We're Movin'on Up

Just a boring but necessary post.....The Gilded Gypsies will be moving from Etsy to a new website. We will continue to add new jewels to our portfolio for your drooling pleasure. Certainly if you feel compelled to adorn your person with one of our creations, we can be reached through facebook or by email (thegildedgypsies@gmail.com). I will continue to create (the fun part) while Anne, aka the head gypsy, works on our new space (with great wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth).    Marie

I drifted away for a moment.

Neglecting the artistic, is neglecting the self.

In creating, life's pressures and demands drift away.

Art is the only way to run away without leaving home. ~Twyla Tharp

What art offers is space — a certain breathing room for the spirit. ~John Updike

Trapped by reality, freed by imagination. ~Nicolas Manetta


Marie, drifting away...............

Love Day is coming up.

I love my husband of 31 years.  Tim is a homebody, settled, humorous, and philosophical. I'm flying by the seat of my pants most of the time, active, and extremely extroverted (I know, it's shocking). Tim taught a Sunday School lesson a couple of years ago and mentioned that we are a complimentary pair (of stooges, no he didn't really say that).   What he said was, "Marie's like a bunch of balloons that need to be tethered to the ground which is my job, but every now and then, she lifts my feet off the ground." How could I help but blossom under that kind of tutelage? One of my favorite quotes is from Emily Bronte. "Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same".  We've grown together, he and I. Here he is, my Funny Little Valentine.

My parents celebrated their 59th anniversary at my house on Christmas Eve. My Mom lives in a nursing home.  My Dad lives across the street from her in the independent living villas.  He walks over and visits her almost every day, taking a pocketful of chocolates because she'll enjoy them and it's what he can do.  Sometimes she forgets that they are married. My father's loyalty and clear devotion is what that "for better or worse" part means and I learn from it.

I posted the following to Facebook in 2012:

My mother lives in a nursing home and has advanced Alzheimer's. Last week when I arrived for a visit, the aid brought my mother from the activity room (where they were watching a Fred Astaire movie and eating little cups of popcorn). I waved and smiled as she approached. When the aide asked her if she knew who I was she said, "Oh yes, that's my happy child". My Dad arrived a bit later and my mother's neighbor across the hall pointed at him and asked my Mom who the fellow was. Her response.... "He's my Dearest One." 


Tell someone you love them.  It matters.  

The Gypsies do Mount Dora

If you're not familiar with Renninger's Antique Extravaganza in Mount Dora, Florida, you should be!  You can find whatever antique treasures you seek at bargain prices.  The Extravaganza occurs three times a year and covers 117 acres with 800 vendors from all over the country.
Dealers usually go on Friday to load up on the wonderful deals, while the general public shows up on Saturday and Sunday.  Don't tell anybody, but you can sneak in on Friday too if you pay the slightly higher admission price. 
       We always visit our friend, Irv, who has the best watch parts stock you've ever seen!  See that's Irv next door with a couple of really cute puppies. (Anne needs to take pictures of every dog we bump into when we're about. It's really quite time consuming.) You will find many of Irv's treasures in our Gilded Gypsy jewelry!

This year, we found Sandy and Bob whose booth was brimming over with fabulous Victorian buttons. They even had a bowl of sterling silver thimbles featured in one of Martha Stewart's magazines.  All we could offer was a photo spot in our blog...which really isn't a photo spot of them, but rather one of me looking through their buttons.

     One of the lessons we've learned through the years is that antique vendors give better deals to customers who are charming and friendly.  Needless to say, we've scored many times (notice the halo over my head).  It pays to be pleasant and appreciative. 

Be sure to take cash because most vendors give a better deal that way.  Wear comfortable shoes because you will be walking all day.  Many folks bring their "granny carts" with wheels or their Red Flyer wagons to transport their purchases.

  The carnival food smells are quite tempting...yes, we gave into the urge dining on some delicious fajitas.  Be sure to sample the glazed nuts.  (Yeah, we had some of those, too.  Anne wanted to share, but I said no, that I wanted my own bag. I think she said I was selfish.)

If there is something unique you seek, surely you will find it at the Extravaganza.  The trip invariably yields items we've never seen before, almost like visiting a museum! We come home exhausted but elated every time! Check out www.Renningers.com for dates of future Antique Extravaganzas. Maybe we'll see you there!

                                                                 ~Marie and Anne~

P.S. (I made Anne take my picture with these cute gnomes
even though she rolled her eyes.)

  

Whose Shoes?!

“A lifelong friendship can be ignited by a spark felt at that moment of instant recognition.  You recognize your complimentary opposite, yet feel the kindred spirit of a shared sameness.”  ~The Gilded Gypsies

Marie and I have been lucky enough to be best friends for 42 years.  Over the years we have become two volumes of the same book. We have retained very different personalities and styles, yet we share a history.  A lasting friendship is like a marriage of sorts. Each person has to be different in complimentary ways, yet similar enough to wear well.  Extroverts are attracted to introverts because both parties can’t share the stage at once. Examples of classic friendships include Lucy and Ethel or Oscar and Felix.  

Take a look at these pictures.

We feel these epitomize the polar opposite aspects of our personalities. Guess who’s Lucy and guess who’s Ethel. One is flashy and creative whereas the other is steady and reliable. No really, guess! Who’s who among The Gilded Gypsies? 

Marie likes to think she’s the creative genius behind this operation, whereas I am really the glue holding the entire project together, i.e. “Head Gypsy.” In fact she’s shouting in the background right now that she is INDEED the principle player! “Okay, Marie you win, you’re more important.”  Oh but we jest. Truly we are the best of friends and this project wouldn’t exist without both of us. 

Tell us about that friend that brings out the best in you.  ~Anne

Anne and I are headed to Renninger's Antique Extravaganza in Mount Dora, Florida on Saturday!  800 vendors on 117 acres. Woohoo! We'll share our fun soon!  Stay tuned!

Shhhhhh. Whisper.

Sometimes I have to be reminded that life can
be quiet, because frankly most of the time I am terribly busy living life out loud. There is a certain beauty in simplicity. Therefore with that in mind I created some quiet necklaces like the quiet earrings that Anne created.  Be quiet, Marie.

The best things in life are nearest:  Breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of right just before you.  Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life's plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life.  ~Robert Louis Stevenson