Back to my Roots

I spent most of today photographing items to list both on eBay and Etsy.   In between loading and editing pics - my daughter was printing pics to use on her graduation thank yous.

My Kawaii Cuties earrings have been very popular so I have had to make more.

My daughter had some awesome espadrilles that she barely wore - and some jean shorts that she grew out of in 2 seconds.  These definitely had to get listed on eBay and soon!

 Never been worn espadrilles in an olive satin - decorated with silver stitching and gold beads - size 10.

Cute canvas espadrilles in kelly green - also size 10.

 About half a dozen pairs of shorts...  now all on a five day auction on eBay.  Bye bye!

A variety of items to list in my vintage as well as my handmade shops on Etsy.  This is an adorable brocade hand bag with a faux tortoiseshell frame/handles.

A cute vintage John Deere wagon and a hand made floral arrangement.

An awesome collection of vintage milk glass.  

And this is where I go back to my roots - the beginnings of Bittersweet Design Studio lay right here.   When I first started my business - I made wreaths and arrangements out of the wild flowers and vines that grew on my property.
That was 22 years ago.  I will have to say I haven't made a dried flower wreath in YEARS!  However - 2012 graduation 'interfered' with the harvesting of my lavender at the exact time - and so NO lavender wands this year.  But I did have some wonderful herbs and flowers that had flowered or set pods - and I was getting the 'urge' to do a little something with my bounty.  So while the computer was in use for printing and such - I wandered my almost acre and cut from my gardens.  I made these this evening.

So here we are!  From left to right - Yarrow and Roman Chamomile; Lavender and Larkspur; Oregano and Nigella.  The fresh herbs are wired on to Bittersweet vine frames.  All grown and harvested in my very own yard.  They will dry and stay lovely and fragrant like this for a few years.


That makes me happy!  Liz

Date with a porch swing

Yep - I kept my word.  I 'wore out' my porch swing yesterday - for about 4 hours.   I took care of all of my computer work and shipping in the morning - so was free to enjoy that lovely weather - a product of that cool front and all that rain came through the day before.

Reading {5th Avenue 5a.m. by Sam Wasson - all about Audrey Hepburn and the making of Breakfast at Tiffany's} and napping, in my comfy clothes no less!


That's all for now - I am too tired to write more. 
A dear customer of ours died Tuesday.  Bob had been working with him for 21 years. Along side him for many years and then 'for' him for a number more, when he wasn't able to help anymore. I spent most of today with his daughter - an amazing and strong woman.  I am privileged that she let me share today with her - but as many of you know - grief is an exhausting thing.  
Keep her in your thoughts, thanks.  Liz

And a good time was had by all

Graduation Day Loudoun Valley High School June 11, 2012

 I love the white caps against the green trees and the green caps against the light sky! 

 The honored - our graduate - Virginia!

The 'kids' canopy - some of Virginia's friends who joined us to celebrate
l to r - clockwise - Drew Hare, Nora Kavaldjian, Aislin Kavaldjian, Kristen English, Jon Coate, Stephanie Chepega, Anna Casserino.

 The 'adults' canopy - friends and family - close and extended gather to help us celebrate!

 More of Virginia's friends - Doug Bae, Bill Wine, Christy Haney - more names later...

Bill Shelton - Catoctin Creek Catering Company came in at 7:30 a.m. to set up and get grillin'!  NC barbecue, chicken, green beans, baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw.  My hard working husband Bob carrying one of the tables down to the back porch, while Bill unloads another. 

 Amazing and delicious food provided by our neighbor - grill master extraordinaire - Bill Shelton.

Good friends Ken and Patty Rea - because you can never have too many people who love you!!

Sweet 'sis' Jen had an in-service day - and had to come late - but she helped take it all down - tent carefully packed away and delivered, folding chairs loaded and back to the church.

To everyone that was here in their hearts - and to everyone that was able to join us in person to celebrate the raising of this lovely young woman -  because it took us all - a huge debt of thanks!! 

Because of all of you, she can be sent out into this world prepared for anything.  Best of luck and all of our good wishes!!

Almost Ready for Party Time

 Looks like we are getting ready for a celebration

 Front porch is ready!!

 This porch swing has my name on it - We have a big date Wednesday :)

 A relaxing place to chill...

 Throw in a touch of pure Americana

 And some great vintage galvanized watering cans

Cali giving the graduation girl an enthusiastic wake up call. Wake up!  Wake up!  Wake up!!!

The Grand Old Flag

For all of our soldiers, who fought for our freedoms and what our country stands for, from the Revolution to present day.  God Bless the United States of America!!

May you all have a blessed day.

Love, Liz

Lucketts Spring Market Recap

We had two beautiful days - which makes a record - because in all of the years that I have been doing this show it has always rained - at least on Sunday - if not on Saturday at some as well...

jewelry boards, suitcases, and vintage clothing

a long view showing some of the furniture

A close up of my 'Pink Girls'. I had an 'oval' coffee table in the same pink that sold.

A most amazing Hollywood Regency mirror.  It is fabulous!!!

A one drawer table with leaf - off to a happy home  :)  oh the candle holder and a 20/20 board too - bye,bye!

A lovely rose pink chair and ottoman, and a very nice Drexel end table.  They have been installed up at It's Bazaar in Purcellville.

French Provincial desk with book hutch and chair.  A little cluttered with vintage purses...and hankies - oops.  Not my best choice to show off this pretty piece...

Some fun vintage deadstock Spanish rings from the 1970s.  They are just fab!

top shelf: Italian souvenir bracelets from the 70s, cities represented, Venice, Rome, and Verona.
bottom shelf: beautiful Toledo, Spain earrings, and bracelets.

The other side of the tent - two pub tables, great vintage fans, picnic hampers and more!


My lovely neighbors this year were - to the east: SemperStylish (http://semperstylish.wordpress.com/) - it was their first show (wow), and to the west - BlueEggBrownNest (http://www.blueeggbrownnest.com/wordpress/).  It was so nice to meet them and share their company for a few days.


A dear friend, Kerri and her mom Carla came from PA to visit and shop - you can see us here: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2822749026223&set=a.1737409493413.70268.1783908799&type=1&theater

Many thanks go to Lauren Hunt, my summer helper - who dove right in and endured 'hell week'; my husband Bob who along with Kenny Kopp our nephew, and his friend Dan Powell who provided the muscle; my daughter Virginia Theerman who provided selling help both days, my friend Jennifer Huffman who lent me her 10 x 20 tent and my friend Janis Bell who came out to lend a hand on Saturday.


Some funny stuff to follow,


let me know if you went - and what you enjoyed the most! 
until then, Liz

A special treat

I am always trying to come up with new ideas to give my customer's a special treat when they travel to see me at a show.  I'm at the Luckett's Spring Market this weekend in the Field of Gold.  This year's treat is a magnet in a little hand stamped muslin bag.  

I also have decided on a new 'tag line' for my business - it use to be "for home, garden, and you".  I have changed it to "for your nest".  This new tag line relates to my logo - the nest - which I have used forever, and to the fact that what I create and hunt is for your nest!  What do you think of the change?

Here are the sweet magnets - they have a super strong neodymium magnet on the back.  This means that - because I made them - they are CUTE, but it also means they are USEFUL.  Yay!


Well you may imagine - after early days and late nights getting ready for this show - that I am exhausted.  Yep - that's me.


I'll give you a sneak peek tomorrow of some of the furniture I have re-loved for the show.


See you then!  Liz