PHOTO UPDATE St Anthony & Infant of Prague Religious Medals for Special Rosaries: The Destiny of Things, Story 564-565

PHOTO UPDATE St Anthony & Infant of Prague Religious Medals for Special Rosaries:  The Destiny of Things, Story 564-565

Very special heart felt story from Guatemala with photo updates!  BEFORE:

She ordered the large round Infant of Prague made in West Germany.  I think this one might be the one for her daughter's nightstand.  The bird brooch with Infant of Prague dangle medal is available, here.

Photo via VintageToGoEasy

Actually, now that I think about it, she ordered three religious medals of Infant of Prague and St. Anthony!

Here is her inspiring email!  Thank you Mrs. C!

Hi!! I was meaning to write you, I loved your note telling your story!!!
I want to share you mine!!!
I am from Guatemala City, Guatemala. It took me a while to get my package because it goes to my P.O. Box in Miami first and then it comes to Guatemala.
I saw the medals in your shop and I knew they would be special for me!!
I have a rosary from a long time ago, and each time I go some where or I see a medal that I love or feel something, I attach it to my rosary. I pray with this rosary every day. 

When I was little my mom use to pray to Saint Anthony for me to find a good man with a good heart who loves me and respects me and I married the best one!!! The love of my life! That’s why I fell in love with that medal! 

 The two lower ones, #3 and #4 are still available, here.  The top two have sold out.

Photo via VintageToGoEasy

And the Divine child me and my husband had a hard time with our first pregnancy and our first daughter came early because a health condition I have, I have systemic lupus and it’s very hard for me to get and keep pregnant. So we went to Medjugorje (where Virgen Mary has been showing to 6 persons) we went there the 3 of us, my husband daughter and I and pray to have an other baby, and there was an image of Jesus, divine child. We prayed there a lot and when we came back I got pregnant and I had my second and last daughter. She came very very early term and with some complications but she was able to go trough everything by Jesus in her hand!!! So I got one for my rosary and the big one for her night stand for her to be protected!!! 

Thanks for giving us the opportunity to have them!!!
I am glad to hear you are doing great in your rehab!!!! Keep on going!!!! ;)
Keep safe!!!   Ps. Attached is a picture of my rosary with the medals already attached

  I can see the gold one above added to her rosary!

There is one silver tone, one copper color and the rest gold tone, she ordered a gold tone, all the rest are available here.  Photo via VintageToGoEasy

She is so inspiring to me!  And her words so motivating!  Yes, I will keep going!  And if she can make her dreams come true despite her health issues, so can I!  Mine are way less threatening, just food allergies and insomnia, so I can do it, slowly but surely!  Thank you so much for all your enthusiasm!

I just love her rosary and collection of religious medals!  I am so thankful they went to a forever home with such a kind and thoughtful family!

Interesting too, there are really only two holy places I'd like to visit and one is Medjugorje, I don't really know why, it just must be calling me.  And the other is Geel, Belgium because for over 700 years, residents of Geel have been accepting people with mental disorders, often very severe mental disorders, into their homes and caring for them. It isn't meant to be a treatment or therapy. The people are not called patients, but guests or boarders. They go to Geel and join households to share a life with people who can watch over them. Today, there are about 250 boarders in Geel.  You can read more about it here, an article from NPR.  Thank you NPR!

As I said, I don't know why I want to go to Medjugorje, but I do know why I want to go to Geel, Belgium.  It's because I can't imagine "one" community being part of the solution for 700 years!  It just brings tears to my eyes!  I'd just have to see how they do it!  Anyways..... getting off topic....

Saying Goodbye:  I have a huge religious medal collection!  I must have at least 10-30 religious medals listed at each shop and I still have so much more to list.  It's so nice to know that some of them are going to people who have such endearing meaning to them.

I'll have to list more Infant of Prague and St Anthony medals because this is the only one I could find that's listed.  Available here via The Destiny of Things.

What I Learned:

1.  There is kindness everywhere!  And no matter, how ill I may feel, I can still be kind and as enthusiastic as possible.  That is what I got out of Mrs. C's message.  Thank you for motivating me with your inspirational story!

 

2.  I learned that despite any health issues, one can still make your dreams come true!  Each birthday, I dream and sometimes plan, but mostly dream about what I call a "food parade", which is basically a pre, post and sometimes pre pre and post post eat "whatever"  I want, which consists of all my favorite foods, however these foods are not healthy because my favorite foods comprise of mostly fried and fatty red meat!  For instance a pre pre food parade celebration might start of with a donut, than pre birthday meal, then my birthday celebration for breakfast, lunch and dinner and then a post birthday meal and then a post post birthday meal might consist of a fried buttery biscuit or a bacon hotdog.  Yes, a food parade can last a week or so!

 

Some favorites in the fried department is crispy crunchy fried chicken, especially wings and especially if they are cooked with little bits of garlic and jalapenos, garlic french fries, organic salted Kettle chips and donuts.  In the red meat department, I love a pound of prime rib, a juicy porterhouse steak or bone in rib eyes!  So you can see why I only have a food parade a couple of times a year.  The rest of the year I am more vegetarian based and juice and broth fast 3 times a week, except my age is catching up to me and I just can not eat like I used to, well, I can, but there are dire consequences, like fat accumulation!

 

I am almost at a milestone birthday, so I've started working out little by little, so next year I can still have a food parade, be healthy and fit into my clothes!  I've made my way up to doing "Buns of Steel 3" by Tamilee Web.  Remember good ol' Tamilee from the 80s or 90s?  I have her CD now, but somewhere lost in my hoard is the classic VHS!

Anyways, it's a doozy workout!  Even if it's only 30 min., I love how she explains which muscles your working out, how to coordinate your breathing and stomach muscles with each exercise and how to make the workout either easier or more difficult.  It takes me at least 3 months to get the workout, breathing and stomach muscles all working together in harmony.  I've been using the CD now for 2 weeks now, 6 days a week and it has really helped my balance, I feel stronger and even the skin around my knees seem tighter and more!  The only cons I have is that after every workout I'm so tired.  Today I had to take 4 breaks to get it done, but I do know I'll sleep very well tonight!

And the best part is I'm hoping to fit back into most of my clothes comfortably, instead of having to buy new ones!  I do have several pairs of pants, shorts and a couple of dresses that I call my "eating pants" because I can eat all I want in them without feeling uncomfortable, but even some of them are getting kinda tight now!  No way, am I going to let it get worse!

 

3.  Plus I think some of my unflattering and unhealthy weight gain are COVID pounds!  Yes, I am a stress eater.  Comfort foods to the rescue!  A favorite being a bag of chips!  Okay, enough about pointing the blame and on to a solution!  Buns of Steel daily and on days I'm sore, I walk/jog and if I can't muster enough energy for those, I do a 15 minute yoga workout!  Sundays I rest.

 

4.  I have been MIA in blogland because Etsyland has taken over my life!  Sales have been crazy, but I am so grateful that so much of my hoard is finding new lives and homes!  It's been this way for 3 months now and I need to start thinking about how to prioritize my life more efficiently because now I barely have time to new list, mend and stitch my textile art.  I just feel like I'm catching up all the time!  The only thing I can seem to change right now to have more time, is to new list less until more hoard sells out!  I'll see what happens after the Labor Day weekend sale.

Gosh the only thing I could find with Infant of Prague is on the back of this medal I just listed today, available here at Hoarder Rehab.  It has 7 Saints all together.

 

Thank you Mrs. C for sharing your story because it has really helped me with mine.  I, especially love the story of your pilgrimage and your enthusiasm to travel despite your health has really encouraged me to think of the few places I'd like to visit!  And you've really motivated me to do more to be in the most perfect health possible.  I might even have to find an alternative celebration to food parades!  It doesn't seem possible at the moment, but I hope I've planted a seed!

I hope your health improves also and your family thrives in body, mind, spirit and energy!

Here is the front of that medal, in case anyone is interested in scapular medals.  This one is marked sterling and Creed, available here at Hoarder Rehab.  It has 7 Saints all together and the back has the Marion symbol to match the Miraculous Mary on the left of the medal.

Sales are crazy sky high! We were back to our regular average of 25 sales a week, but it seems to have doubled with holding power!  I used to package Tues. Wed. and Sun, to get ready for Mon, Wed and Fri shipments, but now I have to package everyday, just to keep up with all the orders! 

 

Last year, I tried Etsy's advice and changed almost all the listing to "free shipping," so I think it might be that because I've been slowly changing my shops back to regular shipping and I think that's making a difference.  Now the only items with free shipping are those over $35.

 

To prepare for Mother's day I changed almost every listing $35 and under from "free" shipping to transparent shipping, meaning you can see my shipping costs now and sales have more than doubled from our usual average.  So it still could be these uncertain times and people ordering more due needing "isolation" and home school activities or changing back to "regular" and transparent shipping.  Now Labor Day holiday weekend is soon and we'll be joining the rest of Etsyland with a celebration sale!

I am adding new items weekly, but since sales are way up, some days I'm too busy just packaging for our shipping days!  We ship out every Mon, Wed and Fri and get packages ready the day before, if payment has cleared.  I've been getting at least 16 packages ready to ship out 3x a week!  I think our record earlier last month was 25!  And lately, I don't even bother counting!  I don't have the time!

I just listed several new things at each shop today!  It was nice to have the time to get it done!

Click on the shop names to visit my hoard: HoarderRehab with 177 items, The Destiny of Things- 172 items, VintageToGoEasy - 159 items and JunkDrawerAndMore - 173 items.   And now, Mending Ways with 51 items!    Many of my textile art patches have found new "forever" homes, so I need to make some more.  I am so grateful, thank you all who are supporting my alternative to hoarding!

Maybe you'll find something and give it new life and a new home!  All lookieloos are appreciated!

 

This double rose sterling silver Saint bracelet is the only other thing I could find with St Anthony.  I'm going to need to go hoarding diving and find more St Anthony medals!  It has 10 Saints and is stamped HVH, sterling.  Available here.  Photo via The Destiny of Things

 

"During these uncertain times, there is one commitment everyone should make:  always be part of the solution, not part of the problem."

Stay safe, stay well, stay calm and stitch on!  Thank you readers from all over the world who continue to support my Hoarder Rehab and The Destiny of Things by taking part with your visits!

The Destiny of Things: Coincidental Wedding Anniversary Stories X and XI

The Destiny of Things:  Coincidental Sacred Heart Wedding Anniversary Stories X and XI

Coincidental Sacred Heart Wedding Anniversary Stories X

I wrote this sometime last October.  I don't know why I didn't publish it, besides the fact that I don't know how the different colors and big fonts got on it and I've spent too much time trying to change them. Still techless here and a slow learner, so I've just left them.  Also, I was waiting to see if they'd send a pic of them standing in front of their sacred heart wedding cake and then later I just forgot about it.

I'm selling my hoard collection of Mexican Folk Art that turned into my Religious Folk Art Collection at both etsy shops, VintageToGoetsy and HoarderRehab.  I thought it was perfect timing to sell with "Day of the Dead" around the corner and with it came two more stories!  One of them in a nice surprise email and another blurted out one.

Here is the my first sacred heart nicho that sold, October 3, 2012:

Here is the story behind the purchase from the email I received October 11, 2012, but didn't check off-site email until October 25, 2012 because not many email their stories outside of the etsy email:

Thanks so much for the beautiful tin sacred heart. We love it! You had asked if there was a story behind why I purchased it and I wanted to let you know what drew me to this piece. I bought it for my husband for our 8th anniversary. We were married at the Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore, Maryland on October 9, 2004.

My husband is Catholic but I am not. Since we were having a ceremony outside the Catholic church I wanted to do something to acknowledge his faith but still be kind of irreverent. So I chose the Mexican Day of the Dead as a theme for our wedding.

My friends and I hand made paper flowers for the tables and our wedding favors were tin ornaments with milagros attached to them. Our wedding cake had three tiers and each had flames on them. On the top was a sacred heart surrounded by barbed wire. The sacred hearts symbolize our burning love for each other. So I bought your tin heart as a reminder of that wonderful day. Hope that story helps you as part of your therapy!

 Update: December 9, 2012: Thank you for sending me the pic of you two cutting your wedding cake!

Here's what I emailed back on October 25, 2012:

What a story!  I love it!  It's an amazing story with heartfelt symbolism for me, romance, uniqueness and humor!    Thank you so much for taking the time to share it with me!- it's helping my therapy a lot a lot!  Especially got a good chuckle out of the irreverence of your side of it!

Knowing where that piece went and it's meaning for someone else and it's joy outside of myself supports my HoarderRehab immensely.  And using etsy as a tool to help me let go of my hoard is an adventure into the unknown.   My hoard became a dark stagnant place for me and filled up my mind with mostly indecisive confusion.  I can see some light now and new dreams and possibilities are emerging.  I think a lot of this has to do with the stories you and others have chosen to share with me.  I'm not sure how, but believe me, this is about the fifth time I've purged my hoard and it just ends up returning, so I hope to end this pattern for a new one to begin.  And it feels like it's going to happen this time!

Do you have a pic of you two in front of your wedding cake that I can put with the sacred heart tin story for my blog?  I love the burning love surrounded by barbed wire!  Love only meant for you two!  Others keep out and it keeps you two in without injury!

What's even more a coincidence is that the larger sacred heart tin nicho was purchased as a gift for someone's daughter and son-in-law for their copper wedding anniversary (year 7).  How amazing is it that both those nichos went to wedding aniversaries?  I am so full of awe and joy about it that I' going to start drafting it for my blog now!

Thank you for the inspriation, encouragement and motivation for my HoarderRehab!

Coincidental Sacred Heart Anniversary Story V

This is the blurted out story from October 13, 2012:

Note from Buyer:

Good Morning.
This is a gift for my daughter and son-in-law for their copper wedding anniversary (year 7). Perfect!

Saying Good-bye:  These pieces were part of my alter shrine of my Mexican and Religious Folk Art that I used to have 4 or 5 houses ago.  It had a large recessed area about the size of a mini coat closet and I would change the vignette weekly.  I have pics of them some where!

These were easy to let go, even easier with the "stories behind the purchase".  Also, these pieces seem to have a place in good homes where they will be for a very long time and not budge!  Knowing their permanence is practically guaranteed is very relieving and satisfying.

What I learned:

1.  Check my off-site email more often because "maybe, just maybe" someone was kind enough to email me their story outside of etsy!
 
2.  Keep better track of my drafts on this blog because they are ever piling up and getting lost as another form of hoard!  Yikes!  How to solve this problem?  If I publish one post a day, I'll be caught up and ready for the new year.  I don't think that's possible, but it's worth a try!

3.  If I publish one a day, which takes me so long because every time I "preview" the post gets longer and longer, instead of more concise, will I still be able to build up the new shop, The Destiny of Things?  Those listings get longer and longer too, since I find info. on the different Saints so fascinating.

Both are equally important to my HoarderRehab, so I'll try and do both.

New HoarderRehab etsy goal:  Sunday, 2~December~2012:  I have at least 25- 31stories, ideas and stuff, so if I write, edit and publish one draft a day, I'll be caught up on my hoard of postings for the new year.  If I list 4 items a day on the new shop, Destiny of Things, in eight days I'll have two more pages of listings.  I only want 4 pages per shop anyway, but that's another story!

3.  Is this hoarder inspiration or desperation?  When I started to get riled about my hoard pile of drafts for this blog, mr. oz's comment was "at least it's on google servers than in our rooms!"  So I suppose "only time will tell" whether this post's learning experience is inspiration or turns into desperation!


Parting Questions and Thoughts:  Were these two stories serendipitous or coincidence?

Coincidental or Serendipity?  And what is the difference?

Here is what I found without adding too much more time to write this blog piece:

serendipitous means to come upon or found by accident; fortuitous: serendipitous scientific discoveries.

Coincidence means a striking occurrence of two or more events at one time apparently by mere chance or a chance occurrence of events remarkable either for being simultaneous or for apparently being connected: Our meeting in Venice was pure coincidence.

So basically, serendipitous seems to rely on something being an accident or fated, whereas coincidence has to do with something happening simultaneously and looks as though they are connected, but they are not.

I'm still confused about it, but must move on....

 

I think it was both- a serendipitous coincidence, but more of a coincidence.  What do you think?

 

Thank you etsy  for my HoarderRehab outlet!  Thanks to all for all your stories- saying good bye and letting go of these items are becoming more and more easier!

 

The Destiny of Things: Supersized Pyrex Refrigerator Dish Set, Story VI

The Destiny of Things:  Supersized Pyrex Refrigerator Dish Set, Story VI

Wondering where I've been?  Me too!  I discovered the ever changing etsy circles and have been lost and consumed by them.  Still trying to figure how to use it beneficially.  Definitely good and bad for my declining hoarder ways, but that's a different story.

Another hoarded collection!  Refrigerator Dishes! My Supersized Pyrex Set!

I actually thought this was the whole entire set of Pyrex and it took me years of thrifting to collect all 14 pieces!  I also had other various styles of 18 or so of these refrigerator food storage dish sets started!  I thought I'd use them to the max, but rarely used them.

I used the set above the most.  Usually for a Japanese steamed egg custard dish called chawan mushi.  It's my "go to" comfort food, especially when ill.  It's traditionally eaten as an appetizer steamed or baked in a lidded tea cup, but I eat it for any meal because it's delish cold too!  I also like it Chinese style with just minced chicken, much easier and faster to cook than Japanese style.

Anyways, you can see the complete collection of my refrigerator dishes at VintageToGoetsy in the sale/sold section.  Here are some of my favs!

Anything looked good in these! but they weren't clear so whatever was in it didn't get used, even desk supplies!  They were at a $1 bin at a long ago swap meet, when I was looking for something else!  I love milk glass too and collected that also.  It's matching salt box is available here.

I really wanted to collect this entire set because it's milk glass, but with a clear top.  Thought I'd use it more that way, but these seem to be very difficult to find any where, not even close to a complete set!  Still available here.

This was my salsa container.  I loved the flush round knobs on these Glasbake!

and it's other Glasbake  loaf sized dish.  This is still available at VintageToGoetsy!

Meat loaf isn't my fav., but it's my Dad's and mr. oz's, but now I just use my clay roaster.  Everything in it bakes nice and moist!  So letting all of them go wasn't as tragic as I thought it was going to be!

Saying Good-bye:  The supersized pyrex set was the most difficult, but it left as a pooled wedding office gift for a co-worker bride in Los Angeles.  Knowing the set was going to a home of newlyweds that most likely cooked helped a lot.  I could imagine them being used by two and then later by more with little ones!

What I learned:

1. My collections seem to expand and spill over from my other collections.  For example, milk glass to various milk glass refrigerator dish containers.  Visit VintageToGoetsy and HoarderRehab and see how my Mexican Folk Art collection turned into my Religious Folk Art collection and grew way out of proportion!
2. I'm learning to use what I have to minimize my kitchenware.  All the refrig. dishes took up a lot of space, even though they stacked.  I love stacking kitchenware! My clay roasting pot is more versatile cookware and my chawan mushi bowls are from my Grandmother and use less space.  Plus the chawan mushi bowls is exactly one serving as to not over eat!  Kitty Kat Kitsch is on a cat nip diet, but that's another story.

What are you favorite collections?  And have they spilled over into another one?  Do you have any cookingware tips to maximize space and minimize the waistline? 

Thank you for the visit and for taking part in my HoarderREhab!

PS.  Does anyone know how to use etsy "circles" beneficially without taking up so much time?

The Destiny of Things: Day of the Dead Calavera Skull Beads, Story V

 The Destiny of Things:  Day of the Dead Calavera Skull Beads, Story V

Since yesterday, I've been going out of order on my back logged stories, and to be honest it feels weird and a bit disorientating, but I'm trying not to hold back.  As a hoarder, I'm acknowledging, accepting, trusting and letting go of "going out of order" feelings as best as I can!  So let me dive right in again!

The story of the skull beads for Dia de los Muertos! or Day of the Dead or DOD!

 Another confessed Hoarder!  I'm in good company!

 Jim Gould

October 1 2012 5:11pm EDT

Hi Ms. Miranda!

Thank you for making my Bunny Wedding Topper a favorite on Etsy.

I started creating Christmas figures which led to traditional Easter rabbits. I'm currently concentrating on wedding cake toppers...put this together last Easter to show my creativity and versatility.

The skulls I have just purchased from you will be used in a "day of the dead" themed wedding cake topper to again show prospective brides my range.

If you or someone you know might be planning a wedding...would love the opportunity to work some topper magic at the top of that cake!

Best wishes,

Jim
YourTops

 

 
Kennedy Miranda

October 1 2012 5:40pm EDT

Hi Jim!

Thank you for your email and taking the time to share with me the story behind your purchase! I am collecting these stories as part of my HoarderRehab therapy and it helps me to let go of things so I just don't go back and try to replace them.

I think you do work magic on your toppers and show great extremes in creativity, versatility and detailing.

I love your Easter wedding cake toppers and honestly love the more quirky ones. As a matter of fact, looking at your toppers reminded of years and years ago, when I bought these little godzilla toys on wheels that spit fire to turn into a wedding cake topper for one of my friend's wedding, but she declined. lol I guess they were before their time because I think they'd be really popular now. Also I think bird toppers would be popular also, since they are so "in" right now on etsy. Anyways, thank you for taking me down my own little nostalgia lane.

I look forward to your Day of the Dead themed wedding cake topper! If you remember, email it to me and I'll favorite it too!

Oh yeah and I enjoyed looking through your favorites because it seems you have a knack for finding good deals!

I don't know anyone getting married at the moment, but will recommend your magical toppers if I meet someone who is!

Kind regards,
~Kennedy

PS. We usually ship on Wed and Fri, but it will be shipped tomorrow, so you can get started on your creation ASAP!

Jim Gould

October 1 2012 6:18pm EDT

Hi...thanks for shipping early...I will definitely take pictures and send your way...

I get a bit frustrated posting these classic toppers as all those brides are not beating paths to my door...

My wife says my collections are hoarding... maybe she's right?

Will check if you have any rhinestone brooches...got a topper commission that needs one....Jim

Kennedy Miranda

October 1 2012 9:14pm EDT

Hi,

Thanks in advance for sending me the "Day of the Dead" wedding topper pics. I am getting a lot more traffic than I thought I would on my other shop, VintageToGoetsy, for my "Day of the Dead" nichos, so hopefully it will do that for you too!

I know it can be frustrating when sales or views seem stagnant, but don't give up! esp. since you have found your passion. Do you think it would help to branch out a little and sell other things for weddings too? I don't know anything about wedding items, but I noticed I do get a lot of views from people who seem to be doing DIY weddings and I even sold some apothecary jars for someone who was going to use them at their wedding for a candy bar. I also have listed some milk glass bud vases for $5 and some larger ones for $10. It might bring in the bargain hunters and then they'll see your creative toppers! Maybe add something, blue, old and new for brides? I even sell some baby of prague medals that are supposed to bring good weather on your wedding. It's gotten some views from wedding people or at least it seems so from what is in their favs.  What do you think?

Hmm... I don't know if you are a hoarder, like your wife says, but I know I am because it effects my life and health. For instance, I have over 66 collections at last count and no room for them, nor do I know where they are. I have one room so full, it's really just a storage room and I want to start something creative, art worthy and fun and I can't do that with my hoard! lol So I'm trying to clear out that space so I can have a studio.

Good for you! you do have a commission! I have one rudolph brooch with a bell on it and two rhinestone shoe or dress clips with some missing rhinestones. I do have a bow and butterfly rhinestone brooch, but I have no idea where they are in my hoard, so I'll have to do some digging for them. Thanks for the inspiration and motivation to do that tomorrow!

Kind regards,
~Kennedy

Jim Gould

October 1 2012 9:37pm EDT

Hi...the toppers are creative outlets for me...

I have just "gone back to school" to become a Personal Trainer as a pre-retirement career as I was re-organized out of my job last February...I have enjoyed exercise and fitness...going to train felllow baby boomers who haven't...keeping me fit as well.

Rhinestones need to be clear...bride has a rhinestone brooch bouquet I'm replicating on the topper base...

I was raised by 2 parents who collected...wife doesn't collect at all...like you, need to start downsizing...

Jim

Hi Jim,

I'm glad they arrived and you already have it made? with tape? that's awesome! I'm going to put a link to your shop with the beads and let them know a Day of the Dead wedding cake topper is in the make over there, is that okay with you?

Also, I'm getting a lot of views for some of my items listed with "something old" and "something blue" and for the milk glass vases wedding stuff or at least it looks like it from what other stuff they have fav., when I have time, I can put a link to your shop. What do you think?

Also, I'll list two clear Rhinestone dress/shoe clips, just in case, you need them. Otherwise- thanks for the extra encouragement and motivation to keep listing my hoard!

Best to you too,
~Kennedy

 

Jim

Oct 5, 2012

Whoa...topper is not made yet....need additional colored skulls to arrive before I begin...but, yes, link it's "in the works!"

Tape....I tape ribbon and trims in place for pictures when i create a "sample" idea topper....I can cheat which saves time me time in throwing a "look" together...

Link me away for weddings....appreciate your thinking of me...send pix when topper is done :) Jim

Kennedy

Oct 5, 2012

Hi Jim-

could you leave me feedback too?

Thanks,
~Kennedy

Jim

Oct 5, 2012

I can but wanted to send pictures...have not figured out how to leave feedback and then send pictures?!

Jim

Kennedy

Oct 5, 2012

Hi Jim-

No worries, sorry if I am impatient, it's just I haven't slept in four days and well, nm- I'm sure you'll figure it out and I totally understand because I'm totally techless over here!

Thanks in advance,
~Kennedy
 

Jim

Oct 5, 2012

Hi...skulls are on arch...however....didn't think about large hole and thin beading wire...wanted skulls facing out on arch.

Had to patiently glue skull and fill skull head hole with glue...

Here's a quick pix...Jim

 

 

Kennedy

Oct 5, 2012

Hi Jim!!! Wow!

Thanks for the quick pic!!!! That looks so cool!!!! I think someone will use that for sure!!! Sorry, the holes were so big, maybe for next time a pipe cleaner would be wide enough?

Looking forward to the final product!
~Kennedy

Jim

Oct 6, 2012

Good idea about the pipe cleaner but in between the skulls are crystal beads for sparkle and contrast...their holes are wire diameter....makes for a tricky combination...

It will all come together when the colorful skulls arrive...Jim

Kennedy

Oct 8, 2012

Hi Jim-

Hope you had a good weekend. Hope you have some time to work on the "Day of the Dead" wedding topper, it already looks amazing!

I added your link here to the items that seem to get the most traffic from wedding viewers or at least from what I can tell by what is in their fav'd pages. Which reminds me to add your link to the skull beads!

www.etsy.com/listing/101283996/antique-hand-tooled-leather-victorian

www.etsy.com/listing/104400722/2-large-white-wedding-milk-glass-vases

www.etsy.com/listing/104960815/3-milk-glass-bud-vases-art-deco-white

Oh and about the feedback pic- I'm so bummed because I don't think you can change it. I had another customer be creative with one of my items and she could not add it to the feedback pic, she could only use the original.

Looking forward to seeing the final product. I love Day of the Dead!

Best regards,
~Kennedy

Kennedy

Oct 8, 2012

Hi Jim-

Thank you for sharing the story behind your purchase. I think it is helping with my HoarderRehab! Now I just have to figure out how to blog! Anyways, here's the link about it:

www.etsy.com/listing/109661655/55-skull-beads-white-and-black-resin

Best regards,
~Kennedy

Jim

Oct 8, 2012

Hi Kennedy...had a fall escape to Michigan with dear friends this weekend...no workouts (I'm training to be a Personal Trainer), no cake toppers (looked for Trims etc.) or leaf raking :)

Thanks for the linking....appreciate it very much...still haven't gotten the colored skulls to work any further....and with no mail today for Columbus Day...will have to wait.

I will feedback with the finished picture...thanks Jim

Kennedy

Oct 11, 2012

Hi Jim!

How is the Day of the Dead wedding topper going and your rhinestone bouquet?

As you requested I listed some clear rhinestone dress/shoe clips, the only one I could find at this time. No worries, if you don't need them anymore! Thanks for requesting it- it gave me the motivations I need to keep clearing out my hoard!

I'm going to launch my HoarderRehab blog: The Destiny of Things and once I figure out how to manage it and do things correctly on it I will include your purchase of the skull beads and how you transformed them! I'll send you the link when it gets done!

~Kennedy

 Here is the final product of the Day of the Dead Wedding Cake Topper by Jim Gould of

YourTops

Custom Wedding Cake Figures and Toppers

Saying Good-bye:  These were easy to let go, since I still have three more listings of them!  Which reminds me,  I have some bone beads skull beads as well, somewhere....Let me know if that's what you need and I'll go treasure hunting in my hoard!

What did I learn from this post today?

1. My own patterns are difficult for me to see.  This is the fourth confessed hoarder, I've met and it took me awhile to figure out that as a hoarder, I am not alone, even if I do feel alone about it. 
2. Things are much easier to let go, when I know where it's going and what it will turn into--- from just a pile of skull beads to an amazing DOD Wedding Cake Topper!
3. Also, easier when I know I still have some stashed!  I'll see how it goes when the last batch sells, like when the last of my witch charms sold.
4. A reminder, to finish my draft about "feedback" as a Techless Hoarder Newbie on etsy
5. As the first day of Dia de los Muertos begins here is a quote to silently pause and remember our ancestors, "To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die."  ~Thomas Campbell.  Thank you upz from upzanddowns for the endearing quote and  taking the time to create such a festive collection to kick start the celebrations for all our ancestors with a DOD etsy Treasury!

Thank you for taking part in my HoarderRehab!  Thank you etsy for providing me the perfect venue for getting my hoard and myself out into the world! 

If you would like to see my hoard visit my shops and maybe you can help downsize it, click on the the shop names, VintageToGoetsy and HoarderRehab!  Thanks you for looking!

 !Feliz Dia de los Muertos! Happy Day of the Dead!

The Destiny of Things: Musical "Happy Birthday" Lazy Susan Hostess Ware Rotating Serving Stand, Story II

The Destiny of Things:  Musical "Happy Birthday" Rotating Serving Stand, Story  II

Remember blowing out your candles on one of these?  The wind up kind that slowly spins while playing "Happy Birthday!"  Featuring an off and on switch, so it doesn't drive grown ups crazy!  I love this Hostess Heller Ware, simply for  "all the above" reasons and the fact it is so old school it doesn't use batteries.  This  kitsch "birthday" item involves the second story that brought the second hint behind the idea of "easy to do" HoarderRehab for me!

It was less than a week after the Red Plate Special message, when someone ordered my Heller Hostess Ware and blurted out their "story behind the purchase".  It was "deja vu" from "another stranger with a flyer" with more or less the same accidental act of kindness as the Red Plate Special, but with a much smaller message, like autumn's first leaf falling in my lap.

It was so simple and short.  It just said this:

"Note from Buyer Please do not included the bill in the package. I can print it off the computer. This is a gift to my Godmother, as my kids over-wound hers this summer. Thank you!"

I couldn't believe it!!!! It was like getting hit in the head with a rock that slammed joyful delight into me!  I became dazed, dizzy and then giddy about it.  So short and sweet, yet so powerful. Letting go was getting easier and easier, faster and faster!  All I had to know was where my loved item was going and more importantly how it was creating joy for others!  In this case, it was spreading to four other people, outside myself and mr. oz!!!!!

That's how the Destiny of Things started to evolve in my mind and I started to request "the story behind the purchase" in the Thank You cards I was enclosing with my etsy orders.

These blurted out accidental acts of kindness were streaming into a powerful message for me!  Free "all I can use" HoarderRehab therapy.

Saying Good bye:  I had only used this "Happy Birthday" musical serving stand less than a handful of times.  It's intended use was for the birthday party for my classroom students once a year, when we celebrated everyone's birthday all together all at once, (instead of one at a time or by month) but, most of the time it was misplaced.  (Storing things at a year round school that roved is a whole different blog!)   This memory was easy and pleasurable to accept and move on.

The most difficult memory attached to it was mr. oz's birthday.  On his first birthday we celebrated together I surprised him with a chocolate cake while it played  "Happy Birthday" with sparkler candles on it!  And then on his next one....about the same, but I balanced this cake stand on the Heller Hostess Ware with cake! 

Before listing the muscial birthday stand mr. oz reassured me that we can start a new and different birthday tradition.  He also reminded me that  this was one of my easier items to let go and to keep it that way!

This made me realize that my family and I are big into keeping and starting new traditions.  I think my mom has a couple of cake cutters that play different versions of "Happy Birthday!"  Is hoarding in the genes?  What do you think?  That's a good question to explore another time!  I have an article about it too....somewhere, but until then...

Thank you for visiting and taking part in my HoarderRehab!

See the original listing, side kick story with more pics of the Hostess Heller Ware at VintageToGoetsy  Like the cake stand?  It's available here  Please do remember to tell your story behind the cake stand, if you purchase it! Own a piece of Hoarder History today!

The Destiny of Things: The Red Plate Special

The Destiny of Things:  The Red Plate Special, Story I

As with  most good things in my life, it just comes to me, like walking by a stranger who is passing out flyers.  Do I take it or just keep on walking?  If I take it, do I read it or put it away?  If I read it, is the message so unexpected or so "not the norm" I automatically put it in my pocket?  Or do I put it in my pocket thinking that's a good idea and forget to act on it?  Or is the message too fearful, difficult or unlikely?  Do I think this isn't a good time and it will come again or do I procrastinate until it's gone?  I have countless more excuses up my sleeve,  but not this time!  I got the message on it's second "appearance" and it's been immensely helpful to my HoarderRehab adventure---so simple, yet still hard for me to believe--- the solutions are coming in such a relaxed manner and are easy for me to learn!  I am so thankful for the two accidental acts of kindness that have flooded into a river of  miracles! I didn't think these two little happy hints would turn into such a joyous lake so quickly!

The first two stories of where my hoarded loved items were destined happened right out of the blue.  Someone was so excited about them, they just automatically blurted out their joy and story.  Here is the first one:

When someone ordered the Red Plate Special, I was so excited about letting it go that I immediately started to pack it and get it out of my sight before I could change my mind about it!  (even though it was being paid by check!)  While I was packing it, I noticed a flea bite nick on the back of it that I didn't include in the listing.  I immediately emailed her and told her about it and asked if she still wanted it.  Secretly, I thought I might not have to let it go!

The flea bite is at the top in the middle towards the right.  I hadn't noticed when I listed it.  Oopsy!

She replied back quickly and said she was replacing hers of 30 years with mine and hers was worn too.  I was so surprised at her reaction.  She still wanted the plate!  And then she added that her granddaughter Isabel would be happy to see it too.  I was so thrilled it was going to make two people happy and packed it right away to send to her.

When she received her plate this is what she emailed me:

"It was so much fun opening the package from you . I moved some of the paper stuffing out of the way and there it was, my beautiful red plate! Lots of memories came flooding back as soon as I saw it. Birthdays, graduations, and a letter of acceptance to college for my son. And years later, the birth of his daughter Isabel, all occasions celebrated with a piece of chocolate cake served on his You Are Special Today plate! And also Isabel's tears when, as a five year old , celebrating her first day of kindergarten, she dropped it and it shattered, as she helped me clear the table. I can't wait to see her face when she comes to my house next week, and sees the plate, sitting in its place of honor, on it's shelf in my kitchen. Full circle. So, once again, thank you. And thanks also for her gifts. She will use the erasers this year in school, and she loves to jump rope. She payed Floppsy in Peter Rabbit, her school play this year, and jumped rope on stage. So, very appropriate for Izzy! Take care. Best wishes."

That was one of my first more painless good byes!  This was a whole lot more doable when I knew where the item was going and especially knowing how much joy it was causing outside of myself!  The plate certainly wasn't giving me that much happiness, at least not anymore!  It had been sitting at the bottom of my plate stack all these years, except whenever a long lost friend would drop by and request this plate with her meal, but  I hadn't seen her for the past three years.  So the plate reminded me how I should reconnect with her.  After I had reconciled with that, then even more memories backdated to the plate came over me. It had been a  gift from another long lost friend for a momentous occasion that ended terribly.  All that went away when I put both long lost friends on my writing letter list to reconnect at a later time.  I felt relief and reassurance that they were no longer lost or forgotten!

Now the plate held new and special memories, as past ones got revisted and reconciled!

So off the plate went, much more easily and happily than I ever thought!  And then less than a week later.....another person blurted out their joy with their order!

If you would like to see more pics and read the original listing with it's serendipity to chocolate cake, just click here:  VintageToGoetsy  What are the chances of serendipity with chocolate cake?  How did this plate make it's own destiny?

Thank you for taking part in my HoarderRehab!

Welcome to HoarderRehab's: The Destiny of Things

Hi Everyone!  Take a seat and stay awhile as I welcome you to the Hoarder Rehab blog:  The Destiny of Things!  My name is Kitty Kat Kitsch and I am a Hoarder.  If you are a struggling, conflicted and/or annoyed collector, pack rat, in or out of denial Hoarder than you've come to the right place and I hope whether you are a Hoarder or not, you feel right at home here.

Dehoarding has surprised me with several new dreams and goals.  (One dream come true is this blog!)  My first intention for this blog is to make my HoarderRehab fun, insightful and to make connections with others, like you, who may or may not feel the same way or have the same issues, but find something in common with you. Also, a place to share the stories of "the destiny of things", which I call "the stories behind your purchases" which I've been collecting since July 26, 2012.  A BIG thanks with my Kitty Kat Kitsch smile to you all who have shared your story with me!  Another wish is to evolve my winded writing style to short and sweet.  I am also techless, but even that is changing! I never thought I'd have a blog or one beyond text, but now I can add pictures as well!  Lastly, I wish others will connect with me in any manner, share their stories and send their tips and experiences about their HoarderRehab!  Thank you for being a part of my HoarderRehab!

I wanted to show you a picture of my Hoard, but I'm not brave enough yet to go that public.  See the picture above, and know, it is a daily challenge for me to keep that room clear of hoard and some days I win and other days are not so happening. If you would like to imagine what it might be like for me, go to the listings and sold items in both etsy shops and imagine them-multiplied by at least 1000- packed into file boxes and apple crates (most of which are mislabeled)  piled on top of each other to the ceiling in two rows across two walls, while others are piled waist high, as work areas to sort and organize through it all.  Also in the family room, there is an allotted space for the listed items in boxes ready to move to their new homes.


HoarderRehab: It's all here, except for the one thing that isn't here

The etsy shop, HoarderRehab feels like the main shop where the listed items are what I call "heart felt", which means I have issues with letting go of them.  I know it's not rational in my head, but in my heart it feels like I've found long lost friends and now I am going to lose them again.  Saying good bye to them forever seems daunting and impossible at times, so I've started this blog where they can have a virtual home and I can imagine or see the new lives promised to them.

Both etsy shops lessen the load of my hoard and most of the time I'm happy to pass on some vintage goodness and handmade items to others in hopes that all my beloved cherished items have found good homes.  As this happens,  I continue to practice learning to say good bye to each until it's instantly painless and instead, straight full gratitude has taken it's place.  But as you may know, as a hoarder or not, this can be difficult, confusing, conflicting and sometimes downright impossibly stressful knowing it's just a thing, but also something with such a terribly high emotional value attached to it.  Key words being "attached to it" (some things feel as attached as my other Siamese twin!), so to help me detach (which can feel like cutting off one of my own limbs), I've been collecting the stories of where my items are destined, which I call, "the story behind your purchase" and to see how it helps my HoarderRehab therapy.  So far, it's helped immensely and has made detaching more peaceful, easy and even at times, delightful.  I hope that by going "public" with my hoard adventure and collecting these stories instead of things, it will help eliminate my hoarding pattern that has been following me around all my life and something new and just as exciting can begin in it's place.

The other etsy shop, which is actually the first shop,VintageToGoetsy was an experiment to see if I could let go of my small designated donation pile which I was less attached, yet none of it had budged any closer to any donation center and another pile by the fireplace for this coming winter.  (I thought burning them would give me complete and visual finality, but in the end it just caused anxious nervousness)  These small piles got listed for $10 or less---mostly at $5 and VintageToGo adopted the slogan, PricedToGo!

VintageToGo, PricedToGo

Thank you and a round of applause to you for reading this far through my unorthodox carefree writing style, run on forever sentences and self proclaimed made up words!  I hope my thoughts and ideas were understood, if not let me know and I'll try again or email your editing for me to consider!  (The more I edit the longer this gets and it's starting to feel as though it may never get posted,  so I gave myself 15th of Oct. as a deadline and I must post it "as is"!)

Thank you and standing ovations to Mr. Oz for setting up the two etsy shops, this blog, the photos and the patience and never ending tech lessons.  Friends and clients for every kind, inspirational and encouraging word and stories behind your purchase.  To etsy and Allee Willis and her Museum of Kitsch, awmok.com  I am eternally grateful for finding these positive sustaining outlets to heal this life long challenge.

As a hoarder, I have fought, purged countlessly, wished away, complained to no end, worried, stressed and felt misplaced and well placed confliction, anxiety, depression and loneliness with all the embarrassment,secrecy and shame connected with hoarding, until I just gave up and even did a whole lot of nothing about it. Now I am looking and finding new  ways and learning to identify, acknowledge, ask scary questions of myself and live with all the feelings hoarding creates, if not love them to death, figuratively and literally, at least the negative ones and am surprisingly finding positive ones.  I feel as though they are uninsurably bringing me closer to something unknown, but with hope, a much more different life, one better than I ever expected.