fishing, contemplating, antiquing & crafting

I love labor Day weekend. For me it means cooler nights, crisper air and harvest time. Soon I will think about bundling up my herbs to dry, so I can use them over the winter. Yesterday as I walked alone along a path in the woods, I thought about how much I love my hiking boots....no seriously. I love this time of year because I can wear wide legged jeans and fleece socks. Long sleeved tees with a sweatshirt wrapped around my hips....and hiking boots solid on my feet.

Yesterday Jon and I took a drive up north a bit to fly fish. He was sweet enough to pack my gear, but the reality is, I just haven't been feeling up to it. On the way there we passed about a gazillion lawn sales, so we decided on the drive up that I would drop him off at the river and lawn sale for a couple of hours. I couldn't kick him out quick enough. NOT because I don't love him, but because it has been a while since I've saled. Try like two years! Suddenly, I had the fever like the old days....and I was in junquing heaven! If I was still in the business, oh-the-things I could have bought and sold. But these days I look for wares for myself, and smaller simpler pieces I can work into my art.....so a lot of goodies got left behind to become someone elses treasure.

BUT, this little baby I DID NOT leave behind....and for a mere $10.00 it was mine!

I have been searching for just the right one for years, and have passed up quite a few of them, but the color, the basket...and THAT SEAT....it was love at first sight!  Even Jon likes it (I think).

I found other fun goods as well. I'm happy to report that I bought a big lot of vintage postcards from 1904~1979. I have kept just a couple and plan on selling the rest in little inexpensive bundles out of my shop. I may do a few on Ebay as well. I'll be sure to post here, but if you want a heads up, let me know!

Here are the little sweeties I kept.

These are from the 40's and my fave is the sand dollar postcard. I just love it's graphic goodness!

I also found a ton of Vintage "Workbasket" magazines amongst other vintage knitting and crocheting mags that I plan on selling in little bundles too....so again, if you want a heads up let me know, it should be this week at some point.

I've been peaking through, and they are loads of fun. I think a creative person could rework some of these patterns into some pretty groovy stuff. Some of the baby patterns are absolutely adorable and I'm not sure I would want to change a thing!

When I went back to the river, Jon and I jumped in the truck and headed to another bank for him to fish. I had brought all of the fixings to make homemade italians. I also brought all of the pieces for my "Fabulous Felt Flower" pins. So I sat in a chair he had brought for me and sewed to my hearts content on the banks of the river, watching my man, thinking how handsome he looked, thinking about fall and digging out my favorite old wool sweaters to wear for this favorite time of year.

xoxoxox

I have been dreaming up new ideas for jewelry too. My sketch pad is becoming full! Sometimes my ideas don't always work out so well, and sometimes they do. I dream of art. I do. When I was painting furniture, and had order upon order, I never dreamed up ideas...(I may have had a few nightmares due to stress)...but I never had these flowery, flowing dreams full of texture and color. It is very strange. I  find myself becoming frustrated as I have to work 3 days a week as a bartender and if I have a crazy busy night at the pub, my art dreams intermix with bar scenes, chatter and people. I find writing does help....but I hope I can find a way to seperate the two a little better! (I actually like my part time job, getting out of the house and making some great cash!!!)....but it can be draining to the senses sometimes.

ANYHOO.....I've recently made these two pieces.

La Fluer was a dream....

Art clay, many layers of my secret "goop", silver wire & a mix of pretty beads.

The French Connection

I did not "dream" up this one. It's an idea I've been playing with on the sketch pad for a while. I've also reworked the piece several times before I got it just right. Have I ever mentoned that I test wear every piece before I sell them?

I made the three pendants to frame around vintage french text. Steel rings hold the piece together and, as always, I use a sterling clasp.

 I hope you all have managed to have a great holiday weekend. We had a fab little dinner party last night and I served up grilled pork roast, grilled sweet potatoes, black bean and corn salad and our own little version of a Cosmopolitan.

posted by: sweetpeas at September 03, 2006 18:28 | link | comments (12) |
antiques, nothing much

Comments:

#1  03 September 2006 - 20:08

 

Hello, sweet Jes! It was so great to read this long post and imagine once again what your life is like. Lovely pictures, too, I adore that bike! This end of summer/early autumn is also my favourite time of the year. I love the fresher air it brings. By the way, red doors sound fantastic!

Anonymous

#2  04 September 2006 - 04:16

 

Oh I want heads up on the baby knitting stuff! :)

Lovely finds, Jes!!! The bike. . .OH THE BIKE! So envious over here!
~Leslie

Anonymous

#3  04 September 2006 - 16:32

 

Again, it looks like heaven! :)
I think you and Jon would like it here too... there's such a similar vibe!

I love the bike you found, what a treasure!

liquidskyart

#4  04 September 2006 - 19:52

 

I just LOVE that bike and the basket and the plant in the basket!!

Anonymous

#5  05 September 2006 - 18:23

 

Jes, What a great weekend! That bike is a real beauty. I so want to go to Maine yard sales. The stuff is really great.

Love, Love your new pieces!!!! Dawn

Anonymous

#6  06 September 2006 - 04:28

 

Just saw the Schwinn on flickr and had to drop everything and dash right over to your blog to check out the other "yardies"...you scored! I love the postcards and just drooled when I spied the sand dollars. And yes, Jon does cut a fine figure at the edge of the stream! xoxox Barb

Anonymous

#7  06 September 2006 - 13:31

 

Sounds and looks like the perfect weekend! Did your hubby catch any fish? Although your dinner party sounds lovely I was expecting you to say you had some fresh caught fish!
I love looking through my mom's old knitting books. Although I don't know how to knit I am always requesting stuff, but now that she has 8 grandchildren, 2 of which she watches full time, I think it will be a while before any of my requests get made!

Anonymous

#8  07 September 2006 - 15:53

 

such a lovely old-fashioned bike. What a great find! love the idea of your postcard packs!

Anonymous

#9  07 September 2006 - 16:22

 

Adorable new banner!! And thanks so much for your e-mail! Talk to you soon! :)

Anonymous

#10  12 September 2006 - 04:46

 

If I want to believe in re-incarnation, I want to come back as a Maine gal!!!!! BUT I must check out the correct address so that I can live 'da life' *sigh* Oh well,us lesser humans have to just keep on dreaming ....zzzzzzzz

Anonymous

#11  14 September 2006 - 03:05

 

that bike is so rad! i want one!

Anonymous

#12  14 September 2006 - 18:33

 

$10 for that amazing bike!? Nuts! Looks like you had a fabulous weekend! Yay!

GnomeGW

Comments: