i will survive!

It's been a long time since I last blogged. My family has moved and my daughter started kindergarten. Throw in a crazy lil' four year old boy, a "real day job," opening a space at our city's premiere antique mall and, well, I find myself here on December 8th, 201o feeling a bit chewed up! 

I have managed to add a bunch of wonderful new items to my Etsy shop. One-of-a-kind Christmas stockings made from antique grain sacks and vintage french ticking. What I have named our "Oh-So-Useful Clothespin Bags," created from vintage 1940's clothespin bag wire hardware and newly made vintage french ticking bags. They hang anywhere to hold anything and look lovely doing it. Oh, I almost forgot! The aprons! Wonderful aprons made from grain sacks and another textile favorite of mine–german mangle cloth!

If I don't make it back to my blog before the holidays, to all those who support, love and believe in me: Happy Holidays!

Spread the Etta Bloom love...

Jeff

on the mend...

Ahhh! Patches! Those sweet little make-do, fix-up, get-by mends are getting their just do! I have been dealing in textiles for about 15 years and have always adored sweet hand stitched mends on quilts and linens, but I have seen customers turn their nose up at a perfectly lovely mend on a perfectly lovely textile. This I could never understand! To me it always made the item more special, showing such a personal sign of care (and an early understanding of re-use and frugality).

I just read a recent posting at dcbydignblog.com and was so pleased to see my favorite design textile, the humble grain sack, still holding strong as a favored upholstery covering. I guess a new trend surfacing is is using old commercial tarps as furniture covering! I have to say, I like it! Perfect for a cozy beach cottage! The above photo is a detail of a tarp covered couch that is part of a line that Designer Thomas Bin  created for Four Hands, an Austin, Texas based importer of "Lifestyle Home Furnishings."

http://dcbydesignblog.com/2010/09/from-grain-sacks-to-truck-tarps/

Bloom...

I was just online and checking out Remodelista. Francesca had just posted an article on "Bloom", a lovely store located in Sag Harbor. I am a die hard fan of spare primitive decorating–early painted cupboards, baskets and hand woven textiles, but done with a minimal flare. This shop looks amazing! It looks like the interior of someone's home. What a great way to merchandise! For more about Bloom (and more wonderful photos), read more at:

http://remodelista.com/posts/shoppers-diary-bloom-in-sag-harbor#comments

Paper Whimsies...

I really enjoy looking through the pages of etsy and am amazed at how many artisans there are out there, making their humble crafts and contemporary folk art. I see a lot of products that lack individuality and pure creative spirit and am always so excited to see something I have never seen before or find truly inspired.

So tonight I happened upon SimpleJoysPaperie's shop. They are out of Tennessee and produce what they refer to as "Paper Whimsies." The most interesting are wrist cuffs made from vintage book spines. I love books and typography so that is probably why they caught my eye. I also love the use of 18th century paper art elements in such items as paper weights, wreathes and note cards.

Farm Chicks...

I have been hearing a lot locally about the Farm Chicks for several years now. The Farm Chicks are promoters of antique shows that usually occur on Eastern Washington. Living in Seattle and raising two kids, I never seem to make it. Supposedly they are a good time and lots to be found.

I happened to google them recently and didn't expect to find much, but "POW" was I wrong! The website is so lovely to look at at and so well put together. I've decided the vibe is very "Mayberry," if Andy, Opie and good 'ol Aunt Bea had lived in a technicolor world of luscious red cherry pies, instead of a grainy gray one.

From the site: "What is a Farm Chick? A Farm Chick is a girl who sees the world through rose-colored glasses. She loves her family. She laughs a lot. She's farmgirl meets Fifth Avenue and with a little style, she'll change the world". I'll have to forgive the Farm Chicks for thinking "chicks" are only of the female gender on the farm. Maybe, as a guy, I'm just a little envious of all the peach pickin' good time the chicks seem to have!

Check out the site and Serena's blog. Immerse yourself in all the pie-cooling-on-the-window-sill-goodness of it all.

Photo:
http://www.thefarmchicks.com

Primitive, pretty, purposeful...

One seller on Ebay that I like, and always seems to share a sensibility similar to my own, is wormeatingdragon. She makes lovely pillows (ah! my competition!) from old german grain sacks and also pillows she has stenciled herself. She recently crafted an amazing tote from a earthy tone early german grain sack, with worn stenciling and lined it with bold, antique french ticking. Although seemingly humble by it's primitive mixture of textiles, I could easily see this tote worn by the trendiest on the streets of New York City. She hit a home run with this one...

http://myworld.ebay.com/wormeatingdragon

The Saint Freres Grain Sack...

I saw this reupholstered chair last year online and just fell in love with this grain sack motif! The style of the edwardian sitting chair is just a little too stark for my taste, but the reupholstery is still inspiring to me! I found some of these wonderful vintage grain sacks and just had to make a huge pillow!

Chair image from: http://www.poetichome.com

Ornamental Wire Fencing...

Next to a good traditional picket fence, I love the ornament wire fencing associated with the 1920's. It achieves a beautiful patina over time and offers protection to vegetables while allowing good air flow. This crimped wire fencing also makes the perfect support for trailing sweet peas or clematis, and adds the perfect old fashioned element to a cottage garden.

I kept an eye out at our local salvage stores and even ran ads on Craigslist, but never had any luck finding the vintage fencing (sadly, I'm sure it ends up at a dump when removed from most older homes). I couldn't find any local sellers of the contemporary version, so ended up doing some investigation online. Here are two links from sellers I located. When I ordered mine, it arrived in a big bale, with straps around it!

http://www.hutchison-inc.com/html/fence_wire/fence/ornamental.php
http://www.afence.com/store/product.php?productid=19530&cat=464&page=1

take a seat...

As a part-time antique dealer for over 15 years, I have owned a lot of things. Most of which I originally bought for myself, but eventually have decided to part with. Collections of yellow ware have come and gone. I was there for the stone fruit craze (all of which I have kept). The expensive breakables that couldn't find a home on a high shelf soon went as well when the kids were toddlers. One item I always find a place or use for (and never a need to sell) is a good bench. I have short ones, long ones, tall ones. Most are holding on to their original paint, now grungy and dry over time. That's how I like 'em! The short ones came in handy when the little ones were needing a boost to the sink or a foot up for potty training. The larger and longer ones can be pulled up to the table to make a good row of seating or as a narrow coffee table. I watch for the ones with the nice storage shelf below to tuck books and a place for the remote that is handy, yet out of sight.

This bench recently sold from Old Canada Antiques in Vancouver. Scott Landon, the owner, always seems to unearth incredible painted furniture and folk art.

http://www.oldcanadacountry.com

Dust Bowl Chic...

My last blog sent me on a search for a photo of an abandoned home to add to my tongue-in-cheek naming of a fictious trend of home decorating referred to as "dust bowl chic". I was reminded of how much I love photos of abandoned homes and photos of the depression era. I recently spent three hours hanging out of an RV window driving through Eastern Washington State with my camera, taking photos of boxy wooden shells set against formidable barren terrains.
Check out:

http://www.photographyblogger.net/30-cool-abandoned-house-pictures/

Also, the works of Dorthea Lang!
Shown above, "Tractored Out, Childress County, Texas,” 1938, Oakland Museum of California, City of Oakland, Gift of Paul S. Taylor. ©The Dorothea Lange Collection, Oakland Museum of California, City of Oakland, Gift of Paul S. Taylor.

My very own catch phrase...

I've been thinking a lot about blogs lately, and about the concept of accumulating other peoples ideas, thoughts, objects, photos, etc., and passing them off as somehow my discovery. I admit to being a bit jaded by the idea of capturing snapshots from other peoples work, vision and websites, then running it through a blog filter and feeling somehow responsible. Ya know? And, although I love a great idea and I am moved by something beautiful or well crafted, I do inherently feel like I have seen it all before. So what would I have to say?!

One evening lying in bed, searching through Etsy under the glow of my iphone, a light went on and I felt I had the concept or idea for my blog...

"It's not a new idea, but a GOOD idea!" (patent pending. Back off Martha, the teeshirts are already in production!) HA!

Somehow that takes the pressure off and I can now focus on being a conduit for ideas that are timelessly lovely, relatable and purposeful. My view will always be towards creating a naturally comfortable home, filled with an accumulation of memories, tasteful mementos and visual lovelies. I know how hard it can be to locate uniquely wonderful home accessories, especially if you want your environment to reflect an individuality of it's own. Any beautiful idea is mass marketed until there isn't a shread of life left in it. So, if I happen to stumble upon a unique item on Etsy or Ebay, I will pass the discovery on. Or maybe it's as simple as providing a reliable resource for artisan crafted vintage lighting. I bow before the truly talented craftsmen in a world where the masses are cleverly brainwashed into believing they are all latent masters of wall stenciling, entertaining or putting up preserves.

Whether it be American or French Country, Cottage, Farmhouse, Shabby or some new incarnation of basically the same idea (maybe the next big influence will be "The Great Depression", cleverly coined "Dust Bowl Chic"), you probably won't learn something incredibly new or fresh, but hopefully be reminded of what works.

in(dust)rial....

We are all aware of the current decorating trend referred to as Industrial. I like the concept, but feel it is just a little cold for a home interior. Elements of it, yes, a whole interior? Those over sized boxy factory moving trucks are gorgeous, but I'm just plain worried about all the bruised chins caused by stumbling into one used as a coffee table. (I have the same opinion about rocking chairs! Menaces, if you ask me!). I also get irritated seeing any old piece of metal dragged into the local antique mall and labeled, "industrial." An old saw blade? Metal tool box? Seriously! (They do get the "dust" part of industrial right, I guess).

I did run across a site today that brought about this little tirade, only because I saw some trully interesting industrial pieces; amazing things that made think, "Now that's cool Industrial!"

Check out this coffee table made from the movement of a german church clock, circa 1800, from Texas based Installation Antiques (http://www.installationsantiques.com). Simply beautiful, one of a kind. Would it work in my french country inspired home, no. But do I see it as the focal point of an open urban loft? Yes!

grain sack wall pocket...

I was digging around on my desktop and found this image from LoodyLady. I think I saved it for the linen panels used as curtains. This time I noticed the grain sack wall pocket. What a great idea! This is a project even someone with limited sewing ability could accomplish. Great for the bathroom to hold towels. Kids room for books. The kitchen to hold fresh produce (and to dry your hands)! Easy to wash! I am so enthused about these, so watch my Etsy shop for some to appear in the near future!

sometimes i get jealous...

I admit when I first see something handmade that I really like, I'm always a little bit irritated I didn't think of it first. I saw these great grain sack food baskets on Etsy this morning and was genuinely irritated! Okay, really I plan on buying several! Check out: http://www.etsy.com/shop/countrylifenaturals

A lovely (loody)lady....

One of the influential people behind my passion for European textiles is Wendy Lewis. She is an amazing person with a vast knowledge of textiles and a vast supply of textiles to boot! She is LoodyLady on Ebay. Check our her site (but stay away from what I might bid on! I'm fierce with the enter button. Ha!) I found the wonderful french burlap grain sack I made this pillow from in her online shop.

welcome to my little madness....

My name is Jeff. I am proprietor of a newly established vintage pillow shop on Etsy, Ettta Bloom. Etta Bloom is the culmination of years of collecting and an insuppressible desire to create...

i am a little ocd...okay, alot. when i like something, i like it...a lot. obsessively, some might say. i don't have a need to wash my hands endlessly (although there was that one time i missed a flight to nyc because I just couldn't stop checking to make sure the burners were off on the oven, but i digress).

My new business is due to an obsessive-obsession with vintage textiles. I like the humble stuff like grain sacks. The french florals, made humble by time. Good old tickings that just keep on...you know, ticking. I have been collecting textiles and vintage fabric for years. i should own stock in rubbermaid. oh, the totes I have in storage! First I collected quilts, then antique fabric to mend the quilts, then grain sacks to use as runners and pillows. I just love washing old fabric! Soaking out a spot, cleverly cleaning away years of storage. Ah, ha!!! Oxyclean Master!

So I have begun a vintage pillow business. Partly I started this business to feed the creative need. a bigger part was some sort of a segue to spending more time at home with my kids. I now have stacks and stacks of pillows in need of a good home...and credit card bills in need of some attention! (Why is "pal" part of PayPal? it is no friend of mine)! I have begun to wonder if I will be buried with these pillows...unsold, unloved or to be sold off by the bank, pennies on the dollar. yes, once i decided i was going to open my vintage pillow shop on etsy, I couldn't buy textiles fast enough. Packages came daily, as my partner shook his head. " Have you stopped buying yet?" Let's keep it our little secret.

So here i am thinking, does anyone need one more blog? We all know the answer to that one!