Before the holidays I received an exciting message from an HGTV executive who wondered if I could help spread the word to my blog readers about upcoming appraisal days and and an open house being held by Cari Cucksey, a Michigan antique dealer, business owner, estate sale specialist in the metro Detroit area and star of the popular HGTV show "Cash and Cari". I was so flattered to be asked, my answer was "Of course!" My brother Mike and I drove to one of Cari's sales held at this house in Northville, a little over an hour from where we live, right after being contacted:
The owner of the estate had a nice collection of primitive furniture, pottery, and baskets. We arrived late in the day when things had been picked over a bit, but I can usually find something to buy wherever I go, and Cari's sale was no exception.
The teddy below was made in the old style by Michigan artist Patricia Murphy. Because it's not vintage, I didn't buy it, but I admire her work very much and was so glad to see it. Patricia is super talented:
I zeroed in on this fantastic "Sunday toy", a Noah's ark. Years ago children of some religious faiths could only play with religious-themed toys on Sundays:
The ever-helpful and very photogenic Hoss was there to help load my brother's car with the goodies I purchased. I bought an ice cream parlour table and two chairs, which I failed to take a picture of before Hoss swooped in and carefully loaded it up.
Cari is a delightful person, and a busy bee. I didn't get a picture of her because I didn't want to interfere with her business activities. I was able to persuade one of her lovely cashiers to pose with me as I cashed out, though:
Mike and I got filmed for a little bit, so don't be surprised if you see us on the new season of Cash and Cari, which begins in the late spring! Besides the ice cream parlour table and chairs, I bought a basket, quilt, salt cellar, and a wallpaper-covered bandbox. If I had a bigger budget, I would have purchased the Noah's ark, but with the holidays looming, I had to curtail my spending.
Because Cash and Cari is filmed in Michigan, we've seen a few of our antique dealer friends on her show already. Our chums and fellow antique dealers Kristy Mecey and daughter Montgomery, who are also serious button collectors, were on camera a few times when Cari conducted a sale at a button fanatic's home, and some of our auction pals have popped up in line at Cari's sales.
If you visit the Detroit area, be sure to stop by Cari's store, Re-Purpose, at 133 W. Main Street in downtown Northville, Michigan. I know you'll enjoy Cari's clever mix of colors, eras, and styles and large selection of re-purposed goods and estate sale finds.
If you can't make it to Michigan, a little online shopping might be in order. Visit Re-Purpose online and browse around!
Cari's hit show and other business endeavors are more great examples to show the world that there are wonderful treasures to be found, and great people to show them to you, right here in Michigan!
Mitzi
