Mitzi's Miscellany

Bright and Beautiful Italian Pottery in Naples, Florida

It's been a while since I returned from my visit to Naples, Florida, but I still have pictures to share from my trip.  For many years I have driven by the bright and welcoming shop, Taste of Sorrento & Positano on 430 9th Street North, but never stopped in until this year.

Owned by Raisa Soriero, Taste of Sorrento & Positano is packed full of Italian pottery from various regions of Italy.  It's a beautiful world of color and inspiration, perfect for the sunny Naples climate.

I'm sure local decorators frequent this shop:

There are large scale pieces and small items.  Something for everyone!

Raisa explained to me that each region of Italy has their own distinctive style of pottery.  I tend to favor the brightly colored pottery, but I can appreciate the more neutral variety too:

 

 

A Limoncino set, for drinking the popular lemon drink:

 

A delicious pomegranate:

The original shop has expanded to the storefront next door.  There are even more beautiful, large scale items in the new space:

 

I would have taken the time to write down the artist's names but I was on my way to the airport when I stopped in and my time was limited....

 

 

 

 This is the top part of a fountain:

And this is the base of a table.  It needs a glass top:

Fruit details on an urn:

 

 

 

 

Just look at these wonderful faces!

Even modern pottery is represented:

 

 

I really loved this lion:

Wasn't that a great tour?  I hope you will put Taste of Sorrento & Positano on your list of places to visit when you go to Naples/Ft. Meyers/Marco Island/Bonita Springs area.

Mitzi

Pelican Bay on Dwellable

Jewelry Making On My Mind

Last night I returned home from my jewelry making extravaganza weekend in the small town of East Palestine, Ohio, home of B'sue Boutiques.  I had great fun and learned so much from my patient teacher and new friend, Brenda Sue Lansdowne.

Here is the charming storefront of B'sue Boutiques:

Inside the shop is a mix of finished jewelry items, jewelry supplies to make your own, and instructional books on jewelry making.  As you can see, the shop is just lovely:

The many drawers below contain "stampings" that jewelry is made from:

I got a special tour of the back room, where an order of stampings just came in.  This is what all the stampings look like when they come from the plater.  The order included several boxes like this that needed to be sorted, bagged and organized:

Here I am with Brenda Sue Lansdowne, "B'sue", learning about jewelry making:

One of the things I learned is how to take "raw brass" stampings and colorize them using various products.  The cuff below was once just plain brass.  I colorized the various components, then assembled it.  I ended up finishing it later with a red button center:

The necklace below started as a piece of vintage furniture hardware that I created a collage upon.  We finished it off with vintage beaded chain and a lovely clasp:

The piece below has more of B'sue Boutiques components in it than the previous necklace.  I started with a brass stamping of a woman in a heart, which I spray painted with a matte white spray paint.  I sanded it down a bit and added some Gilder's Paste, a waxy colorizing product, in Patina Green.  After buffing, it got a coat of sealer, a filigree backing and some brass "book chain" on the left, and some pearly beaded chain on the right.  I might be adding more doo-dads before I consider this piece finished:

Another collage necklace made with a furniture hardware base:

I re-purposed a broken Art Deco brooch to make a pendant for this piece:

A pretty vignette from the shop:

More items from my worktable space:

I couldn't resist buying a handful of these little glass leaves:

B'sue is a pretty organized crafter herself.  Look at her jars of goodies:

I spent all afternoon Friday and all day Saturday taking lessons with B'sue in her shop and observing the finished pieces for sale there.  It was interesting to get a tour of her "back room" and watch her dedicated staff, most of whom are relatives, work to fill and ship orders from her website and Etsy shop.  B'sue and her staff couldn't have been kinder or more welcoming!  On Saturday, a lovely local gal named Shirley stopped by with cookies for us.  She knew I was visiting because she belonged to B'sue's Facebook group.  It was very evident how well-liked B'sue is both locally and in the bigger social group that is Facebook. 

 

It might sound a little extreme to fly out of state to take jewelry making lessons, but for some reason I felt compelled to do it, and once an idea like that gets in my head there's no stopping it, so I really had to follow my heart.  Now that I'm home, I'm completely satisfied and feel that I did the right thing.  I'm motivated to move forward and become a real jewelry maker!

Mitzi

My Jewelry-Making Extravaganza Weekend

Over the last few years I've dabbled in making jewelry, all of it using some vintage components.  I make cuff bracelets covered with my beloved vintage wallpaper; pendants from old tintypes; and bracelets from old earrings that are broken or have lost a mate.

These bracelets are made from old earrings.  I buy the bracelet blanks from B'sue Boutiques, and they are made in the USA.  That's important to me:

 

Neon colors are so popular right now.  I used vintage wallpaper in the centers of these pendants.  I bought these years ago from an Etsy shop.  Probably made in China, unfortunately.  Now I try to buy Made in USA whenever possible, and that's why I buy from B'sue:

Something for men:  old police and firefighter badges:

 I buy angel wings from B'sue Boutiques and add them to vintage frozen Charlottes to make angels:

These are vintage chandelier crystal pendants with vintage wallpaper:

Just a tiny fraction of the bits and bobs I've been saving to re-purpose into "collage jewelry":

So this weekend, I've hatched a plan.  I've admired "B'sue", aka Brenda Sue Lansdowne, so much over the years that I had the audacity to ask her if I could come to her home in Ohio and take private jewelry making lessons from her.  Well, she said "yes", so I'm flying to Pittsburgh Thursday, then driving to her small town!  I need to learn some serious techniques for colorizing metal, drilling, and other construction skills.  I think I have the design concepts in my head, at least enough to get started.  I'll be staying at a hotel and renting a car so I can explore the nearby antique shops.

B'sue is a master of "Collage" style jewelry, "Five and Dime" style jewelry, and "Kitchen Sink" style jewelry.  I love all of her colorful, lush creations.

Photo credit:  B'sue Boutiques

Photo Credit:  B'sue Boutiques

For more eye candy, you'll want to visit B'sue Boutiques Pinterest Board.

Just because you can't fly to B'sue's and have one-on-one jewelry making lessons, don't feel bad.  You can zip over to YouTube and watch her wonderful series of intsructional videos and learn all of her techniques!  She adds new videos regularly, too.  Who knows, maybe I'll be in the next one!

B'sue's style is perfect for me to learn.  I save all sorts of little items, too:

Photo Credit:  B'sue Boutiques

Besides B'sue Boutiques main website catalog, she also has an Etsy shop which carries sale items and other goodies.  Be sure to check that out, too.  B'sue also has a wonderful newsletter that you must sign up for.  She'll keep you informed of new items in the shop, lovely jewelry designs she and others have made, discount codes for ordering, and so much more.  Details can be found on her main website.

Photo Credit:  B'sue Boutiques

I hope you will stop by B'sue's YouTube channel and learn something new along with me this weekend!  And once you start ordering supplies from B'sue Boutiques and making wonderful creations, it's really fun to join her Facebook group (a closed group, you'll have to request permission to join) and show everyone what you've made.  You can also ask questions of the group members and learn so much from the experienced members.  Right now, there's over 900 members in the group and it's growing fast!

If you are lucky enough to live near East Palestine, Ohio, you can visit B'sue's storefront and buy some of her items in open stock.  Be sure to check her website first for hours of operation.

Last but not least, B'sue has a blog called Jewelry Making Outside the Box that's just fabulous.  B'sue tells readers that "anyone can make jewelry", which is very encouraging.  I need to put it on my sidebar so everyone can find it from now on!

Mitzi

More Scenes From the Mall

Yesterday I shared some images from the annual March Madness Sale at the Antiques Market of Williamston here in Mid-Michigan.  The sale was a huge success and now that the numbers are in, I'm very pleased with what I sold from my two booths and the items I display in the ladies' powder room.  I didn't sell any furniture, but the "smalls" added up!

Today I'd like to show you more treasures from dealer booths.  I wish I could included something from every single booth, but not all of my images were blog-worthy.

First up, I wanted to show the line of patient customers waiting to pay for their items.  After providing them with delicious free food and discounts throughout the mall, there was hardly a complaint:

For mid-century fans, Rich and Denny Frietag offer sparkling Blenko glass:

I loved this cat in the Frietag's booth, and it sold quickly to a good home:

George Goscheff always has cool old store merchandise.  I liked the packaging on this electric bottle warmer:

Can't you picture this box of "jellies" being brought home from Florida to Northerners many years ago?

Oh my!  It's one of my showcases!  I always pack them full.  This is just one shelf...

A nice couple came in looking for a mantel.  I guess they didn't like mine, but someone will:

My country/primitive booth:

Richard and Kristy's booth had this cool sign for snuff.  I love the beehive:

 

Norv and Shari Schock always display their items so nicely.  I like this vignette:

Granite ware in Norv and Shari's booth:

 I love children's dishes:

A Rockingham bowl in Mark and Sue Tallarico's booth:

Bruce and Becky Brandenburg are offering this great spool cabinet for sale:

More from Bruce and Becky, a sunny yellow clock for the kitchen:

 

I love the golden frame around this Victorian-era print:

My neighbor, a newer dealer that specializing in signs and petroliana, is offering this wonderful gas station pump with just the right amount of wear and tear:

 

And last but not least, from dealers Kathy Branch and Fred Muse, a milk glass chick hatching from an egg in a basket just in time for Easter:

 

For hours and other details about the Antiques Market of Williamston, visit their Facebook page.

Mitzi

Scenes from the Mall

On Saturday, March 23, the Antiques Market of Williamston had their annual March Madness sale.  It was well attended as usual, and I was there to capture scenes around the mall with my trusty camera.

The guys on American Pickers go nuts for old signs.  They should come to our mall:

Lloyd and Juanita Moore have a lot to choose from:

The new dealer next to me has some nice signs, too:

A doll version of "Dopey", one of the Seven Dwarfs, in the booth of Kathy Branch and Fred Muse:

A needle display from a general store in Hugh and Suzy Clark's booth.  I had one of these once myself:

Very cool graphics:

We just talked about chintz ware, which is often an allover flower pattern.  The plate below is chintz, but features a beautiful peacock and pagoda scene:

A lovely girl in a cardboard Art Deco photographer's frame, in the booth "The Jazz Age":

From the same booth, two books.  The one on the left is about Louise Brooks, my favorite flapper girl:

 A shelf full of Meritt powder in Bob Roger's booth:

Also in Bob's booth, old butter cartons.  I love "Bossie's Best", below left:

Bruce and Becky Brandenburg have a great booth with a wide selection of wares:

An enticing selection of vintage fabrics from Chris Rogers' booth:

A colorful corner of Rich and Denny Frietag's booth:

Yes, I love colorful things!

For more information about the Antiques Market of Williamston, visit their Facebook page.

More goodies from the mall coming tomorrow!

Mitzi

Shopping at Dovetails in Naples, Florida

I just returned from an eight day visit to Naples, Florida, where my mom lives.  The weather was unseasonably cool, so we had no choice but to go shopping!  I had no complaints, because we discovered the fabulous shop Dovetails Estates & Decor, newly opened by friend Kathleen Pica at 20 Tenth Street South.  Kathleen is the owner of Auctions Neapolitan and Gallery and is a certified appraiser and auctioneer.  Kathleen has put together an exquisite mix of old and new treasures, as you will see.

The size of the vintage mirror is evident as I photograph myself in it:

A detail of the mirror:

This charming cardboard fish is actually a puzzle that comes unassembled.  Once completed, it looks great mounted on the wall:

Beautiful white glazed pottery mixed with enamel flowers by artist Tommy Mitchell:

Colorful packages of small items including fireplace matches:

Trays with natural themes, and framed butterflies:

More gorgeous enamel flowers by artist Tommy Mitchell.  He was featured in the Bergdorf Goodman catalog recently:

Dovetails sells furniture too, including this needlepoint chair and burlap covered ottoman:

There were several poses of these porcelain male forms in the shop:

 A vintage floral bouquet with porcelain flowers:

The vintage chaise lounge had an exquisite embroidered satin fabric upholstery:

I thought this chair was very attractive:

And this chair was extremely attractive!

There were several chair choices at Dovetails, including this upholstered example:

Wall art.  Something different than paintings and prints:

New china with a botanical motif:

 

Colorful bowls:

Lampshades made of burlap with a bee motif in front of a colorful painting:

An amazing horse figure stands in one window of Dovetails:

Although I've shown quite a few pictures, there's still a lot I haven't shown at Dovetails.  Kathleen has a wonderful selection of jewelry and small items perfect for gift giving or to treat yourself.  Her experience as an auctioneer and appraiser give Kathleen the expertise and discerning eye needed to assemble the eclectic mix that is Dovetails.  I hope that you'll make a special point of visiting Dovetails when you're in Naples, no matter what the weather is like!

Mitzi

Shopping in Naples, Florida, Part IV: Waterside Shops & More

I don't know about you, but I'm getting a little worn out from all this shopping in Naples!  Just in case you missed my previous posts, we've visited Sara Campbell, St.-Tropez Home, and Spruce, all located next door to each other on Third Street in the heart of Old Naples.  I think we should head to a mall next, so we can hit several shops in quick succession like we did downtown.

Waterside Shops is an exclusive open air mall located at 5415 Tamiami Trail North.  It's definitely a high-end mall with shops like Coach, Burberry, Cartier, and Louis Vuitton.  You won't be finding a Chick-fil-A here, no siree!  You have to go to the other mall for that.....

I like their unusual holiday decorations: 

A relative newcomer to Waterside shops is the Apple products store.  Every Apple lover will recognize the familiar logo, which needs no additional signage:

Here's the crowd at Apple.  It was by far the busiest store at Waterside Shops, and according to my mom, it's always the busiest store every time she visits:

One of my favorite shops at Waterside is Anthropologie.  I've blogged about their fabulous shop before, and they have generously allowed me to take pictures in the store over the years.  I always get ideas for displays, decor, and projects.  Oh, and I bought a wonderful sweater and a couple gifts on our visit, too!

This mannequin in the window at Anthropologie sported a fabric flower pin similar to ones I've been making.  I also admired the multicolor rhinestone necklace:

Cute glitter ornaments on sale in the shape of moose head mounts:

Branches covered with colorful yarn:

My mom and I simultaneously fell in love with this crocheted throw:

Just a bit of lace dresses up a hooded jacket:

I've been experimenting with spray painting vintage metal and glass items.  I like the way this flatware looks, very new and fresh yet retro at the same time:

Cut logs make a cool multi-level table display:

Charming plates with a praying mantis:

Tory Burch is a new store at Waterside Shops.  I like their bold orange and pine green signature colors:

The interior of  Tory Burch:

The beautiful Swarovski storefront.  When you think about it, is there any other name in crystal?  I know there is, but Swarovski clearly dominates.

Another beautiful clothing display at Waterside Shops.  I failed to write down the store name.  I had my arms full of packages!

Moving on, we'll be going back to Third Street briefly to the Third Street Farmer's Market.  Held every Saturday, it's the place to be!  Sometimes it's behind the stores, and sometimes Third Street is blocked off. 

When my mom's dog Jezebel knows she's going to the Farmer's Market, she'll pull you right along if you are dawdling!

Speaking of dogs, the Farmer's Market has a parade of dogs shopping with their owners.  Thoughtful vendors put out bowls of water and give out treats to the passing pooches.

These beautiful young ladies are representing Pierre & Harry, a freshwater pearl and gemstone jewelry company with a permanent showroom on Third Street.  You can shop their catalog online right away and read about the mother-daughter duo that started the business.

The natural beauty of pearls never goes out of style:

Bracelets to try on:

There are many wonderful food vendors at the Farmer's Market.  I bought some delicious macaroons from a French bakery:

Besides viewing dogs, buying baked goods and shopping for jewelry, you can acquire some wonderful native tropical plants for your garden.  If you're just visiting, you can photograph them, like I did:

Isn't Mother Nature amazing?

South Florida is in the sub-tropics, a great environment to grow orchids:

These were all for sale at the Farmer's Market!

Of course, we did some antique shopping around Naples too!  In fact, I bought quite a few things this time.  Here is a picture of my mom and me taking a break in front of Treasure Island, a Naples antique shop.  You can read more about Treasure Island here.

 

I spotted these ivory figures at Treasure Island.  You might recognize them if you watch Storage Wars on A&E.  Barry brought one to an antique shop for appraisal. They were used by Chinese women to point to body parts that were ailing them, because of modesty, when they went to a doctor.  Note the tiny feet, the result of binding:

I loved this chair.  Actually, there was a pair of them.  If only I had driven my van to Florida....

Eye candy at Treasure Island:

One of the dealers at Treasure Island always has some of the "early and rare" Clarice Cliff pottery, including the coveted "Bizarre Ware."  This is stuff you just don't see every day:

I hope you enjoyed our four days of shopping in Naples.  There's so much more to see and do there, we just scratched the surface.  But never fear, I'll be returning in March!

Mitzi

Naples Park on Dwellable

Shopping in Naples, Florida, Part III: Spruce

Happy Sunday, everyone!  If you've been shopping with me the last two days, you've visited Sara Campbell, a ladies' boutique, and St.-Tropez Home, a home furnishings and gift shop.  Today we are entering Spruce, which happens to be right next to the other two stores for convenience sake, on Third Street in Old Naples:

Spruce has an eclectic mix of home, garden, and some ladies' clothing and jewelry in the mix.  They have stores in other locations too, as well as an online catalog that you should view right after out tour!

Right after entering Spruce, I was attracted to the cover of this book about dogs, being the incurable dog lover that I am:

Spruce has several unusual ceiling light fixtures for sale, including this pair:

I loved these wire sculptures covered in butterflies.  I'm thinking I could make something like this if I had enough patience:

A closer look:

Some of the garden-themed offerings:

I like the over-size vessels used for vases on the left in this vignette:

Pretty bed linens in rusty orange and neutral colors:

A window display at Spruce with dramatic glass dome cloches and mercury glass orbs:

 

More pendant fixtures above some beautiful silvery velvet upholtered furniture pieces.  I also love the little silver table:

A sea inspired display with an unusual shaped dome cloche:

 

At first glance, I thought these chairs were vintage, but they are newly made and can be purchased at Spruce.  I think they have great retro style!

My mom and I both bought one of these acrylic bracelets, artist made in the USA.  What color would you pick?

More beautiful and unusual pendant lamps, mirrors, and more:

A display of body lotions, soaps, and fragrances:

I think having unusual light fixtures is a great way to add style to a room.  Spruce is a good resource!

Besides the bracelets, I purchased a scarf and two tops.  We enjoyed our shopping trip at Spruce immensely and will definitely be back!

After shopping, we stopped at a "snowman" on Third Street for a photo opportunity.  That's my mom standing next to Frosty, and the historic Old Naples Building, circa 1921, standing in the background.  Jezebel turned her head just as I snapped!  I guess she was getting tired....

Meet me back here tomorrow for one last shopping trip in beautiful Naples!

Mitzi

The Enclave at Naples on Dwellable

Shopping in Naples, Florida, Part II: St.-Tropez Home

Welcome to day two of our Naples shopping trip!  We'll be shopping at St.-Tropez Home, an exquisite home decor, furnishings and gift shop located at 1300 Third Street South in Old Naples: 

Welcoming us in the foyer was a commanding starfish framed mirror:

The hot trend right now is all-white or mostly-white objets d'art.  St.-Tropez Home has foo dogs and other items that would fit the bill:

Flatware in a black or gold finish.  Very unusual:

A coffee table holds a huge silver octopus bowl:

This faux-bois table with a golden top is acrylic:

I love this sandy colored sofa with the tufted details.  Perfect for Florida!

A lineup of sparkling vases and candleholders:

A darker sofa option with beautiful coral motif pillows:

These birch bark covered balls could be made at home, if you are crafty enough.  I always get craft ideas at home decor shops!

Serving pieces and table decor in blues and browns:

A stunning mirror flanked by two coral lamps.  A selection of home fragrances are beneath the mirror:

A closer look at the coral base lamp:

I love shell mirrors and frames if they are done right, so they don't look like a craft project.  This one is done right, don't you agree?  The colorful ceramic pottery is lovely, too:

A very large petal-covered topiary, as big as a beach ball.  I'm getting more ideas here.....

The owner of the shop, Katie Frank, remembered my mom from previous visits and was so wonderful to chat with.  The young lady working in the shop couldn't have been more helpful, fetching a paper and pencil so I could write some notes.  It's no surprise the shop gets compliments from so many customers.  I hope you can visit St.-Tropez Home if you are in Naples.  If you can't visit in person, peruse their catalog and do some shopping right away!

Mitzi

Naples Heritage on Dwellable

Shopping in Naples, Florida, Part I: Sara Campbell

I just returned from an 11-day trip to Naples, Florida, where I spent some relaxing time with my family.  By relaxing, I mean minimal time on the computer, no schlepping boxes full of antiques around, and fun excursions with my mom to local shops that I hadn't seen before. 

I'll be taking you shopping with me in Naples throughout the next four days.  Our first stop is Sara Campbell, a ladies' boutique located at 1300 Third Street South #103B.  You can't miss Sara Campbell because of the signature black and white striped awning:

The black and white stripes are carried throughout the store.  I've always loved this bold look!  I think it's classy and fun at the same time:

Colorful purses look great against the black and white backdrop:

Cuff bracelets with charming bee and sea life motifs, and a dazzling beaded clutch:

The dressing rooms are beautiful.  A bold black and white fabric with a gold lining is introduced, and a dramatic drum shade ceiling fixture hangs above.  I also admired the black and white ziggurat rug:

 

Colorful scarves:

Some of the clothing on display:

I should mention that the ladies working in the store were so gracious and welcoming, even before I asked about taking pictures for my blog!

I love this red clutch with the honeybee motif:

Even the wreath and other holiday decor was out of the ordinary at Sara Campbell:

Sara Campbell has stores in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Illinois, and Connecticut.  There might be one close to you!  You can find out more at www.saracampbell.com

On another day, we were waiting for a table at a cafe.  I wanted to share this picture of my mom holding her "alligator purse."  She bought this several years ago at the Paper Merchant in Naples.  I swear, if we had a trunk full of these purses, we could sell them all every time my mom takes her purse with her out on the town! 

I hope you can visit Sara Campbell while you are in Naples.   And if you need a nice card, wrapping paper, or charming gift, stop at the Paper Merchant right down the street!

Mitzi

Naples Lakes on Dwellable