Gardening

It amazes me how much your interests change when you become a “senior” citizen. For instance, since I retired I love gardening. All my life I had what I called a “black” thumb. No matter what I did, I couldn’t get a thing to grow. It’s not that I didn’t try. Maybe I just didn’t have the patience when I was younger. I have all the time in the world now. My mother, father and paternal grandmother all loved to garden. Their gardens were absolutely gorgeous. My dad had all his veggies in containers. He always loved container gardening and he could grow anything. My mother is the flower person. The more colorful the better. If she still could she would fill the yard with flowers. My grandma did all kinds of gardening. She could grow anything from vegetables to flowers. She had the gift and we all enjoyed her treasures. I have a lot to learn though. I don’t know all the names of the flowers. I only know what I like to look at. I’ve learned though to use a lot of perennials. I’m not that good at digging so I only want to dig once. Not crazy about the weeding either. I’ve gotten in the habit of pulling weeds every time I walk outside to look at my treasures. I love looking at the flowers and shrubs. They are so beautiful. When you find something that puts a smile on your face, you want to keep it around.

Mom's Hydrangea's (she's 85 and still going strong) The blue is so intense and beautiful.

Along the walkway.

One of our rock gardens. We live in such a fast paced world. Computers seem to rule our lives. Not to say that is a bad thing but have you every just walked outside and looked at the beauty around you. We are here such a short time and Mother Nature is such a beautiful sight. My eyes are open to my surroundings and it is such a peaceful feeling. I know you’ve heard this before but you should take the time to smell the roses!

I know it's been quite a while since I posted.  I honestly don't know where the time has gone.  Wanted to let you know about an amazing handmade venue that I have recently joined.  www.craftcafe.co  I'm so in love with this site.  It has an amazing admin. group who bend over backwards to fit your needs on the site.  They take our suggestions seriously and whenever possible (which is usually all the time) they will accommodate our suggestions.


Craft Cafe is just what it suggests.  It's a beautiful site that you want to sit down with a cup of coffee and peruse through the site at the amazing artisans that have set up shop there.  It has only been open less than 30 days and already is getting great responses throughout the handmade world.


Of course, I have my IzzysPlace there chock full of my whimsical glass tile pendants.  I have also started to make puffy heart and puffy round pendants. I also have a 2nd shop which isn't open yet called Teddybeartique.  In this shop I will have my knitting, crocheting, painting and some vintage items.  Hope to open this shop in about a month.


I would love for you to stop by and take a peek.  Here's a preview of what you will find:

http://www.craftcafe.co/shop/izzysplace

I decided to add to my handmade glass tile pendant necklaces.  I love these little glass tile magnets.  They make great stocking stuffers, teacher gifts, grab bag gifts, etc.  There is a world of cuteness out there and believe me we need it.  A smile goes such a long way.  I would love to hear what you think of my little gems.

Tag Sales & Flea Markets

Tag sales are absolutely the best.  The anticipation of finding that one item that you really don't need but must have.  Many moons ago, I use to consign in a few antique stores.  Oh I had my collectibles that I was on the hunt for but I would also look for items to put in the shops.  Those days were so much fun!  Driving like a maniac to beat all the dealers to the sales.  Once there, you had to have eyes in the back of your head so you didn't miss a thing.  Prices were great too.  I found many beautiful things that I still have to this day.

Flea markets are great too.  We have one that can accommodate up to 500 vendors.  You literally can spend the whole day there.  We would be there at 7:00am and wait anxiously for them to let us in.  Then you would walk for hours on end looking at every little tidbit the vendors had to offer.  Loved the haggling!  They thought they had gold but you knew you could get it cheaper.  One time I bought a bee pin in a pile of junk for $2.00.  When I got it home, I found out it was a Tiffany pin from the 60's worth $2,000.  Never had another find like that one and probably never will again.  That was an awesome day!

The whole atmosphere is so exciting and fun.  There are also food vendors so you could sit under a tree and enjoy your food and socialize with other shoppers.  It's amazing the things people bring to the market.  It's extraordinary how some of the collectibles have survived for so many years.

Tag sales and flea markets have changed today though.  Everyone thinks they have that million dollar item and have priced them that way.  Everyone thinks they have that valuable antique but what they don't realize is that it's only valuable if someone wants it.  There are still people who are willing to pay for what they want.  One time on Ebay, I saw a 3" resin figurine sell for $1800.00.  Why?  Oh well who can understand the die hard collector.

All I know is I need to have a tag sale.  My collectibles are trickling down the stairs.  My kids have threatened to sell everything for a nickel and they would too.  Wonder if that million dollar item is in my house??

Handmade Is From The Heart

I would like to introduce you to a few of the many shops on www.zibbet.com.  Zibbet is a handmade marketplace of special people who have a passion for what they make.  The proof is in the end product.  Please take the time to click on their banner which will take you away to the wonder of handmade.  You never know what amazing item you might find.  So kick back and spend some time marveling at the shops on Zibbet.

A husband and wife team of lifelong crafters. Our first studio opened in 1978 and we've been trying to find a favorite medium ever since! We just love them all, and you never know what you will find at Texas Eagle Gallery! We did find our favorite place-Ireland! So, in addition to Texas items, we will feature many of our favorite bits of Eire! We're PASSIONATE about what we do and DETERMINED to please!
From our Texas home to our Irish passion - we have an eclectic mix of arts, accessories and collectibles. Stop by for a visit!

Take your time, shop, browse, and even soak in the peace and tranquility here. In this hour we live, bring some true joy into your life or share some items (greeting cards or postcards) with others and pass it on. If we all would share good and not the ugly, oh how more free and even healthier (I believe) we would truly be!

Ribbons of prisms created using Swarovski crystals magically brighten any room or window. My Sun Catchers are a beautiful way to brighten someone's world and make them feel special.

 

Nature's ever changing beauty is captured in my blank photo cards. I have many different photos to choose from...something for everyone. Let someone know how much you care.