Sshhh... it's a Secret

ok so "The Secret" isn't exactly my cup of tea, though thoughts of it generally and randomly creep into my head every once and while and influence my thought direction... (you didn't read that here though) So when I went garage sale-ing this past weekend, all I could think of afterwards were vision boards. It's the idea that you create a space (cork board etc) and post up the items that you want and desire and supposedly they are supposed to come to you some way or another. Some might argue that you could also call these "guilt boards" for those who post a picture of their ideal body or "things I don't need but think I can't live without boards" for those who post pictures of dimond necklaces. Sorry just putting my two sense in...

Anyhow, I drove down the street from my house following the directions to the first garage sale sign I saw. As I drove slowly past the house with the garage sale, something sparked my interest. Nothing like random tables of random junk for me to sift through. Pulling over the car and getting out I started towards the sale. At first all I saw were a few old tins (good if I was a collector, I think my mom was or is since she stopped filling the kitchen with ducks) and then I looked down and saw the rad-est cast iron owl trivets, circa 1970's. There were three, one large and two small. I quickly scooped them up. What a find! Owls are so hot right now (So is Hansel, if you get that you're as lame as me. See my post below, Hoot Hoot and All That to learn more about owls.) My eyes kept moving over the table and just as I was about to pay for my wise old friends I saw an awesome black panther table lamp from the 1950's. It's the exact same lamp base that Dharma had on Dharma and Greg (also see below post, You Light Up My Life) and it's usually accompanied by a venetian lampshade (MY FAVORITE) This lamp however, did not have a shade, but I picked it up any how and thought I could add one myself. So I took my arm full of goodies to the man in charge and he takes the lamp from me and says hang on I haven't put the shade on that yet. He walks over to his trailer and pulls out..... (pause for effect) a GREEN VENETIAN SHADE!!! I couldn't believe it and actually said to him, are you kidding me, you actually have the shade? He then started to lecture me on how it's old and tried to overcharge me, but he didn't know who he was talking to and I talked him down a great deal in price and t h e L a m p w a s M I N E!

So I guess what I'm trying to get at here with my long winded story, is the possibility that my vision board is my blog and the world is my oyster. I did a blog about owls and a blog entry about my favorite type of lamp and they both fell in my lap this week.

So I'm not saying that I'm going to start just posting about things I want and think I need and start treating this as a "Universe, please read this and give accordingly" blog. But that was a pretty amazing coincidence. Nicely done crazy Australian lady who wrote a book.

Please stay tuned for my next post about Land Rovers, Mid Century Modern homes and an All you Can Eat For Life Purdies Chocolate Gift Certificate.

only in dreams

When I was in school (elementry and highschool) it never failed that every August I would start having the same dream. It started out as a regular day, I would wake up and get ready and head to school for the first day back from the summer. All would be great, catching up with friends, comparing camping stories, sharing all the latest gossip and then it would hit me, I FORGOT to wear my new back to school clothes... I would be absolutely devastated. You would think that I'd gone to school naked or something. I guess I was so upset in my dream because I lost that chance to make a new first impression. Like "Look at me, summer came and went and I've come back to see all the same people but I changed. I'm more grown up, sophisticated, stylish, brand new..." etc.

Of course in reality, this was never the case. I always remembered to wear my new clothes on the first day, even if it was 25 degrees out and the outfit of choice included a sweater. Oh yes, I was going to wear that sweater.

So now that I am no longer in school (thank goodness) the dreams about school have changed and now include me showing up for my big wholesale show (the Vancouver Gift Show) to display Gingerly's new fall line and I have nothing prepared. Of course this is because of me and my love of procrastination and developing a whole jewelry line in 2 weeks prior to the event (although you didn't hear me say that)

That being said, there is something about doing something last minute that allows me to not second guess myself. I always over think everything if I'm given the chance. It never fails that every year I'll make a few pieces that I'm not sure of because I didn't "overthink" them. And sure enough, those pieces sell the best. I'm really excited about Gingerly's fall '08 line this year. I'm going with my gut on a lot of it. I love it and so I'm hoping that means others will to. So, here's to dreaming about forgetfulness and to the art of procrastination (funnily enough those words work well together)

Fall preview:

you light up my life

when I lived at home I had a pretty good sized room. It was actually two rooms that my Dad joined together by cutting an arch in the wall, thus creating one large room (man that was awesome) So since I pretty much had a small apartment (or a big one by Vancouver standards) I decided to fill it with retro furniture that I had rescued from local thrift stores and garage sales. I say rescue, because for some reason in my mind (even though I might not have room for it) I can't resist buying some amazing piece when I see it therefore saving it from going to a horrible home where the purchaser might not enjoy it for what it is. (being it's super cool and retro, not just a cheap chair that they will let their cat use as a scratching post)

Remember the show Dharma and Greg from the 90's? I think I was one of the only people I know who watched it all the time, but I think one of the reasons was Dharmas apartment. She had some amazing pieces (you know because she was the crazy enlightened one, and the daughter of two hippies) One piece in particular that I became obsessed with was her Venetian shade lamp (pictured below)














Then I began a hunt, must find this lamp! I knew if was from the 50's or 60's, so I started looking at local thrift stores, flea markets, specialty antiquey type stores and then, I found it. It was at Attic Treasures in Vancouver on Commercial Drive (if you live in the area, you must go!) But alas, it was $200 and I was but a poor las. So my search continued, but with less hope that I would find something that was a little less money. Then, ebay arrived into my life. The wealth of retro lamps was a plenty, and yes there were Venetian lamps, tons of them. So after several times of being outbid, I finally managed to wrangle one and the day it arrived was a joyous one, it sits proudly on my side table.

But I wanted to share with you my love for all lamps old and kitchy. My house is full of them. Some aren't even plugged into outlets, I just like to have them in a room. (ok that's a lie, I have an older home and there just aren't enough outlets to go around) Below are some of my faves, enjoy them, they light up my life. (cheesy I know)















clockwise from left: Atomic Era from Columbia Lights
50's TV Lamp from Ebay,
Rockabilly Lamp from Columbia Lights,
Reproduction Lampshade from Meteor Lights
Eames Era Pendant Lamp from Ebay

Visit: Columbia Lights & Meteor Lights

hoot hoot and all that

I remember back in the 80's when I went to garage sales a plenty with my grandma (apparently kicking my little legs in anticipation I was so excited) Macrame was all the rage - to get rid of. I don't think that people could get rid of it fast enough. There were those things you hang from your ceiling to hold your spider plant, strange hook rugs that you hung on your wall, and owls. Many many owls. Large macrame hanging owls. If I remember correctly, my parents were given a lovely macrame wall hanging as a wedding gift in the 70's (the it gift I'm told) it's now been retired to our cabin up north where it hangs sadly on the wall. Legend has it this is where old decor items go to die. Anyhow, I digress... Owls. Yes, they were all the rage many decades ago and like many things in fashion and decor, they have again begun to appear. Though, not in woolly, itchy form. More like, cute and kitchy form. And people can't seem to get enough of them. I can't keep owl themed items in stock in my store. It doesn't matter in what shape or form the owl is presented, whether it's necklace, ring or pocket mirror, they are a hot commodity.

I found some on etsy.com that I just had to share. (btw, if you haven't visited etsy you must, it's chalk full of handcrafted lovlies)













clockwise from left: Pinky Owl from It's All About Print, Retro Owl Ring from The Charm Lady, Owl Earrings from Berry Closet

hoot hoot, i'm out.

loving colour, sometimes a little too much

ok so the other day I did what anyone would do when a friend posts a website in their facebook status, I clicked on it. Instantly I was brought into a world where you can not only play around with colour pallets, but post them and others can view and comment on them. Being slightly egocentric I decided that I would see what people thought about my creations. Enter, new addiction. I am finding myself on there everyday now playing with different colour combos as well as making patterns and waiting oh so impatiently for other users to comment or favorite my combos. So if you find yourself on there and decide to make an account (a very simple process) then you will have to look out for me. I'm the one generating 5 - 10 pallets a day, constantly online, and savouring all the love I can get from complete strangers who share a common love with me, a colour lover.

"Watermellon Meeting"

Visit: Colour Lovers.com