Remnants of the Past...

I've been working every chance I get in my attic studio. 

Remnants of the Past is a mere 4 weeks away, and I am over-the-moon excited about this new design that I will be offering...

For all of us who have not yet reached our full potential...

This one's for us.

It's a humongous vintage  pearl with a Tibetan silver cap and a dainty tag (that says it all) hanging on a 30" ball chain.

And in case you've been living in a cave or under a rock, here is a little more information on Remnants of the Past. In Judy Watkins' own words:

"Come fall, we’ll be marrying the thrill of the hunt and the celebration of reaping plentifully for the Hunt & Gather Harvest at the October 2012 Remnants of the Past Vintage Show. I invite you to come and share in our celebration of all things antique and vintage, salvaged and reimagined!

From Friday, October 19 to Sunday, October 21, over 75 vendors from across the nation will gather in the heart of California’s beautiful Central Coast at the Alex Madonna Expo Center in San Luis Obispo, California. These creative artisans will be purveying their artwork, handmade items and vintage and antique treasures from across the country and around the world. Our summer show drew almost 4,000 guests, and we expect our Hunt & Gather Harvest show to be just as bountiful!

The festivities will begin on Friday night with a shopping reception from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The entrance fee is $25 and includes advanced shopping, your chance to benefit from our Secret Shopper Special Surprise (more on that below), plus admission to the show on Saturday. On Saturday, the gate opens at 9 a.m. with extended shopping its colorful proclamation of the coming of a time hours until 6 p.m., and admission is just $10 (unless you

of year filled with heart-warming fare, delicious hot drinks have your wristband from Friday, and then it is free).

Secret Shopper Special Surprise – worth $1,500

I am so looking forward to sharing all our wonderful vendor’s wares with you. The best part of the treasure hunting experience is the thrill of the hunt–imagine stepping into a Remnants vendor booth and uncovering a one-of-a-kind treasure, asking how much and hearing the answer, “Free!”

That’s right! As the Friday festivities begin, I will browse all of the booths and preselect a collection of items totaling $1500. If one of these items is selected by you, it will be purchased by Remnants and given to you, our guest, as a gift! Secret Shopper will only happen on Friday evening, so don’t miss it!

You can purchase your Friday Night Preview Ticket here, http://remnantsofthepast.com/prebuytickets.html.   xoxo Judy"

See you there!!!

xoxo

Crown for Her Royal Highness

I know...it's been ages since I last posted.

Hopefully this will make up for lost time.

I am already working on some fun, one-of-a-kind objet d'art for Remnants of the Past Vintage Show this coming fall.

I actually have many new designs in the works for ROTP, but I'll tell you more about that at a later date.

For now, feast your eyes on my latest creation:

I made this full sized crown (yes, you could actually wear this puppy) from a 50 year old screen door...

I cut the screen, taped and soldered each edge and then applied a special acid to 'age' the silver solder.

I made the oak leaves from antique sheet music as well as the stars. The glitter is real silver German glass glitter, and it's already beginning to tarnish. Exactly how I wanted it to...

The rhinestones are vintage...

...as are the chandelier crystals.

 

The Queen label I created from glass and solder.

That's tinsel garland around the brim.

I plan on making only 2 or three of these gems - because each one takes hours and hours...

 

So start making your plans now to go to this wonderful show.

 

It's the ONLY place you will see this...

Til then...enjoy your summer!!!

coming soon to a show near you...

My daughter once gave me a little bottle that she had received at a

Women's Retreat years ago.

For a long time I have been wanting to design something using the same idea....

So I finally sat down and did just that:

What do you think?

It hangs on an extra long chain.

(That's a sweet miniature cuckoo clock....get it?)

I have a couple of other quotes to choose from...

 ...but you will have to come to either Farm Chicks or Remnants of the Past in a few weeks to see what they are...

Until then...

Being in two places at the same time.

I know it has (again) been ages since I posted, but I want you to know I'm still alive and well and spending as much time as I can in the attic...

I'm gearing up for two shows.

Both the same weekend - June 2,3.

One in Spokane, Wa. and one in San Luis Obispo, Ca.

I will be attending The Farm Chicks Antiques Show in Spokane 

and my friend and sale rep extrodinaire Kriste

 will be be schlepping my wares to Remnants of the Past in SLO...

Here is a tiny hint about what I have been tinkering with in my attic...

Need another hint????

These will be at both shows, so stop by and see me if you're in the Northwest, and Kriste if you happen to find yourself on the beautiful Central Coast of California.

And don't forget, Dennis's fabulous work...

 will be featured at Farm Chicks as well!

I've got a few more tricks up my sleeve, so stay tuned...

getting ready for Farm Chicks...

We are so excited to be participating in the wonderful Farm Chicks Vintage Show again this year...

Last year Dennis was contacted by someone who saw all of his fabulous cedar furniture at the last Farm Chicks in Spokane, Wa. They were planning on stripping the ancient cedar siding from their home and wondered if Dennis would be interested in taking it off their hands...

Ummm...YES PLEASE!

He went over to Spokane to see what they had, and after two full days of picking through and hauling he had a stash of weathered cedar to 'play' with.

Check out what he has been working on:

I painted the drawer numbers...

Isn't this clever?

LOVE the hardware cloth instead of glass.

How about this sweet pie safe???

And a fabulous console table.

I just think these are dandy.

He's got lots more up his sleeve so stay tuned...

...and start making your plans NOW for this incredible show!

Stay warm,

words to live by...

Happy New Year...

Thought I'd squeeze in a little post before this month leaves us. It's still ok to wish you a Happy New Year if it's still technically January, right?

I decided on my Word of the Year.

Last year I chose the word "open".

Boy, did I pick the right word.

I wanted to be open to anything God had in mind for me...

 I now work a 40 hour week in a job I am passionate about and you have to believe me, never saw coming.

So this year?

I need DISCIPLINE.

With so little free time now, I need to discipline myself in every area...

How I exercise.

How I sleep.

Who I spend time with.

Creating.

What I put in my mouth.

What comes out of my heart mouth.

What I watch.

What I read.

How I pray.

Forget the fact that I downed an entire brick of cheese immediately after deciding on this word.

I'm a work in process....

I just received an order from a customer who had a group of her friends and family name their year.

She added scriptures to the back...

Do YOU have a word or scripture that you want to 'become' this year???

Stay warm,

I HEART Susan Branch...

Well here it is...

A heart with a little one in it...original artwork by Susan Branch...

And a sweet poem on the back by Nancy Luce in Susan's own lovely handwriting you've come to love... 

All sandwiched between beautiful, puffy glass and soldered by me!

Sweet.

You can only get them on Susan Branch's website here.

So go on over and check them out -

Love,