My Eclectic Home

Recently, I posted about things getting better with age, and  some of the special old items that I have loved and  collected through out the years, that I  have used in my homes decor. One of my friends, Lin, from the Duck and Wheel,  commented on the post and asked me if I had a lot of antiques in my house. So I thought I would answer that in todays post! (Thanks Lin!)

I think my home is an ecclectic mix of furniture and accessories. I have things from yard sales, flea markets, antique shops, contemporary furniture stores, things from my travels, things from the beach, things from the forest, things from Etsy, things from artists and crafters, things from discount stores, all throughout my house. Basically theres one rule...if I like it...it comes home with me, and I will find a spot for it. Now I dont like clutter, so everything has to  work together, without becoming overwhelming in the room.

This is my living room....

 

These are vintage cricket balls that I bought at a yard sale. I piled them up in these modern trays, and they sit on my fireplace. I love the texture of these!

This very cool phone is another yard sale find, and sits in my china cabinet just above the vintage teapot,... which was purchased  at an antique show in England.

   

Another cool black phone...another yard sale bargain! Sits next to a vintage trophy...purchased at a car boot sale in England, and some antique salt and pepper shakers from an Estate sale on Vancouver Island. These items are surrounded by modern candle holders from a  big box discount store.

One of my favorite pieces, in the room is this stone..very heavy bust, which I got this past summer  at a yard sale. She sits next to a vase of my "egg shaped rocks" which I collected at a beach on the west coast several years ago. Then there is my very special dragonfly vase, that I purchased from a potter ...also on the West coast. I love the red color! The piece of driftwood, I found , more "egg rocks" on the tray...and the tray is from a discout store. Everything sits nicely on my coffee table that I adore...from Restoration Hardware.

 I will continue with part two of the home decor walk thru in the next post!

Pin It

Mondays Treasury

I created this treasury of wonderful items on Etsy, recently. I love all the rough and worn edges, the patina, and the history of many of these great things. Texture... they all have a touchability about them...if thats a word!

Please visit this wonderful collection here, on Etsy for more information on these lovely items! Pin It

Things Get Better With Age

I love old things......things with history, things weathered and worn, things with character. I have always enjoyed collecting vintage items, I don't care what an item is worth, it just has to speak to my soul, and it will come home with me. I love the inviting textures of peeling paint, revealing its many colored layers. I love cracked and wrinkled aged leather, an old musty book filled with yellowed pages, the smell of a black, bakelite telephone from the 1940's, the warm, verdigris patina from old brass and copper metal, I love the grayed and yellowed rhinestones in vintage jewellery, and a brand new mirror, doesn't hold a candle to a mirror that has its silver backing peeling away revealing the silvered spots and lines of a mirror that has seen many decades of reflections!

 Here are a few of my favorite old things, that I have photographed over the years, many of them grace special corners in my home.

Pin It

My Valentines Gift to You!

The first of my Spring 2013, designs are now available in my Etsy boutique. As my Valentine gift to you, my faithful readers and customers..... I have FREE SHIPPING, to all of my friends in Canada and the USA, until Feb 14!

Just enter the coupon code SPRING13, when you are checking out.

Pin It

Alluring- new bracelet cuffs!

For those of you who follow me regularly, you may remember my "Alluring" necklaces from last season.

 Well, I did so well with them at my Fall shows, that I decided to expand that line, and try my hand at some bracelets.

These all started with several big old brass metal fishing lures. However, these are not your average  fishing lures.....these ones have turned pretty with old age and have a beautiful patina.

 First, these lures are cleaned, hammered,  bent into shape, and the patina is protected with layers of wax.

Then comes the fun part of actually designing the cuff bracelet. Playing off of the gorgeous colors in the metal, I chose some vintage lace, from my stash of lace and ribbons, recycled sari silks, leather, beads, and crystals that fit my color scheme. 

Then I added  some special elements, like my hand crafted resin lockets and bezels, to embellish the cuffs. 

This one opens up!

I was pretty happy with how they turned out.  I also made some new Alluring necklaces, and will post about those next time!

Pin It

A Losing Battle

I am in the midst of designing...so sorry for the sparse posts of late!

This guy recently paid me a visit........

He had a friend with him too..........

They were trying to nuzzle their noses down into the snow and eat my plants, that are hiding beneath several inches of the white stuff.

I went outside onto my deck and started talking to him, asking him why he was eating my plants...and he just stood there firmly, looking at me...not afraid at all!

I went back inside.

Deer =1

Me = 0

Pin It

Spring Colors 2013

 January is certainly not my favorite month of the year, it's cold, its dark, and summer seems so far away. However, January gives me time to catch up on life's little things that I never seem to have time to do..like cleaning out a closet or  reorganizing my kitchen pantry. I catch up on my magazine reading, from December...when all those magazines that arrived in the mail ended up in a pile on my desk, because I was too busy to read them.  It's also a good time to plan a summers vacation! The thing I love to do most, however, in the quiet days of January, is to curl up beside the fire with a cup of tea, and do research  on Spring fashion, trending colors and design, and start looking for, and ordering supplies and materials for my jewellery designs.

So I thought you may want a little preview of what Spring...in the world of fashion and design,.... is all about this year.

Colors for Spring and Summer 2013, are fresh, pretty and uplifting! These are the colors that make you smile. Spring is a season that is less serious than Fall, and its time to have some fun!

Pantones Fashion Color Report for Spring, 2013, mixes brights, such as Emerald Green, (Pantones color of the year) 

or African Violet,




and juicy cheerful colors such as Lemon Zest 

 and Nectarine  

        with  the new neutrals  Grayed Jade,

                                                         and Dusk Blue.

  If you are a little less out going in your fashion combinations, then  feature one of the seasons trendy colors, such as Tender Shoots 

with traditional, classic neutral colors such as Linen 

 

                                                  and Monaco Blue 

                                                                                                  which is a rich dark navy. 

 Add a touch of Poppy Red to your lips for a pop of Spring color!

 Poppy Red is a true red, which will be seen in fashion  for Spring,  2013. 

I was recently in the women's shop, White House Black Market, where the color Dusk Blue was very prominent  I loved it so much, that I bought a great pair of jeans in this color. I will probably wear them with blush, beige or linen shades and of course white. However, on my brave days, I might add a shot of  mandarin orange with my patent orange or Nectarine sandals!


My  most favorite color out of all these fresh exciting colors for Spring, is the Grayed Jade, so I will be looking for something new in this color to add to my wardrobe this season.

How about you...what is your favorite color for this Spring? 



Pin It

Hot Rocks, Hot Sale!

If you ever wanted a one of a kind Hot Rocks piece of jewellery, there is no better time to make that purchase than now.
My end of season clearance sales, run only twice per year, and today is the first day of my Fall/Winter sale. 

Everything in my Etsy boutique is 35%-40% off!

If you don't see that special piece that catches your eye right away, please check back later this weekend, as I will be adding more sale items daily.

This sale is only on for a limited time, as I will soon be listing new designs for the upcoming Spring season.

Happy shopping!

Susan Pin It