...what's in a NAME??

       As the year winds down, I guess that it is just human to reflect.  It has been quite a journey - and I would have it no other way!  Oh, I will dearly miss the loved ones and friends that we have had to say Good-bye to this past year, but would not trade the good times that we had with them in lieu of the tears for anything!  Time to make new memories.

*We still have Green Grass and even a few hardy flowers here in Central NY, but I'm recycling Old photos for this blog post, so that it isn't all.just.rambles!! *

We've been reconsidering some 'Marketing Strategies' for 2016. 

 The 'UpSides' line of Cake Pedestals was a huge FLOP (which I'm sure doesn't surprise ANY of you!!) - Oh well, you never know unless you try - right?!?  We have started making some 'Covers' for the pedestals, which surprisingly enough, sell much better!

 We're also making a series of utensils (ie: cake servers, serving utensils, coffee scoops, etc..) - that are adorned in wire-wrap & beading.  They have been a fair success in sales.  The group in whole needs a 'name'...

I'm thinking since these pieces are an extension of us, the 'name' has to have some personal connection too.

FANCY 

"fun way to make everyday 'elegant' "

 (click to see previous blog post)

In keeping with  'Change' and 'Names' and 'Idle Ramble' I must relay an interesting conversation that transpired during our annual Cookie Baking weekend 2015...

It seems the 'Chateau svelteSTUFF' has been the recipient of SEVERAL truckloads of STUFF lately, from various DIFFERENT homes. (NOT that I am complaining!! - 'J' may be 'just-a-bit'...but he'll adjust!). 

 After us 'cookie-bakers' analyzing this over coffee/alcohol we have come to the conclusion that it is MUCH easier for people to part with things if they think that they may be getting a Good Home where they are appreciated.  $$ take a back seat to longevity. Odd, isn't it?

Apparently 'Chateau svelteSTUFF' has gained the reputation of having a deep respect and love for dusty relics, with a strong will to breathe life back into the forgotten, and a wide circle of friends who are willing to provide foster homes before 'throwing in the towel'...

'Chateau svelteSTUFF' has now been renamed...

'LastChance'. (*Not to worry, I don't foresee any Blog revisions in the near future!!)
Do you have the DONNA SUMMER 'LAST DANCE' song going through your head now though??? :-)
     Go here and play one NOW!!

(just come back, we'll wait!) :

https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video;_ylt=A0LEVzMQ_H9WT5cAdgtXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEyYW05bXRzBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDQjEyNTNfMQRzZWMDc2M-?p=Last+Chance+Donna+Summer+Song+Lyrics&fr=mcafee

To welcome any 'wanna be foster parents' - svelteSTUFFj

 etsy shop is having a 50% off SALE for blog readers ONLY!!

Just enter the code: LastChance at checkout (exp:1-29-16)

So, with this closing post for 2015,

 I'm looking forward to the New Year,

-Ready to make new Memories

-Keep loving this crazy Journey!!


HAPPIEST OF YEARS TO ALL YOU WONDERFUL PEOPLE!!

... MORE 'UPSIDES'

In addition to our series of Dessert/Appetizer Pedestals, we have been working on a group of 'TOPPERS' and 'SERVERS"...

 ...and coffee scoops/storage...

The 'UPCYCLE" possibilities are only limited by Time & Imagination!!

What have you been 'recreating' lately??

...WAIT! WE MUST GO BACK IN!

Oh, my POOR 'NEWBIE'...

My POOR, POOR, "DAY TRIPPIN' PARTNER-IN-CRIME"...

I think I may have led her astray this time folks!

HAEGER 2014 #1 ($1.50... after tacky dried flowers were removed!!)

Let me begin again...

COLD, LONG WINTERS begin to call for DESPERATE measures here in the NE!!  When I propositioned a friend and asked her if she would like to join me in my weekly 'STUFF RUN' (okay... yes I did dangle a coffee/chai stop in there too!), she agreed.  I don't think she had ever been to a Thrift before, but what a day we had!! 

 FUN! FUN! FUN!  

I lost count as to how many we went to ~ SIX maybe??  She was SUCH A GOOD SPORT!  I spotted the seductive dripped glazed Haeger vase in the window of a Shop we had JUST LEFT...  I said, " WAIT! We MUST go back in!

     Still not a 'ton-o-good-stuff' to be had at the shops, but I guess that is just as well.  I did find a few goodies though...

Soldering Iron (For Dad's Collection!) $1, Cording for seaglass pendant necklaces $1, Compact (My collection) $1, Vintage enamel pin .80¢, Funky earrings .80¢

AND 

2014
#1
#2
#3
in the sweater Clip Category!!!

Sweater ClipsAS FOR  ATTIC STUDIO HAPPENINGS...

'Commisioned' Pedestal for a Friend is almost complete.

We have FINALLY found the pieces/combination that she likes, now I just have to assemble.

Soldering practice continues ((sigh.))

I dream up ideas, but somehow they still don't come out at I envision.

This was an 'Attempt' at combining wire-wrap and solding. ((Sigh))

'Bejeweled' (with Real SeaGlass) vintage sweater clip.  'N' who was helping me with soldering was really 'interested' in my sweater clip collection.  I have heard that she went to an antique store and was VERY Excited to have found and purchased one for herself since I saw her.  She is also into seaglass.  I'm sending this to her as a 'THANK YOU' for her time. 
(maybe this is Good Karma, and why 3 found their way to me??  Do you think??) 

...it's SPRING!

Here is a glimpse at what I 'hope' to be the ending of some of my recent 'WINTER' projects... Maybe someday soon I will be back out to the gardens (?!)

'SUNFLOWER' ~ Petite Pedestal ~ Wouldn't it be FANTASTIC at a brunch, Full of BIG, LUSCIOUS, RED STRAWBERRIES - each in their own mini cupcake paper??  (sorry, my mind really is in the garden today...)

Another 'UPSIDES' Petite - this one has a special twist.  It is part of what I am calling the 'NORTH SHORE' series.  Encased between the pieces of glass are bits of sea glass from one of the local FingerLakes! (yes, more dreaming of warmer days and my toes in the sand...)

This past Thursday I had Part II of The MakeShift Series of classes that I am taking from the creative Betsy of EAST STREET PINS, and I just realized that I have yet to post ANY of my finished 'creations'.  Keep in mind, it is just a 2hr session, and we ARE learning new techniques with unfamiliar materials - so it is hard to truly get creative - so cut me some slack... okay??  

CLASS I / Part I - (ice epoxy filled Bottle Caps) Pendant grape cluster; Magnet spider; Pin seaglass w/ fishy background

CLASS I / Part II -  Using a 'DAP' we pounded out bottle caps to form earrings

CLASS II- Oh, this is a SAD, SAD, PATHETIC version of a bead necklace!  We cut tin, we pounded with the DAP, we exchanged stories - learned a lot - Thank goodness, because my final project is mighty lame!  You must go to EAST STREET TIN BEAD NECKLACE to see what these beads truly look like in their true Glory!! 8-). 

I 'HAD' to go to one of 'those crafty-type stores' to pick up some jump rings to work on my Button Bracelets, and since I had a 50% off coupon I decided to check out their 'DAP Blocks'... just for the heck of it.  So in case any of you were wondering what I've been talking about  with all of this 'DAPPING' stuff ~ now you know! 

 So, now that I have the jump rings...

 I have ONE (1!) completed bracelet for SPRING STYLIN' in coral-red-white!!

 

(HEY- Those 'Petite-Pedestals' are kinda nice for photo shoots too!)

 

 

Now, onto some other UNFINISHED business - the REALLY.FUN.STUFF!!

Saturday's SEASON OPENERS!!

(yes, you read that right - that IS PLURAL - there was not just one Rummage sale in MY WORLD, but TWO - OH.HAPPY.DAY!!)

WITH LOTS OF JEWELRY @.25¢ each!

TONS of PEDESTALS for UPSIDES DOWN - even a few Large Cakeplates!!



misc. goodies for resale - Liz Claiborne wallet, Los Angeles Pottery, OOPS Again Pyramid, New York bag, Dish drying rack, STARBUCKS mug, Retro case

 

Lot of ornies for future wreaths - All for $1. (despite old price stickers!!)

Just FUN to be Out on The hunt again!!!

 

HOPE WE ALL HAVE A 'SHINY & BRITE' SPRING 

 FULL OF GOOD STUFF !!!