What is that old saying about the road to Hell being paved with good intentions? Lately I've been feeling like my intentions and I have been on a very slippery and perilous slope... over looking a deep, deep canyon... out in the middle of nowhere! With no one around to offer assistance should I actually lose my footing. Ever feel like that?
I can count off some of the contributing factors. Its Summer for starters... always a time of low energy for me. As usual in Florida.. its hotter than Hell and ten times more HUMID!! (And August isn't even here yet.... Ancient Mothers give me strength to make it through the next two months!) My mother's dementia is progressing in that bizarre downward spiral that I've seen so many times before. I've been blessed to have grown up around a lot of elderly folks. Their wisdom and humor have taught me numerous wonderful lessons. But I've also witnessed the degradation of many of their physical and mental states of being. That also taught me much.... but the learning curve is a real bitch!!!
Anyway, I feel as if I can't find the time to do most of the things that I want to do! And that's starting to get a bit depressing. But... I know the time will come when I'll be able. Right now, I figure I'm in the process of gathering tools and supplies. As for the sewing aspect.... that machine will get dug out of the closet at the "right" time. I'm finding patterns that I like.... and Heaven knows I have enough fabric around here!! hahaha My vintage hat collection is shaping up nicely and I've come across some nice accessories the last couple of years. Though I still want to acquire some of the old cats eye frames. (I just loved my Aunt Mae's! Ahh, those were the days.)
Imagine how surprised and tickled I was when I saw this set on Etsy last year! Looks just like one that my grandmother Lulu had. Sometimes its so nice to have a memory in physical form. It doesn't matter that its not the exact ones that she had in her jewelry tray. They are tangible objects to hold and look at. Running my fingers around the channel set rhinestones like I did as a child! hahaha Yes, it certainly feels good.
As you can see, the backs have been replaced. I'm guessing at different times because the earring clips don't match. But at least someone took the time to it right. To me that shows that it was a much loved and enjoyed set. I know Lulu wore hers a lot! They're such a nice design. Simple, understated and classic. You can't go wrong with that.
Now I've always preferred big stone cabochons... if they're mixed with claws, teeth or bone I'm even happier! But sometimes I just want rhinestones!
Lots of sparkle and color! Whats not to love about that? So here are some "new" vintage earrings I purchased online.
The only "fail" was when this gorgeous blue pair arrived. They had been packed in an insulated envelope. Usually that works ok if they are put in a little box first. This seller didn't take that precaution and the solder joint on the right earring was snapped! Happy to report that the left earring fits on me like it was custom made. So will have to get the other repaired soon. This blue is absolutely beautiful!
This one I saw coming! They were listed as earrings... but I know dress clips when I see them! hahaha Guess I'm showing my age with that remark. Heck, do they even make dress or scarf clips anymore?
Just look at these backs! Would you want to wear those on your ears?! Ouch!!!
I see I really have to work on my photography! Couldn't get a photo that really did these any justice. The amethyst colored rhinestones are about the right shade. The others are a lovely deep red which just doesn't show up in these pictures.
Found them at the thrift shop the other day. They will be wonderful for the winter holidays! And they look nice on the ears. Some earrings don't "sit" properly, if you know what I mean. These are just right!
Found no markings on them. They're your basic cast metal with the rhinestones set quite well! Solder points are the usual for this sort of thing. Clips are in great working order. Might want to add those little pads though, these seem like they could get uncomfortable if worn for very long. I run into that a lot with clip on earrings!
And since Cormac was trying so hard to help me with my writing and photography..... I just have to include this picture of him. Such a handsome fellow!
Got a small start (very small) on de-cluttering and organizing my home this afternoon. It seems like whenever I do this I always get surprises! The first one today was a rather small USPS box in an assortment of house/workshop "stuff". I just could not for the life of me remember what had been in that box! Imagine my shock when I reached in to remove the tissue paper it contained and found a little hat!!!
I had bought it on Ebay quite a few months ago. Didn't cost hardly anything because of its condition, and I was hoping to make an attempt to give it a new lease on life. Its covered in faded and stained pale blue flowers and the netting is so brittle that it just started falling apart as I examined it.
Doesn't sound like a promising start does it? But she is such a LOVELY little hat! I found myself falling for her all over again. I had hoped to research how to clean and reshape hats, but I haven't found the time yet.
I'm trying to figure out what I could use to touch up the flowers a bit. Perhaps a good quality cloth dye or artists ink? There are a lot of brown spots... some from age, others from the glue. Now if I could lightly add a darker, richer shade of blue just around the petal edges, maybe near the center on some (that would depend on where the spots are.) I do believe I could make her as beautiful as I see her in my mind's eye!
Till then I'll nestle her away in one of my hat boxes where she can rest and dream.
I know, I know... its Monday all ready. Well I'm pretending its Friday so I can do a Freyja's Day post, so please just get over it!
Found this little necklace in the dollar box at the thrift shop last week. Guess they thought it was plastic, but I recognize black coral when I see it! I was quite excited about my "find".
Black coral protects against lower energies and helps repel negativity. And it is said to promote creativity! Aids in the regeneration of bone and muscle. And helps one to rebuild depleted core energy. (Wow, I REALLY NEED this!!!) I'm sure there is more, but researching it will have to wait till another day.
Really? ANOTHER hat box! I won't have any room to climb around in here if Mama keeps getting more hats. She keeps promising that she will rearrange everything real soon... and that I'll be very please with the results. Well, I'm STILL waiting.
Hope she remembers that I want a temple to Bast built too. We could make some pretty awesome columns for it using all these boxes! hee hee hee
