I made a pair of these little 5 petaled post earrings for a friend the other day. They look so sweet on the lobes with their powdery matte white finish that I decided to offer them in my jewelry shop. The light finish is perfect for the summer months, but I'll offer them in black, or a fused gold finish for year round wear.
Happy week everyone! : )

It's that time of year when the waters begin to warm, boats are setting sail, and picnics are planned. 5gardenias is ready for the summer with some nautical goodies and the perfect basket for an outdoor eating adventure....
from top left clockwise:
vintage nautical star and cross banner flag , vintage "go fish" flash cards , vintage Japanese sea green glass fishing float, and a fabulous vintage wicker picnic basket

Wishing everyone a lovely sun filled weekend!

a few jewelry orders filled last week-- always so good to finish and send off the packages -- with the hope that everyone will be happy with their new pieces...

...and here are some lilacs-- their scent is intoxicating-- it filled the room the moment I set them out. one of my favorite Spring time flowers.

Some sweet new additions to 5gardenias-- celebrating May and Spring in full tilt. The lilacs were in full bloom all week and I had to find a way to show them off!
clockwise from upper left:
antique crochet lace and linen square table cloth, antique pyrex laboratory bottles--soon to be listed, 1960s mod daisy brooch, buzzing bee dangle earrings made with vintage brass bee stampings and oxidized sterling silver ear wires
here's hoping everyone enjoys a beautiful Sunday : )

some vibrant color for you --wishing everyone a lovely weekend!
 from top to bottom:
paper flowers from Front & Main
hand dyed yarn tutorial from Chalk Legs
designer Brad Ford's pottery collection on Remodelista

I've finished some new pieces-- painted, scuffed and scratched brass and oxidized sterling silver.  A little bit primitive and definitely playful, owing inspiration to tribal arts-- now listed in my jewelry shop....
Happy thursday : ) : )  : )

I just had to share this work with you! A vast collection of flora and fauna, animals and insects-- all lusciously depicted in needlepoint.  Truly mind blowing.  These are the works of Frederique Morrel. Give yourself a treat and go to her website to see her entire collection. Happy weekend to you : )

Some recent sweet old hand painted finds.... the 1940s green painted tole work spoon with strawberries has spent the last 30 years living with me-- but it looks out of place in my new kitchen  and I just don't want this to sit in a box unappreciated-- it's much too special for that, so I'm selling it and hope to find it a loving home.... and if I lived in an antique home I wouldn't part with this early little primitive landscape painting for anything. I'm picturing it hanging on a nice old plaster wall or leaning on a shelf with just a few special objects nearby. Both have been just listed in OhDearViolet and 5gardenias- one special piece for each.
Wishing you a lovely Thursday and a great weekend ahead!

In honor of this holiday weekend and to celebrate the coming of sweet sweet Springtime, a whimsical pair of antique bisque bunny pals and an early 19th Century primitive wall shelf 

( you can find these in 5gardenias shop ).  Happy Spring!

It's been way too long--but moving proved to be so much more work than I'd ever dreamed! There were boxes and boxes and more boxes. Not only did we have to pack our household items and furniture, but my entire jewelry studio and all of my vintage inventory as well. All I can say is I don't ever want to move again! That being said, I can also say, that we are very happy to be settling into our new home. A home that offers us lovely views, a huge yard ( with plans for gardens and studios in its future ), lots of nice sunlight ( when it's shining ) and finally a peaceful night's sleep thanks to a quiet neighborhood just blocks from our city's lovely park. So much to be grateful for and so very relieved too.
With a few boxes unpacked every day, most things have found there dwelling place, and still more things will find there way back into boxes to sell or giveaway. We are definitely down sizing, and it feels very liberating to lighten the load.
I'm finally catching up with stocking my vintage shops and have listed some sweet springtime goodies in each of them. My jewelry studio is nearly ready, so soon I will be able to make some new work--can't wait for that!
 In the meantime, here's a glimpse of the most recent listings in OhDearViolet-- truly charming finds:
a vintage millinery fabric flower bouquet--
the sweetest teeny tint celluloid rabbit figure from the 1930s
a vintage paper mache Easter egg from West Germany
a set of Victorian era semi porcelain plates made by New Wharf Pottery from England

So nice to be back-- wishing you a beautiful weekend, and a happy holiday to those that celebrate!

I managed to squeeze out just a bit of time to play and make some new earrings in the studio in between packing for our move, and before my jewelry tools and supplies disappear into boxes for a spell! It felt so good to get some new work done. I'm chomping at the bit to take off running but will have to wait until I get settled to really focus on jewelry making.  These earrings are made with hand cut and hand rubbed brass and oxidized sterling.  Modern and minimal with a nod to tribal and ethnic jewelry of the past. I just listed them in my jewelry shop
thanks for taking a peek--wishing everyone a lovely weekend!

I know it's terribly soon to start lusting for Spring-- but it happens every year... just a snippet-- a glimpse is all it takes.....
 a sweet millinery bouquet with a defiant sense. Just a little topsy turvey and delightful.
( o.k.... this darling brooch/ hat embellishment will be listed very soon in 5gardenias shop, I promise! ).... : )

While going through our belongings, packing for our move in February, my husband stumbled upon our son's journal -- the one he brought to sleep away camp. Needless to say we missed him "to" and he did not return there the following summer. Henry is a day camp kind of guy.

OB ( aka Orange Boy) Models with Quilt

My sweet OB decided he'd like to model today-- was it because he knew he'd look so fetching with turquoise or because it offered a warm and cozy place to nap?
This gorgeous handmade patchwork quilt will soon be listed in 5gardenias vintage.