Long Overdue Update, with Travel Pics

Hello everyone! I got back from Colorado earlier this month, and totally forgot to update the blog since then. Oops! Guess my brain is still in vacation mode.

 I had a wonderful time and took a lot of pictures. I don't think I could turn around without seeing something I wanted to capture in a photo. I'll only share a couple of pictures here. 


Call it "Colorado Spring" inspiration, but these views make me want to create something, like a painting or print, maybe.  I don't know, yet.  I think it should be more pom-pom creatures, since you may be anxiously awaiting them!

Unfortunately for all of you, I've only been making progress on my writing projects since I got back.  I plan to list something else in the coming week.

In fact, two days ago, I bought some brown felt on sale at Wally-world. Unfortunately, I forgot and left it the cash register!  I guess I made a donation to the store. :P

Seriously, though, I'm trying to figure out which animal I'm trying next. I wrote down all the ideas suggested during the contest, and I'll try those, first.

Off to look into it! I'm sorting through my vintage stash, too, for a few cool things to share with you later.

Vintage Holiday Sale: Travel Memorabilia

I've been extremely busy filling poodle ornament orders the last few weeks, but I wanted to pop in here  today and talk about my holiday sale in my other shop.  If you are looking for Christmas or New Year's party gifts or decor, you might want to check my Artfire shop, where I'll be making discount coupons available throughout the rest of the month.  Visit often!

Today, the discount is over the travel section of my shop.  This section contains a fairly large selection of vintage map trays, travel plates, and other memorabilia.  Pictured here is the "Colorado" themed map tray.  These trays feature major cities, tourist sites, and a large color lithograph of the state flower.  I have several different states to choose from, and I must say, they are a wonderful way to commemorate a vacation or memorable place.

Take 15% off each item you order from this section, from December 7 through December 11, using the coupon code "TRAVELLOVERS2011."

I'll have another coupon available in a few days.  Meanwhile, Merry Christmas and happy shopping!

Collecting: Maps and Globes

Before the era of MapQuest,Google Maps, and GPS systems, we used to have to get the old-fashioned paper things and wrestle with them to find out where we were going and calculate how long it would take. There was a whole language of symbols in the "Legend" on the side of the map, and lots of unpredictable accordion folds to contend with. In fact, I wonder if the whole thing doesn't seem rather legendary even now to some modern children.

When I look at old maps, I find myself trying to imagine the time when the whole world had not been mapped. Explorers still found new places, and the imagination was the only limit for what might be found over that shifting horizon. There was a pioneering spirit, and a sense of excitement and discovery that this modern generation is missing. We try to recapture it by looking back at old maps and dreaming, but I fear some of the magic has gone out of it.

Major Trends, According to Elle Decor

I got my latest copy of Elle Decor magazine a little while ago, but I forgot to log on here and talk about it.

The magazine is mostly photos and full-page advertisements of designer rooms and tchotchkes to achieve the style in your own home.  I won't cover all of the magazine (obviously), but I thought I'd show three samples to illustrate some of the main trends, which I saw repeated in almost infinite variation throughout the magazine.  My comments are drawn in red on the photos.

Textile trends.  See them on clothes, rugs, furniture, and more.

This next page seems to hit most of the trends at once.  It really works together, too.

I dub thee, "Globe Trotter" trendy!

Here's a new one I hadn't heard of before: the tropical trend.  I had heard that tropical colors like yellow, orange, chartreuse, and honeysuckle pink were really sought-after for summer wardrobes.  I like the fresh look, and all the great textures.  The exciting thing (for me, anyway) is that I can make this trend with my printmaking skills, especially those bright fruits at the top of the page.  Their examples are so cool!  I want some!

Sweet and bright colors!

I'll be back here soon with something else interesting to share. 

I've Been Busy....Want to Know What I've Been Up To?

Sorry I haven't been updating here as much as I had planned.  I've been busy with other tasks, such as running the official Artfire Vintage Guild thread these past two weeks.  If you like vintage wares, hop on over to the thread to see what we are sharing today.  Here's the link to the "Promotions" section in the forums.  Look for any thread beginning with "VINTAGE [WEEKDAY]" and see what everyone else is promoting today, along with my posts.  The most popular thread these past two weeks has been yesterday's "post the alphabet" thread, in which sellers took turns posting images of their products beginning with consecutive letters of the alphabet.

Meanwhile, I've been faced with a bit of a predicament.  Most of my inventory is fairly small items, but most of my boxes are large.  I've also got some vintage vinyl LPs (like this original Bambi soundtrack), but I can't find boxes anywhere in those dimensions.  Rather than buy a bundle of boxes, which can cost a lot of money and generates more for the landfills, I think it's time for me to experiment with resizing boxes.  The added challenge with LPs, for instance, is the need for extra reinforcement against warping or crushing the box.  I believe I have enough that I can waste a few boxes until I learn this skill.

Yesterday, I photographed several trendy items and a few books.  I got this very impressive elephant listed in my Artfire store already, and finally listed my wire vanity basket (remember this from my French vignette?) in my Etsy store.  I still have this nautical themed plaque and a 40s-era copy of Tom Sawyer left to post from my photo session yesterday.  Pretty cool, huh?  I like how the yellow pine this fellow carved it on shines a very golden brown color.  I think it's pretty cool.  What do you think?

Off to get ready for my mother's birthday celebration.  Thanks for visiting!

Trend Watch: Old French Chic

A very popular influence in interior decorating these days is the French style.  From the decadence of Louis XIV's court to the rustic simplicity of the French countryside,  we are seeing the French influence everywhere--French writing on everything from clothing and furniture to kitchen utensils, pastels and white with silver or gold flourishes, the eminence of the fleur-de-lis, lavender sachets and barn wood with old-country appliqued embellishments, and elaborate crystal and mirrors paired with engraved aged silver and gold.

There are several branches of the French trend you might have spotted.  French country has rustic peasant-style influences, reminiscent of sunny southern France, with its fields of lavender, vineyards, and white-washed cottages.  Then there is French Classical/Traditional, which definitely reminds you of the gilded, crystal, and white palaces of the French court and Versailles. Finally, there is a sort of French shabby chic trend, which uses worn, tarnished, or peeling elements of the traditional style in such a way that it resembles relics of a glitzier past.

Whatever your taste, you will probably find something you like in the French style.  It is airy, delicate, and bright, which might make it a perfect fit for dim spaces or rooms that seem too open and spare.  Do you like French style decorating but don't know how to get started in your own home?  If so, I sincerely hope this French style vignette will get those interior design juices flowing!

Collections: An Irish Song

I asked people in the forums to share an Irish-themed item from their studio for a collection.  They got visibility on the Artfire forums and in the "collections" tab in my own studio.  Now I'm sharing it over here.  Getting in the St. Patrick's Day spirit yet?  Maybe all of this green will cheer you.

An Irish Song

Curated By: CandyAppleCra...

ArtFire.com

Vintage Fashion

Caribbean Dream

My Caribbean Dream

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Handmade Gifts

In the Mood to Travel

I don't know what it is about January--maybe the cold and the bleak views out my window--but I tend to get in a traveling mood this time of year.

I decided to act on it this time by creating a nice travel-themed collection on Artfire. As usual (because I really love it), there is a vintage/advertising pop art feel to this collection. Hope you enjoy it! Best wishes to all the sellers who were included.

Have Suitcase, Wi...

Curated By: CandyAppleCra...

ArtFire.com

Unique Gifts