Come along with me, on a trip to “Wild Goose Chase”.

I have always had it on my  to do list, you know the list…the one you add to and check on, planning for a day when you have some “me time”.  I sadly have had this one on my list since…I am embarrassed to say, 2005.

  Linda Anderson walked into my shop one day when I had an Antique Store in Spokane, WA.  I was only 26 years old and did not know much about the world of Antiques, All I knew was that  I loved old things and was hoping that others did too.  Linda was a kindred spirit right off the bat!  She loved all the kitschy things I collected,  she appreciated my passion for the 40’s tablecloths and vintage aprons.  We visited every time she came to the shop.  The connection I had with Linda stemmed from the fact that she lived in my beloved Selle Valley, just a hop, skip and a jump from my family’s land where I grew up.  As the years went on Linda became a vendor at Funky Junk.  I promised myself that I would make it to her place one day and see this wonderful creation she had made at her home called “The Wild Goose Chase!

Linda and her husband, George started “Wild Goose Chase” in 2003.  They were looking for a way to make a little income from their land.  Coupled with Linda’s Passion for old things and an abundance of old things from her Mother in Law, Linda went to work.

They turned the original residence, an old wooden building into the Country Kitchen and went from there.  They built new buildings as they went along, including the Garden Shed, filed with pots and racks and vintage Garden items.  They built the “Best Western”, an amazing building resembling an old western town building filled up with everything from Pendleton Blankets to cowboy boots to an array of vintage camp supplies (my favorite this time of year!)!

Linda’s Passion came from her Grandmother, who had a love for antiques herself.  Linda said that she decorated her first homes and apartments with items from thrift stores, and even as a young woman she would always  “find myself down a street where they sold old things, thrift stores we fun!”.

And she has done a wonderful job bringing together her old things in her little vintage "town" deep in the woods of the Selle Valley.

This Summer I finally made it out to Linda's, and knew right away it was like no other, so I decided to come back with my camera and capture it for all of you to see!

So, sit back and enjoy the visit.  If you ever want to visit Linda in person, just give her a call ( 208-263-1543 )and set up a time to come out!  As she said, the people she has met and the friends she has made have become the best part!  Also, Linda will be a returning vendor at this year’s Funky Junk Show!  Come say hi to her and see many of her wonderful treasures! 

 

It is a long and winding driveway to get there, but that makes it all the better!

Lovely Metal, arch made by Linda's friend David Rafferty.

Anyone need a wheel barrel?

A green wagon, makes me smile.

I think I know two gals that may have to flip a quarter for that Poka-dot thermos, Michele & Penny!

Zinnias, My favorite, the happiest of flowers!

 

 

The Pack River, winding through her front yard.

This lovely gate is one of three that have come home with me!

Words to live by, leaning by a sweet old tree.

A Happy Linda indeed!  Following HER heart!

Office Cottage~ Finished!

 Welcome to my Office Cottage.  It has been a stop and go project since last I posted, but in September we finished it in time for me to get to work for the "busy season"!
Here you will see that we used savaged boards for the siding.  I had to have some turquoise somewhere so the windows were a perfect place!

The windows were purchased at Market Place Antiques from my friend Barb Wolfe.  They are from the old Colburn School.  I love the shape and size!

This photo was taken with my phone so it is a bit blurry, but you can see I wallpapered the back wall with vintage wallpaper I picked up for $1.99 at the Union Gospel Thrift store.

I found this Table top in an old Chicken coop.   The top was faded , but large and solid.  I treated it with restore-a-finish and we used old fence boards for a base. We put it on a mixed match set of taller legs for a good high work table for me (I am 5' 11''), I have always dreamed of having such a tall work table!

 Wrapping paper I store in a stripped lamp shade frame.  Box of drawers from my fried Valerie!  I decided to paint the wall boards turquoise because I...well because I love it.

One of my favorite pieces is this post office mail sorter!  I bought it from my friend Dena at Roost .  The best part is that the zip codes and city's were all from North Idaho!

The Post mail sorter is perfect for keeping all my crafting supplies organized and in view for easy access.  The table under the sorter was a gift from my friend Lisa, her Mother, Irene was a second grandma to me.  Irene used to sit at this table on her back porch and I treasure that memory.

I love apothecary jars to hold trim.

 I really cherish that these windows were from a school.  When I sit to write or find inspiration, I find comfort in the fact that many a child looked out these windows with a daydream, a thought or even just a longing for recesses.

The cabinet is full of slide out trays and drawers for holding paper supplies.

I L-O-V-E German Glass Glitter.

A light to guide my path when I come out to work at night, call me old fashioned...but I still use candles.

I hope you enjoyed your tour of my studio.  I have been hard at work creating Christmas items for craft shows, scrap booking my son's world and even finding time to write now that the farming season has come to a close.  I feel blessed beyond words to have such a place.  Kindly, Jennifer

Meet the Crafter~ Suzy James

Meet Suzy James of Talache Designs.  Suzy makes amazing and Unique Jewelry that really is like no other I have seen.  Suzy had been working the main stream for years and found that this brought her less stress, more time at home and quite frankly, happiness!  And it shows in her pieces. Talache Designs' style is a great example of the area it is created in.  From the earthy color tones to the stones, gems and metals it reminds me of the essence of Idaho; nature, mining, forestry and beauty.   Suzy is a delight to visit with as well, always positive and happy to help with special orders and answer questions about her art.  If you are interested in exploring her products please Contact her for upcoming shows

give her a call at (208)304-3352

Email TalacheDesigns@yahoo.com 

Meet The Crafter~Olga Lambert

The adorable Gnome Purse.

Meet Olga Lambert of Lumbo Gimbo Crafts. Olga creates Wonderful handmade purses, apparel, toys and more. She only uses natural fibers. Olga has been in business for about a year but has been creating knitted items since she became interested at the age of 8!
I was drawn to Lumbo Gimbo because of how enchanting and whimsical each piece is.  I purchased a gnome purse to Olga's Surprise, not for a little girl but for me!  I love it!  The time and effort that Olga puts into her products shows, and there is an old world feel that can only be found from Olga's Russian history and a love for her craft.  I really enjoyed her small knitted wool slippers but they were all for children, not long after I said how much I would love a pair Olga made some to fit my feet (size 11 thank you!) They will be perfect in this North Idaho winter and even have deer skin soles like the slippers my grandma would make!
Olga is currently selling her items at the local Saturday Farmer's Market here in Sandpoint. You can also find Lumbo Gimbo Crafts on etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/lumbogimbo!  If there is something special you are looking for just ask, Olga is very talented and has created some amazing one of a kind pieces!

Olga Lambert working with a friend in her booth.

Amazing wool knitted slippers!  I have a purple pair!



Beautiful shirts and dresses in this amazing fabric!



Gnome Purse!

Ladies purses and bags for every purpose!

A friend or two!

Jingle slippers!

 

Special order adult slippers.

 

Kits for you to try.

 

Whimsy!

Meet the Crafter: Krista Webber

 

Meet Krista Webber of Pauper's Candles.  Pauper's Candles is a local candle company created by Krista and her husband Mark.  Pauper's Candles are the purest I have found for both the home and the environment.   Krista strives to keep her products as natural as possible by using:

• 100% Natural Soy Wax
  
• Non-Metal Wicks, No Lead
  
• Premium Grade Fragrance Oil
  
• Pure Essential Oils
  
• No color dyes
  
• Glass tumblers that are made in the US
  

        Krista has been a vendor for 3 years at the Funky Junk Show and is also a fellow vendor at the Sandpoint Farmer's Market.

 

Krista helping a customer choose the right scent.

 

Home fragrance spray.

 

A clean look and an awesome product.  Wonderful gifts for just about anyone!

I have a current favorite right now, the Pumpkin N' Spice!  I appreciate the thought that is found in the quality of these products.  I always stock up on gifts for friends and family!  There are so many scents to choose from that I cannot find anywhere else,  My Mom and sister love the Garden line:
 Basil Sage Mint, Cilantro,
Cucumber, Lettuce, Tomato Leaf,
Pumpkin N' Spice, & Dirt!

I hope you can catch up with Krista and try out her products, you are sure to be happy.  You can find Krista at the Sandpoint Farmer's Market.    You can also shop online at http://pauperscandles.com/index.html
All Photos Courtesy of Burnett Photography.

Week 1 of "Meet the Crafter" -Jay Mock

These spatulas are wonderful, I use them for everything!  And the best part...They are only $5!

 

As many of you know I spend my weeks from May to October as a vendor at the local Farmer's Market here in Sandpoint, ID. Every year I gather items through out the season to tuck away for Christmas and Birthdays. I love buying handmade items, supporting my fellow vendors and knowing that the item is of great quality. In honor of buying local and supporting small business's I am going to feature a local crafter each week until the holiday season is over. Starting with the man I always go to for a gift, because everyone can use his items!

Meet Jay Mock, the maker of the amazing wooden Utensils!  Jay has been in business since 1978, and believe me when I say some of those original items are still be used by people in my family!

Jay Mock, Master Utensil Maker!

I love these spoons with flat ends because you can scrape the edge of the pot with them!

My favorite item to give as a gift!  Perfect at only $20!

I always take the time to pick out just the right one for the person I am giving it to.  They are all unique and different sizes. 

 

Perfect for scraping peanut butter from the jar!  great butter spreader and many other uses.

There is something so magical about wooden utensils, they are primitive and warm.  Unlike plastic and metal these seem to have a bit of heart to them.  Cooking to me is such a soulful experience that I prefer to use wood as much as possible.  My personal ladle has the stains of berries from jam, the colors from canning beets and the history of many pots of soup shared with those I love.  I hope you get a chance to see these in person.  You can find Jay at the Sandpoint Farmer's Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays until Mid October.
You can also reach him through email JayMock@localnet.com or call him 208-263-1270.