Just listed this little VINTAGE camera set in it's original box tonight on my vintage etsy shop www.jennyelkins.etsy.com .  Such a great little find. 

 

•  Even the original receipt. 



This is Me and Eddie Lee about 6 years ago.  Today is the day we met 10 years ago via Match.com.  What a whirlwind we have had.  Experiences that would not be typical of most couples.  None the less we are stuck like glue. 

 

 

Changing the subject.....I am dealing with a case of carpel tunnel and all painting and rehabbing of my studio has come to a complete stop.  Im sad about it.  It seems like there is always a bump in the road.   It will come together somehow. 

 

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!  

Everyday is a Holiday: Our Hurricane Sandy Story

This is a blogpost from a Blogger/Facebook/ Artist friend who lives in New Jersey.  This is her experience with Hurricane Sandy.  It is going to be a big recovery for them.  Im so thankful that they survived the storm.  Please read her story.  xo jenny


Everyday is a Holiday: Our Hurricane Sandy Story: This home above belongs to a friend of my brother Walt. You can see directly into that bedroom upstairs like it's a dollhouse. Eve...

how I spent Halloween 2012

I decided to listen to my head and let go of one of my booths at the Exit 76 Antique Mall in Edinburgh, Indiana.  I had to be out of my extra booth today.   I had been renting this booth for a couple of years and I also used this booth number for all my items....so for the last 2 days my partner in crime (my Mother) and I had to re-price and move and merge and pack and lug and transport a BUNCH of stuff.  Some of it felt like junk....anyway.  It is DONE. 

 When you have a deadline you do what you can do.  It isn't the best display but, you can see it and it is at least TIDY at least when we left it, it was.   If you are in the area go check it out it is a great mall and the folks there are really nice.  I think there are over 600 booths you can make a day of it.  I am thankful everyday that I sell something.   My stuff is priced to sell! 

 

My hope is that I will do just as well as I did with 2 spaces.  I have some great things that I have held back since I was having a 50% off SALE for the whole month of October.  I will take those items down on November 5th.  So, sorry to say no Trick or Treaters came to our house this year.  We have hundreds of them so it saved me cash. Hope you had a Happy Halloween. 



Quick CHANGE

I have had this little entertainment center for over 20 years now.  I bought it when I owned my first little house and yes I was really young.  I bought my first place when I was 22 years old.  Property with a Mother in laws quarters was separated and I got myself a very little place.   I wanted a cabinet to hide my TV and SPEIGEL catalog was offering some unfinished furniture back then.  Is Spiegel even still going????

 

I stained it green orginally.  After many years I crackled it with white
paint.  I have moved it 8 times now.  Every time I think I will let it go then I decide I can't part with it.   Last week I painted it with 2 coats of BLACK chalkboard paint.  I really like how it turned out.  Now fabric storage.

 

Two coats of black chalkboard paint and then I chalked it. 

All finished and in place in my new studio.

 

Before.  I like what a can of paint can do.

while scrolling my photo files.....

I found this little series I did based on the neighborhood where I live now. Irvington is rich with history. Butler University once had it's campus here and many artists from a time long past lived here and thrived. (all sold) Here are a few of the works:

 

BIG announcement!!!!!

I have maintained a work space or studio space or retail space 15 out of the last 18 years.  When my hubs and me moved to Irvington, Indiana (suburb of Indianapolis) almost 3 years ago I gave up having a studio space.  We were going through a lot of changes and I was trying to avoid paying for something.  So I set up a space for myself in a big bedroom with a outdoor balcony.  I actually loved that space.  Unfortunately, it was not in the cards for us to live there (that is a nightmare of a story that I won't go into here) so we found a house to buy and we moved again.  I tried so hard to work in a teeny tiny bedroom upstairs...for 3 years.  What actually happened is I didnt work in the teeny tiny bedroom I worked in the kitchen, the dining room, the entry, the enclosed porch, stored stuff in the attic, in the garage and in the lean-to outside. It was jus too teeny tiny and became a storage room.  Since moving here I took on antique spaces in Edinburgh, Indiana, ramped up my etsy business and started a big sale once a year with my friend Kristin Sims.  In the last year my husband illness has worsened and he isn't able to work so I need to contribute more.   At times all the stuff in all of these "public" spaces gets on his nerves as it does mine.  I can't find where I have put anything and I am sick of it.  So I went snopping around to see how much it would cost me to rent a space in my neighborhood.  Welllllll,  I was really disappointed it was more than I was prepared to pay.  We struggled before and I thought how can I pay this kind of rent without it cutting into what we need to live.  So something that my Mom calls a God thing happened.  I saw my good friend Barb and was chatting about how I wanted a studio outside of the house how I need to really ramp up my business, maybe start a wholesale line etc. and before the night was over I had an address in hand.  She knew someone who was selling their Mothers house in my neighborhood.  The next morning I drove by and the friends brother was leaving but, he let me in the house.   At times I didnt think it would happen but, it did and I have had it for 3 weeks now.  I would say the little house has good bones.  People do a lot fo crazy things to houses thinking they are making them better.....in both bedrooms adhesive tile was put over hardwoods and then a nice layer of really bad carpet.  Here are some photos of the one bedroom:

 

Chip, chip, chip....

I love these ladies they were my neighbors when we first moved to Irvington.  Since they are retired we hang together.  The little house would not be in the condition it is now only 3 weeks later without them.  The size of each chip of tile was the size of a quarter we worked on it for 3 days.  Whining! 

Tile is gone and now we are left with adhesive....but, we have worked on that too and it is getting better.  The house had been lived in by the same Grandma for 30 to 40 years and at the end not much had been done.  I understand how that can happen. Now, every square inch has to be painted and spit shined.  Ive gone through 8 gallons of paint so far and have completed the hall, one bedroom and the dining room.

This little house has really made a difference in my attitude about things.  I feel it has given me a sense of direction. Someplace to go. Living with someone who is chronically ill is not so easy.  Lots of hospital time, lots of sleeping, can't really make plans because you don't know if you will have to cancel etc, etc, etc.  Don't get me wrong I love my guy but, it is not a normal way to live.  It is our normal.  Anyway, here is the little house that will be my studio and guest house......

              Please come back and take a look I promise I will show you more.

   



Jenny Elkins VINTAGE

Electrifying

 

We had an electrical scare last week.  We live in an old 1920's traditonal 4 square home in Irvington, Indiana.  Well, our light in the dining room went out in September and I let it go because I was getting ready for the event A Fair in September and then my step dad was out of town.  So, finally we get around to it....He replaces the dimmer switch and POP.   It blew.  So I call my brother who is an expert at this kind of thing.  He doesnt call back for 2 days....so we wait.  He comes over days later and says he is baffled.  He will send a electrican over.  So the next day an electrican comes over and goes from the basement to the attic and is here for a couple of hours.  We have old knob and tube wiring which apparently can come undone inside your walls and ceilings.  NICE!  So he tells Ed (I was gone at the time) that he felt like using the electicity upstairs and the front porch light, front porch, entry way, dining room was unsafe and so an extension cord was brought in to run from the upstairs to the downstairs so we would have our main phone and computer running.  So you can imagine what it was like after dark.  I got by without a flashlite but, Ed could not.    Not only did the electrican say it would be unsafe but, EXPENSIVE.  Fast forward second electrican comes.  Says I didn't want to come I hate these old houses.  So hard to problem solve.  Within an hour he found the problem and charged me under $200- for the job.  (Family discount :)  He then told me had the first guy been right it would of been $30,000- to re-wire this old house which would include fixing the plaster walls and ceilings and we would have to move out. 

 

I felt like we had been given a big GIFT. 

 

Now we have to buy a new dining room light.

 

Not so easy...It took me over 2 and 1/2 years to find one for the kitchen and I am still not sure it is "the one".

 

Any thoughts????

 

 Big light shade 28" in diameter in an off white, 2 bulbs.....enough light?  I like to see what I am eating.....Crate and Barrel.  Good lighting is hard to find :)  and not cheap.

This is more country ish but, I still identify somewhat with that.  5 pendants all in one.  Comes from West Elm.  I have looked at Lowes not real impressed.  I found a cool one on Ballard but, the reviews although good made me think maybe not.  It is a process of elimination.  Any thoughts???

"You light up my LIFE"  I loved that song Debbie Boone sang all those years ago.  

Skeleton Shirt

 

 

Believe it or not this great shirt was for sale at a Spa that they have in the Hospital where my Husband spends way to much time.  Of course it was too small for me and this was on a Sunday (they were closed) when I clicked this photo with my phone.   The next day it was gone.  Now I want one for the Irvington Halloween Festival that happens in my hood on the 27th of this month.  Guess I will have to make one.  I love to dress up for Halloween Parties but, I don't think it's going to happen this year.  Whats your favorite costume?   

Jenny Elkins Handmade is OPEN for business

There was a FAIR in September

 

The FAIR was awesome!  So many people came through.  Old friends, new friends, family, neighbors, freinds of friends.  It was wonderful early FALL weather.  Just couldn't of been better....well, we never seem to have enough time so that would be the only thing we need is more time to create, display and to spend with our great customers.  So now what?  I am opening a new etsy shop with only things that I have made opening OCTOBER 1st, 2012.  Only a few days!  I even have some new Banners for my etsy shops done by my friend www.brandonwithglasses.com

and Im looking forward to showing you all the new changes....coming soon.



a FAIR in September

 

This Friday will be here in no time!  I made a couple of Fall wreaths to liven the place up for the upcoming SALE.  $58- oval grapevine wreath, crow, wonderful black and white striped ribbon.  Love, Love, Love FALL! 



A Fair in September

 

 

I am having a SALE (along with two other artsy, craftsy GALS in my hood) at my house.  We transform the backyard into an outdoor Art FAIR.  I have been working off and on for a couple of months now.  So if you are in the Indianapolis, Indiana area please come.  All the info is in the last post. 

 

I have enjoyed really throwing myself into being creative.  I have missed being this busy making things.  Go make SOMETHING!!!! 

 

a FAIR in september

 

I hope you can come!



Journals...Journals...Journals

 Vintage BINGO journals....made fresh today!

 Scrappy JOURNALS finished today...more pictures to come if they are still around after my SALE on the 14th and 15th of September called A Fair in September with 2 co-horts Kristin Sims and Jennifer Grobe.  More info to come!!!

 Cover of the Scrappy COLLAGE journals.

I covered Composition books with FUN fabrics

 

I think I have made way over 50 blank BOOKS and Journals for this SALE. 

Would you be interested in taking a class in my studio to learn how to make these?  If so leave a comment stating that.

 



Indiana State Fair

Day one of the Indiana State Fair.....I told Ed it is like the poor man's Epcot/Magic Kingdom rolled into one.  We love it though.  Ed and I will go a couple of time and I will probably go with just my Mom and we will stroll through the Family Arts building, see the largest Sow, sit through a honey bee talk etc.  It is really HOT, HOT, HOT year in Indiana so, no close ups!

(Me) Jenny and Ed posing with a dairy cow.  oooooh  ahhhhh (anyway)

Love this sign in Pioneer Village.  Pioneer Village is my favorite place at the fair. 

Ed and I met and had a conversation with Larry the man who owns this Concert Organ. He travels 7 months out of the year to fairs. Especially since his wife passed. He is from Texas and was once a fire chief. Real nice guy. He owns 5 of these Organs. The move and play...it is really GRAND.

I did get a 1st place ribbon for my Vintage BUTTON pin, 2nd for my Vintage BUTTON pendant necklace, 3rd for my Snowman Wreath and for Ginger & Coco, my cloth doll, 4th place for the simple Vintage BUTTON bracelet.

It was fun getting everything together for a fair. I will get some prize money for these little wins, 6 tickets to get into the fair and a discounted parking pass.

ice cream bucket turned skull waste bucket

 I have had this ice cream bucket, you know the kind that they have ice cream in (or they use to) at the ice cream parlor, for a long time.  I have been wanting to paint it so one day I did. 

 Simple, child like SKULL.

Im not sure it goes with everything else in the room but, i like it. 

Akron, Ohio (stop over)

Ed and I went to a family Reunion to Newcastle, PA a couple of weeks ago.  On our way back through we decided to stop and see his friend Kelly who had moved to Akron to work at Gojo soaps.  She recommended that we stay here....(I found this on the web) The Quaker Square Inn in Akron is an exciting blend of history, architecture and hospitality. The hotel was constructed from 19th century mills and silos which were the beginnings of the famed Quaker Oats Company. The silos are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. These silos stand an impressive 120 feet tall and once housed 1,500,000 tons of grain. It is the silos that lend the Quaker Square Inn's guest rooms their unique circular form.

 Shirley Temple...I am not sure the college students know who she is.  I didn't mention that Quaker Square Inn is now owned by Akron University.  Mostly used as a dorm for the students so in the summer they close all the eateries and don't stock the vending machines.   So if you ever happen to go when school is not in session keep this in mind.  

All the walls in the interior area where the elevators are these amazing murals carved from the concrete.  All created by Don Drumm, a local Akron artist.  I recognized his work right away.  When I had my shop I carried a line of aluminum light switch covers and ornaments that he and his daughter made.  They have a big gallery in the downtown Akron area.  These murals were amazing, so steampunk.  I think he did them in the 1980's so they feel a little retro, but they are really the best.

 The entrance to he elevators to take us to our round room.   Ed on the left.

 Since there was no where close to eat we chose this resturant that has been around since 1949.  The food was great and the inside was like stepping back in time, in a good way. 

note:  we would of liked to have stayed and explored Akron.  I always feel no matter how large the city you kind find something unique wherever you are.  They have a train that will take you through a state park and a small but, what looked like a delightful art museum.  My Ed is not the healthiest so we had to part ways with Akron and come home early where he then spent 4 days in what I call the most expensive hotel we can find.  The hospital.  He is doing good now.