Vintage ephemera ATC swap

 Kimberly at ArtJoyStuff hosted a vintage ephemera ATC swap.

Given my love of vintage paper, I happily signed up for it!

We were asked to submit three ATC's using vintage ephemera.

In return, I received wonderful, tiny pieces of art.

The first is from Maggie Raguse.

I love the darling image she used.  My favorite element is the paper rosette - beautiful!

Next, was a sewing inspired ATC by Sherry.

Sewing is one of my loves so I was very tickled to receive this one.

Sherry even used a sheet of vintage sewing instructions to make the envelope.

Lastly, I received a french inspired ATC from Liz.

I love the charming graphics and tiny rosette.

Thank you ladies for your wonderful, tiny works of {heART}!

Kimberly is a sweetheart of a hostess.

She sent each of us this beautiful tag with charms.

Thank you Kimberly for hosting a fun swap!

Here is one of the ATC's I had submitted. 

Unfortunately, I did not snap pics of the other two.

I enjoyed working with vintage wallpaper and ephemera bits.

Here is a shot from the "Constance" vintage adornment class I taught.

Sorry the pic is so grainy - it was a quick iPhone pic

One of my favorite parts of teaching is to see how different elements inspire people differently.

Everyone had a great time creating their own works of art.

Thank you Laurie and Brandy for hosting a fun event!

Thank you for stopping by!

Happy creating ~ Heidi

A soft spot for hardware

Patina.

When I am looking for hardware bits, patina is one of the characteristics that captivates me the most.

Even though there are many products on the market which can alter or enhance patina, finding a piece of hardware with decades of authentic patina developed onto it holds its own special magic.

These are some of the interesting bits of hardware I found on a recent antiquing trip here.  The shop had bins, boxes and trays full of hardware treasure.

I went looking with the intent on finding fresh vintage components for jewelry making.  However, some might eventually be used in other repurposing projects.

Check out the oxidation and style of this keyhole plate.

Isn't it grand?  I don't think I will change the patina a bit.

The one to right definitely needs some cleaning so it might be a fun piece to experiment with painting and altering.

I love the bits of paint on some of the pieces.  

For the pieces which have peeling paint, I like to give them a gentle cleaning and use Krylon matte sealer to protect as much of the original patina as I can.

A quick share of the simple vignette I made using the cabinet card found in the above referenced post.

I am still tinkering with it so I am not sure this is how it will stay for now.

That is the fun of it, isn't it? :-)

Thank you for visiting!

xo ~ Heidi

Unplanned plans

Recently, my sweetheart and I went for a day of junking and antiquing.  We had no particular plans other than to have a day open to no plans. Whatsoever.

 

This may sound pretty mundane.

 

Gloriously, yes it was.

In the hustle and bustle of life, a day with nothing on the calendar except an open road, hand in hand and full tank of gas is heavenly.

 

I am very blessed to have a husband who loves antiquing as much as I do.  We like vastly different things and lookout for items the other may enjoy.

 

Here are a few things which I decided to take home that day:

 

 

 

First, was a simple etched perfume bottle.

I have seen interesting jewelry made from vintage perfume bottles.

This one has potential for such a project.  Whether or not it does is no matter.  I love its simple style.

 

Second, the lace doilies under the bottle where lovely enough but the nifty price and unique pattern sold it for me.

 

 

Third, a milk glass Watkins jar.  I am not sure what this vessel held.  Face cream, pantry items??

Anyone know?

 

 

It was the etched lid that really captivated me.

So begins its new home with my other milk glass pieces.

 

 

 

Lastly, a cabinet card of a young lady with very soulful eyes.

It is always interesting to look at cabinet cards and note the fashion, jewelry and hair styles of the period. 

 

What do those things tell you about that moment frozen in time?  Was it a wedding, a funeral, a graduation or an everyday family gathering?

 

One may never know but it is interesting to think about.

 

I picked up a few more smaller items for jewelry and junky projects which I will share soon.

 

 

Sending good junkin' mojo to all of my fellow junkers out there!

Thank you for visiting! ~ xo Heidi

Glam goods, a new repurposed life

 

Always hunting for pieces to be used in new projects, I was strolling through a local antique store and spotted some interesting finds.

 

A simple band medal with the iconic state of Georgia shape caught my eye.

I would love to know the history/people behind this piece. What instrument did they play? What school did they go to? What memories did this medal hold for them?

What would they think if it was repurposed on a charm bracelet or on a necklace, a life outside a box or drawer?

 

 

The gold compact still has a mirror and makeup cake pan attached.

Once used for everyday glam, it now holds potential for a new life.

I have special plans for this one - with the makeup cake pan removed. ;)

 

 

One of the most interesting items was this small case. (approx 2" in length)

 

 

A little push of a spring revealed a teeny lipstick case.

On the reverse of the case is a beveled mirror.

Lipstick is no longer manufactured to fit such tiny cases.

However, with the help of a Dremel, I have created a hole in the top to begin it's new life as a jewelry component.

I love that the woman who wears it will have something both charming and functional.

 

Of course, I could not pass up a wonderfully priced jewelry box.

More economical than some of the plastic art bins, it will live a repurposed life as bit and bauble storage in my studio.

 

 

What fun finds have you come across lately?

Thank you for visiting! xo ~ Heidi

Love letters from the home front

The Patriot Girl, Rosalyn-Sue Smith had asked me to help her put together an art gathering to raise donations for Operation Stars and Stripes, a nonprofit organization supporting our troops overseas and their families here at home.

 

I have many family members and friends who have served or are currently serving in the military.  For Operation Stars and Stripes and the generous people of our great country to support the the men and women who put their lives in harm's way for our freedom is deeply appreciated.  In addition, Rosalyn-Sue is a very dear friend of mine.  I love her to the moon and back.

 

This year, the theme of Love Letters from The Homefront blossomed.

It is very important for people to feel connected with their families and home when they are in unfamiliar places doing extraordinary things. 

 

A simple letter is an incredibly meaningful token - for the hero overseas and for the loved ones here at home.

 

Rosalyn-Sue talked about the dying art of letter writing.

The handwritten notes, cards and letters are some of the simple things I treasure - I really am a nostalgic girl.

 

For the event, we had a champagne bar with various fruit juices and delicious fruit to add to your bubbly.

 

 

 

A few savory treats for our crafty guests.  Thank you to Jon and Walter at the Atlanta Marriott for your outstanding support with this event!

 

 

Our guests were surprised with some "souvenirs from the homefront".

Little nut cups filled with fortune charms, art supply goody packs, and more sweet treats, just to name a few. 

 

 

Our project for the evening was an heirloom quality love letter keeper made from dupioni silk.

We taught the ladies how to make various kinds of roses to adorn their keepers with.

 

In addition, there were gorgeous silk ribbons, beads, baubles and pre-made flowers to let fuel their imaginations.

 

 

It was such a fun night with new and old friends - lots of laughing and sharing memories.

To pause time, ever so briefly, and have these moments with girlfriends is a cherished thing.

More importantly, we collected generous donations to fill stockings for the men and women serving overseas so that they may have a piece of home this holiday season.

 

 

 

We will be hosting another art gathering next year to coincide with the Country Living fair.

If you are interested in attending, let us know!

Of course we will post details as the event draws near.

 

 

Thank you for stopping by!

Have a beautiful day ~ xo's Heidi

Sparrows and ice cream

Many humid and hazy Georgia evenings, you can witness the dance of sparrows swooping and diving to catch a quick meal before night time falls.  With stunning accuracy and acrobatic moves, they pluck mosquitos in a graceful dance.

While working on a necklace, I was inspired by the sparrows swooping in to get a quick treat.

Dangling from a layer of cafe colored pearls, a little sparrow has a white bloom with a polished czech bead.

Below the sparrow is draped another strand of AB polished glass, creamy czech crystals, freshwater pearls and a repurposed rhinestone pin. 

I love the creamy iridescent czech beads!

Digging through more pins, I found a sweet rhinestone wreath pin adorned with a simple bow.

This one reminds me of neopolitan ice cream!

Vanilla czech glass, strawberry colored glass beads, roze quartz, milk chocolate pearls, freshwater pearls and vintage beads mix for a sweet confection.

I added a smaller pin for some extra sparkle - you can never go wrong with extra sparkle, haha.

Dangling from the clasp is a vintage drop pearl.

For the cherry on top, I added a dangle to the wreath made of crystal AB bead, white glass flower and a shimmering faceted czech bead.

Hope you are having a wonderful summer!

xo ~ Heidi

The head or HEART of junkin'?

When you go junkin', do you buy with your heart, head or both?

Definitely both for me.  Sometimes I have a specific need in mind.  Then something really charming comes along and just sweeps me off of my feet, lol.

On a recent junkin' outing, I found a creamy pottery vase, a tattered book of poems, well loved crochet napkins, a darling pearl pin and a vintage jewelry box.

The tattered book of poems ~ that was the heart charmer.

The colors, the title - I love its aged beauty.

The crochet napkins were somewhere in between the functional and heart strings purchase.  I like to use cloth napkins (less paper we have to buy).  It makes me giggle when friends and my kids' friends come over and ask "Can we really use these? You don't mind?"

Why not enjoy the good things in life, eh?  They are only napkins after all.

Isn't this pearl pin sweet?!

I thought this would make a lovely component to a repurposed jewelry piece.

It is going straight into the vintage Miele jewelry box.

Old jewelry boxes can be fun, decorative storage.  And for what some plastic or cardboard storage costs these days - the vintage type is both cute and functional.

Functional or heartfelt - such happy finds lately!

What are your favorite finds?

Thanks for stopping by!

xo ~ Heidi

Soul nourishing

This past weekend was spent doing alot of soul nourishing.

Spending time with people I love

Working on projects around the home

Cleaning off my desk and getting my art out

Large or small, those moments of time are needed to refresh

and recharge our batteries.

Today, I am making one of those moments lunch.

Not just standing at the counter, crossing off my to-do list while haphazardly consuming a meal. But,

savoring the moment,

being still.

Yes, I did shoot these pics today but that was before I sat down so that kind of interference doesn't count, hehe.

Give a little gift to your self and take a moment to recharge your battery today sugah.

We take care of the world.  Our spirit needs to be included in that care too.

xo's ~ Heidi

Apron Adoration

One of the things I love the most about the holidays is making gifts and decorations.

Ornaments and gifts made by my children, family and friends are among the things that make the season magical.

When my friend, Cheryl of Nouveaux Portmanteau, asked me to join her holiday apron swap (here) I thought it was a fun way to celebrate the season with handmade treasures.

None of us knew which apron we would receive.  They were all so darling - I would be smitten with any one of them!

When the apron box arrived, I had sugarplums dancing in my head, lol!

Cheryl had beautifully packaged everything and included a gorgeous tote bag which she had made for each of us.  I was so delighted to receive Cheryl's apron (which I am completely smitten with!!) and package of vintage and handmade goodies!!  She had included wonderful vintage ephemera, a brass stencil "H", vintage ornaments and cookie cutters and a soldered ornament made by her.

Cheryl had used the most gorgeous fabric and trims - some were even dyed to match.

Whether I am serving cocktails or cookies - Cheryl, your apron makes me feel like a vintage princess!

Golly gee, piles of satin and lace - heaven!

Here is a closer look at the rosette on the pocket of Cheryl's apron.

So pretty and frothy!!

In the midst of holiday mayhem, I forgot to take pics of the apron I made (ack!).

This is a pic I borrowed from Cheryl.

(photo by Cheryl)

Please stop by Cheryl's blog to see pics of the other beautiful aprons.

Thank you again Cheryl - I had such fun with this swap!!

I would be delighted to know your favorite handmade gift your either gave or received. 

Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season!  xo's ~ Heidi