Thursday, March 30, 2006
Antiques in France
by corey amaro
Spring is in the air, and the fleamarkets are filling up the scenery faster than the leaves on the trees. If you are coming to France forget the Eiffel Tower, let the Louvre hang out by itself, forego the cafés, runways and the Champs Elysees! Instead grab your bag and head for the flea markets! (Remember this: wear comfortable shoes, go there around 7am for the best deals, and start by saying, "Bonjour!")
Here is a sampling of the things you can find in the South of France.
Little bit of French country anyone?
A souvenir to cherish!
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
garden-gate headboard
if you live in an area that has an architectural salvage spot, or where old buldings reside, then you may be lucky enough to come across discarded pieces that can be recycled into beautiful furniture. flea markets, yard sales, even roadside pick-up are places to begin. an idea recovered from my martha stewart stash has been on my mind lately, since i adore wrought iron beds. their romance could fit in any type of setting, and if you're like me and like to mix modern and vintage, this is for you too.
here, a garden gate tipped to one side becomes a one-of-a-kind headboard. a trellis, a section of a victorian fence, or even a door would also be good ideas. make sure you clean up the peice by sanding off any rust, applying metal primer from your local hardware store (work outdoors!) and paint your desired color. use wall stud or anchors, home improvement stores are a big help if you describe the find your are looking to hang. the idea is to mount it behind your bed in a way that is pleasing to your eye and your taste. there's something rewarding in taking something that was once loved but cast aside and breathing new life into it. especially when that tranformation takes place in an intimate surrounding like where you lay your head at night.
Friday, March 24, 2006
garden salvage
The best thing about gardening for me is finding creative ways to re-use worn out objects. I visit a lot of different gardens in the spring, with my camera in hand...
Here are a few clever recycling ideas I've found in my neighborhood (click images to view larger).
This garden utilized old broken window panes, with the most wonderful shapes as backdrop for a small koi pond and fountain.
A miniature fairy garden was built using old wooden crates at different angles.
This old metal bedframe creates a whimsical garden room at my favorite local nursery. In the springtime they plant it up with friendly violas and white bacopa that cascades over the sides. The drawers are planted up with bright pansies, and a floormat was constructed at the base with Irish moss (groundcover), that spells out "Mary's room".
Last spring I created these skeleton key windchimes, with fishing string, beads, and crystals.
Here are a few clever recycling ideas I've found in my neighborhood (click images to view larger).
This garden utilized old broken window panes, with the most wonderful shapes as backdrop for a small koi pond and fountain.
A miniature fairy garden was built using old wooden crates at different angles.
This old metal bedframe creates a whimsical garden room at my favorite local nursery. In the springtime they plant it up with friendly violas and white bacopa that cascades over the sides. The drawers are planted up with bright pansies, and a floormat was constructed at the base with Irish moss (groundcover), that spells out "Mary's room".
Last spring I created these skeleton key windchimes, with fishing string, beads, and crystals.
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
mirror mirror on the wall
by corey amaro
Sometimes that which we are looking for finds us instead.
Sometimes that which we are looking for finds us instead.
Sometimes we see what we are missing caught in a reflection.
Often an object tells more than one story.
Never is there one way of looking at it.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Seek and you shall find!
Often what we need is within ourselves.
When going to the fleamarket keep an open heart, for you never know what will
come your way!
Vintage Venetian mirror with a reflection of vintage
handpainted wall paper in the background
Sunday, March 19, 2006
laughable loot
sometimes you can't help but snicker at all of the ridiculous things you find in thrifts, most of which i can't leave behind. here are a few of my most recent knee-slapping novelties!
this nautical salt-n-pepper set features the lovely companionship of one pipe-mouthed slicker-wearing old salty and his naval pal cap 'n pepper, who are both sporting fantastic goatees, by the way. what is so amazing is that these seasoned mates look exactly like the graphic on the box - it is uncanny!
these charming little needlepoint kits were each given their own names like holly horse the horse and rooster the rooster. they came equipped with all of the essentials for a completing a piece including a 6X6 printed canvas, wool yarn, a tapestry needle, instructions, and when the craft was complete, a printed paper frame! that's right, the brown and yellow decoration around the colorful critters is not a part of the canvas. it is in fact a piece of paper that you are supposed to use when framing your holly horse or rooster. they also came in their very own plastic snapped carrying case for needlepoint on-the-go.
how is it possible that the fabulous rotating knittng bracelet is no longer an everyday knitting necessity? look at the facts:
this nautical salt-n-pepper set features the lovely companionship of one pipe-mouthed slicker-wearing old salty and his naval pal cap 'n pepper, who are both sporting fantastic goatees, by the way. what is so amazing is that these seasoned mates look exactly like the graphic on the box - it is uncanny!
these charming little needlepoint kits were each given their own names like holly horse the horse and rooster the rooster. they came equipped with all of the essentials for a completing a piece including a 6X6 printed canvas, wool yarn, a tapestry needle, instructions, and when the craft was complete, a printed paper frame! that's right, the brown and yellow decoration around the colorful critters is not a part of the canvas. it is in fact a piece of paper that you are supposed to use when framing your holly horse or rooster. they also came in their very own plastic snapped carrying case for needlepoint on-the-go.
how is it possible that the fabulous rotating knittng bracelet is no longer an everyday knitting necessity? look at the facts:
* always near youit's also made in the usa, it's gold plated, and the instructions are very simple:
* cannot tangle
* ideal while travelling
1.-fold the "shuttle" flat.what is so genius about the fabulous rotating knittng bracelet is its ability to break the norm of existing as a boring crafting device - not only is it fashionable, but it's the most practical knitting aid ever made. fashion and crafting can be friends after all!
2.-insert ball of yarn thru shuttle.
3.-open shuttle.
4.-you are now ready. ball will rotate and yarn cannot tangle.
Specialiste Du Meuble Provencal
Specialist is Provencal Furniture
by Corey Amaro
by Corey Amaro
When one window is closed surely another opens!
Today the antique fairs in the South of France
were cancelled due to rain!
Rain! Such a rare event! We need rain! I should be
dancing with joy with Gene Kelly!
Instead, I feel like the rain on the parade!
Unwelcoming and splashing the puddles that
are in my way!
Did it have to pick Sunday to come visit?
Six other days in a row it could have had!
Why on Sunday!
One window closed, but another always opens...
I'll go check out the shops instead!
Friday, March 17, 2006
10 rules for salvage sisters
1. when in doubt, don't throw it out.
2. rust is a variation of red; red is
3. never be the early bird at a yard sale. the real
4. never sell among yourselves; trade only. (it keeps that
5. broken? all the better.
6. don't look at it for what it is, but for what
7. it's about the
8. make the recycling bin your first stop for art supplies.
9. hunt, find,
10. never worry about how to get it home;
~excerpt from the salvage sisters by kathleen hackett & mary ann young