antiques/junking

Mini redos and pussy willows

antiques/junking, flowers

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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!

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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.  
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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. Enlight1631

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

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

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

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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.

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

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

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 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.

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And of course the fun fellow vendors I work with.

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

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The atmosphere at Juju is always cheerful.

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And I could use some of that.

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It will be good for me.

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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

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It’s First Friday weekend at Good Juju.

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

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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

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

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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.

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

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

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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.

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

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

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

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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.

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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.

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

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A little late, but here are some photos

antiques/junking, Good JuJu

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

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Better late than never I guess.

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

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

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

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

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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.

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P,ease wish me luck, I’ll need it.

Nellie Faye’s in Pendleton

antiques/junking

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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.
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And this shop?

OMG!

It certainly deserves a road trip to go see.

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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.

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

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

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

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

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Nutcracker Ballet Creations

antiques/junking, fairies, Good JuJu, holiday decor

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

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

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I was thrilled to come across this toy solider outfit!

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Loving Cup makeover

antiques/junking, how-to projects

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

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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.

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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.Enlight1337 
So I’ve displayed the big cups without trees.  I kept one for myself, and brought the rest into Juju for the November sale.

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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. 

 

 

 

Pony Creek Market

antiques/junking, friends

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One of my friends hosted an antique market, and boy, did she do a good job!

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She had invited me to participate and at first I said yes.  Then I realized that with Rich’s variable schedule with his consulting type thing he is doing, his truck might not be around when time came to haul stuff.  So I had to say no, after all.

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It is lucky that I did, because yep, he is working in Nebraska part time.  And the show was an hour away, that’s a lot of trips hauling my junk in a RAV4.  
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I’d have loved to have been a part of it with my buddy, Angie who had a space there. She said it was a good show to set up at.  I could tell, the parking lot had plenty of cars, there were happy people milling about with shopping bags, food trucks with lines, and vendors everywhere.  All in a beautiful, country setting.

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Beth and I shared a ride to go visit and had a delightful day.

Good Juju October Preview and and acting like a grownup

antiques/junking, collections, Good JuJu, holiday decor

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Isn’t this dress to die for? (Ha, see what I did there, a Halloween turn of phrase).

I wish I’d gotten a close up of the lace.  It is hauntingly gorgeous, but also delicate.  This gown is a display only piece, it would be in shreds if even tried on.  
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Which is exactly what happened to this satin dress.  And it was actually in good shape, but someone in my booth was twisting herself into it over some bulky clothes without trying to be careful.  It was torn up under the arms.  Well durn.

This probably would’ve made a lovely witchy dress for the right person at Halloween.  Now it is also a “display only” a little before it’s time.  Oh well.  Vintage dresses are always just one tug over the head away from doom.

Plus, there is always breakage in retail.  And now it is marked down to reflect its new status.  Hopefully someone besides me will appreciate both black beauties for their qualities as is.

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For September’s sale, my spot was over the top, nonstop, Spooky Season.  I planned on two months of Halloween/fall goods, and that seems to have worked out well.  
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About half of my inventory that sold was the scary stuff.  Since I was in the middle of a remodel in my studio at home, I thought I’d simply plop some fall merchandise in to fill holes and not do a flip like I try to make happen each month.

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Because my talented boy got my floor redone in record time, I was able to replace everything in the studio much quicker than I could’ve dreamed of.  So that gave me time to give my booth a shake up after all, instead of the refill I’d thought I’d be doing.

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And since I am insane     I enjoy the redos, packing everything in tubs, setting it aside, moving furniture, puzzle piecing it back together, adding in more.  As soon as I am done, I get impatient for this month’s sale to be over so I can move onto my next planned design.

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I was able to do half of the booth black with elements of October and the other side of my space in Autumn.

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There was even enough time to add a delicious, fruity, fall, vintage wallpaper.

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Then to fill that wall with what seems like a few hundred thousand knicky-knacky things.  I might have done too much here…

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This cabinet is stuffed with a Thanksgiving theme (I did it again, get it? Stuffing!)

I have jewelry at the front on my space.  I didn’t get a photo of that.

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And owls! More owls.  I’d been collecting them all year just for this season.  I know owls are popular and sell all year long, but for me, they seemed fitting for this time of year. Plus, I like saving up until I have a collection to display, groupings look good.

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I was in the process of redoing this door on the end of the wall when my new neighbor came in and asked whose space it was meant to be.  Well, since it had been there the whole time I was renting this spot, I figured it was mine.

It jutted out 10” or so onto her side, and she had hung items on that slice of the back of it, and my things were on the front.  It was on a walkway between our two spots.  I always used the tiny hallway to hang miscellaneous bits and pieces that didn’t match the themes I had going on, which was handy for me because they were often items that would’ve stood out too much if displayed with my other things.  It had been a place for my hodgepodge stuff.

One of the owners was in, and told me that I should move it fully into my area to make it fair, and of course, she was right.

But it would’ve impeded walk space a smidge and that required moving furniture a couples inches and since I was set up, that was a step too much at the point, so I took it down.  I have a more narrow shutter to bring in later, a better fit, half the size of the door.  That door had been added by the previous occupant, and actually wasn’t my space after all, I just thought it was.  

Apparently it was never mine to use, I just assumed it was.  Although, after adding the shutter, I’ll still have half of it. And it will be legit this time.

 A month ago, the front border of my booth was moved back 18” on one side and if you see how tightly I pack every inch, you know how much that hurt too.  I’d always been extremely careful to never, ever go one tiny smidge over the marked line that I had been told was my border when I started. There had been tape on the floor which left a ghostly mark, so I could check myself.  I was a bit shocked to find that the whole time, the taped off line had not been as straight as it should’ve been and when measured, it was incorrect.

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I am trying to be a big girl (at 65 this shouldn’t be an issue) and telling myself, “Wow, wasn’t I lucky to have some bonus space for over a year?”  But my inner, whiny little bitch says,  “MINE!”

Working on acting like a grownup at any age isn’t easy, even after all of these years of making the effort. (Atthough, I almost wonder, is it even harder as a senior?)

I need to let go that I’ve lost some of my beloved space and act my age, making the 8-1/2’ I have look as good as I can, not complain about what I don’t have.  I took myself for a walk around the block, calmly removed the door, vented to my bestie who always listens and gives a good prospective, then went on with my day.

Oh, but then I vented to you too.  I guess I’m still a little whiny.  I’ll get over it and hush up about it.  

Nobody wants to hear an old lady sounding like a spoiled child.

 

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