i adore clay. i've worked with it myself for almost 20 years. when i came across photo stylist dietland wolf's photographs of these ceramic pieces my heart skipped a beat-- or several for that matter. i could eat everything up here... the color, the textures, the touch-- the raw clay in contrast to the fired clay. i especially love the pressed clay pieces. the photos are exquisite --i hope you enjoy as much as i do. have a wonderful weekend ahead...

victorian wallet

i often wonder why i'm drawn to certain objects so strongly. i've had this little antique leather wallet for years, only taking it out every now and then to open it, to study it, to touch the soft delicate leather-- knowing it was at least 100 years old, knowing it shouldn't be handled often or with too much enthusiasm. i would take pleasure in touching the surfaces, opening all the secret compartments, enjoying all the beautiful attention to detail. what a strange and compelling thing good design is. no matter what century, no matter how small, the seemingly inconsequential can be wonderfully satisfying if it's been made with care. i love the now worn and scuffed surface of the chestnut leather.  i imagine the fingers that opened the clasp and unfolded the wallet--- what was it that was put away in this little arrangement of folds? money? -- notes?  a photo or two? a locket of hair? a list of to do's?  a love note?  this once belonged to O. V.  Metcalf of Georgetown Mass, and is so signed in delicate penmanship in pencil on the attached card. on the other side of the card  is a list of numbers, some crossed out.. what were they numbers for?-- a log of money earned, of business inventory, of payments owed? and the the paper thin leather section that opens to reveal an amazing show of magenta silk lining-- what sweet thing was stored there? 

i've decided to part with this fine little wallet. it's time to send it on to earn new history. it's funny how hard it's been to make the decision to part with it. i've hemmed and hawed and even put it back on the little shelf where i'd kept it-- a number of times.... but i'm trying to be good and let go.... 

i offer it up to it's next loving friend and keeper... you will find it listed in my vintage shop, 5gardenias

september

cozying up to september with some textiles, color,  pattern and warm tones.  these are a few recently listed finds from 5gardenias vintage,  clockwise from top left
vintage basket weave tablecloth,   vintage folk art woven and embroidered pillow cover, scrollwork necklace, antique patchwork quilt star, vintage scotty dog plaid tin toy cup & saucer

some autumn warmth..

i decided that these vintage aluminum molds would make lovely votive holders-- i imagine an autumn table lit up with them..

my latest vintage finds

 

i had some willing models this week for 5gardenias-- a pair of antique victorian leather gloves, an antique porcelain clay pipe and a charming vintage owl measuring tape. they sat quietly and held their poses for long hours....
wishing everyone a happy september!

i. klee

today i have to share these images with you by photographer and stylist i. klee -- her work is magnetic and inspiring....

5gardenias autumn

i've decided to add a small line of jewelry to my vintage shop--it all started after i was rifling through my drawers searching for something specific and in the process re- discovered so many fun and wonderful findings, stampings, beads, etc.. that  i've had stashed away for years. so i'm using the vintage and antique goodies and creating pieces for the impossibly old fashioned modern girl. these pieces will be popping up in 5gardenias vintage during the course of the week, and on an ongoing basis. the three leaves necklace and autumn leaf earrings are already listed.
best wishes and happy wednesday to you!

mid august vintage finds

finally a chance to post. i have to admit i've been trying to take it a little bit more slowly this summer, wanting and needing to enjoy the outdoors and escape from the house and yes ..the computer!
as the summer's end draws closer i'm feeling the light chill in the air-- loving the cooler mornings and evenings, watching the garden change, with blooms coming and going.. and now i'm anticipating the warmth of autumn's textures and light. one of my favorite tones of the season is sepia-- always making me feel nostalgic and comforted, and reminding me of the turning of leaves and stems from green to brown, and of the light that falls through windows at dusk ... so here are some antique finds that speak of that sense of change, of objects softly weathered and mellowed with age... top left to right:   
antique chinese tassels ,  antique villeroy and boch wash basin  , vintage rustic copper pouring pot , antique dressing table tray/plateau,

best wishes-- i hope you enjoy a wonderful week ahead!

simple summer meal

a simple summer meal--homemade flat bread empanadas with sharp melted chedder and sweet onions-- and fresh orchard cherries...  it's too hot for anything more!

mid summer vintage

 i know we're told not to hang onto old baggage..but sometimes it's best to hold on and enjoy every sensation and memory that timeworn objects conjure up...
...some recent sweet antique and vintage finds from 5gardenias for mid july that evoke an air of romance, of travels to and from distant locations, of dance steps to music still echoing, of kitchen aromas warm and inviting...
hope everyone is managing to stay cool in the summer heat -- and warm and cozy in the autumn evenings in the other hemispheres-- thanks for stopping by!

looping loops necklace

 i had a bit of fun the other day and finished this necklace- a loopy little summer number. here are a few views of the piece-- playful --with a bright splash of hot tangerine on a textured charm and some cheeky salmon coral seed beads looping together with sterling chain.  i love the subtle textures and movement in this piece...  reminds me of a looping line drawing doing a modern dance...

my model for early july

 my sweet simple little antique maid's apron made for a wonderful model yesterday, catching the warm late afternoon summer light through each finely woven thread.... and a bowl of fresh summer cherries for good measure.. then it seemed only natural to include this wonderfully rustic set of vintage white enamel camp cups, and a vintage syracuse china blue vine rimmed diner ware platter both ready for adoption from my vintage shop. all in the spirit of fine summer living...
have a wonderful weekend good people!

rustic simplicity to welcome july

it's been a while. life's been busy--trying to balance work with home life-- i'm sure you know exactly what i'm talking about. but i'm a proud momma, as i had the wonderful experience of watching one of my older sons graduate from college. a little bitter sweet as i know his visit home is a short one before he heads out across country to begin his new adventures in LA. - a long way off-- but a very good reason for me to get out to the west coast more often!
so now with some happy distractions and activities out of the way i have time to post and give you a preview of some wonderful rustic vintage finds from 5gardenias to help celebrate the coming of july.  a sweet vintage screened drying rack or seed sorter, a wonderful minimalist mid century signed sterling leaf brooch from denmark ( listing soon!),  an antique iron wire rack ( great re-purposed  as a hanging planter), and a fabulous antique coffee grinder/mill made of brass and lustrous dark wood .

i hope everyone is enjoying these early days of summer-- and autumn days for some-- may the sunshine and blue skies bring you happiness and make your tomatoes ( or pumpkins)  grow like crazy!

celebrating summer with vintage

i think we all have different things that make us feel like summer's here-- and that we love to do once it arrives. i think of dining outdoors, camping, summer nights on porch swings, cottage living, gardening, outdoor games, bright blue skies, picnics,  4th of July, patio parties, playtime..trips to the lake or beach.... in honor of summer's arrival i've been stocking a few vintage items in 5gardenias that speak of the warmer months ahead.  1. vintage Ker Sweden enamel cup and plate set  2. vintage paint by number mid west farm scene  3. antique wood croquet set  4. vintage toleware strawberry candle holders
happiest june to you all!

playing with pyramids

just finished these new pieces for my jewelry shop on etsy -- the earrings are a 3-D take on a pair of open wire triangle earrings i designed in 2009 and have sold on and off since. this time i wanted the design to echo the pyramid necklace i just finished and listed which is made with enamel over copper--and backed in oxidized sterling silver... totally modern, minimalist -a bit rustic with an urban edge-- a mini sculpture to wear on the bod-- the open pyramid earrings dangle from sterling chain--completely light weight and comfortable--