antiques/junking – Karla's Cottage

Guncle time part three

antiques/junking, cottage, dogs, family, guncles, Hand painted, vintage paper/collage art

By Karla Nathan / May 16, 2026

Besides lots of good food and wine, how was the guncles visit? Never long enough, for one thing. We hit the jackpot on junking trips, one full day at Sparks Flea Mkt, two garage sale mornings, and one afternoon estate sale.

This window is from the flea. I bought it for resale, but, uhm, oops, it somehow got hung in my hearth room.

Molly might not look like she approves, but she is just typically scared of getting her photo taken. Or maybe she is upset about warning the guys that they shouldn’t be hanging it up, it should go into the inventory stash in the garage? Oh well, if even the guard dog can’t stop the process, I guess that window belongs there.

Fate. Beautiful, colorful, fate. Isn’t that stained glass ideal there!?

Time flew by, with all the shopping, cooking, eating, laughing, and lots of small chores the guys helped Rich with since I cannot use my right arm for much as it recovers from surgery. (Like hanging my spectacular, new window!)

Randy and I were left with limited time in the studio. He worked on his handmade cards, and I also made a few, along with some door prizes for my upcoming class reunion. These hand painted bookmarks will be packaged up with jewelry I am crafting, to make three gifts.

All of us found treasures in Sparks, and I’m hoping this becomes a tradition, and the guncles come back next season too.

Randy made friends there, as always.

Sadly, the cards I made during studio time were not happy ones. Recently, too many people I care about have lost loved ones. So I was creating sympathy cards to get into the mail.

There were also many quick trips to the hardware or grocery stores. While on one run, I snagged Kansas sunflowers for the table for Kevin’s birthday dinner. I looked everywhere for a cut flower bouquet, but ending up buying a pot full.

The plant has already started to bloom again, and will be a summer-long reminder of the lovely time we had together. I miss you, guncles!

A garage sale violin I couldn’t wait to start mosaics on, here is the start of the project

antiques/junking, flowers, friends, jewelry, Music

By Karla Nathan / April 25, 2026

Garage sales haven’t been prolific so far this spring, but what I’ve picked up has made up for the quantity in kick ass quality.

Like this vintage violin with inlaid mother of pearl flowers!

Just in case I’d hit the jackpot (don’t we always have that lingering hope when out junking?) I popped into a music store that specializes in string instruments to be sure it was “craft quality.” I was reassured that it was old and beautiful, but in need of too much repair to be marketable, so I began digging through my jewelry supplies to find any shell, mother of pearl, or abalone bead that I had.

Our mosaic club now meets 3 days a week, and I drop by when I can and often bring other crafts, or just inventory that needs tagging to hang out and visit friends. But I rarely do any glasswork. I just like the company. The group is varied, people come when they can, we could have two, or fifteen there.

At first, I thought I might collage the instrument, but realized it was an ideal candidate for some gluing and grouting instead. I covered the neck with tiny, textured black tiles, then placed my shell pieces into flower blossoms onto it.

Next was the tricky part, I cut those green leaves myself!

I’m not much of a glass cutter. Actually, I’m not at all. The great thing about our mosaic club is that there are shelves and shelves, generously overflowing with precut, tiny squares of glass available in any color, sorted and ready to work with. Wow, huh? What a treasure chest!

Makes me wonder why I do not create more, since the hard part is done. And my pal, Shan is a professional glass artist, she offers to cut anything I need, I just do not want to take advantage of her.

Not only is there precut squares of glass to use (like the white ones I’ve started to apply). There are containers of scrap glass. That’s where I found the shades of green to make leaves that coordinate with the abalone leaves I’d added in the center.

The plan is to add a few more green vines, then fill in the background with the iridescent white squares. In tight spots, I’ll have to snip some of those in half to make slivers or triangles to fill in better. Then, I’ll grout it all in either dark gray or black. The sides will be decopauged with sheet music, and I’ll leave the back as is, it has a lovely inlaid wood design on it. The back is so pretty that I should probably display the finished piece on a stand instead of hanging on the wall, so people can see the inlay.

Hmmm…… looking at these photos, makes me want to pull off the squares around the scrolly holes and line the edges of it with tiny pearls first. Then do white squares around that as I fill in the background. What do you think? Ooh, or itty bitty, shiny black beads not pearls?

Ephemera flags

antiques/junking, holiday decor

By Karla Nathan / April 20, 2026

These are different for me. And not the typical, traditional style flags you’d expect. My interpretation includes velvet ribbon, rhinestones, and a vintage brooch.

Or vintage wallpaper with millinery posies.
And of course, lace!

They’re displayed in a whole red, white, and blue zone, also different for me.

I added some of my quilty creations and genuine stone bracelets so the grouping still has my vibe.

The flags dangle from a candelabra topped with baseballs instead of candles.

And look at these cuties- what a find! WWII Cockade rosettes from Japan made for sweethearts and mamas to wear in support of their loved ones.

But wait, the Japanese made patriotic pins for the USA during a war we fought with them? I’m confused.

If you have any explanations, I’d love to hear them.

Simplifying my booth redo after surgery.

antiques/junking

By Karla Nathan / March 29, 2026

It’s almost time for First Friday sales again at Good Juju.

The delightful vendors there all offered to redo my booth for me while I’m recuperating from rotator cuff surgery.

Which was quite generous. The owners and vendors have enough to do, working on their own spaces.

Ahead of the operation, I planned the space well, setting up mostly shelving displays and tagging boxes full of inventory in advance.

After my shoulder was worked on, I discovered that the pain wasn’t nearly as bad as I was warned it would be. Oh, yes, it hurt like crazy and I felt wiped out. But I could also deal with it better than expected since I’d been used to the constant ache for years.

It didn’t take long for me to be acceptably good at doing things left handed. And the booth was pretty much set up for popping new items into holes left by the previous sale.

While being careful and knowing my limitations, I figured I could manage the redo for the upcoming April sale.

For a while, I can’t drive or lift anything over 2lbs. So Rich loaded up the car then unloaded the boxes at Juju. He dropped me off with my crates of inventory placed in easy range for me to do some simple, left handed rearranging and refilling.

I will admit that the first trip was too much for me. Maybe I should’ve waited a week, not jumped in so soon. The next two visits went better, but did leave me drained.

My plan for having easy to fill in shelving sure helped. Typically, I shuffle all the pieces of furniture around for a new look each month. But that won’t happen for a while.

Not needing a major change sure made my mini redo go smoothly, even with one arm. Rich spent a few hours playing pool with his Kansas City buddies while I puttered about and emptied boxes. Then, he’d pick me up a do a couple little tasks that I couldn’t manage myself.

The arrangement worked out splendidly. I got out of the house, which I really needed. And I didn’t have to rely on other vendors too much. They are already doing a lot for me, by turning my lights off and on, helping my shoppers, and keeping the space picked up. I didn’t want to take advantage of their generosity.

There will be a few more months of this style of set up before I can go full force again. I will soon be able to drive but still won’t be able to carry my own things. I’ll be relying on Rich and the other dealers quite a bit.

I’m quite happy that I can manage as much as I have. And also very blessed that I have so much help to do the things I cannot.

I feel very blessed.

Another find from my past

antiques/junking, Uncategorized

By Karla Nathan / March 12, 2026

Once again, I came across one of my creations while shopping in Topeka. It was a different mall than I’d found the water color in. But both items were sold in KC. I found them in two different Topeka stores, so I doubt they were sold by the same dealer.

I sold the painting about 20 years ago, but this cabinet was fairly recent, from Good Juju.

These shelves were quite a bargain and I was tempted to buy them (and resell again for a higher amount!). It was a cold day, I was tired and in a hurry, so I didn’t, but it’s still on my mind to go back and see if it’s available.

Kicking off the new year with hearts and roses

antiques/junking, Good JuJu

By Karla Nathan / January 1, 2026

After and during our December sale at Good Juju I had a brief window of feeling better from my previous illness before catching another. I had two parties planned that week then needed to redo my booth. I got it about 90% done with the work, but started feeling icky, so wore a mask and kept going.

Catching this virus, as well as the one in November reminds me of why I push so hard to do my set up early and not wait til the last minute. You never know what could come up before the sale. And I feel more comfortable not having that big redo hanging over me.

I was able to finish that last 10% in time, without worries. It just isn’t in my makeup to be a procrastinator And it really isn’t from some sort of perfectionism or obsession, it’s from life lessons learned.

Stuff happens, so I manage my todo list to be prepared just in case.

After set up I was either recovering or having holiday fun, so my days started running together. When I put away all the trees from my house (it took 8 hours, I kinda took my time and made a day of it) I got out the calendar that I typically keep on the table (it had been put away due to the houseful of twinkles and baubles) and was stunned to see how close our January sale was.

There was a moment of panic, then plain ole relief. And maybe some minor back slapping, knowing I was ready for take off.

And seriously, what better way to kick off the new year than to be at one of my favorite places with all of those fun vendors and customers?

Not to mention I get to enjoy a whole new holiday. Valentines!

Yup, my booth is all hearts and flowers, which makes me happy. Because I’m a pushover for any sort of festive decor. I love a celebratory theme.

Because my much put off shoulder surgery is finally scheduled for Feb. 18th, I won’t be filling my cottage with hearts like usual. So I’m going to soak up as much of this theme as I can at Juju. I’m looking forward to our sale.

Jingle time at Juju

antiques/junking, Good JuJu, holiday decor

By Karla Nathan / December 4, 2025

November’s First Friday Weekend at Good Juju was all about the holidays.

And for me at least, so is the upcoming December sale.

Opinions among dealers vary, with some thinking November is for shopping to decorate your house and December is shopping for gifts. Which I agree is valid, the same theory holds true for selling Halloween decor in September, not October because most people have finished decorating their homes by then.

So while a lot of dealers still have their gorgeous displays for the season and the mall is festive and sparkly, they can subtly up the non Christmas goods for sale too.

I added my crazy quilt stuffies in my own spot. Plus, if you look around, you’ll notice many of my display pieces such as bowls, plates, books, etc are normal every day pieces that I use to hold my items for sale.

I include functional or household items (as well as jewelry and clothing) in the mix.

But for me, I’m probably still at 90% ho ho holidays in the back part of my area.

Part of the front of the space is all jewelry, all the time.

But for now, there is a Yule tide glow over everything. Simply because I adore every thing related to the season all so much. I love making pretties , collecting old Christmas stuff, fixing it up, treasuring it, displaying it, loving it.

Will my sales in December be as good as they were in November? Maybe not, but my set up makes me extremely happy!

Don’t get me wrong, I take my business seriously. But I also am there to enjoy the work, doing the displays, indulging myself and my joy in styling the pieces I make or find.

There is a chance that I go a bit over the top for our two day sale……. it has been mentioned to me.

And when my love of Christmas collides with my tendency to over do- I am not just in my happy place.

I’m sliding into my domain of exhilaration!

November’s Juju sale will be festive

antiques/junking, Good JuJu

By Karla Nathan / November 4, 2025

Christmas came early for me this year.

Extremely so.

I spent millions, well maybe just a few, but it felt like millions, of 6-9 hour days packing away Halloween and decking the halls with Christmas cheer before I flew off to Florida.

And I tell ya, when I got on that plane, I was ready to start my vacation.

People say to me, how nice it must be to only work two days a month. Hmm, not quite the way it goes. Our sale is two days a month, but there is a month full of behind the scenes, hunting, gathering, crafting, tagging, cleaning, and displaying that goes into the two days the shopping occurs.

And if I have plans during the month, my work schedule gets tightly condensed into a few days.

Because it’s important to me to have things ready to roll before I leave, that way I can relax and enjoy my trip.

And yup, I sure did enjoy it! I could kick back, look at the frolicking dolphins from my balcony, and know that when I got home, all I had to do was unpack my suitcase, not my booth.

That made my extra long vacation easy to just be in, live in the moment, not fret about work.

I’ll have more pics to come of the rest of my booth later. The sale will be Nov 7-8 from 9-6 each day in the Old West Bottoms of KC at Good Juju.

Holiday paintings in my booth

antiques/junking, Good JuJu, Hand painted, hand painted signs, holiday decor

By Karla Nathan / October 16, 2025

While I’ve been away from my blog, I’ve still been in the habit of snapping pics of what I’m working on. And as usual, my main focus has been my booth at Good Juju, in the Old West Bottoms of KC.

I’m over the moon excited about my November sale’s holiday theme and wanted a noticeable way to sell ornies. Especially after seeing just how many were being brought into the mall by other dealers.

Wow, Juju must have the highest concentration of Shiny Brites in the Midwest. If you’re looking to add some vintage glory to your tree, uhm, I think I know what direction to point you in.

On the rear wall of the booth, my banner is flipped over to the Christmas Cottage side. It was a quick transformation from Haunted Cottage. The pulley system for hanging it made it simple to lower, turn over and hang back up. I did it by myself in a flash.

Well, maybe not like a lightening flash of speed. The canvas is 6×8’ and sorta unwieldy. It isn’t heavy, but a little stiff and bulky.

And big.

I waited until I had all of my leftover Halloween goods packed out of the way and the center of the space was open and clear, then tussled with it a bit. But the pulley process itself was super easy.

Another painted holiday touch is a couple of reindeer I prettied up with pink, white, and glitter.

Earlier this summer, I’d found a set of deer and a sleigh at a garage sale. I sold three of the cuties with the sleigh and saved back two for my decor. I kept the ones in the worst condition and gave them a makeover. They were rather holy, I’m thinking from years of repairs, hanging, and stapling lights to them. I patched holes with calking and changed the look from traditional to cottage chic with paint.

Since the glitter was sprinkled over Elmers Glue, they aren’t exactly good for yard art now. The adhesive for the vintage millinery blooms on their sparkly heads and the old ribbon was water based too. But after 50-60 years of living out in the elements every December, I think these gals deserved a break from pulling a sleigh in bad weather. They can be house deer now.

Or booth deer, I guess. I’m rather fond of them and would not be upset to give them a holiday home in my breezeway after our last day of sales, if no one else claims them.

Hey, thanks again for still reading after the kerfuffle of blog switching. I’ll have more antique mall pics coming plus all the other stuff I’ve been making in the last few weeks. See you around?

First Friday at Good Juju for August

antiques/junking, Good JuJu

By Karla Nathan / July 28, 2025

That slappity slap sound you might be hearing from afar?

That is me clapping myself on the back for getting my booth ready for the August sale before hitting the road for our vacation.

First step was removing a lot of the colorful bits I had displayed for summer and creating a neutral scene.

Over the years, I’ve learned that people don’t visit my little corner to buy much in the way of traditional fall colors.

So with a slight nod toward Autumn, I’m mostly focusing on summer’s last bit of glory.

Most of the roses are packed away, with just a few remaining blooms.

After our Independence Day extravaganza, I only had one week to tear down, redo, and fill in, then pack and leave for the trip.

At first, I told myself that I’d only do a minor makeover. And I drove to Kansas City with that in mind.

Next thing I know, I’ve moved every single piece of furniture in the space.

You know what I honestly need? A job redoing booths for other dealers.

I’m honestly overwhelmed by all the shopping, tagging, sorting, storing of the inventory.

The best part is when I get to play with it all and set it up.

Not as much the hunting and gathering part.

Oh, and making stuff! I love that. And the guests, I really enjoy working on the floor, talking to customers about what they are buying and how they’ll use it.

Over all, the great parts outweigh the sucky parts of the job. I suppose that is typical of most lines of work.

As soon as set up is done for the current month, my mind is flying ahead to the next before we’ve even had our sale. So, yep, it’s hard for me not to totally redo even when I don’t have time, or even really need to.