Rescuing Handmade

Isn't it funny how some things will find their way to you? Last week I received a package in the mail. It was from my fun friend, Sharon of Corgis in My Garden. Sharon goes to lots and lots of estate sales in search of treasures. She then stocks her booth at Through The Garden Gate Antiques in Virginia. It's a wonderful place to shop!

While attending a recent estate sale, Sharon stumbled across a handmade rabbit. Of course like most of my friends, Sharon immediately thought of me. Her note in the box read "I know you have a house full of bunnies and friends are always sending them but...I was at an estate sale this past weekend and spotted this cutie on a table full of dishes. He needed to be rescued and I knew just the person to do it. (I did try to resist and walked away but it didn't work). So, I'm sending him to Bunnyville in hopes that you'll have a place for him."

Sharon later told me that it looked as if someone was walking around with him and then changed their mind and threw him on the table full of dishes. She said it was as if a little voice was saying, "Please save me."

I must admit that I started crying when I read her note and thought about this bunny. I started crying not just because my hormones have been having a party lately, but because I imagined the woman who made this rabbit.

She took great care in her stitching and was so proud of him that she even signed her name and placed the date on his foot. It was obvious that this little fella was well loved and cared for as he was clean and didn't have the "old" odor that textile things can get.

What made me cry was thinking of myself later in life. The time when all the things created with my own hands and the treasures I have, which were handmade by my friends, will end up in an estate sale.

I can only hope that someone will come along to rescue them and treasure them once again, just like this little fella. I do believe he will be quite happy here in Bunnyville. Don't you?

Thank you Sharon. :)

xx,
Michelle and the Bunnies

Two new friends

Hi! Are you having a fun week so far? We are!

Today I'm so happy to introduce you to two new friends! You know how much simply adore handmade things. It's so special for me to collect things that are handmade. I guess it's because I know what goes into making something with my own hands and the joy I get from it. It's another reason I love teaching people to make things.

I would like to introduce you to my new friend, Emma May.

She is handmade by my friend Marlene of  Village Primitives. I found Marlene on Facebook and quickly hopped over to her Etsy shop. A bunny with the same last name as me? How cool is that!!! Had to have her right away!  She will sit in my antique bankers chair in my foyer. A most perfect spot. Looooooooooove her jingle bell buttons!

 Marlene has many other wonderful critters. You might just find a new friend. :)

Next, is this handsome chap. His name is Elijah the Elf. (Named him myself) He is handmade by my very dear friend, Jillayne of A Fine Seam. She holds an annual Christmas open house and sells some incredible handmade pieces. I saw this guy and knew I had to have one! The pattern is from Sparkles' n Spirits. I'm going to keep him out year round as I think he is just so cute! His cane is a piece of driftwood from Marsh Lake in the Yukon. Jillayne say's this is her most favorite place in the world. It's very special for me to have something handcrafted with love from my friend.

What's that Elijah? You want to go on an adventure? Sure, I'll go with you!

I hope the rest of your week is handmade, heartfelt and full of adventure. Harrington and Hannah will see you back here on Friday.

Hugs!
Michelle and the Bunnies

The Labor of Handmade

When I was in Virginia the other week, I went to a lovely thrift store called "Through the Garden Gate." My friend, Sharon, has a booth there. I'll have more fun things to share about Sharon in another post. We walked around the store admiring all the beautiful things that people had in their booths. All of a sudden Sharon said, "oh Shell, you might want to see this." She knew right away that I would fall in love and she was right!

There sitting in a tall, handmade, chair was this beautiful handmade, folk art, bunny! I took one look at her in the chair and knew she was coming home with me right away! My niece, Noelle, was with me and we named her Noelle.

I couldn't believe what a great find this was. First, the fact that it was a folk art bunny and second that it was handmade and not stamped "made in China!" Woo hoo, double bonus! Somebunny's trash became this bunny's treasure!

Next, my friend and very talented artist, Joanne May, created these earrings for me to wear to Houston in October. I have several pieces of jewelry that Jo has created specifically for me, and I treasure them.

 

 

I saw these pieces on her blog and fell in love with the moon and hares. I contacted Jo and asked if she could make me some earrings. As always she created exactly what I had in mind. Thanks Jo!

Next, I was visiting the blog of my friend, Anita Rivera. Here blog is truly magical. She had posted on these gorgeous tags she created. I took one look at the fairy holding the bunny and then the saying and hopped over to her Etsy shop as fast as I could to purchase them. I have several friends that will be getting one of these as a gift. Of course, I will be keeping one for myself as a bookmark.

Anita even included a lavender castle soap. It too was handmade for Anita's shop by Robyn's Nest Boutique.Lovely.

So, I invite you to go create something with your own hands, go shopping in a thrift store, or shop with artists you love. Support the labor of handmade.

Wishing you a Happy Labor Day the USA.

xx, Michelle and the Bunnies

I'm a Guest over at Blooming Sisters

Hi everybun! Hop over and visit my good friend, Karen Gass, at Blooming Sisters. I'm a guest today. She and several other gals are working on a website for artists to sell their handmade items. If you've ever thought about selling your work, this might be the perfect spot to get your paws wet! :)

There's even word from Karen about a contest to win a stack of Amy Butler Fat Quarters! Oooooooooo!!

Have fun and tell her the bunnies and I say hi!

xx,