Living Vicariously and Living Simply

We have been trying to simplify how we live.  We are not always successful at saying no to the I wants when it really is something that is a passing fancy.  But I do think we are slowly getting to buying less and following the adage of "Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without"  which is one that I was brought up with.  I think of it as a New England saying.  New England is known for its frugality.

It may seem a bit odd that we make part of our living from buying and reselling.  It really isn't all that odd.  In some ways it is a way of helping to recycle.  Why buy new when you can by decent used if you have to buy at all. Besides the old stuff was made so much better then some of the more modern Wally World items that are out there.  We really have become a country of throw aways.  Built in consumerism.  Pick and choose what is important.  I kind of like the idea that I am  paring down to what is comfortable to me in a gradual fashion.  Some would say it is way to gradual. But in reality I have downsized considerably in the past 2 years.

Part of the fun of buying and reselling is I get to live some neat stuff for a brief period of time.  I enjoy it while it is here but overall am glad to see it go.  I have some wonderful pieces of vintage jewelry that I recently bought at a lawn sale.  The range from the 1930s to the to the the 1960s I would say.  I can't wear alot of jewelry because of a metal allergy.  But I love pins and these will be lovely on a lapel or felted retro style hat.

Celluloid and Rhinestone Hat or Lapel Brooch

 

Rhinestone Play Pretty Brooch

And last by not least this lovely vermeil art nouveau styled pin from the 1930s.

Even though I love all of these pieces I will enjoy them and then let them go willingly to new homes.  I don't wear this kind of thing anymore.  I don't dress up like I used to and that is okay. I don't enjoy it like I did.  Now I am enjoying other past times.  So when these go I will be happy.

Handmade Life

Everyday stuff can sometimes be the best. Take these T-Shirt bags from AfrobagLady of which I got three of for a whopping $10 plus $4.00 shipping.  I took them to the farmers market with me on Thursday in Waterville.  One  got filled bread, goat cheese, fresh dill,  a 1/2 dozen heads of garlic. The other two have a 1/2 bushel of pickling cukes split between the two of them.  Here are two of them filled with the cukes.  Rudy is there for size reference.  Ignore the big honkin' Steve boots in the back.  They are not there for size reference.  The T-Shirt bags are strong, stretched a bit but are really easy to carry.  Nice upcycling of something that someone no longer wanted.  Plus I get to easily wash these when they get dirty.  The plastic coated canvas bags are a pain to wipe out and I don't thing running them through the washer is such a hot idea.  But these are just great.

My handmade life includes handmade pickles! 

On the studio side I also got these bird ornaments and some mobiles done and delivered for an order.  I have been working on some fish using my altered fabric paper. The brook trout is the basis for the shape. Those will be up shortly. This canning gets in the way on getting everything done.

Rudy is barking to come in. Sometimes I wish he would learn to do the door himself. But who knows who he would allow in if that happened. Take care and come back to see what is new.

Putting it Up

The past three days have been jam packed with a lot of different things to do.  People may use their weekends for entertainment and down time.  But this time of the year and with my goals in mind I don't do much down time.  I should do more downtime but isn't that winter is for?  That is a later topic.  Let's just say I probably run in my sleep.

I started it all on Thursday afternoon at the Waterville Farmer's Market.  There I stopped at the vendor, Snakeroot Farm, with whom we have a CSA with.  What is a CSA?  Perhaps you can find one close to you for next year. In a nutshell it is buying shares in a local farm for produce.  It gives the farmer starting cash for the growing season. You in turn get locally produced, hopefully organic (ours is!) veggies and fruits.  Yum!  My garden is very small this year because I knew I wouldn't have the time to devote to it.  The CSA was a great alternative.  Anyways I picked up 5lbs of beans, 10 lbs of pickling cukes, fresh dill, a overflowing pint of different cherry tomatoes, summer squash, patty pans, zucchinis, shallots and garlic.  Out of all of that bounty I spent a couple hours on friday and saturday canning.  This is the fruits of my labor.

The back row is kosher garlic dill spears.  The middle and front rows are a combination of bread and butter pickles and dilly green beans.  I love the bread and butter pickles and will be making more. 

I am on the search for the perfect relish recipe to can up as well. We do use the bread and butter pickles chopped up fine.  It is delish but I really would like a relish recipe. 

On top of that we went to a memorial service, cleaned house, worked in my studio, processed pictures and a whole slew of other things.  Despite the frantic pace of this time of year I love it.  Life is good.

Back from South Carolina

I am back from a week long training in South Carolina.  Now I love to go to this place even if it is all about work.  Why?  Well it is a change of scene and someone else pays for the change of scene.  This time around the weather was extremely hot and humid.  At the very least 80% humidity everyday and severe thunderstorms.  Food was great, met some really nice people and then I came home.

I am working on getting an order finished up for the Maine Center on Craft.  There is a whole new bunch of small mobiles and ornaments coming their way shortly.  This piece will be listed shortly for BackwoodsCreations. at some point this weekend.