Round Top’s historic Fourth of July parade and Rifle Hall celebration are exactly as wonderful as you’d expect. If you want to go next year and you really want to do it right, my suggestion is to think of it as a tailgating situation and have yourself an all-out patriotic pop-up-tent party. If you’re really ambitious you could even look into joining the parade. I have no idea how one goes about about entering their float or horse or tractor or motorized La Z Boy recliner. If you find out and it’s easy, let me know and I’ll deck out the minivan Crush List style.
That’s a cake wheel. Cake wheels pop up more than you’d expect around here. Canned peaches and polka bands too.
There’s a legendary artist living right here in the neighborhood.
Tom pretty much invented the paper doll book. The kind you see in every bookstore and toy store and gift shop all over everywhere. And almost forty years later he still creates those books. At the age of 86. From his historic downtown storefront studio in Smithville, TX. But there’s so much more than paper dolls to Tom’s outrageously creative life story. Please read through his bio and as you go, imagine you have a Tom Tierney paper doll and which outfits you’d choose for each of the many, many creative endeavors he’s mastered: Fashion illustrator, sculptor, portraitist, stage designer, army recruiting artist, modern dancer, nightclub singer, children’s theater co-founder, award-winner, college professor, gentleman farmer, NYC man about town…
I’m certainly not the first one to be smitten with Tom’s talents and treasure chest of celebrity stories. (His annual Paper Doll Parties drew fans from all over the country). Over the years I’ve taken every opportunity to chat with him, and as a result I know how he uncovers the underwear preferences of each President and First Lady. And how Tallulah Bankhead ended up sharing recipes with him. And who Tennessee Williams liked to hang out with. And so, so much more. Thank you, Tom, for your memories.
This scene. This scenery. These folks. This space. This music. This heat. This catfish. Those hushpuppies. This beer. These makers. Their makings. The leather. The denim. The stitching. The prints. The hats. The aprons. The charms. That dress. The sewing. And swinging. And smiling.
Thank you Stash Co. for some exceptional hospitality.
It’s not just an Antiques Show, it’s a way of life!
While you shop the show, it definitely pays to pay attention to the “back of house” story going on. So many, many vendors move to the Round Top area for the event, and their living arrangements are often quite out of the box. My favorite are the Casitas; some rolled in just for the moment, some set up with full amenities for semi-annual use. As far as security goes, a pair of anxious chihuahuas seems to be a popular part of the package. Go ahead and click, they’re so cute!
Up in the Carmine Y show area, Linda Haddock was happy to guide me on a walk-thru of her latest “Anita’s Casitas” offering. If you’re shopping for a minihomeonwheels, her refurbished models seem like a good buy. And while you’re there, check out Linda’s antiques booth. She’s worked as a professional merchandiser (Hello Neiman Marcus) and it shows.
I wouldn’t want you to accidentally scuttle past this special spot for top-shelf treasures.
RT’s in-crowd loves its Box Road heroes, Michael Ouellette and Donnie Volkart and they’re right, these guys have got the eye. If you find yourself thinking that their booth feels familiar, it might be because Donnie has a strong presence at the unparalleled Uncommon Objects antique shop on Austin’s South Congress Street. I was in need of a little off-season antique fix today, so I went down to South Austin and took some photos of the Volkart folk art there to add to the photos I’d taken at his booth last spring. They’re all here together and I hope they’ll take care of any cravings you might be having.
Here’s some Show shots.
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And here are some shots of Donnie’s Uncommon Objects.
The good news? You've discovered The Crush List. The not so good? I haven't been actively posting here for a few years now, which means the never terribly reliable details about my crushes are even more unreliable. Antique vendors have switched venues, shops in town have moved or passed on, donkeys may or may not be in the same front yards... In spite of the risks of massive misdirection I've left the site up in hopes that it still achieves its goal - to inspire you to visit Round Top for the Antiques Show or any time you have the time.
With that said, I leave you to explore this random list of my very favorite things about my very favorite place. I’ve tried to capture the area’s special pieces and parts. Some are big deal, some are small gestures, some are legendary and some are just tiny pip and squeak.
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