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.