my boyfriend...and welcome to the 90's....

Don't you love this stand-up? I tell everyone that he is my 'boyfriend'....It is so fun. I have it in my sports area of my store, Middleton Mercantile. It is Kyle Petty to those of you that aren't NASCAR fans...speaking of NASCAR, I can't wait for the Daytona 500!! I really don't like this time of year...no racing, and no baseball....I love both of those sports...speaking of things that I love, I have two fabulous daughters. They are sooooo incredibly awesome. They are both so talented, beautiful, and are both so hilarious to hang out with....did I mention that they were fabulous??? :o) I called one of them last night and told her that I had downloaded my first songs off of the internet yesterday...she said that was 'adorable', and then asked me why I hadn't done it before (like the rest of the planet)...I truly did not have an answer for her. I am so used to just buying cd's I guess...anyway, it was fun, and could be rather addicting! so many songs and artists from which to choose....yahooo...she offered to send me her iPod which she no longer uses because now she has an iPhone...isn't that cool? my very own iPod...so fun...I hope that it is pink....:o)

Gainsborough and Wouvermens etchings.....

Recently one of my consigners brought in these two lovely etchings. He had found them almost twenty years ago, rolled up inside of a mailing tube that was in a back shed of his friends' grandmothers house. He and his friend were cleaning out her house after she had passed away. He wanted to keep this particular mailing tube because of the unusual stamps on it. He had no idea of the treasures inside.

The etching by Gainsborough is entitled "The Gipsies", and is dated 1764. The etching by Wouvermen's is also from the same time period, and features a hunting scene near Notre Dame in Paris. I do not know the exact current value of the etchings, but I have seen the Gainsborough etching listed on an on-line art auction house in London, England for about 450 British pounds. Amazing....yes, they are both for sale, but I would love to find out more about them.....

hand made Dulcimers....

Middleton Mercantile is proud to offer locally hand-made Dulcimers. These are truly one of a kind works of art. They are made right here in Moore County. The gentleman that makes them, cuts the trees, takes the wood to a local mill, and from there he hand crafts these beautiful musical instruments. They would look wonderful hanging on display in your home. The sound quality from them is beyond camparison.

Currently we have one made from Persimmon and Sweet gum and the other is made from Black Walnut. Each one is available for $175.00. Please send me a note for a quote for shipping to your address. If you are in the Robbins area, please stop in to see them.....

beautiful North Carolina pottery...

I have several examples of beautiful pottery by North Carolina potters. Here are some photos of tea pots made by two well-known female potters, Nellie Cole and Dot Auman...they are gorgeous in their simplicity, and their glazes are truly unique. Both are currently available for sale. Send me a note if you want a price quote including shipping to your destination.

If you are in the central North Carolina area, your trip here is not complete without taking a drive along NC Highway 705, otherwise known as the Pottery Highway. Along this route are more than 100 potters and artists. Stop in to Middleton Mercantile in Robbins, and pick up a map for the region. We are located at 121 S. Middleton road in Robbins. Go out and explore the wonderful North Carolina countryside, and enjoy the unique pottery being made every day here.

brrrr it's cold in Robbins....

wow, it is chilly out there today...great 'antiquing' weather....lots of people are out and about today in the fair city of Robbins...we have many wonderful examples of locally made crafts here too at Middleton Mercantile, and a huge selection of needlework supplies. We also offer art classes! Currently we are offering a beginning drawing class that meets on Saturday or Sunday, from 2pm to 3pm, and goes for six weeks. The cost per person is $75. Next month, we will be offering needlework classes, including cross-stictch, embroidery, and quilting! Check back for exact dates and times. We also have many rare books here at Middleton Mercantile. Many of them are American history books.....contact me here at the store for more details at (910) 948-2000.

Antique Quilts

I have the most amazing collection of hand-made Antique Quilts for sale. They were made by three sisters, on the family farm, here in the northern part of Moore County, North Carolina. They have been documented to have been made between 1850 and 1935. The cotton with which they are stuffed, was grown on the farm as well! Several of the squares on the front of the quilt were made from feed sack material. They are a fabulous example of farm crafts from our American history.