Meet Dealer Alan & Sandy Kelley (Dealer Code KRAZY) of Krazy Al's Music

Each month we feature one of our dealer-merchants from each of our three stores that offers unique, one-of-a-kind antiques and merchandise for your home and garden. We have a lot of creative, savvy and talented dealers and we thought you would enjoy getting to know them!

Alan and Sandy Kelley (Dealer Code KRAZY) of Krazy Al's Music specialize in unique and vintage musical instruments and accessories. They've been dealers at the Queen of Hearts Buford for four and a half years, and love the great people they meet every time they're in the store.

Alan and Sandy love the "old is new" and rustic trends, which you can see in their home through 50's and Disney collectibles. Outside of filling their booth on S. Battery St at the Queen, their hobbies include picking and collecting unique items for their home. Their favorite items to sell are guitars and they love seeing them find new homes with Queen customers. Alan and Sandy also have one daughter Shanna, and Alan works at Guitar Outlet in Commerce, GA. 

Be sure to stop by KRAZY on S Battery St and say hi! 

Are you a dealer? If you want to be featured on our blog, email us at queenofheartspr@gmail.com!

It's Fall, Y'all! Get the front of your home ready! Guest blog from Lula Belle Interiors

I'm Jody Tirone from Lula Belle Interiors and I am a holiday-aholic. I admit it! I am obsessed with holiday decorating. My house goes through several different transitions through the fall. I start with gorgeous fall decorations, and then I bring out the scary for Halloween, and finish with thankful decorations of the Thanksgiving season. My addiction is your advantage because through the years I’ve learned some dos and don’ts of getting your house ready for the holidays.

I truly believe the outside of your house sets the tone for what’s happening on the inside. It is the first impression, whether it is brightening the day of those passing by or creating a welcoming space for those visiting. There are a few tricks of the trade to ensure your house looks like Southern Living and not the Griswold’s!

Tip #1: Remember the Scale & Color of your door
There is nothing worse than a wimpy wreath that is dwarfed by a beautiful front door. Color can also be a problem. Pick a wreath with a color that will pop against your door, not blend.

Tip #2: How does it look from the road?
I’ve seen some wreaths or decorations with details so small that you can’t see them from the road. Sometimes I couldn’t even tell what was on the door. It is always better to pick a wreath that is simple with large details.

Tip #3: Making Your Own Wreath
When making your own wreath, always make the wreath while hanging on a door or wall. If you make a wreath flat on a table the flowers or pumpkins may not be in the right direction after hanging.

Tip #4: Consider the Color of Your House.
If you have a house with pink brick the fall colors might clash. Instead consider non-traditional colors that would complement your house.

Here are all the tips combined into fall perfection!

So, now that you know the basics, where do you begin? Queen of Hearts Antiques and Interiors! Queen has custom wreaths that will set your door apart from your neighbor. Here is a sampling of what you’ll find at Queen of Hearts this fall.

This blog was written by dealer Jody Tirone, of Lula Belle Interiors (LULAB) on E Bay St in Alphaetta - like her page on Facebook to see all of her fabulous finds!

https://www.facebook.com/lulabelleinteriors 

Monthly Feature at the Queen by {Home-ology} modern vintage

Can you believe it's almost the end of summer? Didn't it just turn spring, like, yesterday??? But my garden is waning, children are back in school, and my energy level is similar to that of a sloth right now. Yep, those are the sure signs that fall is soon upon us.

Well, that only means one thing. It's almost time to bring out all the fall fluff - and we all love that, do we not?

Here's some eye candy from the Alpharetta Queen to get your juices flowing.

Geodes. Kinda have a thing for them + agates lately. Isn't this one just the prettiest? And it's huge - I think it was about 17" tall! Such a statement piece for a bookshelf. This was found in dealer KIVA'S booth.

Isn't that ginormous bird cage chandy to die for? Yes, it is! This is from a new dealer, K JAXN. You'll definitely want to check her out the next time you're in the Alpharetta store. Her inventory is always an interesting mix filled with eclectic finds, curiosities, and salvaged pieces. Definitely worth a visit. She's one to keep on your radar for interesting finds.

I love how dealer LL has gotten clever with some chalkboard paint. I really like the idea of using chalkboard on the file cabinet fronts. Another organizing dilemma solved by the use of chalkboard paint!

And just because this booth always captures my attention, dealer ABY has me again with these large floating glass balls. These are awesome! Makes me want to decorate a beach house.

And just down the way from those beautiful glass orbs I spotted some oyster candlesticks in dealer SANDY's booth. Talk about beachy - aren't these a great organic statement?

This painted wicker tray is so fresh + modern. I love the fabric dealer DCR chose to use. There is always something I wish I had taken for myself when I do one of these guests posts. I think this sweet little tray is the winner this month. So pretty!

But, then again, I'm always a sucker for something authentic and timeworn. Dealer TFP has an eye for beautiful garden/outdoor pieces. This one is so darling. And it even has hooks for you to hang a wreath beside your front door! Love!!!

So that's a quick peek at a few new additions to the Queen's inventory thanks to all the talented dealers in her fold.

Enjoy the last of your summer days as we begin the transition of seasons.

This has been a guest post from Sarah Krouse at {Home-ology} modern vintage. As well as being a dealer in our Alpharetta location, Sarah blogs over at homeologymodernvintage.com. If you enjoyed reading her post and would love to read more of her writing, we encourage you to stop by her blog. There you'll see many of her own personal vintage finds as well her creative ideas for living a simple lifestyle.

Monthly Feature at the Queen by {Home-ology} modern vintage

Hello! It's Sarah from {Home-ology} modern vintage here to provide you with my monthly finds from the dealers at the Queen of Hearts.

Friday is here and the weekend is your oyster. Yay for the weekend!!! That said, I thought you might enjoy seeing what treasures are awaiting you at the Alpharetta Queen so that you can add her to your list of activities for the weekend. A pearl awaits you! 

Are you ready for a tour full of eye candy? Let's do this!

I'm starting off with the wow factor here, peeps.

Hidden in the back of the Alpharetta shop is TLS' beautiful curation of all things French. She has an entire room dedicated to European antiques that gently spills out into the hallway.

I don't know about you, but I can never pass by a French inspired room without pausing for a private moment. Are you as much of a Francophile as me? Do the chalky paints make your heart swoon? The warm patinas, the understated opulence, the hoards of shiny metals against a timeworn wall - it's everything I love all wrapped into one beautiful package. Yes, this room inspires the Francophile in me every time.

The details in this figure are so delicate. Just lovely. Dealer TLS truly does have an amazing collection that you absolutely must stop in to visit. So much goodness.

If you haven't discovered this hidden gem on your recent trips, it's definitely worth visiting the Alpharetta Queen for that reason alone.

And speaking of French antiques, I have a new neighbor on Church Street that also has an impressive booth filled with more French pieces. Dealer ABY. I spotted this antique French plant stand perched atop her wall and my heart skipped a beat. Pure eye candy. The picture doesn't do it justice - it was difficult to photograph where it hangs. But trust me, it's a beautiful site to behold. 

Chippy French antiques + garden = happy place! Perhaps I'll forego my potting bench for something like this? Who needs a practical work station when you could have this beauty to look at every day? Not me...

Is it just me or am I seeing a pattern here? I must be pining for French because I've spotted even more French goodies in Dealer SUE's booth. Dough bowls. Love!!! I have a couple, but want a larger one for my one-day-soon European farm table. I've been hunting that table for months now - still no luck.

And this beautiful French garden chair. Swooning...

Okay, I'm back to my modern sensibilities with this awesome display piece from dealer LAG. LAG offers a limited collection of handcrafted pieces made from petrified cypress that are each one-of-a-kind and are to die for. This is one of those creations. If I were a designer, this would be somewhere in my stock.

And if all the goodness hasn't been enough, here are an exquisite pair of mirrors I came across in dealer LMB's booth. I woud die to have this pair in my mirror collection. I do love mirrors. They're such versatile wall accossories. If you're curious to see my growing collection, visit my post - Decorating With Mirrors.



Organic shapes are on such a trend in shelter magazines. I find these driftwood orbs captivating. Dealer TDL has a nice collection of organic pieces in her booth from orbs to seashells.

I'm always blown away by the creative beings that reside within the Queen's three locations. Lots of inspirational things happening everywhere. I love how dealer AC paired up the weathered legs with this vintage drawer. It's a seamless marriage that looks as if they were always together.

These upcycled chest drawers make unique pet beds for the pet lover. Even better, they are perfect for some much needed storage.

Speaking of storage, I've been working on organizing my bath while clipping awesome ideas to my board over on Hometalk. Hometalk saw one of my storage creations and asked me if I would curate my board for them. Curate? Me? Absolutely! I came up with 17 creative storage ideas that are practical and easy to replicate.

Care to see what creative ideas I found? Click the board below to see! And when you're done and totally motivated to organize your own spaces, head to the Queen of Hearts for all of your organizing supplies - from furniture, to glass containers, to wire baskets - everything you need can be found at one of the Queen's three locations!

This has been a guest post from Sarah Krouse at {Home-ology} modern vintage. As well as being a dealer in our Alpharetta location, Sarah blogs over at homeologymodernvintage.com. If you enjoyed reading her post and would love to read more of her writing, we encourage you to stop by her blog. There you'll see many of her own personal vintage finds as well her creative ideas for living a simple lifestyle.

Monthly Feature at the Queen from {Home-ology} modern vintage

June has arrived. And in addition to being the wedding season, it's also time to relish the outdoors and all it has to offer. This time of year, I can't help but be drawn to all things related to outdoor gatherings and celebrations.

This month's feature takes us to the Marietta Queen of Hearts where I came across so many inspirations for the season.

dealer MASS

Dealer MASS' booth draws me in every time I visit. Although I don't design my home in shabby chic, the style lends itself so appropriately for a wedding. No other time do I love lace than when it's associated with a wedding celebration.

 Don't you love the swag she has created above the mirror? To die! Hers is simple strips of vintage lace tied into a beautiful swag. Makes my heart flutter.

dealer BLR/LHA

I love what these dealers have done with their vintage galvanized tub. This utilitarian piece has been upcycled into a padded stool with great storage. So clever!

#1. Dealer PAM #2. Dealer MJE

I recently did a post showing how I used an antique leather suitcase as a picnic basket. I love incorporating vintage into everyday moments. Nothing adds personality like a touch of vintage.

Dealer MJE/SHB

One of my favorite ways to accessorize a wall is by using china. Adding a gilded frame around your collection really sets it off. I definitely want to do this in my home. So pretty.

Dealer BOW

I've seen lots of upcycled garden tools; however, this one takes the cake! I love how dealer BOW created a picture display by salvaging an old rake. It would also be a fun way to store seeds in your potting bench!

Dealer DILLY

Okay, the rubber boot wall vase is way too cute!

Dealer KAY

And found glass bottles... yes, please.

Dealer MASS

This vintage medical cabinet once held a stretcher. I think it would be fabulous holding anything in my bath.

Dealer MJE

Ummm, it's a vintage birdcage, scale, & glass bottles in a holder. Need I say more? Love!

Dealer RAY

I have a set of aluminum garden furniture with nylon webbing that has been stored away in a basement because I'm afraid to expose it to the elements. But the condition is nothing near to this vintage lawn chair with its beautiful original fabric. It's near mint and so mid-century! Do you see the price? Such a bargain. Want.a.mid.century ranch.to.decorate.

This is a guest post from Sarah Krouse at {Home-ology} modern vintage. As well as being a dealer in our Alpharetta location, Sarah blogs over at homeologymodernvintage.com. If you enjoyed reading her post and would love to see more, we encourage you to stop by her blog. There you'll see many of her vintage finds in their raw stage, get a story of where they came from, and see transformations of the pieces she revives and repurposes prior to their display at the Queen.

Guest Post from {Home-ology} modern vintage

Hello all! I hope you're not disappointed, but I failed miserably at hitting the Queen for my usual monthly feature. So this month there will be no feature. Sad, yes. And I am ever so sorry to have let you down. But, you see, I've been away and up to my elbows in a home remodel.

So, without a monthly feature, I thought I would instead round up some springtime ideas from the blogosphere and throw out a little creative inspiration. Today's post is all about the ever popular and oh so diverse

Who knew that mason jars would take on a world of their own? But over the past few years they have done just that, and the ideas keep coming! I bet our mothers never dreamt such a lowly & utilitarian item would have such a coveted spot in the home. And since many of these craft ideas can be done easily and quickly, they're always a fun and creative touch no matter the project or party.

This first one I saw on Hometalk and comes from Linda who blogs at It All Started With Paint. I love the idea of using mason jars for storage. With the clear glass, you can see exactly what's inside. But Linda took it  to the next level by adding chalkboard lids so that the contents could be easily marked and identified.  If you visit Linda's blog, you'll find many other ideas for mason jars. The girl loves her mason jars so much that she's made a gallery to feature all her creations!

And here are a few more beautifully simple ideas

via country style homes

As a hanging floral bouquet

via etsy

As a snow globe

via martha stewart

As a gift container {this one filled with a gardener's needs}

via photobucket

And as a chandelier

But my favorite has to be this

from panka with love

Doesn't it look like a jar of fireflies? It's actually made with glow in the dark spray paint. This would be such a fun project to make with the little ones.

For the how-to on each project, just click the link provided and happy spring!

This is a guest post from Sarah Krouse at {Home-ology} modern vintage. As well as being a dealer in our Alpharetta location, Sarah blogs over at homeologymodernvintage.com. If you enjoyed reading her post and would love to see more, we encourage you to stop by her blog. There you'll see many of her vintage finds in their raw stage, get a story of where they came from, and see transformations of the pieces she revives and repurposes prior to their display at the Queen.

Monthly Feature at the Queen by {Home-ology} modern vintage

It's April 15th! Let's give a big "woot" to the fact that taxes are over with for 2013 and we can all move on to more pleasant things such as outdoor gatherings, family vacations, and warm summer days! ;)

Along with writing that annual check, April 15th also marks the end of cold weather frosts. And with spring in full swing here in the ATL, I've packed away the home's winter necessities and have begun to lighten up the style in my home.

One of my favorite ways to lighten up for the warm season is to pack away my ironstone and pull out my collection of clear glass containers. I love glass containers. I love how they don't clutter a space visually and how beautifully they bounce the light around a room. And when they're filled with beautiful things, glass containers allow their contents to shine without overwhelming a space. Yep, I'm a sucker for them.

And this season I had a very specific idea in mind for some glass containers, yet I didn't have exactly the right combination of three. So when I spotted a real beauty in the Alpharetta location of the Queen last week, I knew another piece of glassware was coming home with me and my little idea would soon become a reality.

After finding the first container, a hunt ensued as I scoured the remaining booths for the perfect combination of glassware to complete the set. The inventory at the Queen is always vast and varied, so I was quickly able to find complimenting sizes and shapes and didn't have to run all over town. I love that!

Don't you just love the unique shapes?

This one is a vintage cookie jar.

And here we have an interestingly shaped decorative apothocary jar.

Last we have this fabulous storage container impressed with a patent date of 1904 and made by Lucas Prouty and Co. {I love the impressed markings!}

They fit so well as a grouping, don't you agree?

Want to see what I did with them?

I made terrariums!

So easy to make and so easy to care for, they're the perfect vignette for the summer season and are virtually maintenance free. Want to see how I made them? Jump over to my blog for the tutorial "Making a Terrarium - Gardening for the Commitment Phobe." There I demonstrate how easy these were to create and show you how to make a beautiful terrarium of your very own.

So modern and fresh, i love how mine turned out!

This is a guest post from Sarah Krouse at {Home-ology} modern vintage. As well as being a dealer in our Alpharetta location, Sarah blogs over at homeologymodernvintage.com. If you enjoyed reading her post and would love to see more, we encourage you to stop by her blog. There you'll see many of her vintage finds in their raw stage, get a story of where they came from, and see transformations of the pieces she revives and repurposes prior to their display at the Queen.