The Faerie Cupboard

Cool Handmade Draft Blocker

2012-02-13T07:26:00.000-08:00

I love receiving handmade gifts and this is one of my favorites! Our kennel person, Melissa, gifted me with this soft sculpture branch this past Christmas to block the drafts coming in under one of the kennel doors. It's just so pretty, at first I hesitated to put it on the floor but it works really well and stays nicely in place because of the smaller branch on the side. The lichen and turkey wings are common on the trees here, and the ends of the branch have spiral designs stitched onto them. Melissa just learned to sew and I'd say she's very good at it!

Doctors Are Not To Be Trusted - But I Already Knew That!

2012-02-12T13:46:00.000-08:00

It seems every time I post an intention on this blog, the exact opposite manifests, making me seem a person who never meets her goals, or perhaps sets the wrong ones to begin with. So I'm done with that Universe, do you hear me? My goals are now a *secret*. As far as you're concerned, here's me just lying down doing the Zen Doggie and going with the flow...

So the flow is, 2 years ago, I was headed for a life of pain in a wheelchair because of the stupidity of doctors who told me,"your feet wouldn't cause you those problems". But they were wrong and thanks to my not listening to them, I'm on my way back to being an athlete again.

Then last year, Mom had a brain hemorrhage and almost starved to death because she couldn't swallow, for want of being given her Ativan. "Not having Ativan wouldn't cause that problem", the doctors told me. But within hours of being given the Ativan, she was eating.

Now over a period of 6 months, Dad has dwindled to 90 pounds because his dentures don't fit correctly and months have been wasted testing for everything else in the world that could be wrong other than the dentures. "His dentures wouldn't cause that problem", said the doctors, over and over again. Finally they removed his upper dentures this morning in the hospital and he was able to eat a bit without choking and his speech improved greatly. An order for a dentist to see him is in process.

If the lesson is that doctors are not to be trusted and that I am my family's best health care advocate, I get it! But I already knew that 35 years ago when I got my Mom away from her wacko psychiatrist, so why does this lesson keep coming up in my family? It's not like I have a lot of followers here to inform about this - or ones that probably haven't already come to the same conclusions themselves.

Can't the doctors get some lessons for a change? And who are we to turn to for health care for ourselves and our families?

Universe, some helpful answers would be appreciated, please and thank you ~

24 Days Into January Already?

2012-01-23T22:29:00.000-08:00

Toward each month's end, I feel like Rip Van Winkle and always ask myself, where did the time go? I couldn't have been sleeping cause I barely get 5 hours a night. I guess it's flying because I'm having so much fun ~ lol ~.

Anyway, instead of recopying last year's New Years Resolutions (which were copied from the year before...) I decided to keep it simple. So my goal this year is to Make It Beautiful. What's "it"? Everything of course, including improving my photography skills which is a constant battle, er... challenge. Here are some new photos for my Butterflybuttons shop on Etsy.

I've also been working on cleaning and sorting the big shopping bag full of inventory buttons I got last year...and the year before... and have about 2/3 of them done...course that's as far as I got last year I believe..............

Hamm's Suit

2011-09-05T11:38:00.000-07:00

A huge thank you to Susan of Rebel Wag on Etsy for making this custom "suit" for Hamm! Hamm has an inoperable tumor on his right rear leg that he feels compelled to lick, but thanks to Susan, he gets time out from wearing the e-collar. It's made of light weight jersey, is easy to put on, and has plenty of room and give so Hamm can run up and down stairs in it, jump, and lie down comfortably. Susan has gone above and beyond for us and is currently working on a few design revisions to further customize the garment Hamm is wearing below.

Susan lives with her boyfriend, 3 Italian Greyhounds, a Bengal and two octopi! She supports Greyhound rescue through her shop and Handmade For Hounds. Thank you Susan for all you do to help animals!

Message To My Guardian Angel...

2011-08-10T05:50:00.000-07:00

Dear Guardian Angel,

Thank you for saving me from serious damage, and my camera too, when I fell down the front stairs this morning!

xo,

Lisa

Farewell Rose Cottage By The Sea !

2011-08-08T09:34:00.000-07:00

One of my two favorite bloggers is gone! Laurie, if you 're still out there - I will miss you more than words can say. Thank you for sharing your life and your heart with us. Sending you love and hugs, and wishing that all of your dreams will come true.

Etsy For Animals: Breaking the Cycle of Violence: Why Animals Matter#comment-form

2011-04-27T05:14:00.000-07:00

Just want to share this excellent article by fellow EFA member Jessi on the relationship between animal and human abuse. Please, please click on the link below to read the article to learn the facts and speak out against animal abuse.

Etsy For Animals: Breaking the Cycle of Violence: Why Animals Matter#comment-form

The Robins' Love Nest

2011-04-23T14:31:00.000-07:00

This year a robin family built a nest in the weeping cherry tree directly in front of one of the living room windows. The couple was frequently all over the tree for a number of days, inspecting every branch apparently. Then I saw the male, hard at work non-stop for two days, using mostly pieces of straw scattered around the dogs' yards.. Yesterday he only came to gaze into it a couple of times. A bit like humans readying the nursery and then looking at the room, imagining the baby in it. So cool they've chosen that spot :>)

Downsizing is like a Diet...

2011-04-20T13:11:00.000-07:00

I've been sticking to The Big Clean like husky fur on black pants, eating away at the mountain of stuff one teaspoonful at a time. Reminds me of a diet to loose weight in a lot of ways - it's slow and painful not to mention you loose some and then gain it back:>)

Last week I decided to go through my rubber stamp collection - again. I did this last year and accomplished enough to be able to close the draws anyway. But after a summer of yard sales, more appeared.

As you can see, I can't see what's in these two draws.

But now, voila! If I want a stamp, I can actually find it!

Trouble is, what to do with the unwanted stamps? Hmmmmm....well, I sell on eBay and Etsy, at flea markets, and am having a yard sale in two weeks. So I put them in piles according to destination. There's always the thrift shop too, and a big bag went to them over the weekend.

Unfortunately, the work doesn't end there because anything that's going to be sold on line has to be photographed and listed, so there's a basket full of that.

Here are a couple listed for sale in my Etsy shop, The Faerie Cupboard ~

And another for sale in Sky's Etsy shop, The Animals Magic Shop because he gets anything animal ~

Lastlly is the yard sale box ~

'Course, all of these stamps need to be stored until they are sold which means they are still in my house! Sigh....

Have Too Much Stuff!

2011-04-08T16:22:00.000-07:00

A few years back, a squirrel (yes, an actual squirrel) told me in no uncertain terms if I want to accomplish my goals, I need to unload some of my stuff. I wasn't surprised because although my house is neat on the outside, the cupboards, closets, bookcases, draws, and most of all the basement are jam packed. Yes, being an antiques dealer I need a good amount of stock and being a collector, I'm bound (and determined) to keep some of it. But, enough is enough, y'know?

For 2011 I vowed to make a clean sweep, but my Mom had a massive brain hemorrhage right before Christmas and had to go into a nursing home and my Dad has also been unwell. So that overruled my vow, and now I also have the stuff that was in my Mom's room too!

No one would guess my inner spaces are a mess by outward appearances. Some even think my decor quite spartan. For example, here's my bathroom...

A corner of the bedroom....

The north side of the living room

Nothing scarey there. But lurking where no one can see is total mayhem! Here's some views of the basement which I think of as the receiving department on a business level and my subconscious on a spiritual level, using the home as a metaphor for one's self. Yikes, am I in trouble!

Things have calmed down a bit with my parents and I've made a new schedule allowing a little more time. And after seeing how neat and organized everything of my Mom's was, I'm determined to honor my goal and perhaps honor her also.

Thinking it would be good to tackle a small project first, I decided to start with one shelf of my craft closet which contained a huge stack of antique ephemera, and 4 1/2 hours later I had everything sorted into thrift shop, yard sale, antique show, crafting, and keep piles. I put everything into protective sleeves, priced the things to sell, and it looks real nice. Here's my keep box:

So one small shelf in 4 1/2 hours ~ lol ~. However, now I've started and once you take the first step, it's easier to take the next and before you know it, you're moving at a nice steady pace and getting closer to your goal, right?

I Want Sleep!

2011-04-06T19:44:00.000-07:00

Remember not wanting to go to bed at night when you were a kid? Such elaborate plots I concocted in order to weasel a few extra minutes of up time. Then when I got in there and my Mom turned out the lights, I'd wait a few minutes, grab my little red flashlight and read a book under the covers. Not just a few pages either, but whole chapters!

It really cracks me up because now it seems getting to go to bed early is a much greater challenge than getting to stay up late ever was. I'm older and supposedly wiser, so why can't I muster up the same creativity and determination to win myself at least 6 or 7 hours of sleep?

Dont You Just Love Antique Buttons?

2011-03-26T22:19:00.000-07:00

Pretty mother of pearl buttons in a shabby old jar with an antique paper needle book cover. These are really old ones with metal shanks and plain faces.

Also, some antique shoe buttons, as found never used in a box

Antique crochet buttons mounted on a card with old wrapping paper background

And some black glass semi-mourning buttons on a hand stamped card.

All are for sale in my Etsy shop Butterflybuttons.

Spring Is On The Menu

2011-02-28T10:55:00.000-08:00

Spring is quietly simmering underground here at Faerie Crossroads. The Sky Beings are providing copious quantities of moisture for our Mother's brew . The Standing Ones are panting in their efforts to squeeze out tiny buds. I think it will be a very juicy Spring and quite delicious!

Native American Style Beaded Buttons

2011-02-08T09:48:00.000-08:00

Aren't these buttons lovely? I bought them on eBay quite a few years ago. The seller didn't know anything about them. They are entirely covered with glass seed beads and are beautifully made. The backs of the larger buttons are of linen, the small are backed by hide. The shanks are old style brass metal loops, the shank on the largest button is called a "rosette shank" which dates the button to before 1914. It measures 1 1/2" across.

Does anyone know if these are authentic Native American work, and if so, what tribe may have made them?

Holiday Blues Dejavue

2011-01-09T21:16:00.000-08:00

Quite a few years ago my husband and I lost 3 loved ones right around Christmas and ever since then, the holiday season has never been the same.

In an effort to put this sadness behind me, a few months ago I decided to finally put the past where it belongs and celebrate the season to it's fullest. Among other things, I planned three giveaways with the thought that one of the best ways to forget my own unhappiness was to make someone else happy. But in November, right before the first giveaway, we lost our beloved dog, Jasmine and three days before Christmas my 92 year old Mom suffered a massive brain hemorrhage. She is still with us but there is little hope for recovery or much quality of life if she survives.

So here I am back to square one not knowing whether to call this ironic, a twist of fate, or a cruel joke. I really don't know what to think and have no wise words or uplifting conclusions. It will certainly be a little difficult to not associate Christmas with the Grim Reaper for many more years to come. Maybe in a few months I'll have an Aha! moment and understand. Or maybe there simply is nothing to understand and there is no moral to the story - only that it is what it is.

It hasn't escaped my notice that many others have also suffered losses and experienced extreme hardships recently. To those in pain I wish for you what was offered to me by a kind friend on Etsy, and that is Peace.

May Peace be with us all this year; with all living creatures on this planet and within Earth herself.

The Winner of the Second Faerie Cupboard Blog Giveaway Is...

2010-12-16T20:21:00.000-08:00

...wait a minute, not so fast! I'll tell you who in a minute, but first I want to introduce myself. I'm a Siberian husky and my name is Bella. I'm ignoring my sister, Gazelle, who's in the kennel next to me. Gazelle's eating her heart out because I'm getting all the attention here and she's not.

My mom had us by C-section and the vet was getting ready to wrap things up when he found one more hidden pup. It was me, and when he got me out I wasn't breathing very good. Actually, I wasn't breathing at all a few times and almost went right back to where I came from. It took Jimmy the Vet Tech 45 minutes to get me going. He's my hero! To make things worse, I was allergic to my mother's milk and spit up most of what I ate. And everyone used to beat me up. But now I'm strong and have lots of confidence in myself. I even bop the old dogs on their heads with my paw and get away with it. Ha!

Ok, I'm ready to pick the winner of that beautiful candeholder from 9 names written on pieces of paper in a bowl. I know what to do after watching my sister Shama pick last time and I'm gonna get right to work.

Ok, I've got a piece of paper now....

pulling it out, and pointing to it with my paw.....

...the Faerie's whispering the name in my ear, because I only know how to read minds....and the winner is...

Meghan!!!!!!!

Congratuations Meghan! The blog giveaway entry question was "Who is your favorite fantasy character inspiration?" Meghan said "My favorite is the Saw Horse from the Oz Books by L Frank Baum. I went to a co-op school and one of the parents read all the books to us, and I always liked the idea of the saw horse being a real creature. Plus, he's pretty cute". Below is Saw Horse's picture and you can read more about him on Wikipedia. Thanks for sharing Saw Horse with us Meghan! I think he's pretty cute too! He's made of wood, isn't he? I like wood! Meghan, please email us through the contact email listed under "profile" and let us know through the "comments" here if you have any problems doing that.

Meghan has a blog too and believe it or not, she lives with two Siberian huskies like me whose names are Spike and Jack. Check out her blog, HAPPIER HERE , to see fantastic photos of them, including some with Santa! I pull a sled you know. I could pull Santa's sled if he asked.

Anyway, thanks everyone for playing our giveaway game. Meeting your inspirational fantasy characters was lots of fun and the Faeries liked it too. But most of all, we enjoyed the Spirit of the Inner Child you brought with you to our blog.

Our third and final blog giveaway of 2010 will be posted the week after Christmas and the winner will be chosen by my sister Gazelle. Gazelle has asked to use the famous Baloney Wheel of Chance to pick the winner, and we hope to make it our best giveaway yet! Of course, she'll have to share the baloney with the rest of us if there's lots of entries, so I hope everybody comes back the week after Christmas and enters again!

Just To Let You Know...

2010-12-16T05:23:00.000-08:00

The winner of the second Faerie Cupboard blog giveaway was drawn last night by our Bella and will be announced as soon as I can get the post up which I hope to do by Friday afternoon at the latest.

Many thanks to everyone who participated!

Second 2010 Faerie Cupboard Blog Giveway ~ Who's Your Fantasy Inspiration?

2010-11-30T20:53:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone, and welcome to the 2nd 2010 Faerie Cupboard blog giveaway ~ from the Faeries to you ~ in honor of our inner children who never grow up!

Our giveaway this time is a pottery wall hung candleholder, a beautiful and magical artist's piece found on the third floor of an abandoned mill building in New Bedford, MA that was chock full of old stuff. It's not old though, and how she and a jug with a similar face got there is a mystery. I get the jug, you get this. I couldn't make up my mind which to keep, so I tossed a coin.

In order for this extraordinary candleholder to come into your possession, all that's needed is for you to entertain us a little by sharing who your favorite fantasy inspirational character is and why. She or he can be from a book, fairy tale, movie, mythology, comic book - anyone will do as long as they don't live in ordinary reality.

My own favorite fantasy inspiration is Neytiri. From the movie Avatar. Here's a likeness of her from tigergalindo.

She's my inspiration because she's a lot like me, only better. She loves nature, her plant, and her species, is a tomboy, and even falls in love with an alien. I could see myself doing that if I wasn't already happily married. She is also brave even when terrified, and I know how hard that is to do. I could go on and on about Neytiri, but in order to fully appreciate her, you'd have to watch the movie.

Neytiri likes feathers and so do I. Above are some of mine. Quite a few were gifts from my husband - well, actually from the birds, but he found them. These are stored in a bird's nest that I saw at a yard sale lying on the ground. The person holding the sale gave it to me. It had fallen from their tree. They had managed to set up a huge yard sale all around it without picking up the nest. Or stepping on it either. We've occasionally found nests after a storm, perfectly lined with our huskies' fur, but none as large as this one. I have some blue jay feathers too - those are hard to find. Here they are with some of my favorite baskets. No matter what planet you live on, baskets are indispensible.

How about this Avatar inspired feather necklace by mandalarain?

And this beautiful bracelet by wireadorned, also inspired by the movie. It looks very futuristic and would more than likely have been crafted by the alien, Jake, to give as a gift to Neytiri. Is that stone in the center perhaps a piece of Unobtainium?

So who is your favorite fantasy inspiration, and why? Talk it over with your inner child if you don't already know and then jot down your answer under "comments" at the end of this post. There's no right or wrong answer because the winner will be chosen randomly by our fur daughter, Bella, on Dec. 15 sometime in the evening, EST. Bella is pretty bashful, but we think she'll do a good job. The candleholder will be gift wrapped and shipped promptly to the winner free of charge.

Have fun, and whether you participate or not, we love to have you visit us.

Sweet dreams ~ by machineguts

All art shown here with the exception of the giveaway candlestick is avalable for sale on Etsy - click on the highlighted names to see more details about each piece.

Winner of First Faerie Cupboard Blog Giveaway - Dedicated to Jasmine

2010-11-16T21:58:00.000-08:00

Hi all! Shama here tonight, to pick the winner of our first of three 2010 holiday giveways.

I'm grandaughter to Jasmine who went to Rainbow Bridge yesterday. We all still miss her, but my grandmother believed in tough love and the biggest lesson that she taught us was this:

"When the going gets tough, the tough get going!"

She did it herself, all the time, no matter what. Even on her last day with us, she pretended to be ok and did her job. I will speak for her now and say she wants her family to practice what she taught because that's the real way to remember her life. And she says from now on when Karen starts feeling sad around the holidays she's to think about her instead. So we'll do what she wants and are dedicating this giveaway to my grandmother, Jasmine.

Here's me in my kennel run because it's not my turn to come inside the house until tomorrow. My sister Bella's in there now. So I'll do the picking here. I'm pretending not to know what Karen wants me to do until she puts a piece of bologna inside each folded piece of green paper which have the names of the people who entered written on them. I'm telling her to put bologna in those papers. Bologna was my grandmother's favorite food by the way.

Ok, she put bologna in them and they all smell really good now. But I'm only supposed to choose one. There's a little brown Faerie in the corner. She's not a real one of course, but a representative of the Faeries who live here. I'm asking her which one to pick, and she says they're all equally good, so just grab any one of them out.

See, my paw's pointing to the one I grabbed, and the winner is Jane!

Jane said the three things that make her like a Faerie are:

I always read the packaging on any toiletries and cleaning products before I buy them to make sure they are not tested on animals.

I help out by walking and fostering the Greyhounds who transition through Gracehounds before they are rehomed.

I do not eat meat.

Congratulations Jane! Jane has a blog Found on Folksy and a shop on Etsy called The Dog House where she sells nice things that dogs like. Max and Molly are her two rescued Greyhounds, the inspiration for her shop and also her models. I'd like to be a model too. One of my nicknames is "Barbie Dog". Here's one of Karen's favorite listings from her shop ~

Jane's also a professional dog walker and works with Greyhound rescues. Her favorite animal charity is Gracehounds. And one more thing too, Jane is a valuable member of Etsy for Animals, a team of artists on Etsy who work together to help all different kinds of animals. I'm on a team too. I'm a wheeldog. I work in the back and make the leaders' jobs easier.

Thanks to everyone who entered this giveaway - you're all worthy of calling yourselves Faeries and we're glad you're like that.

Tonight we're making my grandmother Jasmine proud of us and saying thank you to everyone who sent prayers and healing to help us remember her the way she wanted. And I, Shama, say I'm really happy to speak for my grandmother and eat her bologna. I also need to tell Karen that Jasmine says you forgot her hedgehog toy in the upstairs closet and she wants you to give it to me tomorrow night when it's my turn in the house and don't yell at me when I rip it up.

Jasmine "The Coach" 10/15/1995 ~ 11/15/2010

Our second Faerie giveaway for 2010 will begin sometime next week and the the question will be who is your favorite Fantasy inspiration and why.

P.S. My other nickname is "Shama Pajama" and it's also my job to tell Karen when she needs to go to sleep.

Blog Necklace Giveaway Postponed Until Tomorrow

2010-11-15T11:59:00.000-08:00

Today we are mourning the loss of our dear canine family member, Jasmine. The winner of the Faeries' blog giveaway will be chosen and announced tomorrow. We apologize for the delay and thank you for your patience.

Sparkly Magical Rhinestone Pendant Necklace Fairy Giveaway

2010-11-02T17:11:00.000-07:00

As promised in my last post, here is our sparkly pre-holiday giveaway. I was in a quandry as to what to select from Jewelry Mountain so I asked the Faeries for their advice and here's what they chose.

This lovely Victorian style pendant is made of silver colored metal and embellished with pink Austrian crystal rhinestones and crystal beads. The length is adjustable and there are matching pierced flower shaped earrings which look like the flowers on the pendant. I didn't show them so you'll have a little surprise. These pieces are new, have never been used and retail for $38.

You can possess this necklace and earring set to enjoy yourself or to give as a gift. It will cost you nothing and will be promptly mailed to you for free.

What's the catch? First, you must believe in Faeries. Faeries of course are the guardian angels of Nature. Each living being in Nature has one. Every animal, plant, tree, bird, lake, ocean, mountain, etc. has their very own Faerie because you see, they too are greatly loved by Creator.

Faeries are not particularly fond of humans as a whole but do appreciate those who care about Nature as they do and work to protect it. So write a comment at the end of this post telling me three things you do that make you like a Faerie. Do you keep a beautiful flower garden, grow healing herbs, recycle, pick up litter, rescue animals, belong to an environmental protection group, feed the birds? You may do many of these things, but only need to list 3.

All are welcome to enter this giveaway and share it with friends. The winner will be drawn randomly by none other than our own Shama pictured on the left of this blog on Monday, November 15 at approximately 8:00pm EST.

We hope you have a little fun, and if you don't win this time, don't worry, there will be two more Fairy giveaways before the end of this year.

And as the seasons come and go,

here's something you might like to know.

There are Faeries everywhere,

under bushes in the air.

Playing games just like you play,

singing through their busy day.

So listen, touch and look around,

in the air and on the ground.

And if you watch all Nature's things,

You might see a Faerie's wing.

author unknown

Vintage Holiday Jewelry Musings & Upcoming Giveaway

2010-10-27T14:46:00.000-07:00

Today my thoughts keep turning to the upcoming Holiday Season. Especially since I'll be selling at a Holiday Bazaar in the local church next weekend. So I'm thinking jewelry which is something almost everyone loves, what women will be wearing for special occasions and who they will be giving gifts to. The first thing my eyes happen to light on is a favorite book titled "Fairie-ality from The House of Elwand" containing creations that I personally would love to wear. It wasn't much help but a nice diversion.

These designs were all hand made from natural materials like feathers, leaves, nuts, grasses and real flowers.

They're beautiful and rival the top designer houses.

I especially love these shoes.

Anyway, back to reality. This morning I started bringing up some of the rhinestone jewelry from Jewelry Mountain downstairs. Most women in my country area dress casually and I've never seen any dressed like a faerie. But almost everyone seems to wear a beautiful pin on their winter coats that sparkles.

It's raining and most of the house is cavelike. I'm in the upstairs bathroom which has two skylights. I pause to admire and compliment the elderly violet plant because she had a hard time coping with the summer's humidity and is just now recovering.

This is the only feminine room in our house and it's filled with women,

faeries,

and goddesses.

My husband has commented a number of times that their eyes seem to follow him while he showers, but luckily he's not bashful! There are way more of them but this is supposed to be about jewelry and I'm getting off subject again.

So back to the jewelry and the holidays. Quite a few years ago we lost 3 loved ones; two canine and one human. It was right before Christmas and they were all gone within 9 days. Since then, Christmas makes me sad. My husband too. I'd like to go back to enjoying the season and move on from the past beginning this year. For me, the best way to forget my own unhappiness is to make someone else happy.

Next week I'll be offering a giveaway which will be pretty and sparkly and could be worn by one's self or given as a gift. It might be a pin, a necklace, or a bracelet - it might be something shown here or not. We shall see what treasures are found from deep within Jewelry Mountain!

A Happily Boring Monday

2010-10-25T10:47:00.000-07:00

Monday's here at Faerie Crossroads are usually wonderfully dull and I'm enjoying every minute of this one. The sun's out, so after feeding the dogs I decided to step outside for a bit and look at, (but not actually do), all the fall chores awaiting me.

Turning to the right to avoid viewing the left which is overgrown, I was happy to see the faerie statue by the front kennel has grown some moss,

and there was a bumble bee in the little daisy flowers that are weeds to some, but I like them.

The berries are out on the bushes,

there are a few brave flowers here and there,

and as I walk down the driveway and out to the road, (still avoiding looking to the left), I see the mushrooms on one of the trees are fading from bright orange to golden brown.

Coming back, I can't help but notice the trash that someone dumped on the side of the road. A while has passed since calling the town to pick it up, so I'll call them again. I've resisted doing it myself because there are many bags, and one must pay for special trash pickup bags now. But if no one comes this time I'll do it myself.

The deer hunters are here too, but this year at least they are properly parked at the head of the dirt road beside our house. Not because I hadn't asked them and others to not drive down the trail with their trucks many times in the past. This spring we paid to have the road repaired and graded and now there's a nice heavy log blocking vehicle traffic but allowing dog carts, bicycles, and ATV's to pass. If someone misses the hint and insists on squeezing through, another log will be added.

Time to finish in the kennel and get outside with the dogs. Today's doggy project is to hose down the kennel runs. Then Jasmine and I will have our walk. Soon we'll be running the dogs - last weekend my husband got the Risdon rig ready and dropped off at the forest, this weekend he went over the German rig and that's now ready too. This is my favorite rig ever - a gift from my husband. The driver stands on a platform at the back, the front seat is to carry a passenger. It has 3 breaking systems and rides nice and smooth, reducing impact on both the dogs and the driver. I missed running all last year because of back problems caused by my feet which are being corrected but not completely resolved yet. However, I'm going to give running the dogs a try because we miss it so much, and this rig should help.

We still have a few more preparations for sled dog season - I'm awaiting delivery of hopefully good shoes to run in, plus the temperatures need to go down at least below 60 degrees and stay there. Although we've had some cool days, this morning was too warm.

Jasmine, who's 15, is on a new med called Anipryl to help her symptoms which are much like those of human dementia. Today is her third day and we've already seen a great improvement. I posted a telepathic communication I did with Jasmine about this on my other blog and will add updates. I'm not sure how long it will help, but I was especially happy she ate most of her breakfast this morning which is rare, leaving the organic liver, but eating all her chicken, a bit of cheese, and amazingly the kibble too. Jasmine's lost a lot of weight so it's my habit to offer her a number of things hoping one or two will appeal. In spite of trash and hunters, any day that's a good one for Jasmine is a good one for me too!

Artistic Inspiration and Beauty in Rockport Mass

2010-10-04T11:50:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, Richie and I got away for a couple of days. Destination? The gorgeous artists' community of Rockport Massachusetts.

Above is a pottery studio along with one of the artist's favorite lamps. Although there are far less studios than there were many years ago when we first visited, there are still quite a few. What I like best about Rockport is the architecture of the quaint little buildings.

Everyone seems to have an interesting window display. Here are just a few of my favorites.

Instead of having their own seperate studios, which is pretty costly since the area became a famous tourist attraction, a lot of artists display their work in galleries. To me, this is ironic as they are what made the town famous.

Another thing I love about the shops in Rockport are the signs - none are boring!

Seeing these signs makes me want to paint one for our home, along with working on my garden!

20 Years ago, there were also a lot of antiques shops, but this year I don't remember seeing even one. So we go around to the neighboring towns for antiques, especially Essex.

Here's one of my favorite shops. The owner lives in the house with the pretty garden, and the antiques are housed in a little building next to it.

It's run by a man who I beleive is in his early 70's and he has a flair for decorating along with a knack for finding some really old things. I didn't buy anything there this year because I was on a tight budget, but I loved looking around his shop.

The area is also known for it's beaches, but as our time was limited, we focused on what we wanted to see (and eat!) the most, as no matter where you look, there is usually water visible.

Coming home is always bitter sweet to me, especially as our time there was so short. I missed our dogs, and our comfortable home, but not the problems. The night before we left, the clothes dryer broke, the morning we were coming home my prescription sunglasses broke, and last night after settling in, I noticed Hamm has grown what looks like a fatty tumor on his right hock. For breakfast there was a banana and a plain roll instead of home made Belgian waffles with whipped butter and real maple syrup, and for lunch I had a piece of leftover pizza instead of delicous clams. However, like Dorothy said, there truly is no place like home! And to cheer myself up, I'm planning another short getaway for Spring 2011 which is only 6 months away. I do this every year, and so far we haven't, but I think this time we just might!

Leather Meets Lace

2010-09-24T11:19:00.000-07:00

I think it's safe to say that these days everyone's feeling the economic squeeze. I have 5 on line selling venues offering mostly vintage buttons and jewelry, and they're just not enough. So I've decided to try a new venture. Being mostly a leather kind of woman, there's still a side of me that enjoys being feminine and each year I somehow accumulate a pile of girly stuff purchased at yard sales and such, including lace. I sell it in my shops and at the shows, but not this time! Nope, this time I'm going to make like a girl and use it myself!

To start my new venture, the first step is to wash this pile, dry it, and then (gasp!), iron it. Seems like the first step in anything to do with antiques is always to wash it, so I'm well versed in this skill already.

There are lots of collars, some cuffs, eyelet, knit, crocheted lace both hand and machine made, and an elegant pair of gloves.

So into the sink it's going, to be soaked in groups, between the usual Friday chores. The bad thing about my sink is that the stopper leaks so the water graudually drains out, but the good thing is it takes about 20 minutes to do that which is time enough for the lace to soak and I don't have to worry about pulling the stopper and having the lace sucked down into the drain (been there, done that).

Meantime, what's the rest of the family up to? Well as you can see, Sundance and Jasmine are very busy keeping me company in the house....

...and the rest of the dogs are hard at work outside. Or at least they were this morning. They're all caught up on one of their main projects, which is grass removal, so they're taking a break for the moment.

Hope everyone is having a fantastic Friday!

Artists Who Run With Wolves - Etsy For Animals Supports Defenders of Wildlife

2010-09-21T13:36:00.000-07:00

This treasury of wolf items being sold on Etsy was created by cobaltcat of Etsy For Animals (EFA) to showcase artist offerings which will benefit Defenders of Wildife, our EFA Charity of The Month. Cobaltcat doesn't have a shop yet, but is already proving to be a valued member of our team of artists helping animals.

Included in the treasury are some wolf buttons drawn by me:

Plus a collectible wolf plate, both listed in Sky's TheAnimalsMagicShop where everything sold benefits animals:

And also a beautiful wolf box by Brizel4theanimals who knew I really wanted to see a wolf treasury and collaborated with cobaltcats to make one.

Our heartfelt thanks to these two ladies for the treasury, and for all they and the rest of our team members do to help animals!

This post wouldn't be complete if I didn't mention the gorgeous original wolf watercolor I bought from The Blue Windmill who donates 10% of her shop proceeds to the EFA animal charity of the month. To see more beautiful animal paintings by The Blue Windmill, CLICK HERE.

If you'd like to learn more about Defenders of Wildlife, and how you can help support a new beginning for wolves by taking a few minute of your time and signing their petition, CLICK HERE.

P.S. In case you didn't guess, my favorite wild animal is the wolf :>)

Happy 33'rd Wedding Anniversary....

2010-09-03T07:52:00.000-07:00

....to us!

Love you Richie, Lisa

...and to help us celebrate, we have Hurricane Eric on the way - WoW! Happily, he's mellowed with age, kinda like us :>)

Frantic Friday

2010-08-27T12:46:00.000-07:00

Friday is always such a busy day for me - tons of chores, mountains of laundry, eBay and Etsy, shipments to pack....the list just goes on and on and on and I've gotta rush rush rush to get it all done. But a short while ago as I was doing frantic laps between the house, office, and kennel, I suddenly noticed Sundance quietly watching me, and the expression on his face. I got my camera out and took a picture of him. As I gazed into his eyes, a feeling of calm came over me. One look can be worth a thousand words so I listened with my eyes and slowed down. Aren't animals wonderful?

Can One Have Too Many Cats?

2010-06-17T16:10:00.000-07:00

These were found at an estate sale last weekend and are just a tiny fraction of what someone had collected since the 1940's. The cats were displayed on 3 long tables and looked very impressive.

Oh, there was a mouse too. Only one though , and I grabbed him fast as he had a pleading look in his eyes.

Most will be for sale soon in Sky's The Animals Magic Shop on Etsy to benefit animal charities.

Our Unusually Friendly Wisteria Plant And Other Green Friends

2010-05-27T18:36:00.000-07:00

My husband loathes this Wisteria plant but I love it because every year it wants to come inside our home and keep us company, (or maybe it's spying on us...hmmmm....not sure.). In the fall, I prune it, but come spring, it's tendrils once again gravitate to the front door, slowly but surely making their way to the door's edge, and eventually getting inside the house. First a tiny leaf tip appears indoors, then a stem, until finally...it's in! It doesn't seem to mind that I open and close the door often ,which can't feel too good. So how you can not love a plant that wants to come inside with you? I think this plant deserves a name. Maybe my husband will like it more if it has a name?

I got this metal cat at a yard sale and the concrete pedestal too. It's underneath the wisteria plant. The woods here are filled with ferns and they pop up everywhere.

This is our front door. See the wisteria growing to the left and right? The porch and stairs really need a good scrub, so don't look too closely!

A purple gazing ball with a make-do birdbath in the background and a cherry tree in back of that. When we built the house, we splurged on some granite walls both outside and inside. Need to do some pruning and weeding here too - oh my! The English ivy provides food for the deer in the winter. They pretty much strip it bare, but it all grows back in the spring.

A closer look at the birdbath which is made of pottery and set on a clay pedestal - both yard sale finds. Paying for the house and 12 dogs, even after 23 years, doesn't leave much money to spare so almost everything outside was collected over time and purchased at yard sales and flea markets for a few dollars.

An antique grinding wheel, for sharpening axes and such. Richie made a new stand for it, of oak. He did a great job copying the original exactly.

A closer look - with a few other grinding wheels underneath I've collected here and there. The largest came from the Freetown State forest. Most of the ground on this side of the house is covered with moss which is great because you don't have to mow moss.

I love the scent of Lily of the Valley. It was growing on the land when we bought it.

A German Shepherd guards the front door of the kennel building which is attached to our home.

And here's the dogs' favorite saying...

Hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

Wild Pink Ladyslipper Orchid Flower or Moccasin Flower

2010-05-19T16:01:00.000-07:00

Wild ladyslipper, growing in our woods. Beautiful, isn't she? This one is a pink ladyslipper, or moccasin flower, because of the shape. They can live to be over 100 years old, but are very particular about their habitat and don't take kindly to being transplanted.

Rare Miniature Book By Tasha Tudor

2010-05-04T09:56:00.000-07:00

I first "met" Tasha Tudor at my local library in book form and admired her from that moment on. Many books have been written by Tasha and about her, so I won't go into her history and accomplisments other than to say she was an extremely talented and creative woman who lived her dream to the fullest.

What I'd like to share is one of her rare books, entitled "Mouse Mills Catalog For Spring", which measures only 5" tall and 3" wide.

I read that Tasha created the Mouse Mills catalogs for her children, which were delivered to them by Sparrow Post and published quarterly - one for each season. How long she did this for I don't know. Timothy Deer Mouse and his family were the proprietors.

This catalog contains illustrations of different items the children could order for themselves, their dolls, and their stuffed animals that Tasha would knit or sew for them. They paid her in buttons which were earned by doing different chores around the house. Prices ranged from 10 to 100 buttons.

Inside the catalog, Tasha attached samples of ribbon, yarn, and fabric choices.

Throughout the pages, her sense of humor was apparent as was her love of animals.

The clothing and accessories were styled true to the fashions of the 1860's and 70's, (but the period Tasha loved most and felt she belonged in was the 1830's). Below are some bonnets and stockings which "don't sag". Garters could be purchased to hold them up in either red or black.

There were even offerings for the Clerical Crow, and the Bird About Town.

And to make things complete, a note to valued customers with a page for suggestions to improve the business.

All in all, the catalog contains 40 pages, quite an accomplishment for a single mom who did everything the old fashioned way without the benefit of plumbing and electricity!

Here's a photo of Tasha Tudor with one of her goats. Tasha said a lot of interesting things, but my favorite quote by her is,
"I spell God N A T U R E". Hope you enjoyed seeing this little book!

To learn more about Tasha Tudor and visit her family's website, click here.

Increased Spending At My First Antiques Show Of 2010!

2010-04-06T12:36:00.000-07:00

I set up at the first antique show of the season the second to last Saturday in March - a small show in a local church hall less than 10 minutes from my house. Here's my table below.

This area is not especially well off so I brought items priced no higher than $25. What people buy and how much they spend at this show is usually a good indication of how the rest of the season will go for me.

Vintage jewelry was the best seller, as usual, with sterling at the top of the list, and rings being the most sought after - I sold every single ring that I brought that day! Vintage sewing buttons, linens, hankies, lace, kitchen items and ephemera were the most popular after that.

Women seemed a little more interested in decorating themselves rather than their homes, and most were buying for personal use as opposed to buying gifts for others, which were two big changes from the past few years. They were most pleased with items which could be used for multiple purposes.

Normally, almost half of my sales are to men and this year was no exception. The guys were most interested in ephemera, things made of bone, wood,and metal, and unusual objects that were interesting as opposed to beautiful or functional. I noticed that in the morning, the male antiques dealers were there early waiting in line for the door to open but the female dealers were not, with very few attending the show at all.

As far as haggling over prices, most customers didn't. Actually there were only two. Most folks just wanted to treat themselves in some way but were still cautious about what they were spending and seemed to have set limits before arriving on how much they were willing to part with.

The womens' group in the church also had a space which included a large offering of linens; all washed and pressed to perfection by one of the group members. Their space is shown below.

All in all, it was a successful day for all the dealers and very few customers left empty handed. I made about $80 more this year than last and am cautiously optimistic about the upcoming season!

One thing I noticed is that many people were talking about buying vintage and antique items because they were concerned about the environment and felt they were helping the earth by doing so. I heard a lot about conserving resources and recycling/upcycling/re-purposing which made me very happy!

Personally, I've loved old things since childhood. I used to save my allowance for weeks in order to go antiquing during vacation with my parents, buying treasures such as marbles, seashells, and tiny glass animals. Now, it's a full time job and although I don't make nearly as much as I did when employed by a large company, I have the pleasure of working with inventory I love, and helping the planet too!

Are Ladybugs Themselves Lucky?

2010-03-17T21:35:00.000-07:00

Tuesday morning, much to my delight, a visitor appeared in my kitchen. "Today will be a lucky day", I thought, "and look at all her spots!" Everyone knows that when a ladybug appears, you count their spots and that's how many wishes you get. I immediately made a wish on behalf of a new (I hope) friend who had to put her elderly dog to sleep that day.

Then I admired my guest for a bit and was impressed with how fast she could read.

After doing some chores, I returned to the kitchen and noticed My Lady, (that's what I named her - she looked so classy), was a bit thirsty. She had perched on the edge of the counter in front of the sink, and was sipping from a drop of water. Well, actually, she was more than a bit thirsty because she inhaled the water within seconds and seemed to want more.

I obliged by putting a substantial drop of water on the counter away from the sink and pointed it out to her.

After happily drinking her fill, My Lady left a not-so-classy expression of her complete hydration on the counter and then fell asleep.

It was a Melissa day, which is lucky in itself because that means I have help in the kennel, and I heard the dogs announce her arrival. Off I went to start the morning in Siber-land and the next hour was filled with feeding the dogs and starting work in my office which is in between the dogs' home and the humans' home. (In reality, they all come into the humans' home too and everything around here kind of belongs to them, including me.)

Going back into the kitchen, I remembered My Lady, but she was nowhere in sight and I wondered where she had gone. Wherever that was, I was pleased with having seen her and glad I was able to help quench her thirst.

I opened the cupboard to the left of the sink with my left hand, looking to see what might be in there to eat, while turning on the sink's hot water faucet with my right hand, intending to wash the pan that was in there from cooking the dogs' breakfast .

Much to my horror, when I looked in the sink, there was My Lady, about to be washed down the drain!

"Oh, NO!", I cried. (Actually, I said something else. However, this is a "G" rated blog.) I quickly scooped My Lady up, and put her back on the counter. But alas, I was too late to save her. The hot water had done her in immediately, and she was gone!

"I'm so sorry", I cried, "I didn't know you were in there!". There was absolutely nothing I could do to bring her back, so I gave her Reiki and wished her spirit well.

Being me, throughout the day I mourned My Lady (and the loss of my remaining wishes), and wondered what it all meant. Did My Lady come and go with such drama in order to teach me something? It wasn't about not drinking too much water because I don't drink enough. It couldn't have to do with me drinking too much alcohol either because I rarely do, and my guests don't drink much either. (Oh, I used to, but huskies and hangovers don't mix well.) Did My Lady get herself in hot water because she was being greedy and went into the sink for thirds, reflecting my own behavior? No, I didn't think it was that, and after all, I even used my first wish for someone else and had (temporarily) forgotten about the others.

After much reflection, I came to the conclusion that sometimes "stuff" just happens and it's got nothing to do with being lucky, or not. That, I believed, was what My Lady was telling me. But a short time later when I myself was expressing my own complete hydration, much to my surprise, I noticed this label on the back of my pants...

But actually, when I saw the label, it looked like this....

...which completed my lesson by clearly spelling out, in black, white and red, that although we absolutely can't always control our luck, we certainly can always choose how to view it ~

Thank you to My Lady, may you never be thirsty and may all your wishes come true!

Wild Turkey Neighbors

2010-03-14T18:18:00.000-07:00

On my way downstairs on Thursday morning, I was happy to see our turkey neighbors on the front lawn breakfasting on bird seed. The brown lumps on the ground are pine cones which we leave down until spring for the animals who like them, but they ignore those and go for the easy pickings.

Within seconds, along came one of the black feral cat twins, either Naughty or Nice. The only difference between the two is personality, and actually over the past year, Naughty became nice also.

The cats always stalk the turkeys but that's as far as it goes although the turkeys do move along eventually, more out of annoyance than fear I think.

These are called Eastern Turkeys and there are 15 of them; 1 male and 14 females. This morning, the male and one female were missing, but I saw them all later on when they swung by again for second helpings. So perhaps those two were taking some time to be alone and we will have baby turkeys in the future. Occasionally one of my neighbor's peacocks will make the rounds with the turkeys, but not this day.

About 15 years ago, there were no turkeys left around here, until about 50 were brought in, and a ban was put on hunting them. Now I see turkeys frequently and am always happy to find one of their feathers.

One day we were walking a couple of my huskies in the state forest and came upon a large tom turkey blocking the road. His mate was nesting in the brush beside the trail with their babies and he made it clear we were to turn around immediately by stamping his feet and puffing himself up. The dogs convinced him to let us pass and we literally ran by him. But in doing so, my kennel person, Melissa, dropped her pouch and had to go back for it. I held the dog she was walking while she cautiously tiptoed back to where her pouch was lying on the ground. As she neared the pouch, the tom popped back out of the bushes in a rage and proceeded to charge Melissa head on as she was running toward him to grab her pouch. He was making horrible noises that sounded something like, "I'm going to kill you!". Melissa grabbed her pouch just in the nick of time and sprinted away with the tom hot on her heels, flapping his wings and screaming insults at her. Needless to say, we avoided that trail for some months to come! To this day, when we pass that area, we always remember the brave and very effective turkey warrior who challenged two humans and two huskies to protect his family.

BEE MEDICINE MAGICK

2010-03-02T15:10:00.000-08:00

To Native Americans, "medicine" isn't got from a drugstore, but rather from Nature. It might be taken for a while, or only a short time, be asked for or given, can taste bitter or sweet, be agreeable or not. How it is depends on the student. Either way, medicine is something that's beneficial, is needed to heal or become a better person, and involves a lesson.

Each Being from the different Tribes of Nature is a potential teacher and healer. Although Bee is a creature who is most well known for the virtue of working hard and keeping busy, there are other less obvious learnings that Bee can impart. Below are some additional things Bee can teach:

Once I started thinking about Bee, I saw bees everywhere and decided to create a special ritual, to ask Bee for help. I gathered materials from around the house and made some mind focusing tools to help me connect with a kindly Bee teacher, either in spirit or material form.

First I made the box shown above on the left. Then I decorated a blank journal book...

...wrote and typed out a ritual, decorated the pages, and put them in the journal.

Next. I gathered or made everything needed for the ritual:

I made a box sized to hold wooden matches with a striker on the bottom, and enlisted a trusted helper to be in charge of the fire. The candle is a symbol of illumination and this one is made of honey colored bees wax.

Traditionally, the space one works in during a ritual is purified to clear away old energy and invite in good. I like to use a lighted, wrapped stick of sage to "smudge" (clean) first myself, then the air, by wafting the smoke around with a turkey feather. When finished, the sage is thanked and left safely burning in the shell which is filled with sand. In this case, I also have a box of dried wild clover to add to the sage, because bees love clover.

Next I made a talisman inside which is written what I will say to ask Bee for help...

Then a "totem" - something to symbolize Bee...

And last, I made a box and a necklace from sweet smelling dried rosebuds and glass beads for me to wear so I would seem more like a flower, :>)

This is the ritual I wrote:

A Honey Bee Ritual

Be seated outdoors

on a nice sunny day,

and facing the East

a prayer cloth you lay.

The breeze stirs your hair,

sunlight warms your face,

with a calm state of mind

you put all in place.

The boxed wooden matches

and a candle to light,

both go in the South,

nearby on your right.

Next, fragrant dried clover,

pure sage and clean sand,

in a shell to the West

await your command.

At the Northern direction

earth dreams can come true,

and the Honeybee Talisman

receives life from you.

To show the good road,

where resistance is least,

a little Bee totem

appears in the East.

Last goes in your lap

a journal and pen,

for what you may hear

might not come again!

As you light up the candle

call to Whom you do pray,

requesting enlightenement

beginning this day.

You don the rose necklace,

set both herbs to burn.

Smudge slowly your cicle,

with one clockwise turn.

Thank all Four Directions,

plus Above and Below.

Then Right, Left and Inner;

when done you say, "Ho!".

Pick up the Bee talisman

and read it aloud.

Speak humbly but clearly;

be still and sit proud.

Close eyes, quiet mind,

see what will arise;

in hopes your attention

will yield a surprise.

Now hold in your mind

a picture of Bee.

Don't let go the image,

for this part is key.

She glides to a flower

which first her legs taste.

With pace so unhurried,

no move does she waste.

Head bent to the nectar

in trembling delight,

she drinks from it deeply;

when full she takes flight.

With focused intent

to her nest she does soar,

delivers the pollen

then goes out for more.

Inside the bees' hive

in each wax partition,

the workers make honey

to use for nutrition.

Every hexagon cell

is akin to a heart

and the sweetness put there

is the most precious part.

The clue to Bee Medicine

is in what they do.

You must ask for the gift

of their secrets to you.

It could come in minutes,

it might take a day.

Your patience and listening

are prices you pay.

Write all in the journal

of what you do learn.

Study it closely

and you will discern.

Then backwards you go

to put all way,

remembering the thanks

that you need to say.

Arise from the earth,

feel strong and stand tall

for a part of Bee medicine

is now yours to call!

Come Spring, I'll pick a nice sunny day to try out my Bee ritual. Hopefully the bees will be pleased, or at least amused by my efforts, and grant my request for their help in learning and improving myself. Who knows, they might even be happy that someone wants more from them than just honey or wax and will start to repopulate our area which has been sadly lacking in their presence. Regardless of what I receive, I'll be sending Reiki healing and loving thoughts to their tribe before and after the ritual in appreciation for all they've given to us in the past, and for the fun and inspiration I've had just from thinking about the Bees!

Button Art To Help Animals

2010-02-27T17:56:00.000-08:00

Every month, the team I belong to on Etsy, Etsy For Animals, (EFA) has a monthly challenge to help raise money for our chosen animal Charity of the Month. This month's theme is "March Mixture" (artwork using mixed media), and here's our button entry, from The Animals Magic Shop, called "Shy Wolf in Hiding".

Etsy is "your place to buy and sell all things handmade" (and vintage too), and EFA is a team of over 500 wonderful artists who work together to help animals, both on Etsy and in their personal lives.

Last month's challenge theme was "Forever In My Heart" (to honor loved animals past and present), and the scrimshaw button above was our entry, called "Lobo", in memory of our first Siberian husky. (It sold!)

Each artist can choose how much to donate from their shop's proceeds, either to the EFA charity of the month, their favorite charity, or both.

I don't often make time for art, but since joining this group, I've received inspiration, encouragement and now have a strong motivation; that being of course, to help animals. (25% of the proceeds from The Animals Magic Shop go to help the EFA charity of the month, and another 25% goes to my personal favorite, Patriot Siberian Husky Rescue.)

There are links to Etsy For Animals and also The Animals Magic Shop on the right side of this blog if you're interested in checking them out.

More BEE Collectibles

2010-02-26T10:31:00.000-08:00

Here's a primitive handmade box for transporting a Queen bee, made of wood, copper and wax sealed glass which came from a New England cranberry bog.

An antique children's book on insects with a beautiful section on bees, on top of that, antique

bee's universal button fasteners.

Some rubber stamps, one with a bee preserved in lucite with the stamp itself having an exact image.

Some bee ephemera and French soap...

...and a favorite honeypot made entirely of raw beeswax with impressed flowers. I found it at a yardsale for 10 cents!

Consider that

10 flowers can yield one drop of nectar (1 bee can carry one drop of nectar per trip)

10 drops of nectar yield one drop of honey

10 drops of honey yield one drop of beeswax

1000 flowers yield one drop of beeswax

There are thousands of drops of beeswax in this honeypot, so millions of flowers have participated in making it! To me, it is very precious indeed.

Finally, a few books on honey and one very interesting one from the 1960's about using bee venom as a cure for athritis.

Bees are truly wondrous creatures, their lives and work are fascinating, what they produce is miraculous and magical. As a person who learns most easily from Nature, throughout my life I've looked to bees for lessons and inspiration, as have many others in the past:

Th'Industrious bee extracts from ev'ry flow'r

Its fragrant sweets, and mild balsamic pow'r.

Learn thence, with greatest care and nicest skill

To take the good, and to reject the ill

By her example taught, enrich thy mind,

Improve kind nature's gifts, by sense refin'd;

Be thou the honey-comb, in whom may dwell

Each mental sweet, nor leave one vacant cell.

from a piece of embroidery by Sarah Ann Hitch, 1790

My final post on bees will be on one of the many ways to work with bee energy to enhance your life.

BEE-autiful Vintage, Antique, and Modern BEE Buttons

2010-02-25T17:20:00.000-08:00

Last night I finally carded my collection of BEE buttons. I started with a piece of heavy weight acid free matt board, put a piece of graph paper on top of it and then arranged the buttons on that. When I had them positioned, I used an awl to prick small holes where I wanted them through the graph paper and into the matt board. The blocks on the paper helped insure the buttons were spaced fairly evenly; I could just count them instead of having to measure. I slid the graph paper off the matt board with the buttons still on it, used the awl to poke larger holes in the board and mounted the buttons with plastic coated electrician's wire. Here they are on the card.

The buttons range in age from the Victorian era to now. Victorians loved nature, including insects, much more than people realize, and although bees were popular, no bugs were scorned, including flies, mosquitoes and cock roaches. Of course, many people still love bees, and perhaps appreciate them more since many have disappeared.

The lovely large button pictured above in the center is of modern pottery, and was made by MUDCAKES, on Etsy. http://www.etsy.com/shop/Mudcakes

On either side are two honeycombs made of glass, the amber color one on the left is vintage, the one on the right is antique.

The scrimshaw button in the center is modern and one of my favorites. It's done on poly-resin and depicts an ornate bee skep (the bees' house). Note the large queen at the bottom.

I have 4 of the antique metal "realistic" bees pictured above - lucky me! They were made as an advertising giveaway for Bee Soap.

Here's an interesting little guy - a raised design in metal with tinted colors, from the Victorian era.

On top is an antique carnival glass bee on a shell, below is an antique metal bee skep with flying bees.

At the top of the card, I placed an antique one piece gilt metal crown button, because what's a hive without a queen?

The buttons' values range from $3.00 up to $45.00 each - moderate prices as some bee buttons can be worth $100-$200 or more.

When finished, I put them into a wood shadowbox frame with a glass front and a hanger on the back, made especially for displaying buttons. The back slides off and the frame accomodates a standard size button mounting card. Now they can be shown off while being protected, and will be hung on the wall in the hall leading into the house so visitors can enjoy them, and I can too!

I have a few other bee collectibles which I'll post tomorrow. Hope you enjoy seeing my "button bee hive"!

2 Lives Down, 7 To Go, We Hope

2010-02-20T16:17:00.000-08:00

This is Zee Zee, one of our feral cats. She was hunting a mouse in the dogs' yard this morning when we let them out and some of the dogs "played" with her. Zee had neurological problems at Thanksgiving after an accident in the woods, was almost back to normal, and now her back legs aren't working too well again. I'm giving her Reiki and have talked with her telepathically. The vet came to try to examine her and managed to make Zee's legs work again just by looking at her. This could be temporary - we don't know. As of 5:30 tonight she's asleep in the thorn thicket out front.

Zee says she's not in pain and thinks she can get better again. She'd like help, but is very much a creature of the wild. If anyone who reads this would please take a moment to send her a prayer or healing energy, we'd be very grateful and thankful.

NEXT DAY UPATE: Although Zee Zee left us today, that she received the loving thoughts sent to her was apparent by the peaceful and happy look on her face. Thank you to all the kind people who made her feel loved :>)

Water Power

2010-02-17T12:28:00.000-08:00

Practicing shamanism has taught me that all of nature is aware and intelligent, and the more I learn over the years, the more wonders I discover. But these two books about water totally amazed me.

Japanese author, Masaru Emoto, claims that water can be affected in either a positive or negative way by speaking to it, exposing it to music, or showing it pictures and words.

In his books, Emoto documents the results of his experiments by freezing tap water and taking photographs of the different microscopic crystal formations within it before and after the water has been shown a picture, written words, or spoken to.

For example, there is a photograph of lake water before and after a Buddhist healing prayer. Before the prayer, the crystal formation was deformed, after it was beautiful. Water shown the words "love and gratitude" formed a gorgeous balanced crystal, while water shown the words "you make me sick, I will kill you" exhibited a distorted crystal in which there was a form that looked like a man holding a gun.

These are just a few examples of what Emoto has written about and photographed. If he's right, the implications are astounding.

However, some claim that Emoto's studies are not complete. Here's a link to Wickipedia about Emoto and some of the issues that need clarification:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masaru_Emoto

Also, here's a link to Masaru Emoto's website:

http://www.masaru-emoto.net/english/e_ome_home.html

The possibilities that we might have the ability to heal polluted water or enhance it, and that water might have the ability to heal or enhance us are certainly worth exploring. I look forward to following Mr. Emoto's experiments and findings in the future.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2010-02-14T13:35:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day usually brings to mind romantic love. But there are other kinds of love too. When I think of love, often times I think of my dogs because they love me no matter what. In my mind, unconditional love is the purest and most Divine.

This is an antique mother of pearl button on which I painted an image of our second Siberian husky, Tiffany. Tiffany was probably the most loving creature I've ever met.

It's said that true love lasts forever and I have to believe it is so. Even though she's been gone almost 20 years, I still get the same warm, happy feeling in my heart when I think about Tiffany.

This year I would like to become more like Tiffany - to love life, others around me, and even myself, more unconditionally.

What a wonderful thing it would be, if I too could be remembered 20 years after I was gone by someone, because I had loved them so well.

When Life Gives You Mud...

2009-06-04T17:41:00.001-07:00

Here's a couple of nice messy photos to dirty up my pretty blog, because that's the way everyday life goes sometimes. The first photo shows the opening of a tunnel which 14-year old Jasmine has been working very hard on excavating for a over year now. Jasmine loves to dig more than anything in the world, and this is her retirement project - her last chance to do something big and memorable. Every day she digs a little more and the tunnel is quite deep now - at least 10 feet as far as I can measure. Sometimes when she's tired, she allows the other dogs to dig a little too, under her careful supervision of course, because she knows that everyone needs a helping paw sometimes. But it's mostly her creation, and at her age, it's hard work.

Recently, constant rain caved in part of the tunnel and filled the whole thing with mud. When Jasmine saw what had happened , she didn't get discouraged and walk away. She didn't get upset, cry, become bitter, or mind that she would have to get filthy in order to fix the damage. She simply decided that when life gives you mud, you can still work on your dream and even have fun doing it. Jasmine got right down inside that hole, not caring that now the digging was harder, that her legs were sinking in up to her knees, and that the mud was getting into her eyes. Nope, she didn't care one little bit and spent her usual 20 minutes having fun digging in her tunnel.

When she finished, I did my part to help by cleaning most of the mud off her coat and after that, she went back to inspect the tunnel one more time before retiring to her bed inside to take a nap.

Over the next week, the rain stopped, the sun shone, the mud dried up and Jasmine was able to repair all the damage and dig even deeper. By continuing to work hard, she only lost a few days and her project is back on track now.

Personally, I've been getting a lot of mud in my life lately too. But as Jasmine has shown me, it's important to not get discouraged and give up. Eventually the rain will stop, the mud will dry up, the sun will shine again, and with some hard work and determination, your dreams can still come true.

Antique & Vintage Artists Kits

2009-05-04T14:26:00.000-07:00

I've always loved old things thanks to my mom - she got me hooked at a young age. I remember saving up my allowance (25 cents a week!) for our annual vacation at Sabago Lake in Maine knowing we would be visiting antique shops where I might find treasures like little glass animals or other small trinkets. Now I sell antiques and vintage things myself and have a house full. Here are a couple of artists kits I put together for my Etsy shop. It makes me happy that today so many artists are recycling vintage and antique items into beautiful art!

I Love Flower Buttons!

2009-04-06T14:06:00.000-07:00

Spring is Coming! Here's a Modern Czech Glass flower button with a raised hand painted design in white and gold. Who says they don't make buttons like they used to!

What A Winter!

2009-03-18T11:44:00.000-07:00

It sure has been a looooong winter here in New England. To celebrate the upcoming season we're adding lots of listings to our Etsy shop just about every day with the focus being, of course, on antique and vintage sewing buttons along with vintage jewelry and other supplies. Here's to Spring and to new beginnings!

Indie Smiles Makes Animals Smile Too!

2008-11-28T10:54:00.000-08:00

December Sale on New Indie Shopping Web Site: Indie Smiles http://indiesmiles.com/

From Dec. 1 through Dec. 15, over 30 shops on Indie Smiles (including our shop, The Faerie Cupboard http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5605929!) will be offering free shipping on their entire store inventories (excluding custom orders and PIF's) to customers who use the Indie Smiles Winter Wonderland Coupon http://indiesmiles.com/directory.

What I like best about Indie Smiles is that Etsy shop owners and Etsy For Animals members, El and Sue, have added a special section to their site called Smiles For The Animals http://indiesmiles.com/animals/animals. Here shoppers can purchase Indie items which are being sold to benefit animal charities 100%. And artists get to advertise these items for free!

Do Do Do Lookin' Out My Front Door....

2008-11-23T08:08:00.000-08:00

How's this for red? There are nothing quite so brilliant as Japanese Maple trees when Fall comes around in New England.

Antique Golden Gilt Buttons

2008-09-11T11:15:00.000-07:00

These buttons were dull and listless when I bought them, but they defintely took to a polish and now they really sparkle. The earliest gilt buttons were made around 1813, they peaked during the period of 1830-1850 (called the Golden Age), after which time the quality went down. Then in the 1860's, less expensive versions were made in larger quantities. They were used on mens', women's and children's garments. Most of the gilt buttons on this card were probably made during the 1860's or after, but they are still very lovely, especially when compared to the mass produced metal buttons of today. If you click on the photo, you can view them more closely.

She Used Some of My Buttons in Her Fabric Art!

2008-09-03T11:49:00.000-07:00

Isn't this absolutely gorgeous? And she used some of the antique metal buttons she bought from me!! This beautiful piece of fabric art was handmade by Etsy seller stillkidz, and if you'd like to see more views of this creation and some of her others, go to: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14821268.

Wow!

What's Inside This Faerie's Pouch??

2008-08-25T21:01:00.000-07:00

Pretty little drawstring pouches fascinate me; I always want to open them to see what's inside. I would love to know what's inside this one. Many times pouches contain buttons! But this one looks too full and round, so perhaps there is a magical crystal ball inside, or a blown glass bottle of exquisite perfume, or maybe it's a moonbeam, or a tiny creature the faerie has caught and put in a round jar... Faeries don't usually bother with pouches because they don't like to carry anything, so it must contain something very precious!

Cutest Handmade Stuffed Dog I've Ever Seen!

2008-08-16T15:34:00.000-07:00

Thank you to Katie for putting my buttons in her treasury! And look what I found in her Etsy shop - his name is Ronnie. Isn't he absolutely adorable? His parents were some gardening gloves, his nose is a vintage button and he is completely hand stitched. Ronnie comes already trained to do a perfect "sit-stay" and enjoys helping out in the garden. I love how she did the heart - dogs have big hearts for sure. If you want to know more about Ronnie the Puppy Stuffie and see more photos: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13702807.

Hornet Hotel

2008-08-12T13:47:00.000-07:00

See that bird house in the center of the bench? That's our Hornet Hotel. As far as I know, nobody has ever written anything flattering about hornets and most people want to kill them. But I think of them as the wolves of the insect world. They are predators, and eat other insects including biting flies and mosquitos. In nature, there are always fewer predators than prey, and killing the predators enables the prey to further multiply, upsetting the natural balance of nature. Unlike biting flies and mosquitos, hornets mind their own business and ignore me when I'm outside on the deck, and unlike birds, they don't leave messy droppings all around their living quarters. So as far as I'm concerned, they're pretty good neighbors and are welcome to stay the summer in our Hornet Hotel!

Sewing Button With Breasts!

2008-08-11T12:41:00.000-07:00

Other than mermaids, I've never seen a button with breasts before. This one is made of porcelain and I got it on eBay a long time ago. Love it!!

Christine's House

2008-08-09T16:24:00.001-07:00

This past Tuesday I had the best time visiting my friend Christine's house! Aside from her husband, 2 children, dog, cat, bird and guinea pig, what makes her heart beat fastest are vintage and antique linens. I was able to feast my eyes on box after box of beautifully cared for textiles, from tiny handkerchiefs and cocktail napkins to table cloths fit for a queen, each piece more gorgeous than the next! Christine knows everything there is to know about her collection and aside from selling on eBay, recently opened a shop on Etsy called simply "Vintagelinens". Above are some of her lovely arrangements; a gorgeous rose flowered apron, heirloom ring and ring box and some baby shoes, a linen-filled trunk decoupaged by Christine with antique trade cards (another one of her passions), and on the right, a gorgeous handmade needlework pillow that she made.

Yard Sale Finds

2008-07-30T14:33:00.000-07:00

Every weekend during the spring and summer finds me up early and out of the house by around 6:30 to go treasure hunting. Armed with a list of yard sales gleaned the night before from the local newspaper, and full of anticipation, I tiptoe out the front door while my husband and the dogs continue to dream. My list is arranged according to sales of interest, start time, and location. Some days I'm lucky and there are a lot of local sales, other times I might travel 75 or 100 miles and visit up to 11 towns in one day. While sorting through the bits and pieces of other peoples' lives, I meet other dealers, friends, and competitors and we talk about what sales we've been to so far, where to go or not to go, and sometimes we take a few minutes to show one another what we've found. Yard sales are big around here and are somewhat like a huge social event, but at warp speed, because everyone is in a race to visit as many sales as possible before 10:00. By then, most of the good stuff has been scooped up, so the rest of the day I spend looking for practical things like fleece blankets for the dogs, household good, and clothing. By the time I get home at around 2:00, hopefully I have lots of bags and have not spent too much money. Pictured are a few of this past weekend's finds. My favorite is the antique openwork metal button with rainbow colored jewels, costing $1.00.

Lace Laundry Day

2008-07-25T15:02:00.000-07:00

This is some antique lace I bought a little while ago from my friend Andrea. Ok, I've actually had it for well over a year downstairs in the stock room, but today was the day it finally got soaked in the sink, washed, and then hung out to dry. We girls at the Faerie Cupboard love modern conveniences so we don't have a clothes line, but unless you want a big tangled ball, sometimes you need to do things the old fashioned way. In this case, the deck rails had to suffice for a clothes line and the lace looked pretty outside against the woodland background. The antique cotten dress hanging upsidedown was given to me by the same friend. It's somewhat shabby and fragile, but has lovely cutwork, crocheted buttons down the front and mother of pearl buttons in the back.

A Few Favorite Buttons

2008-07-16T14:30:00.000-07:00

Here's a few of my favorite buttons inside a shadowbox frame. They are made of antler and Alaskan ivory. Sled dog buttons are hard to find and there was quite a battle before I won the team of 4 Samoyed dogs on eBay that are mounted in the center. The little howling white husky in the very middle wearing a harness is my absolute favorite of all.

Rebel Faerie

2008-07-11T12:31:00.000-07:00

Painted using acrylics on a poor wounded antique mother of pearl button. The button has a large chip out of the back which I had to spackle. Did I use a damaged button because I believe in recycling to the max? Nope! After placing the final brush stroke on the Rebel Faerie, I held it up to admire my work and then accidently dropped her on the ceramic tile floor. Duh!

Collage Card of Vintage Red Leaf Buttons

2008-07-09T15:01:00.001-07:00

Today I had a bit of time to play with buttons since it was too hot here to do anything else so I made up a few collage cards. I was going to sell this set on Etsy but the card came out so pretty I thought I'd keep it for awhile and enjoy them. A button friend is always saying she becomes emotionally attached to her buttons and I couldn't agree more!

Pretty Abalone Buttons

2008-07-08T08:19:00.000-07:00

I love shell buttons, especially abalone. This antique set deserved their own handmade card. They are individually sewn on a piece of Japanese grasscloth with a stamped shell design at the top. The design of the buttons is simple, but the shell sparkles like mica. Pictured to the left is a bird's nest under a glass dome. The nest, which I found on the ground after a storm, incorporates strands of my dogs' fur in the lining. My husband found the tiny intact blue egg in the yard this weekend. I don't know what kind of egg it is - it looks too tiny for a robin's.

A Butterfly Faerie

2008-07-07T17:44:00.000-07:00

Here's a Butterfly Faerie I spied one day in the garden. She was singing to a purple phlox plant, but I startled her and she disappeared into the ferns before I could ask her name.