Hi, Freddy here. I just went to woodcarver Mr. Zhu’s today and purchased some wooden statues. A few should go in the next container; the remainder in the one after that. Mr Zhu, the one on the picture who looks like he would be Mr Zhu, is a woodcarver who is moving up in the world. He is closing his business because he has been discovered by people making TV shows and movies. They have hired him to carve statues and other set items for movies. They need to film a scene in the Forbidden City perhaps they can’t go to the real Forbidden City to film. So they create the rooms. All the old period statues etc., have to be created. Mr Zhu is now doing that. Showed his portfolio of a hundred or so statues, wall pieces, etc.  The pieces look fantastic and Mr Zhu says the work is easier, can use softer woods which are easier to carve (since the pieces don’t have to have a long life), and since it is China - the money is better - and that’s what it’s about. Good luck to him. I had a good time dealing with him and his wife. Look forward to some of the pieces getting to Greenville.

It’s Chinese New Year at Trade Route!

Happy New Year!   Happy Chinese New Year Everyone!  The year of the Tiger. 

When this holiday come here in the States, I really wish I were in China!  The Chinese really do it right when it comes to the New Year!  There are so many days of celebrations.  I love all the traditions, like eating dumplings on certain days and wearing red one day and all  the fireworks!  Red envelopes and family and Temple Fairs.  Yeah, wish i were there!

We’ve been having our Chinese New Year celebration Sale here at the store.  It’s been so much fun having all our customers and friends come in.  The furniture has been flying out the door–good thing we have containers coming in next month from Thailand and then again in April from China.  The store always looks funny when we aren’t stacked to the ceiling! 

I have to put a picture on the blog that was sent to us by Patti–one of our favorite customers!  She bought our little “Dancing Man” about 6 months ago and when it snowed last week, she caught him having fun outside.  She took a picture of him……..look at that Winter Wonderland at her house!

Finally it is here, we did it, done!  Well, except for the few typos and more pictures and information to add!

It was a long time coming!  A project that took longer than we thought it would!

Mark, Catherine, and Carrigan and I were here till after 9:00 last night taking more pictures for the site.  It was really fun and we got some great shots.  Can’t wait to get them all online too!

We got both containers in now.  The one from Thailand came first, then the Chinese one.  We got some wonderful gift things for Christmas!  The store is PACKED!  Furniture stacked way up there, but as usual, Louise worked her magic and it all looks great!  The pieces are so different this time.  It is fun to do something else…by that I mean all our painted pieces.  They are a bit stressed and then the wax or finish put on to give them a beautiful look.  I really hope you can come in and take it all in!

I’ll try to add some of the pictures that Mark took before they actually go online to sell so you can see them!Â
GORGEOUS stuff!!!

Wow, have we been busy.  I love this time of year even if it is hectic and we are going through ribbon like kite string!  It is so much fun to see everyone enjoying the store and all the treasures we got last time we were in ChiangMai and Beijing!

Look at these pieces…..we can’t wait to get them in the store so you can see them…..beautiful!

Hi Everyone,

We just returned from our last long journey!  We went to both China and Thailand this time…..mistake?,well maybe!  Maybe if it hadn’t been so HOT!  Wow, I don’t know when I have every sweat as much!  Louise was so hot she was almost crabby one day-and she is never crabby, ever!

We did find some really awesome things while we were there.  The container from Thailand was just loaded today we heard and will be here the end of October or first week in November….barring any problems with ships, weather and customs.  We got some fabulous dining tables and lamps at a factory we have gone to before, and lots of other great pieces at some new factories our shopping helpers, Tai and Pon, took us to!   We also went to an umbrella factory where they made and hand painted each umbrella….I’ll attach a picture.  We had a great time, ate some spicy delicious Thai food, and shopped till be melted.  You have to come see the new stuff when it gets here…..I’ll send out an email.

In Beijing, we went to see a few new vendors who are specializing in newly made furniture that is made to look old……it was so cool and I know everyone will love the colors!  We also went to see our antiques warehouse lady, Ms. Sun who had gotten in so many new antiques from the time we were there before.  We got many many pieces this time as almost every piece that came in the July shipment has sold.

So, we are back now and having our 2nd Anniversary sale this weekend.  We have held it over a bit longer since last weekend it poured down rain the entire weekend.  We had so many of our customers call to say they couldn’t get out in it or were busy with back to school activities with the kids, and could we PLEASE continue the SALE until they came in this coming weekend……and of course we will!  We have really marked some pieces down for the sale.  We have to make room for all the things coming in from Thailand and China!