What's Your Muse?

In the middle of summer, what sparks your creativity? What lights the passion within you to make or design something new? I decided to ask that question today because I am working on answering it for myself. I keep hearing about the importance of working now on items for the holiday season ahead -- but it's really hard sometimes to think about creating for Christmas or Hanukkah when its 90 degrees outside!

I currently have 22 books home -- borrowed from my local library, hoping that one of them will invite the muse to visit. Is that what you do? I've been in and out of the fabric store, the hobby store, and browsing the magazine aisle in the grocery store. I think about taking a class in the local knitting shop while visiting there, but the materials fees on top of the class fee sounds pretty steep. Yet, I longingly look just a little longer while fingering the new yarn arrivals.

Sometimes I sit in my studio and doodle -- or stare into the closet at drawers filled with every color and shade of fabric, hoping they will speak to me. But, one of my favorite places to feel the muse whisper is in seeing the wonderful creations of my fellow artists and teammates. Seeing others at work on some new project, or hearing about a class they are taking lights just a little fire in me and sets me working on a hot summer's day. I love the fantasy SixSisters brings to her watercolor fairies (above). Maybe my muse hides there!

Perhaps I will discover the inspiration in JillsTreasureChest. I have seen fairies hiding there among her amazing ceramic pieces.

Ah, but then maybe it isn't in fantasy I will discover my inspiration, but from nature. BethPeardonProds photos invite the eye to look deeper into the spirit of what she has captured!

Or should I sit in the garden of all the lovely flower paintings in  PFDOriginalArtworks shop? Her work is very inspirational!

Or could it be the inspiration will come from supplies waiting for my fingers to caress? SassaLynne has some amazing hand-dyed threads that beckon!

TheKnottySheep has some gorgeous new hand spun yarns inviting my fingers to make something fun!

But, the inspiration in the supplies category doesn't stop there. Just look at the buttons to be discovered in BizzieBeeButtons shop!

Ah, well, I get stuck there on occasion -- because my little crow's nest studio has supplies galore, but I still don't seem to find the inspiration to start the spark on how to use them. Maybe I what I really need is Artmixer's great book Finding Your Creative Focus!

If you have other ideas on how to stimulate creating in the summer heat -- I would love to hear them in your comments. And do visit these great Bbest Team shops where others have already been inspired to create!

Old World Charm for a New World Life

This week we've been chatting on the thread quite a bit about the drawbacks of current trends, morals, customer service and products. For about a month now I've been looking for a new can opener that isn't a piece of inferior junk that will drive me crazy. Sadly, nowadays, this is a daunting task. Well, you all know how I feel about fate... So here goes.

Last Thursday morning our Boston Sweethearts walked in our door surprising us beyond belief. They were here for 4 short days. On Saturday we were to travel about an hour away for some famous Barbecue. Unfortunately, I had an infection, needed to go to the after hours clinic which took up Saturday morning and messed up those plans. The half of the family in Georgetown went along. The half at our house couldn't. We did manage to take our clan to the marvelous Top Notch {the burger joint in Dazed and Confused which is still run by the same family} and then Culver's for frozen custard sundaes. On the way home I suggested we drop by the local Restaurant Supply Store. It's a groovy one. You never know what you'll find in there. Well, I spied these can openers and I recognized the Swing-a-Way name from way back when. I haven't seen one of these in forever. I was saddened when I checked the package and saw those three little words which strike fear in the hearts of housewives: Made in China.

I noticed a red handle in back of the line up. So much groovier than black. I sighed. Then I noticed something else. The packages in back were different from those in front. Sure enough, lo and behold, we read the fine print and there it was: Made in U.S.A. Score! Evan compared them and, you guessed it, there is a distinct difference in the construction and quality between the two models. So for the high end price of $7.15 I am now the ecstatic owner of a can opener that works like a breeze and I am sure will bring me smiles for the next umpteen years.

I rarely get this lucky, but occasionally we do find these old stock treasures {my sewing needles come to mind} in funky, locally owned hardware or 5 & 10 Stores. But there's a much easier way to find quality household items and these have something more. That something is not easily described, but quite readily felt. It's called soul. When you find that, you've found lightning in a bottle. Personality and charm are not only found in oddments. Everyday, useful items from the past are unique and bring that rare quality you will never find in Costco, Wal Mart or Target ~ simple happiness. Try it. You'll love it.

The holiday season is before us and while we think about handmade when we think of etsy ~ and that's fantastic ~ remember the good old days are here as well. So today I am featuring a few of our BBEST members who join me and offer vintage goods. There are always people in our friend or family circle who may not fit the handmade gift category. You can still save the earth, support your etsy friends and delight those you love with unique and useful gifts with heart.

I feature here just a few household items from a sampling of our members, but there are many more surprises in our shops ~ jewelry, clothing, ephemera & more. Simply search vintage or supplies adding the bbest team label. Or, click on one of the links below and take off from there. I hope you enjoy this small journey.
So....

NiceOldStuff

Sit yourself down with a lovely
cup of tea and start your
browsing right here...

Junkyard Gypsy

Old Sewing Supplies and Notions

A Treasure Trove of hard-to-find items
all in their own tin.

Vintage Legacy Studio

Groovy Hand Mixer ~ Channel Julia Child!

Nonnie's Treasures

California Pottery

This is where it's at, isn't it?
How perfect for the holidays.

sweetrice

salt& pepper shaker set

And will you ever buy something new
with this kind of personality & history?
You save the earth and so much more
when you support your BBEST friends'
Vintage & Supply Shops.
Useful, pretty, unusual, character ...
oh, and the items have all that too!

By The Wayside

1970s Fanciful Trivet

Until next time...

Meow.