Becoming a Reclaimologist

 I got these stools painted in time for flea.o.logy on August 31st, but didn't get the designs done, though I knew what I wanted to do with them from the start.  Of course Graphics Fairy had the great design ... and I have the stamp set.  You may wonder why I have a King Bee ... Mr. P. asked me that very question, and I said it was his fault.  I couldn't do Queen Bee and Drone ... because all the men I know well are very hard working, especially him.  Thus, I have broken with tradition with King Bee and Queen Bee!

Since the stools weren't done until today, I had to decide where to sell them ... so now this becomes the story of how I became an official Reclaim-ologist and Crafty Chick ... yes, I have been booth of those things most of my life ... but for the last 4 months I have been official.

Reclaim-ologists and Other Crafty Chicks is the name of a facebook page where rehabilitated and crafted goods are sold locally.  There is a following of over 6,000 in this group, and some seriously amazing talent too.

Shannon, who is the main Reclaimologist, is a long time flea.o.logy flea market shopper, simply because our flea market is a great place to find goodies to rehab.

She even came and sold at flea.o.logy in May, and when I realized who she was ... R&OCC are pretty famous around here .... I asked if there was room for me in their group!  She put me on the waiting list, as she likes to maintain just 20 active sellers.  Within a couple of weeks, I was IN!

So this is where I will sell the chairs.  Pretty uncomplicated, as there is no shipping involved.  Below is the collage I put together to use on the R&OCC site. You might want to drop by, even if you are not local, there are always a lot of fun ideas to be had, if you too are a reclaimologist or a craft chick!

Antique Valentines and Paper Weights

How fun it is to look through a stack of vintage Valentines, and wonder about the original givers and receivers.  I always think of the decorated shoe boxes we made to receive our stashes of valentines from school friends.  The Valentines made in the 30's are always my favorites, I think they are so cheerful ... and they are often heart shaped which makes them perfect for placing in heart shaped glass paper weights.  Though since I have no desire to  cut up Valentines from my collection, I have found that its easy to find the type of old Valentines that I like on Graphics Fairy, which also makes it easy to print them off in the sizes I need.

Above are three paper weights with reprints of vintage Valentines.  I just use clear Tacky Glue, as glue goes on the face of each valentine to adhere it to the glass paper weights.

 

 The honey comb Valentines are earlier, dating to the turn of the last century... 

 

... and all this vintage Valentine goodness tucked away in a corner of my parlor just makes me smile!! Happy Valentines friends!

Steampunk Decor Ideas

Wow, its Wednesday again?  Time to record more of my recent wanderings.  If you read my blog about the Acorn Antique Show last Saturday, then you have probably been looking forward to seeing Marci's Amazing Steampunk booth for yourself!!

As you see, I have not been stingy with pictures.  Everything was so amazing I just kept taking more and more pictures.

As you can see she has really outdone herself with old clocks, gears, machinery bits, and antique reinventions.

The eye examine chart to the left is typical of the celebration of a period of time when inventions and innovations grew exponentially.

The charming antique books stripped of their covers and tied up with hand printed and hand died ribbons, each with a gear or other element added, were just charming.

Other inventions from the time of invention, like the phonograph and typewriter are of necessity included in any Steampunk display.

This little typewriter may be later than the Victorian period Steampunkists extol but it is charming none the less.

In addition to Marci's talents, others from Vine Street Antiques in Salt Lake City, were also represented.  The lamp to the left was made by another talented dealer.

There were also amazingly handcrafted jewelry and photo frames compliments of our favorite Steam Punk Diva.

And what SP display would be complete without a huge antique toolbox full of old gears and wheels.

I told Marci that I am thinking about Steampunking my library.  I can't think of another room in any Victorian house that more closely abides by the loosely woven tenants that are Steampunk. She even said she would come down and help!

I hope you enjoyed steaming along on our Steampunk adventure.  I am not sure it will ever be mainstream, but Marci has a way of making it just delightful!!  Thanks Marci for sharing your talents with all of us!!  You are definitely the Jules Vern of Decorating!!