Vintage Typewrister Photography and a Collection

While at the farm this weekend setting up a special pie safe cabinet that I began filling with my found objects gathered over the years I paused for a moment and gazed at the vintage typewriter I have in the foyer.  I kept sweeping past as I gathered objects from cabinets, drawers and shelves to add to the shelves of the pie safe upstairs.  Each time I would pass the typewriter I couldn't help but gaze at the keys as I swept past.  It's one one my favorite accessories.

The third time I passed the typewriter, I had to pause and grap my camera for a few quick shots as I knew that until I satisfied my visual self the work upstairs would be a distracted attempt at best.

I adore this old typewriter that I found in a junk haunt of mine several years ago.  I can't imagine life without it at this point.  It gives me pleasure every time I pass it in the hall as I go up or down the stairs.

Inspired by Sibella Court's book, ETCETERA where I fell in love with her cabinet filled with her personal collections of seashells, antlers, bugs, etc.  I have decided to gather my own personal collection together in one cabinet a vintage pie safe I purchased from my dear friend, Allene years ago.  It's the perfect size to hold my collection and it sets in the upstairs hallway of the farm.

I have these wonderfully personal things stuffed in drawers, cabinets, shelves tucked away out of sight as they really don't blend well with my usual decor.  But, they make me so happy when I open a drawer and find them inside.  Encourage by Sibella to live this these collections and share them with others I started gathering them together.  It will be a process as they are stashed away in boxes and containers virtually in every room of my house.  My little totems...

I added a tiny figurine of a dog with a ball which reminds me of my little Molly who lives to chase her ball.  A seed pod from my garden last year and a wooden printer's block of a W for my maiden name of Williams.  A bone china oval bowl holds more pods. an owl feather and a chandelier crystal.

This guy is one of my latest acquisitions a taxidermy aligator that I love is perfect for my shelves.  I plan to add my little wooden box of rattlesake rattles and a tortoise shell.  When I carried this little fellow up to the register to purchase him the owner of the show said, "NOOOO, you are not going to buy that!!!"  I laughed and told her that yes indeed I was going to do just that.  She couldn't imagine what on earth I would want with him, but I love it and felt it was a steal at $22.

A vintage glass bottle holds tiny glass buttons, a carved owl in white, a translucent marble bowl from Italy, a wasp nest, a vintage watering nozzle and large apothecary jars that shimmers in the light.

An old pulley wheel holds one of my autograph books from 1948 open with a dried zinnia bloom next to a silver tray holding vintage chandelier crystals and papery money plant pods.

Another pulley wheel, a tiny whisk broom with a green velvet top, a transfer ware pitcher in shades of the same hue of green, vintage bottles and a magnifying glass for up close viewing.

A watercolor of a farm scene behind the Last Supper souvenir from Italy that I love.  If you look closely you can see the windmill...it's painted in lovely hues of green and is very old and crumbly.

I will add more photos for you as my collection takes form in the pie safe over the next few months.  I plan to add more feathers, shells, antlers, apothecary bottles, magnifying glasses, fossils, vintage binoculars, a doll head I salvaged from a fire and a few botany books I have on hand.

My own personal eclectic collection of things I treasure and enjoy.  Thanks for the inspiration Sibella!

How do you live with your personal collections?  Are they trapped in boxes and drawers?  Are they spread out on a tabletop or showcase?  I'd love to hear about your collections and how you live with them.

Blessings - Julie



How To Plant Vintage Glassware

Potting up vintage glassware like retro cups from the 70s, vintage stemware and sherbert dishes in vibrant blues is so special in your kitchen windowsill, on a table in your screened in porch or at your desk in your office.  They brighten up any space...like a hall bathroom.

But, first things first.  You have to gather your supplies.

Cactus Potting Soil

Containers

Plants - succulent varieties

How easy was that?  Simple.simple.simple.

The fun part is going to your favorite antique mall, thrift store or junk shop and selecting your containers.

The second fun stop is going to your favorite nursery to select succulents.  Any variety will do so go wild.  One variety in a container is great, two is even better.

I like to pot up containers at my potting bench outside so that I can be messy and not worry about soil going everywhere as I always manage to fling it here and there.  I don't even know how I do it, but it always happens so I pot outside whenever possible.  

Here are my sweet euchervia and rose moss or portulaca ready to go into these sweet vintage cups.

I adore this pattern on this cup.  I really think I would buy the set of dishes if I found them.  I already own three sets, but I just don't think I could resist them.

Back to potting up the containers.  Chose your favorite container, be sure that it is clean - no junk store debris allowed - if it is dishwasher safe - run it through - that would be best.  Why?  You will be providing a warm, damp container -  the perfect environment for pesky bacteria to grow.  This can wreak havoc for your sweet little plant's roots.  Healthy soil equals a super happy healthy plant.

Remove your plant from it's plastic container by pushing up from the bottom.  Now you have to spread the roots so that your little plant will fit inside your container.  You need to keep as many roots as possible so gently push your finger up into the root ball and spread it apart or in half.

Put a bit of soil in the bottom of the cup, place your little sweetie in the cup next and then add soil around the sides as needed to bring the soil level up on all sides.

Now give your little plant a drink, just 2 tablespoons - I repeat 2 tablespoons only.  Too much water will drown your plant.  Plants need moisture and air to grow at the root level.  Too much water removes any air pockets from the soil and the plant will drown.

If you are potting an euchervia or hen and chick, remove soil from the plant on all sides and bottom so that it will fit in your container.  Use a deeper container for these guys.

Who could resist such a sweet little plant in a vintage glass sherbert dish?

 That's all there is to it.

Except, if your plant will be living inside place it in a sunny window - south or west exposure.  If your little guy is going to the office with you, place under a lamp and it will be happy.  Office lighting will not be sufficient - you need a small lamp.  If you are placing your plant outside - it has to be in a shady area as the container is so small that it will dry out in the sun super quick and will bake in the sun.

So, gather you containers and have some fun.  The containers are just darling at place settings, great gifts for teachers, Mom's love them, Nana's too, they are great for a fund raiser - kid's can do them, too. 

Happy Gardening - Julie

Vintage Poultry Items Are Perfect for Farmhouse Style

romantiskahem

I am smitten with vintage poultry egg baskets and have a nice collection started that I hang from my pot rack in the kitchen.  I also use them to hold fresh fruit, white tapers, pinecones in the Fall, and vintage Christmas ornaments in the Winter.

Glass and More - Etsy

Look at how pretty they are filled with eggs in this German version.

retrorenovation

Retrofitted into a fabulous hanging light.

Good Housekeeping

A floral arrangement is perfect for Spring decorating.

House Beautiful

Fill them with your favorite bowl filler for your kitchen, coffee table or guest bath.

Now let's talk about chick feeders...

Great caddy for your stuff.

Another vintage chick feeder light fixture.

Enjoy the day.

Blessings - Julie

Fabulous Vintage Finds

Salt and Pepper Shakers

After spending the afternoon redesigning my blog and browsing past postings I realized that I really like the Fabulous Finds blog postings from the past.  So, here is another latest in vintage finds from the Prairies of Kansas. 

Great little crystal salt and pepper shakers that are so sweet when you are entertaining and need several sets on the table for your guests.

Wayfarer Eyeglasses

These are so in, again.  They really look great on the guys but I have seen a few girls that looked adoreable in them.  Great geekery.

Table Butler Set

This silver plated set is from Japan and is really heavy with beautiful detailing.  Another fun piece to use when entertaining.

Sweet Lazy Susan Sewing Storage

This is the sweetest sewing storage case I have ever seen.  It's a lazy susan that spins, with a holder on top for your pin cusion.  Lift the lid on top and you have storage for bobbins, thimbles, needles, etc.  The next level has pegs for spools of thread.  All in PINK.

80's Eyeglasses

Great eyeglasses from the 80s ready for new lenses.

Farmhouse Fun Milk Bottle Caps

Scout Stapler

Fun desktop stapler in a Junior version.

My Three Trolls

Why? Because they are just funny.

Santa Figurine

Vintage Bottle

Well, I hope you enjoyed this segment of Fabulous Vintage Finds.

Tomorrow, is the Bottom's Up Show again in the West Bottoms of Downtown Kansas City.  It's located at 12th and Santa Fe.  The show starts at 10am - hope to see you there.

Bottoms Up Debut - Kansas City

I thought I would share some photos of my new Prairie Thistle space at Bottoms Up in the West Bottoms of Kansas City.  I only had two weeks to prepare for the show so I quickly put together a booth design for the show.  This venue is open the first Friday and Saturday of each month.   I had such a lovely time at the show I have decided to join in again in April.  I hope you can join me there, if you have never been to Bottoms Up you are in for a delightful shopping experience.

I will have a bit more time to prepare for the next show and plan to bring in more jewelry, antiques and French inspired goods for the home and garden.

One of the necklaces that I put together for the show featuring a large vintage shell button with a tiny sparrow wired to blueberry lace quartz.

I adore my sparrow cabinet that I had custom made to display my jewelry.  It is four feet wide and five feet in height and features a hard rock maple top.  It holds an enormous amount of jewelry, but would also be perfect for linens and lingerie.  My Master Cabinet maker has agreed to make more of these cabinets by order.  Send me an email if you are interested and would like more information.

It was a fun show with a lively crowd enjoying the lovely offerings of the antique vendors.

This was the first mannequin that I purchased long ago.  It is actually a boy mannequin torso that I always try to disguise with lots of lace strategically placed creating a more feminine shape.

I also brought lots of antiques for the glass case in my space.  This is a lovely Italian figurine of a family of Blue Jays.

Hand carved wooden statues of Jesus are exquisitely detailed.

A vintage beveled glass silver Victorian hand mirror and a white beaded purse with a tiny mirror in the clasp.

Purchase Here

A pair of white leather Mary Jane shoes - too sweet.

Our leading lady of Bottoms Up, Gwen McClure.  She's a lovely person and you can hear her laughter all day as she greets her returning loyal customers.

This is a photo of Gwen's lovely French inspired offerings.



Another booth filled with wonderful European antiques.  The two consoles in the front have silver leaf tops.

There are no words....

What a wonderful weekend and I am so excited about the show next month and I hope you can join me.

Bottoms Up

1200 West 12th Street

Kansas City, MO  64101

Related Articles and Links

Jenny Steffens Blogspot

West Bottoms Business District

Bottoms Up Facebook Page

French By Design Facebook Page

Beth Leintz Blog

Photo Shoot of Prairie Thistle Jewelry - Staging A Shot

Time to bring out the camera and stage a photo shoot of the jewelry I have put together for the upcoming Cupid's Gems Jewelry Show on February 5th.

A quick shot of my reflection in the vintage mirror on the table and I begin trying to get "the shot" that best captures the luster of pearls and the flash of semi precious stones.  It's a challenge...

I like to photograph my jewelry with other things that I love like vintage dresser mirrors, old clocks from Germany, an ornate gilded box from Italy, a tiny jar of glass buttons, old linen handkerchiefs from Ireland, and tiny porcelain birds in white from France that I found this week in one of my favorite antique shops..

Glistening pearls and faceted jasper in a long opera length strand against a vintage photo of three sisters on the porch steps.  Isn't she lovely?

Carnelian and Garnet Earrings - Buy Here

Carnelian briolettes with faceted garnets on 14KT gold earrings with a vintage lace backdrop in pure white that I think reflects the delicacy and elegance of these earrings.

Add a pair of porcelain birds and it makes my heart flutter a bit in excitement.  I love this shot!

Iolite and Garnet Earrings - Buy Here

This time pair the Iolite briolettes and ruby red garnets with the porcelain birds and vintage lace of the Irish linens.

Three strand necklace of Ryolite and vintage Czech glass ivory seed beads that have an old world feel to them.  This necklace is a choker design that is so flattering on women of all ages.

Close up of vintage Czech glass faceted beads and gemstone beads in vivid blue and those fabulous little birds.  I can hardly stand how darn cute those little birds are in the photos.

Full view of the long necklace with Art Nouveau focal point that seems right at home with the staging.

Just for fun, I wanted to share the sweet baby fork and spoon with a puppy on the handle.  I will be adding them to my etsy shop - Thing Finder.

I'd love to hear about your techniques and any tips you might have for getting that "it shot".

Hope you are well and living artfully.

Blessings - Julie