Jeanette Janson-Mixed Media Artist

Spring Fling Sale

 

In celebration of Springtime and all things artsy, we're having a sale!

Beginning April 1st and running until the 7th,  Vintage Supply Co. will have a storewide sale with everything marked 25% off!

Now is the time to stock up!

Hardware

Doll parts

Embellishments

Watch parts

Keys

Mixed lots

and much, much more.

You will find great prices and lots of inspiration for future projects.  You won't have to worry about a pesky coupon code either...on every listing, the original price and the new sale price is clearly stated.  When you make a purchase, you will automatically get the sale price starting midnight on Saturday night.  

Hurry on over now and check out the deals!

You'll find the sale HERE.

 

Art Lover

We had our spring art show at The Artist's Coop this past week and I thought I would share with you one of the items I submitted.  I wanted to make something different and eclectic, so I pulled out this old tray that I had stashed away. 

I thought it would make a good frame for what I wanted to do, so I took the corner tacks out, bent back the metal sides and removed the piece of glass covering the front.  The blue molted peacock image had to go, too.

I removed the handles and this is what I was left with.  Cool, right?  Some metal, some rust, looks like the perfect palette to work with.

I wanted to make a sign that said, "Art Lover."  I thought it would be perfect for an artist to hang in the studio.  I gathered up a bunch of salvaged items and started laying them out.  I used a ruler, a pocket knife, metal hangers, rusty nails and watch parts.  Somehow, the letters were getting lost, though.

I ended up whitewashing the background to tone it down.  Much better.  Then I wired all the parts on, added a little color and some embellishments.

I hung it from a rusted chain and it went to the show.  I'm happy to say that it sold to a local artist here in town, so I know it's going to a good home.

Click HERE for pictures from the show!
 

Kaleidoscope of the Arts 2012

Today, I was strolling around our downtown area with my camera, enjoying the wonderful artwork on display.  The local school district is hosting a "Kaleidoscope of the Arts" program and it includes visual as well as performing arts.

You can tell these works were created with an uncritical eye.  As an adult artist, I know it is so easy to start doubting yourself....I think children still have such a free hand with their work.

I would be proud to hang any of these on my wall.

It was hard to pick out my favorites.  

Super cute birdies.

I am feeling so much energy in these works.

Folk art at its finest.

Made by a 3rd grader...I can't believe it.

This flower painting would make me smile everyday.

And last but not least...a sweet little kitty collage.  

This all has inspired me to get out and make some art.  How about you??

 

Springtime

In the blink of an eye, spring has sprung.  It's been beautiful here for the past few weeks and it's starting to feel more like summer with the temperatures in the 70's and 80's.  

Everything is in bloom.  I love this time of year.

I got my camera out today and took a little ride around town shooting some pictures.

The wisteria is insane....it grows everywhere, like a weed and the scent is just heavenly.

Mr. Crow was kind enough to pose for me, but he didn't hang around for long.

This kind of weather has me ready to get the pots out and plant some flowers.  I love this "pot man" that sits at a local farm.

Time to stop at the local nursery and see what they have for bedding plants.

Red industrial carts make great plant stands!  I want one.

Lots to choose from....

.....and even a place to take a rest if you get tired.

I spent the morning helping to decorate the windows at The Artist's Coop.

We were trying to make it colorful and spring-like.  We put in a green grass carpet, dangling butterflies, brightly painted furniture and floral paintings.  I even put those white spindles to good use as a picket fence!  I knew I would find something to do with them.

We have our opening reception for The Spring Show on Thursday night, so we wanted to make it bright and pretty.  If you are in the upstate area of South Carolina, you are surely welcome to stop by.  The reception will be from 6-8 pm on the 22nd.  We are hoping for a good turnout; we really have some wonderful artwork in this show.

I'll try to get some photos once they finish hanging the show.  

Until then.....hope you have a good week.

Standard Diary 1912

When I was out flea marketing last week, I came across this old diary.  It's from 1912 and there's an entry for everyday written in script handwriting.  A whole years worth of work for a paltry $18.  I've been skimming through it for the past few days and I've figured out that the writer lived in Connecticut and had a wife named Dolly.  

I can't make out what all of the words are, but I'm getting bits and pieces of it.  I know he cuts and delivers wood almost daily.  It seems to snow and rain a lot.  He also sits in on jury trials, clears roads, plants his garden, harvests potatoes and other vegetables and goes to suppers at the homes of friends.

He seems to be a simple, hardworking man that was journaling to keep track of events, not really writing about his feelings or thoughts.

Still...an interesting glimpse into the past.  It's also kind of cool that it was written exactly 100 years ago, too!

Update 3-14

I came across info about the Titanic...this is history! 

The last paragraph reads, "Largest vessel in the world-the Titanic sank today-over 1600 people lost and about 600 saved."

It gave me goosebumps.

 

Tag Sales

It was a beautiful sunny morning here in South Carolina, the perfect weather for a tag sale or two.

I really, really love this chalkboard....a good buy at $85, but I have absolutely no where to put it.  A warehouse...that's what I need!   I could easily become one of those hoarders that you see on tv.

I didn't get the chalkboard, but I did buy an old 1950's fan, some books, a wooden spindle chair and other odds and ends.  

The fan looks similar to this one.  It's #3 in my collection....I need to find the right place to display them...not always easy with a bulky item like this.

My friend, Lara, came along with me and got this turquoise colored dresser.  Don't you just love it??  She also spotted the globe before I did.  That's the disadvantage of going to sales with a friend that has the same taste as you!

After an action packed morning, I sacrificed the rest of this beautiful day and spent the afternoon in front of the computer.  I did get some listings done at Vintage Supply and reorganized a bit.

This sample card of buttons is cool.

Chandelier crystals

Hardware from a vintage lamp

I'm still working the kinks out of my new workspace, but it's fitting my needs pretty well.  Light tends to be an ongoing issue for me.  The room is open and bright, but I am having trouble with my photographs.  Seems like I have to take 6 pictures to get one good one.  Anyone that does listings online can relate, I am sure.

Anyway, what I probably need is a good light source.  Any suggestions?

Hope you are having a fun weekend and don't forget about daylight savings time!

May the spirit be with you

Today, I was up before dawn, 4:30 to be precise, jumped in the shower and headed off to my favorite Wed. morning flea market.  I arrived just as the sun was rising and spent the next couple of hours perusing the show.  I brought my camera, but neglected to take any pictures.  I always feel bad later when I don't have anything to share, but I just get so caught up in the activities that I don't think about it at the time.  Oh well....you'll have to take my word for it, lots of great treasures were had!

I knew I would be tied up with that most of the day, so yesterday was spent on listings at Vintage Supply Co.

Rhinestone earrings

escutcheon plates

Blue velvet box full of trinkets

and lots more.  Take a look HERE to see more.

This is totally off topic, but I did want to share a strange photo with you.

We went hiking last week at Caesars Head State Park.  I snapped this photo of Bob going through a pass called "The Devil's Kitchen."  To me, it looks like a spirit is present.  I'm sure it had something to do with the sun, but it still looks very creepy.  Sometimes photography can capture things that you can't see with the naked eye. (insert Twilight Zone music here!)

Bye!

Salvage Lamps

Isn't this just the coolest lamp you've ever seen?  The idea is so simple that I just have to say, "why didn't I think of that!"  Amy at Four Corners Design is the designer of this lamp and others like it. 

Actually, I added this lamp to my pinterest account and was just showing the picture to some friends a few nights ago.  Turns out, Amy was checking out the metal letters I have for sale at Vintage Supply Co.  She bought a nice little grouping of them and will incorporate them into her next designer lamp.  I am waiting with baited breath to see what she does!

I think this one with silverware is just fab!

You can check out Amy's blog here.

Check out my pins here.

Oh, the possibilities are endless.  This lamp came from this blog.

I swear, I will never look at home lighting in the same way!