Dear Readers,
As I promised, today´s post is about Finn Persian and a day at his Antique Shop. Hope you enjoy getting to know more about him and his business.
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The working day at the antique shop begins on the second
floor where Finn Persian has his office.
Every morning, before opening the shop, he writes down in
his agenda his tasks and to do list.
He also reads the paper while drinking his first coffee of
the day.
He pays special attention to the buying and selling section. He´s always on the hunt for unique "treasures”to add to his collection.
During the morning, the shop isn´t usually busy so Finn spends part of the time in his office: making calls, carefully packing
items for shipment, updating inventory, cataloging new purchases....
His office is a cozy place.A nicely decorated room that includes some
valuable antique pieces such as the desk and swivel chair from the Tommy era
and the grandfather clock. Both items are for sale in the shop but at a very
high price. Finn knows there are collectors who wouldn´t mind paying a good sum of money for them.
The piano is not one of the oldest but Finn acquired it because ,in addition to antiques and collecting, he enjoys music . Playing the piano is another of his hobbies. His grandmother was a music teacher and she instilled in him a love for music.
This is a picture of her grandmother.
Actually, the pictures on the walls tell us something about his family life. Finn is the eldest of 8 siblings. He has 4 sisters and 3 brothers.His parents married very young and have always lived in the city, but after the triplets arrival they decided to look for a quieter place to raise their family. They decided to move to Sweet Berry Valley.
However, Finn decided to stay in Town for three good reasons. First of all, he was studying History at The Sylvanian University College, which is located on the outskirts of Town .
The second reason is that when his grandfather retired, he
inherited the antique shop.
Therefore,he saw his dream come true: making a living out of
his favourite hobby . His grandfather warned him that he wouldn´t become rich
but that he could lead a comfortable life and, most importantly, enjoy working in
something he loved.
Finally,if you have a look at this picture you´ll immediately
realize that his third reason was the main one for staying in Town.
It's nearly nine o'clock. It's time to open the store. Finn
places the shop board next to the door and hangs up the open sign.
One of the tasks he has to do today is to change the store's
window display.
He knows that updating the shop window is a way to attract potential customers´attention.
Dusting and cleaning was
also on his to-do list. He likes to keep the store spotless.
The vintage gramophone played scratchy jazz tunes while Finn polished the brass frame that holds his grandfather´s picture.
Finn's office has direct access to the store down a flight
of stairs.A soft chime on the door informed Finn that the first customer has entered the
shop so he went down straight away.
It was her friend Stella Chocolate.
Stella likes to visit the antique shop frequently. There is always something that catches her eye:
an ornate brass frame,
the delicate bohemian crystal goblets and matching carafe...
Stella asked Finn if he could show them to her and he gladly unfurled them.
"They´re two Persian masterpieces. Both are in very good condition despite the years. They combined silk and golden thread and they have a story behind. A story of love and loss. Let me tell you... "
When Finn finished the story , Stella blinked back tears.Touched by the story, she was willing to buy at least one of them, regardless of the price, but she had a hard time deciding because they were both very beautiful. Finn told her that he would hold them for her for a few days until she could make up her mind.
Each item has a story, whispers from the past and Finn enjoys sharing them with his customers.
Catherine Periwinkle was her second customer.
She stepped into the store and went straight to the clock section. Next week she is visiting her family in Sweet Berry Valley to celebrate her grandfather´s birthday. Mack Periwinkle was a clockmaker and has a beautiful clock collection.
A pocket watch caught her eye.
"Finn, do you think I can afford it?" Catherine asked. "I´m sure my grandfather will be very happy to add it to his collection".
"It´s a very valuable watch but making your grandfather happy is priceless so I can make you a special offer". Finn was very thoughtful and considerate.
The rest of the morning was quiet so Finn started studying for his final exams. He only has two subjects left to graduate.
Late in the morning,he closed the store for a few minutes to go to the nearest coffee shop. He always buys a take-away coffee and something to eat. This way, he doesn't have to leave at lunchtime, which is usually the busiest times of the day.
As Finn expected, the influx of customers arrived around midday but today the shop is particularly busier than usual.
"It´s quite heavy!" William said holding it ."Would you mind reserving it for me? I'll come back tomorrow to pick it up with my car".
"Dad likes playing
chess, why don't we buy it for him?". Rose suggested admiring the eye catching
board and shiny pieces
"Yes, it's very nice.
It would look lovely in the living room". Lily added.
Natalia also thought it was a good option but the silver and gold pieces increased the price considerably.
"What about one of
these gilt edging tomes? "The Secret of Ancient Sylvanian myths and
legends" is a real treasure.It´s in pristine condition and has detailed
illustrations.Gilt edges were reserved for valuable and special books, and this
book is undoubtedly one of them.A genuine antique."
Natalia appreciated Finn's
recommendation. Mason was fond of reading and antiques so she was sure her
husband would love it.
Meanwhile, the twins enjoyed looking at the old toys. "What treasures
could this box be hiding?" Rose wondered. "Who could have been riding this
pram and swinging on that little horse?" Lily wondered too.
While Finn carefully wrapped the book, Natalia wandered around the store. She fell in love with the porcelain tableware.She imagined it on her dining room table and was tempted to buy ,at least ,the tea set.
Then, she walked over to the antique toy section, where her
daughters were. Rose and Lily thought they could buy something for the triplets.
"We´ll get the ring
tose game, Finn".
"Good choice! This game will keep the triplets entertained" Finn still remembers the day the Tuxedo triplets walked into the store with their father. They almost knocked over the table with the glassware!
"I hope Mason likes the book and that the little ones have fun with the game". Finn said as he walked them to the door .
After a day's work it was time to call it a day.Finn was very satisfied.It had been a great sales day. He tidied up the shop and went out to put away the board.
A familiar voice made him turn his head.
It was his girlfriend Alicia!
Finn has lots of little treasures in his shop but Alicia is the greatest treasure in his life.
They were delighted to see each other.
Time to spend the rest of the day together.
A piano performance by Lionel Grand and a candlelight dinner at the Delicious Restaurant.
The perfect ending to a perfect day, don´t you think so?
Such a wonderful story! I can imagine how much work you have put into this! But it was a pure joy to see inside and outside the beautiful antique shop! Love the wallpapers, all the furniture in the shop and Finn's office, and of course all the tiny miniatures you have found and carefully placed in it! Such a variety of nice sylvanian items but also non sylvanian ones like the chess, the china, the copper teapot, the pocket watch and the lovely sewing box! A place I would love to visit too!
ResponderEliminarHi Sylvanako,
EliminarThanks a million for your kind words. I´m glad you like Finn´s shop and office.
It is true that it took me a long time to set up everything but it was fun to look for the furniture and miniatures to decorate it.
For the outside, I used the building of the Harvester restaurant but the interior was made by assembling a big box. I couldn't fit so much stuff in the restaurant.
A couple of days ago I was dismantling everything and it also took me a long time to put it all away again. It's a shame to have to dismantle the scenes because of lack of space at home.
The antique shop you set up inspired me to set up my own.
Have a great day!
Hi Cutata!
ResponderEliminarIt was a delight to read abour Finn's busy day at the antique shop. Love his office and the little room for his new arrivals, such great ideas!
I also loved how thoughtful he was and the fact that he knows and tells the stories of the antiquities in his shop. It was also nice reading about his family and friends in both Sweet Berry Valley and Town. The different pictures with all of the Sylvanians visiting the store were amazing! And the take-away coffee was a wonderful touch. :)
And of course, Alicia is his greatest treasure! That was so sweet, and they are so cute together!
Thank you for yet another wonderful story, my friend!
Have a great day!
Hi Ayrell,
EliminarThanks a lot for your kind comment!
I'm glad you enjoyed visiting Finn's antique shop and getting to know more about him.
The family of Persian cats arrived at Sweet Berry Valley some time ago and have appeared in some stories but I hadn't introduced them. When I bought the Handsome Brothers set I thought Finn could be a member of this family.
When I was looking for an owner for the shop I thought he was a good fit, especially because of the style of his outfit. As he was too young to be the owner of an antique shop I came up with the idea that he had inherited it from his grandfather.
I wanted him to be connected to Sweet Berry Valley and at the same time have his own life in Town. Some of my Sylvanians don't really fit in a village, especially the ones that wear more elegant clothes, so I use them for the scenes that take place in the city.
I was given the Latte cats for my birthday and I happened to be setting up the antique shop at the time. When I saw the take-away coffee cup I loved it so I looked for a way to feature it in one of the scenes.
Alicia had to appear in this story. She is the main reason why Finn wants to live in the city. They make a lovely couple.
Have a wonderful day!
What a sweet story and gorgeous shop, Cutata! It was lovely to spend the day with Finn. He's a very hardworking and admirable young man. I'm sure he will be very successful in his career and having that History degree will just add to his knowledge and skills. I loved the photo of the University, by the way!
ResponderEliminarHe is very well organised and I liked how he planned his day, including being on hand for all the customers but also having time for himself to have a quick break too. His office is great! I love all the details you put in and the family photos. Finn's grandmother looks like a very distinguished lady!
Finn and Alicia are a beautiful couple. What a beautiful sentence you wrote about her being his greatest treasure. I'm sure Alicia, and Finn's grandfather, must be very proud of him.
Thank you for this story! I wish I could visit the Antique Shop!
Hi Kelsie,
ResponderEliminarThanks a million for your kind words!
I´m glad you liked visiting Finn´s shop. I put a lot of work and time in setting it up but I enjoyed it.
I took the photo of the University by placing the figures on the keyboard of the laptop. I got the image from interent. It´s the University College Cork in Ireland.
Finn's family is very proud of him. He is a hard worker and very mature for such a young man. His grandfather trusted him completely when he left him the shop as an inheritance. He knew he would run the business perfectly.
Alicia and Finn met in the Antique Shop. Alicia was browsing through the items in the shop and Finn was so attentive and kind to her that she fell in love with him.
It was love at first sight for both of them. They make a great couple.
Have a lovely day!
This is so lovely, Cutata! I enjoyed hearing Finn Persian's story (and indeed his stories about the antiques!). I also liked the University picture, but the pictures of the various Sylvanians shopping inside the antique shop are the best. You have put so much work into these scenes. What a beautiful job you have done. :)
ResponderEliminarAs a side note, I often wonder, when we all speak of "Town" - do we all mean the same large Town? Or do we all have separate ones? I rather like the idea of all our Town Sylvanians living in the one big centralised city - sort of a way that all our little corners of Sylvania would be connected... If so, I wonder if Finn attends the same University as my Town girls do? I wonder if they have ever met? ;)
Hi GreyRabbit!
ResponderEliminarThanks a lot for your nice comment!
I´m glad to know you enjoyed this story.
As for your question about my idea of Town, it is the same as yours. When I refer to Town I think of one big city for the whole of Sylvania.
Probably your Town girls know Finn Persian. The fact that he is so young and runs an antique shop makes him a very popular cat in college.
Have a great day!
I loved reading about Finn, his life and his day. A warm, happy story. The antique shop is at another level. Incredible. The amount and variety of items, their placement and integration into your story is really something special.
ResponderEliminarSimply beautiful, Cutata. Thank you for this.
Take care!
Hi Jackson,
ResponderEliminarThanks a lot for your kind words.
Your positive feedback made my day!
It was a lot of work but it was worth it!
Have a nice day!
That would be my shop! *sigh*
ResponderEliminarFinn would be getting all my money for his wonderful stuff.
What a wonderful shop! It´s just home!
You made my day! :-)