Monday, November 08, 2010
Friday, November 05, 2010
Still Unwrapping Christmas
Frosted glass Origami Reindeer Lamp. Amazing isn't it?Perfect for the modern Xmas decor.
Despite revealing our Holiday merchandise a week ago, new and old items are still arriving daily. Lucky for me, more Christmas antiques are finally making an appearance at my favorite haunts so I am gathering those up for you as well.
Its odd to walk around the store and see so many sparkling things. I hear the customers linger a little longer and nearly everyone talks about how much there is to see and how once-around the store is not enough. Just now, someone actually said, "Wow, you really do change things up! Do you hire people to do all this or do you guys do it all?" Ha- I wish! (Can retailers do that? Is that allowed??!!)
Wander through and see what's new but you simple MUST come in.
One of our many frosted houses. 
My new favorite are these mercury ornaments with grey flocking.
I scored this wad 'o tree in Round Top. Hands down my favorite item I foundthere last Spring. Dirty, tattered, sparkling... It sold in 10 minutes.
Another favorite but nearly sold out, mercury initials. 
Again, for the modern home, clean & graphic glittering houses.
A sparkling nativity surrounded by a vintage iron grate. 
I had to paint the cello and another banner for our front window. 
A new paper chandelier with endless possibilities. These come withfire-treated paper pages but we added some old photographs too.
A single bulb hangs down the center.
Ooh, la-la, a satin ruffled scarf hangs on our mannequinswith layers of vintage beads.
A stunning XL nativity that looks like carved bisque.
I am on a roll: Collecting vintage coverlets for our Scandinavian room.Crochet, Candlewick, Chenille, Matelasse...
Paper-pulp hanging dolly designed by Nicol Sayre.(We have her Angels and Santas too!)
One of our many antique religious prints.
My collection of grain sacks finally made into pillows.
And not to forget that Thanksgiving comes first, a feathery owl..
Thursday, November 04, 2010
Xmas Project #1
There has got to be something wrong with someone who comes up with an idea that is fit for craft day at the Funny Farm. That someone would be me.
We have had this seven foot black tree in the store for some time now. It was in my house last year for a magazine shoot; I used it last Christmas for our Wendy Addison ornaments, and this year we used it at Halloween for our furry owls:
It has a 12" plywood base and is made of heavy wire strands wrapped in paper. We have sold these in many sizes but this was the biggest we carried. As it sat in the storage room last month, I had an idea to use it for my Scandinavian Christmas room: I'm going to wrap it in yarn!
We have had this seven foot black tree in the store for some time now. It was in my house last year for a magazine shoot; I used it last Christmas for our Wendy Addison ornaments, and this year we used it at Halloween for our furry owls:
It has a 12" plywood base and is made of heavy wire strands wrapped in paper. We have sold these in many sizes but this was the biggest we carried. As it sat in the storage room last month, I had an idea to use it for my Scandinavian Christmas room: I'm going to wrap it in yarn!
As I sat at home for four nights, painting it first and then wrapping and wrapping, hot gluing and cutting, I couldn't help but think, "What possesses me to do such things?" I haven't an answer to that but I know I have had it all my life. I remember as a teenager covering my bedroom ceiling with aluminum foil (no comment) and as a young adult I sewed 200 pearls perfectly spaced over a black sweatshirt. I have painted and rigged and crafted so many things I have tools for nearly everything, but this project- well something was so right and yet so wrong about it.
I will say, I LOVE IT! And I may take it home with me and leave it up 365! And for you who are not so anal-rententive, a simple fallen branch 18" or so would do just fine used in a large urn. Also, do your own version: Use torn cotton strips with frayed edges, or burlap or lace or fringed trim or newsprint strips.... the possibilities are endless. And of course, there is yarn nowadays in every color and texture imaginable.
Take a look:
HOW TO:
Many shops have trees similar to this now; made of wire, wrapped in paper. Look for something twig like, open and flexible. The one down-side to using an actual branch from Mother Nature is that it will not move with you. A wire base is much easier to manipulate as you turn, twist and wrap these branches. Using a real branch, you will be doing all the turning and your arm might fall off.
I started with the limbs first and hot glued a small amount at the base to hold the yarn taught as I wrapped outward. If the limb is especially long, add another drop of glue half way up, but only if you feel you need it to stay on course. One inch from the tip, I added another drop of glue and wrapped the end tightly. Let it cool just a second so you can use your hands to scrunch the yarn into the glue and get a tight end. You will burn yourself a time or two so be ready! I used the tip of my glue gun a lot to secure the loose ends into the glue. After the limbs are done wrap the trunk. Top to bottom, bottom to top, doesn't matter.
You will get your rhythm down after a few tries and know how tight to pull the yarn, if you need to cut a strand off at a time or not and when and where to glue it for security. I had thought I would smear Elmer's on the entire branch and just wrap but hot glue is made for this! And gluing only occasionally keeps it soft to the touch. Keep turning and feeling the branch so you know your yarn is covering it perfectly with no gaps. After you are finished, use the glue gun to go back in and tighten the ends or wrap smaller pieces here and there at the joints to cover some exposed areas. Voila!
And of course I had to stay true to my love of a neutral palette by attaching all ornaments in silver, mercury, clear, ivory, and gold. Years ago on Martha Stewart, she featured a segment with one of her editors who had a fabulous Christmas tree. He took the time to add 3 inches of thin silver wire to each ornament which enabled him to wrap each one securely on the tree branch without an ugly Xmas hook showing. This gets the top of the ornament right up to the branch, holds it in place (so much so you could cover the tree with a sheet and store it away for a year!) or it allows you to just pull the ornament and let the wire unravel when you take it down. I also took the time to super glue my the ornament top to the bulb for long-lasting security; especially the older ornaments that I love and do not want falling apart.
The staff kept asking if I was going to sell this so I decided I might as well add up the cost of materials and my time and see what happens. If it doesn't sell, it will certainly get a conversation started in the sore.
I will say, I LOVE IT! And I may take it home with me and leave it up 365! And for you who are not so anal-rententive, a simple fallen branch 18" or so would do just fine used in a large urn. Also, do your own version: Use torn cotton strips with frayed edges, or burlap or lace or fringed trim or newsprint strips.... the possibilities are endless. And of course, there is yarn nowadays in every color and texture imaginable.
Take a look:
HOW TO:
Many shops have trees similar to this now; made of wire, wrapped in paper. Look for something twig like, open and flexible. The one down-side to using an actual branch from Mother Nature is that it will not move with you. A wire base is much easier to manipulate as you turn, twist and wrap these branches. Using a real branch, you will be doing all the turning and your arm might fall off.
I started with the limbs first and hot glued a small amount at the base to hold the yarn taught as I wrapped outward. If the limb is especially long, add another drop of glue half way up, but only if you feel you need it to stay on course. One inch from the tip, I added another drop of glue and wrapped the end tightly. Let it cool just a second so you can use your hands to scrunch the yarn into the glue and get a tight end. You will burn yourself a time or two so be ready! I used the tip of my glue gun a lot to secure the loose ends into the glue. After the limbs are done wrap the trunk. Top to bottom, bottom to top, doesn't matter.
You will get your rhythm down after a few tries and know how tight to pull the yarn, if you need to cut a strand off at a time or not and when and where to glue it for security. I had thought I would smear Elmer's on the entire branch and just wrap but hot glue is made for this! And gluing only occasionally keeps it soft to the touch. Keep turning and feeling the branch so you know your yarn is covering it perfectly with no gaps. After you are finished, use the glue gun to go back in and tighten the ends or wrap smaller pieces here and there at the joints to cover some exposed areas. Voila!
And of course I had to stay true to my love of a neutral palette by attaching all ornaments in silver, mercury, clear, ivory, and gold. Years ago on Martha Stewart, she featured a segment with one of her editors who had a fabulous Christmas tree. He took the time to add 3 inches of thin silver wire to each ornament which enabled him to wrap each one securely on the tree branch without an ugly Xmas hook showing. This gets the top of the ornament right up to the branch, holds it in place (so much so you could cover the tree with a sheet and store it away for a year!) or it allows you to just pull the ornament and let the wire unravel when you take it down. I also took the time to super glue my the ornament top to the bulb for long-lasting security; especially the older ornaments that I love and do not want falling apart.
The staff kept asking if I was going to sell this so I decided I might as well add up the cost of materials and my time and see what happens. If it doesn't sell, it will certainly get a conversation started in the sore.
Wednesday, November 03, 2010
BHG Christmas Ideas 2010
You'll have to pardon the fact we will be shoving Christmas down your throat for the next eight weeks, but 'Tis the Season' so we have to jump on board. This month check out Curious Sofa in the 2010 Better Homes & Gardens Christmas Ideas magazine. Although this issue was shot last year, we believe it is still a lovely spread and although we do not have access to any of this merchandise now (poor planing on my part) it is still humbling to be featured in national press. Enjoy and pick one up today. (Available in the store too.)
Friday, October 29, 2010
Christmas 2010
Banners made with Christmas lyrics and Bible quoteswere used throughout the store.
On Thursday night, Curious Sofa celebrated our Tenth Year of Christmases!! For months we unpack, for weeks we prepare, and for two days we close the store to transform the shop into what you are about to see. This year our holiday decor did not have any particular theme. I just design each department around what I find that inspires me and what vignettes we haven't done before.
We always open our doors the night before our public reveal for a private party with 65 special customers who sustain us throughout the year. Champagne, food and music are flowing as they get a sneak peek at the goods. During all of this, my incredible staff is still standing, smiling and helping after a grueling week of getting everything together. Come 8 p.m., after the doors close, we are all spent. (And the Open House hasn't even begun!) Later over dinner, we concluded there is a much needed energy that happens when customers see what we have been up to. The squeals are heard from across the store, everyone gets in the Christmas spirit and the cash register is ringing. After all, that is what we do it for.
Take a look around and see what we have in store for you this Holiday Season. Here is just a sampling of what to expect and much more is to come over the next six weeks. Only 56 days 'til Christmas!
I posted an APB on Facebook for all my friends to send me tree stump sightings!
As you enter, I opted for a simple, Scandinavian style settingcomplete with firewood bed frame and antique bedding.
If only I could wear this leather coat with fur collar,... so Valley of the Dolls!
My all-day project: Birch branch display and yarn ornaments.
Another DD project: Lace trim, doilies & scrap images on old plates.
The white room.
Our spin on a white Thanksgiving.
"For the Fruit of the Spirit is Love..." Gal. 5.22
Wire wrapped fruit near our religious display.
Wire wrapped fruit near our religious display.
Behind the counter, our snowy rooftop and lighted houses.
Pale blues used in another bedroom area.
...and all things silver of course.
The Boudoir with a touch of pink.
In the center of the store, our chalk busts displayed with new and vintage
ornaments, pearl trees and layers of vintage necklaces.
ornaments, pearl trees and layers of vintage necklaces.
I layered my antique photograph collection along the
back wall with our winter hats and scarves.
Who's Don and why is he wearing gay apparel?
And waiting patiently for the mayhem to end:
(Not for sale)
back wall with our winter hats and scarves.
Who's Don and why is he wearing gay apparel?
And waiting patiently for the mayhem to end:
(Not for sale)
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