Where is she now Wilson...

This goes on my tombstone daughter...OK, the reason for the nick-name is the fact that I have moved shop so many times...and for lots of reasons, mostly seeking that perfect location. Had one too in LeClaire, Iowa, at least until she sold my building...on the road again...but I have the move down to a science now. Having had a great shop in Lake Placid, Florida too, that was my most fun shop, because...after all...Florida, give me a break, if you think painting furniture in the middle of February outside was a burden...right. My Daughter back in the frigid Iowa hated my phone calls to give her a weather update...cruel, yes, but it gave me a little payback on those teenage years of sleepless nights...but my new found friend Sue from Vintage Rescue Squad had mentioned that so many of you are thinking of getting into the biz...my advise, as always, is go for it, but get used to the fact that most likely you will have to have a back-up job or a husband to make ends meet. I chose the back-up job(s), but having to shop 24-7 for your love is worth the pain of being broke all the time. It is truly a wonderful outlet for your creative soul and you are never too old to start. I have been doing this for 15 years and have weathered the ups and downs and have not regretted it at all. But in today's economy (what economy) I think that location is the key, know and research your location, just because the place is adorable doesn't mean you will have traffic and as Lorie and I found out in LeClaire, two blocks off the beaten path can be a killer.

I also have stuff in another shop, Sisters Garden, (in my posts), I have been in her shop for 14 years, we have developed a sisterhood of the soul, but we are constantly battling the economy. That is a huge issue today. Maybe with a new regime in power over us, we will have a fighting chance again. Ahhhhhhh...the days when you could paint dirt white and it would sell (to quote Barb at Sisters)...but again, we live in the conservative Midwest and people just clam up and hunker down (and take CNN to heart).

AND definitly do a blog, you meet the greatest people, Sisters of the Soul, and you are never too old or too young. At age 58 I am still going strong (out of shear stupidity) and the creativity is pouring out and always looking for the next vision. If I would've had access to a computer back in the day, what tales I could've told. It is hard to believe that when I was in my 20's we still had only 4 TV channels...ahhh, the good ol' days...

Oh yeah...notice the kickstand is down on the Harley...I'm not completely stupid...have fun...sharon

Say hello to my little friends...

OK, I did mention my stint with taxidermy right...well after being married to the Marlboro Man for 20 years, I did develop a few eccentricities, to say the least. He was(still is)an avid hunter of all things edible. So my skills developed as the booty came in. Not wanting to waste any part of the poor creature, I started 'Feather in the Wind' taxidermy services. But as that husband and that career went by the wayside, the fascination with old taxidermy did not. I have vowed on every antiquing foray, to find the most unusual piece out there (and I have found some humdingers). OK, it isn't for everyone...but then again, neither am I...by the way, the rattler is one of my daughters first attempts at reptiles...pretty good aye...

White and lavender

Isn't there something so calming about these two colors, so light and airy. Along with the sweet green scent of hyacinth soaps and candles, even on a rainy day they are enlightening. Love the look of stripped woods with no finish, very earthy and natural and topped with pure white frames, you got the look.

The ol'timey downtown

As you can see we have a lot of wonderful old river city buildings in our downtown. My daughters shop, 'Friends Candle Shed' is at the end of that block, we were actually talking to each other on the cell and waiving back and forth like a couple of fools, what else do you do on a rainy day. This town was really hoppin' back in the day. The streets were filled with shoppers and walkers, model A's and T's, horse and buggies and even a trolley went down the middle of the street. It looked like a street out of Chicago, very bustling with a once thriving lumber and pearl button industry. The stature is of a 'clammer' and his boat. They dragged the bottom of the river to snag the clams to make the wonderful pearl buttons we all lust for.

New spring window

Don't ya just love the blue, it is 'Blue Bayou', Benjamin Moore paint. It makes the window look so springy and provincial on a dreary, rainy day. This color was featured in Country Living magazine in an article about the cover. Don't know whether it will sell, but it sure brightens up the place, if not I will be forced to take the pieces home...darn...

Throw-away-society

Thank God for all of us junkers, otherwise the landfills of America would be mountain ranges. These two grand pictures were actually thrift store finds, love it, what a find. We all have those finds of the century moments at the thrifts, mine was finding this beautiful chocolate brown glazed jardiniere, with a hand-painted iris on the front...you guessed it, WELLER...and in perfect condition. What a find and it sits in MY house, for now anyway, after all, it is just stuff...right...

Beauty in the eye of the beholder

To me there is nothing more beautiful than the patina of the ages. I have such a difficult time releasing these pieces to the public. I just write out the tag and walk away...OK, maybe with a little tear... I have found that when I am out junkin' and my truck is full, I can look at my booty and see a pattern and a definite color palette going on, like I could just unload right in the parking lot and set up shop and have a great vignette going on...always amazes me. AND, it always amazes me how you can always find the space at home for one more piece, but then again, I don't have to worry about that 'man saying'...now where do you think you are going to put that...HAVE FUN...

Just found this one

This is one of my favorite shades and I'm having a hard time putting a price tag on it. But at one time I had 17 lampshades in my livingroom, so I guess I can give it up, just like all the rest. Now I just have shades in need of a remake in my home, they are just more fitting for me. My style is less refined and more earthy now and in constant flux, so I don't get too attached anymore, but it's still like giving up your kittens to new owners.

Just like Granny did

Always wanting to try something new and a quest for natural, handmade stuff, I thought I would try my hand at ol'timey soaps. What a blast and when you have successfully concocted your first bonified batch of lye-soap...another biz is born. I have been making soaps ever since. Our pure glycerin soaps are the most popular and come in a multitude of scents, most matching the soy candles we also produce at the shop. It does sound like my plate is full, right, but life is short and I want to try it all and me Granny would be proud...but we'll save the taxidermy business for a later post...to quote Lorie...GROSS...

One little passion

Have I mentioned my passion for Victorian lampshades, didn't think so. About 15 years ago I thought I wanted one of these jems to grace my old lamps, so I investigated and found out that they were totally out of this country girls budget. But, not to be detered, I said, 'I can do that'...so, 'The Fabric of Sweet Repose' was born. Many, many shades later, I am still asked to do special orders, but the running of a shop and painting furniture for three stores has limited my sewing time. All shades are hand-sewn and hand-dyed and are major time consuming projects, but when finished, your vintage lamp will never look the same. Enjoy...