Since you asked:

"Therefore, to be possess'd with double pomp, to guard a title that was rich before, to gild refined gold, to paint the lily,
to throw a perfume on the violet, to smooth the ice, or add another hue unto the rainbow, or with taper-light
to seek the beauteous eye of heaven to garnish, is wasteful and ridiculous excess."

~William Shakespeare,
ca. 1595

Yup, that's us.

September 01, 2009

In the beginning...


You know how sometimes your mind travels back to when....things were different, nascent, just beginning? I was trolling through my Photobucket and came across this photo of the store. Well, in truth, it wasn't even a store yet, I was still sharing space with Alain Jamar Design while the space upstairs at home was renovated for our offices. You can see Alain's desk at the back, widescreen Apple monitor in place, and a supplanted piece of art (now reinstalled over the findings case) leaning against the wall.

I had no sense of how the shop would shake out at that point. The cases seemed so big in the new, compact space, which I will readily admit, is still challenging. Things floated freely, while we waited for them to land. I was unhinged, adrift, for quite some time while it all sorted itself out, and it eventually did.

What was wonderful was how people impacted the store, and still do. I have learned to watch and listen to what people do and say, how they look and hunt, discover and uncover what they need for their art and for their hearts. There have been so many lessons for me in what I do, and thankfully so, because I was so very unschooled in what the store would become. I feel as though it is something - or someone - I have grown up with, each of us changing and trying our best to stay apace of one another.

There are no guarantees in this life. I could be here tomorrow...or not. But I do have the passion of artistic women to anchor me to my little bit of flotsam in this time...a lifeboat that is filled with dreams and their signs, and women who nonetheless create from almost nothing the most amazing things. Their appreciation of life, of beauty, and the satisfaction it brings to us all, is a gift that never ceases to amaze me.

6 comments:

The Pink Birdhouse said...

Once again you have touched my heart deeply with how you can write so profoundly about the inner most thoughts in your mind. You make me see it just as you are thinking it, make me stop and ponder what you have said. You and Lily have molded each other, become what and who you are over time, a reflection of each other, and the women who have stepped over Lily's threshold are the richer for their visit! Some day I hope to be one of those women!! hugz, D.

Judy said...

I am using practically all the antique bits and pieces from your wonderful store for part 3 of my Italy piece, "Seeking Sara". I am sewing and making 2 miniature reliquaries so thank you for your marvellous finds. They will certainly authnticate my artwork.
xo

Relics by Tami said...

I remember coming to visit you at the new store before you opened. It has been so wonderful to see God bless you every step of the way. You and Lilly have been a gift to all of us!
xo
Tami

Robin said...

what a beautiful post! I've admired your store from afar for so long...I hope one day I'm fortunate enough to visit. To work in that atomosphere EVERY day....well it wouldn't be "work"

"Do what you love, and you'll never work a day in your life"

THAT is bliss!
Robin

Relics by Tami said...

So fun to see you at the flea market today!
xo

Relics by Tami said...

Hey Nancy Drew...
It's always so fun to visit Lily
and come home with lots of goodies to play with. Yesterday was so fun!
I love everything.
xo
Tami