New @ Housewerks

I stopped by to see friends Ben & Tracey who are the owners of Housewerks, a local salvage company. I've written about Housewerks several times, but their inventory changes weekly and there's always something amazing and new to see. Today, it was Tracey's new baby boy, whom I'd not yet met!
Tracey dragged me out to the back to see an incredible treasure they'd just acquired... I know Tracey has always loved art glass, especially the glorious colours of Blenko glass, made in nearby West Virginia. But this glass came from a much closer source, Carr-Lowrey glass company, which is just around the corner from Housewerks. Housewerks has barrels of this glass, all separated by colour, of which there is a staggering array. The combinations of colours and swirls almost look like candy, or in the photo above, coffee with cream. Some of the pieces weigh several pounds and could be used in myriad ways.
Housewerks has also just gotten in some great vintage advertising signs, including ones for "chick n'ribs", trucks, liquor and ice cream. Sounds like dinner to me! They also have a selection of old carnival signs, including this one for the freak show. These canvas posters are massive and could be used in a double-height family room.There was the most extraordinary mirror that had just been removed from a local bar that was being renovated. It measures about 7' high by 10' wide. The detail work is really fascinating. I can always count on seeing a range of metal items, including railings,garden urns and benches,decorative cast iron arches,washbasin stands, and fountains.Housewerks and Second Chance, a salvage company which I helped found in 2000, were featured in Renovation Style Magazine's Spring 2009 issue. Unfortunately, the magazine's not on-line at all, except for subscription information.