It has always been my contention that lighting makes a room.  Just switching out the chandelier in your dining room or entry way - adding a bold fixture to your bathroom - even a “dreaded” fan, when hip, can make a statement. {I do not think fans are “dreaded” but if you scour decorating books & mags then you know that most decorators would fight me on this one!!}

Considering the significant impact that switching out a light can make, the whole prospect can also be relatively inexpensive!!  Here are just a few stunning sources of Rustic*Western*Vintage light UNDER $500.

{BELOW} Here are six chandeliers - all under $500 - from Bellacor
   

Only 137 Days till another ROAD TRIP to Round Top, Texas!!  We had such a fabulous time and met so many cool people this past spring in Round Top {Click HERE to read all about it!!}.  Today I’m making reservations for the fall - put the first week of October on your calendar and plan your trip to Round Top today!! 

Our first stop in Round Top will be Marburger Farm - an absolute fantasy world for all of us who love quality “junk”. Even Newsweek
Magazine says that Marburger is the place to be. Check it out…

To read even more about Marburger Farm click “Read More” below for a full article about this must-see Round Top Antique Week venue.

I’m headed out this morning to visit Will Wyatt’s Cowboy Couture so look for a BIG BLOG about this very cool cowboy store next week.  And tomorrow I will have a post about Rustic*Western*Vintage lighting options UNDER $500!!  Have a fab day….  xoxo, Fancy Read more . . .

Howdy Folks…

I typically start my Daily BLOG after all of the boys go to bed {3 little cowpokes & one fabulous hubby}.  I finish it off and post it the next day during nap time.  So when I skip a day of blogging you will know that either nap time has been spoiled by unforseen events {imagine that!!} or this ol’ mama got pooped & couldn’t get it cranked out in the wee hours of the morning…

The past day or so I felt it was time to get caught up and go through the notes on my desk.  My goal here is to add more and more to the Stores, Merchandise LINKS and Events Pages of CactusCreekDaily.com.  Here is a little glimpse of what I’ve added in the past day…

STORES

Valerie’s Furniture & Accents
Cave Creek, Arizona = ValeriesFurniture.com

Copper Creek Canyon Interior Outfitters
Indianapolis, Indiana = CopperCreek
Canyon.com

VINTAGE Merchandise LINKS

Cayuse Western Americana
Cowboy, Indian and National Park Antiques.  Amazing selection whether you are a collector or if you are looking for something special for a loved one.

Sofa, Chair & Ottoman LINKS

Tahoe Seating
Custom Cowhide and Hair-on-Hide Leather Furniture.  You design your upholstered furniture on-line.  Upholstered furniture made with the highest quality materials and designed to your specifications from a LARGE selection of styles, hides & leathers.

EVENTS

Country Christmas Western Gift Expo  at the Sands in Las Vegas, Nevada
December 4 - 14, 2008


Cowboy Christmas Gift Show
Las Vegas Convention Center
Las Vegas, Nevada
December 4 - 13, 2008

If you haven’t been, or don’t know about these shopping events, then I’m telling you now - book your tickets and plan a trip to Vegas in December!!  This is the ULTIMATE experience for Rustic*Western Shopping…  {From my experience both shows are worth shopping - bring comfy shoes, plenty of moula & stay long enough to enjoy it all.}  Love it!!

There is more being added every day so check back soon and be sure to holler {Contact Us} if you are looking for something specific, if you have an idea, or if you want to share an event or store you LOVE!! 

Never in my wildest imagination did I think there is a huge market for Rustic*Western Toilet Seats but I keep running across them and thought I’d better put them all together for you…

{ABOVE} Cowhide Covered Toilet Seat from LoneStarWesternDecor.com - Also available in Black & White.  {at least you’ll have a soft landing if you forget to put the seat up!!}

{ABOVE} Bronco Rider Toilet Seat, also from LoneStarWesternDecor.com.  Other images available.

{ABOVE} Black Bear Oak Toilet Seat from BlackForestDecor.com.  Other carvings available - including a fish, log cabin, moose, deer and even a black lab!

{ABOVE} Berry Patch Toilet Seat also from BlackForestDecor.com.  Other bear & moose images also available.  {Did they really have to name the toilet seat cover the ’Berry Patch’?}

{ABOVE} Etched Toilet Seat Covers from WildWestLiving.com.  Several more where these came from including Western Legend John Wayne and even an “Everything’s Bigger in Texas” seat!!  {What a hoot!!  These would be a great tongue-in-cheek addition to a little cowboy’s bathroom.}

All of this is in celebration of - and to let you know - I finally have Bathroom Merchandise LINKS posted…  Click HERE and enjoy!!  More Merchandise LINKS are on the way soon…  Have a great afternoon!!  xoxo, Fancy

Based in Whitefish, Montana, Carin Cross Designs is an interior design business that respects the exterior spaces of your home as well as the interiors.  Using natural light, soothing color palettes and warm textures, Carin creates calm spaces so that your home is ‘a place you want to be’.

In addition to a proessional membership to ASID and NCIDQ, Carin Cross is also a certified BTB Feng Shui Consultant.

Here is a glimpse at Carin’s Residential & Commercial portfolio…  You can take a full tour at CarinCrossDesign.com.

Kelly Buntin Johnson and husband Rhett Johnson, are a free-spirited artist duo whose creative talents are characterized by clever originality.  Working from their hilltop in Dearborn, MO {just a stone’s throw from my own front door} Kelly and Rhett are individual artists whose ingenious wares will inspire you…

Kelly Buntin Johnson, a self-described mixed media artist/preservationist, revamps common cast-aways to become objects d’art such as beaded and hand-sewn jewelry, figures, holy emblems, and relics. 

On Kelly’s www, Diddy-Wa-Diddy.com you will find an EXTENSIVE GALLERY plus a link to Kelly’s BLOG {the blog is a must read full of art, nature, spiritual inspiration and “words”}.   Here is a small glimpse of Diddy-Wa-Diddy.com …

Before we move on to RHETT - the other half of this talented duo - here are a couple of books where Kelly’s art can be found…

Rhett Johnson is a sculptor whose broad talents have produced a gallery of art that stretches from metal art - to re-purposed car hoods - to stain glass - then to carved Santas.  Using ‘art supplies’ such as wood, glass, metals, and found obects, Rhett creates art that looks you straight in the eye and won’t let you forget what you saw.  Much of his art can be seen at RhettJohnson.com.  Here is a small bite of his origniality…

Want your own piece of art??  Well, here’s the really good part… 
You can meet Kelly and Rhett this weekend at Missouri Bluffs Boutique in downtown Weston, Missouri where they will be premiering new work.  For info click HERE or call 816.640.2770.

In addition to showing offering their goods at Missouri Bluffs, Rhett and Kelly both sell through these retailers as well: Stuff in Brookside, MO, American Folk Art Museum in NY, AND Doodlets in Santa Fe.  {Kelly also plans to start an Etsy store this summer - I’ll let you know when it’s open!!}

I can hardly wait to visit with Kelly and Rhett this weekend at Missouri Bluffs. Hope to see you there as well!!

I received an email from KT looking for a hand painted sign - with a vintage vibe - to give as a wedding or anniversary gift.  Here are some ideas…

First a couple of Etsy Shops - if you’re not familiar with Etsy then this is a great opportunity to check it out!!  Committed to buying and selling all things handmade, Etsy is an extraordinary opportunity for the DIY-ers of the world to meet and market their wares.  Here are two Etsy shops that offer hand made signs available for special orders…

Creations by Angelicque

Old Glory Soldiers

There are so many talented sign-makers it is hard to choose just one but the Yellville Hand Painted Sign Co. offers a wide range of signs and is able to complete most special orders.  Plus they are a family owned business that still paints signs the old fashioned way - by hand.  Love it!!

Click ‘Read More’ for a couple more options…
Read more . . .

This weekend I received a bottle of wine in the COOLEST Cork Bottle Carrier!!  {thank you KK}  So cool that it inspired me to suggest a Rustic Wine Basket as a hostess gift for this summer’s soiree’s…  Here are some key ingredients for creating your own:

Start with a BASKET…

This Oval Fruit Basket from Stacks and Stacks is the perfect size for creating your own gift basket.  Just add some Kraft-colored Crinkle Cut Shred, throw in some of your favorites, and oila’ - the perfect gift!!

Now for some WINE GLASSES 
I ran across this Faux Antler Wine Glass this weekend and I’m LOVING its quirky rustic look.  It’s the perfect addition to a Rustic Wine Basket!!

…the COOLEST Cork BOTTLE CARRIER
After receiving a cork bottle carrier like this one I can tell you it is even more hip in person!!  Available at Pottery Barn, the carrier is on sale for only $4.99.  {Hello Bargain!!}  Love it!!

These COASTERS are perfect!!
This Buffalo Coaster Set, available at Elsewares.com, is a perfect fit for the Rustic Wine Basket.  In addition to being both rugged and unique, the coasters are also hand-pressed by Sesame Letterpress, a letterpress studio in Brooklyn, NY, making them even more special.

Saving the best for last… WINE
{I’ll be honest here - I am going on the name & look of the bottle alone.}  How could you resist Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars for a Rustic Wine Basket?  If you don’t like this one then check out CellarsWineClub.com - you are sure to find something to suit your fancy!!

Tomorrow is the BIG DAY
Spring must be on it’s WAY
Farmer’s & Flea Markets start,
it’s my favorite SATURDAY

Whether you frequent auctions & tag sales, garage sales, or flea markets - the season of JUNKING is upon us.  Modern day junkers (once called “anteekers”) have read all of the books and followed the leaders {shout out to the ‘Junk Club’ & the ‘Junk Gypsies’} , and we are ready for the Season o’ Junk…  But where to go??  What to do??  Here are just a few of the big events going on this weekend {it’s not all junk!!}…

San Jose Flea Market
Sand Jose, California
Every Wednesday - Sunday
Click HERE

Cowboys, Indians & Art Auction
Redmond, Orgegon
May 3rd & 4th
Click HERE

First Monday Trade Days
Canton, Texas
Open Thursday - Sunday before the 1st Monday of every month.
Click HERE

Apache Park-N-Swap
Apache Junction, Arizona
Every Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Click HERE

Two FABULOUS fleas in Kansas {that’s where I hope to be!!}:
White Cloud & Sparks Flea Markets
May 1-4, 2008 
Click HERE

Shipshewana Auction & Flea Market
Shipshewana, Indiana
Opens NEXT TUESDAY, May 6th
Click HERE

Jamestown Flea Market
Morgantown, North Carolina
Every Weekend
Click HERE  

Fleaworld
Orlando, Florida
Every Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Click HERE

Heart of the Bluegrass Antiques & Collectibles Show
Harrodsburg, Kentucky
May 2-4, 2008 (open 1st weekend of every month) 
Click HERE

Brownstoner’s Brooklyn FLEA
Brooklyn, New York
Every Sunday, 10am - 5pm
Click HERE

If none of these fit into your plans this weekend then check out our EVENTS page to see what else is coming up!! 

I hope that your weekend includes at least one big adventure and lots of fun & relaxation…  see you next week!!  God Bless and Happy Trails…. xoxo, Fancy

Sundie Ruppert sent an email this week about Vintage Sculpture’s ongoing exhibition at the Boulder Arts & Crafts Gallery.  Sundie will be there tonight, 5.2.8, from 6 to 8, for an Artist’s Reception.

Don’t miss the chance to meet Sundie, and check out the FABULOUS goods offered by Vintage Sculpture, if you are in the Boulder area!! {the exhibition will last a bit longer if you have plans tonight, OR you can always visit Vintage Sculpture.com} 

Check back at NOON on Friday for a post about other events happening this weekend…