typewriter love

I have a manual typewriter in the store that I plan to use to make price tags, though I haven't done so yet. I forgot how loud they are and worry I will disturb the other stores in the building. And my goodness, how hard you have to press the keys!  Enjoy the Boston Typewriter Orchestra--repurposing at its finest.

Casey

Casey was a big part of my country weekends. Her favorite thing in the world was water and especially chasing sticks into the brook. She took it very seriously, like a job, poised at the edge of the water waiting for us to throw the stick. She would wait for as long as it took with an intent look on her face. She was an intense dog, an Australian Shepherd with no tail and different colored eyes which you can't see in that picture, sorry. She was my pal and went with me everywhere. She had a rare complication of lyme disease and 2 weeks ago her kidneys failed though she was only six. I miss her.

getting ready for the weekend

Planning what to take to the store and how I will pack it in my car for the trip to the Catskills.

                                            ironing vintage aprons and tea towels

This little chair was headed for the thrift shop via my friend Gerry whose store is across from mine. It was dark brown and shiny and ugly. I took it and said I'd paint it hot pink or turquoise. I went with cream and green instead. I'll show it to him this weekend and put it in my store. What will he think? Will anybody like it?

Should I take this box of old matchbooks? Last fall I sold a bunch of them to a young man from Brooklyn who is a graphic artist. People of a certain age get nostalgic over those from Howard Johnsons and steak houses and such. You hardly ever see them any more.

hunting & gathering--not the usual

At auctions, where I get most of the goods for my store, there are a few things I never ever buy: jewelry, clothes and purses. I broke those rules at a recent vintage clothing and textiles auction. I went hoping to score vintage linens (and did--more on that another time). The clothes at auction were awesome--civil war dresses, tons of beautiful Victorian whites, fine examples from every era through the 70's, in mint condition. Of course I didn't buy any of that. I did buy a small trunk full of hand made children's and doll clothes from the 50's. I'll post some pictures when I've sorted through them. Meanwhile ...

I bought a small lot of purses. Some funky 60's-70's Indian fabric types and some older tapestry clutches. Don't know yet if this falls in the category of impulse purchase mistakes. Probably. The clutches are kinda sweet.

I also bought a lot of earrings, something I normally run away from at auctions. I got about 20 pairs and most are over the top costume jewelry, but a few are really pretty. (I know my pictures suck--I'm working on it.) Why did I do that?

cottages and roses, Yountville

In late spring there are dozens of rose-laden cottages in the little town of Yountville California in the Napa Valley. My father and stepmother lived there more than 20 years so I was lucky to spend a lot of time in that sweet town that has more good restaurants than most cities. (But my favorite is the taco truck--they put radishes on the veggie taco.) The first picture is actually the verrry famous French Laundry restaurant, not officially a cottage, but cottagish in its demeanor if you know what I mean. Anyway, in May the roses are everywhere.

Little Defiance

This little orange lantern belonged to the Boston Department of Public Works. I know because it is stamped so on the other side. I love to think of a hundred plus years ago some hard working person relied on this little gal for light. But the best part? She is called Little Defiance! That is her official name decided by some official lamp-making company person. I am selling her for $14 and can't believe nobody has snatched her up. I adore her. She is one of the reasons I decided to open a store, because I need to let people know about her and her kind.

feedsack love

I just spent a whole lotta time looking at feedsacks on Etsy. The pretty prints are calling to me. I'd like to make pillows or place mats from them. But then I'd have to take my sewing machine out of the closet. I do have a quilt in the store made from feedsacks. Remember childhood books (Little House on the Prairie?) where the mom made dresses out of feedsacks? From here, here and here.