We’ve been building custom home and garden iron pieces as our full time work for nearly 20 years now.  At one point 15 years ago, we’d opened a store, built a new log home, had many wholesale accounts and were prospering. We can trace the ups and downs by the economy, the period following 9/11 where all of the stores we sold wholesale to closed, people stopped building houses, which greatly effected our railing business.  We sold the home, closed the store, struggled to design new products, find new customers, do new markets and shows and some winters nearly gave up.  But the most evident thing in looking back, is the blessing of God over our work. No unemployment, no bail outs, no more loans, no guarantees, family inheritance or welfare. But as we have continued to ask God for help, looking for creative ways to get through the hard times and working hard, no matter how bad the economy is, our work continues to grow.

I can’t find words to show my gratitude.  Just to know we have a good reputation of reliable work, products people love and desire, and we have the strength to build them, is a gift.

We are building displays for a new store in Frankenmuth, railings on Lake Michigan, selling wreaths consistently in a gallery in N. Carolina, a creative twig sink vanity, orders to various states plus our two weekly farmers markets.  For the first time in many years,  we are looking for help.

Here’s my little set up at a new farmers market I’m doing in the quaint downtown village of Frankenmuth.  I can only carry a small load with my little truck and my back problems,  but my first Saturday was a near sell out and I’m going back this week! I hope to be there as often as we can keep product made.  Hope to see you in Royal Oak, Frankenmuth or Northville soon!

The garden is looking lovely, and we have several birds sitting on eggs.  A Robin has built a large nest in the front arbor and 2 bird houses have natcatchers ready to hatch.  My heirloom tomatoes I started from seed are growing well in a new raised bed, in the one spot of full sun we have in the whole yard. Spring  Herbs are full and being harvested before they flower for the dehydrator.  We’ve had a late, cool but beautiful Michigan spring, so planting was about 2 weeks behind.  I have a new batch of chickens, due to casualties from either a skunk family or owls.  We’ve tightened up the coop doors and battened down the hatches! This time I have 6 Auracana’s, one bantam, 2 barred rocks, 2 silver wyandotts, and a golden wyandott.  The lone survivor Auracana, I named “lucky lucy”… she is getting along fine with her new sisters.

We have new wholesale orders.  Our custom iron twig wreaths are selling well in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in N.C. and our garden structures are going into the Clarkston Flower Shoppes new garden area.  Marvin is busy building railings, trellises, gates, and a fireplace screen.  I’m busy hand painting the steel birds and getting ready for the garden walk, and planning a selling trip to the West side of the state soon.

This Thursday June 16th I’ll be a the Rochester Garden Walk at the Van Hoosen Museum and Farm, from 10-4pm, and Marvin will be at the Royal Oak Market as every Saturday, from 7-2pm.   Come and see us!

These walking onions are fast spreaders,  “walking” when the tops bulb and drop over.  I’m learning the best way to harvest these is in the spring, pulling them from the root to thin the bed and dehydrating them.  They are a bit too strong once they’ve started walking, but at this stage are perfect.  The drying process seems to sweeten them a bit, making them wonderful in stews, over casseroles, potatoes, in salsa, or whatever your heart desires.  I plan to dry as much as I can for winter use.

Another project this spring is making lemon balm vinegar &  oil.  It is a wonderful smelling herb, with essential oils that are healing and tasty.  I use the vinegar as a marinade or in dressings, and the oil for my body butter and facial toner.    This is my little hand painted bottle of lemon balm vinegar.

I’m hoping to bring some goodies along with our custom iron work to the Port Austin farmers market which starts this Saturday, May 28th, weather permitting!  Market is from 9am-2pm.

We hope to see you soon at one of our markets or shows!

Rochester Garden Walk. June 16th, Van Hoosen Farm 10am-4pm

Every Saturday, Royal Oak, year around.  7am-2pm  (Marvin)

Most Thursdays, Northville, through October. 7am-2pm

Some Saturdays, Port Austin, through September. 9am-2pm (Robin)

Port Austin Art Fair, September (details to follow)

Other  shows and events will be posted asap.

I’m looking forward to setting a display on my 3 tiered cake stand, which I designed years ago, and has been ordered many times for weddings, parties and catering events.  My original twig basket with my hand painted bird will also adorn the table with fresh flowers.

Busy hands are happy hands!

I will share pictures of the event next week.   Have a great weekend.

Robin

I’m working on the new website and hope to have it ready to upload soon.  Should be simpler to navigate.  Removing many old photos,  and adding some new ones.

Thank you for visiting us!  We hope to create a one of a kind piece for your home or garden this season!

Robin

See you on Facebook!

email me at:

Robin@marvins-garden.com

One of my favorite things to do, is to feed and watch the birds.  We have several beautiful items to encourage the birds to nest and feed in a well viewed spot in your garden.  Our bird feeder or house comes on a 7 foot iron twig stand. ($99.00)  Our bird bath made from solid steel tractor disk, is also on a heavy twig stake. ($135.00)  plus shipping.

Visit us year around at the Royal Oak Farmers market, Saturday,s 7-2pm.  We will also be at the Northville farmers market this year,  on Thursday’s May-October 7-2pm.  Thursday evenings in Fenton.

Call or email for ordering information.

810 629 1840 or robin@marvins-garden.com

One bright spot to look forward to is baking something chocolaty for Valentines Day!  Here’ is a new wreath that would make somebody you love a very special gift.  Used indoors or out, a year around heart wreath!

This one is app. 30″ across the top and sells for $95.  Special sizes and various custom painted birds are available

Happy Valentines!