Sterling and Grace

I have designed and created jewelry for a couple of art galleries for years, and I love the process, from envisioning a piece in my mind to finding the pieces to make it, to assembling it and getting to have a tangible expression of that which was only imagined at first.  

Today, I am proud to present to you,

It is in it's early stages and I have loads of ideas and dozens of findings on the way.  I believe this may just be the beginning of something great!

Here is a peak at some of the items currently in the shop:

I'll be sharing my latest designs as I make them.  Stay tuned for more!

Happy Monday!

~Callie

I'm Back!

Well, it has been five months since my last post, and at the time of that post, I had recently met the wonderful man who is now my husband.  Yes, our courtship into marriage was fast, but I kind of thought it would happen that way when I met the man I was supposed to marry.  
I had been waiting on him.  :)  

After the wedding in a little red chapel that was straight out of a storybook, came a two week honeymoon in Puerto Rico, and a couple of months getting settled into married life . . . which is wonderful.  This brings us to the present.

Now, I'm feeling more settled and I'm back, and super excited to be blogging again!

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I have been stocking the shop (Dovetail Vintage) and there are some great items available.  
Here's a peak at some of what's here:

To see these items and the others available for purchase, enter my shop here.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . 

It feels so good to be typing again on this blog.  I am excited to share my latest venture with you also.  Come back tomorrow when I unveil my jewelry shop/line: 
Sterling and Grace.

See you then!

~Callie

I Heart Summer

As a child, I lived for the summer.  And now, as an adult, I'm finding, I still live for the summer.  Sunshine, warm weather, long days, iced tea, watermelon, the beach, fun with friends, hiking, swimming, and the annual inner feeling of freedom and energy that these beautiful summer days inspire, are just a few of the things that have always made summer so wonderful to me.

Already, my summer has been quite full and quite fun, hence, the reason I have been neglecting this blog.  I don't have much to say today, but wanted to say "Hi!" none-the-less.

I am in WA working one of my parent's art galleries for the week . . . actually, I'm at work right now (shhhh).  On the drive home, I stopped to visit my grandparent's and had a delightful and insanely exciting experience having to do with a large outbuilding and vintage antiques, that I will tell about when I get back to Idaho and take some photographs to accompany the story.

Until then, I hope you too are enjoying some summer fun.

And, I would love to hear . . . what makes summer great for you?

Hope to hear from you and

see you again soon!

~Callie

(picture via pinterest)

After My Own Heart

I will forever be inspired by the wonderful artists and vintage collectors on Etsy. 

Each time I go back and peruse through my favorites, I find such joy in so many of these items, 
that, while just material really, in some way, 
always serve to encourage, warm, and inspire my heart.  

Here is my most recent treasury.  
It consists of 16 of my most favorite images, objects, and accessories.


I see these items and am again reminded how deeply my heart appreciates beauty . . .

. . . it speaks to my soul, and causes me to want to drink even more deeply 
of that which is true, right, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy.

After My Own Heart

What speaks to your heart and soul?

~Callie

Step Off The Highway

This summer opt to do something you've never done . . . 

or something you haven't done in ages.  

Have a picnic in the park, lay out under the stars, write your loved one a love letter, 

get buried in the sand, move the dinner table outside, go to an outdoor movie . . .

or simply,

search for driftwood.

Whatever you do, be it alone or with someone wonderful, 
do something that will take your mind away from the highway of life and allow it to slow down, 
even if it's just for a little while.

I promise, you'll feel all the better for it.

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

~Callie

Silver Cleaning

I really enjoy sharing.  

I like to share meals, good stories, laughter, faith, possessions, whatever I can share, I really do enjoy sharing it.  So, today, as I was polishing some wonderful silver shot glasses, soon to be in the shop, I suddenly thought, "I have to share this polishing product . . . It's just so great!"

Sharing tips and tricks about cleaning, decorating, and just doing life are some of my favorite things to share because they can be so useful and helpful.  I know I love to learn something new, especially when it's helpful!  So, if you have something silver that is in need of a good polish and you don't know what product to choose, take it from me . . .  this stuff works!

The product is Weiman Silver Cream and you can find it at most grocery stores in the cleaning section.  I got mine at Wal-Mart (Shh. Don't tell anyone).  It's about $5 or $6 if I remember right, and you can polish a LOT of silver with one jar.

It's super simple to use.  Just use the sponge provided inside and wipe the surface of the silver.  The tarnish comes off quickly and for more stubborn spots, a little extra elbow grease should do.

 These lovely little shot glasses will be available in the shop soon in a set of four.  

Isn't it amazing what a little polish can do?!  

Happy Friday!

~Callie

Summer!

Summer came with a bang yesterday and boy, am I glad!  

It was a bright and gorgeous 78 degrees here in Coeur d'Alene and who doesn't get excited for that kind of warmth and sun?!  I get an extra bounce in my step.

Today, I think I must get outside and soak up some rays.  I'm experiencing cabin fever working inside while sunshine spills through the east facing window of my living room.  

Lake, here I come . . .

But, before I grab my sandals and go, (I have some more "inside" work to do first.) I will leave you with some very lovely and inspiring summer photos.  Enjoy! Summer is here!

The essence of summer.

(quiltish.blogspot.com)

(imgfave.com)

Roadtrip!

(Facebook: Lace Events)

Fresh from the garden . . .

(frolic-blog.com)

Peace, quiet, relaxation, beauty . . . 

Umm, I'll take this piece of heaven!

(pictures houseofimagine.com)

On my wish list this summer - a bike.

(vi.sualize.us)

Hope you too get to enjoy some sun wherever you are!

Happy Summer!

~Callie

Currently In The Shop

There are some great items in my shop right now that I am totally loving.  

Below are some of my favorites.  

Come on over and stop by . . . it's always a pleasure to have you!
(enter the shop here.)

Cool, Calm & Collected

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Feeling this way today?  Find a bit of inspiration from this lovely collection.

Click here to go to this treasury and be able to click on individual items.

Happy Tuesday!

Today is the day the Lord has made,

let us rejoice and be glad!

~Callie

The Lone Star State

The last weekend in April, I went to a dear friend's wedding in Texas.   The main festivities took place on a large family ranch about an hour and a half outside of San Antonio.  It was a lovely weekend with perfect weather and friends, who for some, I had not seen since college, four years ago.

It being my first experience in the Lone Star state, and I went determined to take lots of pictures, and while I got some, I have never been especially great, okay, not great at all, about carrying a camera around wherever I go.  So, while my collection is small, I'm pleased I have a few shots to remind me of my first jaunt to Texas.

 The above pictures show the grounds for the wedding.  The decor was simple and lovely.  Inside the tent, the tables were adorned with mason jars filled with colorful wildflowers atop rounds of wood . . . (but of course, I did not take my camera to the ceremony, so this is all you . . . and I . . . get.)

 Several shots driving out of the ranch.

 Isn't this stream gorgeous, and these trees?!  I stopped on a small bridge to catch this view.

 Texas wildlife . . . deer, a little different than those in the NW.

 This guy was just chillin' next to the road, perfectly still.

And, would you look at those horns?!  Seriously!  (Forgive the blaring sign.)

On Sunday, before my evening flight, a friend (who also attended the wedding) and I went into San Antonio and saw the Alamo, sauntered along the downtown River Walk, and visited the Historic Market Square - the largest Mexican market outside of Mexico.  It just so happened that they were also having their annual Fiesta, so we got in on some great food and fun.

All in all, it was a good weekend, and I enjoyed Texas . . . although, so far, I still prefer the northwest.  :)

Hope your Tuesday has been going great!  

Always feel free to comment, as I love hearing from you!

~Callie

I really love to scan magazines for decorating ideas, beautiful clothing, new websites, and do-it-yourself projects.  Some of my favorites magazines include Real Simple, Better Homes & Gardens, and Martha Stewart Living.  So, yesterday, while waiting for my car at the shop, I spotted a wonderful denim knee-length dress in the magazine I was browsing, and found it came from Levi.com.  Levis has never been on my radar really, except to note that that is the only type of jean my dad has ever worn, and will ever wear.  

When I got home, I popped online and browsed their site, finding their clothing and style quite winsome.  The magazine was from 2011, so they no longer carry that great denim dress, but there was one item that I wanted to buy on the spot.  This Japanese Jacquard Clutch . . .

I really love leather, and contrasted with a heavy fabric like this, the entire look makes me swoon.  I'm also not a purse lady, so this perfect little clutch looks to be a great fit for all of the basics - keys, phone, lip gloss, hair ties, money, & gum.

Just wanted to share.  When I find something I think is great, it makes me want to show someone!

Happy Friday!

~Callie

In A Cottage By The Sea . . .

My newest treasury on Etsy, and I'm simply in love with these colors and textures.  I want a tiny beach house filled with all of these things items.  

What about you?  Do you dream of a cottage by the sea?

~Callie

Oh Garden! How I Want Thee!

One day, I will have a garden.

My little boys (that I nanny) and I planted some seeds in small, clear, plastic cups last week, which are now sprouting on the windowsill.  I was just as excited as they were to see these little bits of life spring forth through the shallow soil.  

Oh, how I want a garden now . . .

I think I might figure out how to have one in my apartment.  

I'm thinking window box?

I've decided, that when I do get a garden, I want some fun garden markers.  

Check out some of my favorites on Etsy:

Terra Cotta markers by JustWork on Etsy

OhHelloMagpie on Etsy

Alluvial on Etsy

Pumpernickelandwry on Etsy

liciapfadt on Etsy

And, for those of you who prefer to make your own . . .

 UtopiaHomeAndGarden on Etsy

There are a lot out there to choose from, many made out of old spoons, but these shops have not followed the trend, but started their own trend instead.  I love it!

How will I choose?!

Have a great evening!  Hope your Monday started off the week well.  

I'll keep you posted on the growth of my garden project. :)

~Callie

Spring Colors

Spring is on its way and given the beautiful sunshine and temperatures in the 50's here in Coeur d'Alene yesterday, one would think it was just around the corner.  The sunshine warmed the inside of my car so much, I actually turned my air-conditioning on!

Ah, spring.  I love spring.

I have been noticing many Etsy sellers breaking out the spring colors in their products.  Pretty pastels and bright colors that make me just want to sing or dance or even both.  I realized that I have quite a few items in my shop that feel quite like spring.  All are available for sale at this time.

Enjoy and stop by the shop for more great vintage!

~ Callie