A dear friend once said to me, ” The joy is in the hunt”.  They were referring to that special “something” that you come across while antiquing.  I couldn’t express that sentiment any better.  Antiquing has taught me to slow down, savor, be at peace.  It has aided in my creative process.  After a day of it I feel revived, enriched and educated.  Living in a day and age that moves at such a fast pace,  discovering a time worn shop is a reset button.  What deepens the experience even more……meeting shop owners, hearing their journey, knowledge and experiences.  I’ve noticed over the years a collection that has been mounting in my photo files of these people. I see the pattern.  Relationships with like minded people are so important.  They enrich our lives.  They grow us.

While in Cambridge City, IN this past weekend, I was searching for vintage hot and cold knobs for a piece of art work.  Instead, I was greeted by the shop owner and a friend……they opened a bottle of red wine from a local vineyard, offered a glass and to sit a spell.  I learned more about tintype photos and began brainstorming ideas for feature art pieces  I listened to their stories.  I left enriched, fuller and my brain chockfull of ideas.  I came in with an expectation and left with the unexpected……” The joy is in the hunt”. Thank you dear friend for teaching me such a positive life experience…….