Monday, December 10, 2007

Birds are Beautiful ...and so are Leah's new hats!

If you stop by Bluebird Books, you'll see some new items, including a line of sweet postcards, totebags and magnets by local artist Laura Glazer called Birds are Beautiful. I'm really glad she's joined us at the shop.

Also, Leah has been very busy designing new hats for children. Many feature lovely vintage buttons. She also created delectable hand-sewn felt "bacon and eggs", "BLTs" and "strawberries." They'd make great stocking stuffers for the pre-school set. I'll post pictures as soon as I can.

Speaking of stockings, I recently made felted wool stockings, which are available at the shop as well. Plus there are delicate paper ornaments that can be filled with treats to hang on the tree.

As you can see, we are decked out for the holidays! I've been doing most of my Christmas shopping At the Warehouse and it looks like many others are too. Last Saturday, which was "Buy Local Day", we had a great crowd of people enjoying not being at the mall.

Monday, November 5, 2007

Looking for a Mallternative?

Leave the cookie cutters for the holiday baking - find unique, locally-crafted gifts at the Warehouse's Holiday Gift Expo from noon until 5 pm on Friday, November 23 - also known as Black Friday.

Leisurely stroll around fascinating finds of antiques and architectural salvage and browse gently used children’s books while enjoying live music. You’ll also find:
· Beautiful and original pottery, artwork, woodcrafts and jewelry
· Funky hats for the kids and spunky aprons for the chefs
· Specialty teas and local wines, cheese, and honey for your holiday meals
· Holiday wreaths and ornaments, and lovely soaps and candles for the home

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas many merchants will have extended hours on Thursday evenings. The weekend market’s regular hours are Saturdays from 9 am until 3 pm and Sundays from 10 am until 3 pm. The architectural salvage business also has hours during the week.

Monday, October 29, 2007

Halloween Fest

The Halloween Fest was a lot of fun on Sunday. There were lots of really cute costumes on both the kids and adults.

Some of the vendors are talking about extending our hours during the holidays to be open Thursday evenings. The salvage business is already open late that night and the salsa class keeps things lively too.

Also, I'll be offering gift certificates soon - hopefully next week.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Banned Books Week September 29 - October 6

The American Library Association's "100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990 - 2000" looks like a great reading list - Judy Blume, Jean Craighead George, Shel Silverstein, Maurice Sendak, Mark Twain... http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/bannedbooksweek.htm

"When the regime ordered
Books with dangerous knowledge
To be burned in public and everywhere
Oxen were forced to pull carts with books
to the bonfires, one of the persecuted poets
discovered one of the best
studying the list of the burned
disconcerted, that his books were forgotten.
He rushed to his desk, flying on wings of rage
and wrote a letter to the the authorities.
Burn me! he wrote with a quick stroke
Burn me! don't do this to me! Do not spare me!
Have I not always reported the truth in my books?
Yet now you treat me as were I a liar!
I command you: Burn me! "
Bertolt BRECHT
Poem titled "The Bookburning" (Die Bücherverbrennung)
German dramatist and poet (1898-1956)
(from http://www.ifla.org/faife/litter/subject/bookfire.htm)

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Looking for books

Even though I have thousands of books at the shop already, I'm still looking for more, specifically books by Philip Pullman (His Dark Materials series), Terry Pratchett (children's books), Christopher Paolini (Eragon series), Cornelia Funke, JK Rowling (Harry potter series,) and the Lemony Snicket series. These are some of our favorites at home.

I'd love to hear some recommendations, so if anyone has a favorite book they'd like to share, please post it.

I'm still working on the procedure for buying books. The amount I pay for them and whether I'll buy them will be based on quality and if I think I'll be able to sell them. Bring them down to the shop during business hours (Sat 9-3 and Sun 10-3) and I'll take a look at them. Please limit the quantity to 20 books for now.

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Opening Day

The first day went well- I'm very happy with how the space is turning out. Fred and Camille added a really great mirror at the back of the room to add a little more light. Thanks for all the great photos Sheryl!

Friday, September 21, 2007

Almost ready for Saturday

Thanks to some help from Sheryl and Leah last night and a rug from Jen, things are shaping up nicely. The shelves are almost full and Leah will be setting up her Third Floor Studio Designs today.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Greyhound Adoptions

Anna got to help out with a Greyhound Adoption Clinic last Sunday. Channel 13 showed up to cover the event, so as soon as we got home we turned on the tube to see if she was on. Just sports on though.

The painting is almost done and shelves are going in soon.

I'm talking with some local artists about featuring handmade toys and children's jewelry in the shop. Leah, a Steamer #10 Theater costume designer and actor, makes one-of-a-kind felted wool toys. I hope I can talk her into making some for the shop.

Monday, August 27, 2007

Shop to open September 22

Jim, Fred and I put up some more drywall then taped and spackled yesterday. Camille and I decided on September 22 as opening day. The countdown begins! It's exciting to be able to tell people an actual date.

My apartment is filled with books ready to be moved and bookcases waiting for the final coat of paint to dry. There are bits of paper with lists and sketches everywhere.

The antiques/farmers market at the warehouse is really taking off. Fred and Camille seem to have unlimited energy. The place just buzzes with activity.

Friday, August 24, 2007

Getting started

Camille and Fred put drywall up in the space I'll be using at the warehouse last night. I hope to start taping and painting this weekend. It's great to see things progress in real life - not just my imagination.

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Bluebird Books – Gently Read Children’s Books

Coming to “At the Warehouse” located just off Broadway in Albany, NY in late September 2007.

Bluebird Books
20 Learned Street
Albany, NY

www.atthewarehouse.net