it. Oh well - hopefully you get the idea. I think the sign is a little funny, since it says "Giant Flea Market". This particular flea market I would describe more as a large garage sale. Not so Giant.

Anyway, I did find a few great things, including this fabulous old cedar-lined trunk! (hence: Trunktacular!) Okay, I now admit to the annoying habit of making a new word from 2 existing words (trunk + spectacular). I've done this before - cases in point: "fabumaps" and "crudtastic". This habit could get under one's skin a little, a la Rachel Ray style (sorry if you're a big fan of hers - I respect her, but I'm more of a Nigella / Giada / Alton Brown fan - all you food network junkies know what I mean).

I think the finish needs some work, but this one definitely has potential, probably in the form of paint. I should also say... on my word-combining habit, there is always a little sarcasm in my newly coined words. I know when I see something with potential, but I know whatever I bring home may be ridiculed by my family as some sort of useless junk. I usually get the last laugh when my scoffers see the end result..... we will see what this becomes. Check out the great carvings! I picked up this great tin because I was inspired by the beautiful label - for Tobacco! I can't wait to sink a jar in & fill it with some roses from my garden.
I now keep a small supply of chalk for the chalkboards I sell. I found the perfect old chalk box to store it in - I just love the way things were explained way back..... check out the label!
Here's a picture of my sister, after she climbed in the back of the vehicle with the back seat folded down. We took off & she "spilled" over. I thought it was funny... she probably won't like that I posted this picture. Ha!

She's now righted herself. Apparently she loves Carbs.
No, I did not buy this. But what a steal for just $.75! Remember these? The parrot will repeat what you say over & over. Not annoying at all, right?
No, I didn't buy this either since it didn't match my decor. (I'm being sarcastic here!) But what a find! Listen to the radio as you pull TP from the roll. Anyone have one that is willing to fess up?

As always, thanks for stopping in. I'm getting ready to exhibit Second Chance Art & Accessories at the Wells Street Art Festival in Chicago in 2.5 weeks. I'll be sending out postcards shortly with my schedule for summer & fall, and finishing up other details to get ready for the show. Hope to see you at a show this summer! take care - Amy :)

Flea market finds

Hi everyone -

My Mom & I went to the Kane County Flea market this weekend. Here's some photos of a few great finds! I indulged my love of old Hotel Silver, even though my husband has told me he thinks it's "gross" or something like that. I put it through the dishwasher (you're probably not supposed to do this, but it makes me feel better about using it - who knows where it's been!) and then polish it. Ever hear of the "Lawrence"? I'll have to google this one.


These old plumbing knobs are destined to become hooks for some bathroom themed art!

My Mom & I both got one of these cool old PO box doors. It actually still works! This will probably be built into a wall in my house at some point.

Here we are, before we left - displaying our empty trunk. I meant to take an after picture, but when I got home - my husband was gone with the camera.

check out the tangle of old painted hooks. Most people would think I'm crazy to buy such a thing. I see it as a new flavor of "hardware soup" - my method for removing old paint from hardware. (crockpot here it comes!)
Here's a couple of great old mirrors - very thick glass. See my feet in the picture?
Here's a couple of trays, which are harder for me to find. I have a hard time keeping them in stock.
I bought this picture for the frame - but check out the grumpy old ancestors! Sorry if you know these people, but no one from way back ever seemed very happy.
Here's another shot of the hotel silver I found, and another old "2" house number - goes with my second chance theme, so I'll probably mount it on some of my booth display signage.

Bye for now! thanks for checking in - Amy :)

How I love the Kane County Flea Market

Hi Everyone! This past saturday I dragged my Mom to the Kane County Flea Market. She's such a good sport - she says she likes going, but always ends up lugging around my unwieldy finds while I continue to slowly pick through potential buys. Here are some pictures from our outing:

Mom is trying to prevent me from taking her picture here - I was fast enough to get her picture before she could snatch my camera. Heh heh...

Most sane individuals would argue this piece is a waste of time. However, I thought it was a bonus that it came with a piece of the original ceiling stud it was wired through. Yes, this will take a little elbow grease, but should turn out to be a lovely "candelier" when I'm finished.

Behind me here is a lovely old dresser mirror with a great curvy frame. Destined to become a Parisian-themed artpiece for above someone's console table or maybe a dressing area?....... only time will tell...
Here I am next to my "old lady cart" (I apologize to any older women who have a cart like this). I've finally wised up a bit - having a set of wheels makes for fewer trips to the car.
Here's a terrific 9 pane window with some original hardware still attached. I hardly ever pay for windows, as I can usually find them around. This one was worth paying for though.

I couldn't leave the flea market without something completely ridiculous, which will probably become a gift for my sister. 80's music fans rejoice - here's Mr. Mister, Richard Marx, & Wham. You probably won't catch me wearing these at any of my art shows. I asked the vendor how much..... he said "$1 each". I responded "how about a quantity discount?" .... to which he said "okay, $2 for all three"....... now that's negotiating!

thanks for checking in! take care for now - Amy

On the hunt for potential Second Chance Art......

I'm about 3 weeks away from my next show, the Frankfort Fall Festival over Labor Day Weekend (Sat-Mon). I can't believe the summer is flying by so quickly!

In the mean time, I've been working on custom orders, finishing up the class I've been teaching at Joliet Junior College, and scouring garage sales, flea markets, etc - for potential Second Chance Art! Not to mention garbage dates....... (see my previous posts)

To continue with the "foot" theme I've begun to establish in my previous post, I've taken a picture of my Mom & I's feet as we sit on the back of her vehicle at the Sandwich Antique Market, Sunday July 22. The second pic is my Mom (she probably won't like this) - after we've eaten lunch & loaded the first round of finds into the vehicle. It's much easier to keep looking with an empty backpack, empty hands, & a full stomach!

Stop by my booth at the Frankfort Fall Festival over Labor Day weekend to see what I've transformed the next round of stuff into. Hope to see you there - :)