Favorite Finds

Do I have to chose?

As an lover of etsy (an online marketplace for handmade, vintage goods and supplies) and a shop owner of Bates Mercantile Co. I am lucky to be exposed to the most wonderful things on a daily basis. Here's some of my recent favorites:

Grandma Moses never looked so good. I love this pillow..........

copyright BlueFlowerVintage

.....from the people in the wagon, to the man in the barn, to the snow on the rooftops. Charming.

I've noticed a few things with dandelions recently, including this easy-as-pie tutorial by Lucy at Craftberry Bush........so dainty.

copyright CraftberryBush

And this lovely little mirror by lilliesnightgarden. Very sweet.

copyright lilliesnightgarden

This vintage Italian cigarette case reminds of a little nail case of my gram's that sits on my dresser.  Lovely.

copyright PruAtelier

I don't play cribbage, but this antler board sure makes me want to learn.  Very cool.

copyright alteredarcheology

Lovin' the neutral tones and patterns on this bowl. 

copyright liciapfadt

One more pop of color. Happy little fabric rings. You could wear a different one for each day of the week.

copyright hgrillo

No rhyme or reason to this week's favorites, other than they caught my eye. Click on the pictures to check them all out in more detail.

Featured on MyParadissi

As a new sponsor of MyParadissi, a really lovely design blog based out of Crete, blogger Eleni gave us a very warm welcome today.  How very nice.  In addition to our current giveaway on the Muse, we're also sponsoring a giveaway on MyParadissi this week. Be sure to check it out.

And, don't forget to enter the previously mentioned giveaway we're hosting right here on the Muse. You only have three more days to enter (including today), and it really is very easy to enter. If you don't try, you can't win. So go ahead. Enter today!

Your chances are looking pretty good.

Here's hoping the sun is shining where you are. It's out today here, after a brief rain day yesterday. Everything is so much better with a little sun (and also with favorites).

I'd love to know which of today's favorites speak to you? Do share, won't you? 

Sally & Me

Hello Salvation Army Family Store!

As planned, I ventured to the grand opening of the new Salvation Army store in Porsmouth on Saturday.  It was a mob scene. That didn't stop me.

Oh the things I found. Right off the bat, as soon as I walked through the door and got myself to the back corner where all the housewares were........viola, Royal Mail, my Grandmother's china (which is now mine).

I'd been looking for this so I could add some plates to what I already have. At 1.49 each, there was no threat of sticker shock.  I'll be able to serve an entire dinner party on the same plates. How novel.

Do you fondue?

I do too. Well, not actually because I listed this item for sale in our shop this morning. It's it groovey, in an awesome sort of way?

How's about some Shabby Sweet Chic?

I could just picture this bowl sitting on the counter of a farmhouse holding some strawberries.

A very cool, Landers, Fray & Clark citrus press/reamer.  I haven't listed this in the shop yet, but soon!

Wonderfully aged and worn from years of use.

I went a little crazy at the Salvation Army store, but crazy in a good way.  I have more items to add to our store, but there is one I'm keeping. 

Just look at this bas relief............such a beautiful wood carving.

The details are amazing.

The colors, vibrant.

Now the task to find out more. I've been searching for info on line about bas relief artists. Can't say I'm making very good progress. There is the possibility that this wasn't a known artist, perhaps a folk artist of sorts. Whatever the case, it is a wonderful piece.

Not even sure I can read the artist's name.........first I thought O. Woltz, now I think it might be O.Totlz.  I do think the castle looks european, but haven't found a picture of one that is situated between mountains like this. Then again, who's to say the artist didn't make this scene up.  Wherever it is, it sure looks heavenly.

If you have any thoughts to share on how to identify this piece I'd appreciate your input. I'd like to know if my huge investment of 99cents has paid dividends.

Yup, you read it right. 99cents. Can you take it?

Irene

Luckily, we didn't get the brunt of Irene. In fact during the day, it was .........well....no big deal. Didn't lose power until last night, and there really wasn't much going on when we did. Then all hell broke lose with the wind. It was wicked most of the night. I can happily report, and I'm not sure how, but I only see one bigger branch down next to my car and a few smaller branches. I thought for sure we'd lose a tree the wind was so strong.

Have a wonderful Monday wherever you are. It's a glorious day after the storm here. Will be hanging out some laundry on the line shortly. Perfect drying day.

What did you do this weekend?

The Winner Is & One Man's Trash

The Winner Is

First a big thank you to all of you who have chosen to follow Mercantile Muse! The support is appreciated. As promised, picked from our first 25 followers, the winner of printable wall art of their choice from Bates Mercantile Co. is Wen Preston of Gottaspoilemgems! Wen makes lovely jewelry and cute little accessories for small animals- check out her shop on etsy.

Perhaps Wen will choose this:

Or maybe one of my favorites, boomerang!

So many choices, so little time. The best part is, Wen will receive the file in her email and all she has to do is print and frame however she likes. Cool beans. Congratulations Wen!

One Man's Trash

Just look at what my brother in law Al scored at the dump the other day. So glad he could see it's potential. It really topped off the 4th of July celebration just right.

Now perhaps you see it with it's original intent..........a votive holder.




Copyright Pamela Bates, 2011

I'm sure it would make a lovely votive holder. But we had other plans.





Copyright Pamela Bates, 2011

The handle was crying out that this thing should be carried and used to serve something!
I mean, how often do you carry a bunch of flaming votives around?

My cousin Gail was nice enough to bring along the fixin's for almond joy martinis. This new dump find was christened the official celebratory party shot glass holder! And it really served it's purpose well.



Copyright Ed Cocciardi, 2011

Seriously, how perfect is this for serving?



Copyright Ed Cocciardi, 2011

Now we may all be looking a little worse for the wear, but it wasn't the almond joys we were about to enjoy.
A wind-driven Thunderstorm had just rolled through and we were all drenched.
But the pay off was Almond Joys. Life is good.

 You have to love 'dump finds' and 'side of the road finds'. Keep your eyes open and be ready to fight for what could be rightfully yours.  If you score a find, celebrate with an Almond Joy. If you don't score the find, drown your sorrows.

Almond Joy Martinis

2 shots Malibu
1 shot Frangelico
1 shot Godiva Chocolate Liqueur

Shake with ice, serve chilled in martini glass or shot glass depending on the occasion.

That's one glass of heaven. Unless you asked our friend Cathryn the morning after.

Happy Friday!