antiques/junking

This is a violin I found at a garage sale a couple weeks ago, and I was drawn to the beautiful inlays on the back.

With a quick, online search, I found a translation.  But it took Sugarwings to explain to me that it meant the tree itself was silent til its wood was used to create this instrument.  That part went right over my head.

The case it came in is also lovely.  

To find out more info, I took the pretty piece into a local music store.  I knew it was not in very good condition, but could also tell it was very old and well made.  They agreed that the shape it was in was pretty bad, and said it would take thousands of  dollars to restore it.

Which wasn’t in my game plan at all.  I’m not a musician, I bought it for its delightful looks. And the appraiser agreed it was worth a few hundred as is, just for its antiquity and style.

He said it was made in the late 1800s in Germany by Neuner & Hornsteiner.  If in playing condition, it would be a $10,000 violin.

I gather things for their beauty, not their worth, and have been lucky to be given a couple of old violins to Foof up with Guncle Randy. And now, here I find one so gorgeous, it needs nothing but admiration as is.

As a spectacular bonus, I found out that the music store often has old, trashed violins they want to get rid of!  I might have a source for more that I can decorate! I am thrilled, because they make such an inviting basis for reinvention.

At present, I have one beat up, cracked fiddle to remake.  I’d love to have a few more to do a holiday display with at Juju, along with white trees and angels.  I cannot part with the two I already redid, so I need to have a few more to create with to complete the display.  I will be bringing the fabulously vintage one in then also, as the star of the show.

 It’s much too nice for me to keep, it should go to a true music lover.

A friend at Good Juju bought this LED lit shelf on Amazon and I loved it so much, I asked it I could be a copy cat and get one for myself.

Lighting on jewelry means all the difference, I have clip lights, lamps, and cords all over the place.  A set of shelves that has built in, direct lighting shining right onto my goods, WITH ONLY ONE CORD?

Yes, I want one!

After dithering over the cost (not that much) for a few days, I finally went for it.  It arrived in two days, went together very quickly, and the lights were magnificent.

But it looked very mod, and slippery.  Like all my jewelry might just slide right off the back of this sleek shelves.

So, I painted the black, metal bars white.  Then, to create a barrier for keeping the jewelry where it belonged, I made backs from the styrofoam packaging panels wrapped in ledger paper.  

The styrofoam is wired to the bars, which I quickly discovered wasn’t the best choice, foam rips easily.  As does paper.

A friend suggested Velcro.  And that is probably something I will redo it with later.  But for now, this is working okay.

My necklace display (on top) is too tall to fit, so my plan is to modify that then place it under the lights.

  I’ll gleefully show you the finished piece, loaded with glittery jewels, sparkling under the shining lights once it’s all set up.  (Can you tell how excited i am?  I love this thing!)

First, I’ll need to make some jewelry to fill it up.  Which I am very much looking forward to, as soon as we get back from our trip.  My husband’s brother is ill, so we are headed to see his family, and Weill meet up with some other Nathans while in that part of the country.

This was my previous jewelry shelf, which I’d been very happy with.  It’s still being used at Juju and is an excellent display piece, due to the lack of sides.  I can put cords through the open areas to plug in lights.  For now, it sits in a spot where outlets aren’t available but I’ve got big plans for using it lit up next month.  My booth flip was a bit quick this month, due to all the traveling I have been and will be doing. 

Not being around also means I’ve not been shopping much for the booth, so I’ve had to delve into my cabinets around the house and studio to see what I can bring in.  

Well, garage sale season is starting here in KS.  I’ll be missing two weekends of rummaging because of this trip, and a third  for our first Friday sale at Juju.  I’m looking forward to getting back to normal, being home and stocking up inventory, as well as time to be creative.

I have shelves to fill! 

Pendleton, IN has changed since I grew up there in the 60’s and 70’s when it was a simple, but ordinary little town.   It’s always been friendly and quaint, but has grown into a place that should be a destination for someone who enjoys unique shops and specialty dining.

And this shop?

OMG!

It certainly deserves a road trip to go see.

There is a cozy, overflowing room full of vintage pretties and handmade goods, with a sunny greenhouse/garden space attached.

Shelli lives in Pendleton, but had never been inside, but Sissy is a regular.  She took us to this darling, old, cottage tucked away from downtown across from the park.  When I stepped in the door, I felt like I was in some upscale shop in a tourist area.

Not in the sleepy, little town that I’ve known all my life.

While it might have felt like I was in some nationally known California shop, it still had those good ol midwestern prices.

The displays were delightful and the arty stuff was all things I wished I’d made myself.  Right up my alley.

If you are ever in central Indiana, driving along I69, you should stop in.

And please tell them that Sharon’s sister says hi.