They Arrived Early!...

When I saw they were both on sale (plus I had an Amazon credit to burn), I ordered them last week. They were supposed to be here today, but arrived while I was at work yesterday. So, guess what I'll be doing today? 

I also have my Clara Stitching class at 1 pm, so I'm going to spend the entire day in my studio - except for letting the dogs out and back in. hee hee

I'm going to pull fabrics and play with one of these right away. Both are green, but one is forest and the other is olive. So many possibilities! I'll definitely be sharing this on Monday! Happy Weekend to me!

Repurposing...

Brynwood Needleworks - Repurposed Jewelry Armoire

Facebook Marketplace strikes again. I found this lovely jewelry cabinet, thinking it would hold all my baubles and bangles (and bright, shiny beads). So I drove to take a look. Once I saw it "in person", something else occurred to me. Would it work for my silk threads, and stumpwork supplies? I think so!

Brynwood Needleworks - Repurposed Jewelry Armoire - Top Section

I paid the lady, loaded it into my Explorer, and brought it home. I gathered my supplies, and gave it a test load. I began with some of my tools in the top section (where the rings and things usually go).

Brynwood Needleworks - Repurposed Jewelry Armoire - Left Side Door

The side sections with hooks work perfectly for storing my hanging silk threads (Waterlilies and Watercolors from The Caron Collection, plus a few others).

Brynwood Needleworks - Repurposed Jewelry Armoire  - Right Side Door

I hung vintage silks, and my stumpwork wires on the opposite side. They all fit quite nicely!

Brynwood Needleworks - Repurposed Jewelry Armoire  - Silk Threads

The next drawer had compartments that were the perfect size for Trebizond silks, along with vintage robin's egg blue silks, Gutermann silks, and a few other odd silk threads.

Brynwood Needleworks - Repurposed Jewelry Armoire - Silk Threads and Needles

The front of this drawer holds needles for embroidery and applique', and strong cotton threads for covering and securing stumpwork wires. The back spools are gorgeous Kimono silks that I used in applique', but they'll also work for other embroidery.

Brynwood Needleworks - Repurposed Jewelry Armoire - Needles, Threads & Needle Minders

More silks, needle minders, needles, a beautiful ruler from my dear Kiwi friend, Marrianne, and even a bottle of coiled Pearl Sadi thread for goldwork.

Brynwood Needleworks - Repurposed Jewelry Armoire - Silk Threads

 

Last, but not least, are the rest of my silk threads, purchased in Kentucky when I was attending the Royal School of Needlework courses. My tutor, Owen, helped me choose them.

 

So, next time you see something you really like, consider a completely different purpose for it. This will fit perfectly next to my stitching chair, and all my supplies will be within reach. Now, all I need are more hours in the day to work on all the ideas in my head!

Another Great Find...

Here's another of my great little finds while in Wisconsin. It's a small black lacquer jewelry box. I was drawn to the wonderful image of trees on the top of the lid. The lid flips up to reveal a mirror on the inside, and it has three little drawers. It stands about eight inches tall. Oh, yeah...it's in perfect condition! What do you think I paid for it? (hint: under $10!!)

I have to admit, I've had fun scouring the shops around my old stomping grounds. I've been to most of them many times before, but am now looking at things through new eyes. I no longer bypass the little tins filled with postcards, and I stop to look at all the china, glass and pottery pieces I used to just ignore. I'm enjoying the creative process that now starts with a new find and how I can transform it into something I'll either love in my home, or share with my clients. I've always loved "shopping", but this is a whole new way of approaching the activity!

I haven't decided yet what I'm going to do with my new little jewelry box, Perhaps I'll fill it with bead bottles filled with sparkly beads or some of my vintage jewelry pins and keep it in the studio. On the other hand, it would look nice in our living room or our master bedroom, with sea shells spilling out of the drawers. I'd love to hear what you think I should do with it!

Speaking of master bedroom...I'm going to finish the remodeling of our room when we return home. My main focus is to hang drapes and then make a final decision on which block pattern to use for our anniversary quilt. The next two weeks will be spent making our quilt so that I can show you photographs of our finished retreat.