Patina White

a cameo appearance

greetings! i have to tell you that one of the best parts of my job is the variety it provides! one day i am knee deep in a pile o' junk & the next moment i am creating a girlie trinket. if you follow my blog you have probably picked up on my tendency to "gather" objects - bordering on being the next subject on the show hoarders! case in point. a pair of cameo earrings. well....since i have {2}...i may as well channel the creative juices into {1}, & save the other! correct?

the inspiration came from a dainty lamp with it's fancy glass beaded details + soft grayish-aqua coloring. out came the magic wand (well, tote of tools) & the end result is seen {below} dangling from the very the source of my inspiration.

i also tend to be influenced by my "threads" (just a spiffy way of saying garments). on the day of the cameo spotting i was wearing the flouncy, ribbon bedecked tee shown {below}. seems like the two were made for each other!

 

it's a good thing i have {2} earrings & the option of creating another necklace. because if i am to offer this jewel for sale it would be a crying shame to split up this pretty ensemble! 

now i am off. there's a pile of letters waiting to have some magic worked on them. it's sign making time. i told you...i am girl who likes to mix it up. variety is the spice of life afterall! so go ahead & sprinkle it on...

wishing you a very happy day!

my kind of "egg" hunt

hello everyone! i hope this finds you all enjoying a wonderful holiday weekend! the recent nice weather in northern minnesota has inspired me to do some "junk'n"...and the only relief to that is to hit the trail! 

the pictures {below} @ my first and only stop pretty well sum it up!

LIKE A...

 

IN A...

oh my goodness. gnarled metal + cool stuff as far as the eye could see! i could barely contain my excitement! a quick glance around & i spotted these right off the bat...iron bed ends + a folding deer stand. like a cat upon it's prey - i pounced! 

i was in high gear when i found these {below}. 

 

moving along the edge...i cased my surroundings. then...over yonder...a glint of something interesting! hello? a letter S? (me = schaleben). i had to ride the junk tidal wave to this one. i could feel the mounds of metal shifting under me. undaunted i crept along. much to the amusement of a few onlookers - i heaved scraps in the air to unearth this...

...a fragment that was likely the back to a relic of a stove. visions of it mounted to a desk twirled in my mind. and don't forget the S. i jumped back on the wave of junk...shimmying my way back to "shore". hang 10 baby...this find was worth the ride!

now...four letters...AQUA. i am pretty sure on this given day i was the only person who looked twice at this cute thing. i nearly skipped with it back to my pile. the fellow next to me...not so impressed. but come on...it's my favorite hue!

 

again...i didn't even have to arm-wrestle for the old siding with traces of pink paint. what is WRONG with these guys? oh, see that "pole" {below}. yep. it's a mop. old, shaggy, faded, red string mop. by now i am sure the fellas around the yard are calling the paddy wagon. 

 

who can resist PILES O' PICKETS? certainly not me! they will be great to have around for when the right project (or need for a fence) comes about!

with my truck now brimming with "candy" i head home to unpack my treasures. certainly some time well spent on this egg hunt! thanks easter bunny...

i'd like to wish you all a very HAPPY EASTER...a little birdy told me - "get out there & LIVE!" + be sure to find the "junk" that makes you smile!

the bag lady

happy wednesday! this morning i found myself exploring my "spring" collection of "baggage". and baggage did i find! i never really considered myself much of a purse addict. that is...until i faced reality today! many of them have been with me awhile. i try to do the closet cleanse - but for me that that means moving things around to accommodate more items....instead of actually making "space" i find "room".

so...that quick visit to my closet brought forth the cheerful prints + soft colors i love. and with anything i am quite found of i have to throw it out there for your viewing pleasure! so enjoy a bit of my excess baggage!

here chick chick...a vintage chicken feed sack coupled + traditional blue & white ticking come together {below} to make for a fun market tote and impromptu display on my pegs. not to be forgotten is the eBay find from many moons ago...my wood beaded bag. i have to admit...this is actually number {2} of the same style. i wore the first one out only to spent months tracking down this one. call me creature of habit or maybe more appropriately a HIPPIE CHICK! 

the palest of pale iridescent green + the fabulous macrame like 'belt" makes this faux croc tote a favorite even after {5} years of on & off use!

 

the close up {below} will have you wondering why i haven't put this pink cutie-patootie out to pasture. those of you who know my fondness for all things worn & wonderful will chuckle when i tell you i bought this little number that way! bring on the patinaPINK!

 

a few years back i sold these fabulous purses @ my shoppe of shady hollow. i glammed them up a bit, at the time, with vintage enamel brooches + floral pins. of course, being my own #1 customer, i kept this pretty thing {below}. there isn't a time when i carry it that i am not stopped & asked where i found it. maybe they should make an appearance again at patinaWHITE??

something you will still find at patinaWHITE is my line of sassy sacs. rough and tumbled in appearance - their cool hues are accented with silly sayings in glitter ink {below}. SMARTY PANTS is a favorite quip of mine...and YES, i do know it all. (just ask hubby!) 

 

so if you are a smarty pants or know someone who is (don't we all??)...this sac, tote, book-lunch-diaper hauler serves many a purpose. and you can get your very own if you want to drop me a line! normally $24 each i will run a bag lady special of only $20 shipped to you! total...period...no extras!

choose your sac a la carte from the colors below...mocha, pink and charcoal! i should mention they are machine washable and wear like iron to boot!

well this "bag lady" is off! had to share a shot of me + my current bag love...my lucky-brand, soft as a baby's behind, fringed "suitcase". 

 

i say suitcase because i am certain i could carry just about any & everything in it. and that's a good thing....because the reason i am heading out is i received a call from a junker buddy that said i have to see "something". be still my heart! hopefully it fits!

happy day all!

SHOW & TELL is {1} year YOUNG!

hello everyone! one year ago today i started my blog...SHOW & TELL...to be inspiring & informative - both personally & professionally! i have met some of the nicest darn folks along the way! thank you so much to those of you who having been tagging along since the beginning & i'd like to welcome those of you new on board! 

with the opening of my shady hollow shoppe near...i look forward to showing + telling ya all about my little corner of the world! so HAPPY 1ST YEAR show & tell fans! here's a little gathering of some of my favorite snapshots from along the way...

outside my door is a day promising sun & warmth so i am off to putter in the yard...maybe the studio...or woodshop! so hang on everyone for another year of my ramblings & bits of eye candy!  i hope you find your visits fun, inspiring & may they bring a giggle or two to your day! enjoy!

here's to a happy year {1}!

from this to that...

hello & happy friday! (or what's left of it!) where o' where has the week gone? when you find it please let me know! in the meantime...i have been keeping myself busy by dabbling with new items. whether it's finding a fresh line of unique wares or creating a something special with my own hands...you just never know (nor do i sometimes) what i may come up with! 

well today was a creation day. i had some custom orders to fill, and of course, found myself side-tracked with a recent shipment of jewelry findings. my supplier included a couple samples for me to consider. not really my style {seen below}...

 

...nonetheless they were:

#1. FREE

#2. alluring me to create something pretty.

#3. did i mention FREE?

so i accepted the challenge!  

a little "rework" of the finish + a quick dig in my box-o-buttons {above} that yielded a precious vintage fleur-de-lis button found me all the inspiration i needed to come up with this sweet necklace {here below}. 

 

i am tickled how a ho-hum item sparked me! or was it the distraction from the task @ hand? no worries! the orders are complete...off to their new home AND i have a bauble to boot! there you have it. well...i hope you have a wonderful weekend! i am off to find more items of inspiration. like i said...you just never know what i might come up with!

be inspired to inspire!

earth laughs in flowers

hello & wishing you all a happy start to a new week! isn't the title oh*so*true? the recent string of sunny days in our neighborhood has me day-dreaming of cheerful flower beds & lively garden groupings for patinaWHITE. which led me to tinkering on some new projects. that in turn sent me on a fleur seeking mission...which can be a bit of a challenge in the northland of minnesota this time of year. nothing that a stop to my favorite local nursery can't solve though! 

the always accommodating folks @ BERGEN'S gave me the GREEN thumbs-up to snap some pictures to share with you. so join me on a more visual than scripted journey of some of the lovelies i took in along the way!

 

lilies of rust + lilies of real. {below}

 

sufferin' succotash...i mean succulents! obviously these wonders {below} are far from sufferin' but i just had a flashback to sylvester. ok...moving on...

ahhhhhh...i could have contently curled up next to the many hydrangeas. though i am sure the hard working peeps there wouldn't have been impressed trying to maneuver carts around me!

just hanging out were these colorful globes {below} dangling from an iron tree. fun.

 

indeed you are...{below} and thank you for your always wonderful service!

as far as the eye can reach {below}

 

up close and personal here

a little color to brighten your day? {below 2}

 

      &

 
or maybe none at all? {below 2 again}

 

   &

 

oh petunia you pretty...{below}

 

and you little cuties. {below} with your pink edges & shimmering water dripplet centers all jewel-like. you are my favorite. but i don't want to make the others jealous. i won't tell if you won't...

 

refreshing, no? take a deep breath. i bet you will get a whiff of the heavenly hydrangea aroma. or maybe it's the pot of daisies {below} that had to come home with me. after-all....i told you i was tinkering. spooning rather. creating happy little markers for the onset of plants coming to my area!

so glad you could tag along on this amazing technicolor jaunt! i hope you enjoyed it! and as always...thanks for peeking and make it a GREAT day!

i now pronounce you...

happy spring everyone! today officially marks the beginning of the spring equinox! so think warm...sunny happy thoughts as you go about your day! 

leading off my posting title - i now pronounce you...witness to the start of my newest infatuation. and why the new found love you ask? well the day before last i found myself on the treasure hunting path when i came across the cutest darn cake-toppers you ever laid your eyes on. (or at least the cutest i have seen)! just have a peek {below} - judge for yourself!

 

and a little closer of the tiny example {below}. so adorable you want to scoop them up and kiss 'em right?

 

maybe it was the white hues...the paper flowers..the dainty details. not sure what sucked me into nabbing not {1} but {2} of them! i may offer them for resale at some time but for now am quite happy admiring their charm! & of course it wouldn't stop there.  ooooh noooo...that would be un"junker" like of me. i also picked up the dark little tray + array of trinkets you see scattered across it. {below} didn't seem right just getting the tray without something to "enhance" it! 

mustn't forget the beautiful "necklace". {below}. at least that's what the price tag said. i am wondering what fine lady wore this with it's approx. 5" chain? it would be a spectacular functioning piece with the addition of a little length!

 

determined to bring my vision to life on one of the trinkets shown above i didn't do the usual sort and stash i usually would. nope...not this time! i kept out the fabulous old celluloid sacred heart pin...a snip here ~ a twist there and the addition of some vintage brass findings + white rosary chain and this is what i ended up with below! {shown in a layered cluster}

 

want to see it closer? ok. you got it! here it is resting on a cigar box also found on said journey!

ok...so i have to show you a crazy-funny prize ribbon i found too! growing up with a polka loving mom ("roll out the barrel" anyone?) and a fondness for dear little "wilbur"...this award, though not terribly old, made me giggle. loudly. enough to attract the attention of the shop owners! they thought it was funny too. three of us can't be wrong...so wrap it up! it's mine! oh boy! there i go rambling on! i almost forgot to show ya what i was even talking about! here you go...

 

my last find was a tiny "document" in a neat little white frame. {below} can't read a lick of it but the color called out my name. not one to ignore the begging plea from a fine specimen i added to the growing collection on the check-out counter.

 

i bet some of you are wondering how my {closer monster project} is going. me too! i am wondering if it will be ready to show in my mentioned "timely matter"? sometimes the urge of looking for treasures is just too strong to ignore. this was one of those occasions! but never give up hope, i say! i will get busy...if it wasn't for the last minute nothing would get done. at least in my little world! 

again...happy spring...& make it a great weekend all!

 

top o' the day to you!

happy st. patty's day everyone! though i am not a tiny bit irish i still am a HUGE fan of the color green + shamrocks & leprechauns (especially those toting a pot o' gold...or at the very least lucky charms)!

are you wearing your green today? or do you prefer to run the risk of someone's pinchy fingers? i thought i would have a splash of the color throughout my ensemble. does turquoise count? it's kind of a shade of green right? i also unearthed my favorite pair of high heels today. the prospect of a 50 degree day in minnesota during march makes us do crazy things here! aren't they cute? and note the green please!

i found it pretty funny that a gal commented this morning that i was wearing "girl shoes". that tells me i spend an awful lot of time in my cowboy boots. or should i say cowgirl? oh well...they are comfortable! giddy-up!

it wouldn't be a st. patrick's day post without the presence of a four leaf clover right? well i just so happen to have layered up a holiday appropriate charm necklace just for you all! {below} 

 

and a final note on green. i'll share with you a way to spend a little but have a lot! i love having fresh stems in our home. but the prices sometimes sends me reeling. not to mention their beauty is short lived. well i have discovered that you can pick up a floral shop staple - leather leaf - for not a lot of money. and they last a crazy long time! fresh...cheery and...well...cheap! just see below how a handful of sprigs transformed my gathering of chemistry beakers. 

oh...don't miss the hand-carved marble bowl {above} they rest in. found that beauty on a junk hunt last year. can you imagine whittling away at that thing? it must weight a 100+! i kid you not!

i hope your day is filled with cheer! irish or not you can't help but look for a non-green wearing victim. just make sure it's not your boss. or a perfect stranger. ok...i think we best keep our fingers to ourselves!

may the luck of the irish be with you...

this week's challenge {closet monster}

hello and happy monday! if you know me...you're aware of the fact that i work better under deadlines. so today i am committing myself to a project & telling you all about it so i will be obligated to finish in a timely matter for a reveal! 

did you have a fear of a "closet monster" growing up? hiding...lurking in the shadows...waiting. well, i have a closet monster that i have been wanting to face for a LONG time but find it easy to close the curtains and pretend it doesn't exist. my monster is actually a void. a void of organization when i have been blessed with this wonderful MAKE room {click HERE for more a peek} and a large closet to contain my treasures. so i intend on making good use of it now!

i have assembled a little photo collage of what i am up against...so please follow along below won't you? let the numbers lead the way!

#1. i have a vision for a way to hang ribbons so they are not in tippy-toppy piles everywhere in my home. you will just have to check back to see it come to life.

#2. with all good intentions i've amassed a collection of containers + started labeling the contents within. problem is that said containers are scattered between the {3} levels of our home. after up & down all those stairs i usually forget what it was exactly i started out looking for! who needs a stairmaster?

#3. here is my "closet monster". a sad use of space not to mention dark...unorganized...and just not that inspiring. so dark in-fact i even had to use a floor lamp to show ya! with my tool boxes on the floor i have no more excuses!

#4. i bought some inexpensive pine shelves LAST year and painted them white. they have been sitting patiently on the floor since. now where is that motivation to go with that power drill? the motivation now lies within this post! 

#5. utter chaos. and not even "controlled" as i like to think some of my hidden stashes are. i really don't even know what has been hiding in this cupboard in my living room. guess i will be surprised all over again!

#6. this innocent looking chest of drawers has a secret. i wish i knew what it was...as again...i have it full of trinkets and supplies, but alas, no labels. i usually end up opening nearly all of them when trying to find what it is that i am sure it contains (or often times doesn't contain)!

so there you have it. the word is out and now i must provide some inspiring AFTER shots. i accept the challenge that i have set upon myself. my mom always tells me to have a plan. plan for today...i will start it first thing tomorrow! :) but she also will tell you to "look out" once i get going! 

we will be seeing you soon with some progress...thanks for stopping! (and providing a much needed push to get this project rolling)!

they keep going & going...

why hello! like the energizer bunny...my post today features vintage vessels that keep going & going...BATTERY JARS! being the fan i am of old wavy glass, unique items with a story + the occasional kiss of aqua...i can't help but have a fondness for these old work horses. i have to show a diagram {below} from a website devoted to these fabulous treasures. (click the photo to visit their site)

 

now i will show my modern reinterpretation on the former energy source! i have one in my bathroom piled with worn game balls {below}. you can pick soft balls like this up @ garage sales & thrift shops for pennies. grouped in ###'s they suddenly have a decorative impact! play on!

 

remember my mention of aqua? well this unusually skinny model is a prime example w/ its lovely color & DELCO raised detail on every side. 

 

with just a hint of aqua...i found this one {below} on my january trip thru the midwest. even in the farmland they are getting increasing difficult to find. sadly i think many battery jars fell victim to young boys & their bb guns. at least that is what i was told by a wise fella once upon a time. 

 

i filled it with faux flowering branches plus bare twigs from my woods. i then tucked araucana eggs around them for a season appropriate accent (or at least thinking of spring in the great north of minn.)! you'll see how pretty it is {below} in a closer view.

these horizontal varieties {below} are sometimes called battery jars...other times i see mention of them being fish tanks. whatever the case may be i like 'em just the same. i have a couple versions of the very thick numbers. you can see the big brother below showcasing some natural accents.

you'll note in the gathering {below} i added the very tiny version - (only 7" long) - on it's end to house a little alarm clock. i love how all the elements pull together...the aqua from the fish floats complements the hued glass...the earthy touch of branches + antlers. very organic...

so there you have it! now...also like the energizer bunny...i must keep going! hopefully i have sparked your interest! thanks for stopping by and until next time...i hope you have a fantastic day!