Out with the Old...

Today I am kicking an old friend out of the shop. (No, it's not you. Don't be so paranoid.) In the spirit of trying to stay current, I am moving out this beautiful cupboard, to be replaced by a display piece that is a bit more streamlined. I find that the less stuff I have in here, the happier I am. Which begs the question: why am I in the retail business? I think people expect stores to be crammed wall-to-wall with items for sale, but I just can't bring myself to merchandise that way.

Anyway, goodbye to the cupboard - it will live with me for a while at home before moving on to greener pastures.


Speaking of streamlined, these new cloches I just got in are in a shape both current and timeless.


And speaking of timeless, peacocks (unless you're referring metaphorically to a real, insufferable person) will never go out of style. This is the Sycamore Hollow peacock watching over my winter window. It's sitting on the vintage mushroom-shaped wood piece that I picked up at the flea market last winter (after I paid for it of course). This piece is a bit on the weird side, and customers always ask "What do you do with that?" or "What is that for?" Why for putting a peacock on top of course! No, I don't say that. The wood piece is just for adorning your life, a bit of low-brow sculpture. Just go with it and ask yourself if it is always necessary to be so practical - rotten economy notwithstanding.

Late to the Funeral

A customer just popped in to ruin my day with the news that domino magazine has shuttered. Beyond depressing, as this is just the latest in a recent string of magazine deaths. The first and worst to come to my attention being House & Garden. The Venerable House & Garden! I should have know that newer mags would not be long for this world. Domino, however, I thought would survive through the recession, as it's point-of-view is unlike any other shelter magazine's out there. I never felt cool enough for the magazine (see previous post) but I really, really loved its DIY perspective, as it made me feel like I COULD be cool...someday. And now that day will never come. So thanks Kelly, for the bummer news about domino. Happier to hear the news from you, however - someone else who loved it - than reading a sad little post on domino's website. *sigh*

Domino Magazine: RIP

Now, onto hopefully a happier subject: projects.

Here is a photo of a recent frame I made. Kind of Asian, kind of trendy-crafty.


A recent view of the shop. Arrange, then re-arrange, then re-arrange some more! is my motto. The very happening vintage glass lamp is sold, but the glass bottles I will always have with me. Love those and can't stop carrying them, even when I'm afraid that my glass bottle market has been saturated. The shapes are very compelling.

You are here...

Karen King of Boom Studios created these lavender-filled heart sachets with vintage linens. She's a wiz, that Karen, and can whip up just about anything on her sewing machine. And not just any old anything, but items you actually want to have in your life. One-of-a-kind pillows, cards, tags, sachets, and, best of all, hats. Yes, she actually makes hats. In spite of 3 years of intense 4-H meetings culminating in supposedly wearable projects, I have yet to create anything involving sewing that anyone - even someone genetically required to love what I make (that's you Mom) - wants to possess. So Karen's talent is a wonder to me. She will have her own online shop on Etsy soon, so you will be able to access her creations directly. Until then, this amazing sachet, acquired through Sycamore Hollow, will have to tide you over.