February 2012 in Venice for Carnevale

I spent the month of February in Venice learning about Art History and the History of Italian Theater.  The college course and our teachers were fantastic - knowledgeable, enthusiastic,  interesting and energizing.  I had a wonderful time although it was the coldest February on record - some of the canals were even frozen.  I shared an apartment with 2 great friends Wanda & Mikie -   We cooked, danced, laughed, learned, travelled and just rejoiced in being there before, during and after Carnevale.  All photos were taken by Wanda's daughter Laura Domrose who visited from Istanbul.  Can't wait to return.

Busy at work.

Calgary Herald Photo

Flathead Beacon Photo

Lots going on and lots to do.  At the bronze foundry where I work we are coming to the end of a huge project for the Calgary Stampede - 15 Life Size + 1/4 Horses & 2 Riders - the final bronzes leave for Calgary shortly.  Top photo is of Artist Rich Roenisch standing next to part of his sculpture with an engineer checking on the structural support.  Rich created 7 of the horses and his cousin Artist Bob Spaith created 8.  Can't wait to see it in place in Calgary.

Tynemouth By The Sea

Tynemouth Castle and Priory founded in the 7th Century

The village of Tynemouth is a brilliant place, located at the mouth of the River Tyne on the N.E. coast of England, just 6 miles from Newcastle. In fact if you take the train (metro) from Newcastle you'll arrive at the.....

If we were in Northumberland right now, this is where we would be headed tomorrow. It's a great wee market that takes place every weekend in the Tynemouth Station which is a lovely old fashioned railway station.

There are stalls set up on the 2 platforms. When we were there in March, I picked up some fancy cutlery pieces, jewelry and some great tablecloths which were easy to bring back to Montana.

There's something for everyone here - collectibles, new stuff, vintage stuff, books & records and some fabulous food - fresh baked breads, cakes, meat pies and fruit pies and some scrumptious cakes too.

                                         

Well there's no Tynemouth Market on the horizon for me for some time to come - but we're off to Idaho tomorrow to buy some records so hopefully we'll find some more treasures along the way.

Tynemouth Priory Photo - Bob Percy. All others Official Tynemouth Market Site

A Fine Time Was Had By All ............ At The Farm Chicks Antiques Show 2011

I took these photos of my space at the Farm Chicks Antiques Show - an annual event held at the Spokane Fairgrounds in Spokane , Washington - a couple of minutes before the show opened. It was a great show - I met lots of lovely customers from all over the USA, Canada and even some ladies from the UK. I was busy all weekend and sold lots and lots of vintage knick knacks. Some of the booths were absolutely incredible - they looked like elaborate stage sets - you'll find some great photos here. I felt a bit intimidated when I saw some of the fabulous booth displays but once the show started I was too busy to fret and got lots of compliments on my bits and pieces (and in particular on my prices). I went home with a happy heart and a smile on my face.

Luckily I had brought more than I could display, so I was able to replenish on Sunday as my tables were looking pretty bare at the end of the day on Saturday.

My jewelry case in particular was a big hit. One lady from California bought about 10 pieces and then came back on Sunday for more. I'm going to an estate auction this weekend.....it's time to start hoarding for next year's show.

Sometimes

Dogs in Sutherland, Scotland

Sometimes

Sometimes things don't go after all,

from bad to worse. Some years, muscadel

faces down frost; green thrives; the crops don't fail,

sometimes a man aims high, and all goes well.

A people sometimes will step back from war;

elect an honest man; decide they care

enough, that they can't leave some stranger poor.

Some men become what they were born for.

Sometimes our best efforts do not go

amiss; sometimes we do as we meant to.

The sun will sometimes melt a field of sorrow

that seemed hard frozen: may it happen for you.

I came across this poem recently in Good Poems Selected By Garrison Keillor and loved it's message.

I follow a blog called Wilf the PON discovers France. Wilf was diagnosed with cancer 8 months ago and although blind now continues to enjoy his life in the idyllic French countryside with his kind caregivers Angus and his wife. I like to check in on Wilf (and Angus) as he teaches me a lesson in living.

In Love with Vintage Luggage

Found in Montana at an estate sale this wonderful leather trunk........I plan to take it to The Farm Chicks Antiques Show in Spokane, Washington. It was made by The Henderson Ames Co. of Kalamazoo Michigan, producers of uniforms and regalia from 1893 to 1933.

It's so well made and sturdy.

The interior has this lovely bright floral image as a seperator.




Vintage Luggage on Railway Platform - I love this photo taken by Chris Lofty.




The above image was taken by Tara Bradford at North Yorkshire Moors Railway Station - love the hamper.





These cases have been painted by former graffiti artist Phil Frost and are showing at Prism Gallery, Los Angeles - the vibrant detail is fantastic.

And last but by no means least - Who couldn't resist this wonderful Vintage Luggage & Map Cake created by Pink Cake Box.

They lived and laughed and loved and left.

Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland
Alnwick Castle, Northumberland

I have been laid low of late.

In March, we made a lovely trip to Scotland to visit my family and then on to fantastic Northumberland for a special birthday - my father in law John's 91st. We enjoyed a quiet celebration as he was not in the best of health and promised him that we would return in October for another visit. Alas, it was not to be. John died 2 weeks after we left him so then we made another, much sadder sojourn to our homeland. I miss John very much and for me the trips to beautiful Northumberland will never be the same.

Hail Caledonia

We're off to Scotland next week. We'll stay in Glasgow for a few days with my family and then travel to Northumberland for my father in law's 91st birthday. I love to visit Glasgow as I grew up here and it's just such a vibrant, happening city.

Here are a few places I plan to visit:

The Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum - not to be missed - lots of paintings and sculptures from many periods of history plus natural history exhibits, arms and armour etc., there really is something for everyone here and the building is fantastic.

This is George Square right in the center of Glasgow, it's the main civic square. The photo below shows the City Chambers which is the HQ for Glasgow City Council. We'll definitely be going to George Square as "Jamie's Italian", a Jamie Oliver restaurant has opened in the Old General Post Office built in the square in 1878.

We'll take a walk up to Garnethill to admire the Glasgow School of Art designed by Charles Rennie MacIntosh. It's a wonderful building and you can take a tour. My aunt and uncle lived just around the corner from here when I was growing up.

My sister and I will spend some time at Princes Square. It's a very upmarket shopping center and a little out of my normal budget. I may not buy much but it's fun to have a look around. However, I do crave some new perfume so a trip to Jo Malone is a necessity and so is a visit to Cath Kidston for a browse around.



Pollock House is a Georgian Country House right in Glasgow's south side, close to my sister's house. It's quite an understated place and never really busy but very interesting.


I don't think that we'll make it up to the Highlands on this trip but I just had to include this haunting photo of the Isle of Skye which was featured in a National Geographic article last year. A few days in Scotland then off to Northumberland which I have to say is a stunningly beautiful place. I can't wait....

Photo credits

Flag - bigmanhattaninfidel.com

Kelvingrove - Joe Deacon

George Square - concierge.com

Art School - Steve McAdams
Princes Square - edwud.com

Pollock House - igougo.com

Skye - John Richardson

Classic Americana Silver Belt Buckles

I was browsing through a magazine today and came upon ads for Ralph Lauren's Spring Collection which I love. The feel is Western Vintage - Lots of silver belt buckles, fringe leather & suede, mixed in with fabulously intricate Edwardian lace and drippy, delicate crystal jewelry - just my cup of tea.

This image below says it all. Look at the size of that belt buckle! Then it's mixed with over the top beaded, fringed pants and a platinum jacket and scarf. Maybe I could afford the scarf but I'm pretty sure that the rest is well beyond my budget but one can dream.

Here are some of our sterling silver buckles currently for sale in our mall spaces. All of them are vintage and in excellent condition. I'm hoping that the trend will make these items jump off the shelves and out the door.

I love the intricate work on this coral and turquoise buckle below.

This is a very classic horse & horseshoe buckle with beautiful scrollwork.

Another classic horse bust buckle below.

The longhorn is always popular, even if we're not in Texas.

This is a little plainer but I think easier to wear, and just beautifully made.

And now for the turqouise and sterling bangles - timeless, classic jewelry.

I love the large chunk of turquoise in the one below.

And last but by no means least a great sterling and turquoise cuff.

First 2 Boxes Packed for The Farm Chicks Show

Now I know it's the beginning of February and The Farm Chicks Antiques Show is not for another 4 months but this weekend, I priced and packed a few items. Serena - The Farm Chick - who produces the show, asks that we bring pieces that we have not shown before - so all of these pieces are stock that I've bought within the last month and not taken to any of our mall spaces. This actually works really well for me as our busy time is the summer so what doesn't sell at this show immediately goes out to the mall spaces in mid June. I plan to take a rack of vintage clothes and linens/lace.....for many years I have collected state map tablecloths but it's time to move them on. As I only took one space at the show this year I'm not carrying any furniture but I am planning on taking quite a lot of jewelry mainly silver and turquoise bracelets. So here's a motley group of nostalgia.......

Here are a few "props" That I'll be using for displays. I found the dress form at an estate sale last summer and just love it. It's quite old covered in linen and a little frayed which I think adds to the charm. I have a little cheval mirror which is handy for trying on jewelry etc. Then I have a cake stand which is a great display piece.......

So the first 2 boxes are packed . Lots more to go. We're off to the UK next month so hopefully I'll find a few treasures in Glasgow and Northumberland that will fit into my suitcase.


The Farm Chicks Antiques Show is June 4th and 5th in Spokane, Washington and is well worth a visit. The dealers are encouraged to "go to town" on their displays and they do. People come from all over to shop at this show as it's really a fun atmosphere...I can't wait.