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.

a most beautiful voice for you on a friday night... xo

 I have been busy of late-- packing up years of accumulation-- all of the items collected and held onto over a long span of time. Amazing how much stuff has just been sitting and waiting for this moment-- to be rediscovered and then sorted onto the "gotta go pile" or "for keeps" pile. My husband insists I'm a pack rat. I think he may be right. We have sold our building and have found a new home. It's very different from the home we've lived in for the last 12 years- this city loft home, with crazy painted floors and open doorways and rooms, where I gave birth to our son. A place we rehabbed ourselves that marks the beginning of our family's life together. Henry's sticker collection still lines the edge from top to bottom of the bathroom wall, the 2 by 4 cat scratching post is nearly scratched down to the last bits of wood... It will be very hard to leave. But it's time. Living in the heart of the city has worn on us. The night life and noise that continues into the early morning, the sounds of sirens and the restaurant patron's conversations that are audible in our home... well it's all very dear with it's liveliness on one hand but all very tiring on the other. We are definitely in need of a little peace.
So we will pack up, trim down, and move to a smaller abode. A 50s style home that was revamped just a few years ago-- everything nice and new and light and airy. The best part is a great big backyard--right now just a basic big deep rectangle of grass-- but so full of potential. The plan is to build a two story studio with spaces for both my husband and myself-- attached to our house by a greenhouse- a place to coax little seedlings along to be transplanted in the vegetable garden that we plan on having. All this and still plenty of room for Henry to kick a ball around and build some snow forts in the winter. The idea of being able to design our own studios has been a dream of ours. So to bring all of this about will be an amazing feat!
It's likely I will be even less active on my dear blog for the next few months, as we have much still to pack and then much to do in order to get settled. I'll try to post some pics of the changes, the new abode and plans for the new studios... In the meantime thanks so much for stopping by-- I'm wishing you a happy early Spring--just a little in advance.

some goodies newly listed in OhDearViolet-- with a touch of the romantic....
Victorian celluloid and rhinestone brooch from the 1940s.
Victorian era paper collar box with lace collars
Antique crocheted heart pin cushion
Victorian era tatted lace and white work doily pair

Wishing everyone a year filled with much love ... XO

Wow! The time has been moving at ultra speed. But before it slips by even further I wanted to wish everyone a most beautiful series of days leading up to and away from this holiday season. May each of you find some time however short or long to truly savor what is meaningful in your life. To hear the quiet snow, or your children's laughter,  hold the hand of a loved one, feel the warmth of a shared experience. Beyond the hype, the gifts, the stress of making it all happen-- just find a place where you remember what matters and know that fulfillment comes sometimes in very small doses, in the tiny snippets of experience that take us through each day. May each of you find that fulfillment and be happy for those sweet moments.

Here's hoping 2013 brings exciting new possibilities, plenty of creative energy and much love and happiness to each of you!

XO!

 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.