I know it isn’t even Halloween yet, and here I am talking about Christmas—sorry, I know that irks some people. I am in this mindset because it is time to start loading my Etsy shop in preparation for the holidays.
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your patience and support. I’ve been unable to participate in my blog or business for the past year or more, but I’m now back and ready to catch up on all things missed.
My Etsy shop is not just a collection of items but a reflection of my personal journey and discoveries. Each item, whether handmade by a woodworker from Ireland or found on my travels, has been carefully selected to bring a piece of my experiences to you.
As an introduction, I will include three specific item types: vintage glasses, handmade solid wood boxes, and a couple of antique fireplace tiles with handmade wood frames.
First the Crystal
When I was first married, we could not determine what to give my mother for Christmas. She insisted she had everything she needed, and we couldn’t give her bathrobes and slippers every year. One day, while shopping in downtown Albany, NY, my husband noticed an elegant Christmas dinner table in JC Whitney’s Department Store’s front window. The table included Crystal wine glasses, so we went in and purchased a couple. Every year after that, we added to her collection.
I was unsure of her reaction but was pleased to see that she loved them. The only trouble was that she treated them as artwork in her china cabinet and would not set them on the table.
The crystal was Crytal D’Arques from Paris, France, imported into the fine dining section of the department store. The pattern chosen was Chantilly Taille Beaugency. It is an elegant-looking pattern made of blown lead crystal with a multisided stem and a bowl with a diamond and star-cut design.
I offer a set of wine/water goblets and champagne/sherbet glasses at the shops. They are beautiful additions to one’s holiday table.
Wood Boxes
Another great Christmas gift might be a handmade wood box. We offer a variety of small four—or five-inch rectangular boxes handcrafted from Walnut and Bubinga, both hardwoods with unique wood patterns.
We also have large boxes made from the same wood. One type has a hinged top, and some have maple splines. Another type has two pull-out drawers. Some of these are cured wood clear-finished, others are painted, and a few have decoupage decals.
Antique Tiles
The final group I’ll mention is unique and true antique tiles taken from fireplace surrounds in Ireland. The tiles are made in world-famous pottery houses in England’s Stoke on Trent and Liverpool areas. They are 6 inches by 6 inches, and we have handcrafted wood frames for these tiles as an added item.
As I start updating the Etsy store, I am reminded of the stories and memories that accompany each item. I eagerly anticipate the joy and excitement you will experience as you enjoy these gifts and create your memories to associate with them.
Hopefully, I will be able to get into the garden sometime in the next couple of weeks to show you the progression over the past year and tell you about this year’s battle with goutweed/Bishopsweed.
