Artsy fartsy day. Here is story that combines no fewer than five things I am currently interested in: (1) Going to estate sales where I must buy something. (2) Buying costume jewelry — preferably pins, because they usually very pretty, they usually are very inexpensive ($1 or less) and they take up much less room, as a collection, than wagon wheel lights. (3) Collage. (4) Making clothing out of recycled wool sweaters — hence, the purchase last year of the vintage dressmaker dummy. (5) My office design update.
So, earlier this week, as I contemplated my latest project — my office redesign to add more crafting space — I took the pammy wammy director chair that I received at the Shaw HGTV Home Floors event out of my office. I love it because it has my name on it, and yes, it’s all about me me me. But I only stashed it here because it fit. It is a parking space for Astro-stuff of other stuff. So up it went to the attic hoard, where it awaits potential future use or the Goodwill when I get around to cleaning out the attic hoard.
“In” went the costume jewelry collage I started creating onto the vintage dressmaker dummy about… 3 months ago.
Waltzing Matilda was parked in the living room for a while, where I first began working on her, in lovely light. More recently, I stashed her in my bedroom. But — voila! — in she goes to my office and future-crafting center, where I can add a pin now and again at my leisure.
What are those things that strippers put on their tatas and make go round in circles? The kitties with their dangling tails won’t stay, but I do amuse myself as I go along.
I am going to need a lot more pins. I hook them right into the fabric that covers the cardboard form that comprises the dummy. Have no fear, they are not hot-glued or anything like that. Conceivably, this would be a way to display them so that you could easily see your collection and pluck one off whenever, for use. However, sometimes when I take one out, three oth
tammyCA says
I have a small collection of the enamel flower pins from the 60s and I have them stuck in my milk glass flower vases. They make me happy & remind me of my childhood. I sure don’t find them for $1 ‘tho, they are a lot more than that out here.
Amanda says
I’ve seen some sellers on etsy who use vintage brooches and pins to make bridal bouquets. I wish I had done something like that at my wedding. But making some sort of floral display made with the brooches and putting it in a fun vase or some sort, would be another awesome way of displaying the pins.
Nancy says
Too cool for school!! I am trying to talk my daughter in to having a broach bouquet for her wedding bouquet?! I love them!
Michelle says
I love your dress form. I did something similar when wanting to be able to display my grandmothers’ pins. I collaged them on a cross for my wall. I love to look at that and be reminded of them everyday. Would send a photo but cant figure out how to do that. Anyway, love your idea.
RetroGal says
Such a great project! I have a small French bulletin board that I have on a wall in my walk in closet with one vintage daisy pin stuck in (and numerous photos/cards, etc.)… it never dawned on me to perhaps stick MORE of the few vintage pins I have on there… or perhaps get another board and have it just for that!
I love that you showcase big projects as well as small, easy-to-do achieveable projects too!
Stacey says
Collecting vintage pins is SUCH A GREAT IDEA!! I’m going to do that.
Eighteen years ago when you were 35?!? Was that a typo? Do you mean when you were 15? Because I want to know where you found that fountain of youth!
Astro is so adorable. I might have to start the Astro Fan Club.
pam kueber says
awe shucks you’re so sweet.
Jacki Anderson says
I love this idea and shared it with my niece who has a similar dress form. Also love the shower curtain idea. But I’m commenting because I absolutely am crazy for city painting in the photo of your dog. So lovin’ the colors and the whole feel of it!!
Chutti says
Wow- your house looks great. And I’m hoping to set up the craft zone in the guest room closet this summer, so thanks for the inspiration.
BTW- don’t beat yourself up for unfinished projects. I has em. It’s been my experience that sometimes 10+ years go by before I am ready to pick them up again. Invariably, I was stymied by some block that evaporates over time as I’ve learned a new skill or gained new perspective. Makes the finished product that much richer.
For you fellow monstera lovers-the best instructions for shoring them up are in the old Sunset or Better Homes books from garage sales. Mine is on a chicken wire column filled with peat moss, then covered with moss moss. I do just like grandma and tie the stragglers on with hairpins and strips of old pantyhose. Looks authentic because it is.
LOVE those monstera, especially as an opportunity for backlighting.
Jason says
Pam you are so funny – with your pin placement 😉
I agree with the others, love seeing the pinch pleats, artwork and plant in that photo – I love that art it’s great – I’d love to find some 50s/60s goodness like that.
hannah says
Awesome! I adore rhinestones and kitschy vintage pins. You need to set up a P.O. Box and ask the RR fans to send you one each. I’d send you one! 🙂
Annie B. says
Great idea, Hannah. I’m in!
chris says
I thought the same thing!!!! Pam, you’d have that dress form covered in no time!
Have any of you ever tried to bid on rhinestone pins on e-bay? It is just insaaaaaaane what they go for! Crazy!
I love absolutely anything sparkly and gaudy. It’s a good thing I married my husband – without him reining me in, I’d get all sorts of citations for excessive glitter, sparkles, sequins, Christmas lights — you name it.