I Just Love Moving, Don't You?

Two weeks ago I embarked on one of the biggest moves of my life. I moved from a second floor apartment to a house.

Have you had the fun of packing up and moving your craft room? Oh my gosh! I never knew I could create such a mess all by myself, but I sure did. I also learned that every little scrap of paper, color of paint, ephemera, magazine clipping, etc., etc., is absolutely necessary. I have a lot of really neat stuff! That was the nice surprise. The problem was that I couldn't bring myself to throw any of it away, because it was really neat stuff...LOL.

This is what all that really neat stuff looked like before I moved it.

This is what all that really neat stuff looked like after I moved it. Notice the big improvement? LOL

Okay, it's not that bad now. I assembled white cabinets, fit in all the items and product I need to keep close by or in the house, and they turned out great. All the mess is hidden from view, and I like that.

This is what all that really neat stuff looks like now.

What isn't in the house is now organized on shelving in the garage, so I'm beginning to feel good about this. I think it all may actually work out...oh to be organized! Every crafters dream....:0)

pepper

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BONES	BOO	CANDY
COSTUME	DEVIL	GHOST
GHOULS	PUMPKIN	SCARY
SKELETON	TREAT	WITCH

Useful Links

No lessons this week, I have something in store for you but just haven't had the time to do it, so this week will be a short post of vintage stuff.

 

Do you like to search out thrift shops in areas where you might go on vacation or for a visit?  Try this web site!  Put the zip code in for where you are going and you'll get a list of the thrift shops in the area!  http://www.thethriftshopper.com

 

Thrift shops not your thing?  How about finding flea markets to visit?

http://www.fleamarketlist.com/index.htm

 

Next, I have a web site where you can trade vintage!  How fun is that?

http://swapvintage.com/

 

Here's a web site that makes me drool!  RetroRenovation

Do you love the show American Pickers, here are some links that you might like.  Mike Wolfe  and Frank Fritz!

Snowed in and can't get to the thrift shop?  Try shopping online at Goodwill and check out their auctions!  ShopGoodwillOnline   Um, I never find any paint by numbers under art here, wonder why!

 

And finally, here's an article that was on AOL.  The article is chocked full of links, so don't get lost!  Top 5 Flea Markets in the Country  

 

Enjoy your weekend!

RWS

"A Day In The Life With Jennie"

Some of my cohorts on here have shared a bit about "recycle, reuse, and upcycle".  Well, I found another Etsy artist that takes “old” and makes “new”.  I had seen Jennie’s shop before and thought she had some pretty nice items.  As I read through some descriptions, I was more intrigued.  Naturally, an interview with her was in my future, and I’m happy to say, was in hers as well.  So today, I invite you to come with me on a journey to an Elegant, Eco-Friendly Crochet Boutique, and spend  . . .

A Day in the Life with Jennie, owner of

“SoSoRosey”

Click here to enter sosorosey's shop

Dude:  So Jennie, how long have you been creating handmade products?  I see you have a lot of crochet items – is that your passion?

Pure Happiness Cotton Floral Coaster Set

Jennie:  Everything in sosorosey is crocheted in some form or another- it is definitely my passion!  I’ve been crocheting since I was about 10 years old- I made some killer outfits for my stuffed animals and dolls, lol.  I graduated to blankets and scarves and sweaters over the years, then found my love for crocheting with fabric to make rugs and bowls.  I can’t imagine a day going by where I am not crocheting something and dreaming of the next project!   

Dude:  What inspired you get into this area of crafting?

Jennie:  My grandmother taught me to crochet, and I’ve always loved the feeling of being linked to her in this way.  Crochet caters to my ordered, neurotic side and provides a creative outlet at the same time. 

Dude:  Tell us a little bit about your process for creating.  

Jennie:  Oh my- my work area is all over my house!  Seriously, my fabrics and yarns are more or less centralized in the downstairs guest room, and when I get to choose what I feel like making, I survey my multitude of material choices and just pick what feels right at the time.    

Vintage Inspired Ornament Trio Retro

Custom orders are a bit more involved- and organized, thank goodness.  I love to receive requests from people looking for something special- like rugs, toy baskets, or keepsakes.  My first step is to gather fabrics for the project and share photos with the customer.  We chat back and forth to be sure we’re on the same page, and then the work (fun) really begins.  I love to keep people involved in the whole process, so updating progress photos is a big part of the job, too.

My favorite item is usually whatever I happen to be working on at the time.  I am currently super excited about my Rosey Goes Retro line of vintage inspired Christmas decorations.  Vintage-Inspired-Ornament-Trio-Retro  I’m also pumped up about a stocking stuffer idea that I have in the works for a team challenge.

Upcycled Baby's Heirloom Toy Basket

One of my most inspiring recent projects was a custom toy bucket made to match a baby’s nursery.  It was primarily crafted from customer provided fabrics- the baby’s own receiving blankets, and some of her late grandmother’s gowns.  I felt incredibly honored to bring this idea to life. Upcycled Baby's Heirloom Toy Basket   
                

Dude:  Where do you typically get your supplies?

Jennie:  I have a big weakness for cotton yarns, and I buy them wherever I find them- online, craft stores, Wal*Mart- you name it.  I typically get my packing string and jute twine in hardware stores.  My favorite supply to shop for is fabric, though.  I get that at my AWESOME local thrift shop.  They have the BEST selection of mismatched sheets… I just browse the aisles and try to envision them all cut up and hooked together again. 

Dude:  Where do you get your ideas for your items?

Upcycled Shapely Pencil Pot Burst

Jennie:  I carry a notebook with me wherever I go, and I keep a running list of ideas that I’d like to work on “someday”.  I always try to challenge myself to create new patterns and techniques – some of these turn out pretty well, and others are miserable disasters- I mean, learning experiences.  I’m really fortunate to have some very creative customers; many of my items came about because someone asked “Do you think you could make….?”                Upcycled Shapely Pencil Pot Burst

Dude:  Where do you sell your items?  
     

Jennie:  My work is currently sold in my Etsy shop and in a handmade boutique called The Muse in historic downtown Frederick, Maryland (http://www.shopthemuse.com/).  I’d love to get my goodies in more local shops and galleries – like so many people I just need more time in the day!

Dude:  A little birdie told me that you have had something published.  Can you tell us about that?  What, where, when?  How did you get into that and do you have anything else in the works?

Jennie:  Two of my pillowcase bowls are included in the Lark Books publication Craft Challenge: Pillowcase .  ( http://www.amazon.com/Craft-Challenge-Dozens-Repurpose-Pillowcase/dp/1600594026) That came about purely by happenstance, when I was contacted by one of the editors through Etsy, I don’t have any other publishing gigs in my immediate future, but I’ve learned in this business you never know what is right around the corner J

Dude:  Anything else you'd like us to know?

This is a proud moment   http://thedecoratingdiva.com/eco-friendly-rugs-2009-top-12/  I'm number 5 :)

Dude:  That is totally awesome!  I can understand why that was a proud moment. Congratulations on that Jennnie.

Dude:  Do you have a blog or any other sites that you are involved in that you would like to share with us, and we can link in our article?

Jennie:  I do have a blog where I love to get input on new projects and share new finds.  I also have a vintage shop on Etsy where I stock the shelves with fabulous vintage fabric and other goodies that I find when I’m out searching for crochet material.

http://sosorosey.blogspot.com/  and  http://www.etsy.com/shop/sosorosey

Thanks Jennie.  I have enjoyed getting to know YOU and have loved wandering around in your shop.

Well, I’ve learned so much here once again.  I’m not the “creative” type myself, but after seeing all her fun upcycled items, I’m thinking that I need to find a way to spare some of those old linens and sheets of mine, and see if they too can be “upcycled” into some beautiful handmade works of art!

Have a wonderful weekend, and don't forget to stop back each and every day to see what new, informative and fun things we're up to around here!!!

15 Random Acts of Kindness ~ You have a week to do at least ONE!

Hey!

I came upon a list of 70 Random acts of kindness and as I sat there and read them all I thought "Geez, this is way too much to do and remember".  So I decided to pick just 15 and make it a goal for myself and each of YOU to do at least one of them in the next 7 days until I post again and check on you...and post 15 more.

I know I'm constantly stressed and not always so cheery as you might think I am. (Sut up)  I think my parents must have done something right though ~ I am always polite to people at the checkout and smile at their usually sour face (they must not of had the same parents)  and I especially like to smile at old people and open the doors for them to see them smile back.

Don't get me wrong, if I smile and get nothing but a stink eye back or get shoved past without an "excuse me" I tend to mutter an obscenity under my breath and glare at the culprit.  There are SO many things we can do that take so little of our effort or energy and I for one need to be reminded so here we go...

15 RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS ~ PICK ONE OR MORE TO DO IN 7 DAYS ~ STARTING NOW

1. Open the door for another person.
2. Drive safely and be courteous.
3. When visiting a hospital spend a few moments with someone who doesn’t have any visitors.
4. Make a new friend.
5. Invite a child or teenager over for a cooking class.
6. Collect can goods for a food bank.

7. Hug a friend.
8. Clean up litter on a street in your neighborhood.
9. Drop off a plant or some home-made baked goods to your local police or fire department.
10. Say something nice to everyone you meet today.
11. Provide a neighborhood child with homework help.
12. Leave a kind note for a family member or friend.
13. Tell kids why you love them.
14. Clean graffiti off your neighborhood buildings or walls.
15. Organize a sing –a- long at a senior center.

There they are ~ Now I know I'm not going to be cleaning graffiti or organize a sing-a-long, but there are other things that I CAN do!  

If you'd like to share an idea or something you've done please do so and continue on with posting your good deeds on here till next Thursday!!

You are all brilliant, beautiful and wonderful people ~ HUGS!!  (One down for me)

Peggy ~ Goodgosh ~GG

 

ACEOs and ATCs

Art Cards Editions and Originals 

and

Artist Trading Cards

 A quick history lesson; these little cards go way back to the 16th century. They were usually portraits done by painters and sold. They have been referred to as the first wallet “photos”. Many times a painter would do a family portrait, and then a miniature one of the mistress that the man could keep easily without the wife knowing. Other ways in which these were useful was when there were pre-arranged marriages. With a portrait done in miniature, both parties of the intended marriage could have a peek at their future spouse. 

Today to qualify as an ATC or an ACEO they  have to measure 2 1/2" by 3 1/2". ATCs were on the scene first as a way for artists to exchange and collect other artisans work. ATCs are strictly traded, they are not bought or sold.

Some artists realized that there was interest from the general public wanting to be able to purchase some of these miniature works of art. That’s where ACEOs come in, they can be sold.  These can be made out of any medium, even fabric.

Quilt ACEO by SharonArt57

 http://www.etsy.com/listing/41144110/free-shipping-wheres-the-mermaid-art

ACEOs are open to many styles, mediums and methods by many artists. They are an inexpensive way to collect original or special editions of artwork.

ACEO by goodgosh

ACEO by peppercorns2

These can be fun to do and create, and they can be as simple or as involved as you want them to be.  If you want to collect them, you can choose just about any type or style you like.

Then you also have the fun of how you display them. Some people frame them individually or as a group. Sometimes they are kept in an album.  You can decide your own way how you want to show off your miniature works of art.

You can get supplies for ACEOs, or ATCs here;

http://www.dickblick.com/products/strathmore-artist-trading-cards/

You can also use playing cards, trading cards, whatever is handy as your base, as long as it measures no bigger than 2 1/2” by 3 1/2”.

Here is a link for ATCs;

http://www.atcsforall.com/index.php

and one for ACEOs;

http://www.art-cards.org/about.html 

(jj)

We Have A Winner!

The Fall giveaway has ended and we have a winner!

 

There was 1733 Pez candies inside the bowl and with a guess of 1584, I'm pleased to announce that the winner is Mrs. Williams!

 

Congratulations to you!

 

Thank you to everyone that entered, you made the contest a great success.  And thank you to everyone behind the scenes that donated prizes!

WE COLLECT.....DEER!

Antique dealers usually collect several different things, after all, that is how most of them became dealers…their collections overtook their homes!

One of our favorite collections in our home is….Deer…big ones, little ones, cement ones, metal ones…you name it…we love it….

People who visit our home have been known to wonder why we have so many cement garden deer.....inside.

Like this one that stands guard at the top of our stairs….

 Or they may spot this one, tucked away and resting calmly in a corner…

 since it takes 2 of us to move him…he most likely will be staying right where he is!

These are all old, very heavy, solid cement deer….but our oldest one is the one by our fireplace…he is dated on the side…1947...and yes he has had some trouble over the years and has damaged one of his antlers…We bought him from an acreage in Oregon…right in the middle of a huge storm…they call the storm “the Pineapple express”….and it meant we were slipping and sliding in a lot of mud and water….but we came away with our prize…WooHoo!

But we love him just the way he is..

We also collect deer that are not cement…we have a whole herd of German pot metal Christmas deer like this one….

 Some are in great condition and others like the one in the photo are a little the worse for wear….

We have wall hangers…Note the tiny pot metal deer on the top standing next to the miniature log cabin  (another collection of ours!)


 
 Vintage and antique photos of deer, from little snapshots to large photos in fancy frames….find their way to us also.

Collecting is a great way to preserve the past and also keep our landfills emptier….

One last photo from the Doe on our front porch…






Hope you collect something fun and unusual….

Good Hunting…antiques that is!

VE

**Repost** Fall Giveaway Contest

We are pleased that we have reached 100 followers to our blog!  In appreciation, we are having a giveaway.

Rules, please read carefully!

1.  Guess how many loose Pez candies are encased in this bowl without going over!

2.  Email your guess along with your name and how you can be contacted (if you are the winner) to ArtistandPickers@aol.com

3.  Please do NOT write your guess in the comments of the blog, all entries must be emailed to the above address.

4.  In the event of a tie, the first guess emailed will be declared the winner.

Contest runs from Tuesday, Oct. 19th. to Monday, Oct. 25th at Midnight EST.

Dimensions of the bowl are 12 1/4" wide by 5 3/4" high, if that's any help!

Now for the prizes!  We have gone with a Fall theme and they are as follows.

1.  Needle felted pumpkin from VintageEmbellishment

2.  An original handpainted work of art ACEO from Peppercorns2

3.  Vintage pair of bear salt and pepper shakers from MySeriousSide

4.  Vintage pin and handmade tags from DoodleVintagePlus

5.  10 handmade Moravian stars from JustJanesThings

6.  Hand stitched primitive pumpkin picture from VintageStation

Prizes valued over $70!!!

Thank you so much to those shops that have donated prizes! 

Have fun!

RWS

Fabric Yo-Yo's

There's so many things you can do with yo-yo's!  I've seen quilts, vests, pins, table runners and center pieces.  In the lesson for today, I'm going to show you two of these, the runner and a center piece. 

 

This is the table runner I made especially to match the stained glass lamp.  

 

 I use calico fabrics for mine, they work up nicely.

 

Now for my masterpiece!  My star shaped center piece.

Here's how you make one yo-yo, see what you can do with them!

 

I use a cardboard circle, you can see the size of the circle I started with and how small it becomes when finished.

I'm using matching material in red, white and blue with small white stars on it.   Draw the circle on the wrong size of fabric and cut out.

 

Using thread that matches the fabric, fold a small rim on the wrong side of fabric and make a running stitch around the circle, starting your first stitch from the back going towards the front, leaving a tail that I prefer to knot so I can hold onto it later.  Continue folding and stitching until you are about 1/8" from the first stitch and end on the back side.

 

Yep, they look sort of messy but that will work out! 

 

Now, holding onto the two tails, gently pull the thread tight and you will see it start puckering up!  Continue to pull the thread until you can't get it any tighter and tie the ends together.  Tuck threads inside, work the circle to make it look nice and tight.

 

Just working it with your fingers will have it laying flat and nicely finished up.  With a bit of practice, you will be making them like a pro!

 

My red, white and blue ones will become a small flag mat someday! 

 

Have fun!

RWS

"A Day In The Life with Cathy"

How often have you gone on vacation and sent a postcard to people back home, rubbing it in that you're having a wonderful time, and they are, well probably slaving away at home and jealous of your time away.  And I'm sure you've also received them, feeling the same way.  Well, I met a Post Card collector/seller and I will not look at them the same again.  Her postcards are amazing, and I'm not sure I would want to send them anywhere.  And once you see these, you may just feel the same way.  

Come along with me, and share  . . . 

A Day in the Life with Cathy, owner of

"Vintage Vendor"

Click to enter Vintage Vendor's Shop

  

Garden Patch

Duuuuuude:  Hey Cathy, how long have you been into selling postcards?  
Cathy:  I  start  selling postcards around   1997 when I discovered  eBay. I didn't even know what a scanner was back then, but my dear friend Karen suggested I mail  her the postcards I wanted  to put on eBay and she would scan them through her photo scanner then send them back to me to make up the descriptions and put on eBay.  She gave me step by step instructions on how to upload my photos and where to store them. This was such a big help to me because it enabled me to more or less pull out my collection and make money at the same time.  A few years later my husband purchased a big old clunky scanner for me. Now remember this was back in about 2000. I never really figured out how to work it so next came a big old clunky digital camera! Now this I could work with after lots of experimenting. The camera used floppy disks to store the photos. Yikes, who still remembers floppy disks?  From then on I have been selling non stop. I have two shops. One on Etsy and one on Ruby Lane.

Santa Green

Duuuuuude:  And how long have you been into collecting?  

Santa Purple

Cathy:  I have been collecting postcards for about 35 years. The first time a postcard caught my eye was at an antique show. My sister and I would attend every one we could. She was looking for antique jewelry and I was looking for advertising items.  She always took much longer than I did looking at everything so one time when I was waiting for  her I eyed a Santa postcard sitting out on a dealers table. I had no idea what it was or how old. I decided to purchase it.  That was the beginning of a wonderful hobby, Postcard collecting.  I threw myself into the hobby full force. Back then the only way to get postcards was through several publications. One in particular was Barr's Postcard News, a weekly  newspaper format.  Dealers would list their postcards auction style and to bid collectors had to mail in their bids. I couldn't wait for it to come in the mail and would scour it the minute I could.  I found myself winning quite a few lots over the years.  Also in Barr's was a large section of ads for postcard dealers willing to send out approvals. The collector would mail the dealer their wants and back came a box of postcards on approvals. I purchased so much of my collection this way. Looking back, they were quite trusting.                           

Santa Red

Duuuuuude:  Where do you typically find your treasures?

Cathy:  I find 90% of my postcards at a  postcard/paper show and sale close to my home.  It runs two days, Saturday and Sunday. I open and close the show both days! There are so many postcard dealers with boxes and boxes of postcard I never seem to have the time to see them all.  Typically, I spend an hour or two with each dealer. Since I only look for holiday postcards I can skip over the many boxes of view cards. Here is a link so that you can see just the one room. There are two other large rooms full of postcards, paper and supplies.

Hal Lutsky's Postcard & Paper Show - Northern California

Duuuuuude:  Where do you sell your items?

Cathy:  I  opened a shop on Ruby Lane back in 2005 and have been there every since.  Then in 2008 Karen sent me a link to a site she found  called Etsy. :o)  I was so happy because they had a vintage category. I've been going great guns there every since selling postcards as well as Victorian paper and vintage buttons.  Here are the links to my  shops:

Cathy's Corner from cathyg on Ruby Lane

 VintageVendor by VintageVendor on Etsy

Favorite Postcards to Collect:

Clapsaddle

I have always collected early German holiday postcards (pre 1920) such as Christmas, Easter, Halloween, Valentine's  and my favorite subject Santa Claus.  I love the ones with different color robes. I have  Santas in blue robes, green, brown and at one time  even one with a yellow robe. There are many wonderful postcard artists that did beautiful work.  My favorite is Ellen Clapsaddle. She did mostly cute children. I'm also a fan of early comic cards. I love the different humorous situations they came up with back then.

Duuuuuude:  Do you have any online research sites that you would like to share with our readers?    

Cathy:  There is a great resource site I  recommend. I find so much information there about the hobby. There are numerous postcard clubs you can join  also as well as sites to find whatever type of postcards you are looking for.

Postcard Resources New  

  
Thanks for sharing with us Cathy.

Now she has more than just postcards in her shop, but I just loved those and 
wanted to focus on that today.  So go take a stroll through her shop.  

And have a wonderful day!