Merry Christmas

A snowy day--I think enough already this season--but it does look nice.  I was open yesterday, December 23.  Thank you to the shoppers who stopped!  I will not be open until after our final furniture store dispersal auction on January 6.  There is much to do, even though I started early last summer sorting and selling things from the building.  If you are in the area, I will be at my downtown building at 102 East Main St.--you can call if you would like to look in the Rustic Shop, or come and preview the things on auction.  Besides furniture store items--clamps, blankets, etc, there will be a lot of local advertising items both large and small.  You can visit the auction website at www.ckbell.com.  Merry Christmas!. 

Change is Coming!

Soman Furniture Building in downtown Montfort

Change is coming--so please be patient.  After 7 1/2 years we have sold our furniture store building in downtown Montfort!  We are planning a final dispersal auction on Thursday January 6, 2011 at 2 pm.  There will be a variety of items including local memorabilia and collectibles, furniture store tools and supplies, and the items used in the auction hall the past 7 years--tables, chairs, coffee pots, and more.  So, there is a lot to do in less than 3 weeks until auction time. 
I will try to be open on Thursday, December 23, but probably will not be open much more until after January 6, 2011.  After that date, I will have only one building to concern myself with--The Rustic Shop on Hwy 18.  While I will still need to be out of the store for "shop at home" drapery and blind customers, I hope to have the opportunity for more regular hours--with everything I do focused in one location.   

Snow!

 Looks like a day inside.  Fortunately we filled the bird feeders this week, and it's good to see them stopping by.   
      The estate auction scheduled for December 11 was postponed until Saturday December 18.  I am scheduled to be open on Thursday, December 16 from 11 to 5, Friday, December 17 from 11 to 5, and Saturday, December 18 from 10 to 4.  I will be there on Thursday and Friday--and will try to have the store open on Saturday.  I will be downtown helping with the auction.        
      I have a few of the tepee trellis' shown in the photo--they make a great year round outdoor yard item.  We put lights on them this time of the year.  They are also a nice stopping place for the birds near a bird feeder.  Of course, there are other willow items available in the shop--child's chairs, tables, full size chairs, and more.  Some of these items I had posted earlier in the blog, but contact me if you are interested. 
     And there certainly will be change coming regarding The Rustic Shop--after 7 years, our downtown furniture store building is sold!  The closing is scheduled for early January.  There is much to do prior to that time, and we will be having an auction downtown to sell furniture store supplies, office equipment, old Montfort and Livingston advertising items, and any excess inventory.  So, hopefully after early January my business focus will be just from one location.   

Saturday Auction

Milwaukee Road Railroad Ticket Cabinet $250

I will not be open this week--I am helping set up an auction in my downtown Montfort building, which will be at 10 am on Saturday.  You can check the auction at www.ckbell.com.  I will be in the area and you can call if you would like to stop--as several people have done this week.  Next week I will be open on Thursday, December 16 from 11 to 5, Friday from 11 to 5, and Saturday from 10 to 4.  I will be attending an auction on Thursday and also the one on Saturday--so hopefully some new things in the shop.  So, bear with me--there has been much change this past year--and hopefully some new changes coming in the future.  

December is Here

Very nice Retro Buffet/Shelf Top $200. 

December is here--last month of the year.  How quickly the months have gone by.  We are finishing some work in the office and bathroom this week, so plan to be open Friday and Saturday.  Hopefully, work will be done and things put back.  This is a very nice retro buffet.  Solid oak drawers with silver ware dividers in one drawer.  Very nice quality veneer with contrast stain on the drawer/door fronts and support pieces. 

Victorian Bedroom Set Photos

I have had difficulty in sending photos of the bedroom set I have for sale in the Rustic Shop.  I'll post here to make them available. 

Black Friday at The Rustic Shop!!

Wainscot boards $45

Montfort Post Office Shelf $125

We will be open on Black Friday!!  Bring you lawn chair or sleeping bag--we will open at 11 am!  Well, I don't imagine you'll have to wait in line.   We will be open on Friday 11 to 5, and on Saturday 10 to 4.  You can make a mad dash to the $1 shelf, or grab a bundle of curly willow for $3.  I have a nice retro dining room buffet/shelf that I will try to get a photo.  There is a nice variety of willow furniture and accessories available.  Most of all....enjoy the Thanksgiving celebration.  We are looking forward to the time with the children and grandchildren--which could be another blog by itself!  I'll probably say more about the past year in future comments, but we certainly do have so much to be thankful.  Happy Thanksgiving!

An Update--Auction November 20

It's obvious to anyone passing by on Hwy 18 that I have not been open very much the past few weeks.  It has been a busy time though, with blinds to measure and install, helping get ready for an auction in our downtown building, and slowed down a bit with a shoulder ailment. 
There is an estate auction on Saturday November 20 at 10 am in the Montfort Main Street Center in downtown Montfort.  There are a lot of collectibles of all kinds.  I will be attending that and will not be open.  There will be another auction--the same estate on Saturday December 11. 
So, I am planning to open Friday and Saturday November 26 and 27.  Hopefully, a few more days in December.  It has been my goal all summer and fall to clear/sell things out of my downtown building and get fully moved to the Rustic Shop on the highway.  It has been a very slow process--but it is proceeding.  Display items, office partitions, and other things have been sold.  There are still things available--office desks, file cabinets, shelving, plus lots of small things--furniture blankets, tools, furniture parts, etc.  But, contact me anytime if you are in the area and want to look--I'm usually available.   

This week

It has been a busy few weeks, so haven't been open too much.  I am planning on today Friday noon to 5, and Saturday 11 to 4.  A few new smaller items available, books, and cookbooks.  Willow pieces are sealed and dried and ready to try! 

Closed this week

We will be gone Friday and Saturday, so will not be open.  We'll have a few new/old things coming in next week. 

Willow Furniture/Montfort Craft Show/Saturday October 23

Most of the willow pieces made in the last few weeks is oiled and ready for sale.  I have about 10 chairs in stock--a variety of designs.  Also, willow tables, plant stands, a queen size headboard, and baskets.  Open Saturday 10 to 4.  Stop in and see what's new and old.  

The Montfort Craft Show is Saturday October 23 from 9 to 3 in the Montfort Main Street Center.  A good day to shop in Montfort.  Besides the craft show, the Vintage Vestibule (soy candles) will be open, and Rural Route One Popcorn has their fall harvest weekend.    

Willow Headboard

A bent willow queen size headboard--$75.  Bunches of curly willow available at $3/bundle.   Tall willow plant stand with curly willow supports is $45. 

Hours will be Wednesday 11 to 5, Thursday 11 to 3, Friday 11 to 3, and Saturday 11 to 4. 

Week of October 4

Ethan Allen Solid Cherry Table & 6 Chairs $300

Hours this week:  Wednesday 11 to 5, Thursday 11 to 3, Friday 11 to 5, Saturday 10 to 4. 

Used Furniture/Antique Furniture

Perdue Chest $45

Oak Chest $210

The Rustic Shop has both used furniture and antique furniture.  For sale is a Perdue 4 drawer chest for $45.  (Sold new for $99)  Also available is a very nice antique oak 5 drawer chest with serpentine front drawers.  It has been nicely refinished, and drawers are not worn down--still a very nice usable piece of furniture for $210.  So, we try to inventory items that are both unique and also nicer quality budget priced items.

Week of September 27

Hours will be varied this week due to draperies and blinds to install and other appointments.
Wednesday  11 to 5, Thursday 12 to 3, Friday 12:30 to 3, and Saturday 10 to 4.  A few new items and a few more willow trellis made.  See you,

Willow Trellis

Brian is holding a willow trellis completed this week.  A few others have been built.  I've cut some curly willow and have it for sale in bundles of 10.  I will harvest more when the leaves drop.

Week of September 20

Hours this week will be Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday 11 am to 5 pm.  Saturday to be announced.

Just got a nice set of 4 solid oak T-back chairs.  All rungs are present and tight.  Original finish with black leather seats.  $160 for set of 4.
Other odd (1-3) chairs.
Primitive workbench and office partitions are still available.
Especially when talking/teasing with the grandchildren--I've made up rhyming names to match their names.  Our daughter said that today at breakfast she simply asked Grace (age 2 1/2), "What is your name?"  She replied, "Grace."  "So, what is your middle name?"  She replied, "Ann."  "So, what is your last name?"  She replied, "Patta-Pan!"   Hmmm? 

New Sign/New Willow Chair

The sign posts in front of the Rustic Shop are on state highway right of way--so the permanent sign had to be removed.  Thanks to today's vinyl banners available--I'll have this sign up each day I am open.  (Removed each night, so not a permanent sign) 

The past week I have been concentrating on making willow furniture.  I hadn't made any for quite some time, so it was nice to be able to create some new pieces.  I made 6 chairs and one table in the past week--including the chair shown.  It's my own design to be used as an office chair.  Actually, quite sturdy and comfortable.  There is still more willow to harvest, so we'll keep building. 

 Farm Toys:  A few weeks ago I purchased an entire collection of approx 20 year old farm toys.  On days that I set them outside on tables--I watched as the boys (in big pickup trucks) stopped to look and buy.  This is what is left--but the John Deere pieces and some of the International were just priced and put out today in order to save of few of the nice pieces to sell. 

Hours this week

The Rustic Shop will be open this week:
Wednesday  11 to 5, Thursday 11 to 3, Friday 11 to 5, and Saturday 10 to 4. 

Primitive Oak Workbench

This is a primitive oak workbench from an 1880's farm.  It was used to make wooden wagon wheels.  There is a wood vise on one end.  It is 10' long, 32" high, and 25" deep.  It was fastened into the wall so is sitting on temporary back legs.  It was power washed and ready to use.  It would make a nice display piece in a shop or restaurant.  $200.  Contact 608-778-3523.

Office Partitions For Sale

This is a fabric/metal frame partition we had in our furniture store.  There is one panel 5' wide and 6' high, and 2 panels 4' wide and 6' high.  There are connecting brackets and there is a 5' shelf that hangs on the partition.  The 3 partition pieces and shelf are $200.  The desk is available for $50.  Contact Dan @ 608-778-3523.

This is a 4 piece partition with one section 5' wide and 5' high, and 3 pieces 3' wide and 5' high.  There is also a shelf included.  Price is $200. 

More Willow Chairs

2 chairs in 2 days!

Tall weed make tall straight willow

Willow chair #2

It has been nice weather to gather and work on willow projects.  I'm fortunate to have a good source of willow here in Livingston, although it is getting larger, and I knew it was do some cutting this year, or much of it would be too big for chairs.  So far I have 2 chairs finished and another frame assembled and ready to bend willow.  I've worked on sizing my chairs a little smaller--I like the results.  So, next week probably a few willow tables with the cut-offs.
Open Saturday 10 am to 4 pm.

Willow Chairs

With a little cooler weather, it was time to get out and cut some willow for a few chairs.  I haven't made any new willow pieces for some time, and I've had a request for a smaller size bent willow chair.  I have one done and 2 more to finish. 
A few new things in the shop--a nice 5 drawer oak chest and an oak commode with a mirror and towel bar. 

Hours:  Friday 11 to 4.  Open Saturday 10 to 4. 

September 10, 2006--Glacier Park Montana

History & Purpose

A little history:  In 2003 we closed Soman Furniture--a family business since 1959.  Since that time I have continued to make a living as owner of Soman Draperies & Blinds, and continuing to deal in antiques and used furniture.  In November of 2009 I purchased the building at 200 East Hwy 18 in Montfort.  With a good highway location, it is a great place for retail antiques and used furniture.  Soman Draperies & Blinds is mostly a 'shop-at-home' service, but there is space for my drapery parts, tools, and samples.  Another interest is making willow/rustic furniture.  I have hand made willow pieces for sale, and will keep updates on pieces I am making. 

So, why blog?  As you can see, my means of making a living is quite varied--and I am the sole owner and operator.  Since Soman Draperies & Blinds is a shop at home business--I travel to measure and install draperies and blinds.  If you are in need of window treatments, contact me or call and I will make an in-home appointment.  My website is www.somanblinds.com, and there is an email contact link. 
The Rustic Shop has been open since early spring of 2010, however, my biggest challenge is to be open on a regular basis.  The purpose of this blog is to make use today's information tools:  to let you know on a regular basis my intended hours for the week, including any special promotions or events; to make you aware of any
new or interesting items in the shop; to let you know of new willow pieces that I might be working on--or to get your input on something you might like; and to perhaps share a few things of interest regarding rustic, antiques, etc.

Intened Hours This Week:  Hours this week will be Wednesday, 11am to 5pm.

                                                                                   Thursday.    11am to 3pm.
                                                                                   Friday,         11am to 5pm.
                                                                                   Saturday  to be announced.

New Blog

Watch for coming information regarding the Rustic Shop in Montfort, Wisconsin.
The Rustic Shop is located at 200 East Highway 18 in Montfort.  It is the building with the Red Roof!