Broken Pieces Upcycled

Gotta tell you about two vendors that I know I have told you about before, but both have brought in all kinds of new pieces for their collections, and I think I have new favorites!

OH BABY!  has created several of her one of a kind “Angels of Reclaim” – most of them are made from vintage hardware.  Check these out!

  

 

Broken vintage plates aren’t just for the trash can anymore!  Not in the hands of Rachel Wainwright, jewelry artist.  Rachel takes vintage dishes and gives them a new life, shaping them into all kinds of unique jewelry items.  Just look at these items – ponytail holders, necklace pendants, bobby pins and now BUTTONS!

 

 

 

All recycled items – all one of a kind!  All at ARTifacts Emporium.

See you downtown!

New Arrivals this month

Sorry for taking such a long break from posting on the blog on a regular basis. I was having all kinds of problems with the blogger system and the picture uploader.  I am excited to say I have figured out how to use Windows Live Writer instead – and it is so much easier to use!  So, now it is time to play catch up!

Here are some fun new arrivals:

 

I think I have shown you Upscaled Jewelry’s new belt buckles made from vintage transferware – but there are several new ones in stock.  These are an amazing deal at $50 each!

Rachel Ison is making these incredible nest necklaces made completely of copper. I already purchased mine, one for my best friend in England (SURPRISE CHARLY!) and one for my best friend in VA (SURPRISE JESSICA!).  I love the representation of the 3 eggs with stones.  This photo shows them with pearls for the eggs, but but she also makes them with blue stones which resemble robin’s eggs.

Gabriele is our original “artcard” artist!  She makes them by the tens and twentys.  And they are always a treat!  I like them for several reasons, here are just a few (in no particular order): 1) incredibly environmentally friendly, 2) they are more affordable then any card you will get at Hallmark!! 3) You can buy a stack at one time and always have them handy for a special gift and 4) they are ALL individual works of art!  You are always giving a piece of art as a gift to whom ever receives these wonderful cards.

Well – three updates are good for one day!  But that is not to say we are done with the new arrivals!  More to come tomorrow – so stay tuned!

All New Valentine's Day Ideas

I have never been one to like receiving the typical roses and chocolates for Valentine's Day. Well, maybe chocolate...

I like it more when more thought is put into it. It is the holiday that we are supposed to show our loved ones how we love them. I don't think that "generic" gifts are really a great way to express that.

So, in the spirit of that - here are some gift ideas that I know I would love to give and/or receive - so maybe you would love to give and/or receive these too!

I love vintage jewelry. I can't tell you how many woman come in and try these on. But put these amazing pieces back because they just can't spend that much on themselves. Valentine's is a perfect time to splurge on the one you love.

Next - I know you have heard me go on and on about the transferware jewelry. Now she has added these amazing belts. The made the first one a few weeks ago - and Paige, ARTifacts and Hodgepodge owner, bought that one immediately. She just brought these in this week and they are all unique and an incredible price! And of course, she always has the pendants and earrings that everyone loves!



Earlier this month, Rachel Ison moved into ARTifacts and brought with her the most amazing wire wrapped jewelry. They are all beautiful and all perfect gifts. But this necklace is especially appropriate for the season.

Then I also love these new arrivals. They are handmade valentine decor. They add just a small touch of Valentine decor.

More to come in upcoming posts! I have plenty of Valentine gift ideas to find at ARTifacts.

Co Worker Gifts?

My mom used to call me each year asking for ideas about what to get her co workers for Christmas. She always wanted something special for the people she worked with for so many years. She would hope for a gift that would be special and unique - but not too expensive since she had to buy for so many. Each year we would get more creative trying to fulfill her needs.

If she hadn't retired last year, I would have been calling her to tell her about these pieces featured below. They fit the bill perfectly!

Rachel Wainwright has an amazing talent for taking vintage transferware dishes of all kinds, and making special and unique jewelry. Pieces starting at $5, they are a perfect gift.

Another great gift for your friends would be scarves from Eunice Kern. Eunice hand paints on silk and creates all kinds of works of art. Items ranging from barretts and pins, and colorful scarves and frame paintings.

If Dishes could talk....

Dishes....china....TRANSFERWARE!!!! I can't get enough of it. I love it. Transferware especially. I love the single color print on a blank canvas.
This platter has got to be one of my prize possessions. This was my Mimi's china. My Aunt passed it to my Dad - and he gave to me last year. I am afraid to use it. Terrified really. I cleaned this platter tonight, scared the entire time I was going to chip or damage it (I am a major clutz - ask anyone).

And then my youngest walked up and wanted to help wash dishes. Now, these dishes will go to her one day since it is my Mimi she is named after - "Jean". But I really don't have many if any memories of Mimi so just holding this platter tonight made me think about the dinner parties she may have had, was my Mom there with my Dad? Was this used during a celebration of some kind? Holiday? What kind? Did they use it when they had Mom over for dinner before she was their daughter in law? And what about the missing salad plate. Who broke that? A grandchild? Child? My Dad?

These dishes are a piece of history, they have stories to tell that are so much more amazing and deep then dishes you can buy today. Here are just a few of the amazing china and transferware pieces available at ARTifacts. Even some jewelry that taken broken and chipped transferware pieces and repurposed them into amazing collectible, one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces.


I love the simplicity of this china. It is wonderful.













This set of transferware is newer, but the black and white - SOOOOO in!

There is an entire place setting that goes with this. I love it cuz it can be dressed up OR down. I can totally see it as an every day set of dishes - they are fun!

TRANSFERWARE! TRANSFERWARE!!

Who wouldn't love to have a cup of hot tea in these fabulous cups?

How about handles from teacups - they make PERFECT napkin holders (Paige from Hodgepodge gave me this idea for them for the Mother Daughter Tea we did a couple weeks ago). It looked GREAT!!!

Here is that jewelry I mentioned. I know I talk about it alot, but it fits the theme I am going for here!

What do you think? What are your favorite dishes? Are you afraid to use your precious family pieces? Talk to me!

Cheers!