August 2023 – Karla's Cottage

Good Juju First Fridays in September is looking spooky!

By Karla Nathan / August 31, 2023

Good Juju is this weekend, First Friday is here.

I am going full on fall/ Halloween.

And I love, love, love a holiday theme!

I’ve been gathering black and white, or fall colored items all year.

And I have enjoyed every minute of putting it all together even with the extreme heat wave we have been in. The warehouse Juju occupies isn’t cooled between sales.

Dealers are given keys and can go in any time to work on their space.

So I am not complaining. I love the freedom of taking my time, and being able to do what I want.

Plus, I’ve always been a summer person, I typically don’t mind the heat.

When winter comes and I’m toiling away in a freezing warehouse, now that is a different story.

No space heaters are allowed in the winter, so I wear layer upon layer, and go in for short periods of time. Which makes it harder since I have a forty minute drive.

Oh well, I’m a tough old broad. I can take it. Only because I love decorating my booth so much.

Although, there has been a new development this summer with the heat.

Since my concussion, I do not seem to handle temperature changes like I used to. On hot days, a walk from the car to a store can give me a headache.

Oh well, probably just temporary. Or is it possibly age related? I did hit 65 this spring.

Anyway, back to the booth- personally, I don’t find clowns scary, but some do, so I have a Scary Clown section.

It includes a pig clown. Which would be scary if it wasn’t so cute.

There are dolls, doll heads, and headless dolls…

Potions…

Spiders and Witches…

Bats…

Poison toadstools…

Skeleton brides…

Books to write your spells in…

And some pretties too. Cause a witch has got to look her best in her special season.

Hand Crafted Witchy Brooms and some instructions on how to

Good JuJu, holiday decor, how-to projects

By Karla Nathan / August 28, 2023

My husband makes walking sticks from grapevine growing in our woods. It needs to age and dry a year or so, then can be used. He said I could use a few, and after finding dried, curly and glittered straw flower arrangements at a garage sale, I knew I wanted to make witch brooms.

Each one was decorated with velvet and crinkled ribbons, a genuine stone charm, some vintage bling, and feathers.

This one had a knothole that I placed a vintage eyeball button on, with a bit torn from a tattered, sequined gown underneath.

The old jewels I used weren’t in perfect condition, but that is why I chose them. They look like they’ve been flying through the air on a broom for decades, right?

My set up for Good Juju’s First Friday weekend was already complete (and Halloween themed). But I made these work, by hanging one up high, one on the top shelf, and one nestled into a corner. Not the best for showing them off, but I wanted to get them in there case I could sell them this week.

I can show people photos on my phone if they want to see more about the brooms that are up high. And I’m happy to get them down if needed. I know it’s not the best situation, but I only have 8-1/2’ and I fill it up over the brim.

This one is made from the base of the straw arrangement and stands on its own, so it is the one on the ground.

I really would enjoy making more, and in a half size so I could sell them online. But for one thing, I’m starting a major studio redo and have no time. For another, these guys are HARD to make!

Here is the process:

Trim the straw to the length you need

Divide up the straw into small bundles

Add strong glue to the tiny bundle of straw about 4” from the top, then tightly wrap that area in wire

Keep wrapping bundles until you have more than enough to cover the stick

I had the end of my straw at the base of the stick for stability

Wire and glue each bundle together to the stick until the broom is full

Glue and tightly wrap twine around your wired areas

Put screws through large washers and screw them into the wood through the twine area, so the weight of the stick doesn’t make the straw pull away when you stand it up

And now the fun part- cover up the twine/wire/screw area with something pretty and start decorating.

Free download to make a FALL banner

free images, holiday decor, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / August 24, 2023

For this banner, I thought I’d try a new trick (new to me at least).

I scanned vintage text, edited letters onto it, then printed them on card stock. Using a circle punch, I cut them out and added ink to the edges.

Since straight lines and mathematical shapes aren’t my thing, I’m always looking at craft store clearance aisles for banners. I’ll pick one up whenever I see it cheap and stash it away for when an idea strikes.

So I went to my cabinet of shapes and goodies to look for a premade banner that seemed fall-ish.

Burlap! Yep, that’s the one. And it was long enough to make three banners of four letters. ( Sorry, sold the third before it was photographed).

After cutting out the letters and gluing them on, I decorated each segment with vintage lace and velvet ribbon and tied them to a string. Easy as pie. A wonderful, warm apple pie for fall.

If you’d like to create one of your own, here ya go. Click on the image to open into a larger window, and save from that.

And yes, there are two separate Ls instead of using the same background twice. I think it’s more attractive that way. The old papers are pretty cool, you should possibly save the part you cut off to make into something else. (My scraps became mini witch hats).

Next up, I hope to make “BOO”. But I’m tight on time, I’m starting a major studio redo. I might be waiting to do “JOY” or “MERRY” instead. If I do, I’ll share letters if you’d like to make one too.

I spend a lot more time on these things than I probably should

antiques/junking, Chandeliers, Good JuJu, hand painted signs

By Karla Nathan / August 20, 2023

For the September sale at Good Juju’s First Friday weekend, I conjured up some witch’s hats to hang in my entry. They are hung with black chandeliers and the frames I already had up there.

The frames help give the giant, up high slice of my real estate some more “umph”. I think the hats would just disappear with out the frames behind them.

When I plan such things, I need to remind myself just how big this area is. Previously, I hung some teensy birdcages which was a complete waste of time. These witch hats teeter on the edge of time wasting too, I shoulda made them larger.

For the August event, I finally made a sign with my name on it, but once I had the hats dangling, it didn’t look right.

So I replaced it with this fall wreath that I’d picked up for a buck. That seemed to go with the rest of the look much better.

My first inclination was to write the word “haunted” on a piece of paper and tape it above Cottage. I thought it would be funny.

But honestly, I just don’t like the sign itself. My writing is a mess and makes the sign look amateurish. I need to rethink and redo the words before I rehang.

The “KarlaNathan.com” was left up there, the black and white simplicity of it seemed to go well with the rest of the design. But I do want a nicer Karla’s Cottage to add, so back to work.

Sometimes I wonder at my choices for how I spend my time. Does this even matter?

Crowning Glory

Good JuJu, jewelry

By Karla Nathan / August 17, 2023

I have been making more crowns. They don’t sell in droves, more of a steady trickle, but at least I move a few each Good Juju first Friday weekend. Enough that I get to make more.

The one this kid is wearing is kinda steam punkish.

And this guy is sporting a rose quartz stone on his noggin.

Lucky finds

mushrooms

By Karla Nathan / August 13, 2023

You can tell when it’s time for the season to change by the color of my mushrooms.

When I found an extremely tattered, vintage dress in this burnt velvet, all I could think was Halloween Mushrooms! And I might have slightly shrieked that out loud at the estate sale.

There might have been some exclamations of delight when I found this tree too. I kinda love it.

Another beyond wonderful find? A box of geodes for a buck. Sugarwings was in charge of whacking them with a hammer so I could have chunks of sparkly rocks to add to the base of my schroomies.

Ahhhh- just what they needed.

Due to my trip out east, I missed two weekends of garage sales. We arrived home in the middle of a major heat wave, so there went another weekend of yard sale shopping. But the few that I’ve managed to get to have provided some fun stuff, like these cloches. Not old, but just right for my creations.

My pal, Beth, and I always say, “Everything looks better under glass.” It you are a dealer and having trouble selling something, sit it under a dome. Well, that might not work for chairs and such, but you know what I mean.

The cutest company

dogs, family

By Karla Nathan / August 9, 2023

A grand fairy came to visit from NC last week and brought not only the sweetest boyfriend any grand mother could ever wish one of her kids could fall for (I call him her “Care Bear”), but this darling pup too.

He was only 8 weeks old, they picked him up on their drive to spend their week’s vacation bonding with him.

The original plan was to get him on the way home, after the trip. But I convinced them that traveling with a fur baby was an excellent time to get to know each other. The week off of work meant they could work on his potty schedule and not be rushing off to work and leaving him alone before they had a chance for him to know who they were and that he belonged with them and would be okay.

No worries on that point! By the time they got to Kansas, he was firmly attached to his new folks. We babysat for him a few times and he asked me quite often when they’d be back.

We have the perfect yard and house for dog watching, and I was so happy to have him around. Little Bear is a smart fella and learned Sit right away, and is doing well on Come too.

It was such a nice visit from them all. On our trip to NC last month, we missed getting time with these guys because of the truck accident. I was lucky to get a do over, and even luckier to meet Bear.

Stopping along the way- the journey is an important part of getting there

antiques/junking, family, Food and Drink, Travel

By Karla Nathan / August 4, 2023

Asheville is about 13 hours from our house and Paducah, KY is halfway. We often stop there when traveling with our camper, but don’t get out to explore since the trailer is hooked up and it’s a hassle for a temporary stop to undo the hitch.

This time, we didn’t have the trailer so with two drivers wouldn’t need the break. But since we were taking two vehicles, we thought an overnight stay at the half point was a good idea.

This was a place I’d been wanting to spend time in, not just because it’s such a pretty place but because on of my favorite Top Chef contestants has a restaurant there!

Sara Bradley took second in World Allstars this summer and I was perplexed as to how or why such an acclaimed chef would be in a small, rural area. Once we settled into our hotel and took a walk through this Kentucky village, it dawned on me that this was a tourist town. That explained a lot. Her eatery wasn’t just dependent upon the locals, she had people from all over wanting a break from cabins and campers on the lake, who’d come into the little city for some night life.

Even with the traffic from the tourists and locals, we had no issue getting a reservation. The place was full, but with the week’s notice we had, we were golden.

The food was spectacular! I pretended to be at the judges table and had a blast, not just with the meal, but with my imaginary status.

I felt like I was dressed the part too. I’d just bought this from Angie at the last Good Juju sale for $8, and loved the dress. I love most clothes from Sundance catalog, but rarely can afford them even in the 40% off clearance area, so was thrilled to get this one for less than a Goodwill priced dress.

Here is a version in the current catalog.

Yep, I was feeling The Gail Simmons, Top Chef vibe in this outfit. There was no need to tell anyone to pack their knives and go, the meal was great, the price about what we’d pay on any normal dinner out, and the ambience was inviting. The staff was friendly and down home, no pretensions there at all.

My other stops were Midway Antique Mall and Artichoke Annie’s on I70 for some shopping in Missouri. I didn’t have much luck with any other antiquing across Kentucky or Tennessee, though. Durn it.

I made a pit stop at a legendary Buckee’s in TN, my first time at one of these out of this world gas stations.

Impressive.

But way too much for me. Crossing the parking lot was like the Thunderdome. I felt as if I was running the gauntlet while walking across it, and the line to even turn into the lot was crazy, as was the one for the pumps. Not to mention trying to leave and get back on the road.

But I have to admit, the bathrooms were some of the best I’ve ever seen. Not good enough to tempt me to go again, it took a big chunk of time away from the road. When I stop at junk shops, I can zoom through, in and out, seeing if there is anything I want. There is no zooming at Buckees.

While stops are needed to breakup my drive, I’m in a hurry to get to this.

I had loved ones waiting for me to explore the mountains with!

(Please ignore the sour face, my son is a sweetie, he just hates photos)

We had such a good time, and I got so many lessons in mushroom hunting. And how often does a mama get to wear matching shirts with a grown up son? ( My friend, Sam, is the artist who sells these at Juju).

The best found heart, ever

family, Hearts, Travel

By Karla Nathan / August 1, 2023

This could be the best heart I have ever come across.

I’d walked on this road across from the Hawk and Hawthorn a few times and never noticed this pothole.

On my last evening, after a rainstorm, I took another stroll, and found this perfectly formed heart reflecting the clearing clouds above it. It is large, too, at least a foot across

Perfect timing, perfect heart shape! At that moment in time, I was just where I needed to be. A little less rain, or a single car driving over it, and the best found heart would never have been found.

There were a few more finds during the week. My boy took us up to Mineral Springs to look for garnets. See the polka dots in this heart?

Garnets!

These two are mica and garnet in granite.

And this one has some shiny quartz.

We parked ourselves at a little waterfall in the stream, then sorted and sifted through the water and stones to find treasures. I could spend hours looking at pretty rocks, and we did.

The first few times, I gathered lovelies to take home. I wanted some for my garden and also larger ones to add my mushrooms to as well as smaller ones to put in the moss at the base of my schroomies.

But then, there was the accident.

We had driven two cars across country to get one to my son. He had been driving Ryan’s Jeep and it needed a transmission. So, we were to haul the Jeep back to KS for repairs.

But, oops. We were also in NC to help Rich’s mom after a fall. He had just left her side and pretty wrecked himself, so when the truck also got wrecked mere blocks from the hospital, it was very understandable. It left us with no vehicle at all, so my 2-3 tons of rock souvenirs needed to be left behind.

We bought a suitcase, booked a flight, and rented a car in KC. Now, I’m in the process of car shopping while hoping the truck isn’t totaled and that I won’t be shopping for a replacement for that too.

So our truck and my rocks are out east. We are home safely, Rich is fine. Rich’s mom is in her rehabilitation center and he will be heading back to see her when he is no longer truck-less. Then he’ll haul the Jeep and my mountain of shiny stones back to Kansas.

The reasons for being there, as well as the accident did not make for what you’d call an ideal vacation.

But we managed to have lots of family time and a peaceful visit to the retreat at Hawk and Hawthorn. Throw in a few hikes and spectacular dinners with the fam and we decided that it was going to work out fine.