Vintage Shell Lamps

 

i've amassed a handful of these vintage, mid-century, souvenir shell lamps and other vintage shell related goodness...

all were in various states of falling apart so i have been saving weird stuff to glue all over them....

because, why not, right.

 

the one above now holds the glitter orb nun that natasha gave me.  she is actually holding a bowling ball but as soon as i got her i transmuted her bowling ball into a glittering orb.  she didn't mind.

i also added a little happy portlandia bird.  you know. 

put a bird on it.

i am keeping this one.

 

here is a little porcelain owl atop a shell pin cushion that hangs on the wall.  i took the soft pin cushiony part out when i was gluing so as not to ruin it.

 

elephants.

i know.

sea elephants i suppose.

this one lights up too.

 

broken doll heads.

they have all been in a drawer.

i couldn't bare to throw them out.

oh and there is a whale tail in there too.

 

all hands shell alter/font.

everyone needs one.

 

is this lakshmi?

her lamp lights up.

and she is carved from sandalwood so she smells good.

i think the slight heat from the tiny bulb will make her scent waft.

here's hoping.

she got a bird too.

 

and this little winged creature is hanging with her deer friends.

this one works as well.

i may keep adding bits and pieces here and there until they sell.

oh, yes, they are for sale, in my shop.

 

Smashing Rubbish

15926 Main St.

Duvall, WA 

 

Open

Fri & Sat

noon - 6

 

come on by and see how these look all grouped together and lit up.

you know you want to.

 

saltwater & sweetwater

(i'm needing a bit of both)

xoxxxox

jennette

 

 

 

 

 

 



Poetry of Objects

look at this loot!

 

my friend linden has a sweet etsy shop.

 

this owl pitcher i bought from her etsy shop, Poetry of Objects, is a cross over collectible for me:

adds to both my owl collection and my pitcher collection!

 

these gorgeous old vintage silver knives with a pear design are just ultra fabulous.  i think i will be gifting them to my favorite auntie for her birthday.

 

if you are in need of any beauty-full, good vibration, vintage goodness, go visit linden's shop

Poetry of Objects

on etsy

and buy away

... you wont be sorry!

 

hanging treasures on the new ombre shop wall,

come see!

xxx

jennette

 

 

 



Vintage Doll Clothes

vintage baby doll clothes are finally up for sale at Smashing Rubbish.

i have been hoarding some of these for years.

yes, i do have some unrelenting obsession with old dolls, vintage babies, antique miniature anything, and it requires me to buy and hoard every little bit i can secure!

i am loosening up my ways and to your benefit, you may now procure your own vintage doll, baby, miniature everything at Smashing Rubbish!

tehehehehe ....

come one, come all, form a line at the door,

vintage, handmade, hand sewn, tiny shell button havin doll clothes are here.

i knew you'd want to know,

xxx

jennette

Boots!

these are the finished boots, the vintage plasticy ones i scored at the thrift last week that are in primo condition, after i took a crack at them with fabric and glue!

see that panel down the front?  i figured i could just trace a pattern for that and snazzy these babies up.  so i did!

once i got the pattern cut out i was originally hoping to cut out this gorgeous peachy vintage velvet that natasha gave me.  it used to be her grandma's curtain panels!  can you image?!  how divine!

the color looks much more pink here.  but after i got these cut out and tried sewing the vintage black and white striped seam binding around the edges, it was a disaster!  the binding didn't have enough width to really grab the velvet how it needed to so it just kind of peeled off.  disaster.  so on to plan b.

those of you who have known me for a while know that i LOVE me some wood grain print!  i have made a BUNCH of stuff with this fabric: a bag, a jacket, card holders, tissue pouches, etc.  well i have just scraps left so i figured what the heck.  some wood grain boot panels edged in black and white striped binding.  good, yes?

here are the supplies: boots stuffed with bubble wrap and fabric to keep them stiff and give them form, elmer's glue, paint brush, fabric and clothespins.  easy peasy.

and a finished boot!

i think i will try wearing these with some rolled up jeans and a silk shirt next week.

i like my flashy "new" boots!

working on a cover for another fold out cot.

gotta have cute cot covers, you know!

will show you soon,

xoxoxo

jennette

Vintage Flowers & Feathers

these vintage velvet flowers all got made into individual hair clips but i wasn't quick enough in posting them here before they all disappeared from the shop!  but what i do have left are these amazing vintage feather pieces that could also be made into hair clips:

perhaps they are meant to be old hat or millinery pieces?

any of these would make a great hair piece.  they can be attached to clips, head bands, or barrettes. or they could be pinned to your hat or your lapel.  swanky vintage stuff, don't you think?!

come see for yourself at Smashing Rubbish in Duvall, WA!

have a great weekend and i will post next week on all the new loot from my stp (seattle to portland) buying trip!

take care,

xoxo

jennette

Wear-n-Worn ~kids edition

here's my little fellow in his vintage garb.

he loves to dress vintage so we were both excited when i found these pieces, the cheetah sweater vest and plaid wide legs, at an estate sale recently.

we got lucky because all the kid stuff we found fit him perfectly.

we were both thrilled!

i am heading toward portland, or. tomorrow and will shop all along the way there and back.  i hope to find some new treasures for the shop so come by Smashing Rubbish next week to see the new loot. 

and a reminder for my awesome Smashing Rubbish customers: i am considering shifting my shop open hours a bit to better fit the pattern of when i will actually have customers :)  so watch for the possibility of being closed on wednesdays (as well as our traditional mondays and tuesdays) and being open 12-5 on thursdays, fridays, saturdays and sundays (instead of 12-6 thur-sat).  if you have any input about this i would greatly appreciate hearing about it!  Don't be shy!  the shift in days and hours is being considered because i hardly have any customers on wednesdays and rarely have customers in the last hour between 5 and 6pm.  having wednesday to be creative in my studio and being home for dinner with my family will make a big difference to me personally so i am considering this probable change.  not sure how soon yet, or when, but i will certainly make every effort to keep my hours posted and current to keep you aware and abreast. 

thank you for all your support SR customers!  you make it so i can stay in business here in duvall!  thanks!

pricing vintage books,

xoxoxo

jennette

Wear-n-Worn

love this prim and proper dress i found at an estate sale recently.

the turquoise and gold beaded necklace make it a little fancy.

and the belt.....i love the belt.

i had to sass it up a bit by wearing knee highs and tall boots

and then to make it saucy.... the fur leopard print coat was added.

gotta have a little sauce now and then if you want to keep things spicy!

What do you like to wear to dress up?  Vintage?  Modern?  Classic?

Do tell....

pricing books,

xoxox

jennette

Wear-n-Worn

here is a little wear-n-worn to tide you over until i can get back to regular posting after the snow daze!

i have had this vintage kimono in rotation for many many years, like twenty, i think i have had it since high school!  And i recently discovered it again in the back of my closet!

i had gotten into the habit of always wearing cardigans and i have to remember that i have many other "cardingany-type" things in my closet to choose from!

here i paired the black and white kimono with a vintage frock i got last summer that just needed a few mends here and there.  i do think the "dress" is meant to be a house dress but i wear a black slip under it and and throw on my black knee socks and black boots and call it a dress to wear in public!

the dress has a fantastic asian inspired scene on it and has this great detailing on the pockets and collar.  oh yes, those who know me know i LOVE a dress with pockets!

its a good thing!

so in other news....it's saturday january 21 and the shop is finally open!  it has been closed for a week due to snow, ice and power outage.  our seating sale continues and i am adding clothing to the sale as well, for the next week! 

all seating and clothing 20% off!

come by when you can and take a look.  since i was stuck at home for a week i also cleaned my house and culled many of my personal items to bring in to sell to you so they can meld into their new lives with y'all!  two car loads to be exact so it will take me some time to get it priced but little by little it will all be out on the floor!  come see!

hoping flooding and high winds stay at bay,

xoxoxo

jennette

New & Noteworthy!

there are many new items in the store!

many  would make great gifts!

we have stocking stuffers too!

wood bookmarks!

new displays!

a vintage oak framed sheep print!

chalkware relics

religious icons

pewter hinged lid footed box

an amazing piece of embroidery!

a close-up of the embroidery.   is that a rabbit?!

an embellished footed velvet hinged lid box

check out the beaded lining!

a silk embellished crown of sorts!

i love these two items!

2 small painted mexican chairs!  adorable!

and another mary!  this one is heavy old pewter!

a reverse, painted on the inside of the glass, ship on the seas painting!  love these!

a sweet vintage framed jesus child print

and another!

hickory dickory dock embroidered piece

hey diddle diddle embroidered piece

several quilt pieces

and last, but not least, a vintage silk painted, made in France, "delicates" pouch.  just lovely!

i am still pricing items and putting them out in the store.  if you have any last minute shopping to do, come on by!  you are sure to find just the right, unique, thoughtful gift here at Smashing Rubbish! 

we will closed by 4pm on Saturday Dec. 24 and i am thinking about remaining closed from then until wednesday january 4, when we would reopen for the new year!  that means we would be closed 4 of the days we would normally be open.  we would be closed on the holidays anyhow.  i am hoping this short closure does not inconvenience any of my regular customers. 

thank you for your continued support of Smashing Rubbish!  it means a lot to me that you buy what i make, purchase the treasures i find, and tell your friends about the shop!  i wouldn't be here without your continued support and encouragement!  so thank you!  really! i am grateful and humbled!

pricing, wrapping, making,

xoxoxox

jennette

Metallic Gold Leather Bag & Pouches

here is the metallic gold leather bag i made from an upcycled and repurposed metallic gold leather skirt i found in nashville!

this photo makes it look more silver but it really is gold.

here is the back side and showing you the attached lining that i took out.

here i am just seam ripping, and seam ripping and seam ripping

here is the skirt inside out, no lining, and waistband detached

and here is another photo of the finished bag!

i made it with short handles, reusing the waistband, so it can hang off my arm or over my shoulder

it's lined with two different vintage fabrics and has a huge inside pocket

i like how in some light it looks more gold or less gold, but always metallic! i'm going to use it for a while. yeah, a new bag for me!

with some of the left over pieces i was able to make a few small zipper pouches!

one has a red zipper and one has a green zipper

both have the same vintage fabric lining shown here and both are for sale!

these would make adorable gifts!

get them while they last!

sewing, sewing, sewing,

xoxoxo

jennette

Vintage Christmas

all the vintage christmas and holiday items i have

are now for sale in the shop!

there are stockings, santas, reindeer,

elves, ornaments, shiny brights,

colored glass balls, winter houses, garland,

small decorative trees, wicker sled, tree toppers,

pixies, candles, and mittens.

come see what's new and old at

Smashing Rubbish

and grab a gift while you're at it!

we also have some lovely handmade tissue holders,

change/card carriers, and zipper pouches for sale.

thank you for shopping local at Smashing Rubbish!

we couldn't stay in business without your support!

happy holidays!

off to decorate our vintage aluminum tree,

xoxoxox

jennette

New & Noteworthy

Smashing Rubbish has some new finds!

succulents, log candle holders, wood mushrooms

bristol glass bedside water server with painted eggs in a nest

so lovely!

unusual carved wood goddess/momma statue.

perfectly weathered.

dried seaweed specimens framed behind glass.

could also be used as a tray.

brought this painting back from Nashville.

large wooden painted bird tray.

and chalk dogs from Nashville.

miniature mould

handmade totem pole postcard holder

vintage velveteen rabbit toy

an embroidered silk and velvet vintage shoe

and a gorgeous little coin purse.

all up for grabs at

Smashing Rubbish Studio & Vintage General Store

15922 Main ST.  Duvall, WA  98019

Wed-Sat noon-6

Sun noon-5

come say hi, see what's new, and get some holiday shopping done.

we will be closed wednesday november 23 and thursday november 24.

we will reopen on friday november 25 for regular business hours.

and all our vintage holiday decorations and supplies will be out!

working on stocking stuffers,

xoxoxo

jennette

Vintage Sewing Cards

by Hazel

what do y'all know about these sewing cards?

the back

how old do you think they are?

bear

i have had some before that seemed just as old.

bear, back

I found these on Etsy but they are very cutesy...

mine seem older...

fish

are they mid-century?

fish, back

could they be turn of the last century?

crown

could they be Edwardian?

crown, back

could they be Victorian?

candle

i wonder how old Hazel was when she did these.

candle, back

did her mom help her?

bird house

or her big sister?

birdhouse, back

did she make them in school?

fishing

or by a cozy fire at home?

fishing, back

did you ever have sewing cards?

fish bucket

i don't remember having sewing cards.

fish bucket, back

i'm just curious.

girl

i just wonder.

girl, back

*****

working on some vintage tapestry bags when i have time to sew.  but mostly working in the yard to get it ready for our big music-fest birthday party in June.  we had a stage built!  and the gardens are starting to look fabulous.  finally.

xoxoxox

jennette

Corn Bag Cushion

here is the finished chaise lounge cushion i recovered for my friend Kathy.  it turned out even better then i had hoped and Kathy loves it!  i love it too! 

here is the original cushion:

the cover i made slips right over this and opens in the back for easy removal.

here is a close up of one of the vintage feed sacks i used.  I used three in all.  Kathy had bought them especially for this project and she gave me a cotton curtain panel to use for the back fabric.

here are the sacks layed out in the initial stages.

trying to show you the red double top stitching i did on the top to tie all the pieces together.  i will show you the overlapping "pocket opening" in the back.  it's just like you might see on a euro sham pillow:

so there you have it.  another cover up!  Kathy is using vintage ticking pillows to go around the back side of this, where your head, neck, and back would rest.  i bet it looks really good all together.

off to work on more painting bags.  i know i've said it a hundred times but i am trying to get several bags done so when i get back from Tucson i can list a bunch of stuff at once in my Etsy shop.  wish me luck.  fingers crossed.

xoxox

jennette



February Finds

the studio mascots got new hats!  found these very small vintage party hats at second saturdayz

this is the second one of these i have found.  this one at ruffles and rust.  the other one is a much brighter blue.  and it's for sale down at the mall.  but i will be turning this one into a pin cushion.  stay tuned and i will show you the results soon....

the little lame prince and his traveling cloak

also from ruffles and rust.  it had such great picture plates i couldn't resist

just found this at ruffles and rust too.

already had this similar one and had to show ya!

found this at second saturdayz.  i definitely have a thing for little pouches/purses/wallets, especially leather or beaded!  i'll try to get a post together of all the ones in my possession to show you soon!

yes.  this is a velvet painting.  i know.  you think it's strange.  but i LOVE this!  i found it at goodwill.  it was marked over $20.  i asked to speak to the manager and pointed out its slight and minimal flaws to her, asking if it could be reduced in price.  of course, she said, how about $10?  Sold!

this is a nice old piece of oak that used to have "scrolly" decorative wood pieces attached to it.  i love how you can see where the pieces were.  it gives it a cool patina/look.

i will most likely incorporate this piece into a "crazy quilt" headboard i am working on for our king size bed, incorporating the east coast blue shutters i found last summer and incorporating a few other pieces of found wood.  i'll show you if/when i ever get around to completing it!

another old doll to embroider.  my sister in law Jamie found me this one.

another vintage velvet box.  this one blue.  more on the velvet box collection coming soon!

i have been looking for one of these forever for our vintage 1961 Fireball travel trailer.  yes, ours is a travel trailer, not a mobile home, technically, but the decal on the plate looks so similar to our little Fireball!  so i am trying to decide if i will go all out ghetto and cross out "mobile home" with a Sharpie and write in Travel Trailer, or not!

a vintage camera strap!!!!  Love!!!

this $3 necklace from the thrift bought for the tigers eye beads.  i have been a Complete FREAK lately over tigers eye!  Swoon!

a perfectly green hull coffee mug.  maybe for the Fireball...

i think that might be just about it for February Finds.  i did get some new fabrics that i will be making stuff with but i'll show you those when they become something :)

folding fabrics and finding storage,

(wish me luck!)

xoxoxxx

jennette



Vintage Silk Kimono Jacket

this is a beautiful and delicate vintage silk kimono i picked up at a vintage clothing store in Tucson last spring.

it is old silk with silk embroidery

the workmanship is gorgeous and amazing

there is so much fine detail and i see something new every time i admire it.

if it weren't so delicate i would definitely wear it

i have it draped over an old mirror frame to hold it up and out

i love the waves and water depiction

the sleeve trim is just incredible

right now the kimono is living leaned up against these mirrors on a ledge by my front door

i need to find a different place for it to live because my front door is all glass and the light that shines through this south facing door is not good for the silk.

on a quest for another space large enough (fat chance),

xoxoxxxo

jennette



Medals

i found these vintage swim medals at Second Saturdays for $1 each!

as soon as i saw them i knew exactly what i could use them for.  i was thinking about my revamped military jacket.  i was thinking about the millions of little drawers i have here stuffed full of cool little treasures.  and i started to think about what i could replace those medals with before attaching them to the coat.

here are a few of the items i had in mind:

a tiny scope.  see below:

gotta have a scope for outdoor adventures!

and a little tiny harmonica!  can't leave home without one!

an old sterling silver and red glass watch fob.  cuz it's cool.

and for the 4th one i wanted the arm and hand, because don't you always need an extra hand?!  but in the end i went with the key.  because keys can be helpful too.

here i am in all my glory with my cool "McGiver" medals.  clearly, i am ready for an adventure of the epic sort.

bring it on!

paying bills,

xoxox

jennette



Winter Wonderland

As the snow started to fall at our house I couldn't resist getting out a few holiday ornaments to enjoy for the next few weeks.  I said I would resist since a surfing, snorkeling, birding, and yoga-filled 2 week holiday vacation is coming up.  I had told myself that I would not be putting out these decorations, that it wasn't needed and it would be nonsense to bother.  But I just can't help myself.  I love the winter holidays and I probably have enough decorations and holiday paraphernalia for two houses so I figure one litte holiday "alter" can't hurt!

Framed trees arranged on velvet made of vintage costume jewelry picked up at the thrift store many years ago for $2 each.

As you can see, I have quite the collection of holiday woodland folk!  When my Grandpa McAlpin died I inherited all his Christmas decorations.  I unearthed a large box full of the pinecone elfs.  Each one had a double and there were at least 10 sets.  Over the years I have gifted the duplicates to other family members and have continued to collect them for my family.  They hold books, lanterns, instruments, gifts and trees.  Right now I have about 40 different ones!

I have also been collecting vintage deer figures, little snowmen and other woodland creatures as well.  Most of these items are vintage "made in Japan" decorations.  To keep the creatures contained this year I used two matching tiered silver tray thingys, set on top of an antique pie safe, and displayed the deer and friends around them.  The plastic elfy gnome couple above watches over it all.

I love this photo.  It appears to be a Scandinavian Christmas pageant complete with snow, crowns, costume gowns and Father Christmas.  The back says "xmas 1916."

Leafless tree full of tiny vintage glass bulbs sitting on an antique plant stand between the dresser and the pie safe.  And the penguin is vintage chalkware.  The green tree a beeswax candle.

On the left is a photo of my dad around 1950.  On the right is a photo of Chad around 1979.

The grouping of pictures above contain images of the display on top of an antique dresser next to the pie safe and plant stand.  The two soft white Santa's are reproductions, not vintage, but all the feather angels and buildings are vintage made in Japan.

On Saturday I took the boys to Yulefest at The Nordic Heritage Museum in Ballard to check out the festivities and celebrate our Danish heritage.  I am a Nielsen, after all.

Jasper with Santa at Yulefest.  I couldn't get August to be in the photo. Uggghhh....teenagers.

The Snow Queen, her sleigh and Reindeer.

We hung our Danish flag garlands in the window, attaching them to our net collection.  Jasper wanted the Danish flag we bought for his room.  Some day we will travel to Aarhus, where our ancestors are from to visit and discover our roots.  We can't wait!

Is it trying to snow where you live?  Does it make you want to decorate for the holidays?  We usually have a big Winter Solstice celebration.  It will be strange to not have a tree and be in the tropics for Winter Solstice.  But I think I'll survive it.  Surfing on Solstice, Christmas and my Birthday will suffice!

xoxo

Jennette



Curious and Curiouser

I guess this is what you would call a curio cabinet.  It's full of my little collections.  All my records are housed below it.  And my studio record player sits on top.  Lemme see if I can find a photo:

Ah, here's one.  The boys bought me a retro looking, take along, turntable for my birthday last year and I/we listen to records all the time.  There's nothing like the crackle of the needle on the record.  I love it!  I now buy all music I love on album if they have it and if they don't I still buy CDs or use iTunes.  In most cases, when you buy an album nowadays, they give you a way to also download the whole thing anyhow.  This turntable is actually able to hook up to the computer and turn your albums into CDs potentially but I just use it to listen to awesome tunes and dance around my studio!

Above the turntable we also have a lot of our black and white photos displayed.

Here's one side of the 'curio.'

And the other.

Now for some close-ups. 

I love and have been collecting, for a really long time, all manner of devil figurines, anthropomorphic animals and people, unusual and interesting children's clay projects, birds, nuns, American pottery,

gnomes, rabbits, pixies,

pirates, faun/Pan figures, carved wood creatures,

cloth dolls, rag dolls, felt dolls, yo-yo dolls,

souvenir shell dolls, busts, tin can doll furniture unpainted,

doll heads, bodies, parts,

schnauzers, clocks, tiles, bead work, silver trays,

European pottery, mirrors, sheds/exoskeletons,

pumpkins, jack-o-lantern, paper mache,

chalkware, plasterware, compositionware,

transferware, restaurant ware, and made in the U.S.A. California art pottery.

Whew!

That's a lot of curio-usness!

This is an ever evolving, ever changing, rotating, in and out kind of collection.  I add to it.  I take away from it.  I gaze and wonder at it.

It's probably kind of obvious by now that the stranger, weirder, odder, more unusual something is, the more I love it.  I seek it out.  I watch, look, and listen for the whispers of "perfectly odd," when I am out and about in life.  I am drawn to the bizarre, uncommon, and strange.  I am completely comfortable with these "things."  And although I certainly don't need them to survive, they do make my heart sing!

What do you collect?  What are your favorite things?  What makes you extra comfortable when you are surrounded by it?

Off to keep working on my space reset at the antique mall.  Its coming along but it's a ton of work!!!  I'll be sure to post some photos when it seems more "finished."  I can't wait to be done with it so I can get more sewing projects finished!

xo

Jennette

Vintage Car Pants

Worked on another pair of Oliver+S pants for Jasper this weekend.

We had found this vintage car/transportation material at an estate sale.

Jasper liked it a lot.  But the material was cut in short pieces so I had to make the cars running up and down his legs.  I was able to line up the pattern so the bottom edge sat right on the selvage.  That worked out nicely.

Close-up of material.  We really like the colors.

Here are the finished pants before he tried them on.  I was working on them in stages.  One of those stages was Friday night.  At one point I sewed the waistband on backwards and had to seam-rip it out and begin again.  That's usually when I know its time to take a break!

I used one of his other pair of Oliver+S to get the hem length right.  We make them a tad long and he likes to roll them up sometimes.

All in all, another stunning success with this pattern! 

We had a brilliant idea as we were finishing these up.  Jasper has been attending Roots and Wings at Wilderness Awareness School (WAS) for the past three years but this year he is at Tracks and Tales.  Jasper goes to his Montessori School on Mon., Tues., Thurs. which leaves Wed. and Fri. for other activities.  WAS's class for 7 year olds is on Thursdays so Jasper can't attend.  But we found Tracks and Tales and he LOVES it!  

In Jasper's first year at WAS he was able to fit into a pair of wool Gap pants I had found on consignment at Booty Land.  They were Awesome pants!  We were frequently asked by other parents where and how to get them.  Nice wool pants are not easy to find for small children!  After his first year, we resorted to snow pants most rainy, wet WAS days since the wool pants no longer fit.

Fast forward to last week when Jasper went to his first day at Tracks and Tales and we were scrambling to locate the snow pants.  We found them but they are finally getting too small as well.  They kept the mud and wetness off him but he looked like he was waiting for a flood!

As I was making this latest pair of Oliver+S pants I had a moment of pure clarity and remembered that the reason I had been collecting umpteen bazillion old wool blankets over the last few years was to be able to felt them, cut them, and make cool recycled wool blanket projects.  Originally I was thinking holiday stockings, dog bed cover, ornaments, etc.  But why not pants?!  Yes!  Pants!!

So I washed and felted a few old blankets on Sunday to prepare.  I am super excited to see if I can make this work!  I think I know a few people who might want some wool pants for their kiddos!  I plan to reinforce the knees with a contrasting wool patch, and maybe even add some rear-end patches too!  Jasper always wears his REI long underwear top and bottom as his first layer so that will help the wool not feel itchy.  As soon as I have a prototype, I will show you.  My only worry is that my machine wont want to sew thru the thick parts.  Maybe its time to take the ancient Singer I have sitting in my garage into the shop to see if she can be resurrected!  The work-horse Singer would definitely get the job done!

Off to test out my new running shoes,

xo

Jennette