A little truth and beauty...

I managed to stop myself from cleaning, sorting, bagging and tagging long enough to fool around with a basket of things from home and just allow myself to enjoy the store a little. The little pale silk net dress at right -- even though tattered and a bit mousy -- is one of my favorite things. Lacking another full body mannequin, I unceremoniously unseated a display of antique Valentines and took the little three tiered table in white to use as a base. A half body mannequin donned the dress and shows it off in the front window. I pinned on of my most loved millinery flowers at her waist and tucked an old ivory and silk fan (in matching tatters) in her bosom, just in case she gets the vapors. Last night before I left the store, some long strands of Miriam Haskell pearls found their way around her neck, but hanging down her back.

I brought in a few paintings from home as well, including two Justine Holmes for our altered artists, a Patricia O'Neal for the hat lovers in the crowd, and a beautiful old oil Alain gave me years ago of two dancers back stage, one holding and shielding a candle and the other just drawing back the curtain to look at the audience. He never really got why I loved it so much, as he doesn't unerstand much of what winds my watch, but presented it to me nonetheless.

Here is Noodge, "helping" at the store; actually, just sitting in great aunt Sarah's chair at the desk, and since then, migrating around the office on her tummy, following the patch of sun that maps its way across the carpet. She eschewed the piece of stale bagel I offered her, knowing that there will be something better for lunch since my daughter is coming down from Los Angeles to help me this afternoon. She means well (Noodge, that is), and is a most earnest animal, as you can tell.

Check out these little boxes down here...I'm loving them! Dede asked me to put together some "add on" packets for her art journal class, "In the Company of Women," and this is what happened. Each little box of goodies includes two art papers, German glass glitter, vintage ribbons and laces, buttons, findings and so on. Each one is different, gathered by me according to color and theme, and will be at the store, first come, first serve. I think we might have to have them all the time, I like them so much! One holds a secret, too...a $25 gift certificate! No peeking!

Here is a shot of some of the new stamps in at the store, and more are on the way. Lovely crowns, french stuff, words and phrases, and architectural elements to play around with. I am treating myself to one a month, plus one book...Wendy and I have a pact to hold each other in check!

Warmest regards, Nancy

Lily's New Digs!

I am loving every minute I spend in the new store space. Everything looks as thought it was meant to be there, and though it meant displacing our office and all the attendant distress that required, it has all bee worth it.

At right is a view from the courtyard side of the store, with my french art deco desk and the huge Ray Turner canvas of a pierrot looking down over the store. The victorian jewelry case is in the foreground, and farther back the "ribbon wall" is once again in place with the antique and vintage findings and chain in front of it. The new work area is not shown, but I am excited about the huge square table and the people we will fit around it for classes.

Janis Logsdon will be teachnig several classes and Dede Warren will be our instructor for a wonderful art journal class entitled, "In the Company of Women." I can hardly wait. I am planning the open house, which I hope to have soon, but most likely after the office is settled in its new space. And speaking of that, I must get back to work. Monday is my in-the-office day exclusively, and I have much to attend to...

Up and running...sort of.

With the help of family and friends, Gilding will be open for business today, albeit in a modified form. The findings and chain are in place, some jewelry in the case, and the ribbons are back on their shelves. I never thought I would suffer such separation anxiety over having it all packed up. And believe me, there is still room for plenty of fretting, as I try and sort through those last minute boxes where all manner of things were thrown in.

I am picking up my official sales receipts today at the printer, opting not to buy the expensive ones from the office supply any more. Can't wait to swing by the printers on my way to yet another trip to the storage, this time in search of buttons and such. I seem never to be without a list in my hands lately, in an effort both to accomplish as much as possible, and to avoid forgetting stuff as well. After emptying out the truck this morning, I will fill it with things to take to the store and start working early.

Alain is also up early this morning, working on a cup of coffee, feeding the dogs and most likely gazing at what will be his new office here at the house. The lighting is in, complete with dimmers, and we're hoping the drywall and patching will be finished today. It really has come together fast, and we hope to complete the move for both businesses in another week.

I have my camera with me and hope to take some pictures today of the work in progress, both at home and the new store location. Yesterday never let me hae a moment to pull it out of my purse, but perhaps today...

A Moving Experience...

For some reason, I have been unable to log into my little blog (stupidity is the first thing that comes to mind), but I have been a little overwhelmed with moving the store. Sunday, in pouring rain, we moved my cases to the new space, wedging Gilding in with Alain Jamar Design for the time being, while construction and wiring is done in the new AJD space at home. It is all very exciting, and the best part was seeing my things in the new space, albeit stacked cheek to jowl and one atop another. In all the time I daydreamed about moving Gilding there, I was never quite able to envision what it would look like, almost like seing the pastiche of my things and our computers and printers was a little vertiginous and I would have to stop. Now, seeing the dark wood of the cases and shelves, even without their contents, it is as if they are finally home. I can't wait to load them up again; my sister and my mom will come and stack ribbon, and dear DeDe is at the ready, as is my Wendy, who came yesterday to look at the mess. Bless her, all she was was the potential for what it will be. Clients who came yesterday were agog at the situation, but like the idea of coming to the house. John says he will never leave if we let him come over...

I am turning over in my mind the probability of our first class this year and scheduling, the move, restocking the store and so on. I have been trying to accomplish one thing each day, and yesterday before leaving the office, managed to stuff my order with 100 Proof Press into the fax. Today, I'm going for Papaya's order, and then dear Edith and her dresdens. That should finish it off, as well as my bank account! There is so much else to do; still the shelves to take down at the old location, antique frames to fit out with foam core and fabric, and the tubs of stuff that await sorting....well, they will have to wait. Those are going to be like vitamins...one a day, if I'm lucky.

Well, on to my day. To one and all who read this, thank you for everything. To my sis and Roger, I couldn't have done it without you. My mother, for waving her wand over me periodically; Ed, for your strong shoulders and back; Bean, who always believes in me, and AJ...thanks for returning the favor.

Ciao for now!