Mercantile Muse: A Little Corner of Bates Mercantile Co.: August 2011

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

So, what do you think?

Headstrong

I've been thinking about my esty shop header lately. I just felt like it was a little 'too' much and perhaps taking away from what is in our store. Now, although I like the background a lot, I like it better on its own as one of my illustrations rather than as a header.

So I've been tweaking. Not wigging out, tweaking. The adjusting sort of tweaking.

Here's where I'm at:

I am pretty happy with the way the new Bates Mercantile Header is working with what we've got in the store. Though I value others' opinions.

Our shop isn't what you'd call 'serious', so I wanted something that spoke to the vintage items that we carry, yet had a fun feel to it in order to convey what my illustrations are about.

Give it to me straight..............

Do you like it? Here's a screen shot.

And here's a link to Bates Mercantile Co. so you can see it 'live' so to speak. Check it out before you give me your honest opinion. Better before or after?

Question Two: Print vs. Printable

I've been mulling this one over since I listed my first illustration. I've, for the most part, been offering wall art and such as printable files. You purchase the file. I send it to you via email. You print on your end and frame and hang as you wish. Instant gratification.

The quandary is this, I've done lots of research and it appears that actual 'prints' of wall art rather than printables, are selling like hotcakes. So, not wanting to miss the boat (actually it's more about giving the people what they want), I've been wondering whether I should be offering wall art as prints or printables. I know my current customers have appreciated the immediacy of printables, they buy and viola it's in their inbox. In fact, this has been a great 'last minute gift' selling point for different occasions. Still, I wonder if more customers would like it already printed and sent to their real mailbox so all they have to do is frame?

Obviously, having prints made up and packaging and shipping them will be more work on my end, but I'm ok with that if it will bring more people to shop at Bates Mercantile Co.

Now, the twenty thousand dollar question (no, you are not going to get $20,000 if you answer this question, it's just a figure of speech).......should I offer each design both ways, as a print and/or as a printable? Or just one or the other?

I'd appreciate any feedback you have to offer. Really. I would.

Sunset Meadows

Last night there weren't any flamingos in the sky, CourtneyJo's description of our sunsets, but it was still awful pretty.

A melow orange glow. Got out of the pool just in time to snap this. Didn't want to get out, but I did. Just for your viewing pleasure. OK, and to fix dinner, but for you too.

Make it a fantabulous Wednesday in your part of the world.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Nothing Comes Between Me and My Calvins or Billy Idol

Channeling Brook Shields

OK, it's a Calvin Klein belt and not jeans. So sue me. Another treasure I found on my thrift store bonanza on Saturday while visiting the new Salvation Army store. All I'm gonna say, is they are going to give the Goodwill Store up the block a run for their money. What's great about this belt, is it isn't made for one of those twiggy-like uuber super model frames. It's a size 40. Yup, probably a men's, but certainly perfect for the right lady too. Could be worn slung low on the hip, or even make a new hole to give it a larger size range.

What I really love about this belt, is it's patina.

Aged brass combined with the warmest whiskey/caramel color.

Hhhhmmmmm, that reminds me. Nabbed these puppies too.

Mr. Easton. You had me at hello.

Just look at the detailing. Gorgeous, even though they're not gonna fit my size 8.5 foot.

Channeling My College-Self

Oh, to have a size 7 foot or to be in college again. What? I don't have to be go to college again? I can still be a punk rocker chic? I can still dance with myself or Billy Idol if he's around?

Well, it might not be me, but someone who can appreciate a classic rocker vibe is going to look rippin' in this jacket.

This jacket is not only cool, it's also got great detailing like the white stitching and even a peplum in the back. I'm in jacket love here people. Too boot, it's 100% cotton, so when you're tearing it up on the dancefloor, you won't pass out from heat exhaustion.

By the way, it would look way better on a live model. The hanger just doesn't do it justice.

So as you can see over the last two days, I got a little bit of this and a little bit of that on my treasure hunt Saturday. I've been adding to the Bates Mercantile Co. shop ferociously and having fun while doing it.

Have you done any thrifting lately? What did you find that you had to bring home? Do tell. Please.........I'd really like to know.

Sunset Meadows........After Irene

You'd never had known what went on here from Sunday morning through Monday morning. Irene swept through, but behind her, the most beautiful sunny day, no humidity, and a lovely breeze. Top it off with this sunset and all I can say is.......heaven.

From the front door.....it's just starting.

Full throttle.

Sometimes I can't believe how lucky we were to find this spot.

A 'pretty in pink' end to the day.

Here's hoping your Tuesday is just as fantastic as last night's sunset. Thanks for being here.

Pam

Monday, August 29, 2011

Sally & Me

Hello Salvation Army Family Store!

As planned, I ventured to the grand opening of the new Salvation Army store in Porsmouth on Saturday. It was a mob scene. That didn't stop me.

Oh the things I found. Right off the bat, as soon as I walked through the door and got myself to the back corner where all the housewares were........viola, Royal Mail, my Grandmother's china (which is now mine).

I'd been looking for this so I could add some plates to what I already have. At 1.49 each, there was no threat of sticker shock. I'll be able to serve an entire dinner party on the same plates. How novel.

Do you fondue?

I do too. Well, not actually because I listed this item for sale in our shop this morning. It's it groovey, in an awesome sort of way?

How's about some Shabby Sweet Chic?

I could just picture this bowl sitting on the counter of a farmhouse holding some strawberries.

A very cool, Landers, Fray & Clark citrus press/reamer. I haven't listed this in the shop yet, but soon!

Wonderfully aged and worn from years of use.

I went a little crazy at the Salvation Army store, but crazy in a good way. I have more items to add to our store, but there is one I'm keeping.

Just look at this bas relief............such a beautiful wood carving.

The details are amazing.

The colors, vibrant.

Now the task to find out more. I've been searching for info on line about bas relief artists. Can't say I'm making very good progress. There is the possibility that this wasn't a known artist, perhaps a folk artist of sorts. Whatever the case, it is a wonderful piece.

Not even sure I can read the artist's name.........first I thought O. Woltz, now I think it might be O.Totlz. I do think the castle looks european, but haven't found a picture of one that is situated between mountains like this. Then again, who's to say the artist didn't make this scene up. Wherever it is, it sure looks heavenly.

If you have any thoughts to share on how to identify this piece I'd appreciate your input. I'd like to know if my huge investment of 99cents has paid dividends.

Yup, you read it right. 99cents. Can you take it?

Irene

Luckily, we didn't get the brunt of Irene. In fact during the day, it was .........well....no big deal. Didn't lose power until last night, and there really wasn't much going on when we did. Then all hell broke lose with the wind. It was wicked most of the night. I can happily report, and I'm not sure how, but I only see one bigger branch down next to my car and a few smaller branches. I thought for sure we'd lose a tree the wind was so strong.

Have a wonderful Monday wherever you are. It's a glorious day after the storm here. Will be hanging out some laundry on the line shortly. Perfect drying day.

What did you do this weekend?

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Sights and Sounds

Happy Saturday. I hope you are enjoying your weekend so far. We had a great night last night with the neighborhoodlums. That's Tom (the tractor man) and Joanie above. And us below with Gerry and Sandee. As you can guess, these pictures were not taken recently. I think they were from one of our neighborhood New Year's Eve crawls.

Anywho, back to last night. We headed over to Tom and Joanie's across the street for appies and supper. Good stuff all around. Wish I'd taken the camera because Joan and Tom's garden tomatoes were gorgeous. On top of all that, Joan and Sandee had both bought mixin' fixins' for cosmos up at Stonewall Kitchen in York, Maine not far from here. First we tried blueberry. Two thumbs up. Then we tried pomegranate. Two thumbs up.

We ended the night bowling with the Wii. That was mine and gar's first time playing on the Wii. It was pretty darn funny. Lots of laughs all around, as usual.

Today, heading up to the new Salvation Army store!!! Woohoo.........yippee.........yay!

Then back home to finish the yard clean up/storm prep.

Thinking tonight I'll make my old standby..........Chicken Cordon Bleu. Can you say yum? One of my all time favorites and I've been making it since high school.

That's the scoop.

Other than the fact that I'd like to sit and sip wine here:

Lunch in the sunshine - limited edition film photography 8 x 12 inch

And, I wish I'd been here:

Hope all is well in your corner of the world.

Friday, August 26, 2011

Time Is Fleeting

Not for very much longer.........

(that was just for any fellow Rocky Horror Picture Show Fans)

I think I've noticed a trend. I was looking at some of my favorite items on etsy. In case you don't know, etsy is an online marketplace for all things handmade and vintage, as well as supplies to make things. Well, what I've noticed is, I seem to have a thing for clocks. Mostly old.

I came across the first two just this morning.

Clock, Vintage, Art Deco, White, Westinghouse, Alarm Clock, Timer by quirkyessentials on Etsy

Love the rounded corners, and the start and stop clocks featured on the face.

Ooooo, rusty and old.

Anything aged speaks to me.

Look at this one.........very unique.

Shabby Chic Cottage Paper Medallion Wall Clock Birds Green Lavender Pink

Can you believe this clock is made from paper? Really. It is.

Ah, a Zenith classic.

Zenith Tube Clock Radio in Bakelite Case

Apparently the King liked this clock too. Actually he hated getting up to an alarm clock.

I don't really know that, but it is typical rock star M.O.

Is this a clock or a hygrometer? Clock? Hygrometer?

Well, once it was a hygrometer. Now it's a clock. Will have to look into what a hygrometer is unless one of you nice people can enlighten me.

Just love this one.

It's been a favorite for quite awhile...........oh, and look, it's still available. Maybe it's time to go shopping.

The funniest thing about this newly discovered love of clocks is, I don't even wear a watch!

Hurricane Watch

If you're in the line of Hurricane Irene, batten down the hatches and make sure you've got batteries, candles, and most importantly.....WATER. We will be, even though she could be weakened when she gets to us. Tomorrow's agenda, remove anything and everything from the yard that could become a flying projectile, including taking our screen house down (which we'll probably put up again once the storm passes). Better to be prepared.

I received a recorded message on the phone this week. I'd normally hang up. But this was from Salvation Army, one of the organizations I normally support. I was sure glad I didn't hang up. They are opening a store tomorrow a few miles away and I hadn't heard or read anything about it. I may have to fight the crowds to see if their are any bargains calling my name.

Have a great Friday in your corner of the world. Please tell, what are you plans? Are they more exciting than ours?

Ciao for now

Pam

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Celebration continues.......here a chick, there a chick, everywhere a chick chick

That's the chicken salad I made for my evening with the Bookclub/Champagne Ladies yesterday. We figured it was still Pearl's birthday week and Martha (really Carey) wasn't able to make the party because she was away, so let's celebrate again. Unfortunately, Soy Goddess (aka Kath) wasn't able to make it this time.......ah the hectic life of a restaurant owner. But the show must go on.

It's was Martha's birthday too this week. Here's Pearl and Martha ready to 'blow out the proverbial candles'. Yes, they're citronella candles. Got a problem with that?

As usual, we enjoyed the evening immensely, but that's a given when we're together.

I'll state it right here. Although we started as a bookclub, we haven't read a damn book for 'bookclub' for years. Hence the second part of the club name now. It really should be Good Food & Champagne Club. All four of us are great cooks (please note, I do not say I'm 'great' at anything too often, but I can cook. Bake? ehhhh, sometimes. Cook? hell yes.).

Our menu consisted of:

goat cheese stuffed fresh figs wrapped in prosciutto

by Martha

take fig, cut in half, smear goat cheese on top, wrap with prosciutto

mmmmmm

cornbread and bacon stuffed baked garden tomatoes

by Pearl

Not that everything else wasn't yummy, these were the hit of the night. I'll post recipe when I get it.

mediterranean summer chicken salad w/ greens and croissant

by Me

(aka Marge. It has nothing to do with my mother being Marge, though it's kind of weird to be called your Mom's name, but I'm used to it now. When we all first met, I reminded Pearl of an old friend Marge and the name has stuck. Yup. We've all got bookclub champagne ladies nicknames.)

I've done this chicken salad twice now in the last week and it's delicious. And both times I took the easy way out..........rotisserie chicken (which is not in picture because there isn't any left after making the salad last night and I just took these pics today.)

Chop up breast and thigh meat from rotisserie chicken, no skin

Dice a 3/4 of medium cucumber

Dice half of a red onion

Chop handful of walnuts

Chop herbs (Whatever herbs you'd like, this time I used chive and lemon balm, which I am especially loving in chicken salad.)

In bowl, mix above ingredients with:

Hellman's mayonnaise

palm full of crumbled feta cheese

2 tbs of apple cider vinegar

couple of dashes of old bay seasoning

Chill and serve on bed of greens or a croissant, with some greens, and enjoy. Go ahead, try it.

The Roma's Are Ripe!

This makes me a happy girl.

Purty, ain't they?

This means it will soon be roma roasting time. Ah, filling the freezer with garden tomatoes to enjoy all winter. Did I just winter? Sorry.

I'll share that process when I get there, but right now, they're just ripening becuase we were late planting this year.

Wet Laundry

Skies looked threatening most of the day but it hadn't done anything. Nothing. Nada.

I knew, if I put a laundry out on the line, as soon as I did it would:

I was right. It's lashing out. So my laundry is now getting a second rinse cycle.

Enjoy the rest of Thursday in your corner of the world. Have I said thanks for being here? Thanks for being here.

Pam

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

The Moon Is Blue

Blue, Teal, and Turquoise On My Mind

I am not a 'shopper' so to speak. Malls aren't my thing. Clothes shopping generally isn't my thing. Vintage shopping, yes. Vintage clothes shopping, sure. Used to be a thrift store nut. Well, yesterday I stopped into Marshall's on my way home. Again, something that doesn't happen too often round these parts. Just making a quick stop to see if they had any end of the season bathing suits since mine is just about toast from all my pool time. Hardly anything. Bummer. Then I saw this skirt. Number one, I haven't bought a skirt in years. Number two, not for lack of trying. Been looking for a parachute skirt for a couple of years to no avail. Then there was this one staring me in the face. Anyone who knows me, knows this tie-dyed beauty was screaming 'me'. (Yes, Susie, I bought something new tie-dyed. Could not resist.)

I think I love the transition of hues in tie-dyed things. Well, this little number tickled my fancy and was on sale. Woohoo. Don't you know I love the word sale?

What I also love are the colors. Seriously LOVE. Reminds me of the ocean or the Mediterranean.

Let's recap. This is not about the fact that my foot looks eency weency, and my hand looks huge. It's about the colors. Did I tell you my kitchen was painted the dark Mediterranean blue in my skirt for 13 years? Couldn't find the color I wanted on any paint chip. Then I looked at the legal pad I was writing on one day realized the top was the color I wanted. I ripped the legal pad header off and had the paint store match it. Yup. Told you I loved theses colors.

They were still on my brain this morning when I created The Moon Is Blue treasury for etsy's treasury island team (Hi team!). I'm the captain and we put treasuries, a sort of curated shopping flyer, together to pay it forward and help fellow etsy shops get noticed.