Quick Update

Snow let up for a couple of days and Hal got to the antique booth to check things out, the weather has been so bad they had to close for a day or so but I guess they had a fair turnout for the Open House considering the weather, I was sorry we missed it.  Expecting ice this afternoon turning to snow again tonight but I don't think this will last as long, the temperature is coming up, ever so slowly, but it is moving up.

Unfortunately, I came down with a 3-day virus (haven't heard that phrase for awhile:) followed by a bronchial problem.  Darn!  With this persistent cold weather I can't seem to regulate my internal thermostat, I get cold, then too warm then cold again. I'm going to miss the Christmas Home Tour which is disappointing as I was looking forward to it. However, we're counting our blessings which are many!

                                                                              ...till next time, jan

Yes Folks, it snowed last night :)

Another 4.5", twice what was expected, but it's a winter wonderland outside.  We have icicles! We've never had them here, in fact, I've not seen them since we lived on the farm. We must have had a  little melting yesterday even though it stayed so cold.  Which means there is a layer of ice underneath the new snow - and we just got the ice cleared off the driveway yesterday.  But the sun is shining and it's so pretty I'm going to enjoy every day of it.  Soon enough it will be gone and it will be just plain old cold :)  Here's what I see outside my front window this morning.

Greetings from Snowy MO

I love the snow so I'm a happy camper, although beginning to get a touch of cabin fever.  Hubby had help and got the driveway shoveled, then the next day he got the ice chopped up and the drive was finally cleared enough we could get out if we had to but we are still way below freezing and it started snowing again about an hour ago.  It sure is pretty, a real treat for this California girl, I love the change of the seasons here.
I'd love to report the Annual Open House at the antique mall was a great success and we sold out.  It might have been and maybe we did but will be a few more days before we find out.  Impossible to get out on Sat morning; the weather and roads were so bad and I didn't trust our old 4X drive truck that far.  If we had a problem it would be a Big Problem!  It started early Thursday morning with freezing rain, quickly turning to snow and hasn't stopped for very long since.  With the temperature dropping below zero…it was smarter to stay home by the fire.
But there's nothing like a good snowstorm to get you in the Christmas spirit.  The tree looks beautiful with all the snow on the other side of the window.  This will all have passed by the time Christmas gets here and the chance of a White Christmas is pretty slim so I will enjoy it while I can.

                                                                                       ……till next time, jan

Some of my favorite blogs

I think I have been remiss in not sharing with you some of the blogs I follow myself.  A year ago I loved to read blogs but when I was so sick in the spring I couldn't keep up with my e-mail and cancelled everything.  Now I read as many as I have time for, and have begun adding to my blog list.  I'll add a few as I go along.  If you don't already read these I think you'll like them.  I will say, however, I've become a fan of Pinterest.  It's interesting, seems never-ending and I can check in as often or as little as I have time for.  I spend a little time almost every day checking it out even though I'm still not sure how it operates.  I'm almost embarrassed to admit that since when it started I couldn't imagine why anyone would do it :)

But I will confess, I'm not always the sharpest knife in the drawer.  Remember video tape rentals?  I really laughed at that one, who would pay to "rent" a video?  Another big flub was Paypal.  Who needed a PayPal?  And cell phones…who wanted people to be able to call anytime?  How wonderful hindsight is, LOL.
                                                                              …till next time, jan

10 Little Fingers That Could

Yes, my 10 little fingers have been sanding, scraping, painting, sanding again, waxing, then start it all over again.  I really do enjoy transforming these little pieces of furniture but it takes a toll on my hands.  Fingernails are gone, cuticles are ragged and they are so dry nothing seems to help right now.  Do you have periods when you just want time to stand still for a bit?  That's where I've been.  Too many projects, too much to do in the house, not enough time to do it all and I ended up frustrated, irritated and a little depressed.  I certainly haven't solved the problem but at least I'm feeling better about it.

One long afternoon restocking the antique booth with new items and taking out some that have been there too long made for one big mess, we have two booths so the mess was doubled.  Too, I need to check my Christmas decorations to see if they would work.  Ended up leaving everything when the mall closed and was waiting the next day when they unlocked the doors.  It was a marathon day - cleaning, rearranging, moving furniture, trying new things and finally, while I could still stand, a good vacuuming.  It left me exhausted and aching but feeling better about it.  Had to go back the next day to hang a mirror that was too heavy for me to handle alone.  The parking lot was full when we arrived, always a good sign!  Then when I walked in and our booths looking so inviting I decided it was all worth it.  Although we didn't stay long I was pleased with the number of people who walked by, stopped and entered the booth.

Now I'm comfortable leaving it a couple of weeks while I catch up at home and finish up some new projects so they will be ready for Christmas Open House, December 7th.  This will be our first Christmas to have a booth but it's the 21st annual Christmas Open House for Wildwood Antique Mall and hundreds of people turn out to enjoy the festivities and shop for Christmas gifts.  If you're close enough I hope you stop by and enjoy the day with us.

                                                              ...till next time, jan

Weekend Buying Notes

Yesterday was a buying day, need to replenish our back stock.  This is one of those double-edged benefits of owning an antique booth.  It's fun to shop, then work to get it ready, exciting when it sells, then it starts all over again.  Especially when we've had a few good weeks where many of our furniture items have sold.  They leave a hole in the booth that needs to be filled quickly before customers get used to passing by without looking.

At a small estate sale we found an old piano bench that looks promising plus a bookcase, which won't take much work to get it ready.  It will be perfect to display the vintage cookbooks and other books I have collected.  A few pieces of glassware that add sparkle and some odds and ends that will eventually become part of something else, LOL.

Then on to the annual big antique show, these are more hard-core antique people.  It might have been just me but the prices seemed to be higher than usual.  Many items were already sold by the time we got there, which wasn't a problem since the prices were way out of our league.  I drooled over a booth of genuine Tiffany Lamps.  I think this is the first time I've seen so many of the real thing in one place, just exquisite.  The prices reflected their value but it was easy to see the quality that made them such an icon. I picked up a couple of vintage hand churns/mixers which will go to the booth this week; a quasi-vintage (not as old as they intimated) coffee grinder...it works but would need a much bigger grinding cup to make a full pot of coffee.  Would be more of a decorative piece I think.  A few other small items that are unusual and I hope will sell quickly.  No time for pictures yet.

I think the big seller of the day was the old, vintage, wood type-set letters.  They went from 1" to over 7" and the price started at $5 each and went up.  The owner was working as fast as he could and had to call for more help, people were standing three deep around the table buying letters and numbers.  He had some cool displays made up using the letters and I think that added to his success.  My coffee cup is empty and I think the paper is here; I do enjoy this quite time to myself on Sunday mornings before the sun comes up and the day begins.

                                                                                                            ...till next time, jan

                                             

Getting Busy

Took a few things out to the antique booth and wow, found them both with big holes where items had sold.  Was a surprise to see so many big items gone, a very nice surprise I might add :)  The yellow cabinet I showed you last week is already gone, as was a couple of other small tables and a wall shelf.   I have a couple of tables and a shelf just about ready to go - need to find time to finish my chair and paint the old kitchen table and chairs I got a few weeks ago.  

Annie Sloan Tips

Finally was able to take an Annie Sloan class last night, we now have a stockist in Springfield so I don't have to drive 100 miles to buy paint.  Met some fun women, most who had driven from neighboring towns to attend the class.  Since I've been using AS chalk paint for a year now I was already familiar with the basic techniques - but did pick up a few new ones I thought I'd share.

Did you know....you can wash your AS brushes in the washing machine?

...that the best way to apply the paint is in X's and brush?  (Contrary to what I thought I'd been told)

...that you should occasionally use some hair conditioner to condition your brushes?

...that if you forget and leave your brush out - or the lid off the can - no harm done?  Just gather the icky stuff around the top of the can, push it down into the can with your brush then stand your brush in the can.  In about an hour your paint will have magically re-homoginized and your brush will be soft and usable.

We did samples and I got to try their Craqueler.   I'm not a big fan of the crackle technique but have to admit it looked nice.  I used Old Ocher over a Coco base (one of my fave combos) and applied the Craqueler very thinly, then a light coat of dark wax.  It did not photograph well so no pictures. I did splurg on a jar of Gilding Wax.  I usually use Rub 'n Buff but this went on like silk and you could buff it out, take it off or add more with no problems.  I would love to have a jar of the copper and silver but those will have to wait.  As much as I like the Annie Sloan products, they are expensive.

                                                                                               

                                                                                                                             ...till next time, jan

Current projects, slow progress.

It's slow but it is progress.  As they looked a couple of weeks ago -- the chair, the bench and dresser.

The dresser will be set aside for now but the chair is underway.  Stripped of two layers of upholstery and checked out, it's OK to go ahead without having to make any repairs, just fresh batting.  Off I went to the fabric store(s), the fabric outlet, got a few samples, any of which would work but I wanted something to jump out and call my name.

Stopped at Hobby Lobby on my way home, walked through the fabric and there it was!  Didn't know what I wanted till I saw it but it's beautiful!   Hmmm, oh my, much more than I wanted to pay.  Isn't it always like that?  Got a sample though and guess what?  It looked even better in my living room, LOL. 

Now decision time.  Am I going to paint the chair?  Refinish the wood?  Leave it like it is??  The wood is in good condition just, well, boring :)  Pulled out my Annie Sloan paint samples and believe it or not, the Chateau Grey is perfect with this fabric. Chateau Grey is almost a sage color, and it brought out the little bit of green that I'd not even noticed.  But maybe a glossy black would look better so back to my test boards. No, it's definitely the CG; I have the paint and the best way to decide is to actually see it, so painted one arm.  DH is very doubtful but you have to envision how it will look painted, and waxed :)  If I put this chair in the booth, I have to ask more to cover the cost of the fabric, will everyone love the colors like I do?  Would  it be better to go with an off white paint and fabric that is nice and 1/4th the cost?  Have to mull this over.

Back to the bench. Even with my finger in the picture you can get an idea of how it looks.  Last week I posted I loved the chippy, yellow color.  But can't find a fabric that looked good with the color, not in my stash and not in the stores.  But did fall in love with a black and white polka dot, which would look super with a glossy black finish.  Got to work tearing off all the layers of fabric and batting, and found it was not in the best shape.  I even suspect this might have been a chair that someone made into a bench.  Actually that's a good idea :) but the chippy finish is worse than I thought, so much so that it would require mega sanding and filling for a glossy finish.  So...... did some minor sanding and repainted it yellow, a touch of dark wax will soften the look.  What I call yellow is really Valspar Whipped Apricot, can't imagine how they get Apricot but I love the color. Now inspiration strikes, I'll bet the yard and a half fabric I need for the chair will be enough to cover the bench too!  Laid it out and yes!  Now I can justify the cost :)  But...but...I just painted it yellow.....decisions, decisions. As soon as I know what I decide I'll let you know.

                                                                                                                           till next time, jan

Show & Tell

Here's what's been keeping me busy.  First is my Halloween sign which I made to decorate the booth - but liked so well it's still sitting on my mantle :) Actually everything here was made for the booth but hasn't made it out yet.  Although the colors don't show up well in the picture they actually glow against the wood.  The wreath was a garage sale grapevine that I wrapped with burlap and stuck in a few leaves, then some more -- then a couple of dried hydrangeas I had sprayed gold - then it took on a life of it's own.  A trip around the back yard to gather some foliage, a quick spray with gold paint, a la Martha Stewart, lol, some ribbon from the dollar store and I had a wreath.  I had tried a project I'd seen someplace, a jute twine pumpkin.  The idea was to soak the jute in glue, wrap it around a jar, let it dry overnight and the next day slide it off, clip the ends together and use a cinnamon stick for a stem.  It was a cute idea and looked OK, but didn't really have a place for it so undid it and had about 20'+ of curly jute twine.  Had some fall leaves I'd gotten half off a few weeks ago so glued them along the twine and wrapped it around the wreath and the excess along the mantle.  Hmmm, I'm liking this.  A little gold velvet pumpkin I made last month, some brass candlesticks...just need to pick up some black candles to finish it off.  I may enjoy it a week or so and take it to the booth, or maybe I'll keep it here and think of something else to decorate the antique booth.  I've had the leaves wrapped around the sign but wanted you to be able to see the words.  A few tea lights at night really sets it off.

Here's a closeup of the little velvet pumpkin and the leaf garland from the jute twine.

Next a quick look at the little cabinet I purchased a few months ago and painted yellow, it's Valspar Whipped Apricot although I called it yellow till I saw the color name :)  It looked a little plain so added some scrapbook paper inside to liven it up.  My preference would be to add a graphic on the top or something on the door, but it's one of those pieces that would work in different rooms so I decided to wait, if it doesn't sell fast I may change my mind.  Since it's not actual wood it didn't distress well so repainted and let it be.

The little chair was from a church rummage sale,  They were blond wood and I first painted it AS white and waxed it.  It sat here a few weeks till I decided to paint pink polka-dots on it -- do you know how hard it is to get good polka-dots?  I wanted very clean, defined edges - and since I had problems with that, I decided to paint pink stripes, straight lines I could do.  But a couple of days later DH brought home some more Valspar, one in a Berry Frost and I loved the bright color so out came the little white chair for a makeover.  I'm going to do a stencil along the back in apple green and think I'm going to do the other chair green as soon as it's ready to paint.  Needs a repair we didn't see till we got it home.  

Magnetic Memo Board from a garage sale tray.  Cleaned off the rust spots, painted the rim blue, chalkboard for the center and because it was so hard to get a defined edge I added some pearl trim. Not sure if I'd do that again.  Glued a magnet to an old silver spoon, tied a black bow around it and added some bling.  I'll write something on it before I take it out for display.  I've seen lots of big silver trays done this way but I never seem to find them...same with picture frames.  Where are all the big, ornate ones people pick up for a $1 or so????

Last one for today.  Not sure these memo boards are as popular as they were last year but since I had everything here, including one last coffee bag, I made one more.  If it doesn't sell DH will be more than happy to bring it home :)  He wanted to keep one last Christmas but they went fast.

I'm trying to finish up projects I already have on hand and/or have all the necessary supplies to make. They accumulate so fast and tend to get scattered here and there.  I want to get my supplies organized before Christmas.  Once the bad weather gets here I have to work inside and it's much easier if everything is organized and in it's place!!

                                     ......till next time, jan

New Projects

No pictures yet but picked up a neat chair today, along with a dresser and scored a little yellow bench.  It's already chippy so a new cushion and it will be ready for the booth.  Had about 100 staples in it - took awhile to get them all out this afternoon.  Every time I go out I swear I'm not going to buy anything that needs work and every time I get suckered in by something that would look so cute with just a little fixing up, LOL.  I made a work schedule yesterday and I've got 21 projects in progress - not counting what I got today!  About half just need a little finishing touch to be done so that's my project for this next week.  Get them finished and out of the house/garage/screen room/patio/etc...which is why my husband got chocolate chip cookies this week!

In true Missouri fashion it was in the 80's today but a storm coming in tomorrow is going to bring rain and drop the temperature 30 degrees in the space of a couple of hours. So had to hurry around this afternoon and get some hydrangeas cut to dry, some ferns to press and surprise, surprise, a half dozen big red tomatoes ready to pick.  I was beginning to think they would never ripen. A few days of cold weather will be the perfect time to work indoors, get caught up on the housework and fix some real meals.  I'll post some pictures next week of all my projects.

                                                 ...till next time, jan          

Creating in the Kitchen

Yes, these are chocolate chip cookies to reward my husband for being such a good sport.  He's hauled my treasures, ran errands and been the muscle for a lot of projects recently.  You may know I don't care for chocolate so rarely make chocolate chip cookies so thought I'd take a picture to prove I do make them occasionally :)  I added a little instant coffee and DH says he can't taste the coffee but they sure are good.  Not my idea, I read it on-line someplace and thought I'd try it.

Our Other Antique Booth

Our second booth is set up for a different type of vintage and antique items.  A few items that are there right now are an old wooden school desk, a vintage doll cradle....it was called a baby cradle but I can't imagine even 70 years ago they would lay a baby in it with such low sides.  We had found a 1949 copy of the Black Beauty book and arranged it with some other vintage horse items we have, and have more to bring in this week.  The old screen door that we have used for display will go on sale this week when we bring in the old armoire.  The rocker will return home next week to get a coat of paint, along with one or two of the little tables.  I need to let them sit a few weeks before deciding they need a little something.  I love painted furniture but I know others prefer the look of the original wood.  The 1914 Bentwood Chairs, that are in the other booth, are one thing I can't bring myself to paint.  It feels like that would destroy the history and no way would I paint over the original label and makers mark that are burned into the bottom.

Last week we found this old handmade shoe shine box, complete with brushes and shoe lasts.  I love to come across these things and always wonder about the story behind them.  

...till next time, Jan

Pictures, as promised

I promised you some new pictures of our antique booths.  The first one is a closeup of the new (old) sideboard we just finished re-doing.  I can't say restored because it was in such bad shape it would have been too much work to try and restore it.  But that said, it turned out pretty darned good and no one would believe a week ago the oak was dried out and bleached, the door was falling off, a couple of the drawers were broken, the glass was cracked and a whole colony of spiders and wasps had taken up residence.  It had been sitting in an old barn for who knows how long so spiders and wasps were probably not the only visitors.

I will readily admit it was a lot of hard work.  That old thing soaked up wood restorer faster than I could apply it.  Once it had absorbed all it would I began polishing, blending color, more polish, more wax and buff till my arm was sore then buff some more.  If fact, I was so pleased with it I couldn't help running a polish cloth over it every time I passed by.  Once I had done as much as I could my husband stepped in and made new supports for the door and put it back on, did whatever the drawers needed to open and close smoothly, repaired a piece that had broken off a leg and straightened the other leg that had gotten bent.  Despite being oak, it isn't as heavy as it looks and a plus is that it has casters.  They don't roll too great but do make it easier than lifting and pushing.

The top drawer was originally for silverware but I removed the old felt and put in new black felt...cheated a little by using the peel and stick variety.  I was afraid black velvet would attract too much dust.  I plan to store jewelry in this drawer and leave it open a bit.  The inside has one shelf and I've not decided if I want to put quilts or tablecloths in there - nor have I quite decided what to put in the deep bottom drawer.  

We put in a different lamp and I have an old Victorian shade that will go perfectly, however, it's made for a different style so either the lamp or the shade needs a little work to fit properly.  So, do you agree with me this was a great find?  I haven't priced and tagged it yet, I want to enjoy it a few days before I put it up for sale :)

Busy, Busy, Busy

We're constantly on the move right now, either buying for the antique booth, refinishing things we bought and/or spending time working in the booth.  As things sell, new items need to be brought in and the merchandise rearranged often, and speaking of selling, the first pumpkin to sell was the burlap with the burlap bow - which was my favorite.  I'm not sure I'll ever get over that feeling of selling something I really like -- even though I make them to sell, LOL.  I have several new ones to take out today, different ones so not sure I have a favorite among them.  Maybe the purple velvet with pearls, the teal velvet still needs a little bling, but I also like the big one made from upholstery fabric in gold, brown and greens.  Very fall looking.

Along with antiques, we are trying to stay up on our house and gardens.  The unusual weather pattern we've had this year is continuing to do everything except what's normal.  Consequently, we've had to adjust our routine.  After an unusually cool summer, it turned hot just long enough for a few tomatoes to ripen --- along with fleas.  No fleas all year and now when they should be going away they pop up.  With all these animals we have to stay on top of them, inside as well because several of the cats are strictly inside kitties. 

My big news is I finally found the perfect piece to use for display in the booth.  It's an old sideboard, and I do mean old.  Had been left in a barn for who knows how long and needed a lot of work!  But, it's finally done and ready to take out today.  We're both so pleased with it....my husband who voiced his concern early and often is my biggest supporter and now he loves it. It's so satisfying to take something that is falling apart, dried out, full of wasps nests and spiders....see the potential in it and bring it out.  The hitchhikers are gone, the wood gleams, the mirror shines, the drawers are lined with rose scented liner and for the little pieces that couldn't be repaired - my husband made new ones.  I think secretly he wishes we were going to keep it in our own home.  It wasn't easy work, for days I couldn't get the wax and stains off my hands and pretty nails are a thing of the past.  Muscles ached, my hands hurt from all the cleaners I had to use before I even started on the restoration.  But today she will move to her new home.  Yes, she.  Only a female could start out like that and end up looking gorgeous LOL. Pictures will follow once it's in place.

                                                                                                                        ...till next time, jan

    

Getting closer....

Spent several hours this afternoon getting all the china and glassware I bought at an estate sale, priced and  on display in the booth.  I'm always so worried something valuable will get broken.  But it's been sitting here in a box, doing no one any good.  Almost every piece is labelled with who owned it, grandmothers, great grandmothers -- some are dated and almost 100 years old. A couple I couldn't part with have found a home in my own china cabinet - in fact I may bring home one more, LOL.  I have a terrible time pricing these...part of the value, for me, is in the history.

I finally got pictures of the booth up - then I changed it today - and forgot to take some new pictures.  But here's a picture of my pumpkins I'm making...I really like them so hope they sell.  This is my favorite to date, love the lace with burlap.  But -- the turquoise velvet may be a runner-up, hmmm or the burgundy  velvet, LOL, I'll post pictures when they're ready to go.

Here's a few of my squishy pumpkins along with Sophie.  Not sure if she is guarding them or just likes to curl up with them, but anyplace I put them, within minutes you'll find Sophie.

......till next time, jan

Ta-Da, Pictures of the New Booths

Here they are as of yesterday....this booth is 11' x 4' deep, tall walls and lots of light.  We call it our vintage booth - or Hal's booth :)  I had already taken the big wreath off the screen door when I took this.  It was all natural, most of it from my own yard and drew a lot of compliments but wasn't made for so much handling. There were more hydrangea petals on the floor than were left on the wreath, and just like home I have to sweep and vacuum.  I did pick up another wreath last night because the bright fall colors looked so pretty but this one is silk rather than dried, and the leaves and decorations are glued on, LOL.  I'll start doing some fall decorations this afternoon.

And below,  my booth or the softer side :)  This one I'm having problems with, can't seem to get the look I was going for. It's 10' wide and 8' deep, and presents a challenge to bring customers into the booth to see everything is for sell. I still have all the good china and crystal to bring in, that will liven up the shelves.  The rocker and tables are destined to be painted when I have a little time but better waiting in the booth than the garage.  I'll keep working on it till it clicks.  Maybe a new carpet?  Wall coverings? We're limited to one lamp for lighting - mine is on the roll-top desk at the back - so I'm still looking for ideas to bring light and color in. I'm also pondering the top shelf. It's a little too high for customers to reach; but leaving it just for displays is wasted space.  I might put the best pieces up there with tags on the front of the shelf where they can be seen.  Any thoughts??  I have greenery up there right now so it doesn't look so bare.

and the other wall

 I made up a little tool box to take when we go to work in the booth, but forgot to take it yesterday so couldn't do much other than move things around.  Will start the Fall/Halloween decorating this afternoon but not sure what I'm going to use here.  I can't see old branches, spider webs (and a big black spider) in with the baby clothes.  Even the burlap runner with fall leaves glued on doesn't seem to fit in.  I do have sheer black fabric with black velvet spiders on it that I use to drape the mirrors at home, on Halloween, maybe that would work here.

I really wanted a Ladies Look, a place for my antique linens, baby things, old quilts, pillows, china, crystal  etc.  I love the thought that in another time a woman treasured this beautiful crystal, maybe bringing it out for Sunday dinners, being oh so careful not to chip it, so it could be handed down to her daughter and the next generation, for almost 100 years.  These things have so much appeal and meaning to me; I thought surely there would be other women looking for these treasures.  Maybe I need to bring in more miscellaneous vintage items :)

                                                                ...till next time, jan

Second Chapter!

We have so enjoyed our small antique booth at Wildwood Antiques we decided to expand and don't you know, when a larger one came open - so did a second one we were interested in.  Sounded like a good idea to have two booths so we could have two different themes -- but can we make the rent on two?  Much less a profit?  Feast or Famine? We'll see, we just paid the first months rent on two larger booths and have spent the long Labor Day weekend, laboring!!

First day we had to move the items from our smaller both to one of the larger ones.  Easy and exciting.  Second day we had to bring more of our stock from home and begin decorating the booths.  Started raining as we loaded the truck - can you believe it?  Not a drop of rain in a month and it chose this morning to break the drought. Should have been an omen to go back to bed and cover our head.  This  wasn't so easy.  We're Hot, Sweaty - the air isn't working right - nothing seemed to go right.  We broke one of my prize finds.....$$$ down the drain.  The ideas I had in my head didn't work in reality.  Finally went home to get some rest.

Third day I brought in a ton of fabrics and other items to see if something would spark an idea. Again, nothing worked, including the air conditioning.  To hot and sweaty you can add tired and frustrated!  Had a large, heavy picture with ornate frame, took extra care to hang a strong wire......finished everything, hung it up and in less that 5 minutes it came crashing down.  The wire held fine but the weight of the picture caused the hook to separate. Yes, it broke. My second expensive find down the drain.  It can be repaired but has lost the value.  Dropped a Blue Willow plate and broke it....and so went the day.  After 4 hours I said no more.  Load up everything we hadn't used - or broken - and go for pizza then some well earned rest.

I'm taking a break today - at least from the booth.  I got several items ready to go, repaired a couple and will mark the price down on those.  After breakfast I think I'll go shopping, pick up some of the little things you don't know you need till you need them.  Like some track lighting since the location of this booth is a little darker.  Forgot to take pictures last night but will probably go out tomorrow and see if I can finish the decorating and arranging the new pieces.

I admit to being MIA the last few months......

...but I do have a good reason.  As you know, our new antique booth has been taking up most of our free time the last few months and some of our not-so-free time too.  This is a fun business but definitely a business so you have to work at it.  It's so exciting to come in and find you've sold several pieces - till you stop to think what you still have in storage to replace it - or, make plans to get out and find replacements.  The thrill of the hunt is still there, this old lady just gets tired!

Boudoir Pillow

Forgot to add this little pillow I made from a table scarf my Mother-in-Law had embroidered many years ago.  The colors have faded some but are brighter than show in the picture.

Still working with only one hand!

I'm learning to do more with the brace on, and am taking short breaks each day to try and get a few things finished.  These are a few things I've finished up lately, hope you enjoy them.  I'm not able to type up tutorials right now but if you have a specific question, just let me know!

Porcelain Free forms, ready to paint.  I had quite a few of these ready for the kiln and finally got them fired, but not able to get them all painted right now.

My new "old" baby shoes.  Everytime I find a pair of old baby shoes, they sell faster than I can put them out.   I recently found a pair of white leather ones at a garage sale, brand new but so cheap I figured I could do something with them.  This is what I did, the little nests were just some filler to see how it would look but I like it so will finish it up and make it permanent.  The laces looked too modern even after dying and twisting them around, so left them out.

 Bought this vanity stool at a garage sale several months ago.  I actually liked the green silk seat but it was stained. I had to use Kilz on the frame prior to painting it with Heirloom White.  Also got the big wicker chair in the background, both chairs were immediately claimed by the cats.

Below is the finished chair, with the recovered seat.

Still in the Hand Brace

Still having problems with my right hand, which means I'm still in the brace.  I'll try and get more posted soon.

                                                                                                                               

Stargazer Lilies, Queen of the lilies

My Stargazer lilies are in full bloom right now.  This is the 3rd year for this plant and the blooms are quite large with a vibrant color.  I have a number of lilies planted around the gardens, they do well in our climate, including a beautiful burgundy oriental.  The Casablanca and Stargazer are among some of the last to bloom but well worth the wait.  We moved the Casablanca last year to a location where we could support it as it grew to over 6' tall, but I don't think it likes the new location.  It's only producing a few blooms and not growing much.

Items for the antique booth

A few items ready to find a new home.

Daily Challenge

I recently read about a challenge to draw an hour a day for 3 months. At the end of that time you'd have almost 100 drawings and your skills would have improved without really trying. Although I love to draw, right now my challenge is trying to find time to work on my china painting. So a few weeks ago I decided to give myself a challenge to paint at least an hour a day. I'm finding it so rewarding! Knowing I have committed this time, just for painting, has allowed me to experiment with new products, new techniques, and the pieces are adding up.Can't say there are any masterpieces, in fact I probably won't ever show anyone most of what I'm doing, but I'm painting and having fun.

till next time, Jan

Yes! I'm posting again

I get so involved in my day-to-day activities, I forget to post to the blog, then when I remember it's not the right time.  I have good intentions and promise to do better.  I have so many things to share with you and lots of beautiful things to make. 

Here's a  look at one of my current projects, porcelain free forms.  What do you think?  My personal favorite  is the heart in the lower right corner.  The cat is a surprise for my granddaughter's birthday this month (hope she isn't reading this).  I poured about twice this many but this was all that made it through the bisque and glaze firings.  They are so delicate - and I always try to do one more thing with it before I fire it - that's when it finally develops a little crack.  I used to try and repair those but these days I chalk it up to experience.  You can pour a new one in the time it takes to make a repair that may or may not hold in the kiln.

I'm using a new porcelain to make these and have to reserve judgement till I have more done.  Those gallons are heavy so the shipping costs more than the porcelain.  I've found a new supplier who has a shipping special for two gallons so ordered some then ended up buying a lot more - I love to try new items :)

Back to normal :)

Can't believe it's been almost a month since I've posted.  Truthfully, I was so sick I didn't do much of anything.  But am much better now and busy trying to catch up on all my projects.  Mostly right now getting things ready for my new booth at Wildwood Antiques.....hope to have it all ready within the next week.  More to come.

Thoughts on Life

It took a very sad event for me to truly realize, and accept, that our tomorrows are limited.  For too long I have let life get in the way of doing things that give me pleasure.  I never stopped working or creating but there was always something else that needed to be done and I would set aside the "just for fun" project I was working.  Over the years I have learned that to do my best work, I need to focus completely.  In the same way that I like to work alone, in a quiet room, I need continuity when ideas are flowing and once I set a project aside, it's very hard for me to re-light the fire. 

January 31st my youngest sister went to a friends house for lunch and shortly after arriving suffered a massive stroke.  I caught the first flight out for CA and arrived at the hospital in time to have a few minutes with her before she stopped breathing.  She had never regained consciousness but I felt she knew I was there.  I stayed a couple of weeks, helping where I could and just being with family while we tried to understand and accept what had happened.

It was on the flight home I began to thing of all the things I kept putting off because there was always tomorrow.  For my sister, there are no tomorrows.  Our days are numbered, yours, mine and every person you know.  We need to make the most of every day we have, to live in the moment.  There will always be things that can't be postponed, and things that can't be completed today but along with doing the things necessary to make a home for ourselves and family, we need to remember to stop and smell the roses, to enjoy the beauty of each day.

Today is the day the Lord hath made, rejoice and be glad in it.

                                                                                                                                       Jan

February

I have been offline for awhile due to a family emergency and personal illness.  Thanks for all your kind comments, I'll be back soon.