juliejayne

Happy New Year, been busy lately!

2012-01-22T15:49:00.002-06:00

Love to you and yours in 2012. This is a tree I saw while on a walk in the lovely city of San Diego while at the SoCRA conference and visiting our son, Garrett in September.

I've been busy in the studio lately. Here are a few of my little projects. I'm in a burlap, chippy, rustic, vintage mood lately. I'm starting to save things for the 3 French Hens markets this summer.

The 2012 dates have just been announced. AND, the market is in the latest issue of Romantic Country magazine as one of the best markets! This little silver platter had just the right size slits for vintage bias tape to fit in. Wouldn't this be a cute little bridal shower chalkboard sign?
I saw some suitcases on Pinterest and decided to try it (with a little help from the hubby).

And this is a tiny little newborn skirt that I found at Baby Gap that I thought I'd cut the flowers off for another project. But when I put it on the lampshade frame, it looked so cute, I decided to go with it! The crystals really show well when it's lit. It will be for sale at the May 3 French Hens market.
Do something you love every day! juliejayne

Calm amidst the chaos

2011-12-10T20:13:00.000-06:00

Last weekend, before all the chaos called Christmas starts, hubby and I decided to take a little trip to our favorite place in Galena, IL, The Inn at Irish Hollow.The Inn at Irish Hollow sits on 500 acres in the northwest corner of Illinois, about 20 minutes from Galena, a little town that boasts many Civil War memories.
The living room at the Inn was dripping in red. You can hardly see the grand piano. There are several rooms in the inn as well as 5 cottages on the land that are decorated in the season's finest.

A box of Anna Shea chocolates was in our room upon check in. On Saturday and Sunday we were served a three course breakfast of the finest organic food in the land. Crispy baked brown sugar bacon, steel cut Irish oats, poached eggs, to die for muffins, and more!
The coffee service was atop this antique safe, very unique. They also sell canned jellies, veggies, and various butters. We came home with some lemon curd, hot jardinere, and pickled garlic.

On Saturday we explored downtown Galena and one of my favorite stores there, Ink & Stamp with Sue. We also found a few antique stores and came home with many old rusty rescues. When we were sitting in the Green Street Tavern having lunch, the madrigals from a high school in Dubuque Iowa came in and treated us to the most beautiful Christmas carols! What a treat.

Saturday nite at the Inn we were served a 7 course meal. A few of the courses included Fennel soup, cranberry orange sorbet, pumpkin and crab flan (OMG!) and angel food cake with espresso mascarpone cream. Needless to say we went to bed thinking we'd never eat again!

The next time you're looking for a great weekend getaway, consider the Inn at Irish Hollow.

Give thanks

2011-11-23T21:39:00.001-06:00

My new look!

2011-11-20T19:25:00.002-06:00

I'm so excited! How do you like my new look? I found an awesome artist on etsy at thephOtospOt who designed several very special things for me, including my new blog header.

Now I need to get in gear and get my own etsy store up and running.

Yesterday I was at Urban Chic Home dropping off a few new things and while I was there several of my little things actually sold! Here are a few things that are still for sale (at least as of yesterday they were anyway)

I painted the front of this HUGE pristine vintage suitcase with red chalkboard paint and Beckie put it in the window as part of her Christmas display.
This is a big tin panel, maybe from an old fireplace?

I went to the 3 French Hens Holiday Market yesterday and it was amazing! I would have to start making Christmas things TODAY if I wanted to be in NEXT year's show, that's how well stocked every booth was. Of course, I forgot my camera so you'll have to check out the pics on Traci's site.

Happy Holidays

2011-11-13T17:29:00.013-06:00

I'm so sorry, I've been MIA for the past 2 months. Since my last post I've been busy in the studio, and working on getting my little business off the ground. I've registered my name, juliejayne, with the state of Illinois and now I'm officially in business! On Tuesday, November 29th from 6-9pm the village of Glen Ellyn, IL is having Ladies Night Out. Please come out and support the 20 participating independently owned shops. There will be gifts, coupons, libations, and food as you stroll through the shops in search of the perfect holiday gifts.
These beautiful pieces are part of a collection from A Bella Bead, in Urban Chic Home.

I've been busy pursuing my passion of taking flea market and thrift store finds and altering them to (hopefully) appeal to today's shoppers.
I have been a vendor at 2 of this summer's 3 French Hens markets and have some of my things in Urban Chic Home in Glen Ellyn, IL. Here are a few of the products Beckie carries in her great little eclectic, shabby, vintage shop from a few of the other vendors.
Below is a sample of the lampshades I alter. They're all one of a kind. Everything you see here is for sale. If you can't make it to Urban Chic, just email me if you see something you like and we can make sure it gets to you asap.
Beckie carries the most unique gifts, isn't this little handbag the best?
Every chalkboard I make just flies out the door! I also take special orders.
I've had so much fun bleaching bottle brush trees for the past few weeks. This one is on top of an old candlestick turned upside down, too fun!
Watch this space for a new look. I've contracted with an awesome artist to design a logo for my business. It should be finished very soon! I will try my VERY best to post weekly from here on out. I will also get my etsy shop back up very soon. Thanks for your patience with me. If I only could get rid of this pesky day job......I'd have more time for the more important things in life!

2011-09-10T21:28:00.002-05:00

I made a business decision today. I had signed up to be a vendor at 3French Hens market, one of the Top 10 Most Romantic Flea Markets in the U.S. The weather was iffy this morning, the sale was to be from 5-10pm, and I just couldn't picture it this time.

So, I decided to take 4 of my funky lamps to a shop called Urban Chic Home in Glen Ellyn, IL
The proprietor, Beckie Nilles LOVED them! She asked if I had any more so I ran home, unloaded half the trailer that was packed for 3 French Hens and brought her another tub full.
These are a few of the really fun things in the shop.
This is one of my lamps that she had rearranged things in the "main room" to fit in.
This one she put in the "red room" with other things that it matched with.

So, I'm officially a businesswoman! While I totally admire those who set up their shops pre-dawn and take them down at the end of a long day outdoors, I think I'm more of an indoor girl.
Beckie said she wants to put my lamps in the window of her shop. Here's what it looked like today, before my window debut. I'll let you know when it happens.
I look forward to Urban Chic Home being the exclusive venue for my fun and funky lamps! Wish me luck.

Distraction

2011-08-10T21:28:00.002-05:00

A couple of weeks ago hubby and I took a road trip to the beautiful town of Mineral Point, WI where we came across Distraction. For me, it was like walking into heaven! There was awesome artisan fiber bundles, vintage everything, architectural salvage, and linens galore.They had many vignettes, all set up by color. I loved them all! Hubby wandered out about half an hour after we got there, which gave me the perfect opportunity to break out the plastic!
If you get to the Mineral Point area, be sure you visit Distraction. The name serves it well!
The prices were very reasonable, the staff quite welcoming, and the variety absolutely amazing!

Behind me in this picture are dining room chairs with the backs covered by burlap bags, very cool.

Bird Tag Swap

2011-07-31T13:44:00.009-05:00

I participated in Karla Nathan's Bird Tag Swap and this is the tag book she put together for me. What talented artists we all are! We had to send her 7 tags and then she matched up tags she thought would look good together and sent us each (there were over 100 of us!) a book of our own. The tags I received are shown above, from (left to right) Cher, Donna, Cami, and Elaine Paullus.
The tags shown above are from (left to right) Karla, Sharon, Tina, and Darlene Nahre.
These are the tags I made. I didn't really read the directions completely, so I decorated the front AND back of the tags. And I didn't put my name prominently on the back so I've only heard from one of my recipients. If the others don't have excellent eyesight, they may not even see my name. Oh well.
It was great fun making them all and if you've never been in a swap, I highly recommend it.
Thanks Karla, for putting these all together for us!

I'm so humbled!

2011-07-17T18:20:00.004-05:00

I'm beyond humbled. Mark of Room 363 put a whole bunch of pictures of my booth from last week's 3 French Hens Market in Morris, IL onto his blog. If you go to his blog, start with the picture of the blue chair, and the next 23 pictures are of my good junk, thanks Mark! Most of it sold but if you're interested in anything you see on there, let me know. I'm currently working on an alphabet banner for a lady who's house is on the Christmas House walk this year. Everyone seemed to like my alphabet letters that I strung across the back of our booth that spelled "juliejayne", my alter ego name. I've started taking orders for Christmas already!

My son made me switch to a Mac, and I am a PC, so once I figure out how to work with the pictures, I'll put some up.

A Perfect Summer Day

2011-07-10T19:53:00.010-05:00

Yesterday was the second 3 French Hens Market in Morris, IL for this season and my first attempt at being on the vendor side of things. I am an expert shopper but as a vendor, I have a whole new appreciation for you folks who do this week in and week out in markets all over Chicagoland. Thank goodness it's my hobby or I'd starve to death, not to mention die of heat stroke! Here are a few pictures of our booth.

This is my hubby after we spent 2 hours setting

up, beginning at 6am. I definitely could not have done it without him, thanks honey!We hung my tag name in altered cardboard letters above the tables and wouldn't you know it people were asking if I sell the alphabets!

It was almost 100 degrees but we had THE best spot in the whole park, next to a huge shade tree. Thanks Traci! Mark from Room 363 even came and took pictures of some of my things, hopefully they'll make the 3 French Hens blog.

Some things I learned: what you think will sell, won't, and what you brought just a few of will fly off the shelves, Square is an awesome way to take credit card payments on your iPhone, and it's a great feeling when people actually want to spend their hard-earned money on things I've made. Check out this lady below taking a picture with her phone. I'm sure she's thinking "I can make that"!

It was a Perfect Summer Day.

Happy 4th of July and 3 French Hens

2011-07-03T13:48:00.010-05:00

Happy Birthday America!

Less than one week until my first 3 French Hens Market vending debut. I just learned that 3 French Hens has just been named one of the country's 10 best Romantic Flea Markets by Romantic Homes magazine! Yes, I'm nervous. Yes, our 5'x8' trailer is FULL of stuff to take. Yes, I have lists all over the place on what not to forget. I have been writing to others who are more expert in the field to ask for tips and tricks and have received some valuable advice. Here are a few pictures of some of my wares:

I have a thing for glass cloches. I like to change them up to be a one-of-a-kind artwork. This one had no knob at the top so I made one out of a percolator coffeepot top and a watch face. There's a picture of the whole thing down below. Another one of my passions is blinging up ordinary metal pieces. This is a candelabra that stands about 3 feet tall!

I also love old chairs. This one has a hole in the seat to put a flowerpot.

This is the cloche whose topper is pictured above. I have much more stuff so come on out and take a look next Saturday, July 9th from 8am-2pm. I would really love to quit my day job and open my dream business. But, since it took me about 2 years to acquire and alter all of the things I'll (hopefully) sell out of next Saturday, I guess I'm not quite ready yet. My studio looks so bare nowadays. I've decided what to spend my earnings on: a designer for my blog banner, business cards, and logo. Let me know if you know a good one! Have a happy holiday weekend.

Springfield Antique Show, 3 French Hens & Law School

2011-06-08T20:57:00.008-05:00

On May 20th hubby and I took a road trip to central Ohio to the Springfield Antique Show & Flea Market. We had a blasssst! We live near the Kane County, IL flea market which is huge but Springfield blew Kane County away! I didn't take nearly enough money. I cruised through my stash AND hubby's stash, then pulled out the plastic! I got some things to keep and some things to sell. These birdhouses are made from old barn wood. We had to make several trips to the car to unload the granny cart full of junk!

I couldn't pass up this great piece of art! It's now prominently displayed in my studio.

I took lots of pictures to use as examples for displaying my own wares as I have recently been accepted to be a vendor at the Three French Hens market in Morris, IL on July 8th!! My next few blogs will give a sneak peek at my goods. If anyone has any tips or tricks for me please feel free to contact me. All advice is welcomed.

This is a great sign I saw while we were in San Diego helping our son find an apartment last weekend. He'll be attending California Western School of Law this fall. Good luck Bub!

Easter bonnet wishes

2011-04-20T20:51:00.005-05:00

I bought this hat so I could cut the flowers off of it but when I got it home, I couldn't do it! So now it is my Easter bonnet.

I hope you have a Happy Easter weekend with your family and friends. We will be with all of our kids and a new puppy, Maci. It will be a welcomed visit, since we had to put our beloved 13 year old black Lab, Marco to sleep last weekend and it's been very quiet around here all week.

Although we're still having freezing weather here in Chicagoland, we're hopeful it will changeover soon and let us get outside to start the season's cleanup and planting. Happy Easter all, safe travels if you're going over the river and through the woods.

I'm on Etsy!

2011-04-05T22:16:00.004-05:00

I have listed my first piece of art for sale on etsy! I'm so excited, I just checked it and in 5 minutes there have already been 6 views. Better go check it out before it sells!

I'm getting so brave in my old age! I've also sent in an application to vend at a local artists market called 3 French Hens in July. I hope they accept me and my crazy altered art. Thank you to all of my new blog friends who are also amazing artists who have give me the nudge to put my art out into the world, instead of in my studio on a shelf.

This season's 1st flea market

2011-03-05T20:02:00.012-06:00

I could not WAIT for this weekend's first Kane County Flea Market of 2011. It was 60 degrees and gorgeous yesterday and I had such high hopes for this weekend's weather. However, today, it was 30 and snowing! Went anyway, not many outside vendors but 2 barns and 4 buildings were bustling with shoppers who needed their flea market fix after being cooped up all winter and sellers who had been collecting good junk for us all winter. It seemed like everyone was carrying big purchases. Every piece of furniture I saw had a "SOLD" sign on it.

I did ok tho. Here are a few of my finds:

The basket I found today is my version of one I saw in the latest issue of Flea Market magazine. This is theirs:

and knew it would be my mission this year to find the components and fashion one of my own, I just didn't know I'd get it together so soon! Good day all the way around!

New territory

2011-02-28T22:33:00.003-06:00

I did something today I've never done before. I signed up for an e-class from the famous Teresa McFayden.

I am so excited to be taking this class! We all have so many thoughts, wishes, and memories in our pretty little heads. I hope to learn a few new techniques, use some of my besties, as my friend Karla always says to do, and thoroughly enjoy what is to come. Come join me!

Happy Hearts Day!

2011-02-13T18:30:00.006-06:00

Hubby came home yesterday with these beautiful peach colored roses for my hearts day gift, thanks honey! Here's Love to you from me! Do something you love on heart of all hearts day.

A few of my Valentine bottles, gathered together to wish you happy hearts day! Enjoy.

Hello Again!

2011-02-01T19:14:00.005-06:00

I'm back! So sorry for the absence, I got lost in the whole Silver Bella, then Thanksgiving, then conference for work, then Christmas, then winter thing. Right now we're getting about 20" of snow! It's our first real blizzard since 1999. We usually get snow several times each winter but we're getting zapped this time.

I've been spending some time in the studio lately. Here's one of my latest creations. I want to list her as my first etsy product but I'm so nervous. How do you know how much to charge? How much is shipping? Any etsy sellers out there, all suggestions are welcomed.

And getting into the Valentine's mood a little, a few more bottles.We went to Champaign, IL last weekend to see our daughter and son-in-law and visited one of my fav stores, Gordman's, where I found these great "muddy flea market boots". Now I'm ready for the muddy flea markets that start in March around Chicagoland. Lastly, I need help changing my blog background. I've tried to do it and it's just not working. Can anyone who has a blogspot site help me out?

Silver Bella here I come!

2010-11-08T21:24:00.003-06:00

This week I will be headed to the 5th annual Silver Bella! Me and 150 awesome artists who "get me" will spend 4 days in Omaha with some of the most famous instructors in the field. Here is a sneak peek at the altered bottle swap that I'm the hostess for.

Found this top hat ornament at my new favorite store, Whimsy on Saturday.

And another peek at one of the two bracelets I made for another swap. Safe travels to all my Bella friends, see you there!

Secrets and Surprises

2010-09-29T20:36:00.007-05:00

I came home from work today to find some secrets and surprises waiting for me! A Halloween box was waiting for me from my new friend Kathi. We joined Heather's Halloween box swap and were swapmates. My box of goodies included a feather pen and some vintage papers,

handmade ephemera, flowers, paper doilies, candy, all wrapped in pretty tissue. Kathi put a lot of time and love into the box and it REALLY made my day!

and they were all in a great tin box!

Check out Kathi's blog to hear her story of how she trudged through the rain to get this very special gift to me! Thank you Kathi, see you at Silver Bella in 7 short weeks! Julie

My day at Karla's Cottage

2010-09-18T22:16:00.005-05:00

Today I met some very creative souls. I was awestruck to be in the company of Karla Nathan, Lori Oles, and Carol Spinsky who have all been published numerous times in our favorite magazines! Karla hosted a "play date" at her home near Kansas City. Karla had a "closet of goodies" for us. When you walked in the door, it's the first thing you saw. It was like going to an artist's retreat! THe carrot cake was to die for!

Karla and her husband made lunch for us and this was part of her tablescape.It was so vintage and elegant. Every bird in her home has a crown on! Everyone's napkin ring was actually a cuff bracelet that we got to keep! My other new friends are Jami Miller and Nora Neely.

I traveled to Kansas City from my home about an hour west of Chicago (~500 miles) to "play" in Karla's Cottage. The other ladies came from as far away as Arkansas! On the way, I stopped at the Rusty Chandelier and the Curious Sofa. I was too chicken to ask the stores if I could take pictures for my blog so those are still in my head. This is Karla and her granddaughter. Look closely to see the wire crown on Sugarwings' head!

Goodwill buy of the day

2010-08-31T21:51:00.003-05:00

There's a Goodwill store near my office and I stopped in today at lunchtime. I saw this great little nightstand but it said "sold". I was heartbroken! I went to the cashier to confirm and she made 3 announcements for the buyer to come forth, no one did, so she sold it to me! It was $4.99!! It's pink and has about 3 other colors peeking through. I can't wait to make room for it in my studio.

Shame on me!

2010-08-30T21:48:00.003-05:00

I have been so busy checking out all my Bella sisters' blogs and those they recommend, that I haven't given my own blog any attention lately! Shame on me! This is (from the left) me, my best friend Claudia, my sister Merry, and my cousin Terri at the scrapbookexpo in St. Charles, IL last weekend. We had a Hawaiian blast! 14 hours of creating with 600 of our scrapping colleagues!
I promise to update more often, after all, I have 6 followers now, I'm so excited!!

My latest passion

2010-06-30T19:59:00.002-05:00

Here are a few of my altered bottles. I have set up an etsy shop but I'm still hesitant to put them up. They're all my favorites, I'd hate to part with them. But I know I need the space and I've got about 30 new bottles to get busy on so watch etsy in the coming days for your favorite to come up for sale.!

Congratulations Bub!

2010-05-12T21:48:00.002-05:00

Our son Garrett graduated last weekend from Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. Next step, law school? My baby! Here he is with our daughter, Jen, and her husband Tony, both ISU almni as well!

2010-04-20T21:54:00.002-05:00

My studio, my happy place!

2010-04-20T21:46:00.000-05:00

One example of my altered bottles.

Newbie at work!

2010-04-20T21:00:00.000-05:00

So I'm just trying to get the hang of it all. The flash pix were too stark and bright so I tried the candle light setting, now they're blurry. Anyway, I think you'll get the idea. I love my studio and my latest passion is altering antique medicine bottles. I have 24 made now! Not sure how I'll sell them or if I want to sell them. What do you think?

2010-04-19T20:40:00.000-05:00

Hello world! Cross it off my bucket list~start a blog! I was inspired by my friend at MyMothersPearls, Sue! I'm a multimedia artist in training, a research administrator by day. I have the best family in the entire world who tell me my art is pretty so I want to start to share it with you too! As soon as I can figure out how to get pix on here, I'll be back....Happy Spring!