New books on the shelf for Mees

Pout-Pout Fish is a favorite of Mees but now that he's getting older I decided to get another book about a fish but not so rhythmy. He does like me to start reading Pout-Pout but he knows it so well we will only get a few pages into.  I think he thinks this is just what Grammy reads when she comes over. :)

We'll see how he likes the new book. 

Store Update - 2022

I'll be leaving my job at the store in April so I'm in the process of getting things cleaned up both at home (because I will be moving again) and the store.  Because I'm a bubble thinkers, I hold on to things donated to the store for a future displays with no real idea how I'll use them. I know it drives my assistant nuts, he's not a creative thinker. :) He'll be taking over my position so I'm working on getting rid of the "stuff" he would have no idea what to do with. He's been out for the past two weeks after testing positive so that has slowed things down and the trash donations (things going to the Salvation Army) has piled up in back. He has the truck and part of his job was to haul everything the store can't use away, which happens almost daily. I'm very lucky that most of my A-team volunteers are in town and they can handle all that happens in the front of the store as I multi task in back!

So the picture above (finally getting to that story!) is a vintage homemade Gunne Sax type of dress that my volunteers didn't like and really didn't want to put out on the floor. When they asked me why, I said it was quirky and very different besides being vintage. Well, it sold in less than a day and I found out that Gunne Sax clothing is very hot and trending right now. This is something years of junking has taught me - just because I don't like doesn't mean there isn't a market for it. As long as it's in good condition and unusual enough, there's a buyer. The hard part is finding the buyer!  I was thinking once I leave will the new staff be able to spot these diamonds? 

Cost cutting

In 2019 Trader Joe's starting carry chocolate croissants that were made in San Francisco and they were good.  They always sold out so you had to know when the truck arrived. I've been noticing that they were getting smaller and smaller. Today when I picked up some for Jip and Mees I was shocked to see how small they have gotten. Now two croissants are the same size as just one of the original ones. I think now for the price, it's just more cost effective to go to the fancy bakeries and buy a full size one. The TJ staff now call these chocolate buns instead of croissants. Mees knew I had gotten these and was very insistent that he have some for his breakfast!

Henk's Quilt

Henk's baby's quilt is almost done!  We went with the "H" pattern and it has a watery Asian theme. Can't really tell from the front but once the backing is put on, it will have the koi swimming in a pool print. 

Shopping in the dark.

It was a first for me today, shopping in the dark! We stopped by the Carmel SPCA thrift store and found the power was out. Not 100% sure why the power was out but I'm guessing it's because of the Big Sur fires happening down the road. PG&E may have shut things down so things don't blow up. When I saw the lights were out, all I could think was, if this was my store in Alameda I would lock the doors ASAP. We get shoplifted a lot so I can't imagine what it would be like with the lights out!

The smoke from the Big Sur fires isn't too bad here as we're down wind but there is a brown cloud floating around. 

Grammy Duty

On my days off from work, I'm on Grammy duty with little Henk. I'm still getting use to his explosive bowel movements! On Friday when I thought he was done, he wasn't and it was a hot mess. The stuff gets everywhere and on everything!  Went through 3 diapers in less than 2 minutes. Overall he's a happy guy most of the time.

Flatfish and Miso

Years ago when blogging was new, (yes, I'm that old) I started my blog as Flatfish Paper Arts. In the Japanese world a flatfish image is used a lot but I'm not too sure why. That wasn't the reason I chose that title (subconscious at work I'm sure) but it just works for me. When I do find a flatfish on anything, I use to pick it up. This bowl survived my many purges only because of the image. I think it came in a set of different images but this was the one I kept. 

As I work through yet another stressful change in my life (really how many can one person have!) I turn to what gives me comfort. Making coffee in the morning, from grinding the beans, heating the water and doing a pour over is a routine that I enjoy. It's really not about drinking the coffee, just the smell (reminds me of my mom's morning routine) and the process is what I like. Now I've started making miso soup for breakfast. It's been very cold here (well for CA) so a nice warm bowl of soup in the morning is a nice way to start the day. There are no Japanese (really no Asian stores at all) store in Alameda, so when I go down to Cupertino, I try and hit all the stores there to stock up.  I do miss fresh tofu to add to the soup so that's a treat when I can get it at a restaurant. Now I'm thinking how can I use my flatfish stamping images in my coffee theme card swap!

Making it work

When I first got this artwork, it was the frame that I knew we could flip. The artwork was a little risky for the store but it wasn't too bad. Anyways, it hasn't sold yet and I'm sure people are uncomfortable taking the artwork out of frame, not because it's a picture of two naked people. So this week, with the store being slow, I took it out. To my surprise it was just taped in so only took a minute to remove. It's even funnier the only place I could put the print was on the shelf behind a fake plant which then covered the nude woman. I know it looks like I planned that but I didn't, too funny!

Gramma Janz Green Balm

There are many things changing  once again in my life. I'll be leaving my job in April because I just can't handling living in Alameda. Living on an island that is right next to Oakland (which is basically in a lawless state) I feel so unsafe. The criminal element just drives over the bridges because they know the police force here is very small and with the population being older, it's just easy picking. 

I really do like my job and what I do but I'm not a yes person and it doesn't sit well with my boss. There are way too many arm chair quarter backs to keep managing the store and not ruffle feathers. I did do what I said I would do and get the store up and running so I feel good about leaving. 

I will miss my volunteers as they are all great. One of those volunteers (Jan) who makes this green balm. I hurt my back at work awhile back and she gave me this homemade balm. I was very skeptical because so many have jumped on the cannabis bandwagon. I used it on my knees which aren't use to going up and down stairs that I have here. I was surprised that it actually worked! The only downside was the smell, it does smell like you smoked it instead, so I only use it at night. It's small things like this, making friends, working in a job I like makes me sad I have to leave. I see many more sleepless nights ahead as I look for a new place to live and work. 

Thrift Store Life 2021

Working with Madison, my fashion consignment person has been a great learning experience. I'm always surprised that more thrift store don't use people like Madison, she can sell things for way more than we can at the store. 

When a donation of things come in and I think it's worth her time I send A LOT of photos.  This is just a sample of the last group of clothes and shoes that came in.  She responds very quickly because she knows I can't hold on to anything as we don't have the storage on site to do that. She visits every two weeks unless I have something super special or her bins are full. 

This donation was unique in that the donor is a plus size and into  the 1950's pin up look. Her clothes were fun and colorful, making our plus size rack look more youthful. She also donated all her shoes, which I think matched every outfit she had.  

All the clothes were made in the USA and we're guessing because it's a niche market. 

Kitty Cozy

To all my quilting and sewing buddies - one way to use up all those fabric scraps you just can't throw away!  These mini braided rugs are just too cute!

The donor made this little rug for a friend and when she dropped it off, her friend's cat jumped right on it and claimed it as his.  So the name Kitty Cozy was born!  I know for me I'm trying to follow the " what you have" or "buy nothing" again this year. My own crafting supplies (even after several. major purges) is still big enough I'm sure I can make it through another 10 years and not have to buy anything other than glue.

Coffee Theme cards 2021

I'm working on my monthly coffee theme cards while babysitting. With no crafty friends around I started posting on my Facebook page to get input on what color combos I should use. I'm going for a mid century modern looks just to change things up a little. 

I don't have a lot of coffee theme stamps so I have to get creative with what I do have. I'm trying really hard not to buy anything again this year. I haven't gotten anything in almost 2 years, other than glue and tape. 

One little bloom

I thought this plant was doing well outside my kitchen door but I was wrong. It stayed green for a long time but then all the leaves just turned brown. I've been nursing it along in the house, trying to find a spot it likes. Just amazes me that it managed to produce this little bloom after losing 99% of it's leaves!

January Auction Week 2021

It's auction week, my favorite time of the month!  Going to the preview and spending a few hours checking everything out is how I destress and kick start my creative mojo. 

I know 99% of what I bid on I won't get but the fun part is just seeing all the unique things that can turn up on the auction floor.

This time I found a Hager vase, which isn't all that valuable but it's a favorite of a YouTube I follow and I've never seen one in the wild before. 

The oversized Starbuck mug (it's huge) would make a nice display piece but it's almost at full retail now so no meat on the bone so to speak. Another thing at this auction is all the artwork. Most of the time I'm looking at the frames, which can sell way more than the actual art. This is artwork not high end enough to go into the gallery auction across the street. My booth at Cottage Crafts needs more smalls so I'm on the hunt to restock my booth but I think this time around it will be slim pickings. 

Grammy on Duty

Back on Grammy duty but now with little Henk.  Over all he's a happy little guy and light enough I can still pick him up. We spend most of the time doing stretching exercises, story time and music enrichment. 

Coffee Theme Card Swap - Use What You Have

Since the pandemic there's been a movement of "use what you have"since the supply chain is so backed up for almost everything. 

I joined a coffee theme card swap, in hopes it helps me use up all the craft materials I have. Once a month we send out a card to the person assigned to me and then we post it on Facebook. It's fun to see what everyone does!

 I did go through the whole 2020 shut down without buying anything except glue. I really think I can go for years without buying anything! I don't have a lot of coffee theme stamps, so I will have to be creative with what I have. I did get this fox a few years ago because I thought it was funny (it was on sale) and most evenings I feel like this. :)  I'll use it on several cards, changing it up for each person. I also pulled out my very old ink pads (maybe 20 years old?) to stay true to use what you have. Wonder if anyone still have any of these?

I didn't think I would like the Tim Holtz side kick but I find I use it way more than my big machine. It does work great and doesn't take up that much room on my work table. 

Social Media Fail Once Again

Today was a day of doing a lot of social media stuff that is still a mystery to me! There's always a major learning curve and it was another fail for me. I'm good at taking photos but posting them is another thing.

The website is getting updated with current photos instead of using stock photos but it's not as easy as it sounds, at least for us.

The second thing was my fashion consignment person, Madison let me know a pair of used Dr. Martens sold for $106.00. It was a pair of shoes I had in the Salvation Army pile before she pulled them out. She assured me there was a good resale value to them and of course she was right. It still amazes me how fast my consignment people can look up stuff and decide if something is worth posting. My book guy stopped by today to help restock our book case and we had a brief discussion on what vintage books we would take. Condition is important but it's a hard NO on the smelly ones. After everything is sorted out, my volunteers take the rejects to stock the hundreds of little libraries around the city. Nice way to keep the books moving and hopefully finding a new home. 

New's Day Tradition and Memories

This year we had a very limited family gathering to bring in the new year. This is the normal family pod that gets together because taking care of Mees and Henk takes a village. 

My older sister makes the traditional Japanese soup and some of the side dishes. I did a small relish tray in honor of my mom and Aunt who always had one on the table when the whole clan got together. 

It was a very sad time for me, as this time last year was my last few weeks with Annie.  Everything was still closed down so it was just me and her at our little studio in Cupertino. I didn't know at the time it would be our last holiday together but I did know her time to cross the rainbow bridge was near. Always thankful she was with me during the shut down and the during the major changes in my life. Still miss her everyday. :(