Ball & Claw Newsletter #5
Darling Ball and Claw Followers, or should I just call you Ballers,
As we head into the dog days of summer, we are getting ready to celebrate our first anniversary of opening these doors. My plan of having a little part-time antiques business was misguided. Ball and Claw has become a full-time passion project. Besides being open 51 hours a week, I spend nearly every other hour sourcing, studying, prepping, and dreaming about old things. I know that all of the 25+ dealers in the shop are probably doing the same. Why do we do this? It's not just for money, although that helps. For me, it's the thrill of the hunt, the preservation of history, the love of fine craftsmanship, and watching someone find something in the shop that brings them great joy.
Over the past year, I have met so many wonderful people, heard so many great stories, and loved being in the shop and out sourcing old stuff. With the help of my right hand, Jason, and now my left hand, Allison, and the wonderful Grace, Peter, and of course Anthony, who runs Arios coffee shop, Ball and Claw is becoming the shop of my dreams.
This spring, B & C set up booths at the Rhinebeck Antiques Show and Field and Supply at the Hutton Brickyards with the help of the amazing Frank Futral and Pauline Peters. These 2 have been integral to nearly everything B & C. The late night of revamping the shop, the heavy lifting, literal and figurative, and all the design decisions would have been impossible without them. Thank you from the bottom of my heart ❤️ .
The Summer Tent
I've decided to keep the big outdoor tent set up for the entire summer/fall. This will give us the chance to do so many more events, parties, and have space for the overflow of all the amazing treasures the dealers keep bringing.
Ball and Claw started the 2nd Saturday Flea Market in May. The first 2 sales have been fantastic and very well attended. Our next market will be on July 12. We already have a bunch of people signed up, but there's room for more. Please contact me for more details.
This Saturday, June 28, from 10-2, our newest dealer, Elizabeth, of Winslow Antiques, will be hosting 'The Big British Antique Preview Sale' under the big tent. She’s unpacking cupboards, tables, seating, lighting, mirrors and lots, lots more. Special preview pricing - everything is 15% off during sale hours (including her inventory in the Arsenic Room upstairs!) If you've been in the shop recently, you have probably fallen in love with her room — full of gorgeous English furniture, dishes, lighting, art, mirrors, and more. She is now bringing a container full of fresh old things to the big tent, and this will be an amazing opportunity to get first pick at her carefully curated treasures.
Speaking of the upstairs, 3 of the 4 rooms are beautifully curated and ready for browsing. The 4th room, the studio, will be ready by July. I know I've been saying that for months, but this time I mean it. Watch out for a whole variety of classes coming to the shop.
We are also working on getting the Stockade Tavern Cocktail truck back to the yard. Should be ready in the next few weeks, Stay tuned.
If you're looking for a space to have an event (birthday, anniversary, small wedding?, please contact me and let's see if we can make it happen. We have the big tent, as well as the yard and inside the shop. So many possibilities....
That's it for now,
XO,
Maria