Christmas Countdown...4 more days!

Have a merry 50s/60s Christmas!

Maurine brought in a wonderful aluminum tree and color wheel. The tree still has its original box and instruction book! I have a cute little vintage tree skirt around the bottom that is also for sale. We put it up by the cash wrap. I've got half a mind to see if I can totally do this little area in 50s/60s stuff. If you're into the cool mid-century stuff drive on over and pick up your tree!

Oh Baby....

We've got the cutest little baby dresses. These are handmade vintage baby dresses...probably from the 1930's.
Look at that ric-rac trim on the blue one. Just precious. This is just a sample of what's available. They would look sweet on your little one or as a nursery decoration....they are only 8-10 dollars each.

Handmade Jewelry

At Old City Hall Shoppes two of our dealers are jewelry designers. These bracelets in Pontiac Indian or Illini colors are the work of Jen Woodburn. They fall in the 10-20 dollar price range. Perfect way to show your team colors!
These necklaces are also by Jen. There are many more available in a rainbow of colors. Jen also makes beautiful rosaries.

Amber Detwiler's jewelry is also very beautiful. She crafts her jewelry of sterling silver wire, beads and findings. Her beads are gemstones, pearls, and Swarovski crystals.

Bracelet by Amber Detwiler.

Both Amber and Jen will make jewelry just for you...think of the beautiful piece you could have made for your wedding or that special outfit.

Merry, Merry

We had a wonderful open house weekend in Pontiac. We stayed open today and I was surprised at the number of folks who were shopping on a Sunday. Fun day.
This is our Feed on the Word dinnerware. Microwave and dishwasher safe...we can order any pieces you would like for you. We are putting together a gift registry so you can make a wish list at OCHS. Great for a wedding or birthday or even Christmas. Make your list, then send your husband to us to shop. Or your wife....I shouldn't assume our customers are women!

Jolly Trolly Holiday Open House

We've been getting ready for you to visit us for Christmas! We collected the greens...it looks like pine freshener gone berserk in my car.
And we turned them into this. They smell wonderful!
When you come to visit you can check out where some of Santa's elves live...in a hollow tree just like those other famous TV elves.

Here's a peek into their little house.

We will be open Sunday, November 11 from 1-4pm. Stop by and have some cider and cookies with us. Many other downtown merchants will also be open tomorrow.

Closed November 8th for Decorating

We are having an open house this weekend as part of Pontiac's Jolly Trolly Holiday Open Houses. Most downtown businesses are open extended hours to kick off the holiday season.

Our hours this weekend are:

Thursday, Nov. 8: Closed

Friday, Nov. 9: 10-6

Saturday, Nov. 10: 10-4

Sunday, Nov. 11: 1-4

Grandma's Dishcloths

Well OK, these aren't grandma's but they are newly made and just like the ones she used. They are made from 100% cotton and can be machine washed and dried. If you've never used one, you really should try them. The work like a dream, have a wonderful texture, and wear like iron. Made right here in Illinois...by me!
This is just a nice little close-up, dishcloth glamor shot. I'm learning to use the macro on my camera.

Baseball, Football Cards for Sale

One of our dealers, Bob, has many sports cards to offer the collector. This is just a portion of them. If he doesn't have what you want in the store you can get in touch with him to see if he has it at home. Stop in and see if he has just the right addition to your collection!

Spooky!

Well, I know you've seen these jack-o-lanterns before, but I wanted to show you how adding a different background can really change up the mood. By adding the dark wool quilt and a few crows we have a more moody halloween look. This is easy to do at home too. The added bonus is that the quilts you use to do this do not have to be in pristine condition...which usually translates to a very affordable price.

We just tied some jute twine around the corners of the quilt and looped twine on a nail in the wall.

I have a new friend helping me at the cash register.

Pumpkin Time!

We ready for fall at the shoppes! All these pumpkins and gourds are from a local couple who dye, carve and seal the gourds. We think they are the perfect halloween jack-o-lantern...and they'll last for years! Small jack-o-lanterns are 28 dollars, large ones are 32 dollars. The small gourds are three dollars and the large six dollars. The rusty footboard would make a great garden accent and is only $15.

We want Old City Hall Shoppes to be first a great antique mall. Then we want to offer wonderful items to accent that look or give as gifts...items made in the USA and as many as possible locally made.

Almost there...

The mural is looking good! Now you can really see where they are going with this. Nice design, don't ya think?!

Let's Go Fly a Kite!

Today we had a busy day at the shop, but I had to go out to the south edge of town and check out the kite flying event going on. The Chicago Kite Club, the Kansas City Kite Club and the Illinois Kite Club were all on hand with beautiful kites.
Some were huge and some were small. Some were being flown in formations almost like airplanes!
These kids were trying to get these crazy animal kites off the ground. They were made by people in one of the clubs.
Kids of all ages were flying...anyone could join in.
Check out all the strings on this giant!

Coming right along...

The Diazs made some more progress today...but they had to quit because we had another batch of storms coming through. I talked to our city administrator today. He said they are going to get rid of the parking spaces right in front of the mural, put in some landscaping and also a pad were you can drive your car up and pose in front of the mural. That should be popular with all the vingtage car lovers!

Progress...

Even though it rained today, they somehow got some more painting done!
In this picture you can see how the old firehouse (now the Rt66 Hall of Fame Museum) is connected to the old city hall building (now Old City Hall Shoppes and the Livingston Co. War Museum) by the upper floors. Yes, those are bars over some of the windows..those are old jail cells.

Route 66 Mural

Pontiac is getting a new mural celebrating its place on Route 66 in Illinois. The mural is being painted on the back of the old firehouse part of our building complex. The Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame Museum is housed in this building. Above is how it looked yesterday.
Today I caught the artists painting. The sign was designed and is being painted by Diaz Sign Art...a very talented family of sign artists from our own hometown of Pontiac.
In this one you can see a glimpse of the design taped up on the wall next to the painters. I'll keep you updated with pics as more progress is made. They estimate 5 days to paint the sign...but of course I'm sure much depends on the weather.

Back to School

I just registered my daughter for school, so I thought we better revamp the displays in the store. It was fun to use warm autumn colors.
We have a great little painted twin bed for sale. I love the coverlet too...it's a traditional woven spread, but with a fun daisy motif. I think Red Riding Hood is something that was used in a store. The painting on it is wonderful.

Heritage Days

Heritage Days is an event sponsored by PROUD celebrating our heritage. People demonstrating old time crafts set up under the trees all around the Livingston County Courthouse.
Making bowls the old fashioned way.
Tim Fornero has been caning chairs since his father taught him when he was 9 years old.
Cathy Grafton makes beautiful quilts embellished with silk ribbon embroidery,
and she even has a book out on the subject.


Dancing....clogging?
Dad selling raffle tickets for our quilt raffle.Jim Dixon sawing.

We also had blacksmithing, sheep shearing, puppet shows, clowns strolling the square, stained glass making.

Feed on the Word

Ever want to start your day with scripture but forgot? I'm sorry to say that does happen to me. But now we are carrying a new line of dinnerware called "Feed on the Word" that will help remind you of the truly important things in life. Each place setting features scriptures centered around a different theme. A truly unique way to keep the word before you.
They are dishwasher and microwave safe and many different serving pieces can be ordered. We have chosen several to feature for our first order in stock.
They are simple enough to go in a contempory home and classic enough to mix with vintage china and glassware. They make great wedding or housewarming gifts. Stop by and check them out!