Lucketts Market + Hometalk Meetup = Major Awesomeness!

Today was the day . The day I'd been waiting for. The day I'd been talking about for weeks. The day that I've been running around the Internet like a crazed maniac posting, commenting and spreading the word about! Today was the Hometalk Meetup at the one and only Lucketts Market!

Shamefully, I have to admit that I had not attended the market in a few years. Twice while attempting to, major storms kicked up and I turned my car around and headed home. Today, however, gloomy clouds threatening rain were not going to stop me. Wild horses, squirrels, not even insane muskrats could have kept me away! I was actually a little nervous about today. Not only was I giddy about the oodles and oodles of awesome kewl stuff to be had and admired, but I was also going to get to see and meet some of my favorite blogging buds! These are people I've admired since I first started my blog two years ago and discovered theirs. They are like celebrities! Forget Hollywood, forget sports icons. Starstruck? I was Blog Star Struck! I'll get into that in a moment, but first, the market details.

Hometalk Meetup Tent

 

My awesome narly VIP pass from Lucketts and Hometalk. Now I'll have to practice my queen wave!

I got up early so I could arrive at Lucketts near opening time. I live about 20 minutes away but wasn't sure what the traffic would be like. There have been years when rush hour near D.C. paled in comparison to the amount of cars lined up, bumper to bumper, waiting to get into the parking lot. The market used to be held across the street on the Lucketts Community Center grounds, but was moved to the Lucketts store's property in recent years. This is SO MUCH better, in my opinion! There is more room for vendors, more room for parking and it's convenient to visit the store and Design House on the property.

Design House - look at the gorgeous window box!



Design House - LOVE the giant head!

 My daughter and I dropped the grand babes off at the baby sitter's house and were on the road! We only had until 1:00 and I thought that would be plenty of time - HA! Who was I kidding? With approximately 200 vendors and all that glorious treasure to look at, I should have attended both days! No kidding. I will do that next year. I'm also not the swiftest thing on two legs due to herniated discs in my back, which affects my walking. I walk until the pain is bad, then I sit, walk, sit, walk, sit. I'm getting really good at sitting in a vendor's chair to "test it out" while I'm secretly resting my back for a few seconds.

I actually loved this chaise lounge from East End Trading Company. It was super comfortable and the wood trim was just gorgeous! I would have seriously considered ditching one of my sofas in order to make room for this baby in my home! This vendor had a huge tent filled with so many wonderful items! Here are a few more pictures.
 

East End Trading Co. - we finally found a key to fit our Victrola here! It'd been locked for 6 years! They had the best selection of olive buckets, door knobs,  bottles, hardware, spindles, and they're located inside Lucketts Store so I can visit them year-round!

My stunt double (giggle)

My daughter with another fab dress form

A different vendor. Lamp shades made from old pattern covers. She had purses too!

Must obey the chalkboard!

I should have bought this and ridden it around!

We roamed around, admiring everything! Vintage goodness was lined up as far as the eye could see, along with all kinds of other fabulous finds!  I haven't photographed what I bought yet, but will do that tomorrow and post it then. For now, I'll just share a few more photos.

Adore this chest!

Hello Mr. Horse!

Look at all the neat doohickeys!

I see garden art in this collection!

Upon rounding a little bend, I spotted it - the Big Blue Hometalk tent! (musical ahhhhhhhh)  As soon as I walked up, I spotted Karen from The Graphics Fairy. I had only met her once and was so surprised when she recognized me, remembered my name and gave me a big hug. She is the sweetest person and has a wonderful blog where she shares beautiful antique and vintage ephemera that she lovingly restores. Such talent she has!

 We chatted while watching Donna from Funky Junk Interiors assist another Hometalker in building one of her cute wooden tool boxes. I gave her a quick greeting in between her wood cutting. She was so gracious and really into her work. Her passion for reclaiming junk was very obvious! Loved watching her do her thing.

Donna cutting reclaimed wood to make a tool box

I also had the pleasure to meet Miriam, Director of Community Development for Hometalk. What a dear woman! She was so pleased with all of my maniac commenting on everything to do with this weekend's event and was just a real doll!

I was frowning at my camera which did not seem to want to work. I got me a big ol' cookie puss!

Karen gave us these great burlap tote bags with the graphic designed by Donna - perfect for toting around our goodies! Unfortunately, it was about then that my daughter announced that we had to get going to relieve the sitter on time, so although she was right in the tent next door and I could see her, busily attending to other admirers, I did not get a chance to meet Marian, Miss Mustard Seed, in person, quite the disappointment. Hopefully another time soon! While approaching the tent, I had spotted Diane of In My Own Style but she was gone by the time I got over there. Sorry I missed you too Diane!

As we headed towards the exit, I was like a kid not wanting to go to school, dragging my heals. "Wait! I wanted to look at this again! Hang on! I need to see if this is still over here! Oh! I didn't see these yet! I need to check out these fabulous Tolex bar stools! Wow! They have chairs to match!"

Peek-a-boo!

I want to build one of these - it was the coolest thing!

More fabulousness!

Love the tin mirrors!

You know that this little cherub stole my heart!

o/~ I ain't got no body ~\o (giggle)

Fantastic old stove!

This old tractor grill would be an incredible wall piece!

Horse kissies

 I finally gave in and headed for the car. We thought about grabbing the kids and coming back and I wish that we had. I have already been regretting not buying this really neat old wooden desk chair for my office (smacking head on keyboard) and there were things on my list that I know were there from Donna's photos on her Face Book page, that I hadn't come across yet.

Stacks and stacks of tin-covered letters and ceiling tiles - drool!

Fortunately, since many of the vendors also sell through the Lucketts Store, I can make a trip up there and see if I can locate them soon. I can never get enough of Lucketts Store! It's my favorite local shop and provides beneficial therapy when I need a good vintage or junk fix!

Gigantic birdhouses flanked the market entrance - impressive!

I think my daughter wanted to live in one of these!

Well, that's our story. I tried to keep it short and sweet and let the pictures do the talking, but some parts I just had to write about. Major kudos to Lucketts for putting on such a fantastic event! Everything was organized so well and I know that the magnitude of effort that went into planning and setting up this event was gigantic! Also, a big heartfelt thank you to Hometalk for participating with their Meetup, allowing us bloggers and members a chance to see the faces behind the typing, share kind words and warm hugs. I can't wait until next year! Y'all sure you only want to do this once a  year? I think I just heard the distinctive thump of fainting bodies coming from Lucketts.

The drinks are on me - y'all earned it!

Thank you for visiting today for this very long post! I always appreciate you taking time to read and comment. Have a glorious day! Hugs, Leena

Goofing around in what my daughter dubbed the Survivor Hut