Another Year Winding Down

As 2012 comes to a close, all of us at the Olde Barn Centre want to wish you and your family a joyous holiday season.  If you have visited us in the past...we hope you will stop in again in 2013.  If you have never been to the barn...we hope you'll find the time to stop in and see the treasures we have to offer.  This year we celebrated our 20th anniversary of being open and look forward to another treasure filled and prosperous year to come in 2013.

HERE TODAY, GONE TOMORROW...NOT EXACTLY

Like bell bottom jeans and wide ties in fashion, there are universal items we use in our lives that wax and wane with popularity.  Some antique professionals believe today's buying trends are based on the content of the current magazines and what people see on television.  I admit I think that's part of the reason.  I also think it has to do with need.

We set up housekeeping with the essentials we need and fill in the blanks as we go along.  Our parents and their parents before them did the same thing.  So I believe it's this cycle of "family" that spurns the need to have certain "remembered" possessions and if they aren't handed down then we set out looking for them.

Some find when they set up housekeeping with the new items they've purchased or been gifted, those items break or wear out in 2, 5 or 10 years.  Items grandma or grandpa used are still around so in essence we are able to recycle and reuse those tried and treasured items.  I use a little mixture of both the old and new in my daily life and I think I'm happier for it.  It's mostly positive reinforcement to me to use the "tried and treasured" items.

An article in the May, 2011 edition of Country Living magazine remarks "It used to be you could tell when a woman got married by the Pyrex in her kitchen."  Said quote was made by Barbara Mauzy, author of Pyrex: The Unauthorized Collector's Guide.  The Corning Company introduced Pyrex in 1915 and advertised  it as the first glass cookware able to withstand extreme temperature shifts stating "it could take a meatloaf straight from the freezer to a 350-degree oven."  Solid colors were introduced in 1947 with patterns to follow seven years later.

With the multiple antique dealers we have here at the Olde Barn Centre, you'll find various shapes, sizes and colors in the Pyrex line.  Pyrex and other items from the Corning family are items I would consider "tried and treasured".  And completely affordable to those just starting out on their adventure of collecting.

The Olde Barn Centre is open every day from 10 am to 5 pm.  Now that the summer is winding down, if you haven't already maybe it's time to visit the Olde Barn Centre.

Preview of Summer

I am continually humbled by the people who can post on their blogs everyday.  Where do they find the time and inspiration???  I do think about topics or pictures I'd like to add ... and then more than a few days will pass and I will second guess the information or change my mind entirely.  I apologize if this prevents you from wanting to follow along.  I will try to stay more current with local happenings and pictures of what we have to offer at the Olde Barn Centre.

The weather has certainly improved.  Flowers are in bloom everywhere.  Some blooming earlier than they should since I saw a rose bush in bloom and it's only the first week of May.  For the spring and summer season we recently received a load of beautiful Adirondack gliders.  We've had so many compliments on them you just must try one when you visit us.  

We have many items such as furniture, decorator treasures and entertaining items all for your day-to-day or entertaining pleasure in your home for the summer.  Need a wagon or wheelbarrow to fill with flowers for your yard...we have it.  Need champagne flutes for the intended bride and groom...we have it.  Wicker furniture for your sunroom or porch...we have it.  We have the mixing bowls, serving bowls and deviled egg dishes for all your reunions and family picnics.  Stop by the Olde Barn Centre and see how we can help you make your summer magical and memorable.

Spring or Summer?

If you're a resident of central Pennsylvania, the last two weeks sure seemed like a prelude to summer.  Warm days, sunshine and dandelions cropping up everywhere.   Then we were awakened to the fact that it still is March and the weather has turned back to a colder, windier and noticeably wetter spring.

Spring also brings antique shows, auctions and increased traffic at antique shops and flea markets.  People are out and about looking to shake off the winter blues and stale indoor air.  Here at the barn, dealers are stocking their booths with merchandise to furnish, accessorize and decorate your home with that new fresh look.

Plus with the Easter holiday fast approaching, we have plenty of items you can use in entertaining your family during that holiday visit and meal.  Being a family owned and operated business, Easter Sunday is one of only the four major holidays we are closed.  From all of us here at the barn, we wish you and your family a joyous Easter holiday season.

Valentine's Day

We've been getting calls daily from people trying to find something specific for their sweetheart.  I can't stress enough that in this business, if your sweetheart saw it 3 months ago...it's probably long gone.  Unfortunately that's the nature of our business.  Well any business that deals in items that are rare and hard to come by usually don't have a back room full of the stuff.

There are highly collectible items you may find in every antique store you visit.  Depression glass comes to mind when I mentioned that last sentence.  Ironically certain items fall in and out of favor just like bell bottom jeans and wide ties.  Sometimes we'll have alot of something and sometimes not so much.  So if you see it and you like it but aren't sure ... take some time to decide if it's the right color, size or useful enough to bring home with you.  We have brochures at the desk and in our front lobby with our telephone number on it and you can call us to find out if it's still in the building.  Description is key, we need to know exactly what it is, the price and dealer code if you can remember it and where in the building you were when you saw it.  Sometimes items get moved around from booth to booth, upstairs to down or possibly if it hasn't been sold the dealer took it out to make room for new old merchandise.

The item pictured is a wonderfully built bar from reclaimed lumber.  It truly is a one of kind piece.

Thanks for reading and don't forget to stop by if you're in the area.  Open daily, seven days a week, yes that includes Sunday (we get asked that alot) from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Wishing for warmer weather.

So we're on the count down to spring here in Central Pennsylvania.  Although it's not quite cold enough for snow, we'd sure be getting alot of it because we are having a ton of rain again.  Traffic has been brisk as people go out and enjoy the balmy winter.

Dealers are daily rearranging and restocking with new nice things for your home or gifts you might choose for friends.  Hoping to make a list of spring time happenings in the area soon.  Stay posted.  And for your viewing pleasure...yellow my favorite thing about spring are daffodils and lilacs.  Enjoy.

SUNSHINE

It's definitely sunny here in Central Pennsylvania.  Although once you step outside you realize all that bright light is deceiving because it's really only 28 degrees here.  We're still seeing a brisk traffic even with the frigid temperatures.  Yes we are in a barn but we do enjoy the comforts of heat in the winter and air conditioning in the summer.  And to add to your comfort, we serve complimentary hot coffee every day.

So what is this piece I've pictured today.  A definite conversation starter...it's a record player cabinet.  It has a classic look as well as an interesting Asian feel.  As a converted blanket chest, it will hold everything you need to stay warm on these cold winter nights.  Happy January.

74 Days until Spring

If I've calculated the days correctly.  So far no snow here in Central Pennsylvania but now I've probably jinxed it.  I'm sure we'll have some snow days here at some point.  With that in mind, if you are traveling a distance to come to visit us...and if the weather is inclement you might wish to call beforehand to make sure we are open.  570-546-7493.  If you live locally, generally we don't close due to snow unless the local schools have cancelled.  But again, it's always good to call first.

Our dealers are busy filling their booths with new "old" merchandise.  Our offerings span from the smallest hat pin to the largest dining room table with assorted sizes and treasures in between.  One of the latest trends in collecting seems to be character glasses.  Whether you display them or use them, we have quite a few to choose from.

So if you're done with the mall shopping for the holidays and would like to find a little treasure for yourself...stop by.  We're open every day (weather permitting this time of year) seven days a week from 10 to 5.  I think you'll be glad you did.  Thinking warm (weather) thoughts and looking forward to your visit.