Classical Swag

This is likely a McCoy or Bauer vase from the 1930s. I love the elegant Classical shape with swag details.

McCoy Strawberry Cookie Jar

I found this 1950s McCoy strawberry cookie jar #263 for $15 at a local thrift store! It is 9" wide by 11" tall of glossy red cheer! Guess what's going to be in my kitchen forever?

1898 Art Nouveau Book

 Not too long ago I was picking up some old art magazines from a library archives building. While lifting one of the boxes of magazines onto a trolley, a book in another box caught my eye. I saw something turquoise and ornate, and pulled out this Art Nouveau beauty.

I cracked it open and found that it was printed in 1898! As I was flipping through it, I turned to the elderly woman who was the volunteer book sorter helping me with the magazines and asked where this book was going. She said to a used book store. I asked how much it would cost there. She said probably around $30. We flipped through it some more. I drooled. She saw me drooling. She said she'd give it to me for $5. I grabbed some change out of my coat pocket.   

And now it's sitting in my house.

It is such a fancy book--complete with a gilt pages and golden lily motifs on the covers!

As it turns out, it is a French biography about Capitaine Belletable. I guess I'll have to read it to find out what made this dude so special.

Something I love about old books is the bookmarks that hide in them. I found this perfectly-penned list (look at that calligraphy!) snuggled between the pages.

What a find!

Black and Gold Greek Urn

Time for another Classical accessory! I found this little Greek vase at Value Village for $5. I love its shape, black and gold sleekness, and band of toga-wearing people.

Aegean

Spoonflower's palette-restricted Coral, Mint, Black and White challenge of the week took a little trip to the Mediterranean; my Aegean fabric design is up for voting! I so enjoyed drawing the architectural bits and motifs!

3 Snowman-Inspired Décor Ideas

1. Fill a round glass vase with milkweed fluffs.

2. Frame doilies in progressively sized embroidery hoops and attach the hoops together with ribbon.

3. Tack a white paper lantern to the ceiling and hang a feather-stuffed ornament from it.

Flower Crown Bust Vase

I love the elegance of classical busts so I made one out of clay, except this bust is also a vase. 

After I hollowed out the head I added braids with strategically placed holes. Flower stems can be slipped in the holes to make it look like the bust is wearing a flower crown...to take it from elegant to whimsical.

I glazed the inside of the fired bust with clear glaze and the outside with snow white glaze.

Once it was fired again I filled it with flowers for an unexpectedly pretty display!