chippy metal love.

I got a NapaStyle magazine in the mail the other day and I almost tossed it out. I am not sure how they all find me, but we are on gift-y magazine overload - the trinkety kind of magazines. I assumed this one might be similar (I've never seen it before). Fortunately I flipped through it on the way to the recycle bin.

There is some serious vintage metal/industrial love in this magazine.

I tend to get great inspiration from lovely old chippy things and I expect that many of you do too. Enjoy my favorite picks!

Vintage Galvanized Box - each is different. { link }

Vintage French Oyster Basket - the real deal mid 30's. { link }

Torrione Basket Stand - I really want to
make a space for this one somewhere
in my house... { link }

Quindici Metal Cabinet - swoon !! { link }

European Wash Basin - again, the real deal! { link }

Village Water Canister - mid 50's. { link }

Vintage Shepherd's Weight Doorstop { link }

Vintage Iron Grate - this would go on my wall, I would not be
scraping my boots on it! { link }

funky junkin'.

I think I have the post funky-junk blues. I had much fun seeing my vendor friends - everyone is so talented! Over the top displays, fabulous stuff { thus requiring large blog pictures for full effect }! I picked up a few things for my craft room and my son's room, I'll share those in a later post. Dixie and Linda are amazing ladies - thank you for a really fun show!

This large mirror frame could not have been more perfectly chippy-shabby. I was actually "lightly" contemplating it, but someone saved me from myself - it was already snapped up.

Tarte - outrageously creative - I know who got the Santos { wink }.

I always look for Diane's dress form. { Molly Mo's }

Just Chic had my favorite horizontal surface in the whole place.

I did not catch the name of the vendor that had this shelf. Perfectly rustic.

Faded Charm does the grey-white-cream thing the best.

Ormolulu. Need I say more?

I can't finish without sharing a little bit of my booth...

If you missed this show, the next one not-to-miss is the 3 Friends Sale, March 17th. Mark your calendar and watch for more information.

a little piece of history. I love trade beads.

I always visit the "trade bead guy" at the gem faire first.

Trade beads originate from many places. Many of the old beads were made in Europe and India and transported to West Africa initially by Arab traders, overland from North Africa. From around 500 years ago, the European traders in their sailing ships, used beads as currency to purchase gold, ivory and palm oil etc. on the triangular trading routes from Europe to West Africa then onto the West Indies, to return with produce from the plantations.* <-- I love the idea of using beads as currency.

My favorites from this past weekend - both are quite old and I like to wonder where they've been. It was fun to discover my choice of tiny pink dice beads in my French Inspired Jewelry book.

And the French Cross beads - I was so drawn to the color combination but was hesitant to buy them because I didn't have an idea right away { thank you Annelle for encouraging me to buy them - and the woman who walked by that said she finally used some beads she'd had for 25 years <-- a sign }. Let's hope I come with an idea inside of 25 years!

*www.africantradebeads.com

etsy mini treasury. old world

I enjoy etsy treasuries, but I have to say I have absolutely no brainpower when it comes to putting one together. So here's my mini version - 4 items, based on my theme of the moment. I hope you enjoy.

Top left - clockwise: 1. CatnipStudioToo, 2. GrainnePhotography,
3. Treasures570, 4. RiverOfRomansk

where bloggers create. basement studio.

I started making jewelry almost 3 years ago. What started out as one plastic storage bin (remember how exciting that is?) and a few tools has grown into a space that takes up more than half my basement. It only took a few months to realize that this was something that was evolving into a potential side business.

I’ve scoured and scored on craigslist, most of the large items in my studio. It all started with the handmade jeweler’s bench, it has a very primitive quality but it is quite sturdy. Over the last year, I’ve carted (we always must have either a large van or a truck) an 8’ farm table and lovely custom made craft bench.

I think we’ve finally come to terms with the fact that our basement will never appeal as a family room (we’ve been trying to make it one over the years). The space feels separate from the rest of the house and bits here and there are unfinished. I find that my faux white brick walls make me feel like I could possibly be in a downtown loft, until my cat walks by outside at eye level (ground level window). Each step I’ve taken to make it an appealing creative space to play, makes the process that much more rewarding.

 I got this lovely chippy shutter screen from my mom. It serves the dual purpose of hiding the treadmill and makes a great background for taking pictures. The white vintage form was one of my favorite craigslist finds.

Craigslist find #2. Custom made jewelry bench with great open storage. I paint in this corner.

Craigslist find #3. My 8' farm house table. Sturdy - have grown to love the vintage linoleum top (with its bits of embedded glitter). It situates perfectly under my basement window.

Vintage buttons + twine. Gift box embellishment.

Raiding the kitchen for storage. This is the "need to put away" bin. It seems to just get bigger, not smaller.

Looking down the length of my vintage farm table. Can I keep it this way?

This seems to be the best bead storage solution for me to date. Storage drawers from Ikea with tray inserts from Nile Corp.

Craigslist find #4. Handmade jewelry bench (my very first jewelry furniture purchase). This corner could be titled "Function Over Form". This corner is getting a makeover! coming soon...

 I have had my file cabinet + plank style desk for quite a while. It has a rubbed white finish and a large work area. My husband recently stopped needing his computer with nice big monitor, I've snagged it primarily for watching British period dramas while working (currently working on season 3 of Lark Rise to Candleford).

I love my chippy metal C from Thea's Vintage Interiors.

Looking for more inspiration? View other participating crafty spaces - Where Bloggers Create 2001.





My Desert Cottage

vernonia first friday

If you are looking for a fun little trip, don't miss First Friday in Vernonia.

Scout Cabin, Hawkins Park, Vernonia
July 1 - August 5 - September 2 - September 30

Handcrafted cedar fireplace votive holders purchased at Vernonia First Friday.

I'm thrilled with my new cedar votive holders for my fireplace - a custom order from a very talented artisan, Joker, that I met while a vendor in May.

I had an a-ha moment - isn't it true you find the best things when you aren't really looking? Our fireplace needs repair (we don't use it for fires). Candles never seemed to have the right scale. It's such a large black hole, but with a pretty opening, I hesitated to cover it with a screen. Now it looks great during the day too, large pieces of cedar make perfect sense in a fireplace.

favorite thing

This is ridiculously cute and clever from this lovenostalgicwhimsy's etsy shop. Picture credit to said shop.