It’s my favorite holiday too! I love the spring antique show! Bluebonnets will be in bloom. The weather is unpredictable, BUT IT’S NOT HOT. Excitement blows with the wind as trailers packed with treasures begin to ascend upon our beautiful countryside. I’m convinced that even the birds are singing about it. What I look forward to THE MOST is visiting with friends who make their bi-annual pilgrimage to Texas to shop for their stores, find out what’s new in design trends and to be inspired by a creative community.
Flown The Coop will kick off our show March 16th and run through April 1st. We’ll be open 9am – 6pm daily. This spring we’ll host a St. Patty’s Day Karaoke Party in the back yard on March 17th 7:30pm. The Kountry Karoake Chick will bring her show to our back yard stage. Bad Girl BBQ will be here serving AWEsome BBQ!
GRAB YOUR BOOTS, or some comfy shoes, a coat (or shorts… who knows), a good hat, sunscreen, AND a good friend! Hope to see you!!!!
Flown The Coop will close for ONE weekend, March 2nd – 5th.
Sorry for the inconvenience, but this shop girl is taking ONE weekend off to visit family.
~And the birds fluttered around her writing “YES” in the sky!
Spring is one of the most welcomed seasons, a time of renewal evoking the senses with fresh flowers and new life. It is a time for me to fly free on my biannual gypsy trek to Warrenton for Texas Antiques Week, also known as Round Top. I spend two weeks in “the field” with my incredibly talented friends buying and selling our beloved junque.
Texas Antiques Week, a precession of fields stretching twenty-six miles between Warrenton and Round Top, is a serious shopping event each spring and fall. It is safe to say that Texas Antiques Week is more accurately three weeks long, with each field having their own start date. A shopper can find everything from high end French antiques in fancy air conditioned circus tents, to rusty treasures uncovered only by digging in a pile of junk.
Picture by Antiqueweekend.com
The fields each have their own quirky personalities. The fields of Warrenton can be likened to any typical high school lunch room, an idea I stole from my friend Kim. Zapp Hall is where the cheerleaders and jocks party like rock stars. Renck, Bar W, and North Gate are where the ag students sell their rusty treasures and typical flea market finds. Venturing out to Excess and Clutter you’ll find the hipsters on the fringe of society.
Guess where you can find Flown The Coop?
There is so much to be said about all the marvelous fields within the twenty-six miles surrounding Warrenton and Round Top, but I love the people who add to the whole experience.
Brian and Meloney Russell, of The Seedbox, travel from Missouri with a truck, trailer and a U-haul packed with their sought after, hand picked treasures to sell at Warrenton. Along with their wonderful pieces of vintage furniture, they bring along their adorable granddaughter Ivy, who has become a celebrity in these parts. It is safe to say that she has almost everyone wrapped around her little finger, including Bud from Royers Round Top Cafe. She once told a customer at Royers, “You can’t sit in the chair by the door because that is Bud’s chair.” It is precious when she tells customers at the booth, “Come on it and let me know if I can help ya!” Ivy celebrated her fourth birthday during the spring show. It was heart warming to see all the people, who have become like family, stop by the booth to wish her a Happy Birthday.
The talent that is represented in the fields brings buyers from across the country. This trip I had the privilege to get to know some of the buyers from California. Next fall I hope to join my friends from Orange in what will become the go-cart round-up. I’m sure Peggy will lead the way, or not.
Two memorable events!
This year I had the pleasure of attending the 3rd Annual Private Bloggers Luncheon at Royers Round Top Cafe. A joint event with the Dallas Market Center (DMC), the luncheon combined Royers famous food with a special event organized by DMC. Carley Seale, owner of The Gypsy Wagon spoke to the group about the Round Top experience. Carley spent years shopping Texas Antiques Week with friends and family before she launched The Gypsy Wagon. Having only been a dealer in the field, it was interesting for me to hear the strategies of the dedicated group of annual shoppers. Carley and her friends made years of memories and bought treasures that are proudly displayed in their homes today. Check out Carley’s Instagram at @dragginmywagon for the pictures she shared.
Another highlight of my trip was the Round up in Round Top, an evening soiree hosted by the Dallas Market Center at the new Henkel Square Market. The night was complete with a buffet catered by Royers Round Top Cafe, a fashion show by Rodeo Royalty and a special fiddler performance. Miss Ivy stole the show as she watched the fashion show paraded in front of her, completely in awe of the models. It was a fantastic evening!
Flown The Coop changes venues
Now that spring is behind us, we are already looking forward to the fall Texas Antiques Week. Flown The Coop, along with my friends at The Seedbox, will be flying over the Bar W field. We are excited about the change of venue, located on the main Bar W Road just passed the office on a corner lot to the left.
What are your favorite memories?
I would love to hear your favorite memories of Texas Antiques Week. Do you love a particular field? Are you a dealer in the field? What is your best find? Any advice for a novice to the fields?
If you are planning to take a dream trip, I suggest you pick up a Round Top _ Warrenton Show Daily Magazine. You can find them on Facebook and their web site. It is the Bible of any trip to Texas Antiques Week. Wether it’s your first trip or you have a biannual tradition, please make sure you find your way to Bar W and visit Flown The Coop and The Seedbox booths!
Ground Hog day is just around the corner. We all hope he ushers in Spring sooner rather than later. This week Folk’s Journal agenda challenge: In the near future, what are you looking forward to the most?
Upcoming Spring Markets!
I’m looking forward to spring markets, with Urban Market Houston kicking off the season February 9th & 10th.
Planning displays for the upcoming spring markets is much like the itch I used to get for spring gardening. Throughout the winter, I used to spend hours pouring over magazines looking for ideas for gardening projects in anticipation of spring. February always made me anxious to get outside, get my hands dirty and do the projects that I’ve been designing.
The upcoming spring markets allow Flown The Coop to create anew. In January I begin dreaming about booth displays and spend hours on Pinterest looking for fresh ideas for the upcoming markets. I’ve learned a lot since Kristie Herlong and I set up at our first market in 2011 and am getting better at pulling ideas together with each new display. Thankfully, Jeff is always up for whatever crazy idea I want to try.
Flown The Coop loads of fun the past few years
I love the community! The hours spent hunting unique Junque, transporting and refinishing the Junque, and then planning ways to display the Junque is rewarded by seeing all my friends in the field once we arrive to a market. It is fun to be the first to see the treasures they’ve uncovered in the past months. Their creativity and talent sets trends and is inspiring. I look forward to catching up with them, as well as catching up with the many loyal Flown The Coop friends!
If you are itching to create new spaces in your home or garden, I invite you to come out to one of the upcoming markets! You will either be inspired by the creative displays or find the items you’ve searching for to finish the project you’ve spent this winter designing.
Urban Market Houston February 9-10
A two day outdoor Antique Market held three times a year in Houston. A fabulous collection of dealers, designers, and shop owners with spectacular antiques, furniture, and home decor.
This rambling flea market that originally started in Round Top now encompasses about 26 miles between Round Top and Warrenton. Cole’s is located at the edge Warrenton where several halls and dozens of fields are filled twice a year.
Will the ground hog see his shadow? Regardless, I am looking forward to spring and the upcoming markets. What are you most looking forward to?
A row of hats hanging on my bedroom wall are a daily reminder of our Flown The Coop adventures and tug at me as if to say “what are you waiting for?”
THE WAIT IS OVER … One of the biggest deals in junque begins next week!
Flown The Coop is busy preparing for another adventure at Antique Week in Warrenton, Texas (some call the show Round Top, some call it Warrenton). The Round Top/Warrenton adventure takes place every Spring and Fall, mainly along Highway 237, between Brenham and LaGrange, Texas.
This is Flown the Coop’s second season at our location at Cole’s. If you are headed to Warrenton from Round Top, we are the first field on the left as you enter Warrenton, at the corner of Hwy 237 and Willow Spring Road (FM 954). Among all of the vendors there, Flown The Coop will be in the corner nearest the intersection of 237 & FM 954.
OH THE ANTICIPATION…
Of course Flown The Coop is strictly about business… buying and selling junque. Ha! I think ya’all know us better than that. Jeff and I love to have fun… in fact we boast about bringing the fun. 🙂
So what’s all the fuss about? Here’s a snapshot of last Spring….
The most meaningful adventures involved others in the business and die-hard fans! Kelly (pictured left) flew in from Ohio. She is the best groupie ever! Reconnecting with Kristie (my soul sistah) meant the world to me! And I made some amazing new friends! I am always inspired by the community out in the “field” and am blessed to be able to re-connect with some of these wonderfully creative people at events as awe-inspiring as this one.
Buying frenzies! Early in the morning last Spring I noticed a line formed at one of my neighbor’s booths. I soon learned these people were “patiently” waiting for The Seed Box to unload their truck. What started out as a cordial family reunion, ended in a competitive bid for junque, replete with the unsheathing of elbows. Apparently there are even some unspoken (but well-known) rules of engagement… like not jumping on the truck. You’ll be scolded for that one. 🙂
Marburger Farms. I have to be completely honest… I did not plan on going. I am a die hard “in the fields” kind of gal. Others mentioned their feelings that it was out of their league or that they weren’t keen on the idea of an entrance fee. This show under huge white tents seemed a world apart from the one I was enjoying so immensely, and therefore not worth the time away from my booth or parting with my hard earned money to pay admission. That said, some of my friends talked me into at least experiencing Marburger “just once”.
I WAS COMPLETELY SURPRISED BY MARBURGER FARMS!!!
First of all, I had so much fun with these gals (pictured left)… who hailed all the way from New York and Iowa. Traci Kirfman Gyles, far left, (Shabby Gals Nest) and I had so much fun “oohing” and “awing” over all the cool junque!
Secondly, it is a great way to stay on top of new trends. I was so inspired by the over the top displays and left committed to improving my own. Be sure to check out my favorite booths… J. Hills Designs & The Willow Nest. Marburger was totally worth the cost of admission… and is on my list again this Fall. I’ve even talked some friends into joining this time!
There are so many wonderful fields between Round Top and Warrenton! It would take days to list all of my favorites!!!! Okay, okay, here’s one:
Junk O-Rama Prom. Antique week wouldn’t be complete without getting all dolled up for a wacky night out. Of course I had to wear my “cowgirl” hat for this one! 🙂
Well I have other crazy stories from last Spring… but what happens in Warrenton… stays in Warrenton. You’ll just have to experience this mecca of junque yourself!
Come join our adventure….
Jeff and I have been busy buying in Ohio and Missouri, along with finding great picking places just outside of Houston. With our project list almost complete, we are excited pack up the trailer and head out for another adventure! We will arrive on Monday, Sept. 24th. Be sure to stop by our little spot in the field. We’d love to catch up with all of you, friends and fans alike (those might be synonyms)!
Along with the fun junque… you’ll be able to pick up a Flown The Coop tee while supplies last.
If you’re lost… don’t hesitate to call me (Tiff) at 937-215-4732. At the least, we can both wonder aloud where you are!
We’ll bring the fun… and the hats will be joining us too!
Welcome to our adventure in flying the coop…. It’s mainly a “Tiff” gig, but I couldn’t do it without Jeff. We are livin la vida loca pursuing a junk passion! While I still have a lot to learn about the industry, … Continue reading →
