antiques/junking

A Day at Good Juju was Good for my Soul

By Karla Nathan / November 19, 2021

My friends have spaces at Good Juju, in the Old West Bottoms, and some times I get very jealous.

The years that I spent immersed in the junking world and selling painted furniture represent some of my favorite times.

The estate sales!

Auctions!

Getting up early every weekend so I never missed a garage sale, and filling my van so full that I had to make a pit stop to unload in my garage and go back for more!

I loved the redos, the styling and arranging, the treasure hunts, even the sanding!

I loved every second of it all!

It has been ages since I moved onto selling smaller items online, or having a Birdsong shopping experience set up in my garage instead of renting booth space . And honestly, I love doing those too.
But I haven’t had workshops or even managed my online Boutique since 2019. So, when Beth and Angie invite me to hang out on Good Juju work days, I am happy to go in and soak up the atmosphere.

They know I miss the junker’s life and always encourage me to join in.

Beth even gives me a few areas in her booth that I can arrange however I like.

It’s always a wonderful day, with a picnic, lots of interesting things to unpack and set up, and laughs with friends.

Plus, I get to wander around the empty mall and explore some of the other luscious displays.

It’s even better at the holidays and puts me in a festive mood.

Why don’t I get a booth? Or update my shop? Or host another Birdsong?

I’m just kinda- eh, right now, I guess.

Between my husband retiring, losing my son, a knee surgery that was more stressful than expected and well, COVID, and quarentine, family issues, and travels, I just haven’t built up enough gumption to get back into working again.

I would not say I am depressed, though of course I will be forever sad about Ryan.

I can’t imagine not falling apart inside when something strikes out of the blue to bring on that “oh my god, he is gone” feeling as if it is all just now happening. The pain that sometimes dims but at others returns and with a vengeance.

But I also don’t have an ongoing, overall depression. I’m just sad and mourning.

I miss him.

So, I accept every invitation from friends, and invite people to get togethers myself. I paint, I embroider, I do things for myself, for others, and for my home. I write in my journal (blog) and putz around the studio, I bake, spend time with Sugarwings, walk with my husband and dogs, and travel.

I’m just not ready to go back to work yet. Even if I miss the hustley, bustley fun and the treasures.

A day helping at Good Juju makes me feel like I am still part of that world, and not getting too rusty with my junker skills. Will I go back to buying, collecting, selling, and then buying, buying, buying, and collecting with a bit more selling, again?

I’d like to think so.

In the meantime, I am lucky to have friends that include me. And that I can take my time until I am ready to face working again. I am still stockpiling goods for my Boutique, and will eventually have a clearance sale there to clean up before restocking. I have kept it open and and also lucky that I sell enough past online tutorials to pay all of my blog and website fees, so that I don’t feel pressure to shut them down.

And if a good day of good junkin is just what you need too? There is a bonus day for Good Juju to be open for the holidays, this Saturday. I highly recommend a shopping trip there (and to the other cool shops in the area on first Fridays each month).

Another thing from the flea market dollar table and a $16 mini redo

antiques/junking, cottage

By Karla Nathan / October 6, 2021

Surprisingly, this oval, floral print was only $1. The frame was beat up, but a coat of paint made it look charmingly beat up instead of just messy.

Sissy had given me her Waverly curtains, and I’d made pillows for the sofa with some, but decided to use those in the breezeway instead and cut up another panel to make curtains in there too.

The oil painting of the girl was a gift from the Guncles, it is vintage and came with a grand frame that I’ll be repurposing.

Aren’t the curtains cozy for fall? Previously, there had been white sheers. These floral ones make the room seem more finished.

The large oval picture is a gift from Sissy too. It had a gold frame, which I changed to white with an umber glaze to fit in more with my stuff. And I am liking the way the new rounded pictures go well with the two smaller ones I already had.

All of the new-to-me pretties in the space made me want to do some fall updates on the exterior too, so I added warmer, autumn tones to my door wreath with about $15 worth of blooms from Michaels.

This wreath gets random, seasonal makeovers by simply switching out flowers. I don’t attach the stems, they are simply poked into the grapevine and stay pretty good. The wreath is in a slightly protected area, and isn’t fully exposed to wind, but some flowers blow a bit loose here and there. No problem, I just tuck them back in again.

My Sissy also gave me this print (the three sisters). I always admired it at her house. She is building a new home and making some changes, and I was lucky to be visiting during the early part of the process and could bring the items home with me.

Very lucky, because I love her style and she has been a major influence on me developing my own sense of design.

You can tell just how pretty the fabric is in this close up. I had enough panels to make curtains around the grand fairies’ bunk beds in the camper too. I am in the middle of a redo of it, and will have more pics when I am done.

From the Flea Market Dollar Table

antiques/junking, jewelry

By Karla Nathan / October 5, 2021

Yep, a dollar.

The $1 tables at Sparks Flea Market are where I make a bee line to the moment I park my car. But this year, I did even better than normal.

When I bought this blackened, dirty bracelet, it was with plans to chop it up and use pieces in projects. But after cleaning it, I discovered it was sterling and Topaz!

Here are more dollar items from the day. Including the painted porcelain heart that was marked $20. I pointed that out to the booth owner, and he said he meant for it to be in the dollar box.

Same with this pretty pitcher. It was marked ten. But he said, nope, it was correctly placed on the $1 shelf.

These curtains were more, and while most of the panels had a lot of tattered areas, two were in good shape, so certainly worth the $50 I paid for the stack of 6. (You can’t even get two panels at Target for that price)

These lovelies were not from the bargain table, but weren’t much more.

We didn’t make it to the second half of the semi annual flea mkt duo, White Cloud. I was pretty satisfied with what I’d found in Sparks, so didn’t really care.
A few sparkly baubles and some rose patterned beauties and I was blissed out.

A loopy and winding road trip

antiques/junking, family, Travel

By Karla Nathan / September 26, 2021

My trip to Indiana had many different loops woven into it, a craft day with buddies and a junkin trip across country, an afternoon at a rock and mineral show, sister sleepovers, family time, a night at a state park lodge, then a meet up with VERY old friends- my 45th high school reunion, ending with a day of sightseeing in downtown Indy.

Whew. That is a lot in 7 days including the 8-1/2 hour drive each way.

A bit like this cool spiral in Sissy’s yard!

On the way to Brown Co. park, we had some junking time and stopped at a mega antique mall.

It had some oddities…

But it also had decently priced millinery. Not so cheap that I bought it all, just reasonable enough to make me pick out a few faves.

I also snapped up a $10 rosey vase/pot, a $16 rosey tablecloth, and a vintage Hawaiian shirt to wear to the Hawaii themed reunion I was attending.

We had perfect weather everywhere we went, and so many laughs, I needed to start using my asthma inhaler again.

The state park had a contest to visit each scenic overlook and take a photo to win a sticker. I agreed to do it with trepidation, thinking it was going to be miles of walking.

Turns out, you drive to the sites (sights?) so my sissies came too. And everyone agreed to model some of my pretty purchases.

My nieces and I took off on a hiking adventure after our scenic quest to win stickers.

That was pretty dang scenic too.

The lodge has been newly redecorated, there is an indoor water park and a country style restaurant too. We were the only ones using the water slide and lazy river. Which is good because I screamed like a banshee all the way down the curly slide and the lazy river wasn’t so lazy. It was a crazy river, and we knocked into each other as we bopped along like we were bumper boats at a carnival.

And yes, it was so much fun, the inhaler had to be used.

My hometown is a charmer. A one block, yet vibrant downtown and an adorable park that I have always loved.

Since I moved away, lots of trails have been added, you can walk for miles out there.

This is from behind the lighthouse. Don’t ask me why a small pond in central Indiana even has a lighthouse, but there it is, glorious as it was 60 years ago.

And I wonder if these ducks are from the same lineage of the ones I used to take my kiddos to go feed?

The trip went much too quickly. But was as full as my heart was.

A Lovely Day with Friends

antiques/junking, celebrations, friends

By Karla Nathan / September 20, 2021

Last week, I drove to Indiana for my 45th reunion and some sister time. On the way, I stopped for a birthday party craft day for a dear friend.

Not only was it a fun day with buddies, great food (and pink cake!), plus making a sweet project, it was also a pleasant way to break up the trip.

The drive is about nine hours with stops, but I split it into two days starting with this gala get together.

Crafting pretty pumpkins, laughing with gal pals, and having a fancy luncheon was a perfect start for my day of travel. I drove to two of my favorite antique malls after saying goodbye to friends, then a few hours further til it was time to take myself out for a crunchy, fried chicken dinner and grab some sleep at a Holiday Inn Express.

Too bad all days on the road aren’t that much fun.

These are the little gifts I wrapped up for the party goers.

Thanks again for the festive start to my vacation, Birthday Girl!

And thanks for sharing your big day with us.

Mini road trip with junkin

antiques/junking

By Karla Nathan / May 7, 2021

After returning from two days of junking with Angie and Beth, you’d think I’d be satisfied, huh?

No way! After all of those months of isolation, I was starved for some good shopping. The trip with friends merely whet my whistle.

With puppies due any day, I figured I’d better make hay while the sun shined, or at least get out of the house while I still had some freedom.

So, I road tripped myself up to the Sparks Flea Market to enjoy the beautiful day and have a funnel cake for lunch.

And to see what there was to see.

I wasn’t the only one, the place was packed and everyone seemed to be shopping like they hadn’t had a chance to get out in a year.

Oh right, we hadn’t!

I mostly hit the dollar tables.

If you went and didn’t see any old rhinestones or hats, you can probably blame me.

I was VERY lucky in my hunt for tattered blooms.

And other little tidbits. These were also on the dollar table.

These sparkly bits were each $1, so was the pretty plate with a faded rose on it.

This was $2, but was worth the splurge, I’ll enjoy fooling it up.

I whispered up a total of 15 hats, some on the dollar table (and yes, I squealed) all under $5.

It is possible that I am now satisfied.

Tell Sugar that Ill be out playing in the studio with my new beauties and to come and get me there when she is ready to have those puppies.

Road Trippin’ with Junkin’ and Craftin’

antiques/junking, friends, sewing?, Travel

By Karla Nathan / May 4, 2021

My friend, Angie, invited Beth and I to visit the old farmhouse her grandma lived in.

She and her mom have been restoring it for years.

It’s a great mix of original pieces and beloved collections. (Angie had the very old, still functioning fridge stocked with deliciousness for us)

The drive south was as much fun as the staycation itself. We hit every thrift store between Lawrence and Chanute.

And got photos of the most unique offerings.

While making some friends along the way.

And eating some of the freshest home cooking you could ever be lucky enough to find at a roadside cafe.

At one stop, there were baskets of $1 packets of old lace. I bought more than my fair share, but couldn’t stop thinking about them so stopped on the way home to buy more.

Beth happened to bring craft supplies too, and shared her 1800s era quilt pieces for us to embellish with some things we found along the way.

Impromptu creations made with just what you have with you can be an inspiring challenge. We all managed to get a few pretties done.

But mostly we just laughed. And then laughed some more. Then we ate and drank wine and did more laughing.

It was perfect!

Beauty in Blue

antiques/junking, bird song art event, vintage paper/collage art, We're having a party, Workshops

By Karla Nathan / November 1, 2019

It is exciting to announce that I will be teaching at Karen Hillman’s Beauty in Blue event at Stacy Seely’s ranch in Texas!

Crafting these birdcage angels for the holiday themed Snowbird’s Song has been so much fun, that I thought I’d use the idea to make a springtime, fairy version in shades of blue for Karen’s gathering.

She is now “Blue Bonnet Belle”.

A few years ago, my Sissy, Randy, and I were lucky enough to be invited to an event at Stacy’s with Karen. Oh my, what a lovely spot! And amazing food! It is a big slumber party, with gourmet food and lots of special attention, plus shopping at the Canton Flea AND crafting?

Yee haw, what a shindig! (Hopefully that sounded Texan?)

If you would like to join us in April, here is Karen’s info about the party. See you there?

ABOUT THIS all inclusive Art Retreat gathering FOR creative women

Karen Hillman of Cozy Castle Events invites you to join her, deep in the heart of Texas for this all-inclusive, creative, and inspiring weekend. This will be the third “Beauty in Blue” retreat presented by Karen at Whitworth Ranch Retreat. It is a celebration of Spring themed in shades of blue, inspired by the Texas state flower, the Bluebonnet. Karen strives to make each class or event a beautiful, detailed, and unforgettable experience.

Our home for the weekend is The Whitworth Ranch Retreat, a full service shabby chic art retreat located about 45 minutes outside of Dallas. (book your air travel into Dallas Fort Worth Airport). Stacy Seely is our chef and hostess at this wonderful retreat, which is a working Texas cattle ranch! Visit Whitworth Ranch Retreat to learn more about this exclusive retreat.

This event includes your accommodations, ten meals, three gorgeous art projects, Champagne party and personal portrait in the bluebonnets, Canton Flea market and Mineola shopping adventures, and more.

This is a weekend escape for creative-minded women who enjoy and thrive being in a group setting. The only rules are to leave the real world behind you and relax, escape, and create in this positive and upbeat atmosphere. The meals have been chosen according to the theme of this weekend, and we will have salad options available, but food selections have been pre planned therefore we can not accommodate dietary restrictions.

Registration Information

This is an all-inclusive event, and the cost covers your accommodations, meals, and instructed art projects.

The total cost is $775; at least half must be paid to reserve your spot with the remaining balance due by March 1st, 2020. PLEASE NOTE: A deposit secures your spot for this event and is NON-REFUNDABLE. Should you need to cancel, an effort will be made to find a replacement to fill your spot, but we cannot guarantee this. Once you are registered, you will receive paperwork to complete and return to Karen by email.

Click here to register on-line!

If you wish to pay by check, make checks payable to Karen Hillman Designs and mail to:
233 West Rich Avenue
DeLand, FL 32720

Beauty In Blue Art Retreat
Scurry, Texas (near Dallas)
April 1-5th 2020
$775—all Inclusive!

Look what we’ve got planned! Attendees will
receive a detailed itinerary and supply list
once registered.

Wednesday, April 1st Arrival 4 PM
6:30 Dinner
7:30 Hand Coloring Portrait Demonstration
with Karen Hillman

Thursday, April 2nd
Continental Breakfast
Canton Flea Market Shopping Adventure
Dinner
Chambray Shirt Design Class with Karen Hillman

Friday, April 3rd
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at the retreat
Happy Hour Champagne Party in the
bluebonnet field and portraits
with Jennifer Hayslip
Completion of Chambray Shirt
“All that Glitters” embellished picture frame
with Karen Hillman

Saturday, April 4th
Breakfast
Town of Minneola shopping day
Lunch at Southern Fried Restaurant
Dinner
“Blue Bonnet Belle “Class with Karla Nathan

Sunday, April 5th
Farewell Breakfast

Three published artists will lead you in creating special keepsake projects

Karen Paige Hillman will give a demonstration of the timeless art of hand-colored black and white portraits. Also, bring along a blue chambray shirt, and Karen will help you design and embellish it into a whole new creation using lace, trims, and unique textiles. Each attendee will also create an “All That Glitters” 5×7 picture frame using rhinestone findings, vintage bling, and Swarovski crystals. Learn more about Karen’s art, classes, and events on her website, thecozycastle.com

Published photographer and artist Jennifer Hayslip will work her portrait magic among the Texas Bluebonnets! Bring along a special outfit for your personal photo. Check out Jennifer’s fanciful website, jenniferhayslip.com

And the amazing Karla Nathan of Karla’s Cottage will help you bring to life your own beautiful Bluebonnet Belle in shades of blue and white! View Karla’s incredible studio and art on her website, karlascottage.typepad.com

Living like a Queen at the Cozy Castle, plus Kit and Class info

antiques/junking, bird song art event, celebrations, Food and Drink, friends, Travel, Workshops

By Karla Nathan / March 11, 2019

This is my buddy from my weekend at the Cozy Castle.

Queen Satine, is as gentle and sweet as she is glamorous.

I felt as queenly as Satine looks the whole time I was with Karen.

From the very first night, walking up to her welcoming home, I was wrapped up in comfort, caring, and luxury.

It was heavenly!!!!!

These wings are painted on an alley wall in Deland, FL. Karen took me out for a night of exploration of the cute downtown and we stopped to check out the artwork.

The workshops that I taught were hosted at her event space nearby, and she has it every bit as pretty as her home.

We had a group of fun ladies there to make angel wings and a memory book with me, and they came bearing gifts.

After this leg of my journey, I was meeting Sugarwings and my husband, and they were very happy to see me the chocolate when I picked them up at the airport.

The wings were the same kits from the class that I had at the cottage for Valentine's Day, A Lovebird's Song.

But we put a Karen style spin on it, and had frozen Charlottes and bisque babies available for purchase to add to the wings. (Karen will be teaching a class using the sweet bisque babes here at the cottage if you'd like to join us on April 20th)

The kits I provided were neutral with soft pink, but I always enjoy seeing what goodies people bring to add some extra touches to their own projects. My friend, Becky gave her wings some Florida Flair.

We had two rooms set up for the students, and I was busy flittering about between the two. It almost made the teaching go a little easier than the same amount of people in just one room, because when they are at separate tables in the same space, I still have to repeat the instructions to each table, but this way, I didn't feel like I was bothering one table to say my spiel to another table.

After the morning's class, we were lucky enough to be guided to the Cozy Castle for a lunch break, to dine at a beautifully appointed table Karen had prepared for us.

And to be treated to the world's best cake!

Last year, Karen baked one for my birthday, and gave it to me on a surprise visit. I was quite happy to get another taste of one of her specialties.

After our schmancy luncheon of deliciousness and beauty, we went back to the workspace for round two, and made these memory, or autograph books.

There are some extra kits, (I always make plenty) I just haven't had a chance to get them listed in the Boutique because I am in the middle of BLECK! taxes BLECK! and in getting kits made for the Once Upon and Easter event that Jenn Hayslip is hosting on Jekyll Island. (I am making extra for those too)

I will have more time when I return in April, after the OTHER CLASS that I am also prepping for here at the cottage with Karen.

Whew! That is a lot of classes in a row!

You can inquire about the wings and autograph book kits now, ($40 each) or wait until all are listed in mid April. Sorry I'm not on the ball for the kits yet. But soon, there will be a slew of them. You can be crafting away up to your knees is kits if you feel like it. (ha)

Or maybe I will be seeing you at A Song of Spring and you can be treated like a queen by Karen too? She brings light and love and happiness and glamour and style and sincerity and beauty everywhere she goes, and I think you'll enjoy the classes.

Her only free time, while in Kansas visiting, is Easter weekend. Soooo…… it is not an easy time for people to get away for a workshop. Looks like it will be a smaller class, which means we have plenty of space available if you'd like to join us?

Lunch, treats, 3 classes, and lots of laughing, foofiness, and fun.

Sorry, I wish I could offer poodle hugs, but Queen Satine will not be attending. She must have an appointment with the Easter Bunny too.

email me at:

Karlanathan@sbcglobal.net

if you are interested in one of the kits from my past workshops or attending a future one.

I will leave you with a couple more photos from my royal weekend with Satine and Karen. It was the BEST! She even took me to Mt Dora's famous flea market.

Yep, it was the BEST.

Great news for Good Juju lovers!

antiques/junking, friends

By Karla Nathan / February 8, 2019

And who wouldn’t love shopping there?

Beth, The Other Karla, and I went to the Old West Bottoms to shop during the February show.

As we’d expected, there were valentines galore.

With a mix of hand crafted items, salvage, restored furniture, and vintage decor.

I always like the variety.

And the display inspiration.

But as great as the place is, it is about to get even better….

Beth has joined the team of fabulous vendors! You can find her on the first floor starting on the first Friday of March. You’ll know what booth it is, by the crowd of thrilled bargain hunters filling their arms with cool vintage goodies!

Good luck, Beth! I’m excited for you.

https://www.goodjujukc.com/

ABOUT THIS all inclusive Art Retreat gathering FOR creative women

Registration Information

Beauty In Blue Art RetreatScurry, Texas (near Dallas)April 1-5th 2020$775—all Inclusive!

Three published artists will lead you in creating special keepsake projects

Beauty In Blue Art Retreat
Scurry, Texas (near Dallas)
April 1-5th 2020
$775—all Inclusive!