Pretty Things

I've been wading through pretty things all week. Well, to be honest there's a fair share of ugly ducklings at my ankles, but with paint, luck and prayers--the quackers just might evolve into swans? This week I've tagged leopard scarves, pearl jewels, cozy wool throws and Parisian crown candle holders... I've painted side tables and frames, mirrors and old windows. Papin, {our fabulous and oh so skilled (I hope) Calleva guy} is painting all my big stuff...which is making the entire process bearable. I am having fun but everytime I blink I think of something else I need to do or buy or make a list for. The funny part is it feels like I'm spending $5,000 just to make $6,000, since I've had to buy so much stuff just to get inventory. Oh well...that's the adventure, I guess, seeing how it plays out in the end. I will take tons of pictures once I start making sense of all the piles...

On Tuesday I was out at the farm in the "shop" (bus garage) taping up dresser drawers and what not when Papin looks at a few of my chairs that need to be reupholstered. "Are you leaving those like that?" he asked me. I told him I needed to figure out how to recover the chair but I'd worry about it another day. "In my country I learned how to do it." Say whaaaat? Seriously these Costa Ricans never cease to amaze me...he asked me how soon I could get the fabric and he'd give it a go. Would that be incredible if I just found someone to do that for me? It costs a small fortune to hire that stuff out. Crossing my fingers compadre!

So you get the drift of my days...how's about the night? Mitch recommended Prison Break and we're loving it. Just wrapping up season one tonight. It's super intense and perfect to space out to a few times a week. Wentworth up top is another Pretty for sure.

Beautiful Day

Going to Lucketts used to be one of my very favorite things to do. Since I started selling out at the shop, some of the dreaminess and anticipation of making the trip has worn off. Seems anything we're obligated to do kills the fun sooner or later. I used to take my time, stop along the way, ooh and ahh over the beauty...Nowadays it's sort of a mad rush to get there and back in record speed. Last time out, I was determined to savor the experience and recapture some of the old charm I used to feel so I snapped photos going and coming.

It was easy to remember why I love it..

SHE'S CRAFTY!!.....She's just my type!

(Beastie Boys)

That's right.  I feel like a regular Etsy girl!  Getting ready for a big sale out at the shop, I decided to get crafty... 

Put these sweet banners together from Emmiecakes.

SPOOKY!  This was the favorite of all the ladies at the shop.

New bangles......

.......and beads. 

Now for the big project!

I ordered the vinyl from Phraseworthy and got paintin'.

Whatcha think?

New Stuff

I took these out last weekend for the big sale.  I have no idea if any sold or not, but I like them. I think the sheep one is an all-time favorite of mine--it's really pretty in person.  I  went back and forth about the poppies.  I was so tempted to keep it for my new living room redo--those are some of the colors I am wanting.  Plus, I want my house to have a little more clearness to it. What does that mean?  I don't know.  Jessamyn?  Anyway....maybe it'll never sell and will find it's way back home.

Do you like any of these?

Eye Candy

I drove out to the shop today with the littlest chick.  It was a nice drive.  There is a huge sale this weekend so I brought out a ginormous stash of jewelry. Donna, the owner is so nice she is always so thrilled to see the baby and spoils her by giving her chocolate kisses and cookies the whole time we're there.  

She recently redid the little room behind the store and I think it is just breathtaking.  She's been collecting dresses for most of her life and recently decided to display some and sell some. Man, they just don't make them like they used to!

I told her the the Shabby Chic store in New York has the very same thing; vintage dresses are hanging from the ceiling and in the front window.  Some of them are to die for.

Camille just loved it in here.  She just kept saying, "it's bootiful right Mommy?"  I took her picture in front of her favorite pink dress but it turned out blurry.

Sometimes I dread the drive out to my store, but once I get going I am always relaxed by the beautiful drive and the fun eye candy at the shop. 

FOR SALE

Sailboats and  Sailors

Sailboats in the Harbor

Children at the Beach

Tuscan Poppy field

Tuscan landscape

(goes great as companion to Tuscan Poppy field)

Anyone in the mood for decorating?

I have a pretty good inventory of paintings and only so much room at the store so I thought I'd throw a few of them into the blogosphere.  The above paintings are all oil on canvas, hand painted and 24x36.  They are really wonderful paintings and are large enough for a good sized wall or over the mantle.  They are priced really low at $175 each (not including shipping). 

If you have any questions or would like more photos of a particular painting email me. 

Also...I'm open to trades!  If you think you have something I would LOVE, that you are able to ship, send me a photo.

EMAIL: jennifer@calleva.org

White's Ferry

Sometimes I'm amazed at where I live.  I don't think growing up I even knew ferry boats still existed, except at Disneyland.  Now, I ride one every week when I visit my store. Obviously, these aren't winter photos, but you can see just how beautiful it is most of the year. It is such a treat to live with such quaint experiences only a few miles away. I love taking this drive to Leesburg, it's so peaceful and enjoyable. 

 

Last week when I crossed the river, there were about a hundred white birds floating on the water; it was so picturesque.  I love the windy little road once you get off--it's usually really green and lush.  

I decided to rent one more little spot at the store; it's basically just a hutch with some ceiling space.  I went out today and unloaded all my Easter stuff and was really happy with the result. It looked bright and cheery by the time I was done.  

Too bad Easter is so early this year--not nearly enough time to see all this stuff.  Oh well, c'est la vie!

CHINA meets Persnickety

About a year and a half ago, I went to Michael's to get a print framed. I couldn't believe it when they gave me the estimate of what it would cost: $375.00 and that was half off! The frame was only about 2 inches wide and the double matting and glass were nothing special. I just knew there had to be a way to get a cheaper price. I tried online, and several other stores and finally came to the conclusion that custom frames and framing are the biggest rip-offs out there. Thus, began my journey to China. I searched and searched for wholesale frames and stumbled upon a company in China that makes all their own frames and imports them. I decided "on a whim" to go for it. I placed a huge order, and at the same time, began working with a representative to import oil paintings from many different countries. After months and months of waiting....

my cargo entered American waters. I asked poor Nick to risk his life and go to the ghetto at Baltimore Harbor to bring my goodies home. It was quite an experience! He actually watched (unknowingly) as they loaded all of my freight onto someone else's truck and drove away. Luckily, it was eventually tracked down in Pennsylvania, and delivered to our door. This picture is about 1/3 of what actually arrived. It was SO exciting. I didn't really know what I was going to do with all of it--but thought I would try to sell the frames and paintings to designers and home stores in the area. Well...one weekend, not long after, Jill and I were out at Lucketts and decided to go into a new store just down the road called On a Whim Antiques.

While I was inside, I was really impressed at how cute the store was, and asked the owner what you had to do to sell things there. She asked me what type of stuff I sold. I told her paintings, frames and possibly jewelry. "Well you need a wall" she said. And just like that...I had a place to sell my stuff. Donna, the owner is just a fantastic person--so nice and easy going. Her business is super successful and I've had an amazing time the past nine months selling a little bit of everything on "my wall." It is always a real high when she calls to tell me I sold an oil or two over the weekend.

I had to come up with a business name, so I decided on "Persnickety" which means picky or particular. I originally thought of "Persnickety: uppity art at affordable prices" so I kept the general idea. I made a sign and went with Nick and Jill one day and decorated my wall for the first time.

I think it turned out really well--and it was so gratifying when we got everything up and looking good. Surprisingly, I have had a lot of success since I began last April. Donna has been totally shocked at what I have profited from only one wall. I have been thrilled and it's given me a reason to do more of my favorite pastime: SHOPPING! Thanks to my generous brother in law, Don, I keep it stocked with jewelry, which is my best seller. I've also had a blast shopping for jewelry in Chinatown, New York, and searching the internet for other great deals to buy and sell. I'm so glad I mustered up the guts to actually open my mouth that day and ask for a job. I have had an awesome year enjoying this little business adventure.

YUMMY!

I found this company when I was in Alpine, Utah eating lunch at Dear Lizzie (which is an adorable boutique BTW).  I'm going to sell all this cute candy in my store.  I think it is just so darling--what really makes it is the wrapping.  I received my first shipment today and am really happy with it--all except they sent me orange & yellow lollipops instead of pink, red and white. Back they go.  I don't do orange.  All of their products would be really cute for Mother's Day, Valentines's Day and Easter.  I sure hope it sells.  I plan on displaying it like they did, in sugar--I think that will be sweet.