Sexy, Retro & Irresistible

Pin Up Girls have been documented since the late 1890′s, but the girls from the 1920′s to the 1960′s are the most notable.  Showing up on calenders, matchbook covers, in ad campaigns and more.  These woman always had a smile, dressed in a little or a lot of clothing, they allowed your imagination to be free.

I have fallen in love with these.  The first ones I ever came across was in 1990, I was on a house call for antiques and in the lot of goods that I purchased was an entire series of girls.  I sold them all but two that I keep in my bedroom.  I do look back and wished I keep the others, but since I am this mad collector I have found so many more for my collection.

Shandell’s match boxes seemed like a perfect “match” for these lovely ladies.  I hope they get you to smile for a while.

The “Daily Tattler” is one of my favorites.

Enjoy,

Susan

Sleek, modern, simple and elegant.

I could not think of just one description for these lamps, so sleek, modern, simple and elegant it is.

A wonderful source I have that makes wood veneer pliable and sturdy for lampshades. Cherry wood is my favorite, the glow is so beautiful, amazing that it is real wood.

I was making a large pair of square shades, cutting the cherry wood from the sheets I get and there was scrap pieces left.  I just cannot toss scrap of any kind, you never know what I can make with them.  Then I was cutting a pair of tall slender lampshades for a customer and the pattern fit the cherry wood scrap perfectly.

If you are in the area stop by and see what I have created with the scraps I save or visit my online store.

Nothing better than a good scrap yard.

Scrap yards, junk yards, the dump (some people call it the transfer station, so it sounds better), are great places. I have been a recycling for years.  People throw away wonderful pieces of metal. The more industrial the better,  I have a true love affair for it.  Old fence pieces, iron findings, scrap metal, you never know what treasure is waiting to be made into a lamp.

Here is my problem, I guess not such a bad one, but I have lots of scrap metal parts and the hardest part of this is which one will be picked next.  I am very grateful, that I have a welder that get’s me. He does not even flinch anymore, but in the beginning of our relationship, he rolled his eyes at me constantly. He is a true genius.

I call the lamps I create, Shandell’s version of Steampunk.  A little industrial, mixed with style.  The pair I have pictured here are made from cast iron andiron’s, from the 19th century. They have a look of a gentleman’s  Handelbar Moustache.   The orange parchment shades, brings out the color of the iron.

I have just started going through my pile, pieces have been sent to get welded and come back to be transformed.

If you are in the area stop by to see works in progress or visit my online shop.

Have a great weekend.

Susan

Horoscopes, Sun Signs, Zodiac, Moon and Stars

I grew up with a mom who had Linda Goodman’s books on her night stand.  I paid some attention to what my mom would say, it was the late 60′s early 70′s the age of the hippie.

I am a Capricorn and pretty true to all of what I have read about them.  I do believe that the sun, moon and stars had an impact on us all.  Recently I have been introduced to Sheilaa Hite who is one of the sisters from The Sister Project, her horoscopes have been dead on for me in the last couple of month’s.

In my vast collection of stuff, I came across 2 series of Tobacco Cards from the early 1900, that had Zodiac signs and Horoscopes on them.

I remember buying them about ten years ago, tucking them away not knowing what I was going to do with them. I was going through my collections, saw them and thought how great they would be on my matches.  So I made them up and WOW.  What a great present, someones very one Horoscope from way back when.

Enjoy finding out what the sun, moon and stars have in store for you.

15% off: The New York Times is Spreading the word

Your lucky number is 15 and  Shandell’s lucky day is today, The New York Times is helping spread the word.

For the second year Shandell’s is having a summer sale, 15% off  all in stock and online items.

The sale starts on Aug 6 to August 15.

Half Hats

I have making a lot of “Hats” ( small shades for chandeliers and sconces) this summer.  A great way to change the appearance of a room, a quick change in wardrobe. From Sassy Sleeves to Hats, here are my newest, Half Hats for sconces.

Wonderful shapes and sizes that are a blank canvas to my vast collection of papers old and new. Just let your imagination run wild with all of the possibilities that can happen. When you take the plain lampshade you now have on your favorite sconce and replace it with a funky Half Hat or maybe a Half Hat would be the answer to making an ordinary sconce extra ordinary.

If you are in the area stop by and see what Hats you fancy or visit my online store.

The combination’s are endless, a certain way to make you smile.

Mid Century Pink & Green

Lately I have been a daily reader of Retro Renovation, a great blog dedicated to mid century home life. Recently I was looking through my drawers of vintage wallpaper that is prepped for lampshades and found this wonderful sea foam green paper, with leaves and Greek key pattern running through it. I was inspired to make a shade for this wonderful mid century pink Italian lamp I had on my shelves. The lamp is a soft pink with gold accents. How perfect these look together.

Looking around my studio I found that I do have quite a bit of mid century, my subconscious must have a thing for it.  Clean lines and tons of history.  I have pulled out a couple more projects that I will be working on in the next couple of weeks. I have found lots of wallpaper of this time period and each a little different waiting for there perfect lamp. Check back to see my journay recreating my treasures from the past into something you smile about today.

Bring the Ocean Indoors

I do not get to the ocean much any more, July 4th weekend was always an ocean trip when I was a kid.  My Mom loves the beach, there is something about the healing qualities of the ocean.

The way walking along the beach and listening to the waves seems to lower ones heart rate.  When I do get a chance to go, one of my favorite things to do is collect shells. There are so many different types, in the 19th century they were documented in amazing detail.

I have put together a group of seashell inspired hand made  items for the home, a lamp, tissue box, night light and a box of matches so no matter where you live, the ocean can be with you.  If you have a friend in need of a ocean fix, one of these will surely make them smile.

Have a safe and happy 4th.

A Feather in Your Cap

I think all chandeliers and sconces should wear hats. Tiny expressions of one’s soul.  There are hats for crystal chandeliers, hats for simple sconces, and hats for any style of fixture you can think of. “A feather in your cap” came to mind as I was rummaging through my racks of trim, I stumbled across some fabulous Peacock feather trim (real feathers, no animals are hurt).

I have put feathers on night lights, but now I have put them on the hat’s of chandeliers.  My creativity has gone wild with this notion, I have a large variety on my work table and will be taking pictures of them as they are finished.

Imagine a plain or fancy fixture with these whimsical little hats on top.  They will surely make you smile.

If you are in the area stop in and see the variety or visit Shandell’s online.

Susan

My shopping trip with Eddie & Jaithan

A couple of weeks ago I took a Sunday to go shopping with Eddie & Jaithan (my blogger pals).  We went to Stormville Flea Market, I had not been in a couple of years.  Luck was on our side that day, the sun came out and lots of treasures were found. The first find of that day are pictured above, an amazing pair of Mid Century iridescent glazed lamps with their original gold leaf bases.  I made a pair of vintage wallpaper shades for them and they came alive again to brighten up someone’s life.  To top them off in my box of baubles I found a pair of iridescent glazed finials.

If you are in the area come and visit or take a tour of Shandell’s galleries.