Gifts and Such

Oh, it's the season of giving!  Unfortunately, and admittedly, I find that I discover more items for myself ... than others ... during this shopping season.  That proved to be true on Small Business Saturday at the shop ... when a local artisan came in to solicit our owner to carry their unique, handcrafted fork and spoon jewelry items.  The shop's owner was on vacation in Aruba, and thus not available, and the owner is our sole purchaser.  Admittedly, I ignored them at first, KNOWING that I would want at least one of their pieces for MYSELF.  But, after several minutes of constraint, I just couldn't help but admire the pieces of jewelry that the father, mother, and daughter were wearing!  The father makes all of the pieces himself, being inspired by his daughter whom encouraged him to make her a spoon ring a couple of years ago, and as they say, the rest is history!  I LOVED his work, and just couldn't let them get away without purchasing a piece.  I convinced myself that I "had" to have a piece, not only to enjoy personally, but ALSO to show our shop's owner what unique pieces they have to offer in our shop, ;)!  I loved that he was including vintage keys into many of his pieces, and thus those pieces are what caught my eye and held my attention.  Although the fully-wrapped rings he had made from baby spoons (even your OWN baby spoon, if you still have it around for him to use for you!), were another attention grapper for me, as were several other pieces, but I had to remain focused, as I didn't have much to spend ... on myself.  So I selected the above pictured bracelet as my purchase piece for myself, ;) ... but my coworker did his best to convince me that I needed the matching pendant to go with it.  While I would have DIED to have both, I stated that I just couldn't justify buying TWO pieces for myself (remembering that I was SUPPOSED to be buying for others during this season).  As I rustled to get the correct change to pay the artisan, my coworker whipped out his wallet, and said, "I owe you a birthday gift anyway," and preceded to pay for BOTH pieces!!!  I was SO grateful ~~ what AWESOME pressies, right?  I want to wear them daily!  Here's another shot of them, showing a slightly different view.

They are such unique and beautiful pieces, that totally fit with my newest obsession for vintage silver "serving pieces" ;).  And ... I HOPE to obtain a gift from this artisan ... for someone on my gift list whom LOVED them also, ;)!  Although the piece in mind was a one-of-a-kind piece that the artisan wasn't ready to sell, ...but I hope he will change his mind!  It was a GORGEOUS bracelet, made from 4 forks (if my recollection is correct) interlocked with a vintage key ~~ so stunning!  If you would like to see more of this artisan's work, he has a Facebook page that can be found under Tasteful Designs Jewelry or (if this link doesn't work for you) search for "Tasteful Designs Jewelry" on Facebook!  His page is new, and he doesn't have pics of his pieces wrapped with vintage keys, but hopefully he will soon.

So, reverting back to Small Business Saturday, I HAVE to tell you about it ... if you haven't already heard so. American Express sponsored this past Saturday as a day devoted to Small Businesses, in which AMEX would credit their cardholders $25 on their statements if $25+ was purchased using their AMEX card on this past Saturday at a Small Business ... HOWEVER, they have now EXTENDED the deadline for purchasing through DECEMBER 31, 2010!!!  What an AWESOME thing!!!  For artisans whom accept AMEX, this applies to YOU also, so get the word out!!!  This is a great way for folks to obtain a "free" gift for someone on their list, ... or for themselves.  Go, AMEX!  Small Businesses are what support our local economies!

Also, on Black Friday, our local television news channel showed up at our shop twice, doing a story on "Big Box versus Small Shops!"  I was working the shop alone, as it's typically not a busy day for small businesses, and I thought I could handle it alone, ;), having the past seven years to go by for experience of what to expect.  I was PLEASANTLY surprised to see that it was a great day of shopping for us, and even more so surprised when  FOX 8 Local News showed up TWICE during the day to film a story about small businesses on Black Friday.  I am thrilled to see the locals supporting their small, locally owned shops, that keeps their money in our local economy versus sending it overseas, ;).

I cannot close without sending a warm, heartfelt "get well soon" to my dear blogging friend Emelie, whom fell and broke her leg in the days preceding Thanksgiving.  I miss you terribly, Emelie, and hope you are healing nicely, and on a quick road to recovery!  Sending you blessing for healing and peace, and I truly can't wait for your return to home and "blogland!"

Now, wishing each of you a happy holiday season filled with much peace, joy, and all the things you enjoy most!  May we all find a special gift for others ... as well as ourselves!

Thanksgiving and Memories

What is Thanksgiving, without memories of family and friends, renewed cherishing of items used within gatherings of previous events, and a look forward to this week's gathering?  While cleaning and preparing for this year's Thanksgiving dinner, I am reminded of Thanksgiving days spent with family and friends in years gone by, and am looking forward to this year's celebration.  As my family grows smaller, and traditions have faded, this year I am finding new traditions for the holidays ... and new passions within the holidays.

Old silver serving dishes are quickly becoming a new passion for me, after recently discovering a few silver pieces at sales and a local flea market.  Not only do they remind me of family gatherings of years past ~~ as my Grandmother, and Mom, would always break out their best pieces to serve the big Thanksgiving dinner, something I never understood until now ~~ but today I see the simple elegance of silver serving pieces in a new way.  They add so much sparkle, "vintage-ness" and charm ~~ even if they do require a bit of extra clean up before and after the dinner!  Pictured above are some of the pieces I will utilize in serving Thanksgiving dinner at my home this year ... and for years to come, I hope.  The pottery bowls were my Grandmother's and Mom's bowls, that were used during many happy family occasions years ago, and these bowls have been stowed away in my cupboard just waiting to be used again!  Nothing fancy, but oh the memories they bring.

As for the silver pieces, I can only imagine how my ancestors would scrub and scrub to get them shiny and sparkling.  But for me, I am finding charm in a bit of "aged" finish within them that allows their age and "servitude" to shine through.  I cleaned them lightly with a silver cleaner, and love the effect of some of the patina showing.  Okay, admittedly, I understand the pitting this can bring on in silver pieces, and realize that not everyone can appreciate the charm in a bit of aging on silver.  But for me, today, I love it ... and I hope my guests will understand, also!

Wishing each of you a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends, and many things to be thankful for.  As for me, I am very thankful for family, friends, the simple things in life, and the ability to share these things with others.  Happy Thanksgiving to each of you and your families!

Today's Projects

I have so much going on, and am having difficulty focusing, admittedly.  However, this morning I completed this piece ... finally!  You may remember this piece from a previous post.  I was totally happy with the front of it, but the back side of it was a mess, as the frame had such a shallow area for the artwork, that there wasn't room to properly secure it, neatly.  So, I took it to work, where it's been for a few weeks, with a bit of interest...until they turned the piece over and saw the ugly back side.  My boss suggested that it would make an AWESOME serving tray ... and voila, that it is now, with a decent backside too!

I intended to fill the back "ugly portion" with felt, but then found Fun Foam and it worked great!  Then I attached four small eye screws for the "feet!"  Now it's ready for a small party!

Next, I took the suggestion my my "Big Sister," and used the Minwax "Paste Finishing Wax" on my recently acquired sewing drawers ... and look at the difference in made!

I think you can tell wish ones are the "before" and which ones are the "afters" here, ;).  I'm loving this paste wax stuff!!!  Now I'm ready for a "handy man" to turn them into the cabinet I invision!

Next, I'll share a couple of pieces that I'm not so proud of, but nonetheless, they are works in progress.  First is an end table that I've been working on this week that didn't work so well with the first attempt.

I was trying to use supplies that I had on hand ~~ purple paint for the base, and crackle finish using glue and water, and it didn't work out so well.  Because this piece is meant to go in the shop for sale, I realized quickly that most people cannot use purple in their decor, ;).  So ... it's in the process of another transformation, using gray tones (not pictured), and we'll see where that takes it.  It may end up in a third transformation!  Its top lifts up to provide storage, and will be a really neat piece ... if I can get a good look with the finish.  (Please don't point out the white paint on my studio decking floor here to my DH, lol!  Nothing that a huge rain storm won't fix, right?)

Next, I've had a request for a "twin" of my first Suzi Goddess ... on a canvas, instead of a board.  This is my first attempt at doing a face on a canvas, with no collaging, and admittedly, it's a challenge, but one I'm prepared to take.  Chandra was able to get a great deal on some 9x12 gallery wrapped canvases on her trip last weekend, and I knew I may have to use a couple of them before I got what I wanted for this piece.  This is the mid-stage of my first attempt, still in need of mucho embellishment.

Her eyes are HUGE, lol ~~ the rest of it, I know I can "fix."  But the humongous eyes, I'm not so sure I can repair!  I hope you can see past the beginnings here, imagining all the background embellishments and completion of her hair and its highlights.  But even so, her eyes are way too big!  I keep telling myself, Suzi says "anything can be fixed," but I'm just not feeling this one, ;).  I think she will become a gesso'ed canvas for another project!

Lastly, I've completed a few more textbook rosettes that I'm LOVING!  I truly have no purpose for a wreath of these, and thus am thinking that I will use them to embellish my holiday gift tags.  They are just too pretty not to share in some way!  130 pages of an old Reader's Digest and 17 rosettes later, and this is where I'm at, ;).  Okay, so there were a few that weren't usable, but I'm loving these beauties!

So that's what is "on my desk" today, and whom knows what will be on it for tomorrow.  With arts and crafts, admittedly, I have ADD, but enjoy every minute of it!

Wishing each of you a happy weekend of creating, and life in general.  The Holiday Season is approaching ever so quickly, and I feel certain that I'm not the only one in "full steam ahead" mode.  May we all enjoy every minute of it!

Great Ideas and Blessings

Happy Monday, friends and fellow bloggers!  I've enjoyed viewing so many of your blogs this morning, being inspired with such lovely ideas, and reading about your latest happenings.  Thank you for sharing your lives, inspiration and fabulous ideas; through you and blogland, I am completed!

The above photo is my first attempt at making book text rosettes, something I recently discovered on the blog of Stephanie Lynn.  She has several great ideas for using these pretty poses, and I LOVE the wreath she made.  However, if you click on the link to her tutorial for making these beauties, you'll see that she's also previously used them to embellish packages ~~ what a great idea!  Admittedly, my first one unrolled itself after I glued it to its base paper, but I wasn't willing to trash it, and went back to rolling from the center, and used glue to hold the "petals" in a couple of places along the spiral.  Hopefully my next attempts will go better!  If you decide to make some of these pretties, I'd love to hear of your experience, and see what you accomplish with them!

Next, I want to share a gift received from a Kindred Spirit this weekend ~~ I love this framed print!  It speaks to my heart, was created by a dear friend, and was a gift from a very Special Soul Sista ... whom doesn't blog often enough.  However she can be found on Facebook is you search for "The Art of Chandra T," and her blog is found here.  She just recently previewed her new art originals and prints in a local art show, and this was one of my favorites of her latest creations.  The words say, "it's so exhausting maintaining this wall around my heart," words my 'heart' can intimately related to.  Chandra is a very unique artsy chic, whom has learned to express her personal feelings and thoughts through her art, and thus found her own unique style of art.  Needless to say I think alot of her, and am thrilled to see her succeed with her latest art showing!  Her work is currently displayed within a local gallery ~~ go GIRL!  Not only do we have so much in common within our pasts, that draws us near to each other and helps us understand each other, but we also have our artsy endeavors to draw us nearer to each other, too!  I admire her bravery in stepping out to show her work, and work through the past also.

On Saturday, while I was at work, Chandra attended Art of the Carolinas at Jerry's Artarama in Raleigh, NC.  Chandra is SUCH an open and inspiring soul, and thus I enjoy spending time with her, not to mention that I love art supplies, so I wanted to attend this event with her.  However, I also need a paycheck in order to buy art supplies, so work had to take precedence.  But, while at this show, she called to say they had a great deal on some gallery wrapped canvases, ... and I could NOT resist the temptation, needing a couple of canvases to experiment with anyway!  So she was so nice to bring me a box of new canvases to play with, along with the following treasure also!

A Strathmore Visual Journal filled with fabulous watercolor paper!!!  I've seen Pam Carriker endorse and use these beauties, and I've admired them with intent ... but now I have one ~~ thank you, C!!!  I look forward to filling this journal in the days ahead!

I'm not sure I can show a photo of my last great treasure from this weekend, but will leave by saying I cannot WAIT to find a handyman to incorporate it into a furniture piece within my imagination!

Wishing each of you a week filled with joy, peace, love, thankfulness, and all the things you enjoy most!  Thank you for visiting me, and please feel free to leave me a note ~~ I love to hear from you!

Giveaway!

Here's a link to an awesome blog ... that happens to also be giving away a gift certificate/card to CSN.  Check it out!

Flea Finds & Inspiration

Two friends and I attended a large flea market Sunday, about an hours drive away, and had a great "girlfriends day out" filled with many laughs ... and found a few things along the way.  This is a photo of two sections of sewing cabinet drawers that I picked up ($5 each) because (1) they intrigue me with their nostalgia, (2) I LOVED the details on their sides, and (3) I intend to make a countertop cabinet out of them, similar to this one I recently discovered on eBay (pic below) ... listed at a Buy It Now price of $235, yikes!

Isn't it gorgeous?  A great way to preserve our ancestors' heritage, and memories of Grandma's sewing machine, in my humble opinion.

Next, I found these feet to use on the shutter cabinet I shared last week ($3 each).  The gentleman I purchased them from cut them himself, and told me they were designed for the smaller end to go on the bottom, but I kinda like the wider end on the bottom!  These should add a bit of "spunk" to the shutter door cabinet, don't ya think?

I also found some knobs for the orange chest I recently completed!

I chose an "eclectic mix" and love the result!

My only other purchase was a Gorham silver serving dish ($5) that I may keep, and I may not, but it was too pretty to pass up.

We saw many "inspiring pieces," that were already "upcycled" and thus not something I desired to purchased, but they may inspire future pieces, for you or me!  Here are a few photos of some of them.

Not very inspiring pieces here, but this "turquoisy-blue" color was EVERYWHERE.  I think it's particularly yummy here with the green shutter behind it.

Simply because I would have never thought "outside the box" to do this technique of leaving the drawers their natural color, I found this piece intriguing.  It allows for preservation of the original piece, while also upfitting and renewing a perhaps too "distressed" top and frame.  My grandmother had a desk just like this, and I have to wonder "is this it" as I have no recollection of what became of it ... and now wish I would have taken it when it was offered, some 20+ years ago!

I LOVE to see old ceiling tiles repurposed, and this was a new idea for me.  What a neat Christmas Tree "stand!"

This table caught my eye simply because of its uniqueness in shape.  What a neat idea to do with an out-of-date coffee table!  It would make a unique plant stand ... or entryway display piece.

Now for some "eye candy" that was simply WAY beyond my budget, but much to my liking for bling!

Admittedly, anything over $20 was quickly a "not" for me, but if my memory serves me correctly, this centerpiece was priced at $950, not including the two matching side pieces ... but, oh, so gorgeous!

I love Tiffany lamps, and this one immediately caught my eye.  The seller admitted the shades were repro's, but what a beauty, nonetheless.

The same gentleman had several of these Tiffany boxes, this one in the Grapevine pattern, that were gorgeous.  Again, nothing that I was going to purchase, but absolutely beautiful to observe.

Now, I wish I had brought these babies home!  These two bentwood chairs were very unusual, as they were so narrow, and not something you see everyday.  But the left one was missing a spindle on its back, and I had no idea where I would get it repaired.  However they were only $50 for the pair, but my goal was to find something to upfit.  And, besides the repair, these were too pretty in their natural state to upfit!

On our way home, we stopped by an antique store that didn't have much of interest besides the following photo of what Marcia referred to as Yard Art, if I understood her correctly, I suppose because the artwork is roughly a yard wide?

And this was my Sunday afternoon outing with two fun friends, an afternoon out that I needed, and totally enjoyed.  I hope each of you enjoy your day, and ... have made it through my Girls Day Out!  I found much inspiration on this adventure, and hope you will also.  If anything here inspires you, please let me know!  I LOVE hearing from you, and seeing what you do with the inspiration!  Happy Day to each of you.  May you enjoy life today and always ~~ J

Christmas Is In the Air... and Such

After two days of Christmas Open House at one of the shops where I work, I'm in the Christmas Spirit!  (This photo is a sign my boss painted that says it all.)

So, it's been a busy week, thankfully.  The following are a few photos of things I've been wanting to share. 

The first (below) is the "shutter cabinet" that the father of my boss made from some old shutters we've had laying around.  I'm looking forward to painting this piece ... however, admittedly it may be spring before I get to it, simply because it's huge and thus an "outside project."  Not to mention, it may take that long to get someone to help me move this heavy piece to the front of the shop where my painting area is set up.  But I LOVE it, and am excited to finish it, but I do want to complete a couple of "test pieces" before I get started on such a big piece.

It's difficult to tell from this photo, but the cabinet was built around the 80" tall bi-fold shutters, using these as the doors.  The craftsman whom constructed the cabinet for me sanding the shutter "molding" so it blend with the cabinet, and thus it appears that he reconstructed the shutters ... but he didn't.  I can't WAIT til warmer weather so I can finish this piece!  However, I hope to enjoy the process of doing "test pieces" of smaller scale, that can be done indoors this fall and winter, and get a better idea of what I will do with this piece.  I would love to keep the shutters in their original state, unpainted, and thus am "thinking" of using a golden brown undercoat, with a creamy white topcoat, with some distressing and glazing ... but who knows what will be the end result!

And this is my "Inspirer's" latest piece that is GORGEOUS in person.  It was a set of cabinets that came out of an old castle in a local country club community (Sedgefield in Greensboro, NC) that Marcia has brought to new life here.  I wish I had a "before" photo to share with you, but I don't.  Just know that they looked NOTHING like this!  They were old, nasty, dirty, cream and mint green in color to begin with.  Now they are refurbished and ready to go into the dining room of my boss!  I LOVE them!

And their "refurbishment" inspired this mantel (below) that Marcia has now completed!

I would LOVE to have this mantel on my fireplace ... that needs a bit of an uplift, ;).

Finally, I have recently reconnected with an awesome young lady whom my Mom taught second(?) grade to many moons ago, and the young lady's lovely father.  This young lady and her father touched Mom's heart, as they were going through a tremendous loss at the time when Mom taught her, and thereafter the young girl received extensive burns over much of your body.  Mom kind of took them under her wing, and did her best to nurture them, as many teachers do, and spoke of them frequently, to the point that our family began to feel like this young girl and her Dad were a part of our own extended family.  However, time went on, and years later Mom passed, and then Facebook evolved and I reconnected with them!  (Very complicated story, I know, so I'll get to the point!)  The young girl, whom is now 40 yrs old, posted a photo of her Dad on Facebook with a GORGEOUS piece of framing.  I commented on the photo... and framing... and voila ~~

The father is a framer, by trade, and this week, he brought me a good amount of "scrap" framing molding to use with my art work ... simply because my Mom meant alot to him and his family!!!  I was THRILLED beyond expression, and can't wait to put these pieces to use, and hope I make him proud with their outcome!  Of course, it may be after deer season before I can get my DH to cut these pieces to size, but it will be a very happy day when they are put to use!  Isn't it great to reconnect with people from our past today on social networking sites online?  Had it not been for Facebook, I most likely would not have reconnected with this awesome family.

So, tonite, I am thankful for the ability to reconnect, and thankful for the Christmas season.  I'm also excited about a "junkin' trip" I'm taking tomorrow with one of my bosses and coworkers!  We're going to the Raleigh Flea Market, and I'm excited to share some time with some wonderful, fun friends, and see what we find along the way!  I hope to share our experience with you early next week.

In the interim, may each of you enjoy the remainder of the weekend, and look forward to a prosperous week ahead.  May we all appreciate those around us, and the beauty that surrounds us.  Happy creating to each of you!

Christmas Card?

Not much time for creativity in the last week, but today I had a "free day" to create.  Well, pretty much, ... after repairing TWO flat tires on my day off, lol.

As we are preparing for Christmas Open House at work this week, and thus realizing that Christmas is approaching quickly, I decided to work on a potential piece to use as my Christmas card this year.  Last year, I waited til the last minute, and ended up using art for my Christmas card that I'm ashamed to have used today.  So, perhaps this will be this year's card, and ... perhaps not.  Today I am thinking of how we will ever obtain World Peace again, and thus the subject matter for this potential holiday card.

My DH has had my camera, on a fishing trip, this week, so I'm short of pics to share.  However, I have an AWESOME piece of furniture to paint, that I hope to share with you later this week.  My boss had some old bi-fold shutters laying around, and I asked her dad to make a cabinet, using the shutters as the doors for the cabinet ... it turned out AWESOME, in my humble opinion.  Now I just have to decide on colors to paint it.  Thinking of a brown-ish undercoat, with a creamy color top coat, but whom knows what will be the end result!  After searching endlessly for online inspiration, I'm all confused on color choices, ;).  Oh the happiness that can be found with online inspiration!

Wishing each of you worldly peace, and much inspiration, today and always ~~ Jeanne