Mary, the Queen of Bling

     One of the first dealers that I met at the Antique Gallery of Houston was Mary Crisp.  It is easy to find Mary  because her booth just reaches out and grabs you.  Mary specializes in formal furniture and reproductions and she displays them with the flair of a professional decorator.  Every painting, mirror, and flower arrangement adds to the beauty of the furniture that she sells.  Next to her furniture booth is the bling booth, as I like to call it.  Here is where Queen Mary of Bling reigns.  There are a few pieces of formal wear found here but what makes her the Queen......... is her love of jewelry and other accessories.  This is where a woman can find that special piece of jewelry to compliment a prom or wedding dress.  She carries everything from hat pins to ankle bracelets and she does it with that extra dose of sophistication. 
     Mary's story is the perfect example of a life spent working in retail.  She began as a teenager and has continued well into her senior years.  Mary's story is about working for the love of serving her customers.  She told me over and over that she loves what she does because of the people she meets.  Talking to Mary makes me think of that statement about how if you love what you do for a living then it is never work. 
     Mary's first place of employment (at age 16) was Grayson's Ladies Boutique in San Antonio, Texas.  After high school she began a job in gift wrap at Joske's in San Antonio which in those days was considered an upscale clothing store.  If you ever need a bow made then Mary is the person to see.  Gift wrap is like starting a job in the mail room so Mary had to prove herself and work her way up the retail ladder.  Her husband's employment took her to many other places in the United States but Mary always had a job in either retail or banking.  To mention a few of those, Mary lived and worked in New York, Boston, Minnesota, and Fort Smith, Arkansas.  Upon her return to Houston she found employment with Elsie's Consignment House where she began selling furniture.  In 1999 she moved to what was then known as Antiqueland, later to be called The Antique Gallery of Houston.
Mary is an elegant lady.  She prides herself on serving her customers.  She is always eager to help other dealers give their booths a little of her special sparkle.
Susan Golden may be the manager of The Antique Gallery but Mary is undeniably the Queen.