Craft Space Update

Hello my lovelies,

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile, we've been moving.

You may remember some of my Craft Studio posts, in which I showed photos of my studio space in the house that we were renting in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque.  It was so lovely and spacious...sigh...

I had room enough for 9 people to sit and work!

Well, the good news is my house in Downtown Albuquerque finally sold so I was able to buy a nicer newer (and smaller) house in the North Valley of Albuquerque.  

The bad news is my craft room now looks like this

I would probably be one of those tiny house people if it weren't for all of my craft supplies

Not sure what I'm going to do with my paper packs (the bags on the floor)

I did manage to find this awesome bookshelf!  It's really tall and spacious

And it's made out of old shutter doors <3

In addition to its size, I'm also sharing my craft space with this eyesore

...must find a way to cover those pipes that doesn't cost a fortune!

I'd love to put some cabinetry up there that would serve as storage for my cleaning supplies, as well as cover those water heater pipes.  Hopefully soon.

I'm just going to keep chipping away at my mess and hopefully I will have it cleaned and organized soon!  I have donated quite a bit of supplies to the OffCenter Arts thrift shop, so stop over there for great deals on gently used art materials.

I've also decided to part with some of my favorite vintage and antique things, which I put up for sale at my booth at Antiques and Things, Booth #19.  I'm currently having a 50% off sale to boot!

Wish me luck!  Feel free to tag me on social media if you see any useful decorating/organizing ideas on the cheap.

http://www.facebook.com/belovedbijou

http://pinterest.com/belovedbijou

Love,

Myria

Mad Tea Party with A Fanciful Twist AND Needle Felting Class

Hello My Lovelies,

I have been eagerly waiting for this day to arrive and it's finally here!  My Mad Tea Party and Needle Felting Class.  The tea party is hosted by Vanessa Valencia at A Fanciful Twist.  Be sure to visit her blog, as well as the blogs of the other tea party hosts.

I'm waiting awhile to prep completely for my tea party.  I want the tea to be hot and the macaroons to be fresh!  But don't worry - tomorrow I will post all of the photos of the tea party and needle felting class.

Meanwhile, I thought I would share my collection of tea/coffee/hot chocolate ware with you.

In my kitchen, above my cabinets, I have a nice space to display my sets.

I'm pretty much obsessed with Alice in Wonderland

Yup

Here is my Bavarian Hot Cocoa set that I inherited from my grandmother. 

I picked up this coffee pot, tea pot, and creamer at various thrift shops 

Here is another set that I inherited from my Grandmother.  A biscuit jar, cup and saucer, creamer cup, and coffee pot.  It's not all one set but they compliment each other nicely.  

Perfect for spoiling yourself on a chilly morning.  

It's chipped - like most things that are well loved - all the more reason to use it!

Love! 

My mom bought this set for my birthday this year.  We got it at an Antique Shop that is in an old school house in Arkansas.  I fell in love with it when I saw it.  It is hand painted and signed.  The woman who did this did an excellent job!  

My 2 of my handmade tiered party plates, and 1 vintage one.  I'll be using the one on the left for my tea party so you'll see better photos of that one.

I picked these Bailey's Irish Coffee cups, sugar, and creamer up at Things Etc., an indoor flea market in Albuquerque.  Got a screaming deal on these.  I have 4 cups total plus the sugar and creamer.  I was so excited that I was able to complete the set during one shopping trip!  A couple of different vendors had all of the pieces that made up my set.  

It was meant to be!

So cute! 

Here is my party setup.

Upcycled tiered party plate - made by me! 

I'll be serving the flowering green tea in a clear teapot.  I have a nice tea cozy that I swapped for at a craft show.  It works great!  I highly recommend getting a tea cozy. 

My creamer cup that I a fellow vendor at Antiques and Things gave me - not the same pattern as the tea set that I'm using but VERY close. 

My cups and saucers.  These also used to belong to my grandma.  

The pattern is Haviland Apple Blossom

My craft studio - it has enough seating for 9 people. 

The needle felting class kits. 

I'll be showing my students the various needle felting tools and how to use them.  

Plus show them how to craft on a budget.

Each student will get to choose a cup and saucer with which to make their pin cushion for the class.

(The swan one is mine)

And this is what we'll be making.  Needle felted latte pin cushion.

#pincushion #needlefelt #latteart #belovedbijou

A photo posted by Myria (@mandellphotos) on Jan 25, 2015 at 6:04pm PST

Thank you for reading!  Stay tuned for tomorrow's post.  I'll be sharing photos of the party and the final products of the craft class.

Love,
Myria

Sale - 40% Off at the Antique Shop

Hello Dear Readers,

I wrote awhile back about my booth at Antiques and Things here in Albuquerque.  I absolutely love being a part of this store.  So many awesome vendors with fun antiques <3

I'm pleased to announce that for the month of June I will be having a 40% off sale on everything in my booth, except for items marked FIRM.  This discount is valid only for items in Booth 19.  Ask the cashier to show you which one is mine.

Here are some items that I've blogged about previously, that are included in the sale.

Vintage Bradley Doll with custom dress and hat

Cute vintage charm necklace

Handmade upcycled necklace, made from amethyst, pearls, copper, and vintage buttons

Infants' Christening Gowns

Upcycled Vintage File Cases

Upcycled and Handmade Tiered Party Platters 

Handmade Mad Tea Party Bunny Rabbit Figurine

Upcycled Crystal Cloche for fruit or pastries

Vintage Kitty Cats Music Box

Mid-century Psycho Ceramics Pan Ashtray

Handmade Cards

Upcycled Mini-Curio Cabinet

And more!

Antiques & Things
4710 Central Ave SE
Albuquerque, NM 87108

(505) 268-1313 

Hours:
Tuesday-Saturday 10AM-6PM
Sunday Noon-5PM

Stop in for a visit and be sure to share with your friends.

Love,

Myria

So I Bought a Planner

Hello readers,

After much thought, and attempts to use the SNote on my Samsung Note 4 to journal/scrapbook, I've decided to go to paper.  My decision was primarily based on permanence of my art journal - with the SNote I could loose my journal if I didn't have it backed up properly.  Also, I have a TON of washi tape, fancy paper, embellishments, and stickies so it just made sense.

In anticipation of my planner's arrival, I got my little planner station ready.  I purchased this cute little craft caddy used for $7.  It is really practical!  I have all of my kawaii sticky notes in there, stamp pads, and my pink paper stitcher.

I purchased most of my washi tape, cute sticky notes, and this cute little stamp set from http://www.yozocraft.com

My bear basket is holding more items for me.

The back side of the craft caddy has a spot for fancy tape or ribbons

And I keep my 6-hole punch in the little drawer

In my next post I will reveal the planner that I selected.

Thank you for reading!
Love,
Myria

Vintage Korean Doll Re-Work, Art, and My Mom's Craft Room

Hello Cutie-pants,

During my visit to my mom in Arkansas, my mom and I tasked ourselves with finding goods for my booth at Antiques and Things.  We found many many many good things to keep and to sell.  I'll be sharing them on my Instagram page so be sure to follow that.

One of the things that we found was this vintage Korean doll, called a Bradley Doll.  I was super excited to buy it for $5.

My aunt had some of these in her doll collection so I've always liked them.  What I like in particular is their starry eyes!  Sooooo cool.

As a result I am particularly fond of art with starry eyed females in it.  I've added a bunch to my Pinterest board Fabulous Art so swing on over there to check some out.  Here is one example by Kat Kalindi Cameron

Getting back to the doll...she was so cheap because she was a mess!  I tried to clean her up but there were deep stains and sun damage.  My mom and I decided to just make her a new dress.

Here is another Bradley Doll that we picked, up whose eyes needed to be re-done.  

This photo was taken after my mom and I drew in her eyes and took apart the first doll's dress and hat.

I still need to go in with some white paint to add the stars to the doll on the right.  We also messed up and got some ink on her forehead, to the left of her eyebrow, so I'm going to try to get it out.  We may have ruined this doll...whoops!  Oh well - crafting isn't always perfect.

I surprised my mom in her little sewing room while she was sewing the new dress.

 Posing for the camera - my mom is 67!  She looks so good for her age.

While I'm in here I might as well show one of the cute little pieces of furniture that she found second hand.  It is a bit shabby but it is definitely chic!

 Inside is storage for thread and other notions.  Cute!

 Working away...

 Patiently waiting...

 We were going to sew her an entirely new dress but my mom remembered that she had one for a 16" doll, so she just altered it to fit our Bradley Doll.

 Unfortunately, she accidentally sewed it crooked.  As a result, she had to un-sew and then re-sew by hand.  

Here she is holding it center so she can begin stitching.

 Meanwhile I added a tulle petticoat

When the dress was done she looked great!  I like it because she looks more proper - less like an 1800s bar-maid.  I made the hat.

 I added lime green feathers, ribbon, and rose to it for drama.

What do you think?  Love it?  Hate it?

Actually, don't tell me if you hate it.  "If you can't say anything nice..."

 What's important is I like it.

The glue gun is my friend <3

Thanks for reading!

Love,

Myria