Going to the Lake

We've gone to this Lake for 24 years.  Every summer all my sisters pack up their families and put their lives on hold for this one treasured week.  Every summer we survive the water skiing, Dad's famous rum punches, cousins, scrabble games, sunsets, fishing, birthday parties, flea markets......

I'm very thankful for another year we are all healthy and able to make the trip.  Even though their place is small, no one treasures this week more than my parents.  

I'll be back in 10 days- rested and sunburned- ready for more crafty endeavors!  I hope to read a book, catch up with everyone, and of course find some new antique barns!

See you all soon- hopefully with a few stories to tell!  Don't forget my 30% off all bags & totes is still going on in my Etsy shop.

This is me & my 4 sisters!

Summer Sale at RobinsEggBlue!

All bags are marked down 30% in my Etsy shop.  That's right- 30%!

Grab them while you can!

Time to Reflect...

Summer Market was a success!  Thanks to all my friends & family for stopping out to shop.  The weather is always a challenge here along the Lake- but at least the morning storm cleared in time for some serious shoppers!  My purses sold well, and here are a few other items that sold well. Vintage glass beads & birds always sell- Ahhh- exhale!

On another note- I just happened upon a site called stumbleupon.com where my website has had over 3200 referral hits today alone!  I can't navigate this site too well- does anyone out there know how this site works?  Does someone post a referral? Is it random?  I would LOVE to know! Please email if you know- 3200+ hits in less than a day is ALOT! 

More this week as I take mental & physical inventory.  I think I'll have a big SALE in my shop next week.  More info mid- week.  (email if interested!)

Good night friends!

Getting Ready for Summer Market!

If you're in the Cleveland/Avon Lake area tomorrow, July 25th- join us at Summer Market on the shores of Lake Erie.  Over 40 vendors, including antiques, crafts, food, and lots of fun!  I will be there along with all my RobinsEggBlue goodies!  We'll be there rain or shine from 10:00 to 6:00 PM.  More info here.  Hope to see some friends there!

Forgotten Treasures- Tiny Antique German Bisque Dolls

I am so in love with these.  Most of you know the story- read this previous post if not. What I love about them is they're not "frozen"- their arms & legs move.  They have so much character & life.  AND they're only 2" tall!

So precious, they remind me of tiny marionettes.  I can authenticate their origin, but I'm still unclear if the arms & legs were attached more recently.  The wire doesn't show the signs of rust & age that 100 year old dolls would show.

I'm not a doll collector so that doesn't really matter to me.  I'm just so happy they have limbs!  And they can sit up.  The frozen charlottes I have been working with were starting to depress me a little- but I still find them so fascinating.

Some doll faces still scare me a little so I might be selling a few.  (Long before the Chucky movies, I saw an old Night Gallery in the 70's about a doll that came to life and it's been in my nightmares ever since) 

Seedling- Etsy Treasury

You probably all know by now how I love little collections of things-  so I put a few of these little collections together to sell (in Mike's shop).  An INSTANT collection of vintage glass seed beads & another of vintage sequins & pailettes- all tucked away in antique watch maker's vials.

The seed bead collection is now featured in an Etsy Treasury- seedling- by buppins.

I especially love the sequin collection- quite a treasure. I've been searching & collecting these for years, but only use a pinch at a time, mostly in my textile work.  So- it was time to share.  I'll be putting a few more of these together soon.

Tomorrow I'm so excited to show off my newest find-  Tiny 2" jointed German porcelain dolls!!  (not the frozen Charlotte variety) These will sit & the arms move- truly forgotten treasures!  I'll share more tomorrow.

Coral Reef- Etsy Treasury!

My drawstring bag is featured in this lovely Etsy Treasury created by songsparrow.  I LOVE this color combo of coral & turquoise!

I'm in good company- I've always admired whichgoose & bionicunicorn shops.  I am always so honored & flattered that someone chose to feature my work!  Don't forget to check out songsparrow's shop (love the shop name!)  Among other things, she does wonderful vintage button jewelry.  You can see the whole list here.

Happy Thursday!

Vintage Glass Charm Bracelets- In Progress

Just a quick post to show a few bracelets I'm working on....

All brass & vintage glass beads, buttons & charms.  All one-of-a-kind.  I'm bringing these to a show I'm doing in Avon Lake, Ohio- Summer Market.  My first time doing this event- on the shores of Lake Erie Sat July 25th. More info here. (their site is down- I'll update!)

I used alot of my stash on these- time to use the beads I've hoarding for so long!

I used some vintage chandelier crystals in these 2....

This last one is my fav- with a bit of vintage lace.

Tomorrow's post I'll preview some new bags I'm doing for the show.  THEN I finish the birdhouses.  Whew!  Not enough time in the day!

My Frankenstein Bird Marionettes in Progress

I totally understand how these sweet little birds can freak people out- but how oddly intriguing they are!  (made from antique German bisque doll parts)  STILL in progress, these are coming to life as I write this.  I apologize to those of you who wrote- awaiting their completion.....

...but I have been preparing for craft shows, (mortgage, water bills, summer camps!) and these indulgences have been put aside.  They are now calling to me, as are the mixed media hot air balloons- waiting so patiently in my tiny studio.  My craft voice is unclear to me now- I'm struggling between my craft, and my creative voice- hoping to find a direction.  

I know where I want to go, but with this tanking economy, makes it so difficult for designers to survive.  In my next post, maybe I'll ask you all which direction I should focus on- vintage textiles & purses, one-of-a-kind vintage jewelry, or mixed media.  Maybe I should go back to waiting tables- I can still mix a mean drink!  It's late- I'm feeling a bit defeated tonight...

Stay tuned... more thoughts tomorrow....

Etsy Treasury- Hit Me Baby One More Lime!

I know how it looks - shameless self promotion.  But I said it yesterday & I'll say it again- I'm always honored & flattered to be featured in someone's Etsy Treasury list.  This one features my vintage glass earrings, and the list was created by lalfabeto.  You can see the whole list here.  I'm suddenly craving a Mojito!

In Progress...Vintage Fabric Birdhouses

I have about a dozen of these vintage fabric birdhouses in the works- I'm going a little crazy though because my head is starting to spin.  Each house has a personality of it's own...

and I literally have to get out every button, scrap of lace, pocket watch faces, skeleton keys, millinery bits, vintage birds, found objects, etc, etc.  This new group is alot larger in scale than the originals.  So needless to say my studio is turned upside down & I can't move!

I'll be selling this new bunch (hopefully!) at a local show- Summer Market in Avon Lake , Ohio, June 25th.  I've never done this show before- it's a mix of crafts, antiques, and vintage goodies- right on the shores of Lake Erie.  I'll be there with all my wares- so stop by if you're in the area!

So I'm off to "work"- I need to really focus now.  Next week I have to make some new bags & purses- dust off the sewing machine. Ahhh!

I'll be back in a few days!  Happy Fourth of July!