Year-End Thoughts

As 2011 is now a thing of the past, I would like to reflect on an item that perturbs me. 99.99% of our customers are dear, sweet people whom we go way out of our way to attempt to please. They are gracious, kind, and appreciative of all our work we do to present our items in a professional and attractive manner. They know we spend countless hours looking for our unique, hard-to-find, really cool items. They also know we ALWAYS offer these items at a fair and reasonable price. They appreciate the ambiance of the soothing music, the attractive displays, the fragrance of burning candles, and the warm and friendly greeting from our staff. These are the reasons why our customer base grows year after year and our loyal customers keep coming back. 

  However towards the end of this year we experienced a few people who apparently did not feel this way. Through no fault of our own, a few people who came in the shop seemed hostile and rude. I don't know if this is a result of economic stress or what, but it seems that more of these types of people seemed to surface towards the end of this year than ever before. As an example, one lady stated that "This is all I am willing to pay for this item. Here is my phone number, you can call me when your ready to sell it for this price." By the way, the price she offered us was less than half of what we paid for the item. Another lady came in and asked for a quote on my custom built farm table and benches. I was out of town but my prices are listed in my catalog. She left leaving a message for me which said she would offer me about half of what my price is. I wonder how any of you would feel if you went to work for half pay. Hmmmm. 

Good thing we are now closed as I need a well deserved break especially from this kind of treatment. Most of our customers are dear and kind people, but there are a few who just don't need to come in any more. Wondering what you might feel about this. Please leave your comments below.

Featured Item - Cantback Cupboard

This is one of our favorite pieces and near and dear to our hearts and that is because we made this piece fashioned after an 18th century Cantback Open-top Pewter Cupboard.. The hinges are original 18th century in which we have been saving for years just for this project.

Reproduction Cantback Cupboard

Open View

You just gotta love the grungy mustard milk paint. This plus all the other primitive features like the bootjack cutouts on the ends, the mousehole, the early fashioned latch, and the original early backboards make this piece a MUST HAVE!

Side View

Take a look at the detail on the following photos.

Latch

Upper Moldings

Mousehole

This featured cupboard is being offered at a SPECIAL price of only $899. Contact us for more information!

Featured Item - Red Stepback

2 Piece Stepback with Drawers

This week we are featuring a reproduction of a super stepback that is 2 pieces. The top is securely fastened to the bottom. This is a piece we had made especially for the Good Old Days. 

This piece is painted in a primitive cherry red with cream white on the interior. The upper 9 pane door contains old wavy and bubbly glass. There are 6 small dovetailed drawers that really add a unique factor to this piece.

 

The base provides good storage with one shelf.

 

 

You'll just love the paint on this... the color, the texture... you'll just want to feel it all over. We had this piece scaled down to fit in most of your homes. It measures 90" tall x 45 1/2" wide. Please contact us if your interested in purchasing this for only $1499. We can have one built for you in any color.

Featured Item

I have not been giving this blog due justice, so I have decided to add a Featured Item column to this blog. This addition will show photos of an item in the shop we think is especially nice and we will tell you a bit more about it. To stay abreast of these notifications, you just need to subscribe to our Newsfeeds or follow this blog. You can do this at the left of this column.

FEATURED ITEM - HOOSIER
12/1/11

This Hoosier was originally located in Strong Museum, Rochester NY. We were lucky enough to acquire this piece and offer it to you. This Hoosier is as original as you can possibly find them. All the bells and whistles are intact. You will find everything here that they would have had back in the 20's when this cupboard was most popular.

Hoosiers come in several styles and configurations. This particular example is one of the most common sizes and configurations. It is the perfect example to show what this popular cupboard looks like and to demonstrate all of it's functionality. That is why this was chosen to be on display in the Strong Museum.

1920's Hoosier with doors open

Many Hoosiers are missing the items typically found inside and on the doors. Although most of these types of items can be purchased from a reproduction source, one almost never finds a Hoosier as complete as this. Here you will see the rack on the lower left door, the flour sifter in working condition, the spice jars, the charts on the doors, the recipe holder rack on the middle door, and spice racks on the right door.

 

Breadbox in lower drawer

Shown above is the bottom drawer. This drawer typically is used to store the freshly baked breads. Notice the sliding lid with the breathing holes. These lids are seldom found on most Hoosiers.

Flour Sifter and Spice Jars

These spice jars even has the original spices in them. The flour sifter is filled from the top. A glass viewing window is on the front to determine the level of flour left in the hopper. When one wants to fill a bowl with flour, one would place the bowl under the bin, slide the closure to the side, and crank the handle. The handle actually moves a sifter back and forth so the flour delivered is actually sifted as well.

Hoosier Chart

Very seldom will you ever find a Hoosier with charts in them such as this. If you do, they are typically a reproduction. These charts provide guidance to the home cook.

Back side of Hoosier

The backs are typically replaced with luan plywood. Another item you want to look for beside the original back is the tags identifying the model number, serial number, and plant where it was manufactured. Both the top and the bottom will have a tag attached to the back and the back will also be stamped with more identification numbers.

Original label found on the back of the Hoosier

Hoosier Tag

The Hoosier tag is always affixed to the front center with tacks. If it is shiny and new, it is a reproduction. These are most often missing.

Hoosier, Left Side

The finish on this Hoosier is very clean, yet original. Hoosiers made in the Indiana plant such as this, are almost always made of oak. The enamal top pulls out to provide the cook with a larger preparation surface. The copper brackets that hold the top off the bottom allow for the enamal top to slide.

This Hoosier was recently added to our collection and is for sale for $1499. Please contact is if you are interested in purchasing or would like more information about this particular piece.

Now Offering "Miniature" Primitive Cupboards

We are now taking orders on miniature scaled reproductions of the popular cupboards we have sold in the shop. The cabinetmaker of the original cupboards has agreed to make these miniatures on a limited basis. There are very few available, so we are taking orders on these NOW. Perhaps you would like one to accent your larger piece. Perhaps you would like one for your miniatures collection, or just to add to the primitive decor of your home. We can have these shipped to your home, anywhere in the USA, for just an additional $15. These fine little miniatures are actual scaled reproductions of the larger pieces. They are made by the same folks that produced the larger versions. That's made here in the good ole USA folks! That's important. Support your handmade in the USA people now more than ever! Call the shop at 315-589-2775 to order. These will not be available forever, so we urge you to act now while they are being offered to you.

The Current Styles of Miniature Cupboards Now being offered, on an Order Basis

Shown here is the 1/12 scale version of "Bob's Cupboard". It measures 13" tall x 7" wide x 7" deep. SKU: GIF41, $115
Shown in blue over mustard with a mustard interior. Colors can be whatever you like.

Shown here is the 1/12 scale version of "Bob's Cupboard". It measures 13" tall x 7" wide x 7" deep. SKU: GIF41, $115
Shown in red over mustard with a mustard interior. Colors can be whatever you like.

Shown here in 1/6 scale is the corner cupboard. Measures 27 1/2" tall x 17" wide x 9" deep. SKU: GIF42 - $149
Shown in Blue, but can be ordered in the color of your choice.

As of the first week of September, these mini's can be available towards middle to end of October. You can order in the color of your choice, but understand that there will be variability in colors and wear, as each piece is made by hand and painted by real people, not machines.
We will ship these to your door, or you can pick it up at the shop. They must be paid for and ordered in ADVANCE! Please call the shop at 315-589-2775 to order!

New Shipment of Designer Baskets by Linda Searcy

We just took shipment of some great looking reproduction baskets designed by basket maker Linda Searcy. if you are familiar with Linda's work, you know her baskets are fabulous. Just look at these baskets in the photo.

 

Call the shop to order or stop in for a closer look. The large mitten basket is $49.99, the 2 tiered basket is $49.99, and the cracker basket is $24. There is more not shown. Call 315-589-2775 to order and have it shipped to your home.

New Beeskep House

Made in our workshop, this is the latest "buzz" in garden primitive accessories. Rusty tin, various sized beeskeps, and burlap is all part of the "in" look being shown all over the place. We have plenty of old burlap bags and beeskeps, however this house is a new item and more can be made in a flash. Beeskep house sells for only $69.99.