Prim Greetings From Olde Picket Fence! Olde Picket Fence is located in rural south central Illinois in the small farming community of Farina. The retail showroom occupies an attached lean-to in the large three story red barn. The first floor is used for building their line of painted primitive farmhouse reproduction furniture, the second floor is for storage, and located on the third floor area is the studio where they do all of the designing and sewing. The laid back, easygoing surroundings make for a great background of inspiration. Here, their line is handcrafted one item at a time. Each item therefore is never exactly like the next. Customers have come to love this about their designs. Their line is very primitive-definitely not mainstream. The retail/wholesale showroom hours are by appointment only. Sign up for the email list and you will be notified of upcoming shows and events. Patti Engel, Rachel Engel, and Emily Reynolds are three very talented women. The mother and two daughters have made a name for themselves in the folk art industry as designers and artisans. Rachel and Patti are co-owners of Olde Picket Fence, Thyme Worn Primitives, and Too Far Gone, all under one roof. Emily, who enjoys working in the family owned business, also has her own business, From This Day Forward Bridal and Formalwear in Farina. Between the 3 of them they have over 30 years of combined talent. Patti is a 3rd generation folk artist, while Rachel and Emily are both 4th generation folk artist. Carpenters, woodworkers, painters, musicians, and seamstresses make up part of their skilled heritage. With influences like these, they couldn't help but pursue art. They take great pride in their line of folk art and it shows. Their art has made its way throughout the United States, as well as, abroad. They have been featured in the 2005 March/April edition of Country Marketplace Magazine as the Exclusive Interview. The interview featured insight into their primitive world, pictures of their folk art line, and a free candle box pattern. Their pattern line has been featured in Country Marketplace Magazine. Finished products have been featured in Country Sampler Magazine, Country Sampler Decorating Ideas, as well as, Country Business Magazine. They have done hundreds and hundreds of shows throughout the years and traveled thousands of miles.
Handcrafted painted farmhouse reproduction furniture, character dolls created in fabric, paper mache, and clay, and seasonal items with unique accents all add up to the whimsical, funky, traditional and primitive looks we all strive for. Their extreme line runs the gamut from the tiniest of ornies to the fabulous life size characters. Sorry, but due to their heavy workload, items are limited to quantity on hand and no special orders can be taken. Be sure to check back often and bookmark this site. They look forward to your visits. Prim regards, Patti, Rachel, & Emily In Loving Memory of Mother/Grandma, Aileen Schmitt. Aileen began sewing at a very young age, worked at a garment factory, and went on to own the fabric shop-The Sewing Basket. Aileen and Patti later opened a store in Vandalia called the Peddler's Trunk, a unique folk art and antique store. Rachel and Emily's fondest memories were in the store with Grandma Schmitt and Mom(Patti) while playing with button containers-stringing buttons for hours, building tower stacks out of the thread spools, sewing scraps of fabric together and traveling with Grandma and Mom to shows. After Aileen retired from The Peddler's Trunk, Rachel joined Patti in the business at the age of 15. Aileen continued to help out with Patti and Rachel's new business, Olde Picket Fence, sewing dolls, chickens, Santas, bunnies, etc., whenever called upon. On Christmas Eve of 2007, Aileen was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor. With a determined spirit and strong faith, she fought a noble battle, going through both chemotherapy and radiation. On March 5, 2008 she passed through the gates of heaven, surrounded by her family. Aileen, along with Wayne, her husband of 61 years, raised 7 children. Thank you Mom/Grandma for passing along your love of sewing, your musical talent, your artistic abilities, and your strong sense of family-for these things we will always be thankful. I will always love you momma. We will always love you Grandma.
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