Repurposed Antique Spools

I've been wanting to include a free gift with purchase for a while and finally came up with a fun idea. I had a bag of antique wooden spools I've been trying to find a purpose for for a few years. I also have a scrap fabric stash that needs depleting.

Take one part antique wooden spool, one part scrap fabric, throw them in a blender with a little Modge Podge, thread them with leather, top them off with a wooden bead and you have a super cute keychain!

I like that while simple, these are useful, vintage and fabric - which are representative of the type of products in my YazBerry Store!

Even Steven (hehe...) helped with the project. Upon frustratingly and painfully trying to twist too tight wooden beads onto the leather, Steve had the inspiration to use...the...drill! Brilliant. Thanks for the help Steve! This expedited the process significantly! He also helped with some of the Modge Podge stuffs we did to the spools to preserve the labels and such.

An Early Fashionista?

Treasure hunting this Sunday in Salem with a couple of good friends, Kate & Michael, I found this delightfully quirky antique photo in my favorite local shop, Witch City Consignment (the old Jerry's Department Store...I like to call it Jerry's as that's what the sign says but I think my non-localness shows with that misnomer).

I've always been intrigued by old photos and have secretly wanted to collect them, but never have. So, upon this discovery, my antique photograph collecting niche will be quirky and particularly unique fashions. She, as viewed above, now graces the walls of my studio!

I really don't understand what is going on with her hat, but that is how she caught my eye. It is a bit like tissues coming out of a box. I almost wonder if it is better appreciated from the side; it seems like it might have a looping fan shape to the ribbon. I do however like the asymmetrical flare on her otherwise conservative dress. It also has great lines in the tailoring of the bodice. I almost missed the asymmetry and if it weren't for Kate pointing it out, may not have considered bringing this picture home. Thanks Kate :)

As a side note, but mostly related, there is another old stuffs shop in Salem, The Antiques Gallery on Pickering Wharf, which sports a clever sign with their stash of antique photos "Instant Ancestors!" I love it!