Knick Knack Patti Whack!

My friend Patti is hosting a swell event at her shop in NE Portland this weekend. 4 local crafters have set up mini shops of their own within the Butter Bean walls of Patti's delightful space.

Let's have a look, shall we?

Nancy Goldman creates awesome brooches out of plastic animals, ribbon, wire and beads...

She up-cycles cast off sweaters into warm and whimsical hats...

Nancy also attaches images to canvas and adds bits and bobs to complete the picture. A cat with a crown and an Italian Count with a rhinestone earring, for example.

Julie Feuerborn is a master of glass transfers...



Aren't they wonderful? (The girl with the bird on her head in the first photo now belongs to yours truly.)
Laurie Buckley knits beautifully...


and makes lovely jewelry too!

Trina Hesson does amazing things with paper and glitter...

and paints colorful and unusual ornaments for your holiday tree.

Don't miss this show chock-full of charming and very reasonably priced goodies.

Patti Smith West

3746 NE 42nd - 1 block north of Fremont St.

Saturday 11/12 from 11:00 am - 6:00 pm

Thank you, Sherry!

So the other day, while I was working at the shop, the phone rang. When I answered it, I heard the words we all live to hear, "Hi, my name is Sherry and my sister and I are cleaning out our Aunt Ethel's house...." All I heard after that was "Blah, blah, furniture..blah blah...dishes, old records...blah blah...donate to Goodwill..." I tried to stay calm, but it was impossible. I unwittingly shouted out: "NO!" I took a breath and said, "I'll be there as soon as I close the shop!" Here's (some of) what I got...

Royal typewriter from the 1940's,

wood boxes, garden tools, a floral print, chartreuse lamp, 1940's aluminium cooler, a hopper and...ahem, concrete.

Orange Damask drapes, a green trunk stuffed with linens, ancient copper heater and pink floral bin,

Galvanized buckets (2 of several) Pendleton wool blanket, and a mocha brown 1950's daybed,

2 sweet canvas topped seats,

and a box full (one of 4) of kitchen goodies. My favorites are the hard boiled egg slicer and the turkey lacing pins. I shoved a large wad of cash in Sherry's hand and drove off into the night.

I would show you the rest of the stash, but A) it's all piled in a friend's garage in SE Portland and B) that would just be boasting.

An interruption in our regularly scheduled programming

O.K. I know I was supposed to take you on the second half of the Iron Horse tour, but I have breaking news. While out junking today I saw a sign for a moving sale, I only stopped because I was literally driving right by. It certainly didn't look promising. You know, gravel driveway, an inexplicable collection of shoes, vacuum cleaners, bikes and fake leather jackets hanging from a chain link fence. See?

But girls, if I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times: Stop. Get. Out. Of. The. Car.
As I turned the corner around the Arborvitae, there it was.

A vintage windmill...metal...a bit mossy and totally fabulous. Not wanting to seem too eager...I forced myself to paw through old Tupperware, broken china angels and headphones. After a minute, I sauntered over to my beloved, turned to the 2 Russian babushkas sitting on the front porch, and casually asked: "How much for the this?" Babushka #1 says "10 dollars." I pause, then inquire: "Would you take five?"
As babushka #2 is nodding NO, babushka #1 says YES. Into the back of the Dodge it went. I drove directly to the shop, got it out of the van, put it on the sidewalk and hung a price tag on it. I bet my bottom dollar it will be gone within 24 hours.

Starstruck

Remember my tale about the best thing I have ever found?

The star is now hung ~ in all its ginormous glory ~ on the wall in my space at Found on Fremont. And in case it didn't make enough of a statement, I draped tiny white lights on it. Customers have asked if it's for sale...I don't think I want to let it go, but if I did, what price should I slap on it?
Please advise!

A Busload of Fabulous Vintage Stuff!

There's a new place to shop in NE Portland. If you're driving on Williams Ave., you may do a double take when you see this double decker. Yes, girls, it's a dress shop. A vintage dress shop.

This is Erin. The bus shop is her baby. She calls herself "The Conductress". Adorable. Let's hop on, shall we?

First thing I saw was this table full of jewels and other delights...

Look what's in the front window of the top deck...Shoes!

Here's the upper deck. Dresses, jeans, jackets and a fitting room tucked in behind barkcloth curtains.

If your boyfriend is looking for something, he'll find it here.

Or if your boyfriend is naughty, you can send him to the man chair. He can look out the window and just be quiet while you shop!

I want this vintage rose dress for my next wedding. Too bad the last time it would have fit me was on my 9th birthday.

Erin says she was born in the wrong decade. I know the feeling.

Run Don't Walk!
Lodekka Dress Shop
North Williams Ave. at NE Failing St.