antiques/junking – Page 4 – Karla's Cottage

Rescheduled free time

By Karla Nathan / April 24, 2024

We’ve had a pleasant month, even with all of the ups and downs, changes, and the flurry of selling the boat. I was supposed to drive to Indy to watch the full eclipse but was too exhausted from all of my previous travel and from getting caught up with my booth.

And I was supposed to go to Florida to meet up with lifetime friends, but due to some serious health issues in their families, the travel plans were tenuous and I cancelled a few days in advance to get my flight refund. (Their loved ones are doing better, by the way!)

So my hectic month of travel turned into sitting by the dragon table’s fire pit and roasting marshmallows a few nights with friends or with Sugarwings and having days suddenly without plans that I could now fill however I liked.

Rich tracked down some morels out in the woods and we fried up those on our evenings spent enjoying wine with buddies on the patio.

Rich also brought back ticks on those mushroom hunts. This poor girl had HUNDREDS on her. Seriously so, so many. We discovered them while out on the boat relaxing. That trip soon turned into Sugarwings and I tossing ticks overboard after plucking them from these black curls.

While I was sad to miss out on my trip to visit my family and watch the moon cover the sun, my car was glad for the break. Its odometer was piling up miles quickly over this last winter. And look, it hit a lucky run of all fives!

I have taken some of my bonus time, when I should’ve been gone, to make jewelry. I’d gotten some gorgeous stone pendants at the gem show and have enjoyed adding them to strands of beads I’ve strung.

I made a few more book page drawings, then came up with an idea to display them on this dilapidated, wicker chair. It seemed to be beyond saving, and had even been partially run over by a truck. I wrapped it in some vines, then added a mossy seat cover (spending more on supplies than the chair is worth, of course, but hey, that’s just how projects go sometimes). Now, it has a new purpose as an easel.

After being out of town so much, I appreciated some unplanned downtime to putter around, go to garage sales, float on the lake, do some crafting, catch up with friends. But I’d give up every moment of my lazy days if it meant I could spend more time by Bobbie’s side. Those months of her illness were so sad, but it was also such a treasure to have those days by her side.

I'd hop in the car, pile some more miles on that odometer, and visit her in a hot minute if I had that option.

Trying to appreciate what I can do, not feel bad about what I can’t

antiques/junking, Good JuJu, paintings

By Karla Nathan / April 5, 2024

Between being away so much, then coming home with a cold this time, I wonder how I even still have a booth filled with stuff.

Lots of stuff.

I even made new fairy dolls to bring in.

As well as jewelry. These bracelets are vintage charms I added to the chains. I made a couple of charm necklaces too.

A couple dozen new paintings on old text.
A bunch of old books, and cute creations.

With a rusty truck.

The upper shelf sometimes gets neglected, but this month, I took every single item down and started over with new merch.

Speaking of new merchandise, I’m trying something different. Here is a tray full of stone and silver rings. I hope my guests enjoy oohing and awing through them as much as I did when I picked them out.

The schroomies are restocked.

Mostly just in neutrals. I don’t know why I have so few spring toned ones.

Actually, the whole, overall feel isn’t quite as springy as I’d like. Although there are plenty of tokens of the season.

There is also a lot of neutral areas. More August than April.

While I am thrilled to have filled the space, and to have so many new items to fill it with, I am at the same time disappointed in the overall look of it.

Notice that I’m mostly showing you close up vignettes?

Because to get everything in there and ready before I went to Georgia and Florida, I had to cram the furniture into place and say “good enough” instead of taking my time and planning it out better.

Kind of a “make it work” situation instead of a creative process. I seriously need time to empty the whole spot and rethink it, like I did on the upper shelf. A clean start.

I don’t know if my customers would notice, or if it’s just me. Or maybe it’s just my mood? But I’d love to have a couple of days to switch it up completely, not just rearrange and add to what’s there.

Maybe May?
In the meantime, I’ll try to just feel proud of myself for pulling it together at all and getting new creations tucked inside. It’s been a rough, sad few months lately. I still cannot believe my beloved sister is gone. And so quickly from diagnosis to death.

Yep, I’ll go easy on myself as much as I can and just be glad I have any display at all.

Mini redos and pussy willows

antiques/junking, flowers

By Karla Nathan / March 25, 2024

Is this just weird, or is it cool? I had a pair of old skates, and I liked them as is, but thought they might be even more interesting separated and used as an art piece.

The left has been stuffed with tissue, then the old paper and a photo of old timey skaters were glued to the tissue, not to the skates themselves. The millinery bloom is simply wired to the shoestrings that way, it can all be removed if this skate needs to be reunited with its mate. The right is waiting empty to see if it should be foofed up or left as is.

Here is another mini redo. It’s a styrofoam head that I painted to look like cement. The trick is to throw some grout into the paint.

While I had the mixture stirred up, I repaired this statue. (The tall one) it had a crack, so I filled that with silicone, then repainted with my grouty mix.

Currently, we are visiting an ill family member in Georgia, having a mini reunion, then heading to Florida for more family fun.

Between this trip and my stays in Indiana, I haven’t gotten a lot of crafting accomplished. I managed to flip my booth to be set up and ready for Good Juju First Fridays, spring clean my house, then pack for our latest adventure.

Of course I packed art supplies! While it was Rich’s turn to drive, I did some sketching, hoping to have time to add color to these drawings later. For spring, I’m putting most of my sweet birdies onto pussy willow branches.

Since I was a kid, I’ve those bushes. We had one in our yard back then, and I used to name the tiny puffs, and sit under the shrub to talk to and pet them.

Yes, I was a weird child, and desperate for a pet to call my own,. With the raging asthma I had back then, pussy willows and stuffed animals were as close as I got to having one.

Over the years, I’ve planted a few of these fluffy bushes at different homes we owned, then sold. At our current cottage (32 years) I do not have one and honestly do not know why not. As soon as I get home, one will be going into the ground. Heck, while I’m at it, I should plant a bunch of them.

That is, unless I hop right back into the car and go to Indy to watch the eclipse!

A modern shelf gets a vintagey redo

antiques/junking

By Karla Nathan / March 20, 2024

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!

Looking forward to a happy crowd during First Friday Weekend at Good Juju

antiques/junking, paintings

By Karla Nathan / February 28, 2024

I’m rather shocked that I have anything to show you for First Fridays.

But here it is, I’m ready for the sale.

I’d driven home with Rich when he came to say good bye to Bobbie, and spent a couple days turning my Valentine display into a springtime set up. Then flew back to Indy to be with Bobbie.

In that short time, I flipped my space and brought in new goods. Complete with a whole wall of Easter goodies.

It’s not nearly as full as I typically do, but it is set up and ready for visitors and I am happy to see it that way.

And so very glad that I do not have to tackle this now, at the last minute.

It’s a relief to have the hard part behind me so I can simply look forward to all of the nice people who will be coming in to shop.

And of course the fun fellow vendors I work with.

Hanging with my buds and chatting with shoppers will be good for my soul.

The atmosphere at Juju is always cheerful.

And I could use some of that.

It will be good for me.

If you are coming by, please visit me to say hi. I will be happy to see some friendly faces.

February’s First Friday at Good Juju

antiques/junking, family

By Karla Nathan / February 1, 2024

It’s First Friday weekend at Good Juju.

The very next day after the January sale, I scurried back in to bring in new goods and do a make over for February.

The next day, we rushed to flee the Midwest with our camper before the horrendous cold and snow descended all the way across the country and we would be trapped.

Our timing was only slightly flawed, we drove in snow for about eight hours- but we did make it south and on our way to Florida.

Of course, I made time to pack craft supplies for the trip!

I had a day of making bunnies and mice with Guncle Randy, and took advantage of a wet, chilly day at the KOA to make some schroomies.

So, when we returned from not so sunny, but slightly warmer, Florida, I brought my newest creations into my booth and rearranged a tad bit more.

Originally, I had planned to leave again in a week to go to Indiana.

But my sister, Bobbie, was not doing well, and we three sisters like to stick together.

So I took a couple days to unpack, clean up from the burst frozen pipes, redo a little in the mall, then hit the road again.

My pals and booth neighbors, Angie and Beth are covering for me while I am away.

If you could, please send loving and healing thoughts to my dear sister.

She is the bravest person I have ever known. If I was feeling as bad as she was, I’d be all complaints and worries. Not her.

I have always admired and looked up to her. She is witty and fun, with an air of calm and kindness about her.

Seeing her steadfast ability to keep those traits through a very debilitating cancer makes me appreciate her even more.

I am very lucky to be able to pack up and drive back to Indy again to be with her.

I hope to get back after this sale for another redo. I kinda have to, those snowflakes and valentines need to be switched out from some springtime flowers.

My husband might drive out for a family visit, and I’d ride home with him and fly back to spend more time with Bobbie.

Because I want as much time with her as I can.

A little late, but here are some photos

antiques/junking, Good JuJu

By Karla Nathan / January 10, 2024

With everything going on over Christmas, I got a bit behind and didn’t get all the January First Friday pictures posted.

Better late than never I guess.

Especially since it’s a lot of work to set up!

Although to be honest, it wasn’t my favorite set up.

Besides switching out the few remaining Christmas bits for new Valentines, and moving a handful of furniture, I didn’t do much.

There just wasn’t enough time, but hey, it still was a whole new look for the weekend.

I’m afraid next month’s redo will have to be even quicker, I have a teensy window of time (ONE DAY!) to make it over before heading to Florida.

P,ease wish me luck, I’ll need it.

Nellie Faye’s in Pendleton

antiques/junking

By Karla Nathan / December 2, 2023

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.

Nutcracker Ballet Creations

antiques/junking, fairies, Good JuJu, holiday decor

By Karla Nathan / November 4, 2023

Over the years, I’ve collected ballet slippers, and this overflowing box of daintiness inspired a theme for one corner of my booth.

So I kept my eyes open to other items to fit in with a Nutcracker Ballet design.

I was thrilled to come across this toy solider outfit!

Then came across wooden nutcracker cut outs, perfect to embellish with vintage, sparkly bits, paint, and even white mink.

My grand fairies have out grown (in size and desire) all of their little pink tutus and dance costumes, so I felt like this display was a fitting farewell to the items.

One garage sale I visited this summer had these ballerina prints. I added paint, glitter, and gemstones to them for a new life.

I made sweet, candy colored trees and sugarplum fairies, gathered up crowns and crafted some of my own crowns too.

My booth is SMALL. So the ballet goodies are all cozied up in a cabinet together with a little table in front. Sugary sweetness is pouring out of every inch.

To pull it together, I copied sheet music from the show to use as back drops.

There are hand painted and embellished little nutcrackers too, but I don’t think I got photos. Here are some ornaments I made with character images, glitter, and vintage paper.

This was such a fun idea to take and run with for the holiday. I’ll let you know how it goes over at our First Friday weekend (which is still going on today). And I’ll leave you with a few more pics.

Loving Cup makeover

antiques/junking, how-to projects

By Karla Nathan / October 17, 2023

This summer, I picked up a few trophies at garage sales, then took them apart, salvaging the cups and some marble bases.

Most were dated 20-30 years ago, but I wanted them to look old, and metallic. First step was dark brown chalk paint.

Next I used a flat pewter and shades of metallic paints, including bronze and silver. I applied those in a messy, stippling fashion leaving some of the under color showing through.

They each got simple, rusty embellishments.

The plan was to fill them with trees. But when I did that with the large cups, they didn't look right. The bottle brush trees were too small, the paper ones too streamlined. They looked kind of like bullets.
So I’ve displayed the big cups without trees. I kept one for myself, and brought the rest into Juju for the November sale.

The smaller ones were ideal for my bottle brush trees. And one tall, skinny trophy got covered in old paper on some of it, then I removed the topper and replaced it with a tree. I really like that one.

Actually, I love them all. This was a project that I was very into. I guess you could say, I am loving these cups.