Special Invitation - Please don't miss this show!

Looking for a unique gift? Something from Macy's or Dillards just not going to cut it? Check out the great works of art at this private art fair.... Here's a bit about each artist!

When:

Friday December 4, 2009, 5 PM - 9 PM

Saturday, December 5, 2009, 10 AM - 6 PM

Sunday, December 6, 12 PM - 4 PM

Where:

KRZYZ Studio
1800 Locust

(Map)

Kansas City, MO, 64108
Phone:
816 472-4999

Joe Blake: After collecting thousands of vintage tins and containers, Joe hand cuts the shapes and colors he needs to make individuals petals for his found object floral sculptures. Each piece is hand-assembled and further adorned with old toys, game pieces, and other surprising items.

Anthony Pack: The work of Anthony Pack is nearly 100% repurposed materials. His expressive figures are built from formerly common household objects, once cast off as garage sale hopefuls. He "upcycles" these items to treasure, imbuing each character with unique personality.

Laura Nugent

Laura's small acrylic paintings are known for their folksy stylings, expressive color palette and whimsical patterning. Her silhouette animal images and portraits of trees are meant to bring thoughtful levity to where ever they hang.

Dick Daniels: While working as a Hallmark artist, Dick built his own body of unique work. His oddball, original cartoon signs are influenced by carnivals, american folk art, and cheap commercial packaging. He paints entirely on found and forgotten weathered wood.

Amy Meya: Inspired by the persistence of nature in her urban Kansas City neighborhood, Amy hand builds her clay wall pieces, presses in original floral patterns for texture, and glazes each in earth tones with lovely red and orange accents. Her pieces are both functional and decorative.

Andrew Johnson: Andrew embroiders his whimsical narratives using both handmade techniques and computer technology. His delightful pencil sketches are digitized and then sewn by machine. He finishes each piece with a frame hand-built from cast off household molding, often from Kansas City neighborhoods.

Some of my favorite things...

Got an email from Michaele (her blog) asking about a cabinet she saw when she attended the Farmstead Lifestyle Show. She's been relocated to Leavenworth, KS - all the way from Alaska. She left this little treat for Craig and I - it's a Halloween Banner - we hung it in our kitchen - under our mosquito, our metal sculpture FLY on the wall.... perfect setting for some creep!

What a nice touch heading into a weekend candyfest!

Never having made a single dimension collage before - it took me most of the day to compile this one. It's going to surround packaging for our new product line. I really enjoyed pouring through the 100+ year old images we have - it was an experience I really enjoyed. I think I'll give it a try again-- in my journal.

Plaster face...... What a great smirk!
Thought I'd share a few photos of some of my favorite things --
some are new collections - some are things I've held on to for YEARS.

Paper clips, great paper brads - I love old office supplies - vintage gummed labels - there are some rivets and teeny tiny brads in this mix. I'm always drawn to little bins, boxes, tiny containers. I have about 50 small prescription bottles - glass - great place to keep small beads.

No, Hansel and Gretel have not gone missing - just thought the old ironstone was a perfect backdrop for these vintage wooden shoe forms.
A peek at just one tiny section on the tip top of a shelving unit --more stuff - collections of things I truly intend to find a purpose for. I have a thing for old sequins, corsage pins, anything that's velvet and floral -and wooden spools. I've been using the spools to hold the scraps of string, ribbon and yarn - what a pack rat I am - but sometimes those tiny scraps are just what I need for a project -- toss several into a bag and they make great little gifts for your like-minded friends.

These vintage little picks are a fond memory from cupcakes past.

This is a little leather bound book - created from envelopes - it's about 60 years old - with the owners' original drawings and paintings. She made envelopes for several categories -

one was Society!

These are large index card dividers. I have about 75 of them. I'm thinking about using them

in one of my handbound books -for the purpose they were intended - I think I'm going to try to transform a few of them into hanging photo holders.

Toasting goblets and a chippie little metal pitcher. The goblets are silver and I have old handmade button cards in them and little rulers.

This is how I feel - EVERYDAY!!! October is breast cancer awareness month and I'm beginning my 6th year of being free from it's grip. I'm so grateful to have my health in check.

I made this from a book cover I found at a thrift store.

I have about 40 measuring tapes. I like the darn things. I use the old cloth to tie ribbons, bind brown paper packages, use as bookmarks.... I like numbers - I recently learned that Grace is associated with the number 5. I've been looking for 5's everywhere!

Cover from an OLD cigar box side and the pic below is of the top. The age on the thing - the fancy term is - patina - is so pretty. Long after the cigars were used up - the box maintained another life - it's stored countless items for folks and now it stores antique postcards for me.

A collection of letters written during WWII from a grandmother to her grandson.

Arsenic and old lace - well, I'll pass on the poison - but this is a weakness for me - I love to study the handwork done when women used to sit in a parlor and really work at needlepoint, tatting and so on. I also collect old tatting shuttles.

We've been collecting cards - of all types for one of the many samples we will share at Silver Bella this year. I really like the Victorian and parlor game cards --

old Rooks are fun - the crows are very cool images.

There is a great fascination on my part for antique children's books. I read for a couple of hours every afternoon to my daughter when she was small. We had the best time pouring over books at our local library. No matter how convenient technology becomes - information is now at our fingertips - in an instant - there is still something truly wonderful about turning that page - waiting to read that next written word.....

Old wood stirrups - silverware and hand mirrors - there's an art project in the mix - I just know it!!! Some things I toss in a box together just hoping some inspiration will come....

Back to the Farm - Farmstead Lifestyle Fall Festival

Wow! It's been a fast and furious two weeks - the Friends of a Feather Show and this past weekend - Hootin-Annie's Fall Festival! Here are some pictures we took this weekend. The weather was pretty chilly - unseasonably so - but then again - no one can predict the weather! We made new friends, ate great food - and had a wonderful time. There was a bon-fire going - SMORES galore for the making, fancy cupcakes and chocolate from Decadent Confections - compliments of Kelly and Ron Littmann....what a treat! Chili, hot dogs, and terrific pulled pork sandwiches. Can you tell I'm a foodie? The photos that follow will show you the great merchandise that was available - everything from beautiful fashion from Farmstead - and Old Gringo Boots and accessories to fun, funky vintage finds. Great affordable vintage furnishings, well kept antiques, hand-poured candles from 5B & Co., and even a Style Consultant t0 help you create an amazing transformation with simple changes in your wardrobe!

Festive pumpkins and fall foliage adorned the entrance to the Carriage House.

Vintage finds - kitsch - adorned - and decked out!

The most fragrant candles around. Hand-poured in Weston and Brookside.

Our friend Lori Woods makes these great candles at 5B&Co., Candlemakers

right in the heart of Brookside! I'm HOOKED on the Flower Shop fragrance - the

Fall fragrances that are only poured during the holidays are great gifts and wonderful

to burn during your gatherings. Gingered Pumpkin - is a customer favorite!!!! Buy 10 and she will give you two free to finish out a dozen - they come in a bakery box - and are great to have in stock for your last minute hostess gifts! If you drop in - the sniffs are free - tell her we said HELLO!

Entrance to the stalls....8 unique little shops .....

Each merchant spilled out of their stall - the vignettes looked so pretty in this rustic setting.

One of the fabulous out buildings on the farm. It too, was filled to it's brim!

Wonderful live Bluegrass music!

Beautiful horse drawn carriage - Percherons standing 19 hands -- in NON-horse talk - that means VERY BIG! Amazingly big - truly magnificent and so gentle!

Our friends and talented teachers, artists, bloggers and supporters - Ali Gripp and Kara Ward were all grins - shopping should always be done in two's. Another set of eyes to catch that special something you might have missed! These girls are professionals. Thanks girls for taking time to make it to our show -- I know how busy you both are!

Three Shabby Chicks had a beautiful area - they were back from a successful show called Junk Bonanza! Cheers to them! They will be appearing with all new finds at the Northland Vintage Market next month..... check out their site on our "Favorites" section!

The lighting gives Mary Alice a halo - she's an angel all right!

Great hats adorned with handmade flower pins - offering from Beading Hearts and Junie C's.

They have once a month sales at Good Company.

Friends of a Feather Fall Sales Event

What a grand time at Friends of a Feather. Lauri Meyers and her mother, Marilyn Gash have been hosting an artisian sale for the past 8 years. This year we were invited to join the fun and since closing Vintiques - we were finally able to. Here are just a few pictures Lauri took at the event. We met so many talented women and men who are creating fine quality crafts, furniture, art, fashion and jewelry. We saw lots of our loyal customers -- and hopefully, you'll all be signing up for Lauri's fabulous classes. Her studio is amazing and a wonder to behold. Hope those of you who attended took the time to peek inside - it's a true inspiration to those of us who enjoy making things with our hands. Here's a link to her site - it's not too late to sign up for her terrific fall classes. http://www.friendsofafeather-artisans.blogspot.com/

Here's one of Craig's latest finds. A cubby beyond most. It's approximately 3' x 4' and 12" deep. I think it's one of the best keepers he's found to date!
I've been making some funky jewelry from odd bits and components of other vintage jewelry. I've also been playing with my old silverware and photo collection. Finally a chance to make something with a sense of humor - life is too short to take too much to heart.....so, I've been making these funny little plaques with humorous and thoughtful quotations to go with the antique photos.....

There were bins, boxes, trays, fashion, jewelry, holiday ornaments, collage, fiber art, dimensional assemblage and many other things to feast your eyes on. Under the big top - out of the wintery breeze there were so many offerings --

Despite the weather - (it rained all day on Thursday before the sale - we dressed out the show in the rain - it was cold - wet and pretty miserable - but look how beautiful things turned out.)

Thank you Lauri & Brian for opening your home and your hearts to the creative spirits you call Friends of a Feather! The homeade chili was great - and the fellowship and tremendous success of the show was enough to warm us all!

Lauri Meyers' Secret Garden -- not a secret anymore!

Lauri Meyers, a friend and creative soulmate has a lovely home - I'll bet you've driven past it hundreds of times and never gave it a thought. She lives on 83rd. Street in Overland Park and has a beautiful gathering place. Her historic home is nestled back from the street and as you can see from the pictures below - it is a warm and welcoming environment. Here's a link to the Kansas City Homes and Gardens publication - read all about it.

This is the converted double garage - now Lauri's Studio and home to her classroom and workshops - here's a link to her blog - check out her offerings and the beautiful space she works in. She's willing to share the space for special events, girls' night out, custom classes and even a grown up play date. Lauri -- sign me up!!!! (blog: Friends of a Feather)

Junie C. aka Angie Hickman

Little yo-yo's adorn this pretty sweater.
A bell made from a little creamer! DINNER TIME!


We've recently met Angie Hickman. She's a very talented artist and has a biz she calls Junie C. She's joined several friends and they've formed GOOD COMPANY! (Billed as Vintage, antique, new, fun and funky re-purposed, recycled, re-imagined works of art and beauty for you and your home.) They offer their wares just two days a month. The next sale is Oct. 16-17 and the one in November is scheduled for Nov. 20-21. Located at I 35 and Lamar in the lower level of the True North Building (On the other side of the tracks.) Just behind Joe's Carpet -- Take a look at what we saw at their first sale this weekend. Here's Angie - posing with her wonderful handmade pins. She also embellishes vintage handbags, like the one above.

Out and about? Check out the GlenwoodArts & Crafts Show

Friday & Saturday -- October 16th & 17th

6940 Glenwood, Overland park between Metcalf and Lamar off 71st St.

Dont' forget to visit us and 25 other fab merchants & artists at the Homegrown Hootin-Annie's Fall Festival in Platte City, MO For all of you junkers and antique hounds, the Platte City Antique Fair is the same weekend! Yipee - Ki- Yo - Ki -Yeah!

Angie's a peach! She's off to NYC to shop till she drops - have a great time.

Warning to the Garment District - watch out - here she comes!!!!

Here's one of Angie's felted beauties up close.

Vintage Market

Here are a few pictures of the new cubbies and cabinets

Craig has been laboring over -

four of them sold at the Northland Vintage Market this past weekend.

Check out our next show

-- Friends of a Feather --

A Fall gathering of like minded souls.

Fri.-Sat. October 9th and 10th from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

White cabinet with old red bakelite & chrome handles.

A very old watch parts cabinet. (Sold)
An apple green antique harvest table - great size, great shape,
great price - just in time for the holidays!


Little white spool cabinet with croquet balls for feet. (Sold)

Antique sheet music cabinet can hold lots of other keepsakes as well.

Old hardware cabinet-- 18 drawers.

Completely restored, cleaned up and revamped -

use it for a unique storage table or bench.

Junkin' at the Sparks Flea Market!

5 a.m., Thursday morning - our $7 alarm clock has the most annoying tone - up and out the door we head for the semi-annual Sparks/White Cloud Flea Markets. We are meeting Chari Peak and Kelly Littman at the Quick Trip in Platte City to rendezvous and head onward for a day of junkin', hand-dipped corn dogs, laughing, some inspiration and gathering of some very cool old stuff! We saw lots of old friends, made some new friends and took a few pictures in between.

When we relocated to KC, our friends back in California, Rhode Island, Dallas, Memphis and Chicago thought we had moved to the corn capital - little did they really know!

After a devastitaing fire, Old Glory Antiques in Greenwood - has finally got it's new doors open! Kim Adcox, a delightful and helpful transplant from South Carolina has found a home for her great finds in their new space - a wonderful old warehouse located at 501 Main Street in Greenwood, Missouri -- they are having a grand opening this labor day weekend - so if you can't hit Sparks - head south and give them a holler! Owner Vicky Hale, Kim (pictured below) and their other partner - Brenda Kilgore would love to see you! Now known as Old Glory and Friends. Thanks Kim - for all your help with our great finds!!!

Craig, Chari and Kelly - Hat or lampshade -- knowing Kelly - she'll find a way to make it both!

Kelly fell for these beautiful and unusual screen doors. Will they end up in the Carriage House? We should have brought her horse trailor -- they would have made it back to the farm for sure!

Waiting by the side of the road - getting ready to load up and head back to KC.

Our friend David with Craig -- he shows his finds at Mission Road Antique Mall.

Check out his blog.... www.midwesternmalaise.blogspot.com

Kelly was all smiles at finding this beauty. Great shade - it was worth buying the lampbase for!

Loved these padlocks. What to do with them......hmmmmm.....wish I could afford to buy them all. What a collage of color and texture - and our friend Melinda (a medieval and skeleton key collector) would most likely have a key to fit!

So much to see!
Wow - this rustic - really rustic - display came fresh out of the garden. A lot of dust, a pint of dirt attached and a broken panel - it still had the corning glass bottom in tact - and is worth the time and repair to make it work again --

Lanterns, campy, useful, romantic and woodsy.

Chari - is that a rusty wrench or an appendage for your next sculpture? I guess we'll find out at the Westport Art Fair next weekend. She's showing her latest collection of wearable art and whimsical sculptures. Please stop by next weekend and see her - click here for more info.

http://www.artwestport.net/

On with the show....

Odd Folies will present the latest assortment of quirky bits that sparkle, a paper trail of vintage & antique ephemera & dimensional baubles to shine up & adorn your artwork, your scrapbooks, journals & walls.

We'll also be introducing the first collection of Nesting Cabinets. This finely crafted furniture was designed and hand built to warehouse all those needful things you've collected for your creative projects.

Our Show Schedule begins with: Northland Vintage Market!

The Cast:

The Pink Chandelier Boutique
Bittersweet Soap Co.
Urban Mining Homewares
reDeux Home Furnishings
Gatherings by Peggy
A Vintage Mood
Odd Folies
Recycled Eden
Aggieal's Attic
Three Shabby Chicks
Good Old One
Cathy Kline Art Gallery
Interior Resources, Parkville
In Good Taste, Rocs by Edie
Accessorize Yourself
Doris Graves
Jackie Parthe