Local Antique Store

Well, I remembered to put a camera in my purse for the next time I ran across a great find that I wanted to share.  So, with my camera in my purse, I had to visit an antique store or what's the use?!  So, I stole a few hours for myself this afternoon and visited a local antique store.  It was actually their window displays that drew me in...like I needed enticing.  Anyway, as I entered and met the owner, I asked if I could take pictures for my blog.  She was delighted for me too.  I had so much fun.  A little too much fun looking as I forgot to get my camera out until I left.  I must have gone into treasure hunting mode and obviously forgot the purpose for my visit.  I did remember, however, to ask the owner if it would be okay to link to their website.  So, here it is!  http://www.walnutandvine.com/  You can actually see new items for sale as well as some sales on their website.  Just to let you see what enticed me, I did get a picture of the front windows before I left.

  I promise I'll get more pictures next time!!

Thrift store shopping is always a treasure hunt. Sometimes I find great deals...other times nothing except the same ol' junk I've seen in the store forever and wonder why they don't just throw that stuff away. Anyway, this morning my youngest daughter and I ventured out to pick up a bookshelf from a friend and being early to meet her, we stopped by one of the local thrift stores. Today was a good day. I found these wonderful glass pieces that I don't know what exactly to do with yet. Their price...(drum rolllllll)...49 cents for all 5!! There are actually 5 pieces. Two of them were stuck together in the picture and I didn't notice until it was already taken. I also snagged a couple more bargains while I was there but they were just a book and some knitting needles for less than a dollar each.

Thrift stores aren't the only place I frequent in search of treasures. Yard sales are great but when I can't get to them (which is happening more often to my dislike) I shop antique stores. I had an antique booth many years ago and absolutely loved it. It was too time consuming for me as a young working mother so it had to go. A couple of things I discovered while selling "antiques" is: first, a real antique has to be over 100 years old...everything else is just vintage...actually that's a broad term but it works for describing old items; second, most antique dealers are avid yard sale people. You're very likely to find the best finds from yard sales in antique malls. I know, I won't get it for the price they did but after all, they did the legwork when I couldn't so I'll pay a little more...not a lot more but enough to cover their time and effort. The above picture is what I found at an antique store this past week. I wish that I had had my camera that day to get a picture of the display for these items. It was great! (Note to self: keep camera in purse!) Anyway, these little metal pieces are molds for costume jewelry from the 40s. They had tons of them and they were 75 cents each or 10 for $6!! The book is an old children's health education book and the napkins are, well, they are pale yellow with chickens so I had to have them, lol. These will definitely be added to some altered art, hopefully soon. I'm beginning to actually have some free time and can't wait to get back to some projects.

Speaking of getting back to projects, I know I introduced ya'll to George a while back. Well, this is Rosie. She's almost finished and I can't wait to get her done. I do think they make a cute couple sitting on my cabinet for now.

The Nashville Flood

Well, it's been a while since I've blogged.  I've been busy with those things in life that have to be done.  I'm finishing out our school year and get to pick up abandoned projects that have been patiently awaiting my return.  As most have heard, Nashville experienced a tragic flood in early May.  While we live in a surrounding county, we too experienced flood damage...thankfully not to our home but to my future art studio.  We have a building behind our home that was to someday be my very own art studio.  I have tinkered in there over the past several years but always had to battle cold temperatures in winter or bugs in summer.  My art studio took up residence, on a hopeful temporary basis, in the dining room of our home.  About half of my supplies, books, and projects still remained in the building till renovations could be made to seal the building for warmth and to keep critters out.  Anyway, on Saturday, May 1, the rain began to fall in great amounts and continued till most bodies of water were swollen and overflowing their banks.  We have a farm pond in our backyard behind the building that housed my art things as well as a few of my husband's tools.  As the water continued to rise, I began clicking pictures of how big the pond was growing.  We had never seen it this full in the 5 years we've lived here.  As I would take a picture, thinking "that's the biggest it's ever been," the rain continued to fall and the pond continued to rise.  Within 10 minutes, I would have to take another picture because "that's the biggest it's ever been"...thinking yet again, that was it's fullest.  Well, within the hour, the pond had risen about 10 to 12 feet.  That enveloped 4 vertical feet on my building.  I looked out our kitchen window numb with the thought of what was occurring inside the building.  By Saturday night, the water receded and at daybreak Sunday morning, my husband ventured down the look at the damage.  He picked up a couple of salvageable items then simply shut the door.  His comment to me was "You don't even want to know."  I couldn't bring myself to go down and look.  I knew that with 4 feet of water in the building, everything, EVERYTHING with the exception of the few items that hung on the walls, had been under water.  Later Sunday, the whole scenario started all over again.  What had occurred Saturday, the pouring rains, waters rising, areas flooding...it all happened again!  The poor people who lost lives in Nashville as well as those who lost their homes...I couldn't imagine the grief they felt.  My loss was frustrating but a mere inconvenience compared to so many.  Pray for the people that lost so much as they are still experiencing, and may continue experiencing for some time, the effects of the flood...clean up, tearing out damaged areas of their homes, the loss of their personal possessions, as well as being displaced during all of this. 

Anyway, I just wanted to take a moment to blog about the flood.  Here are the pictures I took of our flooded backyard and building as well as the damage once I managed to look inside.

"That's the biggest I've ever seen it"

"THAT'S the biggest I ever seen it"

Now, just too shocked for words.

The Aftermath

 

Some of my art books used in the classes I teach.

My little wood burning stove entrapped by the debris

Great Book Giveaway at FaveCraft

Hi friends!  If you're not a subscriber to the FaveCraft newsletter, you should join.  Right now they are giving away a great trading card book using your photos called "Trading Card Treasures."  Check it out here:  http://www.favecrafts.com/sweeps/Trading-Card-Treasures-Book  I haven't made ATC yet so winning this book would be a great motivator.  Anyhoo, I just thought I would share FaveCraft  with you.  Make sure you sign up for their newsletter.  You'll get awesome craft ideas for all ages everyday.  Like I need more ideas...I can't handle all of my altering addictions as it is!  BTW, my jobots are coming along.  Aluminum is not being very cooperative with the soldering so I'm experimenting with other techniques.  Probably just end up grabbing the Gorilla Glue...best thing since duct tape!

Announcing the birth of my first...

JO-BOT

meet

"George"

Well, after rummaging through my husband's toolboxes, antique and thrift stores, junk drawers, and the endless supply of do-dads in my supply cabinet, I'm proud to announce I've "birthed" my first JO-BOT (Junk Objects roBOT).  He's about 8 inches tall and 6 inches wide.  I'm quite proud of how nice he turned out.  I'm not sure of the names of all the parts but here's what he's created from:  vintage Altoids tin, springs, vintage house fuses, an old Christmas bulb, and then that thing that makes his face...an electric part of some sort?  My father-in-law would know for sure.  OH!  And his bellybutton is part of a snap.  

George will be listed on Etsy soon.  Hopefully to find a new home.  There are three more in the works...waiting to be assembled on my work table.  I hope you enjoyed meeting George...he was so much fun to make.