Linda Crispell

2am vs. 2pm

2011-10-10T19:02:00.000+08:00

Broken porcelain reused for this temple decoration.

The weekend market in Bangkok, Thailand

We just returned from a trip to Bangkok, Thailand. After seeing the mosaics at the spectacular temples in Bangkok, I now want to cover everything in colorful mosaics. I also did a fair amount of damage at the markets, they have the most excellent junk.
Sadly, our trip ended on a rather sour note, namely my sobbing like a baby in a bathroom at the Hong Kong airport. I won't bore you with the details, I'll just give you the low points. We thought we were two hours early for our 2pm flight from Bangkok to Shanghai. We were actually 12 hours late for our 2am flight. Who flies at 2am? Everything was sold out to Shanghai, so we flew to Hong Kong. We missed our connecting flights, I cried like a baby, we bought 12 one way tickets for four people. The worst part of this ordeal was the flight attendants storing my new pink carry-on case in the bathroom of the plane. Anyone want a pink carry-on case covered in funk?

Blue

2011-10-02T11:13:00.000+08:00

One of the most stylish people I know is now blogging at Rue de Emily. Emily's home is brimming with inspiration and beauty, and I always leave her home with an overwhelming urge to throw away everything I own. Emily is celebrating the color blue this month, and she has already posted some fabulous photos. Please give her a warm welcome.

My blue and green phones.

Nie Hao and Xie Xie

2011-09-28T09:56:00.000+08:00

It has been a very long time since my last visit. Facebook, YouTube, and Blogger are all blocked here, so it is rather difficult to post. It is hard to believe that we have lived in China for a year and a half. Sometimes it feels like we just arrived, and at other times it feels like it has been 100 years. It was quickly discovered that I no longer possess the ability to learn a new language, especially Mandarin. I finally scrapped my lessons and Mandarin teachers everywhere celebrated.

I have many new pals here and I drag them to the shadiest places I can find. Here are some photos from my latest outing.

I am always a bit terrified that something is going to crawl up my pant leg here.

Places like this make me forget about all of the things I miss back home. I especially miss programs about hoarders, best TV ever. Is there something wrong with me? Drinkable tap water and buying shoes are distant memories. People will laugh and point if you require anything bigger than a size seven.

I have developed relationships with many of the vendors at my favorite antiquing street. Negotiations are done by passing a calculator back and forth. My favorite lady says "you killed me" when we finally reach a price for an item. I have killed her on countless occasions.

Combustible

2011-02-07T01:22:00.000+08:00

We have taken four trips around Asia in the past month and a half. We finally made it to the Great Wall, and it is indeed a mighty fine wall! A lovely Chinese family asked to be photographed with us at the top of a particularly steep climb, I think they were fascinated by the fact that I looked like I was on the brink of expiring. Perhaps it was the insane hairdo I've been sporting.

A few months ago I decided to have my hair straightened. Still lacking in Mandarin skills, I had to pantomime what I wanted to the hairstylist, and apparently I am not very good at pantomiming. Rather than communicating that I desired silky straight hair, I asked for highly flammable felted hair. I tried living with hair that resembled a shrunken wool sweater, but I finally ended up with a mannish acrylic fro. It's not a good look, trust me.

Art Supplies In Shanghai

2010-10-11T12:22:00.004+08:00

Aren't these pretty?

I am trying to figure out a project for these, any suggestions?

I picked up a lifetime supply of crepe paper! I loved the chaos in this booth.

I recently visited the indoor art supplies market in Shanghai. It is a crazy, cramped, and claustrophobic place. Some commonplace items are still hard to find here, but random weird items are plentiful. Packages of tiny people and paper mache fruit can be found in just about every booth. I single handedly cornered the world supply of crepe paper sheets!!! I will keep you posted on what I am going to do with all of it.

Gang Of One

2010-09-16T20:48:00.000+08:00

I came across the wonderful photos of Gangfeng Wang, the owner Gang Of One studio in Shanghai. Wang began photographing daily life in China back in 1981 with a "used camera and expired film". He is a self taught artist and his neighbors were his first inspiration. I am delighted every time I look at two of his photographs we have hanging in our home in China. A new friend of mine had Gangfeng Wang photograph her family in an old shikumen neighborhood in Shanghai. The photos are stunning. I hope you enjoy these as much as I do.

Joyeux Anniversaire Papa

2010-08-17T10:17:00.001+08:00

Antique shop in the French Concession

Today would have been my father's 72 birthday, he died in 1996 at the age of 58. He was a big Francophile, and he even moved us to France when I was in the fourth grade. I have celebrated his birthday every year with a special French dinner, and I will do the same here in China. We are looking forward to dining in the old French Concession in Shanghai tonight, he would have loved this very French area.

French Concession, Shanghai

It has been fascinating coming across some of the papers he wrote, as they are being digitized and released on the internet. I have also discovered that he held a patent on "Thermal Decay Time Logging Method", whatever that is! Sadly, I don't understand a word of what he wrote either. His titles include: "Neutron Scattering from a Solution of a Polymer", "The Effect of Long-Range Heterogeneities", and "Time Dependence of Neutron Pulses in the Slowing Down Energy Region", huh? It looks like I inherited his love of France, his propensity for putting his foot in his mouth, his sweatiness, but most definitely not his brains.

The Fabric Market

2010-08-15T12:49:00.000+08:00

The Shanghai Fabric Market had been on my "to do" list since moving here, and I picked the hottest day of the summer to finally make the journey. It was an overwhelming experience of beautiful colors and patterns. I bought two silk pillows and I scoped out tailors to make some vintage inspired dresses for me. The prices are extremely reasonable and I may never buy off the rack again.

Sweet And Sinister

2010-08-11T09:06:00.002+08:00

I am so thrilled to have been invited by Kari Ramstrom to participate in Artsy Mama's dazzling blog/swap event! Sign up for the festivities here. Over a dozen artists are sharing their ideas for creating wonderful autumnal and Halloween projects.

Antiques + Warehouse = Love

2010-08-10T15:42:00.000+08:00

My first trip to an antique warehouse in China involved stepping over small piles of burning garbage and one dead animal. That said, I was still thrilled with what I found under all of the filth. Today I ventured to a snazzier warehouse, no dead animals and no fires. I bought an old basket (below) and the large pink papier-mache pot (pictured above). I can't wait to return with a few more coins in my pocket!

Big Stuff

2010-08-08T16:04:00.000+08:00

The ones that got away

Giant Maos, you will be mine!!!

Migrating duck boats in Shanghai

You would think I would have learned my lesson! Why did I discuss with my husband my plan to buy a kiddie ride that was for sale in our classifieds? Blah, blah, where are we going to put it? Blah, blah, why do we need a kiddie ride? Blah, blah, how will we get it back to the U.S.? Sadly, the kiddie ride suffered the same fate as the Big Boy I wanted to buy in New York, and the vintage photo booth I was bidding on in Omaha, and the swan boat sale in Chicago's Lincoln Park.
My next big purchase is going to be large sheets, I will use them to hide the giant Maos and duck boat.

New House

2010-08-02T20:00:00.000+08:00

Our new house in Shanghai looks like it could be just about anywhere. It is not exactly our style, but it suits our needs for the time being. I always imagined that we would live in an old lane house in the French Concession, but the kids weren't keen on the two hour commute for school.

We found everything at the flea market, antique stores and one very cool furniture shop.

Shanghai Junk Shopping

2010-08-02T12:57:00.003+08:00

The Notions Market

Opera Prop Store

The Cricket Market

The Notions Market

It has been a very long time since I updated my pals. We moved from an apartment to a house last month. It is nice not having to hush Deke every second or tell Lulu to turn down her music. I am hoping to meet more people in our new neighborhood, but I will have to wait a few more weeks for our neighbors to return to their homes. We are apparently the only people on our street toughing it out for the summer. I don't plan on leaving the house until the temperatures get under 100 degrees, so I can finally update my blog. I have pictures of our house, and photos of some of the things I have found to make it seem like our home. I can't wait to show you!!!

New Stuff

2010-05-25T23:28:00.001+08:00

We are moving from our furnished flat to an unfurnished home in one month. I have the task of furnishing our new home in China in a very short amount of time. I lucked out with a wonderful shop in Shanghai called Kenas. I could easily take two of everything!
We purged lots of furniture in Chicago before our move and put our collections in storage. I can see all of these pieces working beautifully in our home back in the States. I am guessing that we will have to rent an entire ship to bring everything back.

Gorgeous

2010-05-08T20:43:00.000+08:00

Gorgeous people, scenery, pagodas, mountains, and a lake to boot!

We went on a little trip to the historical city of Hangzhou, just a two hour drive from Shanghai. It is perhaps the most beautiful place I have ever seen. Italian explorer, Marco Polo described Hangzhou as "without doubt, one of the finest and most splendid cities in the world". The city has a history dating back more than 2,200 years!

Some of China's finest tea leaves come from the mountains in Hangzhou. I can't begin to describe the wonderful smell of the toasting tea leaves.

I want to live in this house!

We hiked up a million stairs to get to this pagoda, I almost had to live here. The thought of climbing back down all of those stairs was truly daunting.

Recreating The Cute

2010-05-07T09:18:00.002+08:00

I have found a source for simple and super inexpensive glass containers. I will fill my jars with the cute candy I find during my travels. The candy aisle of the grocery store is one of my favorite spots, the packaging and graphics are adorable. There is quite a bit of candy imported from Japan and that wins my cutest candy prize.

I bought this decrepit old blue chair from the flea market. The vendor was using the chair to hold a box of prints, and he seemed quite surprised that we were interested in the chair and not the prints. Most vendors start price negotiations very high, sometimes 90% over what they end up accepting. The haggling over the chair started at his opening offer of $3.00!!!!

I found the Mao doll at the coolest store in the French Concession called Madame Mao's Dowry. They carry the most spectacular old Chinese propaganda posters and wonderful antiques.

It occurs to me that with the glass jars and the beginning of a blue chair collection in China, we are replicating some of our favorite things from back home.

Sticks And Stones

2010-05-06T08:34:00.000+08:00

Beautiful stone paths and designs can be seen all around Shanghai, even the little mall near our home has a beautiful river stone floor. I can't wait to make my own stone walkway back in the U.S., I feel quite inspired!

Trying To Butter Me Up?

2010-05-04T21:03:00.000+08:00

I have been looking high and low for a large blackboard to use as our family calendar, just like we had in Chicago. Who knew this would be so difficult? I have found a few blackboards hanging in old shops, but the shopkeepers treat me like a serial killer when I try to pantomime that I want to buy their old beaten up board. Can you see that she is ready to use deadly force with a corn cob to get me to move along?

World Expo

2010-04-30T12:55:00.001+08:00

China's Pavilion

(photo courtesy of the Telegraph U.K.)

Poland's Pavilion

Macau's Bunny Pavilion

The 2010 World expo opens tomorrow here in Shanghai and runs until October 31, 2010. They are expecting over 70 million visitors and the city has spent the past 10 year sprucing up for their guests. We have noticed people working nonstop planting flowers on the side of the expressways and sweeping the sidewalks. The designs of the pavilions are pretty extraordinary and the activities sound pretty cool. There will be snow in the Austrian Pavilion and you can enjoy a picnic or bike ride on the rooftop garden of the Denmark Pavilion! They have planned over 900 parades and countless firework shows. We are looking forward to visiting the Expo and I will post our pictures.

Qi Zhilong

2010-04-28T21:17:00.000+08:00

I am a huge admirer of Chinese born artist Qi Zhilong. His enormous portraits based on Chinese propaganda posters are truly wonderful. I hope we can see some of his paintings during our time here in China.

What's For Dinner?

2010-04-27T23:39:00.001+08:00

I am going to start by showing you some of the pretty things in the grocery store across the street from our house. I love the colors of the Chinese sweets (above) and the cut pineapples (below) are less than $2.00 each!

I have no idea what kind of fruit this is below and how one goes about getting inside of it.

The dried fruits and flowers are for teas and have the most wonderful scent.

I filled a bowl with dried citrus and it makes the room smell great.

I tend to walk quickly through the dried & flattened fish area below.

I divert my eyes when I walk past this big basket of unknown food.

My sympathy to the yaks????

Deke did not believe a word I said when I told him this was a pet shop in the grocery store. They have a variety of live snakes, turtles, and some surprisingly large frogs. I have successfully avoided the tanks containing three of my phobias.

Grocery shopping has been fun and challenging. Packaging is obviously written in Chinese and sometimes I have no clue what is inside the package. I was strolling the aisles and spotted a bottle of something called "Swallow" imagine my surprise when I discovered this was dishwashing soap.

Opera Prop Shop

2010-04-27T07:38:00.001+08:00

I discovered a Chinese opera prop shop!

The ornate tassel above is part of a costume from a Chinese opera

and it now serves as a drawer pull in our living room.

I also picked up this cute little hat with a gigantic pompon

There is my drawer pull in the middle of her hat.

Lulu and Deke have the week off from school and we plan on discovering more hidden treasures in Shanghai. Finding the opera prop shop was quite an adventure, it was sandwiched between wig shops on a bustling street. I downloaded some wonderful photos from inside the shop, but I can't figure out how to get them on this computer.

It is loads of fun stumbling upon a street that is dedicated to one type of product, and I was thrilled to discover a road teaming with art supply shops. Deke was not so thrilled with the road we will call "hanging meat" and Lulu's delicate constitution was challenged as we walked down the middle of "still living & freshly dead chicken lane". We have plans on visiting a few foreign language bookstores today and eating at a French bakery.

Just A Drop In The Bucket!

2010-04-26T12:00:00.001+08:00

This suitcase is just perfect!

The statue of Chairman Mao riding in a Jeep weighs about 20 pounds.

I love this old green musical instrument

it reminds me of our toy tin typewriter collection back home.

These old tin tea pots are the prettiest colors.

I discovered the green one leaks after I filled them both with flowers.

The biscuit tins have such appealing graphics on them, this became an instant collection.

I have found the most wonderful things at the Dong Tai Lu Antique Market, here are just a few of my purchases. The market is open everyday and consists of covered booths and some very small crowded stores. I am not sure any native Shanghainese people have ever shopped here, it seems like it's just us visitors. To my delight the other shoppers seem more interested in finding jade pieces and Ming Dynasty vases...good luck!!!

I Miss My Pals!

2010-04-15T15:00:00.000+08:00

We are slowly adjusting to our new lives here. All of my appliances are the sizes of toys and the controls are obviously in Chinese. It has been a challenge accessing my blog and I hope to sort this out soon. I have ventured to the flea market twice, once all by myself. The haggling over prices is a beautiful piece of theater. I discovered I can't take Deke with me to the flea market, he starts negotiating on behalf of the vendors. I have bought a rickety chair, beautiful blue ceramic bowls and vases, an old suitcase, a Mao statue, an old green musical instrument, and the most beautiful vintage cookie tins. I love junk shopping in China!!!!

Getting There

2010-03-25T13:45:00.000+08:00

The first leg of our trip involved all of us sitting in the middle seats of different rows in the airplane, beautiful planning! No one would budge so I could sit with my kids. I had Gar check how we are going to be seated on the way to China for 14 hours, and it is a little bit better. Gar is seated somewhere in the nether regions and the kids will be seated next to me.
I will be relieved to finally get situated in our new home. For reasons unknown I packed a suitcase full of socks and only one pair of pants for Lulu, so I will need to go shopping very soon. Look out Super Brand Mall.

Before/After Mao/Nixon

2010-03-17T06:50:00.000+08:00

Dining room before/after

We are breaking some type of record for the number of small boxes used in our move, ugh! I take no pride in this title, it is very similar to the time a waitress announced that she had never seen anyone finish a slice of the cheesecake at her restaurant, as she gazed at my empty plate. I honestly did donate a tremendous amount of my worldy possessions, yet I still look like a crazy hoarding cat lady, minus the cats. Aren't those cupcakes cute? My sister brought over a dozen farewell Mao/Nixon cupcakes much to our delight. I will hopefully start blogging as soon as possible in Shanghai.

Packing My Chinese Collections

2010-02-27T02:57:00.000+08:00

We are getting down to our final days here, cancelling the cable bill, selling our cars and finding a good home for our dog. Pretty much everything is going into storage, and this includes our vast collection of cute Chinese things. It does seem quite odd that we have been drawn to these cute and kitschy Chinese images, without ever imagining that one day we would live there!

Pressed Glass Plates For Kings & Queens

2010-02-25T00:35:00.000+08:00

My newest collection is pressed glass plates commemorating royal occassions. These were made in England as inexpensive souvenirs, and they are actually still quite affordable. I particularily love the plates and bowls from Queen Victoria's Jubilee in 1887. I am hoping that the British residents of Shanghai in the early 1900s left their plates in China, and I will find these at the flea markets in Shanghai!
The winner of Flea Market Style Magazine and a handful of vintage treasures is Leah.

Wowee!

2010-02-20T09:15:00.002+08:00

Linda MacDonald's adorable daughter in

Flea Market Style Magazine

I finally found Flea Market Style magazine at Target tonight. I had been obsessively checking Borders, Barnes and Noble, and Target daily for this highly anticipated publication. I can honestly say that it is worth driving all over town for, it is truly beautiful!!! The magazine is loaded with beautiful photographs, charming collections and wonderful home decorating ideas to steal. I bought an extra copy to offer to a reader and I will include some wonderful vintage treasures from my collections. You just need to leave a comment on this post, and I will draw one name on Tuesday, Feb. 23.
I would like to thank Linda MacDonald for writing such a lovely article about me and my blog in the magazine, I am honored beyond words.

Lulu's Pins and The Pin Winner

2010-02-15T23:21:00.000+08:00

Lulu celebrates President's Day everyday with her cool collection of political buttons. She has them displayed on a her giant 13th birthday sign from a couple of years ago.
The lucky winner of the giant safety pin is Suzy!!!!

Vintage Valentine Party

2010-02-14T03:13:00.002+08:00

My favorite flea marketer, Joan at anythinggoeshere.blogspot.com is hosting a wonderful party celebrating vintage Valentine cards. Please stop by and see all of the other participants.

All of the supplies are ready for our card making party. The kids mix vintage and new supplies to make spectacular works of art. Have a wonderful party!

While you are here visting me, you can still enter your name in an earlier post to win a giant safety pin wall hook. I will be drawing one lucky winner at midnight central time, Feb. 14th.

201 Candles

2010-02-13T01:20:00.001+08:00

Honest Abe portrait by Deke Crispell

Today is Abraham Lincoln's 201st Birthday, he was born on February 12, 1809. In his honor I am going to try making one of his favorite dishes this weekend, chicken fricasee. President Obama based his innaugural luncheon menu on Lincoln's favorite foods. Here is a link to the menu and recipes from the luncheon.

Hip Hip Hurray

2010-02-10T00:12:00.003+08:00

fleamarketstylemag.blogspot.com

I just read on my friend Linda MacDonald's blog Restyled Home, that the beautiful magazine Flea Market Style has been seen on store shelves! Matthew Mead, Ki Nassauer, Linda, and many other talented people have been working very hard on this wonderful publication for what seems like forever. It has been fascinating following their progress over the past year at fleamarketstylemag.blogspot.com. I will brave blizzard like conditions to check my local bookstore and Target for a copy. If we can't have an early Spring, I will gladly take an early release date for Flea Market Style Magazine.

Win A Pin

2010-01-29T06:07:00.001+08:00

Win a Pin!!!

Please leave me a comment if you would like your name to be entered to win this adorable giant safety pin wall hook. The peeps at allmodern.com/CSN have generously offered to send this to one very lucky person in the U.S or Canada! I am so happy to have a giveaway before I ship off to China. I will randomly draw one name on Valentine's Day, good luck!

Don't forget to leave your name and a way to contact you.

cute mail boxes courtesy of:

moremailboxes.com

American Man Doll

2010-01-27T23:38:00.001+08:00

How cute is this? The creative people at American Girl made Gar into a doll as a farewell gift! I love his little suit and silk tie, and the briefcase is loaded with tiny books. They even replicated his identification badge and watch. The greying hair is spot on. Do you suppose Mattel will make a Ken version of Gar in China?

Top Five From The Junk Heap

2010-01-23T01:07:00.001+08:00

If you had to pick your top five finds from junk stores, flea markets, estate sales or the curb, what would you pick? As I assess the usefulness and aesthetics of everything in our home I have given this question a tremendous amount of thought. The green map chest is perfect for organizing my ephemera, the church bulletin board is an excellent way to display things (junk), the birdcage is perhaps the least practical but it makes an excellent candle holder. Deke's odd semi-circle wine tasting table makes a perfect desk, and the old hotel chalkboard is the only way I know where I am supposed to be every day. These are all keepers.

All Modern

2010-01-22T00:34:00.002+08:00

The good thing about pruning the contents of our home is the eventuality that it will all need to be replaced! I am day dreaming about a new look and style for our home. I have found a spot that carries just about every piece of furniture I have ever pined over, All Modern.com. They carry Herman Miller, Harry Bertoia, Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen and Philippe Starck.

(photos courtesy of AllModern.com)

Philippe Stark's Kartell Bubble Club Sofa is my favorite piece of outdoor furniture. I hope it will still be at this low price in two years when we return from China.

Johnny Rotten summed it up with "No Fun"

2010-01-21T06:25:00.123+08:00

I fell asleep last night watching a documentary about the rape of Nanking in 1937, not recommended viewing before bedtime! I awoke around 3:00 am and did some light reading on Chiang Kia-Shek. I spent the rest of my day planning my wardrobe for the next two years. Sorting, packing, storing, and Chinese documentaries, oh my!
I am asked every evening "what did you get rid of today?" A certain someone has an expectation that I am going to expunge all of our belongings before we move. The company will gladly store all of our junk for two years, so why not sort it when we get back? Imagine the dialogue from A&E's 'Hoarders' and you get the drift. It ends up that I am married to a flea market bulimic who has spent the last 20 years binging and now expects me to do all of the purging. You can see why I am looking forward to curling up with the Opium Wars tonight. No fun.

The Dumbest Thing I Ever Bought

2010-01-08T00:54:00.001+08:00

Delirium tremens, the DTs, the horrors, the abdabs, the jimjams, and the shaking delirium are all names for acute episodes of delirium caused by withdrawal... from Ebay?
I love junk/antique shopping and this part of my life has come to a screetching halt as a result of our impending move. Why buy more stuff only to store it for the next few years? I have succesfully steered clear of the flea market, after Christmas sales and my favorite antique malls for the past couple of months. But in the last 72 hours I have figured out a dangerous outlet for dealing with my moving anxiety by shopping on Ebay. It is safe to say that the UPS delivery truck will be a constant fixture in front of our home for the next week.
In a matter of minutes I picked up a small library of antiquarian books, vintage Barbie doll cases, antique chocolate molds and Queen Victoria's hair. When I fall off the wagon, I buy it. I think it's the creepy hair purchase that has me feeling so low. When I told Lulu that I had gotten a great deal on the Queen's locks and they are worth ten times what I bought them for, she wisely responded "what is ten times the value of nothing?" God save the Queen and our bank account.

Living Out Of A Suitcase

2010-01-07T01:09:00.000+08:00

Have you ever seen anything cooler? I love these repurposed suitcases by South African designer Katie Thompson, the founder of REcreate Interior Design.

We Are Very Amused

2010-01-01T02:05:00.005+08:00

Two of my favorite books

Dale Chihuly sculpture Victoria and Albert Museum

Queen Victoria with Prince Albert and their nine children

I went to see the film Young Victoria a few days ago and I had a fine time! A period film with plenty of dining scenes, beautiful costumes and I am thoroughly amused. I have always had a great fondness for Queen Victoria and one of my favorite books contains many of her beautiful sketches and watercolors. The Victoria and Albert Museum in London is also one of my favorite museums and it houses the best museum gift shop in the world!
I am hoping during our travels I will find antique silver lockets from the Victorian period.

What's A Girl To Do?

2009-12-28T07:43:00.005+08:00

Chinese propaganda posters
courtesy of
Chineseposters.net

Here's the skinny, we are moving to China. We will be packing and storing all of our loot and heading to the other side of the planet with just a satchel or two. I have literally been in a state of shock since my husband came home with this news. We went to China in November to check out housing and schools and found many lovely options. Lulu and Deke are thrilled to begin this life changing adventure, so we feel extremely lucky.
I have been racking my brain on what I should do during our stay in China, Gar will be busy peddling dolls and the kids will be getting a wonderful international education and I am simply terrified. If only I had the skills of my friend Rebecca Ramsey, she wrote the most wonderful book about her adventures in France. I have also been pining for Keith Johnson's job at Anthropologie. Have you caught his show on the Sundance Channel? Keith travels to cool spots around the globe finding treasures for the designers at Anthropologie.
Can I open a cupcake stand in Shanghai or scour the countryside for kitsch? Yikes, any ideas?

2009-12-11T22:19:00.006+08:00

Lulu in Shanghai

Me in Shanghai

Gar and Deke wanted to visit the Shanghai Aquarium and Lulu and I wanted to visit the old French Concession, so we very bravely parted ways. Lulu suggested I bring a map and a clunky tour book with us, I scoffed at this saying "where's your sense of adventure?" and "we aren't the kind of people who need to follow a guide book." Plus I did not want to lug it around all day.

First stop was the Shanghai Arts and Crafts Museum set in an old mansion in the French Concession. This is a perfect spot for me, a museum plus an elegant old home. It seemed like everything in this museum was for sale, another plus in my book!

Second stop was a French crepe restaurant and it was actually brimming with chain smoking French businessmen, go figure.

Third stop was to find the long list of stores that I had circled in the clunky tour book. Lulu and I walked around for a couple hours. At every street corner I would tell her that things looked promising just a bit further down the street. When it started raining and we had not discovered any of the promising shops, Lulu declared that "we are indeed guide book people!" I believe this was accompanied by a glare.

Fourth stop was completely spontaneous, a chance to win over Lulu and her sense of adventure. I had taken off my glasses in the downpour, but I could see from across the street that there was a perfectly charming hair salon without any customers inside. I grabbed Lulu by the arm and dashed inside before she could start protesting. I had read volumes about Shanghai's famous shampoo service that included a head, neck and shoulder massage for less than $8.00!
The haze of cigarette smoke was a bit surprising and Lulu was glaring at me again, but we were going to have fun!

The service starts off with something called a dry shampoo. The stylists work a lather up in your dry hair and makes your head look like a giant Dairy Queen ice cream cone. After your hair is rinsed you receive a massage and the most vigorous Karate chops to your back, imagine Lulu glaring at me with watery eyes now.

I am now presented with a laminated card listing different services in English, so I have to retrieve my wet glasses. I manage to communicate that Lulu needs to have her bangs trimmed and I just need to have my hair blow dried. I can now look around the salon with my glasses on, oh my! I see things moving on the ground. I had to ignore the fight or flight response, our body's primitive, automatic, inborn response that prepares the body to "fight" or "flee" from danger. I put my glasses back in my purse. Two men with long pinky fingernails were introduced as our stylists.

Lulu ended up with a fabulous haircut, I was not quite as fortunate. For a very brief period I held the title of biggest hair in China! My coif reached some spectacular heights vertically and also broke some records horizontally. Finally, Lulu was smiling.

There's Soup In Them Thar Dumplings!

2009-12-09T22:08:00.005+08:00

I bought no less than 13 travel books on China in preparation for our trip. Loads of information on the Great Wall of China, the Terra Cotta Warriors and the Forbidden City, but the overlooked wonder of the world is the Shanghai soup dumpling.
The soup dumping is an engineering feat with scalding hot delicious soup contained inside a delicate little dumpling. These are insanely good and well worth the third degree burns to your chin. I feel like somewhat of an expert on this regional delicacies and I would highly recommend wearing an absorbent terry cloth top and slathering the lower half of your face with aloe vera before dining on dumplings.

Made In China

2009-12-08T00:01:00.006+08:00

Found loads of cute food.

Shanghai's skyline designed by George Jetson

Blue Gumby is everywhere for the Shanghai World Expo

Neat sculpture on our way to the airport.

(Chinese symbol for junking)

I am back and completely turned around, wide awake all night and sleepy during the day. We had fun shopping in Shanghai and found a few cool things to bring back home. Chinese junk shopping involves some serious negotiating with a calculator being passed back and forth. On more than one occasion I heard the merchants getting a hardy chuckle at how much this dumb American paid for something.
Very little of old Shanghai is still standing. I saw a few old buildings waiting for the wrecking ball with cool architectural details that clearly weren't being saved. I was tempted to jump a construction fence and pry off a carved wood frieze hanging over an old door. Gar is always so quick to poo poo this type of activity, such a party pooper!
Lulu and I braved they very crowded market and she scored a Mao watch. I was always drawn to the rickety old stool or chair that the merchant was sitting on, but I new the limitations of our luggage. We thoroughly enjoyed venturing into the grocery stores and looking for packages of cute food. I bought the kids something that I thought was like Starburst candy. After eating one of these "Starbursts" Deke narrowed them down to being gum or soap, we never did figure it out.

Shanghai Shanglow

2009-11-20T04:27:00.003+08:00

Sorry I have been a bad blogger lately and I haven't visited my pals in weeks. Lots of craziness and change that I hope to share with you very soon.
I am off to Shanghai for a madcap adventure filled with fake antiques, soup dumplings and grasshopper cages. I will be back in the blink of an eye with photographs from my travels.
Have a lovely Thanksgiving.

Recycle Art

2009-11-10T00:44:00.004+08:00

Radiator chair, you will certainly need a cushion, but it looks cool!

Guest House made out of sewer pipe?

Headboard made out of books

Floor of copper pennies

All images from Recyclart.org

Recyclart.org is a wonderful site for finding inspirations for create repurposing. Why don't I have a top hat light in every room in my house and a copper penny entryway? What do you think of the little guest house made out of a giant concrete pipe?

When Did This Happen?

2009-10-29T21:19:00.000+08:00

Found Dough Bowls

Found Wine Bottles

Vintage Soda Bottles

Vintage Soda Pop Crates

Very Cool!

Pottery Barn Chandelier

Pottery Barn is carrying old flea market stuff ?!? How can I apply to be their flea market buyer? I have loads of buying experience.
This very cool chandelier is new, but I love the idea of adding bits of ephemera and changing the look whenever the mood strikes.

Flea Market Style

2009-10-19T20:49:00.007+08:00

This Lifesaver's candy display from an old candy shop was the perfect flea market find for all of my cupcake decorations. I snazzied up the beige sides with bottle caps.

The green mantle was once a crate used to store props for the
Lyric Opera of Chicago.
This is also looks wonderful lined with little white votive candles during dinner parties.

This long birdhouse was the perfect find for a little nook in our foyer. The kids hang their wet coats and scarves from the perches.

I love this tramp art mirror.

Deke's desk and chalkboard map make his room the perfect homework spot.

Flea Market Style is asking their pals to show off their best flea market finds! I can't possibly show my green church bulletin board one more time, but I do consider this to be the holy grail of flea market finds.
Here are a few of my favorite flea market finds for your perusal.

Let The Wild Rumpus Begin!

2009-10-17T04:28:00.004+08:00

Maurice Sendak's Where The Wild Things Are

I can't wait to see the film "Where The Wild Thing Are" this weekend. In 1988, when I was working for The Chicago Opera Theater they produced a spectacular opera based of Sendak's book. The costumes and scenery were extraordinary.
I treasure the tiny book "Pierre" which I was lucky enough to have Maurice Sendak sign for me!

Big Plans

2009-10-13T07:10:00.003+08:00

This is one of my junk pumpkins from last year. I have been busy gathering supplies and planning my Halloween decorations for this year. I hope to unveil them very soon!

The Caruso Caper

2009-10-08T01:07:00.004+08:00

I was junk store shopping this morning and I came across an extensive collection of 78 records for $1.50 each. I had to pass them up because I don't believe I have any way of listening to these wonderful old recordings.
In the mid 1980s my Grandmother and Grandfather Ungaro were the victims of a terrible crime. My Grandfather was tending to his vegetable garden when my Grandmother brought him his lunch to enjoy in the garden. During their al fresco luncheon a hooligan entered their home and stole all of my Grandfather's Enrico Caruso records dating from 1902-1920. My Grandfather kept these records neatly stacked in a record cabinet and apparently this caught the eye of the looter. Do you suppose this ne'er-do-well was a fan of the Italian tenor? I can only imagine that my Grandparent's treasured Caruso records are sitting in a junk store selling for $1.50 a piece.

Cold Picnics

2009-10-04T02:19:00.005+08:00

This is my favorite time to dine outside, the weather is cool and there are barely any bugs to contend with. I'm not sure I would pop plastic spiders in my soup as a garnish again, but those were the only bugs at this dinner! My family loves butternut squash soup and it is the perfect Fall food.

Measuring Up

2009-09-30T01:04:00.006+08:00

Spent the weekend making this bench all snazzy. I found the bench at a garage sale, painted it and attached some of our colorful vintage yardsticks to the top. I picked up the big circus wagon from Etsy and it looks perfectly at home on my new ruler bench.
It was fun using a saw and hammer, it made me feel like I could build a little cabin in the woods (think Uni-bomber).

It's A Girl!

2009-09-27T22:14:00.002+08:00

If Liberace and Sid Viscous had a baby it would be these boots! LuLu picked these up over the weekend during a jaunt down to Halsted Street Market Days (at least 10 blogs worth of stories, yikes). These are vintage Doc Martens, never worn, stored away in a stock room for the past 20 years. LuLu had her eye on some new Docs that have a non-sparkly gold finish, so we went on a hunt. I remembered this store from when I lived in the neighborhood 100 years ago. I always imagined musicians would pick up their rock star clothes here. When I told my 29 year old musician brother, Toby about the boots and the store, he seemed quite shocked and said "You took LuLu into an S&M store?" Silly boy, of course not, it's the place where rock stars go to get their outfits! Toby said "didn't you notice the leather masks and bondage stuff?" I always imagined a Judas Priest or a Megadeth tribute band from Des Moines picking those up, I said quite defensively. I simply had no clue! I am so glad I didn't tell the young woman trying on the rubber suit that rubber doesn't breath, and she will get very hot.

It's offical, I have completely run out of things to say.

Here is a post from the archives
8/12/08

Happiness Is...

2009-09-22T00:10:00.006+08:00

Deke and Lulu

The music of Louis Jordan and...

Louis Prima and...

Louis Armstrong

Tiny Champagne Grapes
Did you know that currants are dried Champagne grapes?

Annie Hall

Paris as seen through the lens of Willy Ronis

Busby Berkley Films

Louise Brooks

Reading old menu cards

Vintage bra advertising

What makes you happy?

Jessie Willcox Smith

2009-09-18T21:10:00.006+08:00

Jessie Willcox Smith (1863-1935) was a prolific American illustrator for Good Housekeeping, Ladies Home Journal and Collier's Weekly. Jessie illustrated Charles Kingsley's odd fairytale The Water-Babies in 1916.
I keep hoping I will find a first edition of this book at an estate sale or junk store for $1.00!

L'Shanah Tovah Tikatevu to all of my friends celebrating Rosh Hashanah.

TMI

2009-09-17T00:15:00.010+08:00

I would like to thank the lovely Coco from Screaming for Chocolate for recognizing this blog with an award. I am now required to list 7 things about myself that you will find interesting. Obviously I don't have 7 or even 2 things very interesting to write about, so I will give you 7 less than interesting things about myself.

1. My Granfather Ungaro's dying words to me were:
"Leenda, Leenda come here, why do you look like a clown?"

It was 1986 and I was wearing Everlast boxing type pants and leather high tops while visiting my Grandfather in hospice. I have never boxed before and I mistakenly thought I looked cool in this get-up. Perhaps the other patients thought I was there to entertain them.

2. The last time I rode on a roller coaster was Space Mountain about 20 years ago. I held my black leather Coach bag under my chin as a sick bag.

3. My Dad flunked me when I enrolled in his class at the U of M.

4. I worked in the sports department for a local TV station and I had to cover a big Chicago White Sox event. When I returned to the station the Producer asked me who I had interviewed and I told him I had spoken with Scatman Crothers. Apparently Scatman never played for the Sox or any baseball team. The Producer was getting all red faced when he rather rudely told me that it was actually Minnie Minoso aka Mr. White Sox. Who knew? Not Me, it was the first time I had ever heard of Minnie.
Boy, did they hate me there.
Shouldn't I get some type of credit for knowing Scatman Crothers?

I could actually fill my list up with the unfortunate events during my stint in sports news. This was in the pre -Google days, so when I was asked to get tape of Carlton Fisk and I had no clue who he was, I had to secretly call Gar. Usually Gar's first response to my question went something like this, C'mon are you serious? You really don't know...

5. I am tired of seeing every one's feet. I look forward to flip flops going away.

6.I have apparently injured my Achilles tendons while sitting at the computer.

7. I have made wonderful friends through blogging and I pass this award on to all of you!

Hammer Time

2009-09-15T22:51:00.004+08:00

click on pic for a close-up!

I picked up this giant hammer at the flea market this weekend, it is an old advertisement from a hardware store. I have a weakness for this type of advertising, I have a giant pair of eyeglasses in the garden and an enormous fork in the dining room. I would love to find a huge shoe for our foyer.

Chicago Pals And The Snoopster

2009-09-15T05:15:00.004+08:00

The Snoopster is having a big shindig this Thursday in Hubbard Woods, and I am hoping all of my Chicago Pals will stop in and say howdy to her! There will be snacks, prizes and super cool shops to visit. I had the pleasure of meeting The Snoopster when she knocked on my door to poke around and take photos.

Church Rummage Sale x 4

2009-09-11T23:13:00.005+08:00

This morning I made lunches for the kids, drove them to school and went to four church rummage sales. I was back home by 9:30 am. I know you are thinking, wow Linda, a lesser person would be dead! This is just a portion of the loot I picked up. I found loads of pendants and charms for my charm bracelet assemblages and I uncovered the most amazing scrapbook from the 1930s.
Have a wonderful weekend!

P.S. Lulu tried to convince me that she wasn't feeling well enough for school today, no fever, cough, soar throat. She needed to produce an internal organ in order to stay home, she couldn't so I sent her to school. The child has moxie given her blog post today!

Andy Goldsworthy

2009-09-10T20:45:00.003+08:00

Andy Goldsworthy's art involves the use of natural and found objects, to create both temporary and permanent sculptures. I adore Goldsworthy's beautiful sculptures and I feel compelled to pay tribute to him every time I see brightly colored leaves in the Fall.

Baby Blog

2009-09-09T20:51:00.005+08:00

A certain anonymous offspring has started her very own blog, Lulu Pictlast's Guide To High School. I have enjoyed the two posts she has written so far, one is about being picked last for teams in gym. Can you believe they still do that? I thought that only existed in teen angst films. I can't wait for her do more posts, I just hope she doesn't do too many about her kooky family.

So Long Summer

2009-09-08T00:30:00.005+08:00

Apples ready to be dipped in carmel and decorated

Our summer actually ended on August 25th when our kids returned to school. It was much easier saying goodbye to Summer when our temperatures were hovering in the 60's, but now we are experiencing warmer weather and it's hard not to feel a bit melancholy. I am closing up my imaginary cottage this weekend. I wonder if it would be harder to say goodbye to Summer if my cute cottage didn't just exist in my crazy head.

Deke's 11.5 and Economy Flowers

2009-09-03T06:45:00.005+08:00

The plants in our urns were on their last leg and I needed to replace them,
so I made a croquet mallet bouquet.
I have actually never purchased a croquet set,
they have all been found at the curb!

Today we are celebrating Deke's 11 1/2 Birthday!
Do you celebrate Half Birthdays?

Midnight Sun

2009-08-27T21:04:00.005+08:00

There is the loveliest Swedish antique shop just north of Chicago called Midnight Sun. I have yet to leave this shop without being inspired to paint everything I own light blue, white or grey.

Cutest Bike Ever

2009-08-27T09:02:00.010+08:00

Madsen Cycles

I saw on facebook that my pal Jennifer McGlon had posted a picture of what may be the cutest bicycle I have ever seen! I would ride this down the middle of our farmer's market and have the vendors toss their produce right into the big tub.

Check out more cute bikes at Madsen Cycles.com

Fill 'er Up

2009-08-26T11:09:00.003+08:00

The lovely people behind the upcoming publication Flea Market Style Magazine are having a wonderful giveaway on their blog! This stylishly lined shopping cart is up for grabs, and I know I wouldn't mind replacing my rusty rickity cart with a new sleeker model. I'm thinking carts for clunkers.

The Art of Victorian Photocollage

2009-08-22T00:26:00.006+08:00

Playing with Pictures: The Art of Victorian Photocollage (Art Institute of Chicago)- Elizabeth Siege

The Marvelous Album of Madame B: Being the Handiwork of a Victorian Lady of Considerable Talent- Elizabeth Siege

The Art of Victorian Photocollage

The Art Institute of Chicago
October 10, 2009- January 3, 2010

The Art Institute of Chicago will be opening the most wonderful exhibit on the Victorian art of photocollage. Victorian women in the 1850s and1860s began experimenting with collage for their scrapbooks and photo albums. " The compositions they made with photographs and watercolors are whimsical and fantastical, combining human heads and animal bodies, placing people into imaginary landscapes, and morphing faces into common household objects. "

Flea Market Family Jewels

2009-08-19T23:57:00.005+08:00

I always have a million projects going on, and one of the most enjoyable this summer has been making charm bracelets using flea market finds. The bracelet on the top is made using all sorts of odd bits of broken jewelry, found pieces, and anything I can get a jump ring through . The colorful charm bracelet on the bottom is made from metal charms I found in a bin at the flea market. The charms were reproduced in the 1980's from the original Cracker Jack prize molds from the early 1900's.

Joyeux Anniversaire

2009-08-17T23:46:00.004+08:00

Salade Niçoise

French Onion Soup

Boeuf Bourguignon

Chocolate Mousse

Today would have been my Father, George Summerfield's 71st Birthday. He died when Lulu was just a baby in 1996, so she doesn't remember him and Deke was born in 1998. It is important to me that my children know about there Grandfather, so I honor his Birthday every year by making his favorite food and listening to his favorite music. Lucky for us, he was a huge Francophile so I will make a French feast!

Why Do Pianos Beach Themselves?

2009-08-15T23:42:00.004+08:00

Florentijn Hofman, Dutch Artist
Signpost 5
The Island Schiermonnikoog 2006
Three grand pianos each 8 x 6 x 5 meters
Wood and nails

I love this sculpture of three grand pianos washed up on the shore of a Dutch island in the Wadden Sea.

Piano Adoption

2009-08-15T22:43:00.008+08:00

I love a great bargain and I especially love free stuff! I have noticed many classified ads for free pianos over the years and Craigslist always seems to have a number of free pianos at any given time. I stumbled across PianoAdoption.com, it is a free site where you can find a home for your unused piano or get a free piano.

There is a very cool musician named Neko Case, who began collecting free pianos from Craiglist. She filled her Vermont barn with the free pianos and recorded her album using her thrifty piano orchestra.

Aw Shucks

2009-08-14T21:42:00.005+08:00

I would like to thank two of my dearest blogging friends for their recognition and kind words!

This pretty award comes from Joan Babb at the lovely blog Anything Goes Here. Joan is a flea market vendor with a gift for finding the most wonderful vintage treasures. Joan also has the most stylish booth imaginable and a home to match!

The very talented collage artist Marsha Jorgensen/Tumble Fish Studios
gave me this wonderful award. Marsha exploded onto the collage world about one year ago, and has since been published in many lovely magazines, and has built a tremendous loyal following.

Please visit all of my friends listed in my sidebar under "Cool Places". They are all more than deserving of recognition and awards, and I pass these awards on to them.

Joe "40,000" Murphy

2009-08-12T23:23:00.005+08:00

I first discovered the beautiful art of Joe "40,000" Murphy in one of my favorite books, Create And Be Recognized, Photography On The Edge, by John Turner and Deborah Klochko.
Joseph (Cerny) Murphy worked as an usher in Chicago for fifty years and had his photograph taken with just about every celebrity , athlete and politician . He altered the images with pen, gold star stickers and ephemera and displayed them in his Chicago garage.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Murphy got his nickname when he was asked to estimate the crowds "during Chicago's bleak baseball days of the 1920s, he would say there were 40,000 ...(pause)... empty seats."

For more information about Joe "40,000" Murphy (1897-1979), check out Interesting Ideas, it is chalk full of cool information about Joe and other outsider artists.

Architectural Artifacts (Paradise)

2009-08-08T21:58:00.007+08:00

Beautiful Colors
Industrial springs, $2.00

"Cici n'est pas une pipe"
Giant pipe from a tobacco shop

Stuart Grannen, Owner and nice guy!

Architectural Artifacts, Inc.

Imagine 80,000 square feet of the coolest, most beautiful one of a kind treasures, inside the most aesthetically pleasing space. Two of my dearest friends treated me to a wonderful day of treasure hunting and lunch, and I discovered my new favorite place in the world! Stuart Grannen was ahead of his time when he started his business, Architectural Artifacts over twenty years ago. This enormous shop is brimming with architecturally significant pieces that have been rescued from the wrecking ball, signs, furniture and funky things you will feel compelled to take home. I can't wait to return to my new favorite place.

d. Sharp is cool

2009-08-07T11:37:00.007+08:00

d. Sharp's Etsy Shop

I love d. Sharp's wonderful paper creations!

"d.Sharp is an artist, wife and mother with a weakness for flea markets, chubby babies and good chocolate. She loves to roll up her sleeves and make things, and each item in her line of paper tiaras, candy containers, cake toppers and gifts are handmade in her studio a few steps from her back door." I pinched this quote from her blog, don't you want her to be your new crafting and flea marketing BFF?

Please check out d. Sharp's blog and shop

Happy Days Are Here Again!

2009-08-06T23:27:00.005+08:00

Ki Nassauer and Matthew Mead
are launching a new magazine in the Spring of 2010!
They have signed on our very talented blogging pals
Linda MacDonald/Restyled Home and Heather Bullard.
Flea Market Style will obviously be my new favorite magazine! I would like to applaud them for making this courageous move when so many lovely magazines have recently ceased publishing.

Coolest Shops In NYC

2009-08-05T23:29:00.010+08:00

The Strand

They aren't kidding when they say they have over 18 miles of books. Our purchases from this fabulous shop almost forced us to buy another suitcase. I found Ki Nassauer's book Junk Beautiful : Room by Room Makeovers with Junkmarket Style.

Pearl River Mart

This is our first stop when we are in NYC. The beautiful tins of teas are under $3.00, so I have to stock up!

UNIQLO

Lulu bought her back-to-school clothes at this uber cool (and affordable) Japanese clothing store. Their only U.S. shop is located in Soho near Dean and Deluca.

M&J Trimming

This shop is a bit overwhelming with floor to ceiling drawers loaded with trims.

Toy Tokyo

The coolest shop in NYC, worth the trip to the East Village!

ABC Carpet and Home

The most beautiful store I have ever shopped in! We didn't have time to visit their outlet store in the Bronx, the second most beautiful shop in the world.

Tinsel Trading

The perfect spot for vintage buttons, trims, ephemera and ribbon.

New York Food

2009-08-04T02:59:00.015+08:00

We had a wonderful time in NYC, but I am so glad to be back home. I went to oodles of great shops and restaurants that have inspired my creativity. Here are some of the best places we dined at last week. Enjoy!

Pop Burger

This little hamburger spot may be the coolest joint I have ever dined in. I wish my interior shots of the simple decor and Andy Warhol's soup cans had turned out.

S'Mac NYC

S'MAC (short for Sarita's Macaroni & Cheese) is located in the heart of Manhattan's East Village. They specialize in macaroni and cheese, all four of us got different versions of this dish, and they were all quite spectacular. I dined on a swanky goat cheese mac 'n cheese and Lulu's dish had figs and camembert cheese.

Magnolia Bakery

I think we can honestly declare this to be the birthplace of the cupcake resurgence.

Dean and Deluca

Lulu and I loitered in this shop for a very long time. Did I look like a freak ogling cheese and photographing it? Yes. I get a little weak in the knees when I see their beautiful sugars.

Moomah

This wonderful restaurant and crafting spot was steps from our Tribeca hotel. We had a great healthy lunch followed by making super cool crafts. Lulu made this fabric headband that looks like it came from Anthropologie and Deke made a felt mouse. Everything about this spot is cool and creative!

Junior's

We had sandwiches and cheesecake as big as my head!

NYC

2009-07-28T02:46:00.003+08:00

I can't wait to share all of the shops I am hitting this week in NYC! Upper east side junk stores, lower east side vintage clothing stores, Pearl River, M & J Trimming, Tinsel Trading, Giant Robot and a few hundred more!

Cedric Smith

2009-07-27T08:37:00.004+08:00

works by
Cedric Smith

If you aren't already familiar with painter/photographer Cedric Smith, then it is my honor to introduce you to your new favorite artist! His use of old photographs in his paintings of vintage advertisements, labels and signs is simply beautiful. I am so sad that I missed seeing his recent show at the Dillon Gallery in NYC, it would have been thrilling to see his work in person. Here is a link to his blog- Vintage Blood .

My Studio

2009-07-24T10:30:00.009+08:00

Karen Valentine/My Desert Cottage is hosting a blogging event to show the spaces where bloggers and artists create. Please check out her site to see the rest of the gang and their creative spaces.
I have carved out a small spot in my basement where I can make messes and blast the Red Hot Chili Peppers or Edith Piaf, depending on my mood. I utilize my flea market finds to help me keep things somewhat organized.

Artology Workshops

2009-07-23T01:27:00.009+08:00

Artology Workshop
October 11-14, 2009
City Flats Hotel
Holland, Michigan

Finally, we have an exciting art workshop in the Midwest! I have seen so many extraordinary offerings around the country, but nothing for those of us in the middle! Patrice Greene and Amy Hanna have teamed up with some very talented artists to teach a weekend of wonderful workshops.
This is Amy's class description: " 'Forgotten Treasures' Come spend the day with me playing in velvet boxes and old cigar containers where we will find new life in forgotten treasures. Bring your Granmere's jewelry box with old broken jewelry bits and bobs. Favorite old tintype photos even if they are not your family's, favorite religious relics, rosaries and medals. Your favorite uncle's watch fobs, keepsakes from a trip to a faraway place. Smashed coins from a machine or one that you placed under the railroad tracks yourself. Bring the things that you feel are special. We all have a different meaning for "treasure" so do not be afraid to bring whatever speaks to you and we will work with it. I will teach you how to wire wrap and to oxidize to bead and to use your imagination to build jewels out of things you would not think of using. I will also teach you to solder. I am looking forward to meeting you and hearing your story. " Sounds great, doesn't it?
The venue for all of this fun is at a new and very hip hotel in Holland, Michigan called City Flats Hotel. Holland is home to many great new shops and restaurants, and you can still buy wooden clogs here! This looks like something I have to sign up for.

Aren't These Pretty?

2009-07-20T23:28:00.004+08:00

I have to admit that I am not much of a baseball fan, but I do love these old baseball cards. The colors are just extraordinary! These cards were distributed by the American Tobacco Company in the early 1990s in packs of cigarettes and loose tobacco.
Keep your eyes peeled for a Honus Wagner card, the rarest and most valuable of them all. Collectors believe Wagner's cards are rare because he stopped allowing the American Tobacco Co. to use his image, fearing it would encourage children to smoke. There are only 60 of his cards in existence, and one sold in 2007 for 2.35 million dollars.

Orangedotstickbutt and Superbadfriend

2009-07-20T02:17:00.005+08:00

Isn't this a wonderful painting? My very talented friend, Jessie Smith Larson a.k.a. SuperbadFriend gave me this extraordinary gift!!! I love Orangedotstickbutt, but I can't grow too attached because I know the Whitney in NYC will be calling soon to add it to their collections.
The beautiful paper flowers with enormous pearl centers were made by Joan Babb . I am the luckiest and most grateful girl in the world!

Our Home In The Oman Trib!

2009-07-18T11:31:00.010+08:00

The Oman Tribune

The Crispell family abode is filled with eclectic stuff

by Kathy Kaplan

As students at the University of Michigan, Linda and Gar Crispell didn’t have much money and so they bought furniture at local antiques shops. “While we shopped at the Ann Arbor antiques mall out of necessity, we discovered our love for collecting,” says Linda, a collage artist and antiques dealer.

Humble things like Pez and snow globes began to attract them. “We found these everyday objects made an impact, a nice graphic,” explains Gar, general manager of American Girl Place in Chicago.

Twenty five years later, Linda and Gar are passionate collectors of the sort of things most people either don’t notice or simply take for granted.

A delightful mix of flea market finds, junk-store treasures and found objects fills their cozy North Shore three-bedroom home. Items chosen for their unique or historical features became more than what they were intended to be.

Toy metal typewriters, croquet balls, sea glass, cucina dolls are viewed as accessories and displayed as clusters of colour or texture. “When I look at the brides and grooms (that usually sit atop a cake), I look at them as a series of black and white and they create a pattern that a piece of art might create,” explains Gar. Similarly, a grouping of little metal souvenir buildings from around the world (Statue of Liberty, Eiffel Tower, Empire State Building, etc.) becomes a reflective element that as a collection feels like a single piece of sculpture.

As their collections evolved, so did their respective talents. “I’m great at going into antiques malls or junk stores and spotting something that has been tossed into a corner,” says Linda. “I bring it home and Gar can immediately figure out where to plug it into the house,” she adds.

Gar, who studied fine art in college and whose parents were both artists, says, “Even though I have the formal degree, I consider Linda more of an artist than I am now. She has a very good eye and an innate sense of what’s interesting or colourful or unique.”

Deciding how to display and move things around is Gar’s task. “My experience in retail (Gar has worked at Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdale’s) translates into merchandising the house,” says Gar.

Linda considers herself quite lucky. “I’ll go to bed and then come back down in the morning and he will have rearranged the room in such a way that never occurred to me. My friends all want to borrow him.”

But a week later the room may be completely different.

With all they have, the Crispells are careful to avoid clutter. Much is kept in storage only to be displayed periodically. “We will pull things out because it’s now the right colour or it feels right" says Gar.

But no one takes this house too seriously. The ever-changing landscape reflects its owners’ sense of humour and casual approach. Nothing is precious or untouchable. Linda feels the lesson of “collecting ordinary objects is that you aren’t putting importance on material goods.”

The Crispells’ two children have embraced their parents’ avocation. Once a month the entire family visits the Grayslake Flea Market. Deke, 10, loves vintage toys and food icons like Big Boy and Green Giant, and thinks that collecting is fun. Lulu, 14, collects junk jewelry and vintage purses, and has recently become interested in political memorabilia.

My Garden

2009-07-16T21:32:00.005+08:00

Robot/Tin Man Birdhouse made from a coffee can

Vintage doll pram rescued from the curb

I found this wonderful sign at the flea market

My new favorite thing to look for at junk stores and flea markets is wonderful vintage items that I can repurpose in the garden. Old metal dollhouses are so affordable and they look beautiful at night aglow with candlelight. This red metal house was only $8.00 and it can withstand any kind of weather! Can you believe someone was throwing away this old doll pram? It makes the perfect planter, and it can be easily wheeled around the garden.
I have discovered there is a fine line between clever repurposing and resembling Fred Sanford's yard, so I am constantly editing.

Happy Bastille Day!

2009-07-15T00:02:00.007+08:00

These are pictures from a little French party that Lulu had. The guests sampled French perfumes and dined on a little pastries and grape juice. I covered the table with real rose petals, a very economical table decoration.

Lucky Number 13!

2009-07-13T21:46:00.004+08:00

cool pics from Life

Congratulations Claudia !

Using Random.org the number 13 was selected as the winner of my vintage prize giveaway.Please email me your address so I can pop your loot in the mail tout de suite!

Demolition Score

2009-07-11T01:23:00.005+08:00

I was so sad to see that an old estate in my neighborhood was being torn down, but I was able to salvage this arch that once hung over the carved front door. Have you ever been to a pre-demolition sale? You bring your own tools and you are responsible for removing whatever you buy, wood floors, windows, molding, patio pavers, you name it. It's actually loads of fun, and you can get some great deals on cool things! I hate to gloat, but the arch only cost $30.00!!!

Swanky

2009-07-07T20:56:00.013+08:00

Glam Rock Chandelier
by Erickson Beamon

I love these beautiful chandeliers, they range in price from $155.00 to $32,500. I have to admit that my favorite is the one made out of wire trash bins! Which one do you like?

Happy 4th

2009-07-03T23:04:00.002+08:00

We are heading to Chicago tonight to see the fireworks and may even take the kids to the Taste of Chicago. It all depends on how intestinally brave we are feeling! E-coli on a stick and fried salmonella are mighty tempting!!!!
I hope all of you have a wonderful weekend.
Your Pal,
Linda

Ginger Blossom

2009-07-02T20:47:00.007+08:00

Welcome to Ginger Blossom

I must return for the Nepal shipment on July 12th!

Ginger Blossom in Richmond, Illinois is a truly amazing shopping experience! Ginger Blossom (love her name) and her husband Evan travel the world for beautiful carpets, furniture, fabrics, art and artifacts. They have filled their barn, home and various other farm buildings with treasures and unique handmade items. They are members of the Fair Trade Federation and they buy directly from the Artisans. I wish I had taken better pictures inside the barn, it is brimming with beds from Nepal, antique furniture and mosaic fountains from Morocco. If you get a chance, visit this amazing spot.

Please don't forget to enter my contest below!

Celebrating All Of My Old & New Pals!!!

2009-06-30T06:44:00.006+08:00

Excellent Vintage Find!!!

It's time to celebrate my 300th post and my 1 year anniversary blogging! I plan on showering one lucky winner with all sorts of wonderful vintage treasures, including a bride and groom. I will randomly draw one name on July 13th. So please leave a comment!
Good Luck!
Your Pal,
Linda

Shopping In Mayberry

2009-06-30T01:08:00.007+08:00

Who's going to start collecting metal toy telephones now?

I would put one of these parasols in a gigantic tropical drink.

How clever to hang old dresser drawers for shelving and display!

Chenille bedspreads galore!

Princess and the Pea

You can imagine that I started feeling a little faint in this very spot!!!

So that's what I should do with my stained vintage tablecloths.

Richmond, IL is our little Mayberry

I piled the kids in the car and headed to the little town of Richmond, Illinois this weekend. There are loads of antique and junk shops in this old fashioned town that sits on the border of Wisconsin. One of my favorite shops is Embellish on Broadway. They don't have a web site yet, so you will have to visit their charming shop in person. My head was spinning with all of the inspiration I was getting from this creative spot. I love the curvy dresser drawers painted with stripes and hung on the wall, and clearly I have no choice but to collect little toy phones now!

Embellish
847-767-1017
5603 Broadway St.
Richmond, IL 60071

I will return tomorrow with pictures from one of the most amazing shops I have ever been to!

Saucy Is At It Again!

2009-06-29T22:56:00.003+08:00

Race right over to my friend Saucy at Saucy's Sprinkles to enter her wonderful contest to win a lovely indoor/outdoor rug!

Superbad Friend

2009-06-28T02:36:00.004+08:00

Jessie made this with found tickets in Chicago!

Jessie Smith Larson a.k.a. Superbad Friend

My favorite artist, Jessie Smith Larson is having a contest on her blog. She needs you to vote on your favorite painting by June 30th, please help her out! You will love both her playful style and her dark introspective style. I am a huge fan of her character Martin with his gigantic round head, and Organgedotstickbutt a wonderful big-eyed bird. Jessie works with encaustic paints, metal and sculpture, she is a true Renaissance Woman!!!

Icky Ah, I Don't Think So!

2009-06-26T14:26:00.007+08:00

My children have about two more years left on their three year ban of shopping at Ikea. I guess we went there one too many times after we moved into our current home. We cannot bribe them with lingonberry juice or the center parts of our cinnamon rolls any longer. They now pronounce Ikea as Icky Ah! But, I am still mighty fond of these cabinets that we found at the icky place. They were already assembled and being rolled in to the clearance section when we first saw them!!! The colors are perfect and the drawers are lined with light blue felt. I put a matching sheet of paper on the inside of the glass doors to hide the crazy amount of party supplies being stashed in there.
You have to love a place where you can buy a bag of meatballs and two Svjklnsknkr cabinets!

My House With Tunes!

2009-06-26T04:37:00.003+08:00

Please check out the Snoopster's beautiful slide show of my home. Everything looks lovelier with a cool soundtrack!