Lacy supplies and the 100 yen store

The Japanese version of a dollar store, the 100 yen store, had some nice miniatures supplies for me to take home. I did not realize it at the time but they are mostly lacy type items.

This first group is made from the same type of paper as doilies.

 This is the most delicate sticker. You cannot tell they are rubbery unless you feel them.

I went all the way to Japan and brought home a couple of punches. With the exchange rate they were less that $1.50 each and that is a lot less expensive than anywhere else I've seen them. Wish there were more to choose from.

These are the tiniest nail art decals I have seen.

Iron on and the designs are perfect size for miniature.

All in all I really enjoyed the 100 yen store and hope to return sometime. What would you do with some of these items?

Holiday Swap

Caterina must have been dreaming of her holiday and lucky us that she decided to take us along, well sort of.
She has organised a swap and I will going along with Flower to her destination of choice and Anthula will be traveling the country roads with me.

Since I live on an island there will be no beaches for me. My vacation of choice is to explore country roads looking for antiques and other treasures. This looks so peaceful and relaxing to me.

Sorry for not keeping up here lately. Work has been taking all of my energy. I don't mind hard and challenging work but the environment I've been in has been down right hostile. Its an awful way to spend ones time and possibly illegal as well. Always been a firm believer in what goes around comes around so we'll see what happens. On a much lighter note, these photos are of some finds from a sale last weekend. The Bespaq pieces were an especially great deal.

Miniature Copper pieces

A few weeks ago I mentioned finding a miniature garage sale here in my neighborhood. These are the best of the copper pieces I purchased. One of the pan lids is hammered which really intrigued me. Another needs to have its handle soldered back on so hopefully someday I will acquire that skill or find someone to do it for me. The second photo shows what seems to be some type of water faucet. If someone knows what the proper name for this piece I would like to know. There is some pitting going on this which will be ok if it does not get any worse. The ocean air here is very unkind to metals so for now it will be stored safely away. This piece is also signed; Elaine Ware, JCS 4-6-80 No 007. Wow 30 years already so certainly a nice vintage piece. Does anyone know about Elaine?

Miniature sale finds

Here are a few of the treasures I found a few weeks ago as we happened upon a miniatures yard sale in our area.  I love all of these hand painted little metal trays. They remind me of the vintage toleware and trays that I have been collecting. 
The pottery bowls are delicate and fine. The little stools are going to be fun to use and one of them is tole painted.

The furniture pieces with the exception of the huch were also finds at this stop. Can't wait to rework these.

I'll save more of my finds for another day.

Cheryl