I'm so HAPPY!!!

For so many years I subscribed to a little magazine called Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion. It was such a lovely magazine filled with home decorating ideas, great stories about up and coming artists, and of course it was filled with the artwork of none other than Mary Engelbreit herself. The magazine is no longer published :( but having saved all of my issues, they are just a stack away. So when my dear friend Cindy asked me if I wanted to go with her to a workshop in St. Louis being put on by Mary, I jumped at the opportunity. And I jumped for so many reasons. To be around people who started their businesses like I have from the ground up would be such an inspiration to me. Way back in October I signed up for this workshop and finally in just a few short weeks, Cindy and I will be winging our way back to St. Louis to attend this phenominal event.


It will four days of fun, fun, fun! It starts with a tour of Mary's very own Studio. Oh my! Will that be a treat. Then the workshop begins on Friday. When we get a little closer, I will tell you what workshop classes that I will be taking. Let me just say, WOW! I signed up to take classes from some of the best in the industry including, Kaari Meeng of French General, Wendy Addison, Charlotte Lyons, and Matthew Mead.

I couldn't be more thrilled and happy to make this trip. You know I'll be bringing my camera to capture all of the fun moments of this most amazing trip. It will be a Spring to Remember!

Are you a Farm Chick???

A Farm Chick is a girl who sees the world through rose colored glasses. She laughs a lot. She's farmgirl meets Fifth Avenue, and with a little style, she'll change the world. Serena (the original Farm Chick)

Are you looking for a hoot of a good time? Well, follow me and many others to Spokane, WA the weekend of June 5 -6. This is one Vintage Show you'll not want to miss. From antique furniture, to Vintage linens and lace, to French themed pillows in burlap and cotton, to lovely jewelry from Tippy Stockton. You will find it all at the Spokane Fairgrounds. Spend a couple of junktabulous (thanks Timi for the new description of our crazy lives) days in Spokane. Meet some new junkin friends, sample a little bit of Americana, and load up on some amazing Vintage goods. Check back here often as I start to preview some of the great vendors who will be attending. Come on y'all! See you in Spokane.

Do you L O V E Pearls???

Honestly, there isn't a pearl that I don't love. I love that they are all different, that they're not perfect. I love where they come from. I love that they are luminous and smooth. Okay, so YES, I love PEARLS!!! When I went to the last gem show before the holidays, I bought a large lot of Grade AA South Sea Pearls. These little gems of the sea come from down under. They are more plump, and the colors are rich from grays to pink, to your everyday white/ivory.

So I'm celebrating PEARLS this week by offering a little sale on these jewels. Buy any item that has a pearl (real or synthetic) and get another piece 1/2 off (equal or lesser value). I'll reimburse the difference by a purchase credit through PayPal after the transaction is complete. Have questions, don't be afraid to ask. I love custom orders - they will also apply! Know a girl that is getting married soon? I have many items that would make a gorgeous ensemble to the lucky girl or her bridesmaids. Just contact me with ideas! Pearl Extravaganza wraps up on 3/16/10.

www.tippystockton.etsy.com

Will I jinx myself if I say the "S" word???

It's the first weekend of March - oh glorious sunshine!!! This has been such a weird Winter - it really has been more like Spring. Can this mean that Summer will be coming early? I really don't like to talk much about that because Mother Nature has been known to send us a cold shoulder every now and then. But today, I was outside trimming the rose bushes, turning over the flower beds in preparation for the "good soil", and just enjoying the gorgeous day. So many things are in bloom already including our flowering cherry tree and my beloved Camelia. Even the lilacs are starting to burst open. But my most favorite of all is the bleeding heart. This was my grandmother Julia's favorite flower. And I have to say, it's mine too. I am fortunate to have a few different varieties in my yard; these are from the beautiful lipstick fushia plant.

When we moved to our home 20 years ago, the yard was filled with rhododendrens. I like them, I don't LOVE them, but I have to say when they first bloom, they are gorgeous.

Chloe let me take a few pictures of her as she ran around the yard. The squirrels have been tormenting her - it took everything I had including a few treats to keep her near me so I could snap away. She's a mini Australian Shepard - the blue merle variety with eyes so blue!

I think at this point, she was sick of the cookies and just wanted to high tail it out of there to go chase the bane of her existence.

My Studio. Can I say how absolutely blessed I am to have this little haven!

This lovely day was capped off by a Surprise Birthday Party! This is my good friend and crafting co-hort Cindy at her 29th Birthday Party!!! She'll love me for that. Cindy and I will be heading to St. Louis at the end of April to take part in the Mary Engelbreit Workshop. Wahoo - what a fun trip! Can't wait.

And, these are the "Housewives of Snohomish County". Front row, L to R - Cindy, Teresa, Moi, Tammy - Back row, L to R - Mary and Lisa.

Oh what a glorious day!

It's March . . . already!

As a child, the days, months, and years just seemed to go by so slowly. As the calendar changed from month to month, there always was something that would highlight each month. March was always a special time for me - first, it was kind of like "hump" month. Winter had blown through; sure there was always that chance of a late winter snow, but for the most part the snow and wind were behind us. The Spring bulbs were pushing their little heads up through the dirt.


It's also the month that gives us another opportunity to celebrate - St. Patrick's Day! My feast day - for those of you who are unfamiliar, this is the day in the Catholic Church that celebrates your Saint day - in my case, Patricia. My Mom always made such a big deal about this. I went to school with a homemade ribbon corsage that had chocolate coins and foil shamrocks hanging off it. I felt like I had two birthdays a year.


So as we're reminded of all the green that March brings, I also give you my "going green" category in my Shop. Don't risk the chance that you'll be pinched this St. Patty's Day. Be prepared - treat yourself to something green.


I'm almost ready to hit a milestone on my website - my 200th sale. YIPPY! I'm giving away something really special to the person who becomes #200. Will that be you? For all of you who help to get to 200, I'll slip something special into your box too! Just write "200" in notes to seller at checkout. So head over to www.tippystockton.etsy.com. I have lots of new pieces and I'll be adding a few more things this week. Go get your Green on!!!

Wedding Season

Wedding Season is upon us. I was a June bride - almost 27 years ago!!! Hard to believe. I remember when I was stressing about my dress, veil, shoes, and of course jewelry. What would I wear? My Mom had a lovely pearl bracelet that was my Maternal Grandmother's. I also had a sweet little pearl bracelet that one of my bridesmaids allowed me to wear. Rumor had it I was going to receive a string of pearls from my beloved. True story . . . I did get a beautiful strand of Miki Moto creamy white pearls that I cherish even today. Pearls seem to be the mainstay of any Wedding wardrobe. But for today, anything goes. I love a little bit of bling to go along with pearls. Okay, so I am a traditionalist!!! So, without really knowing it, I have a handful of pieces in the shop that would make the perfect "Wedding" statement this season. From a beautiful 3-strand pearl and crystal necklace to a simple and lovely pale pink bracelet. What will you be wearing??? Skip over to http://www.tippystockton.etsy.com.


Do you have something special in mind that you don't see here? Let me know if I can create something wonderful for your Special Day. I love custom orders, so fire off an e-mail to me @ tippystockton@aol.com. Let's get started on pulling your entire ensemble together.

What's in STORE for Spring . . .

Well, that's a loaded question!!! Why, you ask???

Because there's a lot going on!

The shop is full of wonderful new designs for Spring. Beautiful colors to inspire your Springtime wardrobe as well as wonderful gifts for Easter and Mother's Day. Take a look at the photo collage below and see for yourself.

I just picked up my copy of a brand new magazine called "Flea Market Style". OMGosh, if you haven't seen this magazine, you need to rush out and get yourself a copy. This magazine is chock full of amazing photographs, and it includes stories about a few people here in my backyard (well not literally, okay, close-by). You'll be introduced to Joe and Jermonne, affectionately known as the Barn House Boys!!! These two young men have such an eye for design and share their story and their home with you on the pages of this magazine. Then there's Cindy from Land of Tarte. Talent beyond compare!!! These folks all hail from the Portland, Oregon area. I've had the pleasure of meeting them at some of their past shows and I'm excited to be giving you some breaking news today . . . I will be sharing the concrete with them this coming June at a little show (little, who am I kidding?) in Spokane called The Farm Chicks Show.

TIPPY STOCKTON IS A VENDOR @ FARM CHICKS!!!

Excited, Giddy, Scared to Death!!! Just a few of the emotions that I'm feeling right now. Here's a map in case you want to know where the show is (this wonderful little map is printed in the Flea Market Style Magazine - there you will see the entire U S of A, not just little old Washington State.

So more news on the Show as we get closer. Until then, get thinking about Spring . . . we have had a taste here in the Pacific Northwest. So lovely!!! As always, if you have any questions, just fire away. Contact me @ tippystockton@aol.com. Check out my Facebook Page too for up to the minute information and specials. Sign up to become a fan; write a note on my "wall", and I'll send you a special coupon!!!

http://www.facebook.com/TippyStocktonJewelry

Back to the Studio I go!!! Patricia :)