a little hometown history

One of the things I love most about my hometown is even though Birmingham, AL is one of the largest cities in our state, it's not hard to find little gems within the city that make you feel like you've stepped into Mayberry.  I love that just outside the hustle and bustle of the city limits, you can get lost in some really neat historic sites, and it's these places that make me feel like I still have some roots in a small southern town.  One of these places is On a Shoestring Antiques. 
It sits on the mountain top right in the heart of Bluff Park.  The building itself was originally a home built by William Wyatt in the 1930s.  Decades later in the early 1980s, his widow sold the home to Rodney and Lee Thursby, who then turned it into the antique shop it is today.  I've been to this shop several times before, but today I got to talk to Mr. Thursby, and what a sweet old man he is!  He just hangs out in the shop each day hoping to sell a few treasures.  And although I didn't walk away with much, I did find a little vintage enamel bowl for my kitchen counter which will hold all our cherry tomatoes we pick next summer.

But there were plenty of other things I would have walked out with had I been willing to pay a pretty penny for them.  Like this 1940s wedding ring pattern quilt.  How beautiful is this!? I was in love. But not for $200.  Sad day.

Then I found 2 antique sewing tables that caught my eye.  Maybe if I bought one it would motivate me to finish cleaning out the guest room corner and set-up my sewing machine!  Although maybe sewing should be my winter project.  The garden and canning seems to take up enough time and energy these days.

 Ok, be honest, if you worked really hard and got through pharmacy school and graduated, would you not keep these little treasures?  Heck, pharmacy school is no walk in the park!  Class of 1974, you disappoint me.  On the other hand, any crafty people need a window? This is your one-stop shop.

And another cool feature about this antique shop is the old train boxcar parked right next to it. It is also open for shopping!

 One last thing.  The main reason for my adventure today was to look for a vintage secretary's desk and something we can use for a headboard.  My ideas for a headboard include something rustic, like an old mantle or wooden beam.  Something like these...

 

But I saw these fence posts in the side shed at the shop and thought they would make a good headboard too if we lined them up side by side.  BUT, my good friend Leah has something just like this with deck boards that her husband built for their headboard.  And if it was me, I don't know that I'd want someone else copying such a unique design element.  So the search continues.

 So that was my fun little adventure for the day.  I love poking around antique shops and flea markets.  There are so many neat things you can find.  I will certainly be making another trip someday soon :)