Gas up the auto and head down to historic Galena the weekend of Sept. 26-28 for the Annual Galena Antiques & Collectable Show & Sale. The numerous tri-state dealers present at the event will feature furniture, quilts, china, glass, jewelry, collectables, advertising, decorator items, and much more for every taste and budget. As part of your low, low $3 admission, you will receive one free appraisal by Kyle Huslofen, editor of Antique Trader Magazine.
As if the show weren't enough, the town of Galena boasts a proud and rich history. With 85% of the town on the National Register of Historic Places, Galena boasts fantastic architecture and multiple historic sights. The very same weekend of the show, you can also enjoy a fall house tour, featuring four homes from the 1800s and a lamplight tour of homes on Saturday night. Take a trip back through time into a lush and spectacular setting that thrives to this day in Galena.
The Annual Galena Antiques & Collectables Show and Sale, which kicks off Friday, Sept. 26 with a Charity Preview Night and Sale, happens at the Galena Convention Center, just one mile west of downtown Galena. For more info on dates, times and what to expect, call Georgia at ( 847 ) 498-2481.
Mark your calendars—Friday, Sept. 19, come to Tasteful Art on Armitage Avenue to experience fine artists and their artwork, fine shopping and cuisine, courtesy of Ancient Echoes, 1022A W. Armitage, Celeste Turner, 859 W. Armitage and Multiple Choices, 840 W. Armitage. The event will feature gifted artists across various media from oils and pastels to unique furniture and jewelry. Come meet the artists and see their new works.
Ancient Echoes is an inspired jewelry and home accessories gallery. They will feature collages from Louise Pappageorge, custom-steel furniture by Brandon Williams and custom-designed jewelry form Kendra Lockhart.
Come to Multiple Choices to discover a gift shop that has fun, yet functional gifts for absolutely everyone. Meet their featured artist Mary Jo O'Gara and view her exquisite watercolors.
After the artists' receptions, their works will remain on display throughout the weekend. Other Armitage Avenue stores participating include Findables, Barker and Meowsky, Faded Rose and Salon 1800. For more, contact Laura at ( 773 ) 549-3390 or go to www.ancientechoes.com .
Go South and West, young man! Edgewater resident Karen Cash McNeel has pulled together the best in art created from the surrounding community and not-for-profit artisans to create South & West. South & West offers distinctive items for the home and garden including collectables, decorating, furniture and gift items with a south and west folk flair. The store's corner, southwest at Balmoral and Broadway, is often marked by McNeel's angel, perched in front of the store and decorated for the season.
There is so much to look at in this little shop that that the eyes keep re-focusing on one wonder after another. Jewelry sparkles in display cases, colorful rugs and handmade pottery fill the display spaces. And almost every purchase from South & West has a story. Beautiful beaded jewelry from 'Maya Works,' a non-profit volunteer organization, shares the stories and promotes fair trade with women in highland Guatemala. Also available are beaded baskets made by orphan children from Durban, South Africa. A portion of the sale of these intricate baskets benefits a local residence for women and children with AIDS. Also of note is Steve Wellman, whose unique craftsmanship shines in the 'Jackie O' sweater collection.
South & West is located at 5358 N. Broadway in Chicago. Please call Karen at ( 773 ) 728-7271 for more info or click on to www.southandwest.com .
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Orchid Expo and Sale
The Illinois Orchid Society has a new focus for their fall show. The 'Orchid Expo and Sale,' Oct. 11-12, will still include orchid displays and sale plants but will add Ikebana and Western orchid floral arrangements, Ikebana demonstrations, two auctions, a repotting service, a vanilla presentation, and exhibits of orchid collectables. This is their second show at Oakton Community College, 1600 E. Golf, Des Plaines, since moving from the Chicago Botanic Garden. The show hours are Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5, with no charge for children under 14 accompanied by an adult, and free parking.
Additional information is available at www.iosoc.com .
Do you wonder why many orchids do not re-bloom after you buy them and eventually die? They can tell you why. When the medium breaks down, orchids must be repotted into a new mix for them to bloom. They can help by changing your medium and/or size of the container for a very reasonable fee. Their own specially formulated IOS mix, being offered for the first time, is longer lasting and uses the best quality ingredients, including sterilized fir bark. It will be used for repotting and will be available for sale along with a new, highly successful orchid fertilizer. Their experts will be available to evaluate your plants and answer your questions so bring your problem plants in a plastic bag with you. There will be videos as well as members explaining how to grow orchids in your home, whether under lights, on a windowsill, or in a home greenhouse.
A Rare Plant Auction will be featured on Saturday, Oct. 11, at 1 p.m. including rare species, awarded divisions, and special plants that are seldom available. A Silent Auction of collectable orchid objects will be held throughout the weekend. The Ikenobo Chapter of the Ikebana School directed by their sensei ( teacher ) Ikka Nakashima will demonstrate floral arranging on Sunday at 2 and 3 p.m. Award-winning students from Susan Bal's ( American Institute of Floral Designers ) floral arranging class at Triton College, will also display orchid arrangements. Nielsen-Massey, whose world headquarters are in Waukegan, has produced and manufactured the best pure vanilla since 1907. They will be on hand to explain how vanilla is extracted from orchids.
Besides growing orchids, there are other ways members participate in this hobby—displays of orchid photographs and collectables will also be included. As usual, there will be reasonably priced orchid plants, cut flowers, and books for sale, as well as orchid raffles and door prizes.
