I’VE SHOPPED COUNTLESS antique shops in my life.
Looking toward the front of Pearl Button Primitives.
But never have I seen one as artistically inclined as Pearl Button Primitives in downtown Waseca.
A candy display rack repurposed.
Shopping here is like perusing an art gallery or perhaps a museum curated by someone with an artistic flair.
This setting seems the perfect prompt for a story.
I expect that’s because Justine Meyer possesses an educational background in art. It shows in the way she artfully arranges merchandise in snippet scenes that catch the eye.
A backdrop of vintage magazine pages create visual interest.
Afghans and quilts brighten walls. Vintage ads and magazine pages make for unique merchandise backdrops. Rows of 45 rpm vinyl records precisely arranged on a wall appear pop art style. A vintage suitcase holds Carolyn Keene’s The Mystery of the Ivory Charm, Zane Grey’s Nevada and other old books. Plastic magnetic letters—the type my kids once plastered to the front of the fridge—provide a visual pop of color in a chest of drawers. I wonder whether my eldest would appreciate one of the maps splayed across the wall.
The back room.
There’s so much to take in here that I really needed more than the 20 minutes I wandered through the shop on a recent Saturday afternoon. But Justine and crew (friends are part of the business, too) were already plucking up merchandise that had been hauled out back for an alley garage sale when I arrived late. They are clearing out, making way for new stuff and promise more such sales. I figured I best not linger too long.
Beautiful setting just makes me want to scoop up these dishes.
Pearl Button Primitives describes itself as “an eclectic mix of antiques and primitives; featuring vintage jewelry & buttons, linens, architectural salvage, furniture, pottery, and other gathered treasures all lovingly displayed.”
Quirky.
In the tight space of this shop, antiques and collectibles abound. Quirky doll heads with open and shut eyes remind me of my favorite childhood doll.
It takes an artist’s eye to pair this coat with this afghan. Textures and contrast of color make this work.
Milk bottles and vintage jewelry pins and wash tubs and dainty floral hankies and dishes and a lovely coat and so much more draw my interest.
Repetition and simplicity. Perfect.
But it is the artsy displays, the attention to detail, the obvious time and care invested here which most impress me.
There’s something about this portrait of a determined, defiant woman with an attitude that I love.
This shop makes a memorable imprint. Just like the “Woman with an attitude,” as I’ve dubbed the hands-on-hips woman in a portrait showcased at the front of the store. Love that painting.
The narrow space that connects the front of the shop to the back.
Love this shop.
FYI: Pearl Button Primitives, 206 N. State Street, Waseca, is open from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, but not year-round. Best check before you visit. Click here to reach the shop’s website and here to reach the Facebook page. Phone: 507-461-1648.
© Copyright 2014 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Nice eclectic collection of interesting merchandise. Love these kind of stores.
I love these types of stores, too.
What a neat little antique shop you’ve discovered…just love it. Those salmon colored dishes are to die for!!! If only I were a bit closer…..thanks for letting us visit also.
Always happy to showcase shops like this. And always interesting to read what catches readers’ eyes, like you with the salmon colored dishes.
You are so right! This is a very special shop. The quilt (3rd photo on wall) is a pattern I’ve not seen before. All so lovely and just begging to go home with you (me??)!!! I imagine that hours wouldn’t be enough time to take in everything!!!!
A quilt pattern you have not seen, Doreen? Unbelievable. Perhaps you ought to “show” your quilting friends and see if anyone can come up with the pattern name.
Good idea!!! Will print out a copy of that photo!!!!!!!
And please report back.
Will do!
What a Great Place to Explore – Spend Hours in there just looking at everything! That one baby doll head just gives me the CREEPS. Thanks so much for sharing – Happy Weekend 🙂
Yeah, those doll heads creep me out, too. But for some reason, I’ve seen a lot of these lately at markets, shops, etc. Can’t explain why…
My one Aunt could probably answer that question about baby doll heads because she restores the heads with what the doll should look like. Interesting – she even makes the clothes too! The heads look better once there is a body attached and it is dressed up.
How interesting that your aunt restores dolls. I’ve met a few women who did this and remembering once writing a newspaper feature article on this hobby/job.
I had dolls with the rolly eyes and one very much like the one I photographed. Sadly she went to doll heaven, aka the landfill.
My Aunt is very crafty.
Crafty is good in my book.
I wished I paid more attention to all the craftiness growing up 🙂 I seriously thought it might rub off, but it did not – ha!
Well, you have your own creative talents, in photography and writing.
Looks like a very fun place to spend some time snooping 🙂 I love the portrait of the woman as well… Did you see a price on it ?
No, I didn’t see the price on the portrait. I sure wish I’d checked…
Great find! I love places like that myself. The determined woman picture is perfect—-I could see that in so many settings—like my office! 🙂 I could imagine 20 minutes would not be nearly enough time to see it all. Thanks for sharing.
That’s three of us now who want the “Determined Woman” painting…
Couldn’t agree more with your review. Happy to call Justine my friend!
She dropped your name to me and I said, “Oh, I know all about Stacey and her garden.”