Dime Store Chic

Shop Vacation...See You On Monday!

Hello, My Friends!~~~

I have been busy busy busy getting ready for the popular Trinkle Hall Craft Show in Williamsburg this weekend. This is the first big time craft show where I will be selling my creations along with my super talented BFF, Suzy! There are so many details to handle before we set out to Williamsburg, and I hope I remember everything. I have a list on several pieces of paper and will check it twice, maybe three times. I guess all I really need to take are the 6 (!) tubs of handmade goodies I have and change. And comfortable shoes.

I will put Beth's Bagz etsy shop on vacation beginning Thursday evening AND I will open Beth's Bagz up on Monday, December 5th with NEW handmade goodies and FREE SHIPPING for USA only!

If you are in the Willimasburg, VA area, please try to stop by Trinkle Hall's Craft Show (Free Admission!) this Saturday and Sunday! We would LOVE to see you there!...AND I'll see you on Monday!~~~XXOO, Beth

Ten Years Ago...

Hello, My Friends~~~

Ten years ago today the world lost a musical icon.

On November 29th, 2001, George Harrison, aka The Quiet Beatle, passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer.

George has always been my favorite Beatle. His musical legacy is only matched by that of his Liverpool childhood friends, John and Paul. As a Beatle, George wrote the gorgeous "Here Comes The Sun", "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", and "Something." My all time favorite song from the "Help" movie soundtrack is George's "I Need You." As a solo artist he made my spirit swoon with "All Things Must Past" and "What Is Life." His tribute to John Lennon with "All Those Years Ago" chokes me up every time I hear it.

At 58, George left us way too soon.~~~XXOO, Beth

 

 

Where George Washington Dined...

Hello, My Friends!~~~

I have been crafting my fingers to the bone in preparation for the Trinkle Hall Craft Show in the lovely campus of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia! This will my and Suzy's debut at this fabulous craft show with FREE adimission and held Saturday and Sunday, December 3 and 4. Trinlkle Hall is quite historic, as at one time George Washington dined there!

If you are in the neighborhood, please stop by for a visit! We would love to see you!~~~XXOO, Beth

Here Comes the Sun

Hello, My Friends!~~~

We closed up the summer place for the season this past weekend. Early Saturday morning, Hubby, dog, and I walked down the road to take a gaze at the Chesapeake Bay and to catch the sunrise.

The sun is on the way...

On the way...

There it is!

Coming up with a fishing boat sailing by...

And way up. The structure you see is an unmaned lighthouse marking the beginning of the Chesapeake Bay. The body of water in the foreground is the Ingram Bay.

I love a good sunrise. Don't you?~~~XXOO, Beth

Sometime Christmas Is Too Cute

Hello, My Friends!~~

You know as we search flea markets, estate sales, and thrift shops for fun goods for our homes, collections, and creations, there are certain things that draw our attention and even compell us to open our wallets.

I found one such figurine at a small estate sale this weekend...

Sometimes vintage Christmas goodies can be just too cute! This little miss didn't have anything in her hand but there was a small hole so I inserted a bottle brush tree and decorated it in vintage mercury glass beads. Sweet holiday miss is now a pin cushion, as you may have guessed.

I used a Christmas tree pin that has been in my stash for a long time. It just seemed to fit this scenario, don't you think so?~~~XXOO, Beth

Tadasu Izawa

Hello, My Friends!~~

When I was little my mother gave me a board book of "Little Red Riding Hood." The color illustrations were photographs of puppets posed in wonderful backgrounds. So magical!

Today, at the thrift store, I found two books illustrated by Tadasu Izawa.

"The Emperor's New Clothes." And...

..."The Snow Queen."

Please take a look at these wonderful illustrations using adorable posed puppets!

Imagine the amount of vcare and time it took to make these puppets, scenery, and to pose them in just the right way!

Gosh golly! I adore these!

There are a lot of puppets here!

Tadasu Izawa has illustrated lots of books in the 60's. Do I want to start a collection of them? I'm not sure. I have these 2 and "Red Riding Hood" from my childhood. So 3 makes a collection, doesn't it?

If you see these wonderful board books with the hologram covers (and some without, just photos of the fabulous puppets!), please take a peek into the art of this extroadinary craftsman: Tadasu Izawa!~~~XXOO, Beth

Turning That Lemon Into Lemonade~~You're Invited!

Hello, My Friends!~~~

Well, I expected to participate this Saturday, November 12th in the annual craft show at our son's high school. I have done so for three years in a row, and was looking forward to this year. BUT the folks coordinating the craft show sent an email to me and the other vendors this afternoon informing us that the craft show has been suddenly postponed to December 10th!!!!! REALLY? They let us know less than 48 hours before the event. Talk about having the rug yanked out from under you!

I have been making LOTS of goods for this show (and for another show in Williamsburg, VA December 3-4 in which I will join Suzy) but now I have way too much for the one show in December--yikes! I will NOT be attending the postponed craft show at our son's high school as I have plans for that weekend. So, instead of spending this Satuday (November 12th) sitting in a blue funk, I decided that I will have a craft show of my own and YOU ARE ALL INVITED!

Beginning this Saturday morning I'll fill my Beth's Bagz etsy shop to the brim with LOTS of fresh goods! This will include lots of one-of-a-kind totes made with vintage and new materials, whimsical pin cushions, and a sparkly array of Christmas goodies!

I hope you will stop by! I had planned to have big bowl of candy in my booth, so I'll send you some of that too!

Hope to see you!~~~XXOO, Beth

You Can Find Me Here!

Hello, My Friends!~~~

I'm in here...!

I am honored to have contributed to an article in Cottages & Bungalows magazine (December 2011)!

An article on vintage aluminum light reflectors--how fun! They featured some pieces from my collection and well as holiday wreaths and corsages I have made with these sparkly vintage goodies! This issue is packed full of fabulous holiday ideas--one of thier sparkliest and vintage-inspired issues ever!

If you are interested in seeing my latest holiday creations using aluminum light reflectors I invite you to visit Beth's Bagz. New goodies just listed!~~~Thanks for stopping by and have a delightful day!~~~XXOO, beth

Addicted to Shiny and Bright!

Hello, My Friends!~~~

This time of year with Christmas on the horizon, I just can't resist the allure of the vintage bits n' bobs of shiny glittery goodness in my studio! I adore working with these materials to create something over-the-top with holiday cheer!

These are my newest creations this week...

Oh deer!

And...

Let it snow!...But let's wait until winter, please!

And...

Oh deer again!

In case you want a closer look, all are in Beth's Bagz newly listed today!~~~XXOO, Beth

Nifty!

Hello, My Friends!~~~

Now that Halloween is over, the local thrift shops have finally started putting out Christmas goods. Yay! I popped into one shop today and found this...!

I have wanted one of these nifty plastic color wheels ever since the one Suzy and her hubby gave us croaked, because we used the heck out of it. We have two aluminum Christmas trees and they are once again going to glow this holiday season. And I paid $6! Woot!

XXOO, Beth