Wednesday 13 January 2010

New Old Things


Happy New Year everyone! (My holiday was even longer than I'd planned.) I went to visit my mom last week and came back with loads of old stuff; luckily I mostly followed my own rules about old junk, and almost all of it is useful as well as pretty.


A painted fan, very very useful in the weather we're having.


Wooden reels of smooth, thick sewing cotton.


A pencil that belonged to my gran.

Some letterpress letters, because I want to try embossing damp paper.


Buttons! Made of leather!


Two pairs of stilleto heeled shoes. Not truly useful, but they do fit, and I've danced an entire night away in the black ones before, so I know they're fairly comfortable. Now to find an occasion suitable for wearing them to ....

On a slightly related note, I've decided to blog a bit less this year and get out of the house a bit more. I understand the value of blogging often and regularly, and I've read more than enough articles and posts telling me that I can't possibly have an online shop if I don't blog 5 times a week. But wouldn't you rather read something more interesting than "I've just added blah-blah to my shop"? I know I'd rather write something more interesting. Some days, though, that's all there is to say.

So I'm committing to blogging once a week at least, slotting in shop updates if, as, and when they happen, and hopefully posting more tutorials and new work. Useful stuff!

I know those of you whose bloglines runs to thousands, like mine, will thank me. I'm saving me time, and saving you time too!

22 comments:

khristian a. howell said...

i love your honesty! get out and enjoy your summer and bring all that juicy inspiration back to us when you like! cheers!

Heather Moore said...

Lovely old/new things, and a great resolution to start the year with too! I'm thinking of taking a leaf out of your book on that, actually.

jenny homesweet said...

You'll be on my list, however often you post. Wonderful goodies, too! For some reason, I'm especially partial to the buttons and the pencil...

Andrea said...

Oh. Great things. The pencil!
I've decided to spend less time blogging too, however, I've spent a few hours over the last few days writing posts and scheduling them for the weeks ahead. Sometimes just a quote I like or a photo...It seems to be working but I still need to cut the actual (internet) time I waste! It can be such a pull when things are overwhelming or I am feeling a little down or sick...But it is a pure waste!

I'll be eagerly awaiting any of your posts!
:)
Andrea

colleen said...

I will look forward to your posts even if they are only once a week! I find it difficult to find things to write about and never seem to have my camera with me to take photos. I seem to spend a lot of time reading other people's blogs and never get my ideas from my head into an actual product!

painted fish studio said...

fabulous finds!

i think a lot of us are trying to spend less time behind the computer. there are days when i think i should blog less, but with an uncreative day job that eats up most of my day, my blog makes me think creatively for at least 15 minutes. but some days are a struggle and i may burn out.

happy new year, i'm looking forward to your (limited) posts. :)

Billy said...

Happy New Year!

Absolutely love: letterpress letters, the shoes and, most of all, the grandma pencil. It´s oh-my-god kind of thing to me.

As to blogging: do what you want. It´s not because you blog less often that your work is less useful, interesting or pretty.

I´m with you on the spending less time in front of the computer too, sometimes it´s just too much.

I´ll keep reading, though. :)

Jan said...

Welcome back and happy 2010! Very pretty finds - I'm sure you can just make art in those snazzy shoes, right? That's normal!

Denise Kiggan said...

What a delightful stash! I've also been posting less and trying to achieve more - it's a fine balance.

Anonymous said...

Welcome back Jesse! Hope you had a great holiday (that's a fantastic haul you brought home from 'home')!
I think your blogging/getting-out-of-the-house-more plan sounds like a fine one - I've never known how people find the time (or the inclination) to blog daily!

Danya Ristić said...

The pencil is proving popular - I really like the look of it too! It looks heavy and substantial, and hints at equally substantial and impressive drawings.
Looking forward to the tutorials and new work!

Dee said...

Happy New Year!
and as far as the non blogging goes.... I like your style.
Dee

Deniz said...

happy new year! hope you had a wonderful holiday!
i know where you coming from- got to mention thought that i never thought that you just did blah blah posts :)- i shall miss my daily dose of jezze but will all the more enjoy the treat of it :D
and YES! i have resolved to much the same out of the house (with this weather definitely) is the way to go
enjoy your week
xx

lotta said...

These treasures look amazing. I always bring home vintage finds when I visit my mom in Sweden. I love to incorporate them into projects, somehow it feels like my ancestry lives on that way. Thank you for visiting my blog - I am so glad I now have discovered yours!

Unknown said...

welcome back jessee!!
those leather buttons are so lovely!
i enjoy reading your blog posts, i really do

xoxo, chia

Anairam said...

I love all the stuff that you brought back - oh, that is what mothers are for - all that lovely bits and pieces that they let us carry away. The buttons and letters are my favourites! I completely get what you say about blogging less. I cut down from 6-7 posts a week to 5, and then to 3 - that number suits me well, and I might even take it down to 2 a week sometimes. When people post too often I simply can't get to raeding it all, and then I feel like I've missed out. So thank you for being considerate! Will always love your blog, no matter how often you post ...

Sonya Philip said...

I love all the treasures. And I'm with you about the insanity of the de rigeur 5X week blogging. Love reading your words and looking at your pics, even if it's just once a week.

Pinktulip said...

Hi Jesse! Happy New Year! I have been on holiday too and feeling quite guilty about not blogging often, but after seeing you post, I feel better. It gets so time consuming to read all the blogs you like and posting, although it is fun. Love the stash you came home with! Those leather buttons are amazing. Never seen any before.

Michelle Engel Bencsko said...

This plan of yours works great for me because I only seem to be able to read blogs one time a week lately!

No guilt! Quality over quantity, as they say.
Happy new year!

Unknown said...

Love those letters! I'll still be reading whenever you decide to share.

Kat said...

That was me above btw.

Nicolette said...

Well, it looks like you got the support of a lot of people on this less blogging thing - mine definitely too!! Enjoy your out-of-the-house time, we'll be waiting in anticipation for your return every time.
Oh yes, and that pen is just gorgeous!!!