My computer crashed a few days back. The hard drive just bit the dust. Everything gone. Hundreds and hundreds of photos are no longer.  Needless to say it was a sobering experience. I am starting from scratch-- and so here is a sweet first photo to celebrate many new photos to come. A small collection of vintage landscape snapshots. Wonderfully aged shots of woodlands. The darkest photo from the left has a tiny figure walking in the bright light among the leaves. There's something so dear about that one in particular.  That's my favorite.
These will soon be listed in 5gardenias vintage, and there are other sweet things new to the shop.
I hope the Autumn air is agreeing with you .... xo : )

The evenings are growing cool here already and I'm feeling the tug and anticipation of Autumn. Always so welcome, yet a little bittersweet because the summer months seem so fleeting, and my bones have barely had time to feel the heat. Still Autumn seems to be singing a quiet and lovely tune, wishing the summer farewell.
In honor of the changes of the season I've put together some newly listed vintage and antique pieces from 5gardenias shop for you to enjoy.
a pair of antique crystal prisms, a set of vintage 1950s flash cards, an antique tatted lace hexagon shaped doily, and a beautiful rustic Chinese gathering basket.

I hope everyone continues to enjoy these last weeks of sweet summer time-- soak up the sun and the slower days, take deep breaths and take in all the scents while you can. Cheers!

Finally a few sweet and lovelies to share with you from OhDearViolet. With July nearly over I find myself wondering where on earth summer has gone to?  I've tried to take a little more time off than I normally allow myself --so posts and shop listings have been on the slow side. I must admit I feel a tinge of guilt for falling behind. Still I think it's best to slow down and smell the summer roses. Some stores have already started stocking their autumn items-- I'm just not ready for that! And while these finds aren't exactly summery-- they are most definitely not intended to rush you into Autumn mode. Happy Tuesday to you all : )

from top left and clockwise:

a sweet vintage folk art Victorian style tin can and velvet rocking chair/pin cushion

an antique silhouette portrait of a woman from the 1934 World's fair with handwritten date and signature in pencil on the paper backing ( I just love when original handwriting is coupled with a beautiful piece-- such an added bonus of specialness!)

vintage metal mesh rose findings -- so perfect for jewelry making

and the dearest antique petite point ( very tiny fine needlepoint ) and glass perfume bottle with gold washed ornate framework.

We've had such a rainy summer so far that we had a slight mold outbreak in our lower basement where my vintage and antiques are stored. The silver lining was that it forced me to unpack more boxes that were still sitting unopened after our move. After inspecting and doing some mild cleaning here and there, and finally setting up a dehumidifier, and air purifier everything is in good order. I decided to document a few of my faves from my personal collections of vintage and antique items. These are some wonderful early Victorian era paper and cardboard boxes. Some for face powder and theatrical powder, one from a Buffalo jeweler/silversmith, and another is labeled "no. 11" with elaborate decorative borders in sepia. I'll try to post more as I continue to document some of the things I love most. Have a wonderful weekend all!

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!