Along Highway 7 In Nebraska

When I would take a car ride through the Sand hills in Nebraska as a child I would find it boring.  You would keep an eye out for items along the road that stood out.  This is one that I enjoyed between Ainsworth and Brewster.

I can't tell you much about it, such as who built it, but it does stand out on the prairie landscape.  Also unusual is the amount of water in the ditch, the land is usually much drier.  It also leans more than it did when I was younger, but time does what it will.

I found some great weeping gold items.  They are in my shop.  There is a panther planter, deer planter, and a second deer planter which is very unique.  The colors are great, and I've not seen anything exactly like them.  While the first two planters are common styles, the weeping gold sets them apart, and the baby deer is distinct.  Such a cool set!

Brewster, NE

When I was younger, we would visit Brewster, NE.  Like most of rural Nebraska, the population has gotten smaller.  I pulled into town and took a walk down main street.

This is the Blaine County courthouse.  I bet the line here for your vehicle registration is far smaller than where you live.  The hours of operation are not full-time.

 I don't recall this auto repair store being operational.  In fact, the only evidence of it's purpose from the sign at the top of building.  It is a well-made building and the gas pump out front is a nice touch.

If I ever open an antique shop, I would want to own the building outright.  No one gets rich selling vintage and antiques, and paying rent on top of it can be a killer.  I noticed this building from far away, and thought it would make a nice shop.  When I got closer, it appears great minds think alike.  No word on hours or the name of the shop.  The owner likely comes in when when she/he feels like it.

 An actual phone booth, no phone though.

 This is Doc Middleton's (who lived in Brewster for a spell).  When I was young you could get a food and drink here.  I remember it being very busy during the centennial.  There were also potato sack races out front.  I don't recall my exact age, but I was still in elementary and older.  I was the only one who participated, then two older men joined from the crowd.  I easily won, and they gave me some money for winning.  I was most appreciative.  The building is abandoned, but there are still chairs and tables inside.

 That is the North Loop in the distance.  It is a pretty area that Brewster sits at.

This is Uncle Buck's Lodge.  It is still going and the reviews are positive.  It looks like you can get  food and a place to stay.  It was built after I left, so it's a new building.  It is right along Highway 7.
I was told growing up that Brewster applied to be the state capital of Nebraska.  I'm sure it's fortunes would have been different had it been chosen.  It was nice visiting the village from my youth.

No need for hunting for vintage items, check out :

https://www.etsy.com/shop/Modred12

for great vintage items!

Walnut Antique Fair

I went to the Walnut Iowa for an antique fair last weekend.  It's always nice to see what the dealers have and what the trends are.  There is quite a variety, including rustic items, glassware, and printing press items.  There were a lot of dealers and the people of Walnut always do a great job of hosting.  I didn't buy much, a bowling pin for  a family member, but I did enjoy looking and browsing.

Country Auction

I went to a great auction this weekend in rural Nebraska. It was an old farmhouse that was being cleared out, and had a bunch of old vintage primitives. I couldn't buy everything I wanted, the windmill weights went higher than I wanted to pay, but I did get some great finds. Keep an eye on my Etsy shop, as I've already posted some of my finds.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Modred12

Birds Chasing Bugs

While looking for Etsy treasury photographs for the Midwest Treasury Team one of my favorite shops is BirdsChasingBugs. It's a vintage store with great photography and items. It's primarily clothes and shoes, but it also has handbags and items for the home. I had to learn more about Amber and this great vintage clothes shop.

How did you get started selling vintage?:

I started selling vintage apparel while I was in college. There was a really charming vintage store/boutique that consigned vintage items of all sorts. I started doing it as a way to make back the money I spent on things that I would acquire at thrift stores. I’m totally manic about shopping at thrift stores, and selling some pieces that I found made me feel like there was balance to the equation. I’m always scheming to put my hobbies to work for me.

Why does vintage clothing appeal to you?:

Clothing will never again be constructed the way it used to be. Not en masse, anyway. I find vintage clothing utterly and truly captivating. Clothes used to be constructed from fine, natural materials, such as wool, silk, cotton, and fur. These natural materials make the world of difference when it comes to comfort. Also, the details that you find on vintage clothes are always stunning.

I love the freedom to pick and choose across genres and generations. I have this romantic idea that people of the past had more style and grace than your average person today, so there’s definitely some romanticism. Moreover, vintage clothes are fancy, and I love being fancy. Why put on jeans and a t-shirt when you can put on one fabulous dress? You would have done twice the work and you wouldn’t look half as awesome. Vintage clothes spark my imagination. I could wax on and on for days about why I love vintage clothes, but I’ll stop here.

What are your favorite vintage items to sell (shoes, dresses, etc)?:
I feel like I am still figuring this part out. When I look at my “items sold” list, it seems like I have the best knack for shoes, but I really would love to be able to sell more dresses. In general, anything fancy that you can put on your body is what I am interested in selling, at least in BirdsChasingBugs. I have another store in the works, PirateVintage, that is going to focus more on housewares and guy-friendly stuff.

What advice would you give to someone looking to buy or sell vintage clothing?:

If you are looking to sell vintage of any sort, treat your shop as if you are curating an art exhibit. Make it beautiful, make it genuine, and be passionate about it. If you don’t have passion, it will show.

If you are looking to buy vintage clothing, remember that there’s no such thing as “too fancy.” Also, that truly great vintage piece will last you forever, if cared for properly. Be kind to your vintage clothes, and they’ll be kind to you. Invest in the proper cleaning of your garments.

I enjoy the timeless designs and the items at BirdsChasingBugs. It really is a great vintage clothing store. I'll be sure to keep an eye out for your new store, PirateVintage. This was my first interview and it was fun to do, thanks Amber. Wishing everyone a happy weekend, and some great finds to vintage shoppers and buyers alike.