I am up early today and currently in a debate with myself as to whether or not to go to the street sale at the auction house. I really shouldn't even be tempting myself with extra things, which in 2 weeks I will have to move again.....should I?? I have actually never been before, as I only found out about it a couple of weeks ago and was reminded of it yesterday. I am probably picturing it to be much better than it actually is.....but how do I know if I don't go....there could be vintage eiderdowns and beautiful antique linens, unusual tea cups, old wooden crates, ancient dusty taxidermied squirrels drinking tea and eating cake....
I think I'm just going to have to make do with browsing threepotatofour for now......
Wednesday, 27 May 2009
My little tale of yesterday doesn't just end with the girls getting the flat/job.....no, no, no.....
I also met up with the fabulous Claira aka The Koru Branch aka Tuileries for a couple of drinks and a bite to eat as well as a natter about crafting, gigs, charity shops, car boot sales......and I probably talked a little too much about my new flat! I'm so glad she waited, as I was near an hour late!
She sells amazing vintage things by the way......
So. I don't usually dedicate a whole post to my personal day to day life...pretty much because it's usually fairly mundane. But I really think I need to document yesterday, just so I can look back when I'm having a shit day and remember that some times things just work out perfectly.
Some of you may know (I think I have blogged about it) my dislike of my current abode. It was not carefully selected, it was desperately signed up as a last resort....this was all before 'the crunch' - rent was high, people were moving...I live in Edinburgh, well known for it's student population and festival - both of which start to rent flats at a rate of knots around June when we were forced to move last year. Added to the less than ideal flat is the fact that slowly over the past couple of months things are falling apart (the ceiling being the main thing as there is a hole in the roof), getting damp and generally not working. Letting agents notified, nothing gets fixed - or in the case of the ceiling - they spend 3 weeks fixing it, only to find next time it rains that the roof STILL has a hole in so renders the repair job pointless. Anyway....in a moment of 'I hate this flat and can't stand to be in it a moment longer' last week I started looking at all the rental websites. I found a vague listing for a flat, in a beautiful location (I will just mention that I am currently sat here at 8am with pneumatic drills outside which have been drilling for an hour now as part of the Tram works) it sounded bigger than our current flat.....sounded perfect, but there were no pictures so we had no idea what it was actually like. I was undecided whether to bother even getting the full details...can't really afford to move....where we are is not soo bad...why is it so cheap? It must be horrible.....etc etc....Curiosity got the better of me in the end and I went to enquire and came out having booked a viewing...OK....so I'll get to the point. The flat was beautiful. It has a private patio....leading down to a beautiful mature garden, it has a 2 double rooms so my poor sister doesn't have to live in a tiny room any more..it has a utility room - which is huge and can easily double as dyeing/painting/messy room. It has STORAGE!!! Oh my, how I have missed cupboards...one of the cupboards is actually massive and has a desk and power inside....so we have renamed that Emilys studio. There are big antique mirrors and things all over the place....Perfect for me and my sister to live in perfect harmony! No more clutter, no more papier mache, fabric and jewellery supplies all over the flat, no more cooking in my studio!
We rushed to the letting agents to get a holding deposit in....2 minutes later so did somebody else. They put it to the landlady for a decision.....So, yes, the point.....Yesterday.....I was on the bus to work yesterday morning and received a phonecall asking when we could move....we have to give a months notice on this flat, so a month. She asked if we could possibly move any earlier as this would probably swing in our favour. In a moment of utter madness we said yes. 2 weeks time was fine.....Crazy ladies!! Our mum agreed to lend us the holding deposit and apart from that we would scrape by, and possibly have to scavenge in bins or pick grass and eat that rather than shopping for food.....3 tense hours later we got the news.....YAY!! new flat :DAn hour or so later I got another phonecall off my sister, who not only got promoted at work - but they have also moved her to the shop closer to our new flat! Then, a little later, I got confirmation that I would be doing an art residential weekend.....and then heard of another 4 days artist work that I will be doing...and at this point I was grinning, slightly hyper and really rather happy! Just thinking about what if we'd said no to moving sooner because we didn't think we could afford it, not got the flat, and then 2 hours later got better jobs/more work. I'm so glad I'm a little silly and don't think about the whole consequences sometimes!
I have some serious blog love/envy this morning....mandarine such beautiful things, people and places featured....big smiles on my face....
Images: Walter Marin, Gianni Basso & James Merrell all via mandarine
Sunday, 24 May 2009
I hope you are all enjoying the long weekend! Just a quick note to say that I have started adding new bits and pieces into the shop this weekend...I'll carry on updating all week hopefully - although next week is going to be a busy one - 2 new exhibitions to hang at work, etsy meets, private views and looking at flats (I wasn't planning on moving...until I heard about this flat - hopefully it's as nice as it sounds!)...plus all the usual bits to fit in!
Above is Morveren...a locket inspired by tales of mermaids and selkies.
A fabulous package arrived this morning full of goodies from Alice Rebecca Potter - or sleepdreamplay - I'm totally in love with my owl brooch...and equally so with her balsa wood business cards, personalised with my name & stamped with her details on the back :) You can see more of her work on her website here...or read more in her blog
I read about Project Facade in Embroidery magazine quite a while ago and have just stumbled upon it again...I've not seen the website before, it's fascinating
The sun was out this morning, so I took advantage and got some better pictures taken of yesterdays work...they (minus the epaulette one below) will be on etsy soon.
I had a lovely day today perusing the antique shops and charity shops of Edinburgh....I found a few old treasures, some of which have already been transformed into new treasures and some which have joined the ever increasing pile of beautiful things I'm not quite sure what to do with yet.
A selection of new necklaces & brooches (above) are coming to the shop very soon...I'm quite excited about them....so much so that one....or two might not actually make it! I will replace with something equally fabulous...:) I just have to wait for the sun to stay out for a wee bit so I can take some pictures that don't look so....blurry!
I'm on a bit of a military/nautical/damsel/fair lady kick at the minute....it possibly has something to do with the constant stream of traditional folk songs and sea shanties played in this flat.......
Today I have been getting rather excited about packaging materials and presentation....string, ribbon and paper. I think I have come up with a perfect solution for all of my broochy needs.....earrings and necklaces and other things are still, as yet, homeless.
I have also been beavering away with some new designs....more of that to come soon...hopefully hidden inside some beautiful packaging!
Apologies for my absence last week - it was my first week of working freelance, and although it wasn't really my first day at all, there was still a lot of learning...it was also a rather busy week with 3 exhibitions being hung! But, this is a new week...and things will be more settled
I'm working on lots of new bits and pieces for the shop....I got lots of new bits of vintage lace and fabric and buttons and ribbon and patches at the weekend, which will be making their way in the direction of etsy pretty soon!
For now, the 50% off sale has been extended - until Wednesday.....plus free shipping if you mention my blog....don't say I'm not nice to you :)
To celebrate new beginnings I'm offering 50% off everything at Lost in the Forest until May 10th. This will be your last chance to buy what is currently listed in the shop, so grab it while you can!
