Simple treasures; an idea to try

I love creating little vignettes around my home and studio. My favorites are the simple things that take a little bit of creative thinking and just a few minutes to assemble. I love the look of this vintage silver candy dish that I picked up at a thrift store for 99 cents and some old photographs stamped with fun sayings.

I’d love to take credit for stamping the photos, but I can’t. My friend Stephanie, one of the awesomely talented designers of the monthly Sweet Salvage event in Phoenix that I always try to make a point to stop by (particularly because it’s literally 5 minutes from my home) is the crafty gal who stamped these old photos. I picked them up for $1 a piece (Ouch! I know, but she did do creative the work so what I spent in $, I saved in time).  I bought ten of my favorites and knew instantly how I planned to display them.

For $11, I think I have a pretty cute little story to tell. If you’re reading my blog, I know you have an interest in either/or found objects and making stuff. Also, if you’re a mixed-media artist, I’m sure you have some of these old black-and-white photos from the 1950s hanging out in your studio waiting for a book or collage project. Why not pull them out, stamp a few letters or saying on them and proudly display them for others to see how clever you really are! (wink)

Here’s wishing you a truly Artful day!

My new boyfriend Carlo

One of my guilty pleasures is the anticipation of each month’s 4-day sale at the Sweet Salvage event in Phoenix. As much as I try to stay away, I just can’t. Kim and Katie and the rest of the designer’s sweet song calls to me, whispering of the crusty, rusty, weathered and wonderful treasures they’ve found throughout the month and display so beautifully throughout the store.

This month’s event was extra special for me because my two crafty girlfriend, Donna Salazar and Stacey Caron joined me for treasure hunting. The moment we walked in the door, we found this absolutely amazing child-size vintage mannequin hanging from a cast iron display. I knew the moment I saw it that it was a truly special piece. Stacey is creating a brand new craft studio and the piece just had to go home with her. I was sad and a little bit green with envy because I wanted to take it home with me, but I was honestly thrilled one of us in our trio scored the best prize of the day.

I mourned the loss for about 2 minutes and moved on to see what other wonderful things I could find. Then I came across Carlo, a male mannequin that one of the Sweet Salvage designers did an incredible job storyboarding. His jaunty fedora, fun tool belt, feathers in the pocket and folded book pages cravat spoke to me. I think he has a sense of humor, don’t you? I just had to buy him, and luckily, he was quite the bargain when compared to our child-size friend.

I have another wonderful vintage mannequin in my studio with the full iron skirt. I’ve named her Towanda from one of my favorite movies “Fried Green Tomatoes”. At first I wanted to keep Carlo for my new boyfriend, but my husband said he really is a better fit for Towanda. The two are eyeing each other in the corner right now. I expect a little flirting to begin sooner rather than later. They really do make a dashing couple.

Vintage mannequins were a theme throughout this month’s show. Stacey and I went hunting for a momma to accompany her purchase. She really liked this lovely lady with the cream bodice and nailhead trim. I, of course, was more drawn to the more raw look of the vintage dress form with the cockeyed construction and one extra wide hip, that looks like it’s permanently out of place from carrying many babies throughout the years. Plus, it looks like a great surface to stamp and collage on.

We couldn’t help but agreeing on these lovely chairs hanging from the ceiling and this unstuffed chaise. I wish I had a place in my studio to just leave them as is; an assemblage in their weathered glory.

Other vintage goodies includes these lovely rusty green cast iron thingamabobs. I have a home decor idea for them that I will share as soon as I get it finished. I also bought a metal wire cloche, some large chandelier crystals and a few metal odds and ends.

All in all, it was another wonderful day seeing my Sweet Salvage friends and shopping with Donna and Stacey (and Donna’s lovely sister too!)