Farmers’ Markets

Local Places, Local Faces

On Fridays, the Citrus Chronicle lists “Farmers’ Markets”.   Since I consider a farmers’ market to have produce and I love fresh vegetables and fruit, I was eager to check out the six places listed.  Terry and I haven’t made it to all of them yet but here’s a little report about the ones we have hit.

First we went to the Beverly Hills Arts, Crafts and Farmers Market which is on the tirst and third Friday of each month at Lake Beverly Park.  To be fair, it was cold, but there were about five vendors there, and none of them sold produce.

Farmers' Market

Farmers' Market

The next day we cruised up to Dunnellon’s First Saturday Village Market.  This was a lot better.  But it was mostly just booths set up with vendors selling stuff–like a community garage sale. Once again, no produce.  But I was very excited to discover Grumbles and spent most of the day just admiring all the healthy plants, beautiful pots, and pavers. Dunnellon also has several thrift and antique stores which we browsed through and we had yummy Cuban sandwiches at Penn Station.

Farmers' Market

Farmers' Market

Farmers' Market

Farmers' Market

This past weekend we went to Market Day with Art and Treasures on the grounds of Heritage Village in Crystal River held the second Saturday of every month.  We finally found a booth that was selling produce.  We bought strawberries, corn, red and orange peppers, green beans and tomatoes. There were several other booths selling miscellaneous items like art, jewelry, and plants and one sold cookies.  Heritage Village also has several cool little shops which we browsed through.

Farmers' Market

Farmers' Market

Farmers' Market
Oh look, there’s Sharon, Myrna and Shirley!

We still have the Inverness Farmer’s Market which is every Saturday at the Inverness Government Center parking lot. The Floral City Market Day on the second Saturday monthly and Herry’s Market Day which is the last Saturday of the month at Hospice Thrift Shoppe.  Our search continues for the perfect Farmers’ Market!

DIY Burlap Corkboard

This week is Renninger’s Antique and Collector’s Extravaganza in Mount Dora!  So excited.  Michelle and I usually go to one of the three events held each year.  This is the last one until November so we gotta go.  We’re taking along new-bee Kathryn and we’re expecting great things from her.  She loves to thrift and is a DIYer wanna be.  Especially since she just bought a townhouse and is moving from a wee apartment.  She’ll be furnishing the new place on a tight budget.

Last week I received the latest Ballard Design Catalog.  I love this shop and have purchased several pieces of furniture from them, but that was before I started following DIY blogs, hitting thrift stores and finding the fun in creating it myself.

For example:

This chalkboard at Ballard’s is on sale for $199 plus shipping.  The size is 28 1/2″ x 40″.

DIY Burlap Corkboard

This is my post where I made a similar chalkboard https://ktgreendesign.com//magnetic-chalkboard/ .  I used a thrift store frame plus purchased galvanized metal from the plumbing department and chalkboard paint at Home Depot.  Don’t remember the exact prices for everything but it was much less that $20 and no shipping!

Here’s what it looks like today:

DIY Burlap Corkboard
Got the chalkboard art idea from Pinterest, the original blogger was Little Lucy Lu .  Of course, the lyrics are from the Beatles!

And this media corkboard at Ballard’s for $149 plus $15 for oversized shipping is 44″ x 32″.

DIY Burlap Corkboard

This one is covered with burlap.  20″ x 33″ and $89.

DIY Burlap Corkboard

And this is the one I made that I use for an inspiration board:

DIY Burlap Corkboard

It’s 30″ x 40″.  I bought the frame from a little shop in Crystal River in Heritage Village that no longer exisits.  Bummer.  It was $20 but I thought that was a good price.  I cut two foam core boards to fit and taped them together with packaging tape.  Bought a roll of cork at Lowe’s, glued that onto the foam core.  Went to Jo-anne’s for the burlap.  They actually let me look through the yardage to find a piece that wasn’t blemished!  I wrapped the burlap over the cork and stapled the edges on the back.  Fit it into the frame and Terry secured with little nails.  Love it!

I also made these cute little pins:

DIY Burlap Corkboard
1. This is one of a pair of buttons that I bought on clearance at Jo-ann’s.
2. Originally a Christmas garland that I bought on clearance at Pottery Barn. but it was too heavy for what I intended I so cut it into small segments with my wire cutters.
3. I picked up these puppy pins at Target. Adorable!
4. Little hot glue on a regular thumbtack and total uniqueness!

And the lesson here is, get inspiration at Ballard Designs, Pottery Barn, or any other decor store but buy at thrift stores and out of clearance bins.  More fun and easy on the budget!