Monthly Archives: April 2011

Since the 1800s, feedsacks have been reused and recycled.  Back then, the ‘waste-not’ farmer’s wife realized the cloth could be repurposed in a variety of ways such as dish cloths, diapers, dresses, pillowcases, laundry bags, and quilts.  Feedsack manufacturers capitalized on the trend by creating sacks in a variety of patterns, designs and color combinations as you can see here.

Today people are even decorating with feedsack cloth.  One Depot vendor, Susan Allen Gibson in booth #3SG, has dedicated her booth to this new trend.  A collector of antiques and vendor in various malls for the past 18 years, she has started a new line of handmade feedsack pillows ranging in price from $20-$75. (on left.)

Want to make your own? You can also find feedsack cloth on eBay ranging in price from $9-$25 depending on the size and condition.

SOURCES:
http://www.quiltersmuse.com/collectible_feedsack_cloth_and_q.htm
http://www.quilthistory.com/feedsacks.htm
http://www.ebay.com

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Our 2011 Antique Trends Blog was such a big hit that we decided to explore local antique trends specific to The Depot.

Since we opened our doors a little more than a year ago, we’ve seen all kinds of items, from small to large, simple to intricate and antique to reproduction. One thing that has remained consistent is the high demand for the old, worn and heavily used look, particularly Shabby Chic, Early Primitive and Industrial. More than 100 booths throughout The Depot feature this type of merchandise.

Shabby Chic has a distinct vintage look and feminine feel. The furniture commonly has a white chippy paint finish and the fabrics designs are usually toile, fleur-de-lis, paisley or floral.

Early Primitive items were made as a substitute for the popular pieces of an era (1700’s-1800’s) until a superior piece could be purchased. Primitive pieces are simple, basic and crudely constructed with rough-hewn wood and commonly unfinished.

Industrial pieces were once used commercially and normally made of metal. They have a simple, minimalistic and utilitarian look.


SOURCES:

http://www.ehow.com/facts_6825320_early-american-antique-primitive-furniture.html#ixzz1Jcfj8omf

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shabby_chic

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Did you know a movie called Artemis, a sci-fi thriller set for release in March, 2012 is filming several scenes in Concord? And guess where they shopped for props.  The Depot!

The film crew visited early this week to purchase items for the set including old shovels and rakes, a set of 1800’s Eastlake Revival chairs, several dark wooden pie safes, rugs, coal shovels, oil cans, gas cans and nearly every Mason jar and glass bottle in the place.  They were very pleased with their discovery of the largest antique and designer mall in the South and promised to be back.

Artemis is based on the #1 New York Times bestselling novel, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. It is being directed by Gary Ross, of Seabiscuit and Pleasantville fame.


Sources:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1392170/

http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/

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With the growing popularity of all things ‘vintage,’ vinyl records are making a comeback.  We’ve witnessed this firsthand at The Depot with a surge of rock & roll titles from the Beatles and Kiss to Journey and Elvis.  At least a dozen of our vendors have large selections for sale ranging in price from 50 cents to $40 depending on the artist, demand and condition.

So, if you are collector or new to vinyls and want to buy, there are two things you need to understand. 1) records are only getting older and 2) they can be permanently damaged if not stored properly.

Here are some quick storage and handling tips to keep your records singing a happy tune:

1: Vertical, NEVER Horizontal – Always store your records vertically and try to avoid excessive leaning to prevent any bending or warping, but don’t pack them too tightly. It will put pressure on the grooves over time and distort the sound. Always avoid any pressure on your records.

2: Think Cool… But no basements – Heat ruins vinyl as it softens the material and causes warping. Keep your records in the coolest place at home and avoid humidity which will eventually cause mold to grow on sleeves and record itself. Once that happens it’s extremely hard to clean out the tiny grooves.

3: Keep in Sleeves – Dirt is one of the main reasons for scratches. Always keep your records in its liner or sleeve when they are not being played. Also, keep them away from windows or any natural light as the sun’s UV rays damage and cause discoloration to the sleeves.

4: Hold By The Edges – When you finally get ready to play your records, remember to always handle with care and only touch the edges to prevent anything on your hands getting into the grooves. Handle them the same way you would a CD. Dropping a vinyl record can cause scratches and permanent damage. No one likes listening to a song that skips!

Are you sitting on a goldmine of vinyl?  If you want to sell your collection and put some jingle in your pocket, best bet is Ebay or Craigslist.

SOURCES:

http://www.vinylrevinyl.com/2008/10/02/how-to-maintain-your-vinyl-records/

http://www.ehow.com/way_5188612_sell-vinyl-records.html

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