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

I have to be I*N*S*P*I*R*E*D to create.

 

Creativity isn't always a consistent flow of ideas and ability.  Sometimes it ebbs and flows and the Muse seems to be in a coma! I find that surrounding myself with objects that inspire me to creativity can usually rouse the sleeping Muse and art happens. I am sharing some of my favorite inspiring things with which I have crowded my art room. I have SO crowded my space, I will be transitioning a bedroom into an art studio in the coming year.  And that, my friend, means I can collect more inspiring things! Woohoo!

My art space has what I would call a "cohesive chaos", which means I am visually pleased every time I darken the door....artists are visual beings.  Old books, old suitcases, old gilt frames, old anything.  That's my theme!  It's eclectic like the jewelry, but it's cohesive in its "oldness".

 I am obsessed with old silver-plated pieces.  I keep my art tools in tarnished teapots,creamers, sugar dishes, trophies, bowls and candy dishes.  They are filled up with paintbrushes, scissors, chandelier prisms, tools, glue and old buttons. Over time they have become dear friends. (But NOT as dear as Anne.)

I love little vintage shoes. They were popular as pin cushions in the early 1900s and their companion ceramic sisters arrived in the 1930s.  They're old, what can I say?

The influence of my passionate Christian faith is evident in the religious reminders scattered around my art space. Crucifixes, vintage pictures of Christ, and old chalk-ware statues. I find their presence both comforting and inspiring as I recognize that my creativity is a gift....from an expert.

Dried roses add a faded Victorian flavor to my shelves. They are an inexpensive luxury and easy to dry....just hang them upside down in a warm place! There's my Mom at four on that vintage bottle.  Hi Mom!

Architectural salvage is really inspiring! My husband is a builder and has been

assigned a project, to build me an apothecary chest from old sewing machine drawers. It will be perfect for housing buttons, jewelry findings, rosaries, pearls, rhinestone pieces, and hundreds of other elements for creating!

So, now you've seen the inspiration, next, the start up process.........here's the secret.....
 I turn on some great tunes, "Say" by John Mayer,  "Paperweight" from Josh Radin & Shuyler Fisk, sit down at my Victorian desk (which is far too cluttered, to be shared) and start pulling out buttons and findings to create. Just seeing and handling these little pieces of history are enough to bring forth ideas and kindle creativity.

Anne and I believe we are living in another Renaissance, a day of the everyman artist.  Anyone can create if time and space are set aside in which to be inspired. The journey to discovering ability and creative leanings is not short, but certainly can be traveled with much pleasure.  The more I create................the more I create.

                                                 

       Be Inspired!     ~Marie, The Other Gypsy

New earbobs from The Gilded Gypsies!

Eclectic Jewelry for the Gypsy in your life.  Each pair is a one of a kind creation, most with vintage elements that are over 100 years old.  Live in style!

Trinket Hunt in London

So, I'm the OTHER gypsy, Marie.  I was recently in London visiting my youngest who is studying theatre in the land of Shakespeare.  Absolutely no question that while there, I would need to hunt down some vintage jewels for our Gilded Gypsies journey, so I planned a little excursion to the Spitalfield's Market which is devoted only to antiques on Thursdays.  I'll say, what a fabulous place! Thank goodness, I'm not a millionaire or I'd have had to purchase another suitcase to bring it all home!  Sadly, my modest income only allowed me to purchase a small baggie of trinkets.

I found these wonderful vintage pocket watch keys which are perfect for earrings. I've used a couple in the eclectic pair of earrings below. They have been combined with Victorian brass buttons, brass filigree hearts and some perky little rhinestones.

 The mother of pearl disc in the necklace to the left was another Spitalfield's treasure.  It says "Lourdes", which I feel certain means it made its way over from France. I have mounted it on a brass Art Deco setting, chosen double chains for the piece and added a Victorian button  and a vintage pearl drop.  I think it's simply divine!


Here are my other finds, attendance medals from the early 1900s which were awarded to one, J. Morrison and a pair of military uniform embellishments.  So very British! And my favorite, a miniature trophy that stands less than 1.5" tall. Probably a story there. No need to pant over it, I'll not be parting with it...........death will take me first.

Selling our creations sometimes feels like we're parting with our children!  Especially when the elements have such dear memories attached.  I am learning to not be so very selfish and let go of my babies (quietly sniffling).

Okay, so I am keeping the cuff bracelet I made from a *********** and button I bought at Spitalfield's.  Sorry can't say what it was, trade secret that Anne (the head gypsy) will fuss at me for sharing.  With all that said, please come visit us at The Gilded Gypsies on Etsy where we are indeed letting go of the other pieces mentioned above. ......Sigh, my children (open weeping).

https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheGildedGypsies