Vintage Jewelry

I recently stumbled upon quite a few pieces of vintage costume jewelry. I must admit, I'm keeping more than a couple for myself but the rest is going to be up for sale on Etsy.

Here is a pair of Gold tone pinwheel clip-on earrings by Elizabeth Morrey all ready to become a funky addition to your jewelry box.

This is my personal favorite a gold-tone mesh snake bracelet by Whiting and Davis. It is in gorgeous shape, and would make a great statement piece to go with any outfit. I'd keep it, but don't wear gold often enough. This piece will be up on etsy.com tomorrow.

Honey Do: A Time to Dive in

What I should have gotten done yesterday

- Suitcase Art website and blog facelift

- wedding photography website

- stock photos

- new listings on etsy

- cleaning the office

What I actually got done yesterday

- sewed the last curtain panel for our bedroom (no more loose fabric over the curtain rod! yay!)

- unpacked boxes in living room/kitchen

- took exactly 4 stock photos before light burned out

- no new etsy listings

- some work on the Suitcase Art website

Frankly, today is not looking much better. I'm going over to my parents' house to visit with mom and will probably spend the majority of the day there. But I still have a revised 'Honey Do' list for myself today.

Tuesday

- stock photos of five vintage jewelry pieces

- write ups on jewelry for etsy listings, list at least one tonight

- clean the office

- laundry

- post actual content to blog besides these silly lists of mine

new take on Suitcase Art

I've decided that it is time for an overhaul of my businesses and online presence. My website and blog are getting a facelift as are my etsy shops - Suitcase Art Vintage & Supplies and Natalie Jean Photography.

I'm dedicating myself to my online Vintage and Art supplies store, and I'm trying to take a more proactive role in promoting that business and my photography. My father and I are starting a wedding photography group and I'm working on the website but more on that later.

In personal news, Richard and I were in the process of buying a house but the sale has sadly fallen through. But I suppose that just means I have more time for the other things I need to do.

All in all, there are many things to do today...

- Suitcase Art website and blog facelift

- wedding photography website

- stock photos

- new listings on etsy

- cleaning the office

I realize that I have been neglecting this blog, and I have no really good reason, except that...

- I got married just a month ago.
- Richard and I are buying a house.

- I am always trying to find a job.
- we're packing constantly.

- and I discovered this thing called tumblr.

I'll be around more now, promise.

An Open Letter: To Everyone I Know

I realized as soon as we began planning the wedding that leaving people off the guest list was inevitable. I have so many friends, and so many people that I love, but to keep a "small" party cuts had to be made.

This is my apology to all my friends I was not able to invite. I'm not going to single people out, and I'm not going to provide any explanation as to why you weren't invited and other people were. I'm only going to say this - I'm southern, I have a huge family, they all had to be invited first. Please, friends, know that I love you, and wish I could have you here to celebrate this wonderful day that is creeping ever closer.

Lots of love,
Nata Jean

Typewriter Inspiration

I found this photo over at Sweetie Pie Press, and I really love the typewriter display. On the deer...well, I have a love/hate relationship with taxidermy, just like Zombies. On the one hand, both taxidermy and a zombie invasion seem really quite cool as concepts, but they kinda freak me out in practice.

It still really makes me want to put all my typewriters on display in one place, rather than scattered about the way they are now.

Quiet Days

Today is one of those quiet days, when I can just enjoy the sunshine and reading books, when chores aren't all that bad.

This afternoon Richard and I are looking at houses, then it's on to see Cyndi Lauper at Pridefest.



I can't wait.

time for a break

Tonight it is time to take a break from wedding plans.

Now is the time to stop re-checking the guest count and cleaning the blue ball jars for centerpieces.



Right now, I'm taking a moment to look through old magazines, to find the clips that were the reason I kept them in the first place and pull them out to put in my inspiration binders, and get rid of the excessive paper that clutters our house.

I'm so excited right now. About the wedding, about job prospects, about the fact that yesterday we put an offer on a cute little house in Milwaukee. I won't say anything more about the house though, because I don't want to jinx it.

other people's photos - awkward family photos

As a person who collects other people's photographic endeavors, this really speaks to me.



Awkward Family Photos

subtle, but classically strange.


found through say YES! to hoboken

I love lists.

With all the wedding preparation that has been going on for our wedding it has been difficult to find time for household chores (like laundry and the dishes) let alone all the projects I have going on. But last night after assembling yet more invitations I decided to make time. I managed to clean the basement/studio a bit while doing laundry, oh yes, multi-tasking. And I was even able to finish painting the old bedside table which will become extra tabletop space and storage down in the studio.


Project List
- paint three canister set that is in desperate need of refreshing ($1 from Fox Valley thrift shoppe)
- paint curb shopped floor lamp (and find lampshade)
- paint bedside table
- clean spice jars and print new labels

Home List
- send in final mortgage paperwork (now)
- laundry (always)
- dishes (always)
- clean studio
- clean kitchen/dining room
- clean living room
- rearrange extra bedroom so that people actually want to stay over

Wedding To Do
- finish assembling invitations
- mail invitations (Monday)
- go to Tux to find suits for Richard and the boys (Saturday)
- gather blue ball jars from all over the house

govdeals.com

Has any one else discovered the gem that is GovDeals.com?

I have yet to buy anything as all the wondrous items I think I need are far, far away.

Certainly the best way to navigate the site is by zip code, choosing the furtherest distance you wish to travel. But I've been having fun seeking out all the strange boxes of sewing machines and old book cases every where, cause you never know when you might find that perfect set of dining room chairs in a Georgia library.

Plus, who doesn't need a lot of 75 bicycles for $10?

Savannah Town

It hasn't been all that long since my trip to Savannah, but I've spent this morning reminiscing so I thought it might be time to share some photos.


we had picnics in the park...



we played the most amazing game of wiffle ball with cardboard box bases...



we ate Angel's BBQ in the cemetary....



and were the hooligans that we are.