Showing posts with label Etsy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Etsy. Show all posts

Sunday, September 25, 2011

What I Did On My Summer Vactation (OR where the heck have you been?)

Some of you might be wondering just what happened to me over the summer...I've really missed being part of the blogging community these last few months. I've missed seeing what you've been up to, your projects, your photos, your offerings...I've missed YOU. I really appreciate my faithful readers...THANK YOU for sticking with me, I hope you'll return again and again.

I can't believe it's fall! Seriously, summer flew by so quickly that I almost feel like it never happened. We were just incredibly, incredibly busy here. It seems like we went from one project to the next... 

There was a lot of painting, remodeling, and exchanging of spaces. My studio moved from a small crowded room on the main floor of the house, to two large rooms on the second floor. My old studio became a cozy little sitting room just off the master bedroom. 

This may not sound like much to some of you, but with the exception of moving the heavy furniture, I did most of the work myself.  The moving, sorting and organizing of supplies was probably the biggest part of the project. I made myself go through every button and spool and was relieved that my family didn't call the producers of "Hoarders" when they saw what was packed into my tiny studio. Mr. Kattywhompus said it reminded him of a clown car...where no matter how many clowns emerge-there's always one (or two) more. *sigh*

The changes have been a dream. I not only inherited a bigger space, but three more closets and room for an office, packaging area and permanent spot to take product photos. I was able to move most of the inventory for my vintage shop into one space, and still have a pretty and functional area to create. Of course during the move, I wasn't able to get a bit of work done...but I feel like I will be able to be much more productive now that everything is in one space and more organized.  I also have plenty of room to host gatherings with friends, which has happened a couple of times already. :)

As the mother of three sons, I've lived in a world flooded with testosterone for over twenty years. Now that the two oldest have their own place, I lost no time in creating what they refer to as "The Pink Room".


I really wanted a pretty (and comfortable) chair to sit in by the window and stitch. It's pretty now, but it certainly wasn't when I found it. I'll tell you in my next post how I PAINTED the upholstery and transformed this Craigslist find. You might be as amazed as I was at how easy it was!

In my new space, I even have room to to create vignettes with all the little pretties I've collected over the years.


Surrounding myself with things I love inspires me.


Fabric at my fingertips.


Pretty storage all in a row.

The "Hoosier" makes great storage (but was a booger going up the stairs).
Needfuls near the sewing machine.

On the tabletop, a sweet stemmed dish, a gift from my mother-in-love. Each time I made her a grandma, she brought me a pretty piece of glassware. One day I hope to gift them to my daughter-in-loves. The little kitten was a Mother's Day gift. I can still picture four year old Nash, standing by my bedside at 5 am, with a tiny gift wrapped box. :)


Favorite things...vintage rabbits, Tasha Tudor storybooks and shiny dragees unearthed at an estate sale by my friend Joan.


More Inspiration...

Everyone needs a helper...

Supplies...

Another corner...


A turn of the century, white cotton day dress and antique ladies pocket watch, gifts from my Momma.


I have one last project to finish in this room. I want to paint my worktable a creamy white. It's a big round claw-foot table that we've had since we were first married. Right now the finish looks like this...it really needs a makeover.

 
Well...I hope you've enjoyed the tour. I look forward to sharing the rest of my summer with you...including a tutorial on how to paint upholstered furniture, a special outing with friends, my first big feature story in Mercantile Gatherings Magazine and what I am looking forward to for fall. Until next time...Rhonda

(Please forgive my crazy spacing...blogger seems to be buggy tonight.)

Saturday, January 1, 2011

~Ringing in the New Year~

2010 went out with a whimper.  No parties, no champagne, not even a midnight smooch. I spent the evening curled up on the sofa with a box of tissues, Netflix and these two...
 Everyone here has the flu.

The weather here has been strange. One evening last week I walked outside to an eerie fog, every surface covered in the most delicate ice crystals. Breathtaking!
The next morning we awoke to this...
 and this...
Followed by two days of 50 degree weather, with a warm rain that washed away every bit of snow. Is it any wonder our bodies are rebelling?

Now, on to the good stuff...
My head has been dancing with hearts. I've been cutting paper, working on a new doll, and I have been stitching these little homespun hearts in preparation for my update on Simply Primitives today.
I've also been pouring some beeswax...
to make this funny little tree of hearts.
And finally...
I'm pleased to announce that you will be able to find my handmades on Early Works Mercantile as of January 15th. You'll want to stop by and check out all of the talented EWM artisans. Take my word for it, you really will.
Links to both Simply Primitives and Early Works Mercantile can be found on my sidebar.

You might also like to know that I am offering FREE shipping on all of my remaining silhouettes, both on Simply Primitives and in my Etsy Shop. Out with the old, you know...

It is a cold blustery day here in Northwest Indiana and I am indoors working on my SUMMER article for Mercantile Gatherings Magazine. Admittedly, it's a little difficult to conjure up images of summers by the poolside. I hope it's warm and toasty where you are.
Until next time...

Saturday, December 4, 2010

~Bead and Needle~

Once in a while I discover something really wonderful and want to tell everyone I know about it. That's how I feel about Tanya's unique and beautiful work at Bead and Needle. When I saw this beaded pendant necklace, made from an old tintype, my heart went pitter pat...and I just knew I had to have it. So I saved my pennies and hoped it would still be for sale when I had enough put aside. Lucky me...it was!

Just days after placing my order my necklace arrived in the mail. And I must add here, that pictures do not do it justice...it is even lovelier in person. Don't you LOVE when that happens? Add to that...Tanya included a matching pair of earrings to go with the pendant. I know...can it get any better? Well, yes it can. Not only is Tanya's work beautifully and meticulously executed...but she is just the dearest person to deal with too!

Here's a closer view of the necklace. I've already worn it a lot. The fun part is making up a different story about the identity of the pretty lady pictured, each time I get complimented.

Here are some other examples of Tanya's work...

Sparkles and Beads
Beaded Cameo


Beaded Porcelain

If you hurry, you just might be in time to call one of these beauties  your own...
Still for sale in her Etsy shop.
 Beaded Antique Tintype Necklace

 Glass Beaded Button Pendant Necklace

I'm sure there's someone on your Christmas list who'd love to find one of Tanya's pieces under the tree. Or maybe YOU'LL be adding to your own wish list. Either way...you're welcome. 
Until next time...

Friday, November 26, 2010

Blustery Black Friday

As I sit here typing I can hear the fierce wind whipping across the Indiana prairie, the creaking of the house, and the voices of our eldest son and Mr. Kattywhompus deep in conversation. We are staying cozy inside, awaiting company this evening. How wonderful it is to be restful and relax with family gathered round! With leftovers in the fridge and dogs at my feet I feel blessed beyond measure.

In between checking the turkey and serving up pie, I was able to get a few things listed in my Etsy shops. I am working on a series of cut paper silhouettes, some of which are already available here, and some of which will be available on Simply Primitives on December 1st. I am thrilled to be included among their newest artisans, and hope you will visit me on my page there. Look for me in the Artisan Directory after December 1st. I have also added a couple of things to my vintage Etsy shop, including this Artisans Sampler, perfect for Christmas crafting!


I've been putting these together from my stash of vintage lovelies...things that are wonderful, but don't necessarily fit with our primitive style home. It's been fun to see how much the people who purchase these kits appreciate and enjoy them. I have several more in the works that should be listed in a day or two.

Here are some of my colonial style silhouettes. The designs were adapted from early portraits and are hand cut from paper.


I'm going to decorate a short wall in the living room, next to my desk, with similar pieces. I'm still looking for some little oval frames to mount some of the smaller cuttings.


These are available in limited numbers, so please...if you see one you must have, don't hesitate.  I'd hate for you to be disappointed.


I think they are really special...and hope you will feel the same.

I can't believe I forgot to show you the lovely little gift I received from Michelle Palmer. Out of sight, out of (my) mind... 

I was one of SEVEN winners in her generous fall giveaway...


Michell is such a talented lady...I  just adore her little drawings on fabric. Wouldn't this look fabulous on a fall themed sewing roll?

Michelle chose this drawing especially for me. Does she know me, or what? It's perfect! She also included one of her magnetic Christmas sets in my package and as always, a sweet note.
I encourage you to visit her lovely blog, and afterward her Etsy shop. You'll be glad you did!

Until next time...