Pink Jesus, Vintage Jewelry, and Bella Rustica

Although it was hot as blazes, the 2013 Bella Rustica Vintage Marketplace was THE place to be this weekend in middle Tennessee!  With twice as many vendors as last year, this year’s sale was full of vintage treasures and one-of-a-kind finds.

bella rustica 2013

Melanie G Photography 

 

I brought a cart to load up with my own treasures, of course.  There was so much to see and so many crafty ideas to soak up.  My friend, Melanie of Melanie G Photography, joined me in the hunt and took gorgeous photos along the way.

melanie g photography

Melanie G,  psyched to shop!

 

Bella Rustica hosts vendors who sell vintage wares, upcycled items, and brand-new crafted goods.  I bought a few pillows upcycled from vintage bedding and hankerchieves, as well as a vintage folding table and pair of chairs reupholstered in retro oilcloth from the Junque Sisters booth.

vintage pillows

Melanie G Photography

 

Vintage jewelry has always been a weakness of mine!  These bracelets are made from vintage earrings by Lucy McClure, artist and owner of Bel Monili – Vintage Reborn.  Each is one-of-a-kind, and I snatched up one for me and a few more for gifts.

vintage upcycled jewelry

Melanie G Photography

 

Ecco Bella, a “spa fashion boutique” in downtown Franklin, TN had some beautiful clothing and jewelry for sale.  I fell HARD for this necklace:

vintage pearls

Melanie G Photography

 

When I spotted this vintage tole chandelier in the Vintage Styled Life booth, I knew it was meant for me to find it.  I have its twin hanging in my closet – to have a pair of anything vintage is always a SCORE, plus the one in my closet came from the former home of one of my dear friends who moved away to Texas a few years ago (which makes it extra-special to me).

tole chandelier

tole chandelier – photo by Melanie G Photography

 

Speaking of pairs, I also found a pair of standing candelabras (like the kind we rented for our wedding).  I came thisclose to buying these, but I couldn’t think of the “perfect place” for them in my home.  So I reluctantly walked away . . . 

standing candelabra

Melanie G Photography

 

I ran into my pal, Jenny, from JBS Merchantile, who had one of the prime booths in the interior portion of the marketplace.  Jenny and her husband (who live right here in middle Tennessee) specialize in antique typography, papercrafting kits, and flea market ephemera, and they travel all over the country peddling their vintage wares.

jenny bowlin and kristie barnett Jenny Bowlin and me, photo by Melanie G Photography

 

 

The thing I love about flea markets, besides finding special treasures, is finding inspiration!   Like the idea of painting these vintage suitcases with chalkboard paint:

chalkboard ideas

 

 

This drama queen gave me more ideas for dressing up my own mounted taxidermy deer.  My deer has jewelry already, but I love the crown and gold picture frame!

framed deer

Melanie G Photography 

 

Seeing how vendors merchandise their wares in vignettes really illustrates how much more impact collections have when grouped, like these vintage clocks:

vintage clocks

Melanie G Photography

 

 

I loved these handmade signs:

DSC_9765-39

 Melanie G Photography

 

The best part of the day was spending time with my friend, Melanie.  Sometimes I get so busy that I just don’t work in enough space for girltime.

melanie g and kristie barnett

Melanie G and me

 

Melanie scored some fun photography props to use for when she does children’s portrait sessions.

vintage toys

Melanie G Photography

 

 

So here is our haul.  It’s mostly mine, actually!  So many fun treasures, so little time . . .

flea market treasures

Melanie G Photography

 

 

turquoise baseball mitt

Melanie G Photography

 

 

vintage tole chandelier

Melanie G Photography

 

 

My favorite find of the day?  This pink Jesus statue from The Feathered Nest:

pink jesus statue

Melanie G Photography

 

 

the decorologist

Melanie G Photography 

 

 

Good times, good times.  I’ll be back next year, that’s for sure!

the decorologist kristie barnett

 

What did you think of my finds?  If you happened to make it to Bella Rustica, tell us what you got!

26 Comments

  1. Deneen@dreaming-n-color

    It was so great shopping this year instead of being a vendor. I had fun because I got to see it all! It was soooo hot though. What a great venue too. I had fun posting about it. Loved your finds!

    Reply
  2. phyllis

    I was there…it was SO awesome…and SO hot 😀
    What a venue! Hope they land there again next year.
    I got a frenchy blue OLD frame with a silk blue bow.
    Yummy.
    I am a vendor (Merci) at the Hayloft at Port Royal, coming up
    in October! Please share the word and come 🙂

    Reply
    • Kristie Barnett

      Phyllis,
      Can you tell us more about the sale where you’re a vendor?

      Reply
  3. Melanie G.

    So! Much! Fun! Pink Jesus!!

    Reply
  4. Shannon Hickman

    I went to Bella Rustica this weekend for the first time, and I admit that my expectations were kinda low because my style is very traditional. WOW! What a FUN SURPRISE!! I loved every minute of it! There were tons of ideas that transcend home décor styles. Like you said, the lovely vignette arrangements of simple, yet elegant, collectibles were amazing. I came home with several cool things plus lots of ideas and plans. Bonus — Bella Rustica supports AGAPE, which has helped my family with counseling in the past. Terrific event all around!!!

    Reply
    • Kristie Barnett

      I’m glad you enjoyed it, too, Shannon! AGAPE is such a great organization, which makes supporting Bella Rustica even better 🙂

      Reply
  5. Linda

    Looks like my kind of day! LOVE the chandelier. So glad you had fun and found such great treasures!

    Reply
  6. Cheryl Rogers

    I love the repurposed pearl necklace. Great choice.

    Reply
  7. Francie

    Enjoyed seeing all of your great finds! I want to know where in your house you have the deer and what jewelry it is wearing. I have fought my husband about hanging his deer at our house (he has a hunting camp where they can go), but maybe I need to try thinking of this in a different way. Would love to see pictures, and if you already have a blog post with this, please point me to it. Thanks, Kristie, and have a great week!

    Reply
  8. Michelle Burke

    You definitely need to work in more girl time!! 🙂

    Reply
  9. CityGirlCountryBloke

    This makes me want to drive to middle Tennessee from Maryland next year! I love all your finds and can’t wait to see how you use them. Covering the suitcases in chalkboard paint is brilliant! And I love the pink Jesus too!

    Reply
    • Kristie Barnett

      If you decide to come next year, I’ll meet you there! 🙂

      Reply
  10. Paula Van Hoogen

    Kristie, It’s YOU! You’re the best thing at that flea market! You look so cute with your hair tied up and your green shirt & jewelry is as pretty as anything there! What a great day–LOVE the BASEBALL GLOVE!!!

    Reply
  11. Barclay Stone

    Looks like a fun day! I’m LOVING the Bel Monili bracelets that you photographed and the Ecco Bella necklace! It’s probably best for my pocketbook that I didn’t know about this!! Only a 3.5hour drive away…..
    maybe next year! 😉

    Reply
  12. Susie

    Kristie, I saw that card table! Loved it! I have an old one that I think I will redo the same way with oilcloth. So many cool ideas and I did manage to pick up a few things. Plus I got to go down memory lane by touring the mansion. Ray and I were married there 13 years ago! Legacy Farms is a lovely venue.

    Reply
    • Kristie Barnett

      Wow, that is so cool that you guys married there! I wish I had seen you there 🙂

      Reply
  13. Jayme

    My friend Susie B. and I came, saw and purchased! I went home with a burlap wreath and burlap mesh roll (with thoughts of Christmas rolling around in my head) and Susie got some monogrammed linen towels. We really enjoyed our first trip to Bella Rustica-although summer seemed to rear its weary, um, sweaty head! We toured the house (love the tortoise shell kitty that greeted everyone!) and along with a trip to the Nashville Flea Market on Saturday, made a true girl’s weekend of it! Looking forward to the Pop Up Barn show in October-Kristie-I’ll be sure to attend your presentation and hopefully get to say “hello” this time!

    Reply
    • Kristie Barnett

      Promise me you’ll come talk to me at the City Farmhouse Pop-Up Sale!

      Reply
  14. lesley

    Thanks so much for this post. I wanted to go so badly but got sick. I wanted to meet the owner of Bel Monoli and her friend from Juxtapostion as I follow them on FB> So glad you had fun!

    Reply
    • Kristie Barnett

      So sorry you missed it, Lesley! I met both of those girls, and they were super-sweet! Maybe next year 🙂

      Reply
  15. Adrienne

    Hi Kristie,

    Just wanted to let you know that your pink Jesus is a statue depicting the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

    Follow the link to learn about this devotion and God’s infinite love for each one of us. He draws our hearts toward truth and beauty – even at flea markets!!

    http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/heart/meditation.htm

    God Bless!

    Adrienne

    Reply
    • Kristie Barnett

      Thanks for the information, Adrienne!! Love it 🙂

      Reply
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