The Nashville Flea Market

My monthly trip to the Nashville Flea Market was pretty successful. I of course search for antiques for my booth at Bright's Antique World. The pickings were pretty slim as a lot of dealers were not set-up outside however, I was able to find a darling early child's chair and a few other smalls. Check out this awesome vintage dress I spotted, great colors and style.

My second reason to go to the flea market is to get beads from a lady named Mary. She has an awesome selection of good quality beads and findings. This week will be fun to see what I can create from my new stash! I never have anything in mind, it all comes when I sit down and start playing with what I have.

Have a great weekend!

I'm Longing for the Beach

I am in desperate need to feel the sand on my toes....I thought these pictures would help this craving. Maybe these pictures can warm you up too. Beautiful Rosemary Beach in the panhandle of Florida.

I breathed a song into the air...

My newest item in my shop inspired by a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

I shot an arrow into the air,
it fell to earth, I knew not where;
For so swiftly it flew, the sight
Could not follow it in its flight.

I breathed a song into the air,
It fell to earth, I knew not where;
For who has sight so keen and strong,
That it can follow the flight of song?

Long, long afterward, in an oak
I found the arrow, still unbroke;
and the song, from beginning to end,
I found again in the heart of a friend.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Blue and White

I thought I would share with you one of my antique booths at Bright's Antique World. This display is of classic blue and white antique and vintage china, mostly traditional english transferware and vintage blue willow. Blue and white has an enduring popularity because of its ability to go with almost anything. Collecting antique china is a great way to acquire beautiful pieces that will increase in value. It is fragile, which adds to its value, but that should not stop you from using it. China can be displayed, used for meals and admired safely.

Family Necklace

I just finished creating this piece for custom orders. The stamped metal is so different from what I have been creating and such a nice change. My creative juices are flowing! I made this piece for my sister and she just loves it! You can check this out at JudithBDesigns

Let it Go...

Flap your wings....what it means is to let it go, we all need to do this sometimes. It can also mean "open up and soar", get out of your comfort zone and see what lies on the other side. What does it mean to you?

Vintage Shop of the Day

I would like to share with you this great blog called "Vintage Shop of the Day", where a different vintage shop is featured everyday. Kitty does a great job showcasing these shops. She gave me the honor of featuring me yesterday and for that I thank her! Check out her blog @ http://vintageshopoftheday.blogspot.com/

Flap Your Wings

I finally got started on some items for my new line of copper and sterling jewelry called "Flap Your Wings". It will consist of necklaces, pendants, earrings, bracelets and key chains created out of copper and sterling components. I feel as though I am getting back to my "roots" so to speak. Years ago I had a wholesale/Retail business called "Country Glen", I made hand painted copper pins that were country and folk art in style. Although these are very different in style I am once again creating with copper and having so much fun! You can check out the new items on my website, JudithBDesigns.com.

Soft Elegance

An adornment in soft elegance...I finished this piece last night and I am quite pleased with it. It definitely has a softness to it, the colors are so pleasing to the eye, this is a necklace that you build your outfit around. I used puff faceted amazonite, fresh water pearls and lampwork beads that are swimming in turquoise and gold. The amazonite and swarovski crystals add a wonderful amount of shimmer. Fancy sterling bead caps along with petite swarovski crystals accent the stunning beads. A floral sterling toggle is used as a closure in the front where it can be admired. 18" in length with a 2" drop for the lampwork and pearl dangle.

5 Random Things About Yourself

Here are a few tidbits about me....

1. I love babies, they bring tears to my eyes
2. I rather have something old than new
3. I love the smell of horses
4. I have been making things since I was 8 years old
5. I rarely have a bad day

Rules of tagging:
1. Link to the person who tagged you
2. Post these Rules in your Blog
3. Write 5 Random things about yourself
4. Tag random people at the end of your post and link to them
5. Let each Person know they've been tagged
You have been tagged by Judy at JudithBDesigns.

Beadinbabe
Themadisongallery
Skylarkdawn
Emmasgems
Sushipot

Auction Saturday 10:30am

Went downtown into Nashville on Saturday to an antiques auction, I know on Valentines day...with a girlfriend non the less. My darling husband wanted to spend some time with his second love, his golf clubs and I with my love of antiques, so it was a win win situation. I had not been to an auction since September so I was ready. My booths at Bright's Antique World were in need of some fresh merchandise. I did a preview on Auction zip to get an idea what will be offered and then when I get to the auction check everything out pretty good. I sometimes have a bad habit of buying things I don't need just because the price was good, I mean what woman can resist a bargin? However, I did sit on my hands a few times and resisted the temptation, I was watching my dollars carefully! I came away with some good items, a six piece early (late 1890's) stoneware storage jar set, 2 paintings, a blown glass cylinder ( for me!) some blue willow and three tin litho spice tins with little porcelain knobs (real sweet!). Until next time...

Eliza

The sun is shinning and my studio is full of sun and warmth. A favorite place for my two tabby cats Jack and Sam, especially on my work table lying in a sun beam.

I started this piece last night and could not wait to finish it today. Lets call it Eliza, that's a nice Victorian name. Eliza is created with antiqued brass chain, some great swirly lampwork beads,one half of an antique Victorian ladies sash buckle and finished with a smoky quartz dangle. This is a long necklace that has a toggle closure in the front. The measurements are 29 1/2" long and the pendant adds another 4". This can be altered to your specifications for length.

The focal point of this necklace is the antique buckle. Late 1800's and from an Ohio estate. Stamped brass with great dimension and patina. It pleases me when I can incorporate an antique item into my creations, it makes them so unique and definetly one of a kind. Enjoy!

All is well..

the winds have died down and the storms have passed,

all is well. Just another day in Tennessee......

Tornados in Tennessee

Oh, here we go...Having some rough weather here in Middle Tennessee today and are under a tornado warning. Our weather radio has already went off to warm me of severe thunderstorms. The wind has been gusting at 50 mph and higher. There have been some spin ups and rotations east of Nashville and its fast moving at 60 mph. Hopefully it won't make up here in White House.

Last year we made a "big" purchase of a Storm shelter, it is a 6 X 4 steel structure that is attached to our garage floor. Supposedly it is good up to a F-5 tornado http://www.stormsaferoom.com/
I went out to the garage to move the truck as it was blocking the door to the shelter.
Being from Massachusetts all this turbulent weather is new to us. I can handle a 2ft. snow storm but rotating winds, not so much.

Looks like the sun is making its way out, hopefully all will be well.

One of Etsys talented people

This is the first of many Etsy artisans that I hope to highlight in my blog. There are so many super talented people trying to stand out in this mass of creativity. Meet Autumn from Stitch and Sparrow.... She creates hand carved block prints.The cards she has in her shop are numbered original handmade prints in a limited edition series, no two are exactly alike (like snowflakes and dog noses). You can order cards in sets of 4 for $18.95 and are suitable for framing too. She also does custom invitations, announcements and more. Autumn is from New York City and is the girl covered in ink, holding a wood block while standing ankle-deep in shavings and tiny paper clippings. You can find Autumn at : http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6769434 Fluttering Love Card

Description

Little birds find each other on green recycled stock. Words are typed, cut and set on top. The envelope is chocolate brown. Card reads "and love the most illusive found fluttering beneath a new moon." Each print varies as I hand make and number each card. Each card is part of a limited edition series. Dimensions: 5"x7

Peace be with you...

...and also with you. We all need this little reminder as we go about our daily lives. I enjoy making typewriter bracelets with words, I think then the bracelet is more of a statement than fashion, like readable art. What would you like to say?

The Dog, cat and the rat

For all you animal lovers this U tube video is something! Enjoy and share..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D85yrIgA4Nk

My never ending quest...

I am always on a quest for great antiques. Lately that quest is good early jewelry for my jewelry business. I love to find something unique and one of a kind and create something new and modern from it. I feel so lucky to be able to combine both my passions into one. I especially like Victorian pieces as they have great form, style and patina. You can not help but wonder who wore this piece and where did they get it? How did it end up here? Oh, so many questions. An era that will never be repeated but so admired.

I thought today I would share with you some of my favorite collections and items from my home.