Local Treasures

This past weekend, I trolled around the second annual Shabby Love Barn Sale for a few hours on Saturday morning.  And while I picked up some great finds, I was most impressed with the talent that lives right here in Orange.  Take Maria Pace for example.  Locals may recognize her as the cute gal that rides her vintage bicycle around town, but she is better known for her nature-inspired watercolors that she screenprints on paper and fabrics.  I hope to save enough pennies someday for one of her gorgeous duvet covers.  Another treasure I discovered Saturday is a a gentleman from my church, Mr. Cooper, who restores turn-of-the-century trunks.  His work is meticulous and handsome and I shared with him that I'd like to have chests for each of my children to store heirlooms, artwork, and meaningful letters to give them one day.  Mr. Cooper agreed to be on the lookout for something special for Miss Maddox this fall.  Finally, the best local treasure, my friend Hanna Kappes, proprietor of Shabby Love and founder of the barn sale.  Hanna has spurred more artistic creativity in this little town than anyone I know.  Thanks to her, people like me are scouring their local thrift shops for that piece that has good bones despite its shoddy appearance.  Hanna reminds us that everything has potential, and that is a true gem.

Beautiful work by Maria Pace.

This artist takes scraps of damaged Turkish rugs and turns them into pillow covers.

A little banjo music set the mood at the barn sale.

Photography on canvas.

Our local gem, Hanna Kappes.

Two of my barn sale finds:  A driftwood mirror perfect for my living room and a silver plated champagne bucket that doubles as a vase, now filled with fall treasures.