LARGE AND SMALL, REAL OR FAKE...

One of the dilemmas that I face as a picker and a shop owner is knowing what is a real vintage item and what is a reproduction. We cannot all be experts in every arena and each of us has our niche when it comes to expertise and knowledge of vintage items and collectibles. A decision also has to be made as to whether or not an item is too small or too large for my booth space. The process can also include deciding if a repro would be desirable for a beginning collector because it will be less expensive or just kitchy and fun to display. 

What would be your guess about this ornamental picture frame- Real vintage or reproduction? If you can believe it, this adorable swivel frame is actually a plastic reproduction?!?!

Are you able to tell by looking at the miniature portrait below that it's an oil painting on porcelain from the mid 1800's?

Believe it or not, most of my clientele would probably prefer the reproduction vs. the real antique. Less impact on the wallet, thus more to spend on other goodies!

How about these little gems? They are no bigger than a dime. Are they so tiny that they would get lost in my booth?

This dress form displaying a 1940's bed-jacket is 50" tall. Is it too large?

This kitchen scale is shabby and rusty with a cracked tile. Yes or no?

Decisions, decisions.  Check out my next blog post to see what items made the cut and are on display at Auntie Sisters or the Curiosity Shoppe in the State Street Market Shops of Elgin, Illinois. Or stop in and visit, snoop around, and just enjoy shopping the more than 30 shops, all under one roof. We love browsers!

The Joy In Sharing

I am sure that most bloggers, artists, musicians and craftsman have a common bond that is the joy received when sharing. For some, it may be very difficult to share their creations as they fear criticism. For others, the delight and enthusiasm outweighs the doubt and we are treated to their gifts quite easily as they paint, sing, write or dance with abandon. Most often, I am somewhere in the middle, usually listening to that self-criticizing voice in my head for a short time and then I will take the leap into the unknown. This a cycle of creating that I cover with a mantra of  "you can't please everybody" or "not everyone will get what you are trying to express". From there I share either by blogging, selling, gifting or displaying and move on to the next creative endeavor. I have to give myself pep talks, repeat my mantra and slap my hand for wanting to just add one more little something or word edit. Do you see yourself in any of these scenarios? My only advice is that if you are afraid, don't be. Creative junkies like myself are out there just waiting to soak it up like a sponge! 

Share and the joy you receive outweighs the fear!

So today, I delight in sharing with you what's been on my work desk!

First, I have the parts of a book that I am altering for an art swap. I found this awesome book in pieces ( I don't think I could tear apart a perfectly good book) and went to town creating drawers and embellishments that would evoke a romantic theme as required by the swap guidelines. We are given complete artistic interpretation and that made this a joy to work on.

Great cover, eh?

Jewelry boxes used as drawers, and a cereal box to build their frame.

Chipboard covered with decorative paper, faux pages added and awaiting embellishments.

Vintage leather gloves, a secret key and  a pearl necklace are highlighted by metal corners and clockface knobs. 

I love working on projects that have surprises waiting for the recipent and I made a paper flower with a crystal stickpin to hide in the drawer.

A long forgotten corsage and pin hidden in the drawer.

My endless hours creating, stalling and self-criticism gave way to sharing. It brings me joy! May it somehow make your day brighter or stir up some creativity of your own!

Hugs,
Susan

“You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching,
Love like you'll never be hurt,
Sing like there's nobody listening,
And live like it's heaven on earth.”

― William W. Purkey

NO WINTER DOLDRUMS HERE!

Cold and grey winter days are my favorite times to snuggle in with a good book. 

My mother gifted me with several interesting books for Christmas and I'm currently reading "English Love Stories" edited by John Sutherland. It contains a collection of short stories by such favorites as Mary Shelley, Rudyard Kipling, and Graham Greene. My intention is to get my mind frame around the romance of era's gone by, in order to create a mood or evoke that era for an art project. 

I am participating in an altered book swap with a "Romantic Era" theme for the Yahoo Group 'Art For The Creative Mind', affectionately known as AFTCM. The group has about 75 or so men and women from all over the world (mostly Canada and the US) that chat through an online forum and participate in mixed media art swaps. These swaps vary from the exchange of small artist trading cards, to embellished fabrics, to altered objects and all kinds of paper crafts. The support and encouragement is the binding for AFTCM as we are all at different levels of experience on our creative art journeys. I've only been a member for a short while and can't remember how I even found this group, but it has been the highlight of my days. It has taken me a good solid year of retirement to erase the emotional ties, the stress of deadlines and alarm clocks, and the all encompassing drive to remain employed in a sea of crazies that my work brought to my life. I only say that because I was a government employee for most of my career and it was nuts! But that's another story...  AFTCM has given me a place to meet people from all walks of life with incredible talent and ideas and a reason to be up to my elbows in glue, ink, paper scraps and ephemera. This is my idea of heaven. 

I'd like to show you what I am working on:

Book cover for my altered book, a work in progress.

The first stages of the drawers featuring a jewelry box and some chipboard from a cereal box.
 All of the pages have been removed.

Lace scraps sewn and gathered while watching "Downton Abbey"

You have got to love the costumes, the drama and the gorgeous set designs on Downton Abbey! Add to that a real-life castle and you've got the makings of a great program.

 Highclere Castle in England

So, I will leave you with a view of my desktop as I continue to work on my altered book project and read and dream about the romance of the days of old.

Hugs,

~Susan

"I'll Be Home For Christmas"...

..."You Can Count On Me"...

..."Please have snow and mistletoe, and presents under the tree"...

These tattered German carolers have seen better days, but who else to sing a little Christmas tune?? Not this off-key sister, that's for sure. Only in my car. (*smile if you've seen that!) 

I found  a few more similar characters at East State Antique Mall in Rockford, Illinois, but they didn't survive the trip home very well as you can see by their shabby hats.

Party around the Christmas tree!

Quite a few items that aren't up to snuff for my Auntie Sisters booth end up displayed in my home until they can be repurposed, repaired or sent to the happiest of places, Goodwill. This Swedish angel is a survivor from a box of ten that didn't make the cut. The guy behind her just had his squeezebox re-glued. Sounds a little weird, doesn't it?

Aren't they sweet?

Never the less, the tiny bits of Christmas cheer displayed around my home make everything merry and bright!

German smoker with his hat repaired.

The handwork and painted faces are so simplistic and charming, how can I even think of retiring them?

Definitely a little worse for the wear., but I love their expressions.

Speaking of  "retired", the holidays are so much more enjoyable for me now that I'm not under the stress of commuting to work and worrying about deadlines or sales goals. Yippee Skippee! I am able to fill my days with family and crafts, Auntie Sisters, and friends. So that's what I'll be up to for the next few weeks, and celebrating my sixth wedding anniversary with my honey at  Pheasant Run in St. Charles, Illinois. Come on by for a wee bit of champagne and help us ring in the New Year!

Merry Christmas To All! See You in 2013!

Holiday Blessings,
Susan

Psalm 65

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.

Image link

This Is For Artists and Crafters

It's like being under a spell....

Do you remember the time in your life when you first realized that you had the ability to create something that others admired? Perhaps it was a page that you had colored or some sticks glued together that garnered the "oohs" and the "aahs". Maybe you made some  new clothes for your doll, or a pincushion for Mom. Did you make breakfast for Dad or fashion a bouquet for a neighbor? Write your own song? How about decorating your room or putting together a fashionable frock? If you have a creative bone in your body you most likely remember the path that lead you to an artistic life.

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting a budding young artist named "Phoebe". Some of her creations are greeting cards and she also makes lovely potholders.

Aren't these precious??

Such joy in sharing her art with the world!

Adorable!

What is so special about Phoebe? She has the wide-eyed wonderment and curiosity of a young child and the ability to create with joy and abandonment. She is gifted. I hope that in our friendship I am lucky enough to have some of that wear off on me!

Like most artists, I have a deep admiration for people that are able to use their creative talents to make our world a more colorful and beautiful place in which to live. But how often do we get a chance to thank them personally for sharing their talents?

Do you know someone that knits?

Thank you G-G!!

link to website

How about a builder?

Thank you Seth and Adam of Heritage Beam and Board!!

Link to website

How about a designer?

Thank you Ahndea of Heirblooms!  

link to website

Are you privileged enough to know an artist?

Thank you Deb Loxton!

link to website

To all of the creative, artistic people out there-

Thank you for every stitch, every design, stroke of the paint brush and swing of the hammer! You make our world a better place.

Crafting away,

~Susan

Christmas Is Coming To My Booth...

...the elves are hard at work.

Can you name them all?

Rumor has it there are some shenanigans happening when we go home...

Rockin' around the Christmas Tree!

Friendships are made...

"Fancy meeting you here."

Or not...

"I was here first!" "No, I was!"

Some disapprove...

"Can't we just hang around?" "Does everyone have to make so much noise??"

Some just observe...

"Oh, dear!"

"Say, does anyone know if those boys are elves or dwarfs?" " One of them is kind of grumpy."

Do you ever wonder who the ringleader is at shindigs like this??

Maybe a jolly old sort? Is he too busy checking his list?

My guess it's the guy in the striped pj's hiding on this tree:

Someone looks suspicious...

I could have sworn that angel was over there yesterday! 

Or is it just my imagination??

'Til next time,

~Susan