Who Says Antiques Can't Be Fun? A Leg & A Ho In Florence--The Antiques Capital Of Colorado

Who says antiques can't be fun? Certainly not me.

There are a few people in Florence--the antiques capital of Colorado--who seem to have a warped sense of humor. If you read a previous blog post, you saw just a sampling of window displays in honor the 88th annual Pioneer Days, slated for Sept. 18 to 20.

One of the most amusing windows was spotted at Legends and Lace with its sporting ladies and a gentleman caller getting ready for, ahem, a night of romance.

Then we went to Iron Gate Antiques Mall and spotted a window with some rather corny signs it. I noted there was a rumor a few more signs might pop up in the window. And I wasn't lying.

If you don't believe the level of silliness going on in the antiques trade (in select parts of Florence) breeze by the Iron Gate and Legends and Lace to see for yourself.

Since we visited the Iron Gate window last week--this sign popped up. GET A LEG UP ON YOUR SHOPPING. Sigh! How original!

That's an old dental or medical table (for sale) and a leg (yes, also for sale). And getting a leg up on the shopping refers to Junktique and Punktique on Sept. 18 and 19. Most people know about Junktique--and open air market replete with fine antiques, collectibles and plain, old junk and other fun stuff.

But Punktique is NEW! It's also an open air market, and caters to those interested in steampunk items. Now, a few weeks ago I did a search on the word--PUNKTIQUE. It does not come up that much, except in terms of an alternative music genre. So, (and you heard it hear first) the PUNKTIQUE open air market for steampunkers (and all those with tastes leaning towards neo-Victorian, industrial and gothic) in Florence, MIGHT well be one of the first such events in the USA. I say USA--because steampunk is much more popular in the UK and Australia and is starting to come into its own in the USA more.

Now, won't that be exciting--to be at one of the first punktique markets ever?

Back to the window display. Some of those window decorators at Iron Gate could not resist this one.

Oh, my goodness! Travesty upon the English language! Imagine getting a real antique HOE and imagining the pioneers might have been thinking about farm implements when they came up with the slogan: Westward Ho! What kind of crazed antiques dealers do they have in Florence?

See you at Pioneer Days and Junktique and Punktique. You won't know who I am. I'll have my camera. But I'll be in hiding. Why? Because as you might have guessed--I am the butcher of the English language responsible for these signs.

AND I also might see you somewhere in Florence--the antiques capital of Colorado--when I pop out of nowhere and ask to take your picture for our new feature: Will we find YOU in Florence?

We Found YOU In Florence, Colorado: Frankie Nelson & A Pitchfork

Will we find YOU in Florence, the antiques capital of Colorado? That's part of a new (an hopefully fun) feature on this blog. It's simple. There is so much to find in Florence, but we want to find YOU in Florence and see what YOU found in Florence. Even if we don't find you first, feel free to send us a selfie or picture of you and your Florence find. Simply include your name and where you are from, the item and what you plan to do with it. Try and get a Florence landmark or background in the picture, so we know you found it in Florence. And feel free to tell us how much you paid for it (if you want) and what store you purchased it from.

This week we found FRANKIE NELSON OF CANON CITY in Florence--the antiques capital of Colorado!

This nice lady was minding her own business and shopping in one of her favorite places in Florence--The Iron Gate Antiques Mall at 109 W. Main St.--when I popped out and FOUND HER IN FLORENCE.

Mrs. Nelson found a variety of treasures in Florence--but her main find was.... What do you think it was? I'll give you a hint.

You guessed it! A pitchfork. I was going to ask Mrs. Nelson to recreate this American Gothic artwork with her pitchfork purchase. But Mrs. Nelson was way too cheerful a person to even come close to pretending to be dour for a pitchfork picture.

Here's the real Frankie Nelson with her Florence pitchfork.

Yes, the dealers at Iron Gate (and in most of friendly Florence) care about customer safety. Those are some wine corks on the pitchfork tines.

Mrs. Nelson is an antiques dealer herself--so she knows Florence is one of the best places to come for fabulous finds for her own home and yard.

What do you think she's going to do with this antique beauty? She's going to put some corn cobs on them and make a delicious, antiquey, primitive bird feeder!

She even offered to send me a picture of the finished project, so I can put in on the blog.  So, she's my type of person and antiques collector--because she EXACTLY understood what we are going after on this blog, without me even explaining!

Mrs. Nelson also showed me lots of pictures of some fantastic things she's done in her home landscaping with antique wagons, a green thumb and sheer creativity. So, I cannot wait to see how she works this pitchfork into her autumn decor.

Yes, we found YOU in Florence--the antiques capital of Colorado--Frankie Nelson. Thanks for being a creative inspiration and sharing your decorating ideas with us--and letting us FIND you and share in your enthusiasm for antiques,collectibles, decorating and creative living.

You want to be FOUND in Florence? You can either wait for me to pop out of nowhere with my camera and goofy look on my face, asking if you want to be on this blog---OR you can send us a picture of what you found in Florence. Please make sure there is a Florence landmark or background so we know you are indeed in Florence. Let us know where in Florence you found it--and even how much you paid for it, if you want. And let us know what you plan to do with it. And we LOVE pictures of how you put your fantastic Florence find to use in your home or yard--or who you plan to give it to as a gift.

Marijuana? The Million-Dollar Mistake? Find Out At The Florence Colorado Enquirer

Is not voting  recreational marijuana into Florence, Colorado-- the million-dollar mistake?

You can find that out, and a whole lot more at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FlorenceEnquirer/

This blog post is in NO way a political endorsement. I do not know who Mike Vendetti is--beyond the fact I saw his road signs a few days ago. He is running for the city council position in Ward 3 in Florence. And his signs claim there has been, a million-dollar mistake.

I went to his website at: www.mikevendetti.com and then went to his Facebook page for The Florence Colorado Enquirer.

I'm semi-new to Florence, so I have little to no knowledge who is who in city politics. But I did find Vendetti's website and Facebook page interesting. His love for Florence shines through.

I've been around Florence long enough to know that the city appears to be well-run, but is operating on a tight budget, as are most small towns. I've lived in a small town like Florence in another state and covered local issues for a newspaper--so I know, from the inside, some of the challenges small towns face in attempting to preserve all the things we love about small towns, without bringing in all the things we don't appreciate about major metropolitan areas.

And I have been around Florence long enough to know that most everyone I have met is relatively new to Florence. Most of do not know the politcal or fiscal climate in Florence. I think most people would be surprised just how many "new" people there are here--most of us just absorbing the ambiance and slowly getting acclimated. I think most people would be surprised WHY people move to Florence. I've asked a couple of dozen people, why, because I was in a retail position to be around new people moving into town. Perhaps someday I will write a post about the whys, because many of the answers surprised me.

Vendetti brings up some good points about bringing a recreational marijuana store to Florence.

I've always been against marijuana for recreational purposes.Years ago, I was one of the state's delegates that voted yes on medical and no on recreational. In my opinion, it is a travesty to not let medical marijuana in. And a travesty that the federal government is dragging its heels on more research on medical marijuana.

I still don't like the idea of recreational marijuana. But since my delegate days--I have changed my mind. I don't like the "idea" of it--for me personally. But if it is in the best interest of town like Florence, I am open to seeing the political discussion go forward.

Go and read Vendetti's pages for yourself. So many things made sense. And several things need more facts/research presented, in my opinion.

The Florence Colorado Enquirer had lots of input from people from all over Fremont County. And I learned more about Fremont County, Florence and what people think about recreational marijuana and a multitude of other things--than I have learned from my few short years here.

I hate to admit this, since I am in the antiques trade, but I think Florence is at a fiscal crossroads.

A fiscal crossroad that has to be addressed if the city is going to be able to maintain the services and infrastructure.

When I moved here, I assumed Florence was gaining most of its tax base from the antiques and art galleries. I recently spoke to someone who told me the city gets less that three percent of its tax base from the antiques stores and art galleries. Whether that is true or not, I don't know.

I still have mixed feelings about recreational marijuana. But one thing jumped out at me on The Florence Colorado Enquirer Facebook page. Vendetti suggested the town really finds out what need and demand is here. He totally supports the antiques and arts scene here for the ambience and culture (as I do) but suggested people might want to see if the recreational marijuana store idea filled the bigger need for finances. And if the stronger demand was for antiques or recreational marijuana.


That comment made me recall something that I had forgotten about. I talk to and work with dozens of antique dealers in a variety of stores. I know what they make. They tell me without me asking. I tell them what I make.

And one of them once told me, "I've been in this business for years. I'm barely scraping by. What are we doing wrong? I think we are in the wrong business--and this town needs recreational marijuana stores."

I dismissed that idea, even though I got a kick out of the suggestion that a bunch of antiques dealers start a co-op and get into selling legal pot. I had replied to the dealer, "Well, you should hire me as a manager, because I detest the smell of pot and the whole thing (except medical marijuana) because you would be sure I'd never be tempted to filch any pot. Now, if we were thinking of starting an ice cream or candy store--I'd be tempted to sample a little of our wares."

It is rather sobering to think that I had forgotten about these conversations, and totally dismissed that Florence should consider recreational marijuana stores. And recreational marijuana would no doubt bring a tourist clientele to the area, that would probably stop in the antiques and art galleries and restaurants. I hate to admit it--but I think it's true.

Being relatively new the area, I was not aware that Florence had voted for recreational marijuana. I was not aware that the prisons haven't totally brought in the jobs. I wasn't aware that major industry won't come to Florence because we don't have that much skilled labor.

As I said, I learned more at Vendetti's website and Facebook page in less than an hour, than I did from living here. So, no matter where one comes down on the recreational marijuana issue, his pages are not only an eye-opener--but educational.

Again, this post is NOT a political endorsement or an endorsement of recreational marijuana in Florence. It IS an endorsement of using some of the research Vendetti and others have done to find out what people in Florence really need and want. And finding out what is best to preserve what most of us appreciate about Florence.

Who Says Antiques Can't Be Fun: Florence, Colorado

Who says antiques can't be fun? As most everyone knows, Florence--the antiques capital of Colorado is gearing up for the 88th Annual Pioneer Days, held Sept. 18 to 20. This year the event will have a bit of steampunk flair.

There will be a steampunk ball street dance and Punktique. Annually, bargain hunters descend on Florence for Junktique--a cavalcade of bargains, antiques and good old-fashioned junk. New this year is Punktique--and open air steampunk market held at the same time as Junktique.

There are already lots of signs in Florence's windows welcoming steampunkers.

And a few windows that prove: antiques can be fun.

This was taken at Legends and Lace. This dude is taking a bath and strumming a melody: Love Always, according to his sheet music.

Ah! Seems innocent enough. Let's "pan" over to the other side of the window.

Oh my! You can't see it very well in the picture, but that there fancy lady is holding a cigarette holder and some money in her hand. And there's a pile of money on the table. My goodness! That dude is getting ready for an evening with the sporting ladies. The window is quite the homage to racy ladies--and I love it.

Let's move down Florence's Main St. a little. Someone with a warped sense of humor was busy at the Iron Gate Antique Mall.

Looks innocuous enough. A bunch of grates hanging on the wall in the window. Yeah, it's a little steampunk. But you can't really see the sign in the right side of the picture. Some joker put up a sign that reads: Isn't This A "Grate" Wall? Honestly, I am appalled by that sign. When I find out who put it up there--I will tell them that antiques are a serious business and nothing to joke about.

What else is in the window at Iron Gate? Well, it's an homage to pioneers with a little steampunk thrown in.

Yes, someone had the audacity to dress a nice pioneer woman up, plunk a steampunk-inspired hat on her noggin and then give her a suitcase, a bear skull and a badminton racquet to fend off all the animals in the Old West (pictured in the background). She was placed in a Victorian-era baby buggy with a gizmo and light bulb-- to steampunk-power her buggy across the lone prairie.

.
At the top of this picture, one can see the wheels of her steampunk-powered buggy, which also has a big chain and anchor in the back. Why you ask? Just because.

There's some more taxidermied animals and a nice display of antique wheels. The same joker who put that "grate" wall sign up, decided to put a HOT WHEELS sign on that big rusty John Deere wheel.

There's a few more signs in the window. Rumor has it these window decorators were also going after that Burma Shave sign ambience. And rumor has it that a few more of those corny and appalling signs might appear in the window before Pioneer Days. I hear that one of the signs that might pop up is SO silly that people might gasp in shock.

All this nonsense really has to stop. People will start thinking antiques are fun. Wait, they are!

See you all at Pioneer Days, Junktique and Punktique. How will you know who I am? I'll be wearing a red rose. No, actually, I'll be wearing a taxidermied skunk with a sign around my neck that reads: SteamSkunk.

We Found YOU In Florence: Patty & Fred Adkison & Blake Hansen

Will we find YOU in Florence, the antiques capital of Colorado? That's part of a new (an hopefully fun) feature on this blog. It's simple. There is so much to find in Florence, but we want to find YOU in Florence and see what YOU found in Florence. Congratulations to Patty and Fred Adkison of Canon City, Colorado. They were the first people we found in Florence and they were happy to share their Florence find with us. Even if we don't find you first, feel free to send us a selfie or picture of you and your Florence find. Simply include your name and where you are from, the item and what you plan to do with it. Try and get a Florence landmark or background in the picture, so we know you found it in Florence. And feel free to tell us how much you paid for it (if you want) and what store you purchased it from.

It was a family outing last weekend, when Patty and Fred Adkison, of Canon City, took their grandson, Blake Hansen, on an antiques junket to nearby Florence.

I have it on good authority that there was a little ice cream and a few hugs for Blake as he enjoyed the day with his grandparents, who happened to find exactly what they were looking for in Florence, the antiques capital of Colorado.

The Adkisons were visiting South Dakota and spotted many antique bed frames that some one had turned into outdoor benches. They snapped a lot of pictures. "We even brought a bed home from South Dakota," Patty said.

Of course, the Adkisons, knew the antiques capital of Colorado was just a few miles from their home and they thought they would see what they could find in Florence.

The Adkisons found one bed frame with rails (for $75) that Blake was eager to turn into a bench. According to Fred, bed rails aren't necessary in making the benches, though. Some angle iron works just fine.

Then they discovered a second bed frame in The Iron Gate Antique Mall (109 W. Main St.) pictured above. No bed rails--but the price was just $60. We loved both of the bed frames they purchased, but were particularly taken with this one due to the Art Deco style and well-preserved paint rendering of urns and flowers. Look above Blake's head, and you can spot some of the details.

The Adkisons promised to send a photo or two of the completed benches. We look forward to that. And if they do--of course, we'll put it on this blog, so you too can get inspired, not only by the great antiques in Florence, but by the creative energy people like the Adkisons are inspired by.

If we find YOU in Florence, and snap a picture of two of you and your finds (with your permission) you'll receive a little, bright green card with this blog address, so you can find the blog with your picture and story. And remember--if we don't find YOU first--feel free to contact us at this blog and we'll consider putting your picture and brief story online. There is no charge on either end for this. This is all free and just for fun!

Will We Find YOU In Florence, The Antiques Capital of Colorado?

Some very talented people have come up with a new marketing campaign for Florence, the antiques capital of Colorado.

I won't go into details, since it will all be unveiled soon. This blog has nothing to do with that great marketing campaign--but will offer  free publicity, if needed, on this blog.

I'm excited about the new marketing slogan: FIND IT IN FLORENCE. The graphics of the new look for Florence's marketing are exciting.

And I'm also excited about a new feature on this blog.

Most people know Florence has the most antiques stores per capita in the state. And we have lots of art galleries, eateries and more. So, finding it in Florence is not only easy for collectors, art aficionados and decorators--it's an experience.

That got the rusty steampunk wheels in my head turning. Yes, it's easy to find IT in Florence. But, will we find YOU in Florence?

I'm a part-time antiques dealer and I love helping find all manner of widgets, gadgets, food and more in Florence. I've been doing it for years. And I love it just as much when I help someone find a treasure, even if it isn't mine--or associated with the shops I have worked in, or currently work in.

BUT what I really love is hearing about the experience and people BEHIND the fantastic things people find in Florence.

I could tell a hundred stories about the interesting people I've met in Florence's antiques stores.

I come home and tell my husband and friends about the cool people I've met and the great items they find--and WHY they wanted the items.

So, I thought: Why not share all these stories with all my blog readers?

Years ago, I used to photograph and write a weekly column. Rather a man-on-the-street piece. One where you just jump out and ask people a question and take their picture for a newspaper. It was one of the best things I ever did. People didn't have time to think, so they often spoke what is in their hearts--and the results were usually heartwarming, poignant or humorous. And honest.

So,  the new feature here will be, WILL WE FIND YOU IN FLORENCE? More specifically, will I find you in Florence? I won't mention which shop I'll most likely be at with my camera and notebook. Or which days. And sometimes I might be in the coffee shop or a restaraunt. And I might jump out and surprise you and ask you what YOU found in Florence. I'll take your picture (with your permission) and ask you to briefly tell what you found and what you are going to do with it.

You'll receive a little card (done on my computer) on bright green paper that will read:

You’ve Been Found In Florence—The

Antiques Capital Of

Colorado!

THANKS for letting us take your picture and share what YOU have found in Florence.

Your picture and brief story will soon be available for viewing at:

www.truestoryclub@blogspot.com

That's all there is too it. Within a few days, or few weeks, depending on my schedule, you'll be on this blog and have something to share with your family, friends and people around the world.

I do this for free. No one can pay me to get on the blog. It's just for fun, and because I am genuinely interested in what people think, feel and buy. I'm interested in the experience people find in Florence.

I've already" jumped out" and got a picture and brief story of what a very nice couple in Canon City are doing with their Florence finds. Watch for it soon.

So, will I find YOU in Florence? I hope so.

And if I don't find you in Florence, feel free to send a picture or selfie of you and your Florence find and I might choose it for this blog. Just make sure there is some type of background or landmark in the picture that makes it clear you in Florence.

And I'm also asking people  who have been "found" in Florence, to keep me and blog readers updated on their Florence finds. For example, many of the people I've talked to (without a camera or notebook in hand) have told me they have some great upcycled or art projects planned for the antiques they have found in Florence. And I am curious to see the finished project! 

Florence: The Unofficial Steampunk Capital of Colorado?

Is Florence the unofficial steampunk capital of Colorado? I'm beginning to think so.

Let me count the reasons. Florence had its first steampunk festival, April 11-12 of this year. As far as first-year festivals go--it was a success. So much so that Florence is now hosting Punktique.

What's Punktique you ask? Good question. I did a web search and the word Punktique doesn't come up that often. It's a good idea whose time has apparently come. And it's coming to Florence.

Let's backtrack for those who are not familiar with Florence, Colorado. Florence is the official antiques capital of Colorado. More antiques stores, per capita than anywhere in the state. Those of us who work in antiques store here chat with browsers and customers from all over the country--but the majority come from Pueblo, Colorado Springs and Denver. And many of them exclaim, " I had NO idea Florence had all these shops and cool stuff."

Florence also has a history as an oil and coal town. And a history of being a pioneer town that is wonderfully preserved, with more historical preservation in the works.

Many people in Colorado do know about Pioneer Days.

It's the 88th year of Pioneer Days. The main force behind the event is to celebrate the contributions and sacrifices of past pioneers in the area and their descendants--many of whom are still pioneering in the community.

Of course there is a parade. One of the best parades actually. Dancing, art, food, crafts, a tractor pull and more. But one of the centerpieces has been Junktique. Part of Santa Fe Avenue is closed down and local vendors and out-of-state vendors sell their wares in an open air market. There are fine antiques, good antiques and plain old good junk and bargains. Owners of the many antiques stores and art galleries and other business often have sidewalk sales. Junktique is fairly legendary among decorators and bargain shoppers.

And now there is PUNKTIQUE. Florence's first steampunk festival was such a success, it was decided to add steampunk events to Pioneer Days--and now Punktique will stand proudly along with Junktique on Friday and Saturday--Sept. 18 and 19.

Oh, and there's more. So much more. On Sept. 18, there will be a Steampunk Ball Street Dance with Midnight Sun playing.

Yes, the second year of a steampunk festival in Florence. Mark your calendars for April 9 and 10 of 2016.

If all this wasn't enough to convince me that Florence is becoming the unofficial steampunk capital of Colorado--it is that fact that many of the antique and art galleries are resplendent with steampunk fashions, rusty widgets, sculptures, jewelry and more steampunk deliciousness.

And I have it on good authority that many of the shops and galleries' owners were not fully aware of the steampunk mother lode they housed routinely until preparations were being made for the first steampunk festival.

In future blog posts, I'll take readers on an exclusive tour of all the steampunk, Victorian, industrial and generally cool items Florence has year-round.

Florence has a kicking steampunk festival. And now Punktique. And a built-in source of talented antiques dealers and artisans that have been dealing in steampunk, neo-Victorian and industrial items for years.

What will you find in Florence? History. Antiques. Architecture. Steampunk.Junk. Bargains Art. Great food. Smalltown USA. A break from the hustle and bustles (pun intended) of the everyday world.

And stuff like this.

I've given you just a hint of what you'll find in Florence. But the real question is: Will we find you in Florence for Pioneer Days and Punktique? I hope so, because there is quite the experience waiting for you.