The love for oak furniture goes back a long way, as far as the Gothic years! Dark English oak massive pieces were plentiful. In the early 1700's the North American seaports used white oak to build numerous ships. Also, during this time lumber mills were created to supply extremely long wide planks to build ships and colonial homes. The skilled craftsman took the builders techniques of mortised joints and constructed heavy furniture. Builders also used a combination of woods due to the diminishing supply of oak. Each had their own secrets in preparing lumber to mimic oak.

From what I understand from researching Abstract Art, it was born as a result of two primary forces: The Industrial Revolution and the expansion of support for the arts away from primarily the Church to more private patronage. The Industrial Revolution led to a wider distribution of wealth by creating a true Middle Class of merchants, manufacturers and the service industry created by the resulting economic activity.

In 2008 President Bush signed in the observance of September 17-23, as Constitution Week. On September 17, 1787, the United States Constitution was signed by delegates to the Constitutional Convention. This historic document though many troublesome years in the making has protected our freedoms for over 200 years! Antiques and Collectibles are excellent reminders of this history. Ruby Lane gives collectors a chance to not only own, but to also learn about and preserve these treasures of America's past.

Miniature art can be referred to as the little jewels of the art world. One of the nicest advantages of miniature art is that you do not need a specific place or a large wall or area to enjoy them.

We stumbled onto Trade Days five years ago. Traveling through Texas, we heard about a flea market held the four days before the first Monday of each month and showed up Thursday totally clueless. Mouths agape, we stood on the edge of a vast labyrinth of trails with what seemed like unlimited opportunities to buy. We planned to stay for two hours—the time it takes to see a regular flea market; we didn’t realize we had found the largest and oldest flea market in America.

Hot Spring/Summer Trends Part 5&6: Homespun Appeal
and Burled Wood

"Art is the stored honey of the human soul, gathered on wings of misery and travail."
Theodore Dreiser

The final two "green" decorating trends to finish off the Spring/Summer seasons are described as Homespun Appeal and Burled Wood. Handmade collectibles like quilts, hooked rugs, and needlework fit neatly into the Homespun Appeal trend. Their unique textures can soften the harsh edges of a technological workplace and add comfort to home furnishings.

As a former advertising copywriter, I've always gravitated to clever slogans and timely adages, where so much wisdom is often packed into so few words. When I started out on my mid-life crisis career in antiques (just a few years ago ... I'm not THAT old), I was lucky enough to make the acquaintance of an elderly lady who had been in the business since the flood - an antique in her own right, so to speak, who taught me some very valuable lessons.

On an airplane trip home to Milwaukee I had one of the highlight conversations of my life with a man who as an 8 year boy ran booze for Al Capone. Sadly, I did not have a recorder or the insight to write the conversation down. It was absolutely fascinating and I shared it with some of my family.

If you are an antique lover from the Tampa Bay area, you should know that the Henry B. Plant Museum will be hosting Antique Evaluation Saturdays from September 2009 through May 2010. Five appraisers of antiques and collectibles will be available to give their professional opinions of value on any items/treasures shown to them. These sessions take place on Sept 12, Oct 3, and Nov 21 of 2009 and Jan 9, Feb 20, Apr 10, and May 15 of 2010. They will be held in the Music Room next to the Museum, at the Plant Hall of the University of Tampa from 10 am to noon. Ticket sales begin at 10 am at $5 an item, with a limit of 4 per person.

Several years ago, I attended a local auction in which a lovely little sketch was being offered for sale. It was obviously something very old - 17th or 18th century - and clearly the work of a master. It had only one "drawback" (no pun intended): it was framed in a modern oversized white metal frame with big white matting. To the inexperienced eye, it looked like something new, and not even worthy of the $35 starting bid.