Sabbatical over...so here's what's happening

I'm back.   The Sabbatical was exactly what I needed.  Spent the time looking at where I am and where I want to be and to paraphrase Mr. da Vinci, "if I wanna be somewhere else, I need to move on."  Apologies to Mr. da Vinci.

Still his words ring truth and I have decided to prepare for a move from Georgia to Florida.  I'm a few years to retirement and my present employer continues to go through reorganizations every year.  Sooner or later, my number is going to be called and I would rather be in Florida when they decide to call it.

So, I have closed both of my spaces in the Queen of Hearts, sigh, I miss it already.  I have emptied out my home into a POD unit and am now repainting the interior and have new carpets being installed next week in hopes of listing my home around Thanksgiving.  Home sales are still hot in my area so I am hoping it will sell before the end of the year.  Once that happens, I am off on a new adventure.

Of course, once I do finally relocate, I will first look for a place to live and then follow up with searching for a new place to sell my wares.  Anyone who has ever been in the antique biz knows you never really ever leave the business, you just find new digs.  So even though I may not have booth space right now, I am always looking for good inventory.

Marvelous silverplated mint julep cup.

Lovely EAPG green and gold vase is the "Band and Diamond Swirl" pattern made by the U.S. Glass Company. circa 1898.  Love this rich, dark green.

Lovely alexandrite and gold lustre vase changes from ruby red to ice blue in different light.  Mid century piece.  

Large Milk Glass Loganberry Vase by the Imperial Glass Co.  Produced from 1950-70s.  

Be still my heart, I am crazy for antique transferware and this pitcher is a honey.  I suspect this may go into my own display cabinet once I get it out of the POD unit.

Lovely hammered silverplated serving plate.  Circa 1930s. 

Pretty little bucket creamer and sugar bone china first looks like Belleek but it is not.  Royal Worchester made in England.  

In between my treasure hunting, I spent Halloween week with grandchildren in Virginia.  

 My grandson wanted to be Boba Fett this year and his twin sister fit into the Dorothy costume I made Kaitlyn three years ago.  Kaitlyn made her own costume this year and she went as the Mad Hatter.  I love that she tackled her first costume by pulling items from past costumes and repurposing them into a great Mad Hatter.

Conner is Boba Fett.

I had to put together this jetpack after I had put all my craft supplies into the POD.  It's true, duck tape and a little card board can make anything.

Kells Bells is Dorothy right down to the ruby slippers.

Look at those Mad Hatter eyes. LOL

So, there you have it, a new adventure awaits me and as each step unfolds, I will share it with you...because it's "just georgraphy" but ahh, the most intersting unknown beacons me and I desire to bring you along.  For now, it's time to turn the clock back one hour and wish blessings to you and those you love. SeaWitch

Last weekend before Christmas

So hard to believe that this year is almost over and this is the last weekend before Christmas.  It will be 2015 before we know it.

Got in one last weekend of treasure hunting before the year ends and found some nifty pieces at my favorite haunts.

I picked this, late Victorian shaving mirror, up about 5 years ago at a local thrift store and it hung in my entryway for years.  It's now time to move it on so it is in my Victorian booth at the Buford Queen of Hearts.

Beautiful, French steel engraving, depicting a woman deciding on what jewelry to purchase, drawn by E. J. Parris,and engraved by J. Thomson. Date 1844.  Hand colored with original matting.  Elegant reframe, 1940s.

 Beautiful, French steel engraving, "The Bridal Eve," drawn by E. J. Parris,and engraved by J. Thomson. Date 1844.  Hand colored with original matting.  Elegant reframe, 1940s.

Beautiful. Art Nouveau period, iridescent green, “snake skin” Kralik, art glass vase. (Bohemia) Czechoslovakia.  Small chips along lip and bottom edge from use.   Circa 1900s.

Circa 1900s, fraternity paddle.  Xi Psi Phi Fraternity, was created in 1888, by five freshman dental students who were attending the University of Michigan to create a club among freshman dental students for intellectual and social interaction.  This is a fun piece and would be a nifty gift for a dentist to put in their office.

Lovely, late Victorian oval cameo print.  Gorgeous detail of an elegant French lady.  Original tin frame.  Circa 1890s.  This is such a pretty little print.

Should have taken a pic of the easel without the book on it.  Pretty, Italian Florentine frame is a neat find and it is in my Victorian booth. 

A Goodwill find, beautiful Wedgwood trinket plate in original box.

Smashing, large Imperial serving bowl of rich marigold that is on fire with orange brilliance. Tri pressed.   Pattern:  Grapes.  Circa 1970s    I have a matching smaller bowl as well.  

Everybody loves Fenton glass and the brilliant iridescence on this piece is amazing.  Cobalt blue, carnival glass bowl with basketweave and ruffled edge. Circa 1970s

Gorgeous and heavy, brass serving tray in the Colonial Chippendale design with heavy engraving.  Peerage, England.  Peerage is known for its high quality, colonial reproduction pieces.  Mark dates this piece to late 1940s.  Most likely a souvenir brought home by an 

American GI during the war.

 Pretty Nippon, hand painted vanity tray.  Unusual edge with lip.  This will be in my space for Valentines Day.

 My Victorian booth space got a refill this weekend.  Lots to still find for your Christmas giving.

 My main space is also refilled.  

I have sold lots of Christmas decorative pieces so I will have very little to "pack up" when the holiday ends.  I always like it when that happens.  I'm already planning my post holiday displays, you have to stay ahead of the season.  

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah and always, blessings to you and those you love. Sea Witch