Handcrafted Clay Pendants by Susan

Susan has been creating these wonderful pendants using clay. She decorates them with a variety of found objects, glitter, gold and silver leaf, rhinestones, and die cut words of wisdom.

These are all hand made, one-of-a-kind pendants and are priced starting at $12.95. These all come with coordinating ribbon or cord (your choice) and are presented in an organza bag or jewelry gift box (again, your choice). Come on in and check these out.

Decorate with Reclaimed, Repurposed Barnwood and Tin

These pieces of folk art are made in the little town of Chamblee, Georgia, using salvaged bead board and antique ceiling tin, with a few vintage doo-dads added to complete the image. They are decorative and unique, good for the environment because they use reclaimed materials, good for the economy since they are made in the USA and are good for you because they will warm your heart with a smile.

The artist explains: 

We have been committed to using salvaged materials from the beginning for several reasons. But mostly because, why would you buy some new wood and work for hours to try and create this same old world charm with paint layers and sanding? It's a wonderful way to repurpose salvaged wood and tin.

 

Celtic Cross, Heart and Fleur d'Lys. ($115.00 each)

Old reclaimed barn wood is covered in vintage tin ceiling tiles to create these unique decorative accents.

 

Junk Hearts ($59.95 each)

What Valentine wouldn't love these hearts? Created from old bead board and vintage hardware, these hearts come in assorted colors.

 

Corrugated Tin Frames 5x7 ($39.95 each)

Painted Tin Frames ($59.95 each)

Picture frames made from salvaged materials, like reclaimed wood, antique bead board, used molding, ceiling tin and barn roofs create rustic, down-home places for your family memories. These eco-friendly offerings may not fit into the palette of some decorators, but they will easily fit into your home.

 

Hanging Angel ($119.00 each)

Standing Angel ($165.00 each)

These angels are made by layering antique wood to form the robes and then attaching wings that are antique ceiling tin. The patina on the reclaimed wood and antique tin is beautiful and each one is unique. These are great for the holidays, of course, but we like to have them around all year long.

Eco-friendly Decorative Accessories

There are some materials that have heart and soul. It can be the paint, the texture or maybe the history that is carried on. The intrinsic beauty of these materials is what inspired Margaret Taylor to begin creating. Working beside her father on house projects was her training ground. Through those experiences Margaret gained the necessary knowledge, as well as the belief that she could make anything. Her creations, which began as a hobby, have evolved into a business (that) began with picture frames and birdhouses and has now expanded to include garden art, mirrors and furniture.

Margaret Taylor

These wonderful hand crafted pieces are all made in the little town of Chamblee, GA. The pieces of folk art that we have in Vintages are made from salvaged bead board and antique ceiling tin, with a few vintage doo-dads added to complete the image. They are playful and unique, good for the environment because they use reclaimed materials, good for the economy since they are made in the USA and are good for you because they will warm your heart with a smile. 

This folk art bird is from a series of delightful handmade "Fowl Folks" that can either hang on the wall or sit on a table. Measures about 12" tall. ($59.95)

Old tin ceiling tiles cover reclaimed barn wood to create this Fleur d'Lys. These lily flowers symbolize a multitude of things, but the association with the French monarchy and Paris is most noteworthy. It is also a symbol of recovery in post-Katrina New Orleans. Measures about 19" tall. ($115.00)

What Valentine wouldn't love this large red heart? Created from old bead board and vintage hardware, these hearts are about 22" tall and would make a BIG statement. ($115.00)

A bit smaller that their big red brethren above, these "Junk Hearts" are about 12" tall and come in assorted colors. ($59.95)

Skimmer Dragonflies made from old rusted tin and fence parts. ($59.95)

Skipper Butterflies made from old rusted tin and fence parts. ($59.95)

24 Gifts of Christmas: Murano Glass Hearts

These beautiful Murano blown glass hearts with gold leaf inclusions are another perfect stocking stuffer.

Murano glass hearts (small $22.95 each; large $48.95 each)

REMEMBER: For items purchased in Vintages we can wrap your gift for you and arrange for shipping as well. We have gift certificates and Christmas cards, too.

24 Gifts of Christmas: Limoges Porcelain Boxes from France

Hand painted porcelain boxes from Limoges, France, are fascinating little collectibles. The range of design and intricacy makes it possible to collect these miniatures for a long time and not tire of them. These are easy to collect and display in themes ... travel memories, collections, hearts, holidays, special mementos, whatever. Prices start at $89.  We have a nice selection here in the shop and quite a few available online.

REMEMBER: For items purchased in Vintages we can wrap your gift for you and arrange for shipping as well. We have gift certificates and Christmas cards, too.

Hearts • Murano Glass, Limoges, Jewelry & more

It just seems appropriate to feature hearts in February. After all, Valentine's Day is February 14th! Of course, hearts are not just for Valentines. Any special occasion is made more personal with hearts ... as a gift, as part of the table decoration, nestled on a pillow, or attached to a card. But you really do not need a special time or place to give a heart. Do it "just because."

We always carry a nice selection of heart gifts and jewelry, as well as hearts for crafting and collecting. Here is a gallery some of the many hearts we currently have in the shop.

Handmade paper hearts and fans; felt heart stickers; heart die-cuts

Wonderful handmade hearts and fans ($9.95 - $14.95 each)

Die-cuts of heart & flowers (99 cents each)

Murano Glass Gold Leaf Hearts ($22.95 & 48.95)

Heart Pendants ($12.95 - $19.95 each)

Heart Limoges Boxes are Hand Made in France ($103 to $199 each)

Victorian Lockets, many with Hearts (starting at $59 each)

Remember, we have some of these items online, and many more in our shop in Los Gatos. Call, email or stop in!

Santos • Carved Statues of Saints and Angels

Santo is a traditional Mexican genre of sculpture, carvings in wood or ivory of saints, angels, or other religious figures. Santo comes from the Spanish word meaning "saint".  The Spanish colonials in America carved these statues as part their own religious worship and to help convert the Native Americans to Catholicism.  Images were central to their education and understanding of the saints angels.

The early Santos were probably imitations of Spanish Baroque statues carved by priests. Later Santos were influenced by native styles, incorporating themes, dress and articles of local significance. These popular figures were found in home altars, shrines and churches.

Large standing Santo with movable arms and legs. ($325.00)

Santos are normally full figures, usually standing, but busts and half-figures on cages are not uncommon.  The figures with the cages were traditionally dressed by the local ladies with costumes to celebrate different holy days.

Santo bust atop a vintage tapestry. (Santo $79.95; Tapestry $195.00)

Originally common throughout Latin America and other areas of the world that were colonized by the Spanish and Portuguese, the tradition of Santo carving continues as a folk art in parts of New Mexico.

Decorated bottle w/rosary ($195.00), Prayer books ($45.00-245.00)

Carved hearts ($59.95 & $79.95), Jeweled heart ($45.95), Burlap bean bags ($11.95), Vintage shoe form ($19.95)

We recently added a number of Santos and other carved and religious items.  The Santos are contemporary reproductions of the traditional statues that are meticulously recreated.  We offer these in our shop, along with our selection of vintage religious medals, crosses, rosaries and prayer books. (See an earlier post about Rosaries, Prayer Books & Religious Medals).

Rosaries and Prayer books

Angels on stands ($29.95)

Standing Santo ($139.00) and Hand painted cabinet ($89.00)

Votive candle holders ($7.95 & $8.95), Jeweled heart ($45.95), Decorated crown ($65.00

Hearts & Valentines

Valentine's Day
Saturday, February 14th
With Valentine's Day around the corner, what could be more appropriate than featuring hearts at this time. At Vintages we have hearts in all shapes, sizes and types. Heart jewelry, in Murano glass, sterling silver, crystals and rhinestones. Wonderful hand-crafted hearts in tin, paper and glass. Heart pillows, heart paperweights, heart soap, heart boxes and more.

Handcrafted glass pendants finished with silver soldered edges make lovely necklaces, bookmarks or bottle tags. Or just tie one to the top of a gift to jazz up the ribbon.
Hand made decorative fans, vintage calling cards and die-cut images are perfect for crafters and lovers alike!
These tin hearts are torch cut from old tin ceiling tiles and decorated with crystal drops and ribbon ties. Rustic, shabby-chic, elegant and fun!
Heart shaped soaps are triple-milled for long lasting bubbles.
Heart jewelry, a bright and beautiful hand painted porcelain heart pin dish, genuine hand painted French Limoges porcelain heart boxes and Murano art glass hearts are perfect gifts.
And for that lingering scent of lavender, we have velvet heart pillows and sachets.

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You've gotta have heart!
You've gotta have....Heart! All you really need is heart!
When the odds are sayin' you'll never win, that's when the grin should start!
You've gotta have heart! Miles and miles and miles of heart!
Oh, it's fine to be a genius of coarse!
But keep that ol' horse before the cart!
First you've got to have heart! All you really need is heart!
When the odds are sayin' you'll never win, that's when the grin should start!
You've gotta have heart! You've gotta have heart! You've gotta have heart!