Hearts & Flowers Blog

Decorating bedrooms in the primitive style can be fun but can also be a challenge.  Let’s start with a guest room.  We all want our guests to be comfortable – unless you’d rather they didn’t stay too long!!  Maybe we can talk about that another time.

When we think of primitive bedrooms we may not be able to achieve the actual look of an 1850’s bedroom because of our need for the comforts of the 21^st century.  The days of straw and feather beds are behind us but we can still make the bedroom cozy and comfy.

If you already have the furniture you will be using place it around the room until you have it where you like it best.  If not, purchase a few pieces from a reputable antique store.  There is no need to over-do it.  Keep in mind that life in the 1800s was usually a simple life and any items in a room most likely had a specific purpose and were used daily for just that purpose.

Next pick a color scheme of two or three colors that you really want to accent this room.  Most colors from this time period were made from natural dyes so would not have been too bright.  You will see a lot of blue, red and mustard in most of the palettes used for this type of decorating.  Of course, the pillows and quilt or spread will be the focus point but you may want to use neutral colors for these so you can accent with other colors.  Again, don’t over-do it.  A basket, some coverlets stacked on a trunk in front of the bed, or something as simple as some dried flowers in an old pottery pitcher will make a statement.  Not every wall, shelf or cupboard has to be filled to over-flowing.  Instead, let each item have the room it deserves to be noticed.

If your guest room has a television in it try to find an old wardrobe that will be able to conceal the tv so it is not the focal point of your room.  When the doors of the tv closet are closed hang a simple grapevine wreath or basket on the front.  This does not need a great big bow or flowers on it.  Remember, keep it simple.

Perhaps the definition of primitive in the dictionary is different, but I like to think of it as plain and simple.  Start with just the necessary items, not over-done, just pleasing and comfortable for you and your guests.

Lastly, consider leaving a basket of personal items on the cupboard or bed filled with some special goodies.  Some yummy chocolate, a small bottle of extra nice bath gel or even a tiny journal for keeping notes of their visit will make a great impression.

Now relax and enjoy your visit!

The 41st Annual Oktoberfest 2011 September 22 – November 2 Helen, GA – Beer, brats, bands and Liederhosen – the Helen Oktoberfest has them all. Join the longest running Oktoberfest in the United States, which runs from mid-September through the first weekend in November. Every year the Helen Festhalle house the event.  German-style bands from around the country and around the world play on the stage for your listening and viewing pleasure.  $7 Mon- Fri, $8 Sat, FREE on Sundays! See more info at:http://www.helenchamber.com/Oktoberfest.html

31st Annual Marble Festival 2011  October 1st (10:30am-6pm) and October 2nd (10:00am-5pm). Adults $5, Children 6 and up $3, Children 5 and under Free.   Sponsored by the Pickens County Chamber of Commerce, the two-day Festival is attended by thousands of people from all over the southeast. Chamber staff & volunteers including Board Members, Ambassadors and countless others are hard at work in planning and executing another successful festival.  For more information see:  http://www.pickenschamber.com

2011 Mule Camp Market Festival - October 7-9. The City of Gainesville or Mule Camp Springs as it was once known, hosts this rich Appalachian festival at the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains. This festival showcases various mountain arts and crafts. The family can enjoy mule rides, live music, and great food, while the kids enjoy the petting zoo and many other activities. For more info see:http://www.gainesvillejaycees.org/about/projects/mule-camp/

Georgia Mountain Fall Festival - October 7-15, Hiawasee, GA – Look forward to the 2010 Fall Festival. General Admission $9.00, Parking $2.00. With its mild temperatures and beautiful scenery there is no better place to be than the North Georgia Mountains in the fall. Each October, the 9-day event features exciting musical performances, educational demonstrations, a flower show and the ever-popular Georgia’s Official State Fiddlers’ Convention.  For more info:http://www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com/fallfestival.php

Prater’s Mill Country Fair 2011  October 8th (9am-6pm) and October 19th (9am-5pm)  Admission $5, children under 12 Free.   A Southern Festival of Quality Artists, Craftsmen, Music and Food.  For more information see: http://pratersmill.org/

40th Annual Georgia Apple Festival - October 8th, 9th, 15th and 16th – Admission $5.00, Children 10 and under are Free.  Suggested donation for parking $2.00.  The Ellijay Lions Club, the Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce, the cities of Ellijay and East Ellijay, and Gilmer County invite everyone to come and enjoy the 40th year of the Georgia Apple Festival. There are over 300 vendors with handmade, hand-crafted items, as well as many on-site demonstrations of how selected types of crafts are made. This year promises many new crafts as well as favorites from past festivals. There is a parade and antique car show each year. The antique car show is held at the Civic Center on October 8th. The parade is on the second Saturday, October 15th and begins at 10 A.M. For more info see:http://www.georgiaapplefestival.org/

The 42nd Annual Sorghum Festival 2011  October 8th, 9th, 15th and 16th, 9am-5pm, Blairsville, GA.  Blairsville’s most famous event, Georgia’s official Sorghum Festival, is upon us. Sponsored by theBlairsville Jaycees, it’s the time of year when we all congregate in town to celebrate our wonderful community and its rich heritage. Fall is a beautiful time of the year in Blairsville… The weather is crisp and the surrounding mountains are in full bloom.  It’s a great time to celebrate! See http://sorghum.blairsville.com/ 

Fall Hoedown 2011 - October 15th, Vogel State Park,  2:00pm- 8:00pm. Celebrate autumn’s arrival with a 3 p.m. cakewalk, 4 p.m. hayrides, 5 p.m. campfire and dancing, 6 p.m trick or treat, and finally at 7 p.m. a professional storyteller around a bonfire. $5 parking.  For more information see:  www.gastateparks.org

Gold Rush Days 2011 - October 15th and 16th, when thousands come to see fall colors peaking and celebrate Dahlonega’s 1828 discovery of gold. Over 300 art and craft exhibitors gather around the Public Square and Historic District in support of this annual event, and it is estimated that a crowd of over 200,000 visit over the weekend to join in the fun and excitement!  For more information see:http://www.dahlonegajaycees.com/

Heritage Days Festival 2011 - The business section of Talking Rock ordinarily is rather quiet, a nice place to browse at the antique shops and general stores.  However, October 15th and 16th is the seventeenth Annual Heritage Days Festival, our little town will be filled with booths featuring a wide variety of arts, crafts, antiques with interesting demonstrations for the young and old.   Take a trip back in time and visit the restored Talking Rock Schoolhouse Teaching Museum that was build in. Saturday around noon the hobby rail road cars will arrive in town, you won’t to miss them.  What is a festival without good old Blue Grass and Southern Gospel Music to enjoy along with good food.  The fun begins Saturday and Sunday morning at 9:00 am ~ 5:00 pm.  You want to miss seeing our Murals and a visit to our park at the edge of Talking Rock Creek.  Come join us for some shopping, good food and music and as always admission and parking is free. For more information call the Town Hall at 706-253-5515

44th Annual Mountain Moonshine Festival 2011 - October 21st – 23rd  Dawsonville, GA – Gather round the square for a great autumn weekend of entertainment in downtown Dawsonville. There is something for everyone, from the Parade, Car Show, Cruise-In, Swap Meet, Silent Auction, live entertainment, an array of vendors, and festival food.  For more information see:ttp://www.kareforkids.us/festival.html

Hemlockfest 2011– November 4th - Call for times
Hemockfest is an annual bluegrass, blues, and rock music festival held to benefit efforts to save the Hemlock trees of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which are threatened by an invasive parasite, the wooly adelgid. It features music from such genres as singer songwriter, blue-newgrass, blues, Celtic rock, and jam bands. Hemlockfest also features arts and crafts vendors, demonstrations and exhibits on nature and rustic living, tasty food and beverages, and unique performances by fire dancers, puppet artists, and other entertainers. 100% of the proceeds of Hemlockfest go toward efforts to preserve the Hemlock trees and combat the wooly adelgid parasite.  Starbridge Farm, 326 Starbridge Rd., Murrayville, GA.  For more information see: http://www.lumpkincoalition.org/HemlockFest.html

35th Annual Harvest Festival – October 29 (10am-5pm) and November 7 (Noon -4pm)
Come visit 200 vendors, handmade-homemade-homebaked or homegrown crafts; two stages filled with entertainment, a classic ar cruise and children and youth activities.
Phone: 706-282-3269 - Location: Downtown Square, Toccoa, GA 30577 For more information see: http://mainstreettoccoa.com/harvestfest/

Listings courtesy of www.hellonorthgeorgia.com

Certainly we have all heard of, or probably sung, the song We Need a Little Christmas.

Perhaps it’s a little early for Christmas but we definitely NEED a little Fall!!!  This has been the hottest, most humid, buggy and long summer I can remember.

Electric Chinese Lantern Lighted Garland

It’s time for the weather to change and soon.  In a few days we are expecting some rain and temperatures in the sixties for highs.  That will certainly be a refreshing change.  The colors are starting to change and you can see a little difference in the late afternoon but not near enough to get us all in the mood for decorating, pulling out the sweaters and blankets and snuggling up by the fire.

In just a couple of weeks we’ll be seeing pumpkins at the roadside stands and we will be setting out bales of hay and bunches of corn stalks.  Mum plants will start to show up on steps of front porches and every so often there will be a scarecrow in the front yard – it won’t scare any crows but will put a smile on your face.

It’s also almost time for all the fall festivals in the mountains.  Octoberfest in Helen and Gold Rush in Dahlonega are the biggest crowd pleasers.  The ‘leaf-lookers’ will take their annual rides to see the beautiful reds, yellows and oranges that are never the same from year-to-year.  And look out for the motorcycles!!  No matter how little the color change, due to lack of rain or cool weather, it’s always beautiful.

So let’s sing it together WE NEED A LITTLE FALL and before you know it we will be gearing up to sing We Need a Little Christmas.

Here are some of the outtakes from our Labor Day Postcard.

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We at Hearts and Flowers use the word PRIMITIVES in our name.  Often we are asked just what that means.  A lot of people use the word primitive when referring to early American antiques.  Other folks think we are a florist so the word primitive does not even get their attention.

Anyway, the dictionary has several definitions for the word PRIMITIVES.  Most in no way reflect our meaning but there are two that we find really explain best what we mean.

The first definition (as an adjective) is belonging to an early stage of development; characterized by simplicity and often crudeness.  The second definition (also as an adjective) is of or created by one without formal training; simple or naïve in style.

Many of the items we sell at Hearts and Flowers Primitives are simply simple, crude or naïve.  You will not find items with a fine finish or a shine that you can see your face in.  Most will be rough wood, stained fabric or rusty metal items.  We like for our inventory to tell a story by bringing back a childhood memory or perhaps making someone feel like they are at home (or at grandma’s house) when they come into our shop.  We have many items that, while new, are made to look old by many methods.  One such method to age fabric is to tea-dye it.  This aging process leaves stains that can make an item look like it was stored in a blanket chest for a hundred years.  Through the years we have had a few customers ask for a discount because of a “stain” on an item.  This is quite a compliment for the artist, however, obviously the customer is not interested in primitives!!-and does not get a discount.

As I mentioned earlier, a lot of people think of primitives as early American antiques.  While our items are not antiques they can certainly be used with any type of furniture or decorating style, especially in early American or colonial decorated homes.  An antique, primitive farm table needs to have something in the middle and our flowers or candles make just the right statement.  Finish off an antique side-board with a couple pieces of pottery and perhaps a table runner.  There are so many options.

Now that we have explained the use of the word PRIMITIVES in our shop name let’s go one step further and explain why we sound like a florist.  As many of you already know our family name is Valentine.  Twenty-five years ago when we were trying to think of a name for our business we felt we needed to use the word ‘heart’ somewhere in the title.  While shopping at a flea market I found a pin with Snoopy (that’s right Snoopy) with a bunch of daisies (my favorite flower) and the banner over his head that said HEARTS AND FLOWERS.  It seemed like a no-brainer and we have been known as Hearts and Flowers ever since.  Originally, all those many years ago, we were Hearts and Flowers Country Crafts (yuk) and changed it to Hearts and Flowers Primitives about fifteen years ago – when, fortunately, the sign needed painting.  It’s too late to change the name but there were probably many better choices.  What would you have named us??

Hearts and Flowers Primitives is happy to carry some of local potter Tasha Biggers tart burners.  These tart burners are a great way to get great scent out of our wax melts.   For more about Tasha keep reading.

I have been a potter for ten years. The summer after I graduated high school, I took private lessons from a local potter, Bob Owens, and the next year, I began classes at North Georgia College & State University, under Mark of the Potter resident Matt Henderson. While at North Georgia, I apprenticed at Hickory Flat Pottery in Clarkesville, with Cindy Angliss.

I am very thankful that I had the ability to take traditional classes while at the same time apprenticing in a working studio and shop. The skills I learned in both environments gave me the tools I needed to open my own studio in 2008.

When I got married, my husband, Heath, and I were in the process of building our home, which we moved into a month later. My studio is located in the basement, but not just any basement – out its windows, I get a panoramic view of Yonah Mountain and the mountains surrounding it.

Our home is located on our family’s cattle farm. It has been in the Biggers family for generations, and we feel blessed to live here on top of our hill. It’s also a great place for an artist to live.

We have a small garden, and try to plant things like tomatoes, peppers and asparagus each year. Now we’re waiting on what looks to be an abundant crop of raspberries. I love to cook with our garden’s bounty, and serve it in my pottery. My pots are stoneware, which means they are quite durable, and they’re oven, dishwasher and microwave safe.

I fire to about 2300 degrees Fahrenheit in a propane-fueled kiln. I reduce the oxygen in the kiln at 1645 degrees to achieve my bright and varied glaze colors, including a deep red. I mix my own glazes from materials like silica, copper and kaolin. Mixing glazes is a lot like baking – a lot of precise measurements. My favorite glaze is “Watercolor Celadon.” It combines a traditional Japanese celadon green glaze with turquoise and red, and the result is very painterly, hence the name. It is very satisfying to create something beautiful that is also functional.

I feel honored when I hear a customer say they use one of my mugs daily, or that a bowl was just the right size for their favorite dish. I sell my pottery at festivals, online and through my gallery, which is located adjacent to the studio on Tom Bell Road in Cleveland, GA. If you’re up in the mountains on the weekends, keep an eye out for my black and white signs. I’m open most Saturdays and Sundays, and if the signs are out, that means you’re welcome to stop by and browse my newest works. For more information, visit my Web site at www.tashabiggerspottery.com. -Tasha Biggers

From humble beginnings – Hearts and Flowers opened its doors in July, 1986 in a very small building behind a barbeque restaurant at a crossroads known as Turner’s Corner.  The building had been previously used as a motor-inn room in the early days of automobiles.  Turner’s Corner caters to campers and was a weekend/seasonal location.  In March of 1989 we moved to our present location on Highway 115 just off the Cleveland Square and just within the city limits of Cleveland, Georgia.  While still relatively small in size, the new location was large in comparison to the original location.

The current location of Hearts and Flowers Primitives is a turn-of –the –century farmhouse located on a small creek.  While not very big in size, it houses a large inventory of primitive accessories.  Still on the property is a building that originally housed a grist mill.  While the equipment that ran the mill has been gone for many years, the building is unique in that it is an octagon shape with log siding.

Through the years we have been here we have heard many stories from people who lived in the house or visited others who lived here.  Several times a year a local church, Mt. View Baptist, damned the creek and baptized parishioners in front of the house.  Photos support these accounts.       Also, although there are no photos or evidence, rumor has it that moonshine was made in a house up on the hill behind the shop.  As the story goes, there was one policeman and they would wait in a truck camouflaged with tree branches until he had passed over the two bridges and then they followed him toward town, selling their product and returning home before he turned around to complete his watch.  In the 115 years this building has seen many families pass through, babies were born here and people passed away here.  In the early 1980s the building was used as an antique store and for a short time after that it housed a bait and tackle shop.

On March 17, 1989 this charming little property became Hearts and Flowers Country Crafts and a few years later the name changed to its current name of Hearts and Flowers Primitives.  Although it may seem at odds with the appearance and location of the business, since it does not enjoy  running water, heat or air conditioning, it does boast a website and wi-fi!!

There are three days left to our Surprise Sale!  At checkout you get to spin the prize wheel to determine your discount on your highest ticketed item.  UP TO 40 % OFF!    This sale applies to all items except samplers and pottery tart burners.  The prize wheel has been generous for the first week of this sale with the most frequent discount being 30% off.  Sale ends JULY 31st.

Over the past week we’ve received about 40 boxes of new inventory.  In the pictures below you’ll see some of the great new items including:

*5 New Wall Baskets

*A 35 Foot long Grapevine Garland

*Bunches of new flower bunches- Great for FALL!

*Picture Frames

*Battery operated candles

*Candy Corn Candles – They will sell out, get your’s today while they last.

*New Halloween!!  Bring on the FALL weather!

So much more…We’ll be adding some of these items to the website inventory soon.  In the meantime if there is something that you need more information about just send us an email or come on by the shop.

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We hated to do it but we had to have one of our huge poplar trees removed this month.  It was a daunting task because the tree was over 100 feet tall and 130 inches in circumference.  We suspect that the tree was around 150 years old.  It was such a beautiful tree that provided us with years of shade and conversation.   After years of improper trimming by Habersham Electric Membership Corporation this historic tree became sick, unstable,and would eventually be unsafe.  In order to provide a safe shopping environment we had to make the decision to have the tree taken down.  Unfortunately, Habersham Electric Membership Corporation was absolutely no help even though their mistakes threatened their own power lines and our business.  It was refreshing though to have a little help from Georgia Power who, even though they had only one line (compared to the five HEMC lines) was willing to start the removal of limbs over and close to their line.

Luckily McAllister Tree Service in Cornelia, Georgia was up to the task to remove this tree and prevent a potentially dangerous situation.    Don McAllister was a true professional and spent about eight hours harnessed and hanging from the tree to complete the removal.  Check out the pictures to see him dangling from ropes while using a high powered chain saw.  His expert crew set the large logs on the ground in a small area with hardly a sound.   We highly recommend McAllister Tree Service for any tree removal needs that you may have.

Even though we are sad to see the tree gone, especially the shade, we still have reminders of it.  For example the stump is still about eight feet tall and will be used for display.  We also had Don leave a few very large pieces of the tree in front of the shop for photos and displays.  Come by to see the new tree displays.  They make great backdrop for kids’ pictures.

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Celebrate the Fourth In Our Backyard!

Of course shopping at Hearts and Flowers is on the top of your to-do list when you head to White County, but what do you have planned before or after you visit us?  Our recommendations* are listed below!

Helen

On July 2-4 from 1:00-9:00 PM Unicoi State Park has sack races, a hoedown, and watermelon eating and seed spitting contests.  Parking costs $5.

A free concert at the Helen Festhalle is from 4:00-9:00 PM on July 4.  You may buy BBQ and sides while you enjoy the concert.

The City of Helen has a firework display at dusk, approximately 9:00 PM, on July 4.  We suggest you park at Alpine Village Shops or the Chamber of Commerce to enjoy the show.

Sautee

A contra dance is at the Sautee Nacoochee Center’s historic gymnasium from 6:30-11:00 PM on July 1.  Contra dance is a mix of square dancing and English folk dance.  Cost is $8.

First Friday at Yonah Mountain Vineyards Tasting Room is from 6:00-9:00 on July 1.  Bring a picnic and purchase wine by the glass or bottle while you enjoy live music.

Dahlonega

Spend the whole day Monday in Dahlonega at the 4th of July Family Celebration & Firecracker 5k/10k!  Among the events are a road race, watermelon cutting, reading of the Constitution, car show, and bluegrass music.    A parade begins at 5:00 and is followed by a firework show.

Dawsonville

Amicalola Falls State Park has an Independence Day Celebration planned on July 1.  There are relay races, crafts, and a watermelon seed spitting contest planned!

Blairsville

A flag raising ceremony, bicycle parade, and greased pole climbing are on tap at Vogel State Park on July 4 from 10-5.

*The above listed events are subject to change without notice.  Contact the venue for the most up-to-date information.