Dealer Feature: The Painted Hammer, Audrey Wood & Shane Levin

Each month we featured our great dealers in our blog, to give a little background on them, how they got started at The Queen, and what trends they are seeing! Meet Audrey Wood and Shane Levin, siblings who just became dealers at the Alpharetta Queen of hearts in January. They are located on S. Battery St, dealer code SLAW. Visit their Facebook page The Painted Hammer, to see all of their amazing items!

The sibling team behind The Painted Hammer, Audrey & Shane, has always had talent. One day, Audrey asked Shane to build a bookshelf she had sketched out. He did, then she painted it. Then she asked him to build another, which she also painted. Then she asked for a set of wooden blocks. All of these things were for her kids, and Uncle Shane happily complied. He then took on larger projects and built a mini kitchen, a play table, and a Lego table. Another set of blocks too.

At some point late in 2013, Audrey started thinking about their talents, how amazing things happened when they paired up, and what if they investigated going in on a booth at the Alpharetta Queen of Hearts? She had been shopping at The Queen for 15 years, she knows how to merchandise & style, Shane can build her designs, and so on. And then 30 seconds later (it seemed), they were set to move into their space on S. Battery Street!

Audrey treats the space at the Queen the same way she treats every space she works with, in her own home and for clients. She has a defined core color palette: black, white/cream, brown, blue, and red. She has a defined style as well, which influences all of her purchases and designs: eclectic bohemian vintage chic. Audrey also has a magical sense of styling, so she places and groups items in a way that allows browsers to see items and imagine them in their own home.



When Audrey is asked how others can define their own color palette and style, she always suggests taking an adored pillow or painting, and using the colors and style from there to get started!

Stop by and visit them at the Queen of Hearts in Alpharetta, dealer code SLAW on S Battery St, and Like their page The Painted Hammer! You can also visit their blog The Painted Hammer or follow them on Instagram.

Fascinating Finds & Tremendous Treasures - MARIETTA

This guest blog is by Cindy Rich, a third generation picker of antiques/appraiser and loves all things vintage. She has been interested in antiques for as long as she can remember, and feels that every piece she finds comes from somewhere and was loved by someone! She will be visiting each store once a month for an Appraisal Night With Cindy Rich from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Bring your treasures and meet Cindy Rich, a certified appraiser. Please limit your items to 3 items and a voluntary $5 charity donation is requested for each item!

Upcoming Dates are:

• Marietta: SECOND THURSDAY of each month - July 10 - August 14
• Alpharetta: THIRD THURSDAY of each month - June 19 - July 17 - August 21
• Buford: LAST THURSDAY of each month - July 31 - August 28

Thursday night at the Queen in Marietta was nothing short of a "take my breath away" visit. I was blessed with so many smiling faces, and beautiful things, I was in awe. My time began a bit early at 5:15 PM and stayed on 'til the last customer just before 7:45pm.

I saw some vintage rugs that were easily over 80 years old, and while one was a bit more "cherished" than the other, both were spread out on the floor, and everyone who saw them were amazed, and appreciated the fine quality, texture, and life that each of them brought to the room. You could just imagine the space it took up, those who walked upon it, and how many holiday gatherings it saw.

I also had a gentleman who brought in a Tiffany piece that was an old bowl from the 40's and it was well worth the $6 find he brought to me.. I had done a bit more research when i returned home, and found it right in the amount i shared with him - which was approximately $250 - 350. Given time, it could well command a prettier penny. Although, I think he will be holding on to that one with both hands.

I had some gorgeous paintings, some pencil charcoal drawings, and even a bit of ivory jewelry. I was pleased to see a piece of Gorham silver from early 40's - 50's... it was a child's yoyo. Yes, I said, yoyo. It held up its beauty and stood the test of time. That gentleman had a wonderful eye, and a heart of true gold - he is one who treasures the past, and stops his finds from finding their way to the scrap yard. He is truly a preservationist of History.

As my night ended, I listened as the folks left me, and i was taken aback in how much i love what i do, how much i enjoyed my first time in Marietta, and just how much i love seeing the people come out and share with me all their findings... It is my pleasure to be able to touch pieces of the past, learn from the people, listen to the stories, and treasure all they have for me. It is truly a precious gift.

I have always enjoyed my trips as a customer to the Queen, and have purchased many items lately from the various stores to add the beauty of the rejuvenation of my kid's rooms. Each piece we have hand-selected tells a story all it's own, and now, it will include its time in our home.

What does the Queen of Hearts provide it's customers Pleasant shopping, fabulous finds, and tremendous treasures.

What does the customer gain from those pieces? A new piece of history for their family and added warmth and charm for their home.

See you next month! - Cindyanna

Fabulous Finds, Tremendous Treasures - ALPHARETTA

This guest blog is by Cindy Rich, a third generation picker of antiques/appraiser and loves all things vintage. She has been interested in antiques for as long as she can remember, and feels that every piece she finds comes from somewhere and was loved by someone! She will be visiting each store once a month for an Appraisal Night With Cindy Rich from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Bring your treasures and meet Cindy Rich, a certified appraiser. A voluntary $5 charity donation is requested for each item!

Upcoming Dates are:

• Marietta: SECOND THURSDAY of each month - July 10 - August 14
• Alpharetta: THIRD THURSDAY of each month - June 19 - July 17 - August 21
• Buford: LAST THURSDAY of each month - July 31 - August 28

My first visit to the Queen of Hearts in Alpharetta this past Thursday Night for the monthly Meet the Appraiser Night gave me pause to see all that their customers and patrons of the store had to offer.

My evening began with a lady, who had lost her mom and grandmother over 10 years ago, and had some (20) items for me to look at that she feels she needs to "rehome" ... I saw gorgeous vintage enamel tea pots, crystal dishes, vintage serving trays, a beautiful vintage quilt over 80 years old, and a few pieces of vintage pottery - each one any collector would be proud to display, use, or just have as their "go to" items for the holidays.

I then met a gal from Suwanee that brought me some very old pieces that she is in the process of selling to collectors - paintings with hand-carved frames, a 100 year old map that has been given new life and matted and give a place of honor in her home, and vintage carvings of wood that would be a privilege to own and display in anyone's home. Their obvious Roman flair with the meticulous hand - carving rivals anything we'd mass produce today, and the hand-painting with original paint, made these true treasures that will be envied for time and eternity.

I had a gentleman who had a painted "tin" painting that was framed in a hand-carved, hand- painted frame that was in his family for over 80 years, and continues to retain that something special" persona about it... It is something that he will hang in his home and pass along to his daughter when she marries someday.

Finally, I had the pleasure to meet a young lady that showed me a table with chairs that she gave "new life" to while keeping the original tapestry fabric of linen. The roman-style chair that she showed me has the realm of strength, family, and health... she is going to find this treasure a new "home" and now has a story to pass down along with this lovely.

All in all, it was a wonderful evening that came to an end all too soon, and i left with the knowledge that everyone i had the pleasure to meet went away with a smile, a story, and a love for their pieces in ways they never expected...it's what brings them back to the Queen... "it's that something-different" that the store and its vendors offer..."history for the home."

See you next month! - Cindyanna