Ann Howell Goes Shopping: Part 3

Remember when I went shopping all those other times?

Rural North Carolina has some major perks. I mean, check out this antiques shop -- are you curious why it's raised off the ground like that? Because, it is a Civil War-era TRAIN DEPOT. According to the sign out front, Robert E. Lee came through that junction while he was visiting his daughter.

Being a nineteenth century building, un-heated, un-air-conditioned, and totally dark on the inside, the shop stays closed most of the time. In order to get in, you call the number on the door, and the owner jumps in his pickup truck and drives down the road to open it for you. When you're inside the shop, you can hear frogs croaking. I think they live underneath...



I really wanted that drafting table on the porch with the x-shaped legs (previously used by an architect or engineer, great waist-high surface and perfect for making art), but as I told the owner, the real truth is that I wanted to buy everything in the shop but have neither the cash nor the space. Sigh.



What I did walk away with (and also the purpose of my whole visit) -- FRAMES for art! I am beyond excited about these frames -- they've got the coolest shape and texture, and are in really good solid wood condition. I can't wait to make art to put in them, and see how their new life and character emerges. :)







I did buy one other object, and it's probably my favorite out of the whole bunch: a mint green pie safe door. There were two of these doors, but I only had the budget for one... the man who sold it to me actually went in to this old dilapidated house that was ready for demolition and pulled these doors, hinges and all, off the built-in pie safe. 



The mint green paint is original, and it's the most magical color ever (I wish you could see it in person!).  All the beautiful little poked holes were supposed to let air in but also keep the bugs out of your pies. Nom nom nom.



Stay tuned to see what those frames transform into! And, as always, more photos on Tumblr and Instagram.

[All photos and content by Ann Howell Brown, 2013]