Vintage Handkerchief Charms

One of my very favorite vintage treasures are the dainty handkerchiefs from days gone by.  I adore everything about these little beauties.  Their soft delicate colors, the darling trim that adorns the edges, the charming embroidery--some with initials others with sweet flowers. Even though these little treasures aren't used often in todays world, I still find them to be enchanting.  I have purchased many from estate sales and flea markets and my collection still grows.  It seemed a shame to keep them hidden from view in their storage boxes.  So I came up with the idea to fashion tiny pieces of some of my favorites into soldered charms.  I wanted to share a few with you tonight that I just completed for my etsy shop.  Each featuring a vintage handkerchief on one side and a sweet sentiment on the other.  A nice keepsake from the past.....

So Very "Tweet"

On a recent visit to one of my most favorite shops, Roxanne's Dried Flowers, I discovered this most delightful little planter.  I knew in an instant that I just had to have it.  After all who doesn't need a tiny cement ice-cream cone planter.  No calories here.

At first I was not sure what I was going to do with this little cutie but after walking around the shop I found these  two tiny little birds nests. 

The idea came to me---create a double scoop using those little nests.  First I shredded some vintage sheet music in my handy dandy miniature paper shredder and filled the inside of the cone.

Next using a wooden skewer I fashioned the little nests into a topiary.

Added some tiny eggs in the bottom nest...

Some more shredded sheet music to the top nest and for the "cherry", a sweet little bird. 

And there you have it...A "tweet" little ice-cream cone. 

Staying with the theme of tonight's post, I wanted to share with you several new charms that will soon be flying into my etsy shop.  These little Bluebird of Happiness charms were created using images from some of my favorite vintage greeting cards. 

The back of the charms are completed with a piece of vintage sheet music and a happy sentiment.

I guess one can't help being inspired by the return of the Spring and all of the songbirds outside of my window. 

When God Closes a Door.....

...He opens a window.

But sometimes the closing of that door can be something that you didn't really want to happen.   

Last March I decided to take my little shop, Dandelion Wishes to a local gift boutique.  I signed my one year lease and excitedly got to work creating and collecting items for my display.  I opened Dandelion Wishes on April 1 with nervous anticipation.  I love to create and  finding the perfect way to display my art was such fun.  When something that I worked so hard to create would sell,  I must admit it was very rewarding.  But as the year went on I began to question if this was the right decision for me.  I don't like to be a quiter but after talking with my family and friends I have decided not to resign my lease.  But I just can't stop creating!! So what's a girl to do??

 Find my open window.  

Because I was so busy filling my area at the boutique, I had no other choice but to  neglect my etsy shop letting it stay empty for months at a time.  It will now have 100% of my attention.  I had forgotten how much I enjoyed maintaining it and visiting other etsy shops.  A while back I joined a group of ladies on etsy called Etsy Cottage Style and made quite a few friendships.  I didn't realize how much  I missed visiting these ladies  and looking at their lovely shops until today when I checked in with several of them.  They are holding an event on the first Monday of each month called Market Monday.  It is a time where members meet at the Esty Cottage Style Blog to market our selling sites.  If you get a chance pop on over to the blog and take a look at some of the amazing shops and the beautiful treasures they offer. 

So for now I will continue creating,  filling my etsy shop, catching up with my etsy friends, and looking at the view through my open window.  

Miss Rhea's Easter Basket Swap

I recently participated in an Easter basket swap hosted by the sweet Miss Rhea from Sweet N Shabby Roses.  I usually don't participate in many swaps but this one was just too cute to pass up.  The idea was to create an Easter basket using an empty yogurt container.  Create something beautiful out of something that normally would be thrown away--sounds good to me!! At first I was puzzled at how to go about this challenge.  I was thankful that Miss Rhea gave a little tutorial to help me along.  You can read her helpful hints by clicking here.  We were each assigned two partners so for me the first step was to introduce myself and get to know a little bit about them.  That's always fun for me--I love to meet new people :) 

My first partner was April from Frilyy Frolic.  I learned April's favorite colors are pink, aqua, and white.  Here is the little basket that I created for her.

We were to include five small gifts with our baskets so I included a couple of seed packages (forget-me-nots and sunflowers) a tiny little birdhouse, two pieces of chocolate and a soldered charm.  In reading April's blog I could see the love she has for her children and how much joy they bring her.  When it came time to solder her charm,  I wanted it to reflect that joy. 

My other partner was Kelly of For the Love of Laundry. Kelly's favorite colors are pink, blue, cream, and light yellow.  Here is the little basket that I made for her.

Kelly received some of the same goodies.  In reading her blog, I could see Kelly's love for the Lord, and for all girly vintage treasures. To reflect that,  I soldered her charm using a piece of a vintage handkerchief and used the sentiment, Faith for the back.

                                                            

Now I am so excited to show you the amazing baskets that I received in return.

First from April...

April included the most beautiful crystal on the handle and just look at all the Easter sweetness!!

Next from Kelly......

Kelly included the most wonderful vintage treasures!! Just look at that amazing mother of pearl belt buckle.  I will be saving that for something special that I create for me :)

Thank you both April and Kelly for creating something so beautiful for me.  I could not love them more. 

As I was working on my baskets, Kate and Emma (the little girls I babysit) were so excited to see what I was making from a yogurt container.  I had such fun making these baskets I thought they would make the perfect Easter gift for them. 

Kates favorite color---Green. Emma's----Red

Thank you Miss Rhea for hosting this most clever swap.  I not only have two amazing baskets but also two new friends as a result. 

If you would like to see some more baskets created by the other participants, just hop on over to Miss Rhea's blog for the complete list. (I am a little early with my post as I will be away from my computer tomorrow.   The list may not be posted until then--Saturday April 3)