Thanksgiving  always marks the start of one of the busiest times of year. When we all begin scrambling around in search of gifts for loved ones. And while I do love the festivities, I don't always enjoy the rushing and pressure of it all. So I'm offering up a mellow mix of holiday gifts and decor possibilities that have withstood the test of time and retain qualities that can't always be found in today's mass marketed goods.  Shopping online can save on gas, time and energy. A huge help for those of us that can't bear contending with huge crowds, overflowing parking lots and stores so packed with goods that it's difficult to focus.
Oh Dear Violet has some lovely old world finds that might just satisfy your longing for something special to give.. or to receive....
an antique German wooly stick legged lamb-- often used for putz villages and nativity scenes--but I think this charming little lamb would make a wonderful year round companion!
and a beautiful strand of antique gold lead tinsel garland-- perfect for DIY holiday projects or for hanging with fresh greens on the mantel or feather tree...
two fraternal twin delicate antique silvered glass indent ornaments from the 1920s-- these are great for hostess and secret santa gifts...
and isn't this Edwardian straw hat wonderfully romantic? The Edwardian period was a time when hats were designed with great artistry and imagination. Women wore hats everywhere-- to picnics, operas, shopping, to tea... and they were wonderfully flattering and loaded with personality. This hat is the hat that Violet would wear if it were hers to keep.... it has a fine straw body in a dusty shade of russet-- with raffia flowers stitched along the brim... ever so lovely!

I hope those of  you who celebrate Thanksgiving had a chance to spend time with those who are dearest to you, or to share a meal with those less fortunate--  and  found some quiet moment to reflect on the many beautiful things there are to be thankful for in this amazing world we live in... and I hope that in doing so you felt the true spirit of the holiday fill you with love.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Aren't these vintage galvanized buckets the best? So much nicer than a brand new pail, with their aged and darkened surfaces, the occasional ding and even a little label residue on one or two leaving a telltale mark. I had these lined up, stacked up, mixed up and modeling for my photo shoot and the more I played with them the more I grew to love them. They're perfect for displaying fresh holiday greens or filling with candles for outdoor luminarias in the winter ( or summer garden ) -- or if drilled on the underside, they make wonderful planters for indoor or outdoor plants. I have seven of them newly listed in 5gardenias-- come and buy them all ( or just one ) and line your front walkway with them for some rustic holiday decor, or line up on the mantle and fill with ornaments and holly.
Wishing everyone a wonderful week ahead!

 Finally--A chance to add a new piece to my jewelry shop! A stack ring set with a group of blackened and fused gold bands and a focal ring with a golden pod featured in a rustic setting.  The fun part about this ring set is that it can be worn all together for a nice full look, or the rings can be worn separately- with the small bands together in any combination or number-- and the pod ring looks simply beautiful on its own. I love stack rings for this reason. They're versatile. I'll be listing this in my etsy shop today...

  Life has been moving at warp speed, with so many challenges coming at me from right and left. We spent much of our summer and part of September and October getting our home prepared to put on the market for sale. Lots and lots of painting, repairing, de-cluttering.... all good things, but so exhausting, as we've done all the work ourselves. Our place is listed and now there's the task of showing, upkeep and searching for a home. I love our home- it's been renovated with our own two hands and holds so many dear memories. If we sell it I know I'll probably cry for days, but our building is on a busy city street and it's become more and more difficult to live here.  After 12 years, the noise and traffic and gritty edge has finally worn us down. We're hoping to find a home on a quiet street that's big enough to allow for studio space. One of the difficulties of being an artist is the necessity for the room to work, so that makes the search more challenging!
So if I'm a little less active here on my blog pages, it's because we're up to our eyeballs in house searching and hopefully finding a home to move to and then making THAT happen.

In the meantime my heart goes out to all the people who were in hurricane Sandy's path. The storm has done enormous damage and so many have lost their homes, and too many people have died. Let's hope this wake up call will be heeded by both local, state and federal government. Climate change is very real-- and this disaster along with the many others that have been happening at an alarming rate all over the country are indeed bringing this issue to the forefront. No more denial and excuses. It's time for action.

Wishing everyone the best.