Great Finds at Fort Mason Center, San Francisco, CA last Sunday, Sept. 26 2010

All items for $1 on the last day of the sale!

Friends of the San Francisco Public Library 46th Annual Big Book Sale at Fort Mason Center

Great finds and pleasant surprises were a bounty last Sunday, September 26, 2010 at the Fort Mason Center in San Francisco, CA! Gorgeous and sunny Sunday morning, a big book sale and a farmers' market, all in one place!

I dropped off my daughter for a class at 9:00 am and walked around.  People  were waiting at the entrance of the Festival Pavillion and I didn't know it was a big deal until I saw a long line forming. So, I joined in. I chatted with other folks and learned that shopping carts were limited, plus the fact that early birds get the first dibs on the $1 bargains.

I Spy Basic Shapes and Colors

Square and Green (Ferry Building Farmers' Market , San Francisco, CA)

Rectangle and Blue (Little Italy, San Diego, CA)

Circle and Red (Balboa Island, Newport Beach, CA)

Triangle and Blue (Sonoma, CA)

The Lady and the Lamp: My Art Find Story

The Lady....

You have read something like this before: A family member discovers a painting  hidden in the attic or basement that turns out to be worth of millions of dollars. Well, I can brag about a similar story, not with the millions though. I spent $100 for a painting that turns out to be worth few thousands of dollars.

The painting on the left is called "Little Egypt" by a known local artist in Sacramento, CA named Esteban Villa. He is a prominent Mexican-American artist who with 3 other known Chicano (Mexican-American) artists founded what is now known as "Barrio Art". He has several murals in public places in Sacramento, San Luis Obispo and Los Angeles. He has exhibited his work in prestigious art museums and galleries in the US.

An art collector and frame shop owner was closing his shop because he lost his lease. I happened to pass by the closing store where this painting was displayed. It was past business hours so I called the number and made an offer. I met the seller eventually when I picked up the painting. An old gentleman (a former banker) in his 80's who collected art and took on a frame shop business for a second career. I was in the right place in the right time. He was downsizing.

The Lamp...

I didn't want to throw away this useful but hideous lamp that came with the light fixtures when we bought this house. I longed for a modern lamp from Design Within Reach but the prices were out of my budget. My sister from the Philippines brought me handmade paper from the Philippines and I experimented covering the lamp with the paper. To my surprise, it worked beautifully! It has a blue hue that echoes the color of the painting. My friend says that the koi symbol is good luck in Chinese lore. Then, it just explains it all!

-Melanie

Old fashion becomes new fashion

Gorgeous old-fashioned scarf from my grandmother

So, I love old fashioned things. I told my mom I loved this scarf, and I was extremely shocked when she told me it was my grandma's. The design is so antique; it contrasts so well with the modern-looking style of Abercrombie shirts and American Eagle belts to add a unique edge to everyday teenage fashion.

-- Maddie. (:

Just a little sprinkle of my taste.

A unique piece from Anthropologie (one of my favorite stores) & a gorgeous necklace from the Philippines

This is one of my favorite necklaces-- my mom & I actually share it. Haha. The soft, yet colorful stones complement the flowy drape effect of the gauzy-like vest. I love soft color palettes.

Laid back NYC t-shirt. versatile belt. prettyy scarf.

I absolutely love New York. The city, the fashion, the lights, the love. & this belt. I think I've worn this belt everyday ever since I got it. Versatile, durable, affordable, stylish, what's not to like? This is actually my mom's scarf, which I borrowed. The colors are amazing.

Hand-me-down top; favorite belt & shorts

I love hand-me-downs. Well, maybe not all, but in every pile of used clothing there is always at least something unique. This shirt was my mom's (I love the design) and it fits quite perfectly. It's quite long (like a babydoll shirt), so I tucked it into my absolute favorite pair of shorts and paired it with theee best belt ever.

This belt--best 30 bucks ever spent.

--Maddie (:

Living a creative life

In my house,I have a personal work table for my creative projects. The upside of being a grown up is I get to decide when to clean up! I I have scrap materials, rubber stamps, newspaper clippings and photographs that inspire me. Beauty is creative. Most people just get to see the finished product. What is really compelling for me is the story behind an object, the human experience behind it.
                                             -Melanie

The photo on the left is one of my visual journals. I found this journal with Andy Warhol graphics on the cover and inside pages at a discount book store.
                                            

ABOVE:"Bedazzled" glass vase- I used extra colored glass beads to decorate the green glass.

PHOTO ON RIGHT: I have this box of tiny stamps which I use to make cards and embellish paper. Talavera tiles serve as inspiration and coasters at the same time.

Pottery Finds

Blue and cream collection: Mexican Talavera tile, a mug and a clamchowder-in-a-breadbowl-inspired pottery that I got from a Sacramento thrift shop early this Spring 2010

I got a new pocket camera 3 weeks ago courtesy of my generous brother Armand!  It's a Canon PowerShot SD750. I've been tinkering with it and the great shots I took of my pottery collection actually inspired me to start this blog.

This ceramic bowl is a gift from my friend Anina, made by a local artist based in Davis, CA. She got it from an artists coop in Davis called "The Artery". This bowl is part of a set.

Another thrift shop find! The table runner is actually a vintage scarf I got from my Mom's clothes closet. My daughter and I visited her in the Philippines last year and found great treasures (for free!)

The small jug on the left is a Doulton & Watts Lambeth Pottery I got from..., guess? The same Sacramento thrift shop!! I'm so lucky to find treasures every time I go there.

I just want to show how I showcase my awesome pottery finds! The wooden rack is another flea market find, and the picture above it is an etching of a Victorian house mounted on a piece of plywood. All these, except for the Talavera tiles are great finds from thrift stores in Sacramento, CA