My annual trip to Trade Secrets
Last week, a small group of us drove to Sharon, Connecticut to attend Trade Secrets. I just love this garden event, which features rare plants and beautiful garden antiques. In fact, Trade Secrets is so special that it gets posted on my calendar a year in advance, so I will not miss it. I always find amazing varieties of plants, meet all kinds of extraordinary gardeners, and find many antiques and tools for my own garden. Plus, this exciting sale benefits the Women's Support Services in northwest Connecticut, which is a most worthy cause.
As a potter myself, it is interesting to see that Guy Wolff was selling his work at this show and that his son is a potter too. I've enjoyed your profiles of his work on your tv show.
Pam
http://hearthandhomestudio.blogspot.com
Posted by: Clayvessel | May 26th, 2009 at 12:40 am
What a lovely event, and support to a worthy cause!
I can just image the amazing Deauville set at Rose Cottage Gardens and Farm! Now, I will have dreams of it nestled amongst the English Roses or under the pergola covered with Dutchman's Pipe. Well, a girl can dream...
Best,
Debbykay at Rose Cottage Gardens and Farm
Posted by: Debbykay at Rose Cottage Gardens and Farm | May 26th, 2009 at 1:37 am
Hi Martha,
What a nice garden event I can imagine how interesting it was. Wow! the aristolochia is unusual and beautiful flower. I have seen Ben and Guy Wolff on your show and went on their website, amazing work.
They have beautiful collection of stately urns. I love the piece your friend Susan checking in picture 4 so beautiful.
I have in my outdoor terrace topiary grown that way (picture 6) and it look so pretty and french.
I checked Bunny William's website, I love her designs and style. I will purchase her books.
Your post is so interesting and informative as usual.
Thanks,
God Bless you
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | May 26th, 2009 at 4:12 am
I love those privet house chairs. Gorgeous and so interesting in their design.
Posted by: Ingrid, Melbourne, Australia | May 26th, 2009 at 5:18 am
M, what is the deal with aristolochia, is it evergreen, or like the bald cypress, evergreen but deciduous, a uniquely beautiful bloom, see how u r taken with it ......here's my gardeners share, my styrax japonica, pink chimes, is a stunner, in bloom right now, so fragrant and beautiful, unfortunately the blooms r shortlived, prolific though.
Posted by: charmayne | May 26th, 2009 at 11:02 am
That looks amazing!!!!
Love your calendar, BTW. Love it!
Posted by: Lydia | May 26th, 2009 at 11:13 am
You go to the neatest places Martha and I'm so glad you share your info. I hope you will show us some of the rare plants and tools that you might have purchased. I wish we had something like that event in So. Florida and maybe we do but I would need you to help me find it! You have been down here plenty and then talked about places I didn't even know existed. It is nice that you very often participate for worthy causes. You're the best! Trish
Posted by: Trish | May 26th, 2009 at 11:13 am
I love the aristolochia!
Posted by: Kari | May 26th, 2009 at 11:18 am
Great Show, Great Mag, Great and fresh looks love them, Huge supporter
Posted by: Myeshi Briley | May 26th, 2009 at 11:19 am
oh yes, I really like those Pivet House chairs also...looked like a fun time for you guys!
Posted by: delia | May 26th, 2009 at 11:44 am
Love your blog!! I've been a fan for years and have bought many of your products and many or your suggestions on other products. I did so enjoy this entry regarding Trade Secrets. I spent my weekend planting and then admiring my work! I do have an unrelated question to this post however.....the bag you are carrying in the first photo - love it!! Can you divulge purchasing info?? Thanks again!
Posted by: Robin W. | May 26th, 2009 at 11:51 am
MEXICO
Love your show and place in the world, an inspiration in many things..
My eight year old daughter LOVES you to and does many of the crafts.. she says mexican TV desperately needs a mexican Martha and I couldnt agree more.
I like the positive influence you have on countries and people when you present their finest products, tastes and lifestyles. Afterall, the kitchen is the soul of a home. I would like to suggest a program on 'salsas' and i dont mean the texmex sauces you sometimes have, but the original, nutritious and full of spice salsas that make each region different.
ALl the light
Monica
Posted by: Monica Schmdit | May 26th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
It was a pleasure to meet you at Trade Secrets. The best spring time event in the area, supporting a great cause.
Posted by: Susan | May 26th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Martha, I dig your purse~
Love your calendar so HAPPY you brought it back.
You always find the most interesting events to attend, you take us to so many places we would never know about, that is why your blog stands out as the one I can't live without or at least I think I can't.
Blog team keep up the good work, I appreciate The Martha Blog being here before I go to bed at night or it is here when I awaken each morning- what adventures we are in for I never know!
Many blessings to all my Martha friends here
Have a good day all.
Pam from California
Posted by: Pam From California | May 26th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Oh, Martha!...this is one little venture that makes my heart go pitterpatter! Like you (and I think I'm correct), I want one of e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g, and I'm especially drawn, too, to antique garden 'accoutrements'. I have been drawn to, for quite awhile, the Deauville sets (but didn't know their proper name). Amazingly enough, there is one out there available in 'Martha-green'! [giggle]
Rest assured that Shaun's initial purchase of a Wolff flower vessel won't be his last! Like Shaun, I would've been beside myself to be able to meet those fine artisans in person! I'm pretty sure I learned about Wolff Pottery from you, many years ago, and having passions for salt-glaze pottery, redware, and yellowware, Wolff vessels are on my perpetual wish list of must-haves. (What am I waiting for?!...)
It's rainy today, after a full week of NO rain (and before that, a week, then, of 6 inches of rain!)...despite that fact, I still want to be home today, planting, and brainstorming ideas, and enjoying my feathered friends in my backyard. Over the weekend, I needed to water my beds already, so the rain the next couple of days (for me) will be welcome.
=^..^=
"Earth's crammed with Heaven; and every common bush afire with God; but only he who sees, takes off his shoes, the rest sit round it and pluck blackberries."--Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | May 26th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Hi Martha!
I loved the metal chair, too. (3 of 16). If it didn't have the heart-shaped hole in it I'm afraid I would have completely passed it by as ugly junk! What a difference a heart makes!
Posted by: tinay | May 26th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
wow, Trade Secrets sounds amaaaaaazing! maybe one day i can drag my husband there with me
Posted by: peng peng | May 27th, 2009 at 8:54 am
I don't know where else to turn,so I'm trying here! Growing up in thee 50's in a small town in Idaho, I remember helping my mother cut zippers out and removing buttons from worn out clothing. We would then take the "bag of rags" to a woman in town who would make rugs from them. To this day I have a very difficult time throwing out any old worn out piece of clothing/material. Does anyone still make these rugs? I haven't found anyone anywhere including the internet. Thanks for any help you can me. Anna Scrogham
Posted by: Anna Scrogham | May 27th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Hi Martha, Thanks again for taking us along to a fabulous event. I also love any gardening event and all of the beautiful things they have for sale. I especially love looking for unusual things to enjoy with the rest of my gardening efforts. It not only brightens up ones garden area, but becomes a conversation piece when others come to visit. Thanks for all you do. Hope you are having fun time and will have lots of ideas to share from your trip tp San Diego. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | May 28th, 2009 at 12:16 am
The Aristolochia pictured is most likely gigantea (We didn't bring it to the sale). It's a tropical plant. There are many species of Aristolochia. Some are hardy up north but not nearly as showy.
Thank you for your kind mention of Brushwood Nursery in the other picture!
Posted by: Dan Long | June 10th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
The event looks like fun but... I want to know what brand is your fabulous silver tote!!!
I love the totebag!!!!!
Can you tell me the brand?
Posted by: cindy | July 11th, 2009 at 11:50 pm
although quite far away from me here in Germany, I need to manage to visit the Trade Secrets next time!
As a passionate gardener, my roof top terrace would definity benefit of new impulses and new secrets to make it even nicer.
Thanks for sharing this event tip with us!
Kind regards
Greta
Posted by: Greta | July 16th, 2009 at 8:31 am
Looks like a great event! Would have loved to have been there!! Keep up the great work!!
Posted by: Werbemittel | January 15th, 2010 at 6:25 am