What's hiding in my liquor cabinet

Precious Moments figurines were first created in 1978. The same year I was born.

Somehow this connection isn't really all that precious to me.

I don't want to insult any one's collection because god knows I have some doozies, but Precious Moments really aren't my cup of tea. I think that part of my distaste for these little creatures stems from working throughout high school at a Hallmark store dealing with crazed customers clamoring for the latest special edition piece.
and then we got ours...

We were given this Precious Moments figurine to celebrate my hubby & my engagement. It was a very thoughtful gift expressing meaning and love but was just not our taste. Knowing the thought was there when this was purchased for us we couldn't just return it. We kept it, but tucked it away into our little liquor cabinet. Hence it did get occasional visits.

My kind of figurine is a bit more obscure, or shall I say,on a another planet.

For example, this pair was purchased for me by the hubster. I know that they are book ends but I currently do not have them fulfilling their purpose. I do consider them as part of my very important kitsch/ figurine collection.

This vintage figurine could melt your heart. It is an adorable baby elephant. He definitely had some condition issues when I purchased him. You can tell that he has had some reconstructive surgery on his back side but I felt the connection when I looked into those big brown eyes and knew I should buy him.

This squatty little birdy is perched up on my living room shelf. He was once part of a salt & pepper shaker set. I love picking up these lonesome pieces that used to be part of a pair because they make great conversation pieces on their own. (and you can usually get them at a really great price)

Another one that lost their twin.

This former salt shaker, little pineapple head, sits on my kitchen window sill and greets me while I do dishes.

(I just noticed the shape of the head on this one does bear a resemblance to the heads on the Precious Moments)

My final figurine is this crazy cat. As you can see the original purpose of this piece was a place to store you chewing gum when it wasn't in your mouth. I can honestly say that I have never taken advantage of this little guy.

This figurine will someday soon find his way onto The Unique Bird website. Doesn't he look like one of the characters on the Rice Krispies box? I know there is a customer out there that has a special place in their heart for Snap,(or is this Crackle or Pop?) or might be looking for a little elf to help out in the kitchen.

This is a pair that did stay together and could be coming to your house for the holidays this year. Keep your eyes open for these snow people at The Unique Bird when we set our holiday collections.

I can't believe I am talking about Christmas and it is only Sept, 3rd

I was able to figure out a way to give my little Precious Moments a new life

As you may recall, my little sister got engaged and I felt I should pass along the love to her.

Is that contempt in her eyes as she opens this gift?

I explained my plan to her. It could become a progressive heirloom and get passed along to the next close friend or family member that gets engaged and so forth and so on. I even thought it would be nice if each couple put their names on the bottom & their wedding date for a sentimental touch. We would be creating a precious moment for many others in the future.

She liked the idea so much that she left this very precious gift at my house when she went home.
Never fear, it will find it's way to her house.

Crafty in Columbus

Steps away from downtown Columbus OH, the hubby & I visited an event called Urban Scrawl
in Franklinton.
It was a great way to spend a beautiful end of summer day by checking out artists practicing their craft, local vendors featuring their handmade goods and local live bands.

here are a few pics I snapped of the artists in action, creating large murals that may someday be hung on buildings around Franklinton.

There was even a spot set up where visitors could get in on the painting action

though there weren't a tremendous amount of local vendors on site, I was reminded by yet another fortune I got on Friday night...

There definitely wasn't any shortage of quality hand made local goods.

One of the vendors happened to be one of my former work colleagues that is starting up a her own business.

her business called Objet Adapte features a selection of recycled & vintage fabrics that have been adapted into amazing handbags & accessories. This bag is one of my favorites.

Hint, hint...my birthday is rapidly approaching.

If you are interested in checking out some more of her bags and accessories you can see them at http://www.objetadapte.etsy.com/

merchandised along side of these great bags from Objet Adapte was lingerie and lounge wear from almightyquinn. They sell handmade clothing & lounge wear made from new, recycled & vintage fabrics. I love the ruffle front tunic pictured above. To see more from the almightyquinn you can visit http://www.almightyquinn.etsy.com/

more news about local columbus crafters in the September issue of Lucky magazine

here is the article

it is located in the Shopping Report section on page 112.

Non Fiction Design Collective has an absolutely inspiring selection of housewares & porcelain.

Take a peek at their collections at http://www.nonfictiondesigncollective.com/

From current artist and crafters to ones from the past,here are a few pieces I picked up this week at various auctions from local artisans

I bought this painting titled "Bronze lady" dated 1969.

I still can't decide if she is creepy or cool...or maybe a little bit both but I think that is why I was drawn to it.

At another auction this week, where one of the featured items was this gas lamp that was once located at the Ohio State Fair grounds at the turn of the century, I found some really great hand made pieces from another Columbus resident.

This little pink tray was so delicate & feminine and so 1960's. Despite some damage to some of the leaves I decided to get it.

all of Maybelle Wyman's pieces are signed & most of them are dated...and according to this piece she didn't always live in Columbus.

Some more of her handmade pottery.

So perfect for a retro tiki party.

this is one of my favorites.

maybelle also seemed to have quite a collection of scrap fabrics.

I am now the proud owner of what appears to be a complete history of polyester fabric.

Watch out Marsha Brady!

I can't wait to get to work and find some great ways to use these pieces in an arts & crafty way.

last note:

If you read my last blog and are curious about how much the 1960's gilded matador & bull won at the Price Is Right sold for...

only $17.50. What a deal!

As the auctioneer kept saying to the crowd, it was worth buying just for the story behind it.

The bird is the word

sorry for the break in the action folks

I have been working hard to get all everything ready for my website launch.

I have also been preparing for a BBQ that we had last weekend.

for great tips on throwing a great vintage BBQ you might want to check out this blog post from

Atomic Radar

The hubby & I have been wanting to host a summer BBQ for a long time. This time we had two really good excuses to throw a party.

We wanted to show off the catering skills of my best friend & her father and also give friends and family the inside scoop on what I have been working on for the last few months...

It is official, my new company is called The Unique Bird. My web page will be launched very soon. Thanks to the amazing logo design and web page design by Ms. Dana Ross at The Bee Hive Studio we are looking great! Check out some of her work at http://www.thebeehivestudio.com/.

I will be selling my product on etsy. I can't wait to have you come & browse my terrific selection of vintage & repurposed vintage home decor.

I wanted to show off some of the repurposed wall art that I will be selling.

I came up with this way to display the product so my guests would be able to check out the merchandise and get acquainted with The Unique Bird.

I mean I did just ask them to come over & eat some ribs, not hit them over the head with a sales pitch.

I have to say that I could chat for hours about my treasure hunts to find these pieces.

the great thing about all of these pieces is that they are created using vintage fabrics, magazine & book illustrations and more. You can get a unique piece of art at a great price for your home that you can't pick up at any mall store,department store or discount retailer!

some bird's eye views of the party peeps...

some of my great guests!!

our awesome catering team, David, Dawn & Kylie Erne

over all the party was a splash!!

Isn't this an amazing print?

It is a Japanese wood block print that I picked up at an auction in Cincinnati.

I attended an auction last night and take a look at what I picked up...

of course I would find these chairs AFTER we had the BBQ.
at any rate I am very excited to get them cleaned up & repainted so that we can use them at our next BBQ!

I am attending another auction tonight and one of the items that I am very keen on getting a good look at is a 1960's gilded matador and bull that was won on The Price is Right

how about that for provenance!