January Reflections prompt:
Store bought vs. Hand-made
(The assignment was really store bought vs. home-made and I am sure it was speaking of food, but I chose to think in terms of house goods instead.)
I truly love home-made things. I enjoy making them, as well as buying them. I was thrilled to discover etsy.com several years ago for this reason. There is a sweetness in knowing who made something and why, and supporting others in their talent. I loved my husband's gift to me for Christmas because it shows just how well he knows me. He bought me a gift card to the antique market. Not just any antique market, but my favorite one that sells both antiques, home-made (hand-made, really) goods, and art from local artists.
I enjoy my own home-made things because if I make it myself, there is a special memory attached, usually. Sometimes that memory is as simple as a night that I spent all alone with my pent-up imagination.
And other times, there is deeper meaning. Like a painting that was therapeutic for me. In some seasons our budget necessitates home-made gifts, like last Christmas. And sometimes I relish the opportunities to make a cake or an outfit for one of my children's birthdays. They love those simple, hand-made gestures.
Here are a few things that I bought that were made by others this past year. A local artist's painting, a local artist's metal work, my friend's bird watercolor, and a needlepoint chair made my a relative of my husband.
I think every room in our house is decorated with several home-made items. My husband prefers it that way. And I enjoy the challenge of making or finding rare beauties. I still have a weakness for certain stores. I just bought this picture from Pier One on Sunday with some Christmas money, and I although I LOVE it, I doubt it will be something I treasure for years to come. 
When my friends ask for decorating advice, I find it hard to give. I honestly have no idea how to decorate on a fat budget. My gifts lie in finding a treasure at the flea market and making it work in our house. Give me thousands of dollars and it stifles me. But a $100 budget holds endless possibilities!!
You inspire me! One of my deepest desires is to be more creative...I love seeing all your ideas.
ReplyDeleteI look around our house and see empty walls just longing to be a spot for something lovely and special, yet I lack the inspiration.
I used to love going to your house and feel right at home there. I would then go back to my white, empty walls and attampt to think of something to fill them.
You have such a gift with that.
I LOVE that first painting, of the cottage with the thatched roof. The colors are perfect for your home, and its warmer tones. And that Pier 1 print is really cute! That is a treasure! I agree with the budget comment. I find that I do so much better with littler money, than more. I search harder and with more imagination that way.
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