John Iwan Hartig

Granny's Boot Antiques John Iwan Hartig

Granny's Boot Antiques has been a well-known antiques shop for many years in Vineland, Ontario. Madge Wilson, "Granny", has collected anything from old furniture to knickknacks for her shop, specializing also in Folk-art collectibles. Her daughter, Debbie Wilson, manages the website. Madge's husband, Poppa Wilson, contributed his skill in woodwork and retouching paint where needed for the Folk-art collection. Granny's Boot Antiques has a wide category of items: Antiques, Glassware, Dishes, Pitchers, Amberina, Knickknacks, Jewelry, Paintings, Music Related, Folk-art and Misc. When I first got to know them, I think it was a rainy day and I needed to get out of the house. I walked into the shop and was amazed at the array of colour which met my eye, the patterns and the composition and arrangement of all their "stuff". I told Madge and Debbie that I was a local photographer, living just a couple of streets away and the day was so drab that I needed a therapeutic time out with my camera. Could I take photos in their shop? Mostly, they don't allow photographers in but I presented myself honestly and they gave me permission. I clicked away with my camera which was a peaceful relaxation for my mind. Since those early days, I've given Madge and Debbie copies of all the photos that I've taken inside their shop. It's been a treat feasting my photographer's eyes on the colour and the arrangements that Madge and Debbie make with their antique collectibles. After some 20 years, occasionally dropping into the shop on a rainy day, sometimes even on a sunny day, when I wasn't busy, I figured it was time to design a special Photobook for Madge and Debbie. Their collection of antiques and Folk-art should be recorded in some way in a book. John Hartig, Author, Scenery Photographerand Web Designer