Mimi-Toria's Designs

Shabby Apple Hosts a 20% Off Sale to Ring in the New Year

2012-01-03T13:47:00.000-08:00

Have you heard of Shabby Apple? If not, scroll down on my right and click the link for their online shop. It is a fabulous shop that has some really great stuff. They are offering 20% off nearly everything to celebrate the New Year. Take a peak...

I own one of their dresses thus far and really like it. Thanks for taking a peak.

Shabby Apple Link is on my right side panel...

The sale lasts through the entire month of January. Use code NEWYEAR at checkout for 20% off!

A Fresh Beginning ~ 2012 ~ One Word Choice

2012-01-02T19:47:00.000-08:00

As the New Year has arrived with only today to reflect on 2011, I would like to wish you all a Happy and Blessed New Year!

Looking back on 2011 and all that has transpired, I would have to say that I am once again so grateful. It is with thanksgiving and praise that I will go forward into 2012 hopefully a better person. As I believe we should each continually grow in our lives, I personally will continue to work on my spiritual, family, personal and business growth for 2012 and on into the rest of my life.

With these challenges, I can say that I am so excited to start 2012 with a fresh new attitude. One I haven't always been aware of nor have I always practiced as much as I would of hoped. So in 2012, I am choosing to through aside certain words I normally would use in my vocabulary and make a concentrated effort to add certain words that maybe in the past I would not of taken note of or chosen to use. The words I toss out will be ones that normally would tend to hinder my growth and I am giving them the boot, and with God's help moving forward to a better place. I have goals to accomplish and things to learn and see. Many of these words were a part of the reasons I haven't accomplished what I'd like to, or become the person that I believe God would like me to be. You may be wondering, what some of these words may be, that I am hoping to extinguish with God's help? To start with a few of the words on my list will be "I can't", "fear", "failure","scared", etc. I think you get the picture...

If you've followed my blog for a year or more, you might remember last year when I chose a word to live 2011 by. Trying to pick just one word is a joke for a wordy girl like me, so I cheated. I chose two words. They were shared in my "One Word to Live By" post. You can read about my struggle to find that choice word here , as in that blog post I shared all about my 2011 word I had choses for growth. It was interesting to go back and read what my thoughts were about it. I of course, had forgotten about some of the things I had planned to change and goals I had set, and I actually found I had failed on many accounts. Below is a portion of that post from 12 mos. ago and the struggle I was experiencing at that time with choosing just one word. So here is part of what I had written...

Nope...I wasn't sure. The word "inspire" kept coming to me. I "inspire" to be a better person in 2011. I "inspire" to be a better Mom, Wife, Friend and Sister in 2011. I "inspire" to grow in my jewelry design business, and as a jewelry designer. I "inspire" to learn to do more effective photography and photo editing. I "inspire" to learn new things in 2011. I "inspire" to be a better blogger. I even plan to "inspire" some of you in 2011 through my blog. I "inspire" to share more tutorials and how-to's on my blog as well. So, "Inspire" is what I chose...

Wait you say... That's two words. "Redesign" and "Inspire". Guess what? I'm breaking the rule. I am so not a rule breaker, but I'm starting 2011 with being a rule breaker. I'm choosing two words to live by in 2011. I maybe should have chosen "motivation" as both of my words are motivational words, but "Redesign" and "Inspire" are what kept coming to me through my pondering.

So now its 2012, and I've chosen my word for 2012. It will be "I CAN"... Yes, another two words, but if you are having problems with the rule breaking I'm doing, than I'll just say it's "ICAN" and than I'm only using one word. :)

Here's what motivated me to choose these words. For the past two years I have been following along, have learned an amazing amount of information both with regards to photography, PSE use (or rather my need to get one for Christmas this year), fell in love with the use of textures and layers on photos, and also was even contributing for a short time on Kim's Inspiration Studio blog (this blog is no longer active). Cool stuff for sure, but then I dropped the ball and got super busy with life and my jewelry business and neglected the stuff I wanted to do to learn and grow.

So late last week this blogging friend of mine, Kim Klassen has a wonderful blog post she shared at Shutter Sisters. It was totally what I needed to get motivated and ready to move forward in 2012. As a blogging fan of Kim's various blogs, it was through her that I was initially inspired to figure out what it was that I wanted to do and how i wanted to grow in 2011. I am so thankful for her challenges and continuation of encouragements that she shares through her blogs. Her recent post at Shutter Sisters garnered many comments, and below is an example of another reads comment and than my personal comment as well.

One reader commented:

I am taking your quote: Whatever you want in life, you can do it…. It may take hard work…there may be mountains to climb, obstacles to move....but it's completely doable. First you must believe you can. This will be my 2012 words to live by...

This is what I shared:

I CAN learn PSE10... I CAN learn how to use the fabulous accumulation of Kim Klassen layers/textures and brushes that I've been buying for the last 2 years... and I CAN become more proficient with my photography which will than enhance my vintage jewelry redesign business.

I CAN grow in my love for Jesus, my husband and daughter and be a light to those that He puts in my life through my every day life journey and my art career as a jewelry designer.

Thank you Kim for another beautifully inspiring post, for being so real and for the challenge to do more of the "I CAN" vs. the "I CAN'T". Need to be of that attitude for 2012. One step at a time!

Gretchen
December 30, 2011 | Gretchen Schaumann

As I read the above comment I had just written from my heart in Kim's blog post response, I knew right then that the words "I CAN" were destined to be my words for 2012. Kind of an interesting way that they came to be the words, but perfect for what I need to do. Indeed, they aren't fancy words, or poetic and such, but they are instead action words, which is perfect for what I desire to do and be in 2012.

The last two days have consisted of me using the new action words "I CAN", as I have spent both days on my MacBook Pro trying to organize and sort through tons of photos to eliminate some of the mess I have on my computer and also have been working on learning Photoshop Elements 10, which I got for Christmas. Kim Klassen, is offering a free Photoshop Skinny Mini eCourse starting January 9th, and I'm signed up to participate in it. To learn more about this wonderful free opportunity go check out her Kim Klassen Cafe site. Thank you Kim for all that you've shared so graciously that has encouraged me on my journey.

Thanks to Heather H for spending time with me at Caribou Coffee to help me with editing the above photo last Thursday on my new PSE10 software I got for Christmas. This is some of the techniques and looks that I hope to continue to learn for 2012 and enhance my photos and business through the use of these techniques. I will be taking Kim's class this month and it should help as well. Necklace was created for a Christmas gift for one of my customers, by her thoughtful husband. He has done this for her two years now, and he always has a meaningful reason behind his purchases for his wife. So cool!

So, long story short, my word for 2012 will be "I CAN". What will your word or goals be for your fresh New Year? Another of my goals is to improve my blog visually, as well as actually do better with posting. Maybe, I will get to the point where I can post a short post and not such a long winded one like this one has become and actually do the posting more often. :) That would be awesome... I have good intentions and than life gets in the way, or the photos aren't ready, etc... and than I don't post. Here's to a better New Year..

My next jewelry event is coming up soon and I will share more about that in the days ahead. For now, mark your calendar for January 28th, a Saturday. This event is one you'll not want to miss...

Sorry for the lack of photos in this post, as I've been doing some messing around with my computer and can't quite upload the new photos of jewelry quite yet. This blog post was originally started days ago, so I'm going forward and hitting the "post" button, or it will be like other posts and end up sitting in my draft box never to be posted... I need to be better about finishing one task at a time. However, in my defense, my daughter asked me to spend some time with her on her last day off of Christmas break, and thankfully I decided to take the opportunity and put aside my blogging and learning, so I apologize for mostly words, and only one photo.

What is it that you would like to do differently this year? Anything at all, or do you not do the whole New Years self improvement thing? Please share your hopes and dreams for 2012 with me. I'd love to hear them. Can you believe that I've only done this for two years in my entire life? I did not grow up in a goal setting family, so this is all new to me. Kind of fun...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

~Be blessed~

For Sale Necklace Items 13-19

2011-12-15T09:16:00.000-08:00

You've been asking for some jewelry for sale to be listed, so without further ado, here you go... Be assured all items I create are OOAK (One of a Kind) creations. Contact me if you need lengths on these or more details.

gretchen.schaumann@comcast.net

Necklaces

#13

Vintage Hardware French Vanilla Necklace

$62.00

Necklace is a mix of antiqued Silver and Gold tone chunky links with Baroque Faux Vintage Glass Pearls, Vintage Chippy Hardware with Ivory Rose resin set inside hole, and a gorgeous filigree Vintage Mother of Pearl Cross Focal. Truly stunning in person.

#14

"Play" Mother of Pearl Necklace

$44

Vintage Mother of Pearl Ivory linked beads with unique religious connector attached to a Vintage optical lens with a sparrow shaped book page punched out with the word "Play"

#15

BT 410 Necklace

$32.00

Long Antiqued gold tone ball chain necklace with Industrial vintage tag (see details in 3rd photo below), tear drop shaped focal piece has a wood/crackly look to it, and has been layered with the BT 410 Vintage tag, vintage keys and a vintage rhinestone bling. The ball chain can be cut with a scissor to a shorter length if that is your desire.

#16

Chunky Robins Egg Blue Maltese Cross Necklace

$52.00 SOLD

This necklace is so cool in person. The photos do not do it justice at all... Layers of gorgeous gold vintage chains, and this fabulous Chunky Robins Egg Blue Maltese Cross focal with the rhinestones all set in and all intact is truly stunning. This is a conversation piece for sure. Love this one...

#17

Antiqued Silvertone Vintage Amber Locket Necklace

$44.00 SOLD

This necklace has some gorgeous huge vintage amber faceted crystals and a beautiful shabby chic oval locket with amber set in stone and rhinestones. The shabbiness of it shows that the locket was dearly loved in its past life and makes me wonder who owned it? Was it a gift from a loved one, long ago? Love these shabby saved pieces such as this locket and I personally feel the missing pieces add a mystique to the piece.

#18

Silver tone & Vintage Amber Nugget Necklace

$34.00

This necklace has some gorgeous a huge vintage amber faceted crystal focal, vintage rhinestone roundels, black silk ribbon, and another smaller vintage amber faceted crystal and hangs from a antiqued silver tone chain.

Bracelets

#19

Time for a Queen Bracelet

$32.00

This bracelet has a gorgeous look to the chain and is vintage with a safety clasp. I have created a layered drop of vintage mother of pearl, vintage watch face, filigree and a queen crown which is new and is silver plate. This is such a pretty bracelet.

Jewelry For Sale Holidays 2011 & a Thank You

2011-12-12T18:25:00.000-08:00

Wow! Thank you to all of my loyal followers for hanging in there while I was away doing some local large events in September and now recently the traveling "Trunk Shows". I always love the local events as I get to interface with you my followers and customers, but this year having two large events back to back about cleaned me out.

I had to keep my nose to the grindstone (a family farm saying I grew up with), and create, create some more and continue to create to fill the needs of the Trunk Shows I was committed to do in November. These traveling events were indeed a privilege to be featured at and I so appreciated it. So a big thank you to Beth and John from Antiques Downtown in Elk River, MN and Mary of Marishka's in St. Cloud, MN for allowing me to set up within your shops. My jewelry will continue to be for sale at Marishka's in Central Minnesota, so be sure to stop in to this lovely shop during your shopping jaunts. It's a wonderful boutique style, warm and cozy shop.

Now, onto the job at hand... Listing some jewelry for sale for my loyal customers that have been begging me for months to get some new items offered up. Just in time for the Holidays too!

While scrolling through the items think this:
1) would this work for me?
2) would these earrings be fabulous for _______ as a gift for Christmas?
3) wouldn't this be a perfect match for my dear friend, ______. She just loves hand created one-of-a-kind jewelry that no one else in the world owns.

So here is the start of a few postings I will be making every couple of days. First come, first buy. :)

Earrings

All earrings are (OOAK) One of a Kind

Antiqued Sterling Silver Lever Backs with Abalone, vintage faux glass ivory small pearls and Vintage Sterling Silver Filigree connector accents with floral motifs

$29.00

Antiqued Sterling Silver French Hook wires with Vintage Sterling Silver Filigree connector accents with floral motifs and fabulous triangle shaped Vintage Light Blue set in rhinestone drop focals

$27.00 SOLD

Antiqued Gold Large Hoop French Wires with fabulous Vintage Peachy Pink connector elements, Clear AB Swarovski crystals, bead caps, and Strawberry Quartz Faceted Beads. Truly Stunning in a Shabby Chic Way.

$27.00 SOLD

Antiqued Gold Large Hoop French Wires with Unique Champagne

colored crystal drops with Antiqued Gold Star Fish Focal Drops

$22

Sterling Silver Lever Back Earrings with Vintage crystals and Sterling Silver Filigree Drops

Sparkly and Beautiful

$29.00

Sterling Silver French Hook wires with Vintage Sterling Silver Filigree Connector accents with floral motifs and

gorgeous Vintage Swarovski Grey AB Crystals and clear crystal accents. Sparkly and Gorgeous.

$27.00

14 kt Gold Filled Lever Backs with Gorgeous Twisted Gold toned Connector accents and Vintage Glass Faux Large Baroque Chocolate Brown Pearls with Vintage Gold Filigree Bead Caps

$32.00 SOLD

Antiqued Gold Large Hoop French Wires with Vintage Cameo Connectors and Vintage Glass Faux Pearls in a Copper Color along with Vintage Gold Bead Caps and Vintage Swarovski Clear Crystals

$27.00

14 kt Gold Filled French Wire Hooks and Vintage Filigree Connectors and

Vintage Gorgeous Red Crystal Set in Rhinestone focals

$29.00

E10

14 kt Gold Filled French Wire Hooks and Gold Filled Filigree

Findings and Vintage AB Swarovski Bullet Style Crystals

$29.00

E11

Antiqued Gold Large Hoop French Wires with Vintage Filigree Gold Beads

and Vintage Glass Faux Large Ivory Pearls

$22.00

E12

14kt Gold Filled Lever Backs with Vintage Brass oval Beads, tiny seed beads,

Vintage Gold Bead Caps and Vintage Blue Baroque Faux Glass Pearls

$30.00

More items will be listed soon. Let me know if you are interested in any of these and I can set them aside until I have everything listed and you've had a chance to see it all. Thanks for your interest.

Gretchen

Mimi-Toria's Design upcoming Trunk Show - November 11th & 12th

2011-11-07T10:29:00.000-08:00

Hope to see you this Friday or Saturday when I bring an array of vintage redesigned jewelry for a two day showing at Antiques Downtown, at a great location in the original downtown area of Elk River. There is ample parking in back as well as along the front of this store.

If you haven't been here before, than you are definitely missing out on some great opportunities to go treasure hunting. This shop may be one of the best kept secrets in Minnesota, so come on in and check it out. There are 3 floors of great shopping goodies to check out and each floor boasts fabulous finds...

My Trunk Show is helping to celebrate Downtown Antiques Anniversary Sale which runs, November 11, 12 and the 13. I will be set up for all of the Friday and Saturday hours that the shop is open, but not on Sunday.

Here are the Anniversary Sale Dates and times:

November 11th - 10am - 8pm (Friday) 6pm - 8pm (Customer Appreciation Night)

November 12th - 10am - 6pm (Saturday)

November 13th - 10am - 6pm (Sunday)

During all three days there will be special discounts in many of the booths. Refreshments will be served throughout the sale dates too. On Customer Appreciation Night, a special LaDeeDa Designs fashion show will be held at 6:30 on Friday the 11th by Lori Gravink which you won't want to miss either.

So, I took a drive up to Elk River to see my location that I will be setting up in the shop so that I could plan effectively and snapped some photos of the goodies that are currently in their shop and for sale. They may be gone by the time the sale starts, but here is what was there last Friday when I shot the photos. The photos are meant to give you a sampling of the great finds you may expect to run across at this hidden gem. It is not a typical antique shop with rows and rows of shelves of glassware and misc. items, however you will also find lots of that too. Some photos for you...

One of the things I love about Beth and John running this shop, is that they've stepped outside of the box of a typical antique shop, and have chosen to move forward with the times and offer their customers what it is many people are currently collecting, using and decorating their homes with. They set up wonderful room style vignettes and displays, so that you have the visual of how it might look in your own settings.

This particular space has a lot of industrial style elements housed in it, and they are WILDLY popular with the Junking and Gardening style lovers and or collectors. My favorite piece in the entire shop happened to be housed in this area... Can you guess which one it is?

Did you guess right? Did you pick this beauty out of that previous photo? This my friends, would be my #1 pick of the entire 3 floors of shopping paradise. How perfect it would be in my Jewelry Design Studio... Just love it!

Another excellent example of showcasing antiques to their finest potential. What a great visual this would give a shopper as to how something might/could look in their home. Don't you agree? That lovely settee was my second love in the shop. Coolest ever....

So cool in fact that I had to toss the throw pillows that were covering up its beautiful details, so that I could give you a close-up and personal shot of the incredible back piece that was added to this lovely... Love it second best of all!

,,,and this dresser is another beauty in the shop all the work is done, you just need to buy it and haul it home.

Ok, so I'm a jewelry designer after all... You didn't expect me not to pick out a gorgeous display piece in my top picks now did you? A lovely well worn dress form for sale on the upper level. Love this...

Love this box I saw way up on a top shelf in the top level of the shop.

A basket of elements waiting to get a new lease in life with a junker re purposing and putting them back into duty.

This lovely vintage wood toolbox has already received a new lease on life as a lovely Fall display piece for this arrangement. This is the art of re purposing... one neglected and forgotten element at a time.

Another example of a creative vendor re purposing a vintage element and making it something different than its intended use. I believe this may be a baptismal made into a table now, but I'm not sure.

The shop also has typical lovely vintage furniture finds such as the above photo shows too.

Vintage clothing is sprinkled through out the shop, as vendors find these great elements, but remember, Lori of Ladeeda will have an entire space set up during the event of her vintage clothing, upcycled clothing and fun and funky finds.

The shop also boasts great shelving style vendors with units filled with whatever it is you may be looking for as well. This display is on the third floor of the three floor antique shop.

This booth on the 3rd floor always has meticulous displays in her shelving units and this color coordinated shot shows the time and effort she puts into her space. No dust settles on her shelves....

The tour wouldn't be complete without touching on the fabulous jewelry vendors at this shop. They are all favorites of mine, and although not all are represented by these photos there is a paradise for vintage redesigners and collectors to be found behind the doors of the Antiques Downtown of Elk River shop.

Be sure to check out each of these fabulous ladies through out the shop for treasures. Great sales going on in the jewelry department booths during the sale dates too. Rumor has it that one of the ladies in the shop named Jodi, really shows her customer appreciation extra much during the sale, so be sure to ask about her multiple booth spaces.

Yes, they've got it covered... There is even a purple/red section for those of you into that tradition.

Cases of gorgeous jewelry and collector quality pieces are included in the venue at this shop. I'm sure you can see why this is one of my favorite places to shop. It's been my best kept secret for quite a few years, but it's time to share now and spread the word....

So this is where you'll find me this upcoming Friday and Saturday. I will showcase some of the pieces I will have at the show in a couple of days. Hope to see you there.

Kindred Spirits

2011-11-03T10:17:00.000-07:00

I love meeting kindred spirits. Do you? I didn't always enjoy meeting new people, in fact believe it or not, I was once a very, very shy girl... Here's a little story about what Gretchen Johnson was like, and how she has grown to become, Gretchen Schaumann, a vintage redesign jewelry gal.

Meeting kindred spirits is something that always makes my soul grow and I love that. Kind of strange how one comes full circle in life... Quite often we become what we are taught and/or exposed to in our lives. Fortunately for me, this particular attribute is a positive attribute in which I inherited and/or learned from my family. These personality traits, tendencies and or experiences were a part of our daily lives, and show to me at a very young and tender age. So here's a little information about my upbringing and how I've come to be who I am today, and how I feel I've come full circle.

As the youngest of seven, yes seven, I remember that I was told what to do, how to do it, and when to do it by 9 other people in my life. My siblings may disagree, but I believe this to be reality. Not a bad thing mind you, just what I believe is often true when your numerical order is at the very bottom of a brood of others. The seven of us were born in a twelve year time period, so life was a flurry of activity always in our household, with all of us working together as a team to make a large family unit work.

So in the big white farmhouse set on a hill, with its green shingled roof and green trimmed windows it housed my two parents, six siblings (three brothers and three sisters) as well as a fraternal Grandmother that lived with us most of the year during most of my early childhood, and myself. These living arrangements made for eight elders to follow, to listen to, and to be told what to do.

As a result, while a young child I was a wee bit shy. I believe that my being used to everyone doing/saying/thinking for me, I didn't really need to make too many choices, say too much or figure too much out as it was already preconceived how the end results should be.

So as this story goes, as a young child I remember my parents being extremely friendly people... As a shy child, I could not stand my parents talking to everyone they met... It would embarrass me, or so I thought. They used to close our church down, literally... On any given Sunday, as they walked out those big double church doors to head home for our usual large Sunday family dinner, if there were any out of town visitors to our small town of 356 people, they would invite them to our home for dinner (lunch to you city folks). Argh! Interestingly enough, this is how my oldest brother, Paul, and his wife, Nancy, ended up meeting. She was the new teacher in town, and my parents invited her for dinner after church and the rest is history.

So as a young child, much to my chagrin and at the time shyness, this drove me nuts... Ha Ha, so here I find myself much like my parents.

I've noticed these things about myself:

~I am friendly. Sometimes, the shyness still rears itself, but I push myself to be outgoing and thus it results in a reality of confidence and truly loving people.

~I love to meet new people. One of the favorite things of doing my jewelry design shows is interacting with my customers, new and old. Some of my most cherished friendships started out initially as customers and than grew into deep friendships.

~I tend to be the last person to leave many places now. Just LOVE to visit, and talk.

~I try to make others feel important, which they are, and express that through my conversations with others.

~I talk to strangers while I am standing in line waiting with them, whether they like it or not. :)

~And I so enjoy turning a crabby persons disposition into a brighter one by doing what I call "Pouring on a little Sugar and Cream".

My theory of "Sugar and Cream":

Sugar and Cream can come by way of a sincere compliment.

Allowing someone else to go first, when they've just about knocked me over to get there. :)

Holding the door for a crabby person.

Saying thoughtful things and being extra patient when customer service people have had a bad day.

Being thoughtful and asking about their day vs. my own... (I still have a long ways to go on this one)

It is really kind of fun to do some of these things, and take a mental note and watch and see how we can make a positive difference in peoples lives. People in general are in such a hurried attitude these days, and I am constantly trying to fight that myself with attempting to remember to pour "Sugar and Cream" onto those God brings into my path each day. I have seen some wonderful results from just attempting to do what I believe my parents were trying to teach us their children in their everyday lives. I may not be inviting random strangers to my home for Sunday dinners, as hospitality and cooking is not my natural gifts, but doing for others things that I can and am able to do is my own version of what I believe my parents were instilling in us.

So all this is to say, is that I've become my parents in some ways, which is something I swore I'd never do. ha ha Eating my own words. I find I just love to meet new people, and if I listen, take the time, we can both grow and become better people. After all that's what our purpose here on Earth is about... to minister to others.

I am so blessed and thankful that God has given me any and all jewelry design talents, as I give Him the credit and glory. Without Him, my creativity would be void. My purpose would be in vain. I hope that through my jewelry design, I am able to minister to others in a non run of the mill way, when I take the time to show and share His love with those He chooses to put in my path.

I feel I have met so many "kindred spirits" through my jewelry design, my blog and my friends I've met on the junking trails. Thank you for being in my path... I truly do this for the love of creating and the joy of interacting with my customers most days of the years. There are a few days each year where I get worn down and tired, overwhelmed or have to fight being frustrated, etc., but overall 97% of the time I'm loving what I do. So all in all, I just want to thank you for being a part of my life, for reading my blog, for those of you that have supported my jewelry design business, and those of you that have been supportive in any way throughout my lifetime.

Do you find any of your family upbringings to enhance your life? If so, please share and tell me how its affected who you are today. Good or Bad, it's what makes us who we are, and we are each special in His sight.

A Trunk Show at Marishka's on St. Germain

2011-10-22T20:30:00.000-07:00

Marishka’s

Located in St. Cloud, MN, this boutique style shop, is tucked away in a beautifully restored building in the downtown historic shopping district on St. Germain Street. Marishka's is located at: 811 West St. Germain Street in a thriving neighborhood of eclectic shops.

Mary Franke, the passionate shop owner will greet you with a smile as you enter the front door and you will leave feeling like an old friend. The warmth of Mary and the atmosphere of her incredible shop will send you off vowing you'll be back soon. Her unique treasures in vintage, European antiques, repurposed treasures she picks for her shops, boutique style gorgeous clothing lines for both women and men, scarves and fun accessories, home furnishings new and vintage, home accessories and up to the minute updated jewelry keeps you coming back. Most items are one-of-a-kind, so when you see it and love it, you buy it.

Right inside the front door there was a beautiful Fall Harvest display of hand created velvet pumpkins in which real stems from last years pumpkins were used. They are all the rage online, but Marishka's was my first introduction to these lovely designs located on the bed in the above photo. They are gorgeous...

Mary has a great eye for detail and merchandising her shop...the photo above with the fresh produce nestled on the straw bale, with the pumpkin sign beckoning behind, is an example of her talent. Her merchandising is layered beautifully and there is always a scene waiting to be discovered in her store.

Home furnishing accessories, some new, mostly vintage and usually gracing a lovely patina on them.

Mary offers both soft and hard furniture pieces in her shop.

Note the incredible original brick wall in the background...

Beautiful wood floors adds to the ambience...

Lovely one-of-a-kind home furnishings...

She carries multiple lines of jewelry, as well as artist created designs in which she hand picks. She carries accessories such as purses, scarves, belts and other fashion finds which are also tastefully hand picked by Mary, to accent and enhance the clothing lines that she sells in her shop.

Mimi-Toria's Designs Jewelry

will be coming to her shop November 18th.

Mary also searches out MN artists and I am happy to say I will be her featured Artist at her shop during the upcoming St. Cloud Fall Art Crawl, in the downtown shopping district in St. Cloud. It will be held on November 18 from 5-8 p.m and I will be doing a Trunk Show in her shop during this event.

Marishka's is a perfect match up for my Mimi-Toria's Jewelry and it will be great to be working with her. As you can see Mary uses vintage displays to feature her jewelry she has for sale and it is a perfect fit for my vintage redesign jewelry I create.

There is a great area in her shop that has wonderful clothing for sale too. The shop has four different distinct areas as well as the most gorgeous changing room ever. I love her changing room. See photos below.

The lovely changing room! My personal favorite spot in the store...

I love this sign and exposed area in the changing room...

you can't fake this look.

Some examples of the beautiful antique furniture you will find peppered through out her shop.

Below are some photos of the Mimi-Toria's Designs Jewelry pieces

that I will be selling at the

Trunk Show

at Marishka's

811 West St. Germain Street

on November 18th from 5-9 p.m.

I hope to see you at the Trunk Show, but if you can't make it then, be sure to take the time to stop on in and check out this downtown gem in St. Cloud. I promise you won't be sorry you did.

ETSY and Thoughts about Customs

2011-10-16T17:46:00.000-07:00

Every heart has its passion,

Doing what you love gives your spirit wings.”

author unknown

Did you know that I have an ETSY store? Trying to get it started, but I am still working on orders from the last two events in September, as well as custom orders I've had backed up for a while, so it's been very hard to get enough items extra to list in my Etsy store too.

I also have 2 Trunk Shows that are coming up in November that I am designing jewelry for too, as I need to have a good variety of product for each of these show dates. Mark your calendar...

The first one is:

November 11 & 12th

Antiques Downtown

Elk River, MN

(held in conjunction with their anniversary sale at their shop too)

To see how to purchase on ETSY click on hi-lited link:

'A wise person once said, “Find something you love to do, and you’ll never have to work another day of your life”.

Obviously, this is a generalized statement, but truly if you love what you are doing, it really doesn’t seem like work. For me personally, when I am designing jewelry on my own, and not a custom commissioned piece, it does not feel like work, as it’s something I love to do and feel so blessed to be able to freely create.

However, sometimes when I’m doing a custom design as per a customers specifics that it can become work, if I’m not inspired by what I am to create. I find balance is the key in my design business. I have chosen to say “yes” to some of these custom designs as a service to my clients, but it isn’t something that I would choose to do over the freedom of creativity that I usually have when I just let my found elements/beads and baubles inspire me to design with them. I often find it a struggle to get myself creating these custom orders. Do you find this the same for you and your business? If so, what have you found to be effective to get yourself motivated to create someone else’s vision?

Truly, it isn’t that my vision is better than someone else, or better the wants specified from a customer, or anything like that. It just is that then my creativity feels like it's put into a box. Yes, the box may be large, or it may be very specific and concise. Nonetheless, this box so to speak, is a specific set of parameters, and as an Artist I find it sometimes squelches my creativity. It’s not that eventually, maybe a really great piece is created for a said customer, but it takes me longer, and I find I need to have the elements I’m creating with in my possession for a longer amount of time. Than suddenly one day, a design inspiration may strike me, and I can start on the project commissioned. Or, maybe I’ve run out of time allotted and I just have to bite the bullet and design, inspired or not. I find this to be the worse case scenario. How about you? Do you have any creative exercises to deal with this portion of your business? Or do you never choose to do custom orders?

As a customer, how does this affect you? Do you get impatient with the wait, when dealing with people such as myself that struggle to create under a set of parameters? Or does the end result outweigh the frustration of the wait? I’d love to hear the feedback from you all.

Please, don’t anyone think this is intended for you….

It is not!

I am at my cabin for a 24 hour period and have been working on jewelry orders, as well as just some free design work (my own creativity at work), and was editing some photographs of photos I’ve not ever gotten around to editing, when this blog post jumped in my head. It is NOT intended to apply to anyone in the past that I’ve designed custom pieces for, nor is it for any I’m working on now, or in the future. Just some thoughts I wanted to explain and also wanted to get feedback from other Artisan followers as to how they handle custom orders and their creativity. Also, would love to hear from past, present and future customers as to how you feel and/or handle it when you are on the waiting side of this.

On a side note... I cannot take any custom requests through the end of 2011. Time to get caught up on back logs of customs. Sorry...

Stay tuned for future post on the upcoming Trunk Shows. The second date is: November 17 & 18th in St. Cloud, MN at Marishka's on St. Germain. A lovely boutique style shop located downtown St. Cloud. I will be the featured Artisan on November 17th as part of their annual "Art Crawl". Mark your calendar...

Have a great day!

And be blessed ~

Gretchen :)

Check this out...great new blog up and running.

2011-09-29T09:17:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to give a shout out to a dear friend, Laura, whom just started her own blog. Please check it out. Very thrifty, creative and spiritual insight as well. Love it... Won't you give her a moment of your time and encourage her with your visit and follow her journey as well.

http://renewmyhome.webs.com

Video Clip - Mimi-Toria's Design

2011-08-31T10:59:00.000-07:00

Junk Bonanza Blog Post - Mimi-Toria's Featured

2011-08-24T05:07:00.000-07:00

So here's a feature from the Junk Bonanza blog about my business for you to take a peak at if you're interested. Kim Yeager has done such a nice job of helping to promote the JB event through taking over the blog portion responsibilities of that show. Just recently it was my time to be featured, so thought I would post it here for you all to see. If you aren't already a JB blog follower, I encourage you to do so, so you can keep up with the comings and goings of that awesome show. The show dates are September 15-17th at Shakopee, MN on the Canterbury Race Track property.
http://junkbonanza.blogspot.com/2011/08/vendor-profile-mimi-torias-jewelry.html

PHOTOS BELOW ARE FROM JUNK BONANZA 2010 AND WERE TAKEN AT A SLOW TIME IN THE ACTION.

My DESTASH jewelry parts area always proves to be a popular stop for other jewelry designers.

I hope to see you there....it is truly a fast paced and exciting event.

Mimi-Toria's Style

2011-08-05T13:45:00.000-07:00

A sampling of some of the treasures I've been creating with for the upcoming Junk Market Under Glass Fall Edition. See more details below and you will not want to miss this show. There will be a fabulous line up of vendors at this event. Quality all the way...

Jewelry for the September Shows in Minnesota

2011-07-25T12:29:00.000-07:00

Anybody wondering where I've been? Busy, busy, busy. I'm preparing for two very large events coming up soon, a very large wedding, coming up soon, and have been remodeling portions of our home, including a new studio/office for my business. (more on that at a later posting).

I hope some of you are planning to attend my upcoming two shows I will be a vendor at. They are both in September, back to back. I am frantically working to have enough items to keep everyone happy with, and will continue to do so until the moment the shows begin. I like to keep my customers happy!

JUNK MARKET STYLE UNDER GLASS

Sept. 7, 8, 9 & 10

Otten Bros. Nursery

Long Lake, MN

For more info:

http://www.aajms.com/p/junkmarket-under-glass-fall-edition.html

JUNK BONANZA

Sept. 15, 16 & 17

Canterbury Park location

Shakopee, MN

For more info:

http://junkbonanza.com/

Necklace 1 is oh, so cool when worn. Definitely a statement piece and can easily be layered. It's creation of the focal was a multi part process with several techniques being used in its design. I love the gorgeous hand carved wooden pieces that one of my favorite pickers unearthed for me. The gorgeous focal surround was purchased several years ago and has wonderful patina to it. The tassel on this piece is stunning and was a found element just last week in a new treasure trove location that I was referred to. Love these unique elements that truly make the pieces come together. Overall this piece was culled from 5 separate resources.

Necklace 2 - I am struggling to sell. Yes, it is one I'd love to keep, but need to sell whatever I can get made up between now and the events. This fabulous chunky stain piece is so elegant, but yet also perfect with an open shirt and jeans styling as well. Love the mother of pearl treasures I've included in this piece. This one just speaks to me. One of my more upscale pieces, she is a real keeper. The St. Chirstopher Protection Medal is unique and mimics with its circle of pearls the circle of pearls on the toggle closure of the chain. One lucky lady will get to buy this piece. p.s. Maybe, she'll let me borrow it? :)

Necklace 3 is a signature design with a bling design on its reverse. I am well known for using vintage enameled pocket watch faces and than the addition of the flying sparrow on them. It is recognized as a Mimi-Toria's Design when worn. This one, however, has the addition of the reverse side with lots of bling and a fun totally different look to it. Love it when I can create pieces that give my customers Bang for their Bucks with it being worn multiple ways, and/or layered.

Winner of Shabby Apple Dress is:

2011-07-02T15:57:00.000-07:00

So here is what happened with the Random Number Generator.

#13 is the lucky winner of the wonderful
Shabby Apple dress giveaway.
Congratulations!

Rae has chosen the Da Vinci dress
as her favorite.
Contact me, Rae, and I'll get you the information
to get this dress sent your way.

Rae happens to be a sweet lady
whom I stumbled upon her blog last week-end.

She was referred to in a blog I was already a follower of,
and so I had checked out her blog while at the cabin.
She in turn checked out mine and entered the contest and won!

She also loves heart shaped rocks, shells and other found elements like I do,

and Jami of Freckled Laundry had done a post about her

which I totally connected with.

Anyways, I consider

Rae

(the winner chosen by random.org)

a new friend,

through the wonderful world of blogging.
Check out Rae's blog here.

Some interesting tidbits:
8 chose Azure Coast as their fav
4 chose Da Vinci as their fav
1 chose the gorgeous Moon River as her fav.

There were 37 actual comments either left on my blog,
or personally emailed to me when they had trouble with blogger
not letting them post their comments.
Thank you everyone for participating and leaving a comment.

For anyone feeling bad about not winning,
I have a surprise for you too.
No, not another free dress,
but
Shabby Apple
is offering a new fabulous offer.

Beginning July 1st they are having a Summer Sale.
Coupon code for check out is:
SUMMER20

The SAVINGS is
20% OFF their entire site,
with the exclusion of Amalfi Coast Swim Wear.

The Sale Runs the Entire Month of July!

So now is the time to go nab that favorite item
you've been dying to buy.
Shop Shabby Apple now.
Just click on the links to check them out.

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:13Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Women's Dress Giveaway

2011-06-24T20:50:00.000-07:00

UPDATE

This giveaway is now closed!

Winner will be posted soon...

Would you love to win something for free?

Are you into getting something fun just you?

If so, then my blog is the place for you to stop right now...

read on to learn how you can possibly be the

lucky one that wins a free women's dress.

ShabbyApple

online site has generously offered

one of you my friends,

this wonderful opportunity.

First,

you must decide which of the 3 choices,

you'd like to win.

Leave me a comment

ON MY BLOG ONLY, PLEASE

letting me know

if it is 1, 2 or 3

that is your little hearts desire.

Second,

if your new here,

become a follower of my blog for another chance.

Third,

"To enter to win this amazing dress

"like" Shabby Apple on facebook

and then leave me a comment saying you did so",

and you will get a third chance to win.

There is one catch...you must have a US mailing address in order to partake in this generous offer. Please choose your sizing carefully, as their is no exchanges on the free dress. See info. right below for sizing.

Psssssttttt...

before you take a look at the dresses below,

check out the ShabbyApple site

and see what style is best for you,

according to you answering a couple of questions.

This little test is sooooo cool!

Access it here.

#1.

A true gem of a multi-tasker, the Azure Coast dress, with it's playful puff sleeves and no-nonsense shirt collar, is perfect for the office or a weekend getaway at the shore. This ocean-colored beauty sports faux-wrap styling—the skirt closes all the way—giving you the look of your favorite wrap dress without the anxiety of worrying whether or not you're unintentionally showing too much leg.

Fit notes:

This dress is 100% cotton.

To care for this dress, hand wash cold. Hang dress to dry.

This dress Fits True to Size.

#2.

Take the guesswork out of dressing with the soft and simple Da Vinci dress. One part sweatshirt, one part puff-sleeved perfection, this easy-wearing number has a flare for the informal with its drop waist, A-line skirt and kangaroo pockets. Pack it for your next weekend getaway or make it a part of your everyday routine.

Fit Notes:

This dress follows our Fits Generously fit guide.

Dress made from Poly Rayon Spandex Jersey.

#3.

Carefully constructed from chocolate brown stretch sateen, the Moon River boasts a high, wide boat neck, fitted bodice,and cap sleeves. The slightly tapered skirt descends from a bouquet off our flouncy ruffles at the low waist, and falls to the knee. Belted,bedecked with a long strand of pearls or left as a stand-alone statement, Moon River has potential to inspire romantic flashbacks wherever you wear it.

Fit Notes:
This dress follows our Fits Generously size chart. Ruffle measures approximately 10 inches long. Dress hits at the knee.
**DRESS HAS A FAIR AMOUNT OF STRETCH. WE RECOMMEND ORDERING A SIZE DOWN IF YOU ARE BORDERLINE ON YOUR MEASUREMENTS**

The giveaway will run until June 30th!

If you'd like to order something at
www.shabbyapple.com
before the giveaway ends,

you can mention this discount code at checkout...

mimitoria10off

to receive 10% off your order

in the next 30 days.

Good luck everyone...
I'm happy to report that I just today won
a dress from this great company on another blog.
I am thrilled!

The winner will be chosen with the use of random.org.

Eight Rules to a Better Life & Giveaway News

2011-06-21T10:45:00.000-07:00

Wow, where does the time fly? It's been 4 weeks since I posted here, and I'm sad to say that is a new record. Not a good one either.

Where have I been? Busy... attempting to get some much needed home improvement projects done during some rare sane weather here in Minnesota. We have talked for about seven years about having our carpets removed and new flooring installed in our main floor of our house, and finally we are proceeding with action and not just talk. So that's where I've been and what my hands have been into lately. I promise I will post about it soon, but for today, I just have a little something I'd like to share that I found online.

Eight Rules to a Better Life

1. Never Hate

2. Don't Worry

3. Live Simply

4. Expect a Little

5. Give a Lot

6. Always Smile

7. Live with Love

8. Best of all, Be with God

*******Exciting giveaway coming to my blog real soon. Stay tuned for more details to follow.

**********Also, my 300th follower giveway for jewelry will happen after the above giveaway, so please stay tune.

You guys are the awesomest! Be blessed my friends, and enjoy the warmth outside.

Custom Necklace - 4H Memories

2011-05-22T15:26:00.000-07:00

4H Leadership

Leading by Example

The caring support of adult volunteers and mentors inspires young people in 4-H to work collaboratively, take the lead on their own projects and set and achieve goals with confidence. 4-H’ers chart their own course, explore important issues and define their place in the world. 4-H’ers stand up for themselves and their communities.

These pivotal experiences build a foundation of leadership and skills for success in their future careers.

Last Fall, one of my customers commissioned me to do a vintage redesign necklace for her Mom as a surprise Christmas gift. Cassie's Mom, just so happened to be her 4H leader for years when she was a young girl. Cassie knew that she wanted it to be a memory necklace of this special time in this Mother/Daughter duo's life, and thus she sent me two 4H pins. She asked that I use the two pins which I used in this necklace, and to design one of them into the focal. She asked that I use one of my unique found elements as the focal with the pin and use antiqued gold tones.

Details shot of the focal with one of the 4H pins.

Not likely to happen with this heavier focal, but Mimi-Toria's Designs, has a reputation to uphold, that being cutting edge with designs, each one created is one-of-a-kind, details, details, details, and backs of focals are often created two sided in case the piece flips. Thus, keeping an ugly backside of a piece being seen. This necklace was no exception and I chose to use this filigree element with the Paris Eiffel Tower for its coloring which worked with this design.

Some of the details here the second 4H pin being used here as the connector between the focal and the chain portion of the necklace. The ribbon is silk in a two tone shade that compliments the colors used in this necklace. Th 4H were a rusty brown hue, so I chose to use ivory faux glass vintage pearls and rust toned freshwater pearls for the beads and antiqued gold tone chain sections.

I used a mix of 22g and 24g wire, thus wire-wrapping the 24 g sections and using rosary style loops for the 22g wire sections.

A fun mix of elements create the dangle portion of the necklace flowing freely from the focal portion at the bottom.

I also used some baroque brown toned faux glass vintage pearls in the chain section of the necklace to add another dimension and style as well as color into the mix.

I hand created a clasp for this necklace, as well as stamped a Mimi-Tori's Designs i.d. tag to attach to the piece. I also wire wrapped a fun little stack of beads and vintage rhinestone roundel to the clasp section of the necklace.

I thought this was such a sweet necklace idea that Cassie came up with to give to her Mom for Christmas 2010. Again, I just came upon this file folder on my computer recently while doing some organizing and thought it might be fun to share.

Interesting facts about 4H:

Research shows those children involved in 4H are:

Nearly two times more likely to get better grades in school

Nearly two times more likely to plan to go to college

41 percent less likely to engage in risky behaviors

25 percent more likely to positively contribute to their families and communities.

The Story of a Memory Necklace... created by Gretchen

2011-05-21T12:28:00.000-07:00

~Here's the Story~

A Mother,

with 2 beloved children...

A boy, and a girl.

Both born in November.

The Mother an August birthday.

A tragic accident...

“Be joyful always,

pray continually,

give thanks in

all

circumstances.

For this is God’s will

for you in Christ Jesus”

1 Thess 5:16-17

~This Bible verse is one of my favorites and seemed appropriate for this blog post today. ~

It's not easy to be thankful always...but we are called to do so. I would think as the daughter of this heartbreaking story, the loss of one's Mom in a tragic car accident would be a difficult thing to be thankful for, but we are called to be "thankful in everything". Wow! He is in control and knows the future of each one of our lives.

This post is about something I'm asked to do more and more in my jewelry design business. It is a privilege for sure. However, it's always a huge undertaking. It's always tough when as a designer you are given treasured pieces of a loved one that has passed on. To have the vision and to try to create something that the recipient will love and also captures the essence of their deceased loved one is always scary for me.

You truly don't get paid as much as one would, if you just spent the same time designing jewelry you could create to sell vs. custom creating. However, to me it isn't always about the almighty money making $ that I do this for, but rather the love I have of designing jewelry, and the reward I obtain while ministering to my customers that brings me rewards through joy. This is something I find myself doing more and more.

I believe I have been called by God to use my jewelry design business to minister to my customers on a regular basis. Whether it be through my designs such as my "Faith/religious jewelry, custom memory jewelry, or designs I create that speak to my customers and minister to their spirit". This is and has been an unexpected and added gift to me as a jewelry designer. My hearts desire and goal is to be used by Him in all I do, all I say, all I create, and for Him to ultimately be glorified through it all.

Back to my story...

I'm struggling with blogger, so will post at the bottom of the photos the rest of this story. Sorry about this.

Last Fall, I was brought a stash of elements that had been owned by a customers deceased mother-in-law. These precious bits and baubles were now what my customers sister-in-law had left to remember

her beloved Mother by. You see, this Mom was tragically killed in a car accident, when her daughter, Lori was young. I was asked by my customer, to create a necklace from these items to be given as a Christmas gift 2010 to her sister-in-law. It took me several months to look at, think about and than create these pieces with the items I received. Of course, I also added into the mix my own bits and pieces as I deemed appropriate.

The Mother had a charm bracelet with her daughters name engraved on a Sterling Silver girl silouette, bits of chain, a Sterling Silver cross charm, a Swedish style Sterling Silver filigree pin, etc., as well as a few faux white pearls. I added the wire and vintage AB Swarovski crystals for some sparkle.

The Mom also had these two tiny gold silouette boy/girl charms, the two November birthstone shoe charms that represented her kids birthdays and the green heart peridot charm representing her month of birth. I purposely created these pieces in the same area on the necklace to represent the family structure of this Mom.

I added the Mother of Pearl floral button and vintage beads from my stash.

This shot shows the Mothers watch, which was worn in the accident and you can tell it has a damaged crystal, and basically stopped working most like at the time of impact. :( Time stands still, and two young children had their lives irrevocably changed. This watch element was requested to be included into the necklace and what a great idea Lori, the daughter had with the inclusion of this time piece.

Note the scratches and damage to the watch crystal. This necklace surely tells a story of love, as well as a tragic loss of life.

The goal was to create with as many elements as possible of the Mom's and I actually was able to make five different necklaces that could be layered with one another and/or worn separate. The addition of this necklace being an adjustable style necklace added to its length being short or longer.

Although this close-up of the inside necklace on the photo below is simpler, it is still unique with the use of all of the Mom's jewelry to create it.

This shows two of the necklaces layered together. I apologize for the poor quality of photos, as these were all taken in the middle of December 2010, on a cloudy day, inside my Minnesota home just before mailing them off to be given as a gift last Christmas.

I just came across these photos and had always meant to do a blog post with them, but didn't realize my photo quality were so poor until now. Still wanted to share this inspirational memory piece with my readership.

Enjoy your Mom's while you have them. Life is uncertain, and we should all live our lives like it could be the last, and love our family and those around us as if we may never again see them. Live with no regrets...

Free to Be Me...

2011-05-11T11:20:00.000-07:00

Hello my friends...

I hope this finds you all well and happy.

Yesterday was an interesting day for me,

to say the least.

It started out all warm and cozy here in Minnesota

and we had our first truly warm day

for like 8 months, which then

ended in massive storms with tornados and hail,

thus chasing our family into the basement.

Photos: Richard Burns

via ~ http://www.allaboutyou.com/

Here's what else came my way.

Many of you may know

that I've worked an office job

in addition to my jewelry design for 4+ years now.

It was always a juggling act...

further complicated by the fact that

my busy time at the office

which demanded me to work more hours,

correlated to my busiest show times for my

jewelry which was the Fall each year.

You see my position was created 4 1/2 years ago,

and was considered a permanent part-time position.

So yesterday, I finally heard the news...
after not being called into work for 9 weeks,
I finally contacted my office to see what was up?

Turns out my job was being eliminated.

Restructuring that has taken place the last two years,

and a lack of large projects and extra work

that they had needed help with

in the past, was no longer happening.

A relief in many ways...

as my jewelry design business

consumes my life,

and I feel like I never have enough time

as it is to get everything

that I need to do done.

Do you remember my word for 2011?

So, with a tinge of sadness

closing one chapter of my life,

it is with excitement that I am

now able to do what I feel I've

always been called to do...

and that is to be

an "Artist" full time.

Although this is a bit scary and a change for me,

it really isn't all that new,

but rather I now have a new mindset.

I now accept that I am an Artist

and have confidence

that God is directing my journey.

However, it still feels weird to say this,

but I do at times have self doubts

brought on by the enemy

often by using those people closest to me,

to doubt my worthiness of this label.

~ Redesign ~

It appears the Lord is redesigning my life...

little did I know when I chose this word late in 2010 for

2011, that this would be part of that redesigning.

So, I will set my eyes on Him,

the future,

taking one day at a time,

and see where God

directs my future path,

my Artisan journey,

and seek my comfort

and self worth from Him alone.

People may mock me along the way,

for being an Artist,

but I will choose to keep my sight on Him,

as well as what He's doing in my life

and where He chooses to lead me.

You my trusted and loyal friends

may have to occasionally redirect my eyes

to Him and keep me grounded.

I ask you to do that...

and to hold me accountable.

I am with a thankful heart.

I should now be able to

create more freely.

No more concern as to when I have to work,

my schedule is totally mine,

and no further wondering as to when my

"pesky day job"

will be calling me into the office

away from what I love to do...

~Create~

I am one of those people that

truly need to have

a creative outlet in my life,

or I'm afraid I'd wither up and die.

So excited to be free to be me.

So that's what is happening

in my little corner of the world.

What's new with you?

Jewelry For Sale on Blog

2011-05-09T20:17:00.000-07:00

The time has come...

to finally list some items on the blog

which are for sale.

For those of you followers

that have been asking for me to do so,

and/or are from out of state,

and not able to attend my shows.

You may go directly to the

SHOP JEWELRY

at the top of this page,

or click here to go to

this page of items for sale.

Thanks for taking a peek.

A Gift...for Mother's Day

2011-05-07T18:55:00.000-07:00

This piece was a labor of love. I had 5-6 hours of time in its creation. Jon's parents are in the focal, layered and layered beneath resin. A multiple timed process of pouring, waiting hours, waiting days, pouring again, waiting hours, pouring again, waiting days, etc. etc., until it finally was totally encased in resin and now had a nice dome on it.

This photo shows the full view of all of the elements on this necklace. Each piece was picked out specifically for a reason for the Mother that was to receive it.

The 5 represents the number of children she has, the music represents her love of music and organ/piano playing for years in church, the buttons represent her sewing skills and her job for years as a seamstress, the crosses and bible represent her faith, the bird and floral connector represent her love of gardening and nature, the kisses and xoxo represented her love of family and families love to her, etc. etc.

This mother has sewn all her life and even worked her entire career as a seamstress, so I incorporated as many vintage buttons as possible into the design of this. The cross is representative of her Christian faith.

A mother to 5 children, and a lover of flower gardening were just a few of the elements that were gathered to make up this memory necklace.

This mother is always creating something. She re purposed junk before it was cool to do so, and has continued to do so her entire life. Always making and giving of her talents. The create hand stamped charm was a given that it needed to be somewhere in the design to represent this large facet in her life.

I've worked extra much on this all week, to the neglect that I didn't even get the jewelry made for the give away. Sorry about that. Will have to get on that soon. Stay tuned for real.

Happy Mother's Day everyone!

300 Followers...

2011-04-23T14:41:00.000-07:00

Wow!

Hello my friends...

Hands down to you all...

I can not believe that I've just hit

300 followers.

So exciting...

thank you for the honor

and privilege you have bestowed

upon me with your time.

Time is such a gift!

I appreciate each moment you spend with me

on this little blog of mine,

so thank you for being so loyal

through out these years as

I've worked hard to build my blog

and jewelry design business.

To celebrate...

I am going to have a

giveaway soon.

Speaking of gifts...

the greatest gift we have ever been given,

is when Jesus died on the cross for our sins.

Tomorrow we celebrate
His resurrection...

than

stay tuned for more on my
300th follower
giveaway later
in the week ahead.

~Gretchen~

*All photos are of vignette's in my home and taken with a smartphone. Sorry for the quality. :(

Creating "Soul" Series - Part 1

2011-04-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking a lot about jewelry design and what sets one designers jewelry apart from another? I'm thinking that there is more to it than what many people may think. Or shall I be so bold as to say I think I finally figured out that there is a difference amongst the jewelry and the designers of "Made in China" jewelry, a non designer deciding to quickly make something out of things they find in a junk drawer, or antique shop, even yet others that make jewelry for a living financially, and than lastly someone like myself.

Not be mistaken here as self righteous in any way. Just feeling this... that "I'm truly blessed right now, loving the privilege I have of creating jewelry at this juncture in my life and truly feel that this is what my

"life's purpose is". For me to be able to minister to others through my jewelry business, is a gift! Whether it be those customers that God brings into my everyday life through selling off of my blog, customers I create custom pieces for, customers I interface with while selling at awesome shows, or those vendors/pickers I meet while buying for my business. I am blessed...

I think I've figured out something that my customers have been telling me for years, but I hadn't yet found a word for it. My jewelry has "soul".

What does this mean you may be thinking? Having soul means first of all...

1) Connecting ~ with customers. I love getting to know the heart and souls of my customers, and many of my closest and dearest friends I've met through my jewelry design business and they were once upon a time a new customer. I love this unexpected gift!

(This photo taken at Junk Bonanza shows me connecting with a repeat customer)

Q: How can you do this in your own business?

A: By creating relationships with your customers. Really caring about who they are, what they're doing, what it is they are seeking your jewelry for? Is it for an event? Is it nourishing their soul at a difficult time in their lives and giving them some joy? Or maybe it's a memory piece that brings them joy and closeness to the person their remembering through the custom piece I create for them and helps ease the loss of a loved one in their lives.

Also, by using social media opportunities. Including and not limited to a personal facebook, a business blog, a business facebook, twitter, linkedin, a personal web page, etsy and whatever else form you so choose to be involved in.

(All of these ladies started out first as customers,

and now I'm happy to call each one of them "Friend".)

And, last but more importantly, being friendly to your customers and truly making them feel and know that you care about each one of them. Providing time permits when you are interacting with them. At some of my large shows that is a frustration for me, as sometimes it is so busy that I'm barely able to write up a sale, much less truly interact like I would like to with each of my customers.

Do you try to connect with your customers?

If so, how do you connect with your customers?

If not, give it a try? I think you'll be blown away how cool it is...

I'd love you to leave a comment and share your thoughts on this topic.

(Stay tuned to a future segment of this series)

Silver Handled Condiment Server Tutorial

2011-04-17T06:09:00.000-07:00

The goods...

My as found piece of silver, which appears to be in the form of a vintage condiment server. Wash well with warm soapy water. Dry thoroughly. Measure the diameter of each of the cut out holes and write down, so you remember what size you are looking for when out shopping. :)

Notice beautiful details on the handle.

For my particular silver piece I needed to purchase 5 glass containers that measured the same diameter as the holes. I brought along my silver piece to the store the next time I was out running errands, so that I could be sure they would fit down in at the correct level. I highly recommend you do the same, and plan to bring your item with you. It saves time and $ now that gas is so high with returns if you buy the wrong size.

This photo shows how the glass containers should fit into your piece.

Let the fun begin...

Fill it with whatever your little <3 heart desires.

Be it M & M's for the chocolate lover...

condiments for your summer picnics...

jewelry on your dresser...

or like me

jewelry findings for my jewelry business.

Don't you just love easy tutorials????

Please share ~

What's your secrets to organizing smalls such as this?

Gearing up for Fall Shows Now

2011-04-16T09:52:00.000-07:00

Hello my friends ~

I have been busy, busy, busy...

with what you may ask?

Finding great elements to Dream about...

Create with

and Restore into once more

well loved Treasures.

How I intend to do that you may ask?

New treasures in the form of

Mimi-Toria's Vintage Redesigned Jewelry.

(Doll Necklace was Sold at previous event, but similar doll necklaces will be created with found dolls shown below)

I have found wonderful vintage dolls...

fabulous tokens...

foreign coins...

wonderful vintage pearls,

lovely old crystals,

gorgeous vintage rosaries,

large stashes of French medals,

incredibly cool vintage number elements,

ornate beautiful silverware,

lovely vintage rhinestones,

exquisite vintage hardware,

and so much more,

all purchased to recreate with.

For what you may ask?

See links below...

Two of my favorite vendor events

that I am privileged to be a part of...

I will be spending the next

5 months

creating for these

2 events.

See you at one of the shows,

if your smart...

at both.

You will be missing out

if you don't plan now to attend.

They are fabulous...

"Junk Market Under Glass"

September 8-10, 2011

Website for Event

Junk Bonanza

September 15-17, 2011

Junk Bonanze 2011 Early Bird Ticket information.

Money Bag Tutorial

2011-04-12T15:19:00.000-07:00

Here is a quick tutorial to make a handy money bag for using at your vendor shows you may be a part of this Summer. So come along and join me in this quickie tutorial.

Acrylic paint in two colors, sponge stamp (your choice), two sponge brushes, 3/4" or 1" blue masking tape and as many canvas tool bags as you'd like to create. I get mine at Home Depot for around .99 each, and love the fact that they already have the square shape already centered and on them.

Tape off around the orange "Home Depot" square with four pieces of blue painters masking tape, and overlap the pieces. Be sure that you have the inside edges firmly pressed down around the edge, so that you obtain a crisp edge while painting and don't have any bleeding of paint.

Paint entire inside block with your choice of paint color. I chose a dark brown shade to go with my European Vintage Style displays that I use for the events that I participate in. You may need to paint on more than one coat, so don't rush to take of the tape.

Now I have a nice crisp chocolate brown square space which has dried and is ready for the next step. I have the paint wet on the stamp and ready to stamp on the square. Be sure that you line it up in the middle of the square before carefully setting it down to stamp. I was good with this on some, but my first one I wasn't successful with aligning perfectly in the middle.

Shown here is the stamp centered and ready to press down to imprint the stamping onto the brown square painted area. You can see in this photo that there was some bleeding around the edges and this square isn't as crisp as the stamped square in the previous photo.

The finished product. Notice that on this one the Fleur de Leis is a bit off centered? It was the first one I did and I quickly corrected this mistake for the others I did.

My friend, Laurel, and I at the "Flea Market Under Glass" event in March 2011, in which I originally created the the money bag for this event.

Here are the four money aprons completed and ready to be put into action at the FMUG event that I was a part of in March. These come in handy for vending and keeping money on oneself at all times. At another event there was a guy trying to make off with peoples money boxes, so it's always a good idea to keep your money on your body.

Thanks for following along with me. I hope that some of my followers will find this tutorial useful to them. You can always revise this project to meet your needs, but for under $2.00 each, I now have four of these money bags for use by my workers and myself at any of my upcoming shows. Don't you just love useful and easy tutorials.

Linking up with White Wednesdays with Faded Charms link party. Check out the rest of the blogs and their fun posts here.

*I originally saw this idea from my friend, Julie owner of "The Loft". She made these for all of us vendors that were part of the original French Flea group to wear while working, and I instantly loved the idea. There was a very limited amount of large stamp choices at Michaels Crafts and Direct, so I ended up using the same one she used. She also added some sparkle to the edges of the squares and used black and silver for hers. Mine are actually a chocolate brown and a metallic bronze color theme, so they are a bit different.

Shop Update:

2011-04-01T10:12:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all of my blog shopping customers for your past patronage and your patience waiting for me to list new items for you to view and/or purchase. I am currently spending my time preparing for income taxes, which I am scheduled to have done next Thursday.

After that I plan to list new items on my SHOP tab (see the top of my blog page, right above each of the new blog post I write), which you can click on and it will open you to a new page filled with jewelry to purchase. Currently there are some items still for sale in the SHOP tab, but I haven't had time to update that tab lately. I do have a lot of items I can add for your purchasing, but need the time to do so.

I also will be adding a SHOP SALE page for items that I've had in inventory for a bit longer than I'd like and plan to discount them online for your shopping options.

Stay tune for these updates, which I hope to have completed the week of April 15th.

Again, thank you for your friendships, your following of my blog, and your loyalty.

Exercising Sound Judgment

2011-03-30T11:29:00.000-07:00

"Passion"

My jewelry business has been my passion for 14 1/2 years. Now it will have to share some of my passion as strive to be a better child of God.

Hello my dear friends...this little tidbit of valuable information at the bottom of this blog post, came to me today via an email from a dear friend, Laura. How appropriate and perfect it is for me to share on my blog. As I've been mentioning in the last few posts, that turning 50 has been a positive and exciting age to celebrate. However, I had no idea that it would bring about all of these other positive things along the way. I tell you, I am certainly growing and changing. Not sure if my family is aware yet, but I sure am. Things that didn't make sense pre-50 suddenly are clicking. How strange that is.

One area of my life I have always struggled with is the learning to say "no". I mentioned this in passing earlier in a post, but when I received an email a few moments ago with the below information, it really hit home to me. I have had a lot of emails and contacts lately requesting certain things of me with regards to my jewelry design business and I struggle with responding. So if you are reading this now and are one of those people that have heard back from me, please bare with me, as I figure out and attempt to "exercise sound judgment when making choices". My tendency has always been to be a "yes" person, and bottom line I get worn out. My goal in my jewelry design business is to glorify God, and because of this "yes" habit I get myself overwhelmed and than no one is glorified. I need to say "yes" only to those opportunities that the Lord prompts me to answer in this way.

It has always been an honor and compliment when shops wish to carry my jewelry and when one is asked to consign in new places, as well as being asked to participate in juried shows that are great shows. The opportunities are wonderful, all of them. It's just that I'm not sure which opportunity I can do and do well.

What people don't understand is that "jewelry design" is more than just creating and designing in demand jewelry. I still have to do the shopping for the product to create with, come up with the new and/or creative design concepts and/or lines of jewelry, than create focal point creations for the items and finally after the design is in my head, create it and translate it into a product. Then there is all the bookwork for the IRS, the paying sales tax payments, the invoicing, packaging, shipping and such for online orders. Along with that is the task of trying to keep 1,000's of items somewhat organized which I fail miserably at in my business. Then there is promotion, like ordering business items online like my event postcards, my mini moos, my business cards, and writing and maintaining my blog. Along with that is the season I am upon right now which is tax time and I have many, many hours ahead of me of preparation time to get all of my expenditures and sales information for 2010 together to take to my tax guy next week. You get my drift...lots goes into running a small business when you are actually creating the product from start to finish. :)

I do love what I do!

But, there is only one Gretchen doing it all...

So my goal is to continue to keep plugging away trying to keep up with life, but to also learn to "take time and ponder" as I go about life each day.

The below portion is the excerpt from the email Laura sent me. Enjoy and be challenged...

SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND by Marsha Burns -- 3/29/11:

Resist the temptation to take on more than you can effectively handle. Any over-extension could deplete your resources physically, emotionally, financially or spiritually. Exercise sound judgment when making choices, and you would do well to be conservative. The enemy would love to stretch you beyond your abilities. If you need wisdom ask Me and I will give you the guidance you need, says the Lord.

James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Learning and Growing..

2011-03-29T16:59:00.000-07:00

‎"You build on failure.
You use it as a stepping stone.Close the door on the past.

You don't try to forget the mistakes,

but you don't dwell on it.

You don't let it have any of your energy,
or any of your time."

— Johnny Cash

Good afternoon my friends. This post isn't about failure per se, but more about "Learning and Growing". However, the rest of the above quote by Johnny Cash seemed to mesh with what I want to write about, thus I've chosen to use it here in spite of the word failure in it.

Many of you know I turned 50 this month, and with that has come some reflecting time of my previous 50 years I've been blessed to spend on this earth, as well as looking forward to the future years the Lord chooses to provide me with.

I've recently realized many things, or shall I say the Lord is showing me many things I'd like to change. One of those things is that I tend to be like that lone tree up above in the photo I took while recently in Mexico. The one that chooses to "stand alone". Why do I do that? I believe that as a child my tribe taught us to be stand alone people and that it was the correct, strong, and tough person way to do things. Maybe this works for some people and in essence worked for me for my first 50 years. But I feel because of this attitude in the past, it is time now to change some of that self sufficiency. I have begun to ask for help, something I have struggled to do all of my life. I try to do things that I should be asking my husband to help me with, but instead struggle to do it myself and often ended up injuring myself. You see the tribe I was raised in, tended to be expect us to work hard, and be self sufficient and may of even been thought to be a weakness to seek help. At least this is how I felt others would view asking for help, that is a "weakness". Multi-tasking is all I've ever known in my life, but sometimes it's best to do just one thing at a time and truly focus on that one accomplishment.

Have any of you struggled with these vary things? I'd love to hear how you've learned and grown in your own lives and what has successfully made a difference for you.

So to you my friend, this may seem strange to hear, but I'm learning and growing in the simple area of asking for help. Tough to do, as I say, but I did it twice since the week-end. I asked my dh to carry a cumbersome and somewhat heavy table that I use in my studio most of the year, but when it's showtime I have three of these that I take to shows and use in my booth for display. My extra tables have been in the garage since the last two large events which ended in early March and my studio has been a mess as well. Jon gladly carried it down for me when I asked him to and it saved me the potential of re-injuirng a back issue that I did at Junk Bonanza 2009 trying to be a tough farm girl and lifting things alone that I had no business lifting. "Live and Learn"!

My Dad, currently age 87, was an extremely hard working Dad. He fathered seven of us kids, farmed 160 acres of farmland, raised beef cattle, pigs and chickens, as well as provided us with horses, dogs and cats as pets on our farm. We were raised at the farmstead his parents came to as young newlyweds. His Father, died at an early age of 42 years, and left behind five children. My Dad, at age 12 1/2 was asked on his Fathers deathbed to always take care of his siblings and his Mother, thus at this young tender age he became the Father figure of that household. He grew up overnight and was handed a huge burden. Thus, the background of our families strong work ethic, do it yourself attitudes. Our tribe taught us to be that way. I am thankful for all that my parents did for me personally, so don't get the wrong idea here. It's just that at 50 now, I choose to live a more joyful, lighter, healthier, less stress filled life going forward, and am making positive changes for myself, my family and my health.

To take one step at a time...seems the only way to be able to change 50 years of trained behavior. God isn't finished with me yet, and I'm excited to be on this journey with Him.

To question things my tribe taught me is scary. Something I wouldn't of thought of doing even a few short months back I wouldn't of dreamed I'd be doing this very thing. I'm realizing it's ok to not always be productive... One's body and brain needs little R & R breaks, which my Father never did until retirement time. To rest and relax and rejuvenate is a good thing! To not always be pre-occupied with what needs to be done is foreign to me. And the "to do" lists will know sometimes have to wait.

Wow, is this me really typing these thoughts? A slow and steady journey will be my goal. I am learning to enjoy things and to take the time for my family and myself, when my tendency is to be too busy. I've recently discovered maybe the reason I haven't followed this advice to "Take Time to Stop and Smell the Roses" is because I don't have a sense of smell, thus this phrase never really hit home for me nor did it have an impact on me. I do have my eye sight though, and my goal is through photography and walks in nature to "Take Time to Stop and Ponder" all those things I've spent 50 years passing by and not appreciating. Will you join me on my journey?
My new analogy: "Take Time to Stop and Ponder".

Beautiful flowers... however, a quick walk past, a quick photo snapped and no time take to really use my new goal of "take time to stop and ponder". What gift was waiting for me to discover?

This was the gift...

“Blessed are they who see beautiful things
in humble places
where other people see nothing.”

- Camille Pissarro

Are any of my readers with me on looking for the beauty from now on, and really seeing and enjoying all that God has provided in His nature for us to really see? Let me know how He prompts you and shows you His beauty in the days to come. Being aware is a start...

Turning 50 and Looking Ahead

2011-03-25T12:39:00.000-07:00

It's not the load

that breaks you down.

It's the way you carry it.

Lena Horne

It's been a while since I wrote a blog post. I've missed blogging and spending time with you my friends. It seems 2011 has been a blurrrrr of activity for my jewelry business and now finally I have time to spend some much needed administrative time for my business. Earlier this year, it seems I could barely keep up with creating enough product for the events I was a part of.

Many of you know that I was on a family vacation over our schools Spring Break last week, and having turned 50 while spending a week in the beautiful Playacar, Mexico resort community, I have been pondering my previous 50 years of life and am choosing to look forward to the next 50. Along with the looking forward I am analyzing, and planning on what I want to do better and differently for the next 50. Have you thought to do this at an age milestone in your life? If so, I'd love to hear how you approached it and what you destined to change and/or enhance for your personal life journey.

Quality time with my daughter is to be a bigger priority. I spent many years so consumed with my jewelry design business, that I know the words "just a minute" were uttered quickly from my mouth, when my only child, Emily beckoned me. I've really worked hard the last several years to change that bad habit and to make the time when she wanted my attention. Believe me, for those of us that have teenagers in our household, we all know that often they aren't asking of our time, and many teenagers don't even hardly talk to their parents during these trying years. Thankfully, I saw the light before it was too late, and I truly consider my daughter a great kid and friend, and hope that we can continue to nuture and build our Mother and Daughter relationship in the years we have ahead of us. Emily will start her Senior year next year and than it's off to college and an empty nest. It's never too late to nurture and take time for our children.

The mega watt smile on my childs face alone makes time spent with her well worth my time. Even if it is costly things like shopping, lunch dates, and such activities that draws you together, it is well worth it. These are the days to be building upon and the moments and memories to cherish. I remember only fond memories of similiar times spent with my now deceased Mom and cherish those memories that are etched in my mind and heart.

Spending fun and relaxing time with my husband is another priority I am hoping to obtain. Times such as this long walk we took together on the Riviera Mayan beaches while on vacation. The shadows appeared one day while walking together and I thought they'd be fun to photograph. We had a great time strolling to this rock formation and out cropping about a mile south of our resort area.

Jon at the destination of our journey, and obliging my love of capturing memories of our family trips via photos. I was tempted to post the one of him posing like a girl would, but thought I best not. :)

Several years ago, I had taken photographs of Emily at this very place (the same rock formation south of Playacar, Mexico) and have them in a window project I created for our cabin. Fond memories of another family vacation to this area when Emily was 11.

Along with spending quality time with Jon and Emily, I also wish to take in the beauty of God's earth more frequently. Too often I get consumed with jewelry design, and all that it takes to create and run my business. When I do this I tend to neglect God, my family, my health as well as rest and relaxation. I am reevaluating things I've previously thought to be so important. I hope to get my priorities stronger as the years go on to be God, my health, my family and my personal rest and relaxation, and than my awesome jewelry design business that I love so dearly. If I can do this, I believe I will continue to find success. If I don't, than I know that my health will be the first to continue to decline. I plan to add more exercise and stretching into my daily routine, or I won't be able to do this wonderful vocation I so love.

Sometimes, I feel like this lone Palm tree with its roots entrenched deep into the rock, and I struggle to find my way. I truly hope to be more balanced my next 50 years should the Lord choose to give them to me. I tend to try to live each day to the fullest and not to look back. To be more daring. To live more fully. To be more in tune with my body and what those achey, damaged muscles are telling me. And to take time and smell the roses.

Wish me the best as I try to be more of the woman God intended me to be, so that in the end I am around to live a grateful life and to glorify Him in all I do.

Flea Market Under Glass - Saturday

2011-03-10T21:01:00.000-08:00

My daughter, Emily, and I

worked together on Saturday

during the "FMUG".

The show was great!

I was selling as fast as

I could make them...

Here I'm writing up a sale.

So fun to have photos of me

working doing what I love.

Working with an out of state customer...

sizing a necklace to her specifications

for layering with another piece

of mine that she bought at

another time.

Fun!

I love that my friend, Mary

and her daughter, Hanna

surprised me by coming

to the show.

All photographs are courtesy of M Kahle Photography

and Mary's talented eye...

My customer, Susan, shown here with me

got up at 3 a.m. and drove in from

Green Bay, WI,

with her dh for the show.

Amazing customers!

This vintage bisque doll

turned angel necklace

found a very happy home.

A few of the pieces I still had left

towards the end of the sale...

My precious daughter...

what a great helper

she truly is.

Lots of fun pieces...

this key was a fun find

and

was actually redesigned

from this original creation to

something better

for a customer that bought a long necklace

from me in the morning,

went to lunch,

and came back for

another one to layer with.

I so love these prop elements in this photo.

The mannequin was transformed by me

(see the tutorial for that here).

My business sign tutorial

can be viewed here.

Flea Market Under Glass ~ March 3, 2011

2011-03-07T09:45:00.000-08:00

This is a fun little video clip of Sue Whitney the mastermind behind this event, sharing a bit of what was offered towards the front part of the greenhouse at the "Flea Market Under Glass" event held last week-end. It is coming again soon...only 6 more months, and will be even better as we move into Show #2.

So excited that Sue is wearing two of my pieces of jewelry that I re purposed and created. They are adorable on her and she rocks my stuff.

Thank you Sue for all of your hours, and hours, and hours of work to create such a fabulous event. You rock!

Flea Market Under Glass - Day One

2011-03-07T09:19:00.000-08:00

The official extra sweet Ali Haupt, is the creator of this fabulous video from Day 1 of the event I just finished up sharing my jewelry designs at. She is a sweetheart, obviously talented and a unique find and addition to the Junk Market Style team. Thank you Ali for this youtube master piece.

A Natural High

2011-03-06T08:03:00.000-08:00

Just a little update...

the FMUG

(Flea Market Under Glass)

event was

SUPBURB.

Who would of thunk it...

We were given the go ahead

after a successful pre-event

in the form of a 10 vendor trunk show

held January 29th...

Sheyenne and Sherri drove 12 hours each way from Montana to shop this show. They ended up renting a trailer to bring their wares home, as their pick-up wasn't big enough. They have great taste...fun style and are the sweetest ladies ever... They each bought a fun necklace from me and have keepsakes from their experience here. I know they'll be back again soon. They were SOLD on the event Sue created.

Sheyenne chose this fun necklace as her wearable keepsake from the show.

"Penny", my penny doll necklace I created for the event, found a good home.

Penny and her new owner. See that smile? Penny was making her smile. You see 2 years ago the Minneapolis Star Tribune did an artisan expose' about me as a jewelry designer whom was re purposing and creating jewelry with found elements and vintage finds. Another penny doll I created a necklace out of and was named Claire was featured in that article and this lovely lady saw it in the newspaper spread, and came to the Junk Bonanza event to purchase her. She was already sold to another customer and this lady was sooooo sad. Fast forward 2 1/2 years and you're at the "Flea Market Under Glass" event. Another artisan had Penny for sale and had turned her into an ornament. I changed her up with a restyled outfit, new accessory bling I prefered, added the wings, took her down to the bare doll again and reattached the items I kept and added the new, wire wrapped arms for her to hang from and took vintage faux glass pearl beads and made rosary style links with them to create the chain portion of her. I then added a cool padlock style toggle clasp and she was ready for the sale. I spent an entire night creating the pearl/linked chain portion while watching the only TV show I ever watch each week, "the Bachelor". Now, how fun is this story? Customers like this lady and her excitement to find "Penny" which by the way, she loved better than the origianl doll necklace I had made, is what makes my business so much fun for me.

Talk about loyalty...

This photo is of me on the right, and Susan on the left. I am changing the length on a necklace for her. She and her husband got up at 3 a.m. to drive here from out by Green Bay, Wisconsin to come to the show to see me, as well as the other vendors. They are friends I met while selling with Sue at other events and they've been wonderful customers and now friends through the Junking industry events I'm a part of. Now how lucky am I? Thank you Pat and Susan for making the trip. I hope you weren't disappointed and enjoyed yourselves. (photo courtesy of Pat McClearney-husband of Susan)

Yes,

in 4 1/2 weeks

the

FMUG event

was brought to you...

courtesy of a fabulous

Otten Bros. team

along with the

brain child of the incredibly

talented

Ms. Sue Whitney of

Junk Market Style.

A large area in the middle of the greenhouse was staged and created by the outstanding talented Sue Whitney of Junk Market Style. These design styled areas were a wonderful addition to the overall experience of the "Flea Market Under Glass" experience and these living spaces helped people to be educated on re purposing JUNK treasures and turning elements into unique accents and useful items in their home decor, garden decor, etc. This particular photo showcased an outdoor living space and was filled with wonderfully creative inspiration....

Notice the incredibly FRESH ideas for displaying your FRESH plants?

All FRESH plants were courtesy of OTTEN BROS. NURSERY

whom hosted this fabulous event.

Me in my vendor space...Day 1.

My dear friend, Laura, came and worked for me on Thursday. She was a huge help. Thank you Laura...

Than you throw in a mix

of 40+ hand picked junk vendors

along with a sprinkling of

fabulously talented

Artisan vendors

and

finally add the incredible

networking that the Otten group did,

Junk Market Style Events,

incredible vendors

and

the added boost of KARE 11 TV

filiming onsite and running

segments of 2 minute snippets

and it all

='s

the most incredible

opportunity ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Karla (left) was a vendor and friend I brought into the show and Carolyn (right) is my loyal friend and helper. Carolyn worked with me on Friday, and arrived the night before from a FL vacation and still helped me out. Amazing friends I'm blessed with. I love you ladies!

One of the pieces I created Friday night, which SOLD on Saturday.

SOLD this morning on Facebook.

More details will follow

in future posts.

"Flea Market Under Glass" Event Starts Today

2011-03-03T02:43:00.000-08:00

Good Morning my lovely blogger friends.

It's 4 a.m. the day of the big event, and I cannot sleep...

What does a girl do?

She goes online and promotes the show...

truly, you will not want to miss this event.

My jewelry aside,

it is an incredible site to behold.

The entire place is rocking...

and you'd never know that it's still Winter.

Details of my Penny Doll Angel girl.

I spent an entire evening,

creating the rosary style links

on this little precious girl.

She is being showcased...

on my angel manequinn.

A simple but fun necklace!

An ultimate mix of JUNK elements

are used to create this

one-of-a-kind

design.

Some fun

JUNK and QUEEN

inspired

pieces.

A few even humorous designs.

This one has the jist being...

vaccinate your dog

avoid the bullet.

The show is at Otten Bros. Nursery in Long Lake, MN

It's a fabulous greenhouse,

currently being used to house the

"FLEA MARKET UNDER GLASS" event,

thus the garden inspired pieces.

My cabin was the inspiration

for this fun design.

Ahhhhhhh,

Spring

take me away

to the 15,000 sq. ft.

Otten Bros. greenhouse

turned into an

indoor Minnesota

Flea Market extravaganza

which includes

wonderful JUNK

incredible displays

by Sue Whitney of Junk Market Style

and 40+ fabulous artisans

and vendor areas.

I even created some

vintage redesign

Bridal bling.

And beach inspiration...

yes, it will one day be warm again in Minnesota,

the snow will be melted

and we'll be romping on the beaches.

Besides,

I'm off to Mexico for some

fun in the sun,

sand,

surf,

and ocean.

A girl needs some fun when she's ready to hit the big "50".

See you on the beach...

I'll be the gal with

NO JEWELRY,

NO CELL PHONE,

and

NO COMPUTER

for a week.

Don't worry,

I will still have my camera,

my inspiration magazines,

will have my nose on the ground,

looking for found elements to create with,

but inbetween the walks on the beach,

the playing in the surf,

and the fabulous food and drinks,

I will vow to slow down,

enjoy my family,

and catch up with

some reading.

Sorry for the quality of photos and lack of editing. I remembered at the last minute to take some photos with my cell phone, and borrowed them off of my facebook page. Will try to post updated photos as the show goes on. It runs today, March 3-5th and the link is provided above for more information.

Creating for the "Flea Market Under Glass" Show

2011-02-22T10:43:00.000-08:00

As I work my little fingers to the bone,

attempting to create enough jewelry for this upcoming show,

I am trying to remember that somewhere

buried under a fresh foot of beautiful fluffy white snow,

that the promise of Spring (flowers and grass)

is still here in our Minnesota landscape.

As warm weather starved Minnesotans,

we crave these signs of Spring,

in our homes,

adorned on our necks,

and in our front stoops, porches and walkways

outside our homes.

With this in mind,

I will plan to provide,

you my customers,

with some fun and fabulous treasures,

to help you get through the long

remaining Winter months.

Stay tuned for more peeks,

of new creations,

as I give my fingers a rest

from creating jewelry

and instead will edit photos to share.

Now it's back to creating for me...

Can't wait to see what the Lord

provides me in way of designing for this show.

It's going to be fun!!!!

Hope to see you there...

March 3, 4 and 5th!