daretodream

Primitive Pup, Xmas Gifties and Etsy!

Hi!  I've been busily working to get my xmas gifts mailed.  Fortunately I mailed out the presents to family on Tuesday (I think this will be the first time in years they'll actually receive them before christmas!) 
I've been working on some presents for girlfriends that need to be mailed yesterday!   I thought
I'd show you some earrings I made for Stacie out of some gorgeous carved amazonite flower beads
and teensy fresh water pearls.  I've hung them on the ribbon of the sweetest primitive puppy
that I got for myself on ebay.  He's so old, stuffed with straw and just loved to bits.  You'll
also see the sweet chenille loopy scarf (also for stacie) that I got at Ross for $3.99~!  (had to get one for me too!)  I'm telling you, there are some darling things out there for CHEAP!  My favorite price. :)
After spending a few days in Seattle with stacie last week, I discovered a must have present she needed.  She and I are both bubble bath addicts and while soaking in hers I was suddenly missing this.... If your tub is one of your favorite spots in your house then
you're familiar with that irritating overflow doohickey (usually has the up down lever connected to the drain) that makes suction noises as it sucks down all the water touching it....Until I discovered this little $5 treasure (bed bath and beyond), I would have to add extra water several times before I was ready to leave my cozy water world.  It's a clear rubbery cover with suction cups that you stick over the overflow spot.  You' have high water until you get out...now I only refill when I need a warm up. :)  You can find this at www.better-sleep.com . 

Okay, off to make dinner and continue working on my to do-list.  Hope you're having a great day....or night.  oxoxo
ps..finally listing some earrings made for my Etsy Shop...well, will have them on in the next day or two.  Here's a sneak peek...

I love little things

Happy Tuesday...I'm up and running this morning...so much to do. 
I set this little display up using some of my favorite things before leaving for France. The plan was to use it as a backdrop for taking photos of things I was selling on my Etsy and Ebay. 
When I returned from France, it was just like I'd left it...in the kitchen, on a stool.  I thought it was sweet that my family didn't gather it up and put everything back in my studio.

Do you mind if I share these treasures??  Well, if not share THEM...share about them?

1. The little teddy is my one and only Jennifer Murphy bear.  I love her and her work and was so happy to get this from Earth Angels.  I used birthday money last March.  I added the antique beaded flower to his hand because he looked like he needed something to hold. :) 

2. He's on a sweet vintage tin I found somewhere that's sweet and something I couldn't cut up for jewelry. 

3. I have a gorgeous cut glass bowly thing filled with vintage mercury glass balls that I found at a thrift store...

4. an unused pink 5yr diary that a sweet girl, Stephanie Brockway, gave to me earlier this year. 

5. The little white bird is a bakelite teapot whistle which I bought the same weekend as the

6. cast iron victorian picture frame when Stacie and I went to Centralia.  (Stace, I've told you about this frame, bought at the corner coffee shop on main street...remember?  You'd just left for home and I shopped a little longer :) 

7. Of course, my sweet pink ric rac chair

8. and the sweet in plate with flowers...

that's it.  Some stuff I love.

Have a wonderful day! 

OH...I almost forgot.  I've added new favorite books on the right...

and I'm going to try to answer emails today and tomorrow...still have returned almost none since getting back from France.  I suck when it comes to emails.  oxoxox

The Thrill of the Hunt??

I've been pondering the above post title "The Thrill of the hunt" for a few days lately.  I've
actually used that phrase while sharing my experiences hunting for treasures at thrift stores, estate sales, antique shops, etc. 

There is definitely a thrill to happen on a piece of something...be it a book, piece of bakelite jewelry, a set of cornishware mugs.  The thrill of the hunt is when something is found that you truly LOVE or feel pretty confident that if you want to sell it, you can make a profit.

Over the past several years, I've come to discover that there are even greater thrills in treasure hunting besides the hunt.  I can't count the number of times I've bought something on a hunch....not knowing exactly what it was but having a "feeling" that it was something special.  In most of these cases, I'll bring home my stash and kind of toss the mystery item in the corner with an afterthought of..."I'll research that thing later."  The little unwanted but "it could be something" items have been known to be forgotten for sometimes over a year....just sitting in a box full of other treasures that haven't quite pulled me in.

One of the first of my OH MY GOSH! afterthought items was this little cutie...  I'd grabbed it at an estate sale and gave it to kimber (who was little and in a stroller) to keep her quiet.  It wasn't priced so I offered a dollar, which was accepted.  Soon after, while researching something totally different at the bookstore, I flipped a page and there was a picture of this!  It said the value was $200 (I've seen them on ebay for much less).  It's a tiny steiff lamb.  The second I got home, I grabbed it off the floor and it became my new treasure!  Fortunately Kimber was too young to even miss it. :)

To shorten this post, I'll picture just the facts on some other gut instinct treasures I've found and let sit around before feeling moved to research.  I can assure you, this THRILL is actually even greater than the hunt thrill because you have something that's no biggie, on a personal level then Wham!!  It's suddenly very personal and special and "I can't believe I've let it sit in that corner with all my other crap for so long!"
Bakelite chess set purchased for a couple of bucks at an estate sale.  Listed it on ebay last December and it sold for approx. $450.  THRILL!

1 dorky brass skull & crossbones ring with red eyes....cost me less than $1.  After discovering this little ad online somewhere, I listed it on ebay and it sold for $450!  THRILL!  Who'd have thought?!?! *I've looked everywhere and can't find a picture of it...shoot*
These two pieces were stuck inside a big sun tea jar of costume jewelry I bought for $12 at Goodwill.  I thought they were pretty, but could see that the metal was brass or something similar and not real gold...so, put them aside as a keep and deal with it later.  Learned about a year later that they're Victorian Era Bohemian Garnets.  I've hung onto them because I want to use bits of the necklace for jewelry.  The garnets are such a beautiful red... Vintage sterling Cosmopolitan, Martini Bar charm.  $10 at an antique show at the convention center.  In a weak moment, in need of money and following a hunch, I listed it on ebay and it sold for $150.  Not so much of a thrill, but hey, we needed the money!

Okay, I could go on and on, but pizza is ready and I'm being called to the tv.  I'll now tell you about 2 of my newest HUH?? treasures...

I got this cutting at the Goodwill Bins along with some other vintage ephemera scattered in the book bins.  One day I pulled it out of it's hidy hole and did a search for Georges Boria...HERE and HERE's what I found.

Finally....the top photos of the book Miroir des Ames.  Something I picked up at an old bookstore in Revel France.  I think it may be a really big deal.  I'll keep you posted!  oxoxox

Some of my French Treasures

~Click the image above for the full view~
I made this jewelry during my Obrien workshop in Durfort, France.  I loved the workshop and actually loved spending time with Linda and Opie and the other students as much as the class, working in the studio and traveling around together.  The gorgeous leather book below was a found treasure!  More pictures of this book are right under this.
This book is just gorgeous.  It's dated in the 1800's, the leather cover is all hand tooled.  The marbled end papers are amazing.  All the pages are illustrated and there are about 10 full etched illustrations throughout.  The icing on the cake...one of my favorite things about old books...I discovered a gorgeous old bookmarker within the pages. :)
There were several things I found at the flea market that I'm not sure I'll part with.... This beautiful victorian piece is actually an early collage.  Someone used wallpaper with roses and birds, cut and pasted and about 10 different pieces then placed the religious image on top.  This was made to fit the beautiful plaster frame.  It's quite large measuring 20" x 26".  It was either 5 or 10 euros at the market. 
I can't even tell you the number of religious antiques there were....I'm not catholic but since becoming an artist, I've grown so appreciative of the beauty and craftmanship put into these pieces.  Here are a few things I found...

These two are my favorite...the 1st is a very old plaster statue of Mary holding baby Jesus.  The 2nd is of St Theresa.  In the picture below, the kneeling chalkware piece is St. Bernadette.  She was the young nun in Lourdes who saw Mary...(Our Lady of Lourdes....lots and lots from Lourdes)

Everything inside this printer's tray I got at the flea market.  (Except for a couple of charms I made at the workshop). I have them divided into groups such as...crosses, popes, Lourdes, St. Theresa, misc. saints, misc. non religious charms and jewelry, Notre Dame charms, etc.

These gorgeous rings held heavy curtains in a medieval church perhaps?
St. Peter?
Gorgeous bronze crucifix mounted on a red velvet covered wooden cross. 
Some other treasures? 
My husband asked for 2 things....a tablecloth & napkins from Provence and some Herbs of Provence.  Here's the  tablecloth.  It has a 17th century design that was from Provence.
I came across this beautiful set of porcelain cannisters for $6 euros.  I originally got them for my sister but my mom didn't think she would use them so, they're mine.  I love them. 

 These are incredible. A set of 13 old crosses. (there should be 14).  These are "Stations of the Cross".  You'll see a light colored circle at the top which has hand writing "Bois de Gethsemani" which translates into "Gethsemane wood".  I'm guessing the Gethsemane wood is the inlaid circle.  The crosses are hand carved and stamped Jerusalem at the bottom.  A roman numeral representing a station is marked just below the top circled inlay.  In the center of the cross, (these aren't complete on all 13 crosses, btw) there is, under glass, a paper with handwritten roman numeral (the same as marked on the wood above) and a tiny relic that looks like fiber.  Over the glass, there is a mother of pearl circle which signifies Mary.
Plaster heads mounted on marble blocks.

This is unbelievably beautiful...it's a cast bronze frame mounted on wood.  The photos came with this piece.

I know that I said I'd write about the details of my trip, but after posting the first day, I had a change of heart.  I will share more but not quite so detailed.  oxox

limoges, starlings, black coffee

We have just begun our 3rd (technically...we arrived 2 nights ago) day in Limoges.
We will be visiting the medieval Butcher's Quarters which we're told have antiques shops and artists work.  I'm hoping to visit the enamel/porcelain museum too. 

We are on the top floor of a hotel that faces the square.  From our balcony we see the parks, sidewalk cafes, shops and at night...starlings.  They fly in around 8pm to nest in a row of trees in the square....much to the despair of the locals.  It's quite a site as black clouds of birds begin arriving from every direction.  The noise continues for several house until they sleep.  When we wake up, they've flown away for the day only to return again at bedtime.

We have a coffee maker in our room but no creamer....so, for two days I've learned to drink french coffee with 2 sugar cubes.  Instant exlax.  yeah, I know TMI....too much information.

Well, it's time to get ready for the day.  hope you're having a great one.  oxoxo

Hello from Limoges France

Bonjour!  We're in the 2nd week of our tour through france.  The first week was spent in Durfort in an incredible 17th century house Lacascade with Linda and Opie Obrien...My mother and I have never before taken a trip together and had planned to travel from southern france to paris the week after the retreat.  I'd been to france 10 years earlier and was so excited to share with Mom all the places that I loved so much.  The photo above was taken yesterday in Carcassonne...a medieval city that was built within a wall like Jericho!  When I visited years ago, I fell in love and never dreamed I'd be there again with mom.  There is an old cemetary right outside the wall where this picture was taken.  incredible.

Tonight we're in the city of Limoges.  The view from our room in unbelieveable.  we'll be here a few nights, I think and will post some picks when I get a chance. 

I scored some incredible treasures at the flea market last sunday....I can't wait to share....miss you all and will add some more pics below.  oxoxox

Statue of Joan of Arc

ps....I'm so proud of my new rubber stamps offered through Alpha Stamps....Please take a peek!  oxox

Women in Art

I'm amazed at this wonderful clip emailed to me by my friend Nikki.
It's posted on youtube here.

I'll write soon. Hope all is well.
oxox

Confessions of a Pack Rat

I've been on a serious mission to reduce half of my belongings.  (mainly because my husband would like to be able to walk through the house but most importantly to make room for new and better belongings that happen my way).  When discussing this with my mom over the weekend (who is also a pack-rat/collector) she asked me what I was going to get rid of.  Treasures!  I just need to decide what treasures are on the lower priority keep list...which things I absolutely CAN live without.

That said.  Look at these wonderful teensy chairs I won on ebay! :)  No, not just one of them, all 16!  Are they not the cutest things you've ever seen?!?  Imagine my glee when flipping through my newly purchased Romantic Homes magazine, reading a fun article featuring the home of Alicia Paulson, and seeing this little chair. 

I've yet to see mine, as they're still on their way to me...I can't wait until they get here!

Early last week I mailed out some tiny charms I made for the Creative Underground charm bracelet swap.  It has a heart theme.  I decided on button's and bows since I heart both!  I used vintage mother of pearl buttons and sterling silver wire.  I'm happy with how they turned out..

I'm in the process of listing new things on my etsy and ebay shops.  (a result of my mass treasure unloading mission).  Please take a peek....there might be something you'd like.  I'm open to trades, btw.
Finally....I've delayed posting because I was reluctant to put something over the previous post.  If you've not read Brutally Honest, please do...especially if you're the mother of daughters.  oxox

 

The Christmas Dream

Ebay....it's the haven for treasure hunters.  Where else can you search for things you didn't even know you wanted while drinking  hot chocolate (in a snowman holiday mug), crunching a chocolate dipped biscotti....in front of the tower space heater set to HIGH....feet snuggly tucked under puppy (whose bed is under computer table) all the while covered in soft jammies?  Bed head?  Morning or evening breath? White trash chippy fingernails??  No worries...you might as well be Angelina Jolie...heck, you can be anyone you want on ebay. :)

It's 2am and I'm trying to get sleepy....I wondered onto ebay and behold, I have just found the treasure of my dreams.  See this little teensy doll in a glass bottle?  The doll is 3" and the bottle is 5".  It's old...Titanic era old if not older....and you know what?  It's only purpose is to give another old doll something to hold while she has her picture taken.

I've just GOT to have this....What in heavens name do I have in my closet that I can sell to make enough $$ to buy it?  I think that as long as I get rid of my old, boring treasures and earn enough money for new, exciting, old treasures, it's not being selfish...even tho it is christmas....the time for giving...and not getting....but....

oxox

Monday~the beginning of a whole new week!!

I love that monday starts a fresh week.  I can grasp this reality much more than I can a fresh new day after 24 hours....I'm not sure why.  Maybe it takes me longer to process a day. 

I thought I'd share some of the treasures I found in Florida where I visited my sweet friend, Norma and met new friends....Dottie, Paula, Sharon, Lori, Kooi (norma's hubby) and of course, little Allie (norma's little, stinky dog....bathe her girl!).

Everyone was so unique, funny, charming and only one stinky in the bunch.  The days were great, filled with shopping, lunch out and treasure hunting most mornings.  Norma had to be at work in the early afternoon, so I was dropped off at 1ish on the weekdays....she would go to work and I would usually unwrap my treasures from the day, cruise ebay, look through Norma's massive library of artsy/decorating books and magazines.  I'd try to coax Allie into sitting with me, would lay on the couch and watch court tv until I fell asleep for an afternoon nap.  Norma would get home after 11pm or so and we'd stay up for hours gabbing, laughing, showing each other stuff.  It was so good.

**oh shoot, I feel a nap attack coming on...it'll be a bit longer than expected to finish!  In the meantime, you can go HERE to peek at my florida treasures!**