Cottage Charm and Family Inspiration

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

One more place to find us...

Just in case you didn't have enough of us, we have just opened our Lolli-shop!

If you haven't visited this new marketplace, don't miss it! Lots of very cute stuff, very frou-frou, very chic, very whimsical and totally us!!! It's brand new, it was officially launched last Saturday and merchants are listing new merchandise daily.

We are offering there some new creations that we have not shown yet in our own site. We are sure that you will love our handmade chic linen ribbons,

at a very low price 0f $5.95 for 3 Yards (including shipping), they are the perfect finishing touch to a special gift, a great addition to craft projects and even a wonderful Christmas Stocking Stuffer. Many designs to choose from: crowns, birds, love and many more...Yes, we are taking special orders...your name, a special phrase...let your imagination go wild!

So grab your coffee and come along for some inexpensive (LOVE that word these days!)shopping....

Visit us at our new exciting adventure: www.lollishops.com/niceandeasyantiques

See you at the Lollies"!!

Monday, December 1, 2008

Christmas cheer!

Last Saturday was our Annual Puttin' on the Glitz event and what a fun, fun night it turned out to be! As you probably know, our little "Spanish Village by the Sea", hosts this event every Saturday after Thanksgiving. Stores stay open late offering drinks and cookies, Christmas

Carolers perform and for all the little ones the night is never over until Santa comes down Ave Del Mar waving from the firetruck!

Our wonderful street gets decorated every year, this is how it looked before the festivities started and vehicles were removed to make room for the thousands of visitors:

Clara and I enjoy participating every year. It's a busy night where we get to see most of our customers and friends...but this year was even more special to us because even though the economy's a little uncertain and everybody is feeling it, people came to the party to support us and the rest of the San Clemente Merchants...They all showed their best Holiday Spirit, were very cheerful and had a great disposition to help the little stores like ours....

The Ladies had a great time shopping for ornaments, jewelry, cards, candles, signs and even furniture! When the cookies were gone, and the candles out, at about 10:30 pm, we went home feeling very blessed to have such wonderful support. Thank you!!!

Remember,

2009....

...the Saturday after Thanksgiving...

... Ave Del Mar, San Clemente...

don't miss it!!!

"I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month."

~Harlan Miller~

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Thanksgiving Day

We give thanks for the big things in life. We give thanks for the small things in life. We give thanks for everything we have, but most of all...

We give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.

~Author Unknown~

Wishing you and your families a Healthy and Happy Thanksgiving!

Marcela & Clara

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Frozen Charlotte Art

As you probably know by now, in an effort to connect and support our fellow Dealers and Artists, we have pledged to give only handmade and vintage gifts this Holiday Season. This, of course, takes a little time and preparation but beats trying to find a parking space at the mall!! So, we hope you come along the next few weeks as we share with you ideas and projects to make this a Very Merry Crafty Chritmas!

Have you heard of "Frozen Charlottes"?, sweet white porcelain dolls made in Germany with a very sad story behind them: Charlotte was going to the ball with her boyfriend in an open carriage. Didn't listen to her Mom (some things never change...) and didn't take a shawl during a very, very cold German night....she died of cold that night while her boyfriend died of a broken heart. Funny how we don't know the boy's name, the story was probably written by Charlotte's Mom....!

Anyway, the cute little dolls make beautiful angels or fairies, they come in many different sizes, and many times they are missing an arm or a leg wich does not detracts at all from their charm. We used Frozen Charlottes in 3 different projects guaranteed to keep the recipient's heart warm all year long...

Our first Charlotte project was made using a wooden trinket box (Michael's $1.00) that we painted inside and out with a coat of acrylic paint. Once dried, we attached a music sheet rossette and an "Angel Charlotte". We added wings, a paper halo, some glitter and a "Love" banner. Perfect to hold jewelry or a love note....

The second project is a personalized ornament. We spray painted a styrofoam "S" (Michael's $0.95 each, they carry all the letters) and made a little frame out of carboard and paper from where our little Queen Charlotte is peeking thru. A little paper heart, a couple of rhinestones, a silver paper crown and a little message later and our ornament is ready to hang (by adding a little ribbon on the back) or sit.

Finally, we used the littlest Charlotte to make a Pop Cap Necklace. She is wrapped in a Queen sign, leaving no doubts of her place in life!

Now, if we've inspired you in any way to make some Frozen Charlotte art and you don't know where to buy them, contact us. We have them for sale at $3 and $4 each depending on their size (keep in mind that they are missing some body parts just like the ones we used on our projects)

However, if you are not feeling crafty and would like to purchase any of these finished items, they are also for sale. (Different ornament letters also available)

Remember,

this Holiday Season buy Handmade, buy Vintage.

If you enjoyed this post, don't forget to Subscribe to our blog...Love, Marcela & Clara