Inspiration Thursday! See the beauty in ordinary things

I was talking to an artist friend of mine about photography the other day. We were talking about how the new Photoshop basically does a lot of work for the photographer. Have a power line that cuts through your shot? Photoshop will supposedly take it out. Want to fill in the side of a house? Photoshop can supposedly fill it in for you. On and on we talked about what this wondrous new version of Photoshop was going to do for photographers and artists, and how the lines would begin to blur between amateur and professional photographers.

But then we realized something: taking a picture isn't just about lining people up in a wedding, snapping a shot and fixing it on Photoshop. Sometimes it's more about the eye of the photographer. It's about understanding the light in a shot. It's about seeing the beauty in the world around you and how your subjects fit into that world. It's about catching the non-verbal moments.

The same can probably be said of all artists. They see with different eyes: the light, the color, the placements. They look beyond what's put in front of them to see the whole picture - how the individual fits into the whole. And to find inspiration, you often have to look beyond the obvious, to find the sometimes obscure and unlock the heart of what you're creating.

Vintage Wednesday: Etched Ruby Bohemian Glass

I am by no means a glass expert. When looking at glass pieces, as with many other pieces, I look at the workmanship of the design more than the intrinsic value of the piece. Sometimes I'm lucky and design correlates with value, but I generally buy for decorative purposes. If it's pretty and goes with my home and the price is right, I'll pick it up!

That's how I found this piece. I've always been drawn to the etched glass with a ruby surface and clear etched design - not really knowing the history, but loving the look. We were searching out vases to use as table decorations for my wedding and we found this piece in an antique store on Main Street in Buckhannon, WV. I splurged for this piece - paid $35 when I was looking for things under $5 - but I have so enjoyed it in my home!

In doing a little research, it seems there was an artist in North Bohemia named Friedrich Egermann (1777-1864). He developed a glass staining and engraving technique that often incorporated shells, stags and chateaus. Today this glass is generally called Egermann glass and I believe this vase is an example of that style of work.

The glass is carefully stained with silver or copper at a high temperature to create the color layer. The glass is then cut or engraved - I've also seen this process called intaglio engraving, though again I'm no expert - and sometimes gilded with gold to create a sheen. I've seen variations in the examples of engraving, so look closely at a piece for the fineness of the design.

I'm still learning about this incredible process. I do know, however, that the end result is stunning and this vase full of red roses never fails to put a smile on my face. Thankfully, my husband appreciates this and feeds my whimsy.

Working Tuesday: Creating a new product line

You may have noticed I'm a fan of photography. That's not to say I've learned much beyond set my camera on automatic and shoot. But I am learning and I'm always looking for the perfect photo.

I've been toying with the idea of creating a product line that somehow incorporates my photographs. I've thought of calendars and note cards. The problem is finding an artist to do a layout and then finding the right printer to print the product.

For many years, I've used Shutterfly to create notecards and calendars for my family and friends. The problem has always been with their need to brand the heck out of their products. I understand they have begun a program for those interested in selling their work that allows the artist to put their branding on the back instead of the Shutterfly logo. I'm still investigating this and other routes to find the best product I can offer customers.

The bottom line is that starting a new product line is not always as simple as having a vision or idea. Often the key is in execution and the perseverance to find the right path to a marketable finished product. And sometimes I have a hard time getting down that road.

DIY Monday: Choosing Paint

I assume we've got several different levels of skill among Swoon Studios DIYers. Some know more than others about different subjects, which is why I try to cover a variety of skill sets. This week I'm focusing on the beginners in the group and we're going to talk about paint.

Starting a painting project without knowing anything beyond what color you want can be a dizzying process. You get to the paint counter with your trusty swatch that took you a week to decide on the color. You're ready to give the person who'll mix your paint this important decision and they start asking questions. Oil based or latex? Semigloss, flat, eggshell or satin? Indoor or outdoor? WHAT?

Take a deep breath and let me try to explain.

First, oil based or latex. Oil based requires paint thinner or turpentine to clean up, so I usually stick to latex, which requires water to clean up. Sometimes, however, it's better to use oil based - especially when painting a piece of furniture that needs to be water resistant or that will take a lot of wear. It takes a little longer to clean up, but sometimes it's worth the work.

Second, indoor or outdoor? Well, sometimes that's pretty self explanatory. If you're using inside on walls, use indoor. If you're painting your front door or outside trim, outdoor. Sometimes, though, I have the same situation as above where I want a particularly durable paint on the item I"m painting. In that case I might use outdoor paint for that project as well.

Lastly, the luster. The terminology may differ, but the concept is the same: do you want a high gloss or no gloss to your paint. Our home was painted with flat paint. An entire home in flat paint. And I HATE it. I can't clean it. It seems to hold the dirt. I like a little sheen so that I can WASH the walls when they get dirty. I also like the way the light reflects off of walls with a little sheen. For that reason, I choose a satin finish for walls. I tend to go toward a semigloss for woodwork - again because I prefer the sheen and it's easier to clean. Also, a good rule of thumb to remember is the shiner, the more durable. Some people choose a shinier finish in kitchens and bathrooms for that reason.

And if you forget everything I've just told you, ASK. Usually there's a helpful guide to finishes at the paint counter and it's not often that the person mixing the paint can't answer your question. I've found myself helping them on occasion when they've been stumped, so you might just run into someone at the counter that can give you help as well.

That's the basic skinny on choosing paint. I can't help you with choosing the color, but maybe this will make the process a little easier.

Weekend Wanderings: Lancaster Co., PA (pt. 3)

Our last day in Lancaster County, we wandered into a little town called Strasburg, PA. Not having visited Strasburg, I didn't know that it was a destination for train lovers. But if you like trains, there's plenty for the train lover to do - including the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, the Strasburg Railroad or the National Toy Train Museum.

I very much enjoyed the architecture of this little dot on the map. We spotted a fantastic Victorian home as we were driving into town - just down the street from a much older stone home. Many of the homes on Main Street have what look like barns behind them - possibly a remnant of the Amish heritage of the area?

The downtown area has several lovely shops as well as the obligatory ice cream shop (you're either going to find ice cream or pretzels when visiting this area). You could choose to take an Amish Neighborhood Tour. And just down the road is a fantastic antique shop, called the Strasburg Antique Market.

So if you do visit Lancaster County, especially if you enjoy trains, I'd recommend you drop by Strasburg!

Foodie Friday: Chicken Strawberry Wraps

Because I'm on vacation, one of my best friends in all the world agreed to step in and help me with a Foodie Friday post. As you can see, she's got a fantastic helper in the form of one of my adopted nephews. Obviously, from the smile on his face, this is a hit with little ones! Thanks ZTAMama (and son) for sharing!


Chicken Strawberry Wraps

One of my favorite go to meals especially in the summer is Chicken Strawberry Wraps because I can usually make them without heating up the house. I try not limiting this delicious treat just to the summer. With some subtle adjustments you can really carry this throughout the year. For example, I try to use the fruit on hand - berries are more plentiful in the summer and sliced apples or peaches are a nice treat for late summer and early fall.

Certainly in the winter and into the spring you may try to use either canned fruit such as pineapples, cranberry sauce, or even oranges. Frozen fruit is okay too, but you will need to make sure to thaw well and pat dry before placing into the wrap so as to not make it too soggy. The possibilities are endless, just feel free to experiment and see what flavor combinations you enjoy!

Today, in an effort to hang on to summer a little longer, I am using strawberries. You will need:

- Chicken - I either grill 1-2 chicken breasts or tenders and dice when cooked or, in this case, have reinvented a meal from earlier in the week. We had bbq chicken and had some left overs. I pulled the chicken off of the bone and used that.

- Tortilla wraps. 8 inch seem to work the best as anything smaller is tough to layer with all of the items. In an effort to make this more heart healthy, I have used whole wheat ones, but have used plain flour ones as well.

- Handful of strawberries, sliced - Usually 3-4 depending on the size

- 1-2 cups of rice - Due to using the whole wheat tortilla, I chose plain white minute rice, but again to taste. Also, I used another cost stretching measure - I had some left over rice in the freezer and placed an ice cube in the bowl as I reheated the rice in an effort to add moisture back into the rice and make it fluffy once again.

- Greens - I have used Romaine hearts as well as some baby spinach.

- Cheese - Your choice, but I usually have a large package of the shredded Mexican (three cheese) mix on hand.

- Salad Dressing - or as my kids call it, dip! There are many kinds out there, but I feel that Brianna's Poppy Seed Dressing really seems to bring out the sweetness of the berries. Also pictured I have shown a Pomegranate vinaigrette and oil as another possibility.


The beauty of this meal is that you can make it your own and like tacos - every family member can make it to their liking. All of my kids enjoy this meal, though my Jr. Chef of the day likes it just as I described above!

A simple layering of the items and you have a delicious, nutritious, and inexpensive meal in minutes.

Inspiration Thursday! Something out of Nothing

Sometimes I look at the jumble of beads I've collected over the past 6 years and have absolutely no inspiration. There's nothing that catches my eye. There's no pendant that inspires a larger design. There's just nothing in me that says it's time to create.

I've found, though, as I sit and stare at my pile of beads, that the creative fire is sometimes locked inside because of external pressures that are keeping me from being able to focus on creating. For me, it's sometimes my job and a deadline I have to make. But I'll be honest, it's also the laundry that's piled up, the dishes that haven't been done, a hungry husband growling for food or a corgi puppy with big brown eyes and a throw toy begging to play. All these things can distract you from that creative energy.

So what's my secret to inspiration? Well, sometimes I need a kick start. Often just handling the beads can start a creative stream. Sometimes this means pulling out every bin and pulling out many bags of beads, rolling them onto the bead board and arranging them with other complementary colors. I allow myself to make a mess knowing the end result will be more good than bad.

But sometimes it's a mental game of forcing yourself to focus. A process of visualizing yourself allowing all those other things to fall away.

It's giving yourself permission to play while also giving yourself permission to fail in getting it all done.

Because for those of us who feel empty when we don't create but feel the pressures of life caving in, giving yourself permission to fail can be the key.

After all, the dishes will be there tomorrow and laundry is never done.

Vintage Wednesday: Vintage Buttons

Since I talked a little about buttons yesterday, let me tell you a little more about them. Buttons have become a hot commodity - especially if they're highly decorative. Some buttons have historical significance, such as Civil War buttons. Others are created as specialty items by artists - JHB, a larger button company, is even offering button molds for the enterprising artist.

If you're interested in collecting buttons, there's a National Button Society to be joined. In that case, you should also look for a copy of "The Big Book of Buttons" by Elizabeth Hughes, which is considered THE reference book for button collectors and comes with a big price if you can find one today. Or, you can do what I do: collect what you love.

Though metal buttons are highly collectible, I'm not such a fan. I prefer glass - especially Czech glass with their iridescent or gilded swirls and flowers. I'm also a fan of paperweight buttons - tiny designs suspended in glass. And who doesn't love a carved mother of pearl button with their quiet dignity and grace?

If you've not yet discovered a love of buttons, pull out your mother's button stash (most mothers or grandmothers have one) and poke around. You might be surprised!

Working Tuesday: Button, button, who's got the button?

As I've said before, I have a life long love affair with old buttons. The colors and textures and designs all come together in so many ways to create endless combinations and permutations of a little item that keeps our clothes in place.

For years I've had a collection of buttons. Some are plan - it's easy to find the plain ones - but some are a little more special. I'll pick through 100 brown coat buttons to find one colored glass button. I'll also pick through 100 white buttons to find a tiny baby button made of mother of pearl. I look at it as a treasure hunt.

Because of this fascination, I've found a way to combine two loves - collecting buttons and making jewelry - in the button pendants I do. The problem, however, often becomes finding a large button that will showcase the smaller, more intricate buttons in a pendant. I was lucky enough to find a blue Mason jar full of mainly large buttons. And so I sit. Sorting. Dreaming. Designing in my button heaven.

DIY Monday: Budget event decorations

A couple years ago a friend of mine had a fund raising banquet she was trying to dress up, but her budget was pretty minuscule. She had something like 30 tables to decorate for around $100, which meant we had a little over $3.00 to decorate an 8 foot table.

If you've been to my house, you know the most difficult thing I have to store - and the thing I have in profusion - is vases. As I've said before, I use the term "vases" loosely because I view anything that can hold flowers as a vase. That would include old pitchers, little silver and glass toothpick holders, tiny teacups as well as your standard glass, silver or porcelain vase. If it can hold water and I can stick flowers in it, it's a vase.

Reading the blog, you'll also know of my love for estate sales, flea markets and yard sales. I may love vases, but I really love inexpensive vases. I'll spend an hour polishing up a silver container to get it to vase status. Likewise, I'll spend 20 minutes soaking and scrubbing glass to bring it back to former luster if it'll hold flowers. I'm always looking for new containers to use in decorating.

So the day my friend called me and asked for help with decorating, I had an answer in my back room "stored" in an old suitcase. You see, several years ago I happened by a yard sale in Spring Valley (DC). It was a brother-sister duo that I think were probably ~this close~ to being hoarders given the stuff they'd hauled out to their front yard. And to me, this was the BEST kind of yard sale - one with little treasures that have been stored for years that have finally been brought to light. Digging through several boxes, I found a stash of old bottles. Hundreds of old bottles. Bottles in all shapes and sizes.

When I asked why they would have a stash of old bottles, the pair replied that they had been digging in the side yard and found what had been an old trash pile full of these bottles. An interesting result of these bottles being buried is that they all had an iridescent sheen on them. They were lovely! And I was able to pick up a box of them for something like $10 knowing I'd found a wonderful new way to arrange flowers.

You see, some of these bottles are so small that only one stem will fit in the top. Others are big enough to do actual arrangements. When you group several of them together, you can make a statement on, say, an 8 foot table. Because our budget was so tight, I used one stem of Alstroemeria (also called Peruvian Lilies) in each of the bottles and then arranged them in lines or little groups depending on the shape of the table. Alstroemeria has several flowers on each stem and you can usually get a stem for under $1 if you shop around places like Overstock, Costco, Sam's Club or even 1800Flowers.com.

So the next time you're entertaining and need an inexpensive decoration, take a look around you and find the inner beauty of things you might otherwise throw away. Look at your bottles, tea tins or cans from canned veggies or soups. Even simple things can make a statement with a little creativity!

Weekend Wanderings: Lancaster Co., PA (pt. 2)

Before visiting Lancaster Co., PA, I looked around several of the many websites dedicated to the area trying to plan some activities. The PA Dutch Convention Visitors Bureau is a good place to start as it has information on hotels, attractions and even itinerary ideas for those overwhelmed with the choices.

I knew from past visits that my favorite way to see Lancaster County is to get a map and stay off the beaten path. Although Route 30 has a long line of attractions - including many, many outlets - I wanted a more relaxed time. For that reason, we chose to stay close to Route 340, just a short jog North of Rte. 30. Rte. 340 passes through Bird-in-Hand and Intercourse, PA, both of which have a lovely selection of shops along the main road.

You can find fresh produce, cider and dairy products in several farmer's markets. You might also choose to ride in a horse-drawn buggy as you explore the area. The Old Village Store is one of the oldest hardware stores in the country and it's linked to one of the most incredible antique stores I've ever visited. I'm talking thousands of items, well-organized, with VERY reasonable prices - good enough I'll go back to visit this store alone.

The best part of our trip, however, was traveling N. Ronks Road and N Hollander Road and even Mt. Vernon Road enjoying the farms, the children playing in the yards waving as we drove by and most especially the lovely horses enjoying a late summer day. If you do get to travel this stretch of country, I'd suggest getting a map and exploring the land in between the beaten paths. Enjoy some shoo fly pie. Pick up some home made jelly. Or just wave back and share a little bit of the simplicity that is Amish country.

Foodie Friday: The cucumber

The cucumber? Am I really devoting a post to a cucumber? Well friends, in an effort to share my random bits of knowledge with you, I feel the need to share what I've learned about the cucumber. Because they're just that good.

Cucumbers were always a summertime favorite at our house. Usually they were served with onions after they'd been marinated in a sugary vinegar mixture. They're also delicious in a salad with tomatoes and feta. But did you know that there are different types of cucumbers? And that each has a different flavor? And that a cucumber is technically (botanically) a fruit?

Most people in the U.S. are familiar with what is commonly called "slicers." These are the cucumbers that are fat and usually waxed up in the grocery store. You'll find them on most salad bars and this is the variety my grandparents usually grew in their gardens. Another variety you often see in the U.S. are shorter versions of the slicer used for pickling. These show up at farmers' markets in the summertime and my grandmother used to pickle a batch every summer. Wikipedia lists 12 different kinds of cucumbers. I didn't know there were so many varieties!

But today my friends, I want to introduce you to the king of cucumbers - the English cucumber. Maybe you've heard of it? Or seen it? It's usually the long skinny cucumber that's wrapped in plastic near the organic foods. Why is the English cucumber superior you ask? (go along with me here) Because the skin is thinner, the taste is sweeter and there are fewer seeds - thus it falls under the heading of a "burpless" cucumber.

Yes my friends, that's the important knowledge I have to share with you today. Yes, yes, I know your lives would not be complete without this information. But seriously, you should try one if you've not. They're delicious!

Inspiration Thursday! Deborah Sielski

While traveling last weekend I glanced in a shop window and saw a streak of silver. Streaks of silver are almost always guaranteed to catch my eye - whether sterling, plated, mercury glass or even (yes, I admit it) glitter. Silver is sparkly. It's pretty. I love it.

So when I took a closer look and realized these little sculptures were not only mercury glass, but also made from vintage Christmas materials, I deemed them worthy of inspiration! Deborah Sielski is an artist after my own heart. She too has a love of things sparkly and a love of "all things holiday. Her ornaments and chandeliers carry a touch of elegant whimsy. And it's definitely worth checking out her portfolio.

It certainly was a bright spot in my day!

Vintage Wednesday: Van Briggle Pottery

There's a bevy of collectors who concentrate on what's generally known as "art pottery." This is a type of pottery that generally arose out of the arts and crafts period and often has natural motifs incorporated into the design. Among collectors, there are often favorite producers - you may have heard of Roseville or Weller. Probably the most recognizable and prolific of art potteries is McCoy pottery. Have you heard of something being "the real McCoy"? Well, many people say this is the root.

My favorite art pottery, however, is Van Briggle pottery. There's something about the shapes and the glazes (that give them color) that appeals to me. I love the long "art nouveau" lines of many of the pieces. And there are still artists producing original pieces in the pottery today.

The pottery was started in 1899 by a husband and wife, Artus and Anne Van Briggle, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. There's still a pottery with a showroom you can visit there. Many of the original designs are still produced today and they intend to begin reproducing some amazing decorative tiles if you're a fan of arts and crafts design.

And how do you tell it's a Van Briggle? Well, they're marked. If you turn them over, you'll usually find the double A mark along with the notation Van Briggle. Sometimes - depending on the date of the piece - you'll see Colo Spgs (or Colorado Springs), sometimes the piece will be dated and sometimes U.S.A. will be included.

But for me, it's often the shape and the glaze that gives a Van Briggle piece away. There's an old adage, "You'll know it when you see it." Given my love for Van Briggle, this is certainly true for me!

Working Tuesday: Weddings on the brain

While traveling recently I came across a cache of antique lace, which started the creative juices flowing. I've spent much of the last week tending the lace in a Biz bath to get it as close to white as it's going to get. Then comes the process of carefully ironing the lace from the back to ensure the intricate designs don't get crushed by the iron. Finally comes the fun part: designing just the right garter that showcases the design of the vintage lace, eyelet or ribbon I'm working with.

Some days my dining room table is covered with spools of ribbon, random bits of lace and all the little bits and pieces that go into making the final garter. Should I add a ribbon rose? Does this one beg for a vintage button? What about a bit of bling? Is there enough lace to make a garter? If not, what do I do with it?

Luckily, I have a patient husband.

DIY Monday: Cleaning out vases

Next week I'm going to show you how to do event decorations on a budget, but this week I'm going to share a little trick my Mama taught me to clean out old bottles or vases with flower residue in them.

Say you find a lovely old bottle or vase at a flea market or thrift store, but there's yucky reside inside. You don't have a bottle brush and you have no way of getting that junk out - or so you think. Fear not! There's a way to clean it without a brush! You only have to know this one little secret:

That's right dear DIY-ers, denture cleaner. That's the secret. And why not? It works on dentures to break down residue. Why not on the inside of a bottle or vase?

Simply break up a tablet and drop it down into the bottle or vase and fill it with water. The water will turn blue and start to fizz. When the water turns clear and stops fizzing, your bottle should be clean. If it's not, empty the bottle of the liquid, put in another tablet and soak it for another round!

And that's my Mama's secret for getting bottles clean without a brush and without much fuss!

Weekend Wanderings: Lancaster Co., PA (pt. 1)

Hubby and I decided to get away for the weekend. Remembering weekends gone by, I suggested Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. His response was somewhere between a blank stare and incredulous "huh?" I knew I had some selling to do.

I started explaining the wonderful scenery. (Nada.) I then moved to talking about the shops, farmer's markets and restaurants. (Still nothin.) Finally, I started talking about the many, many horses. (JACKPOT!)

Lancaster County, if you don't know, is the home of several large Amish (or Pennsylvania Dutch) and Mennonite Communities. The communities were established largely in the 18th and early 19th centuries by Germans (possibly originally from Switzerland?) seeking religious freedom. They adhere to a strict set of rules that dictate their society and daily life - including guidelines on the clothing they wear, the restricted use of electricity and use of mechanized devices only in certain circumstances, among others. They are largely self-sustaining, farming families within a tight-knit community. Visiting Lancaster Co. gives outsiders a chance to peek into this simpler, devout lifestyle. Not to mention the opportunity to sight some beautiful horse-drawn buggies.

So while I was driving around looking for (and enjoying) scenes like this:












And this:












And this:












Hubby was stealing my camera when I wasn't paying attention and shooting pictures like this:












And this:












And this:


Which is apparently how we achieve balance in our marriage as we chased buggy tracks and horse "leavings" across Lancaster County. Whatever it takes my friends. Whatever it takes. And in the end, hubby was happy we went.

The end... of part 1.