looking back... going forward...

time changes everything...

When I started this blog, we lived in a big old white house 

(just in case you ever wondered about the name of our business.)

 I was creating larger assemblage pieces, mixed media collages, 

and repurposing discarded treasures, whenever I found time, mostly for our home or for gifts.

I shared our home after moving a few things around...

(I really need to recreate these fenced platters in our new home!)

our hot chocolate sledding station

 This old dock table is still one of my very 

favorite creations, mostly because two of my favorite people helped us 

put it together!

and then there were the assemblages...

I was a stay at home mom with 5 babes still in my nest.

Now 3 of them have moved out, and lead great lives of their own, 

and my life has changed over these last few years.

because of this...

The Old White House

Since creating our line of natural lavender laundry and cleaning products,

 I am making products, sewing, making jewelry, answering emails,

 filling out show applications, going to a market a week, meeting so many fantastic people,

and juggling mom life, and although it can be overwhelming at times,

I can't think of anyone that I would want to change places with!

(Unless maybe they were doing all of this while staying organized, and having coffee with their friends!)

Creating my jewelry is really my 'art therapy', it makes me slow down, and lets my mind unwind. 

 It's my way of staying connected to the assemblage work that I love, but in tiny form.

I use vintage trinkets, and old costume jewelry, because I am 

drawn to the stories that they hold.  I use the stones that I do because of the organic

feel and look they give my pieces.

I use rhinestones, because, well ...their shiny of course! :)

I do custom work, when I have time, and sell my OOAK jewelry primarily at the Detroit Eastern Market, 

as well as local shows and markets.

Although I don't have them listed online, if you ever see anything

on any of my social media pages that you are interested in, 

please just send me a message and I would be happy put an invoice together for you.

I hope to see you at a market someday, 

and in the meantime, if you would like to see what I'm up to,

please check my Instagram acct. and FB page, 

where you can see pics on a more regular basis.

(because sometimes I still show how our home is decorated, and family life,

 along with the booth, and new creations!) 

like this picture of our new dining room...

Thanks for all the love you have shown me on this blog over the last few years!

t. xoxo

  

we went on vacation...

where myself and these two...

drove to see these two!

we had a great visit, but as usual it was much too short.

We did manage to pack quite a bit into a week!

This pic was taken at the Charleston Farmers Market.  

There were booths and booths of specialty foods

and many talented artists as well as the local farmers, I loved it!

It was 110* this day, so what's a kid to do, but take advantage of the local fountain?

We ate at some fabulous places!

Danielle and Justin took us to a few of their favorite spots,

and I can attest to the fact that the Charleston area has some delicious food!

We went into the Art Museum, where it was cool, for a stroll through some

unusual art displays.  They were in between exhibits so there really

wasn't much to see, but as you can tell Hannah and Max

found it pretty fascinating! ;)

Justin drove us to a great spot on Folly Beach to see some

truly amazing art... 

The artist 

Douglas Panzone

has been commissioned by the city to paint

murals in different places.  I kept looking for more,

but never found them.  I hope we see more next time!

seriously, his work is so incredible!

(Do yourself a favor and click on his name to see more)

I can't even imagine how he does all of this detail with spray paint!

The vacation was wonderful, and much needed!

We have had a crazy, busy, and fabulous summer

here at the Detroit Eastern Market,

and here, at the Capitol Lawn Farmers Market

(last one of the season is coming up on 9/25)

and here, at the Grand Rapids Fulton St. Artisans Market

(last Sunday of the season is 9/28)

a vast array of artists every week, with something for everyone!

and here, at the Everlasting Blooms Vintage Flea Market

(next one is on 10/10 & 10/11)

it's show full of treasures galore, grab your girls and come shopping!

and here, at the South Haven All Crafts Fair for our third year!

There have been more shows in between, 

and with all of those shows comes the wonderful

people who visit us and shop our booth!

THANK YOU ONE AND ALL!!!

As you can see, we have been incredibly busy this summer,

so that vacation was the perfect way to close out the summer before school started!

In between going to all of our markets and shows, are long days making lots and lots of 

our lavender goodness to take to said shows...

...and in between making lavender goodness,

I make as many new pieces of jewelry as I can!

I grabbed most of these photos from my facebook and instagram pages,

where it is much quicker and easier for me to share all of the fabulous

places we set up our booth and for some of the stories of the

wonderful people that we meet.

Also, that's where I post photos of the new jewelry pieces that I'm working on,

so if you hop over to either of those sites you won't miss a thing!

On a side note about my jewelry...

I don't list them on etsy these days.  As I tell my customers at the markets,

by the time I get them finished I am packing them up to go in the booth.

If you ever see anything that you would like, please contact me and if I still

have it I will make a listing of it just for you!

I have sold many pieces straight from the instagram or FB page.

Well, that wraps up my summer, I hope you didn't feel bombarded by photos,

but I've missed sharing with you all!  

I hope I see you on FB or instagram very soon :)

Thanks so much for stopping by!

t.xoxo

the gift...

Mayday is wonderful,

truly wonderful.

You know why?

It gave me the opportunity to let Max and his buddy Elijah

experience the pure joy of surprising sweet friends.

they were my 'runners',

ringing the doorbells, or knocking on doors

leaving the little pot on a table

or hanging from the doorknob

and then running back to the car

with the biggest smiles ever!

That was really the gift.

They felt so wonderful as they

surprised our friends,

and I felt pure joy from

watching them have fun.

I made the mayday baskets

a little different from the ones that

I showed in the last post.

I had some peat pots,

painted them white and 

I added something special

for each person.

A crepe paper ruffle, a special bird for our bird lover,

an old MSU creamery lid for our MSU fan,

a little color for our colorful friend...

you get the picture,

each  one different,

just like my friends.

I wish I could have made one

for all those special to me.

Do you think you all

could move into the neighborhood

before next May 1?

It was a gift week for me too..

I won Lynn's giveaway and now I have

the sweetest work of art on my dining room mantle!

(it's absolutely perfect, isn't it?)

Thank you Lynn!

Thanks for stopping by!
love, t.xoxoxoxo

re-done, re-did, re-purposed...

Re-done, re-did, re-purposed, re-cycled...

It's all relative to me and my love for the cast offs.

Bits from old earrings and necklaces to create a new bauble,

 it's like piecing a puzzle of jewels together.

(white glass beads from a vintage necklace, those dreamy rondelles,

and white glass flowers from a pair of vintage earrings)

Recently for my bday a wonderful friend bestowed me with a fabulous old necklace 

loaded with my favorite... rhinestone rondelles,

all tarnished to perfection!

She knows just the treasures I love to create with, because she loves them too,

and has used them in her creations in the past.

I love to add one or two ( and sometimes 3) to every creation. 

They just add the perfect amount of sparkle!

Thank you Judy! xoxo

(vintage pearl rice beads and crackled glass yellow beads from old necklaces)

these escaped the rondelles somehow, and got glimmery silver beads instead.

(more of those glass white beads and rhinestone rondelles make up this set)

So today was spent making new pieces to add to the stash going to the show 

as well as getting the sachets ready.

Tomorrow looks like more of the same.

Lucky me!!!

A good days work is doing something 

you don't consider work at all...

If you have been a regular visitor here, than you know that 

anything old is my go-to supply.

The thrown away, the forgotten beaded necklace, 

the vintage and tarnished trinket, they speak to me.

Not that I don't appreciate beautiful new beads,

but when I create a piece with old jewels

I think they give the finished product a soulfulness

that I have come to love.

I hope you do too.

Thanks for stopping by!

love,

t.xoxo

linking up to:

the Be Inspired Party

p.s.  if you see something that you would like, just send me an email

and I can set up a listing for you before I go to the show! xoxo

spread love...

The last of the Christmas gifts have finally been delivered so I

can show you these now.

I just love how they turned out and all of the

special people that received them loved them too...

bonus!

It was actually one of those,

WOW! THANKS!  moments...

(not one of the kind of thank you's

with the scrunched up face

as they stick it back in the bag, their mind

racing with who they will be regifting it to!)

you know the kind of thank you I'm talking about, right?

In the jar is homemade cinnamon honey butter,

and it is delicious on pancakes topped with peaches, 

trust me on this one!

After I made this jar I found the cutest little 

squatty ball jars and started using them.  

I used the new lids that came with them too,

not everyone loves the old zinc lids like

the friend who got this jar does!

The knives were fun to make, 

and would make a sweet Valentines gift for someone special!

I found the recipe for the butter on Pinterest,

but I doctored it up to suit our taste.

1 stick of butter

2 tblsp. of good honey

1/4 to  1/2 tsp cinnamon (I like the butter to look golden brown)

plus I love cinnamon :)

1/4 tsp. vanilla

dash of sea salt

add all ingredients and cream them in your mixer.

This recipe makes one 1/2 pint jar.

I think this might be the first ever recipe that I have posted here.

I am not a gourmet chef, nor do I play one on tv.

At best I just try to do my best to keep

everyone full of good, healthy food. 

When asked what's for dinner my reply is generally ~

food.

that is because I am typically

winging it and don't know what's going on the table

until about 1/2 way through the point of no return!

Add this, add that,

what else is in the refrigerator or cupboard?

(One of the many lessons from my mom)

So what I'm trying to say is that the next post

will most definitely not be another recipe...

so enjoy this moment!

love,

Theresa

xoxoxooxoxo

let the soldering commence...

(waiting for jump rings)

just a quick sneak peek at some of the new 

soldered pendants for this weekends show...

4th Annual Recycled Art Market

held at 

City High/Middle School

1400 Fuller Ave NE

Grand Rapids, MI.

I am so excited about this show,

at least 50% of your artwork must be recycled.

love that.

I think that the upcoming election must be having

a subconscious effect on my artistic choices...

as I picked through a bag of vintage stamps my love of 

our country and history took over and I chose

the presidents over flowers.

I also added the Statue of Liberty, and some historical landmarks 

along with crystals, old marbles, beach glass

and a truly wonderful wooden pink yardstick

that was broken, now is found...

as soldered charms.

Lots more to do,

much creative brainstorming going on over here!

My east coast babes are well,

and for that I am eternally thankful.

My babes at home are down with

the flu and on good advice

we are going to be getting some grape juice today,

Thanks Z!

So no trick or treating pics to show,

we stayed in and watched movies.

O.k... back to work 

Thanks for stopping by, 

I always enjoy your company!

love,

Theresa 

xoxoxooxo

linking to:

Vintage Inspiration Friday

Thanks for the party Debra!

fall has arrived...

The proof is in the chillier nights and mornings.

The colors haven't changed yet,

but mind you,

 fall has arrived!

I would like to tell you that my home is all decorated for the season,

like in years past, but that would be a fib.

Upon looking for a photo, I came across some from that last couple

of years and thought I would make a collage so that I would

get my butt in gear and maybe add some pumpkins to the porch,

maybe take the scarecrows out of the barn and put them in the front yard.

maybe...

I will take a cue from this pumpkin that I made yesterday

and keep it simple this year.

maybe.

Today will be more pandora;

Etta James, Ray Charles, Adelle, Norah Jones, Ingrid Michaelson,

James Taylor, Cat Stevens, anything old and bluesy.

A little chai tea, 

blueberry cake from a sweet friend,

and more pumpkin making.

(oh and throw in some grocery getting too.)

,

This is what happens after a day full of the above,

I go into creative overload

and before you know it

I am adding old photos and charms to a simple gray pumpkin.

(tell me you understand, o.k.?)

Thanks for stopping by!

love,

Theresa

xoxxoxoxo

linking to:

Transformation Thursday

Vintage Inspiration Friday

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thought for the day...

Have a fabulous day!

love,

Theresa 

xoxoxoxoxo