SallyJean

San Diego then & 2010

 

What an amazing 11 days in San Diego...but who's counting (maybe Cheryl's husband-LOL)!  I usually never venture far during the Holidays ~ but couldn't resist the temptation of Workshops in sunny San Diego ~ especially when the low temperature there is the HIGH temperature here!  

 

My girlfriend Cheryl hosted the six days of Workshops in her beautiful home and welcomed me with open arms (and Diet Coke)...I am grateful.  Her home is gorgeous and her art studio is AMAZING (those who got to peek inside would surely agree...and there are still drawers I haven't gone through yet)!  A space befitting a spread in Where Women Create ~ for all to drool over *hint-hint*

 

With every Workshop I am always amazed at the talent I am surrounded with...and how one instruction can reap such individually unique and beautiful creations!  San Diego was no different...and I love thinking about the Spinning Stars that really spun (and Lee who made hers just by looking at mine!! You  go girl!).  

 

Of course, the Illuminated Houses all lined up like a Street of Dreams!  And we certainly can't overlook all the newly de-flowered Virgins who made Ornaments and House Necklaces (the latter with a zillion jump rings...LOL)!

 

I had so much fun that before I even left we were planning my return!  Thank you to those who had Workshop suggestions...and I hope you like the line-up for March 2010!   One week of "something for everyone"!

 

SAN DIEGO WORKSHOPS....2010

 Monday, March 8th - Soldering for Virgins

Tuestday, March 9th - Neato Nicho a la Beacho

Wednesday, March 10th - The Love-Bird Necklace

Thursday & Friday, March 11th & 12th - Totally Tiara (2-day)

To find out more and register, CLICK HERE!

 

When all the Workshops were complete and the fury of frienships calmed, Cheryl drove me north through L.A. (I waved to LA) and onward to the Long Beach Flea Market.  WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND GOES TO A FLEA MARKET AT 6AM?  We do!  (So does Amy Hanna...we bumped into her at CoCo's French booth.  THANK YOU, Amy, for the lovely blue balls!!!).   

 

  I wish I lived closer to take home some of the bigger treasures I saw...but look what the cat dragged in!  The score of the day (for me)...although some feathers might be flying on Lucy's behalf at the studio when Jean Luc sets eyes on "LOLA"...

And this great stash of baubles...

 

And a bag full of license plates (wow...they are heavy)...

 

And some farm animal miniatures...

 

And a graveyard placque from France...

 

And some civil war era clay marbles...

 

And some rubber stamps and an old bible with haunting entries...

 

And this lonely old unwanted broken wind up dog-cow which I adopted...

 

Lucky! 2 Spots open in San Diego Workshops!

San Diego Workshops are set for November 6-8 and November 11-13.  Lucky news for those that couldn't get into them when they were first launched.  A couple spots have opened in each of the Workshops (except November 12).   

 

If you would like to join me and some very creative, silly girls for a festive soldering adventure, now is your chance. 

To register, click on the Workshop you would like.  They are available on a first come-first served basis.

November 13 - Two Turtle Doves

November 11 - Soldering for Virgins/Holiday Ornaments

November 8 - Spinning Star Tree Topper

November 7 - The Illuminated House Shrine Ornament

November 6 - Soldering for Virgins/Holiday Ornaments

Hope to see you!

  

For the Love of Robin's Egg Blue-ooh-ooh....AT ROUND TOP!

Yes...the REAL ROUND TOP!  I am just thrilled to have gone to Round Top, Texas for the most amazing antiques hunt ever!  If you don't know about Round Top...it is a compilation of more than 35 different antique shows with thousands of dealers from EVERYWHERE held in the middle of no-where between Austin and Houston Texas.

For nearly 2 weeks (twice a year)...dealers and shoppers and shop-owners who are shopping and dealing tolerate mid-90-degree Texas heat for the sake of vintage junk (and not junk) that is irresistible.

I set off for 8-days with my girlfriends Bonnie, Cheryl & Kadee for a "girlcation".  Sadly, I had to leave after only 3 days into it ~ a price which (someone who will remain nameless) will pay for in a big way someday!  Needless to say, there aren't as many photographs as I wanted to share.

This first post about Round Top showcases my hunt for Robins Egg Blue treasures.  This chippy painting cutting board was right up my alley!

 

This blue-painted vintage iron bed was screaming my name...at $5,500!

 

Whereas, this barely blue armoire was only $3,200.  Where are the bargains?  But isn't it lovely!

 

A great bed...and much more reasonable than $5,500!

The 100 drawer x 100 drawer cabinet (below) was just $225.  I seriously considered it...wondering how many days it takes to drive from Round Top back to Portland.  Note to self:  NEXT TIME...BRING TRUCK!

 

So lovely...the perfect blue...

 

Some of the displays were just so magical - perfect for photographing!  

 

A picture frame shadow box in the background...painted my fave color!

 

Round Top...you inspire me!  For more information on Round Top...just Google it (be sure to search images for eye candy)...or Click here!

Ho Ho Holidays!

I always envy those that can create Holiday art at Easter!  The earliest I have succeeded was Christmas in July...but I was in my 20's and the police were called.  Seems the other residents in my condo complex didn't like Bing Crosby and Christmas Lights mid-summer.  But I digress...as usual.

 

So better late than never...I am happy to have launched Christmas 2009 !  I am especially smitten with the black & white with polka-dots...but then again...the colored pieces are so festive!  Most of all...though...are the Santa's...which I think I must acquire in hoards to decorate with!  

   

Now it's time to put my jingle-bells on...sew some Christmas Stockings (I can never find where I packed last-year's stockings)...and pray that Adam Lambert is putting out a Christmas album!  Of course, I'll be sure to show up for the Halloween candy on October 31st.

Sally Jean Christmas 2009

Additional San Diego Workshops...Yay!

 I am so excited to say that I will be staying a little longer than planned in San Diego!  I have just added an additional 3 days of Workshops to my November schedule.

SOLDERING FOR VIRGINS ~ HOLIDAY ORNAMENTS

SOLDERING FOR VIRGINS ~ HOLIDAY HOUSE NECKLACE

TWO TURTLE DOVES NECKLACE

To find out more and/or Register, click here!  

http://sallyjean.com/2009/Pages/WorkshopsSanDiego2009B.html

For the Love of Robin's Egg Blue-ooh-ooh

1. French Modern Dining Room...Exquisite 2. Box that looks like a book...for secret treasures

3. Felted River Rocks...softer than stones

4. Candies you won't mind counting the calories of

 

5. Kitchen of my dreams...even though I don't cook

6. Mercury Glass Balls...you can never have too many balls

7. House of Color

  

  

8. Of course Sally Jean Charms are in Robin's Egg Blue

9. Buttons, Buttons, who's got the Buttons?

10. Even Martha loves this color

11. Man-Candy

12. Squirrels are your friends, too

13. Yarn...died to match

14. I am a big fan...so is this

1. Dining Room
 2. Book Boxes
 3. River Rocks
 4. Candy 
 5. Kitchen
 6. Mercury Glass Balls
 7. House
 8. Sally Jean Charms
 9. Buttons
 10. Martha Kitchen-Ware
 11. Man Candy
 12. Felt Squirrel 
 13. Yarn
 14. Fan

Goodbye and Hello

It's been a big week.  Happy.  Sad.  Exciting.  Scary.  This week, I took my favorite daughter (my only daughter) Erika to college 3,000 miles away.  I knew it was coming...me and the other parents of the 35,000 kids at her school...and the parents of the other zillions of college-bound students across the country.  I am not alone.  But I felt like I was.  

She told me not to cry.  I tried.  She told me we would talk often.  I know.  She told me she would be safe.  I hope so.  She told me she would miss me.  And I will miss her.  More.

There she is...my baby girl.  All grown up and on her own.  

"Promise me you'll always remember:  You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."   ~ Christopher to Pooh, A.A.Milne

Sally Jean is going South!

I just finished an amazing weekend workshop The Illuminated Necklace!  A special weekend, here in my studio, which inspired me to...fly south for the winter!  Sort of!  Announcing...

I have had so many requests to fly south for winter...spring...summer...etc!  Why not...it is so close?  Done.  Now you may register for one (or more) of three special Holiday Workshops November 6-8 in San Diego!

SOLDERING FOR VIRGSIN - HOLIDAY ORNAMENTS

THE ILLUMINATED HOUSE - SHRINE ORNAMENT

THE SPINNING STAR TREE TOPPER

Find out more and Register Now (space is limited).  California...here I come!

Halloween is Here! (The charms, that is)

Wanting to make sure that the Halloween Collection is available with plenty of time to enjoy them before October 31st...I am thrilled to announce that Halloween 2009 has been released!

 

And now...you may treat yourself to one of three different styles in Halloween Initials! 

Including Halloween Stix...with the Polka Dots you know and love!

Oh...talk about the Stix...

    

And back by popular demand just for Halloween...Charmette Dots!

 

Not to be outdone by THE Dots!

And, of course, my Knockers...

 

Halloween 2009...come Trick or Treat with me!

BOO!

To Celebrate Halloween...

A Special for 8/10 & 8/11 only!  Enter code "HALLOWEEN" at check-out and receive 25% off orders of $50 or more (including Non-Halloween charms)! 

(tell a friend...)

Celebrate the End of Summer...No. 1

Celebrate the end of summer...not that I am happy it is ending.  But that I am joyful that there is still a little bit left to enjoy!

Go Glamping.  Yes, glamping.  A term I had never heard of before (I'm always the last to know).  It means..."glamorous camping".  Right up my alley.

 

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Whether it's lakeside or in your backyard, for one night or a week (or the rest of summer), sleeps one or sleeps six, this could be for you!

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Start with a tent.  This could be a pretty printed one a la Free People or Cath Kidston.  Possibly a white or faded green canvas tent.  Your favorite blankets strung from the clothesline.

Maybe just a simple one made from mosquito netting.

 

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Add your personal touches (imagine...decorating a tent!  Yay!  

 

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A rug, fluffy padded cot (or double bed)...

 

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A writing desk, lanterns, ruffled pillows, soft blankets, vase of flowers...

 

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Make it simple, but comfy.

 

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Make it soft and romantic (see the chandelier below).

 

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Make the view be natures painting.

 

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Enjoy it alone.

 

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Or invite the family.

And play.

 

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And just be together.

 

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It's all about joy.  The joy of solitude. The joy of togetherness.  The joy of nature.  The joy of simple pleasures.  The joy of quiet.  The joy of napping.  Just joy.

 

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Joy is not in things; it is in us.

~ Richard  Wagner ~