So many changes, so few blog posts. In March we moved! It's just across the street from our former tiny spot and I love this new location. So many opportunities that have come along with it. Sadly, my once sporadic blog posting has taken a total back seat and become pretty much nonexistent. Please like and visit my Gathered Over Time page on Facebook to keep up with my crazy life.

 

Unexpected Things That I Found While Wandering

I did a little wandering on Monday. Me and my iPhone.
Amazing color inspirations kept popping up in front of me. I didn't expect that.
Perhaps I need to have a camera, not just a phone with me at all times.

New Memories for Mr. and Mrs.

Ovarian cancer took our mother in 1976. We were all devastated, especially my Dad. Then this redhead drove a California Cadillac into our Montana Dad's broken heart. Ah, Nana. That was 1978.  

Fast forward to the fall of 2012. Dad had headed for heaven several years past. At the age of nearly 99, Nana left this life for the same destination. Even though we were prepared, her absence hit me like a ton of bricks.

One of her (most favored) material possessions that she left behind is her "Mr. and Mrs.", a lovely French Provincial chest. Even though I often admired it and imagined what it would look like with a different dress, I would never in all the world make any changes to it. Some things just need to be left as they are. Then, after her passing we realized that the finish on the top was terribly water damaged. New dress for Mr. and Mrs., here you come! 

I find it serendipitous that Mr. and Mrs. now sports a Coral Reef dress. While the repaint brought this pretty chest into the new millennia, and the colors were chosen on beauty alone, it seems to me now that the finished project honors the years of marriage that she and Dad shared, Nana's once very (naturally) red hair and the neutral Rushmore top, well maybe those "neutral" hairs that appear on a way too regular basis on all of our heads.  Please enjoy.

GOT Celebrates Echo Red 2 Red XC MTB Race

It's Echo Red 2 Red XC MTB Race week! The population of tiny town Echo is about to at least double for the weekend. Race organizers, especially Shane and Stephanie Meyers have been putting their all into making this race the best ever. Echo Bike & Board is my down the hall shop neighbor. This business & the bike and board enthusiasts that frequent it are great neighbors and more importantly Shane, Stephanie & James are good folks. Even if James has not forgiven me for taking away the beans. Long story. Ask his mom.

To celebrate Bike Race Weekend, we are going to expand the inventory of our our artisans and showcase a couple of new ones. 

Brandi Dayton is in the house! Not just her art, but Brandi herself. It's going to be loud, folks. When Brandi and I get together it's always loud. And FUN!

We're also showcasing the ceramic art of Corrine Vegter, Dusty Dog Studio. It's vintage travel trailer inspired, some wearable, some display on the tableable, some drink your coffee outofable and all extremely cool.  Corrine will be riding in the race while Brandi and enjoy and introduce you to her art.

Last week a local fellow walked through my door with some pretty awesome metal candle stands. Jason of MacGowan Metals is going to share a few of his creations in the shop for the weekend. He'll be back with more in June. One never knows who is going to walk through the door and what cool stuff they might have tucked under their arms.

Just who are the usual suspects whose creations brighten Gathered Over Time?

There's Marcee, homeschooling mom who brings us the best beeswax based (from Echo bees) lip balm, lotion bars and green tea soap.

Maria, the paper artist who creates truly one of a kind greeting cards using vintage ephemera.

Jennifer, the soap maker aka Score Soap. Her cold processed soaps are little works of art that seem too beautiful to use, but once you do you won't be able to keep your hands off of them or take a shower without one.

Tina, 2 Cool Creations. Creating jewelry is her passion. Her pieces include carefully chosen specimens, many that she, her husband and daughter have rock hounded and faceted themselves. Looking for a statement piece? 2 Cool!

Shelley, a jewelry artist who punches circles from brightly patterned tin boxes, reimagines vintage beads and baubles connected into perfection for your neck, ears and wrist. Really.

Bonnie and Sally, a mom and daughter in Montana. Their finds are quirky, lovely, arty. Ones of their kinds. My favorite picking partners. Next time I get to go home to Montana I'll bring even more of their finds to Oregon.

Purple Ridge Lavender ~ Some may think of Jim and Sheri as lavender farmers. If you've visited their farm, you know that they are artists and their acreage their canvas. Visit GOT for an introduction to local lavender products. How is it that the scent of lavender can both calm and keep me awake at the same time?

Deanna, Wooly I. Infinity scarves, fingerless gloves in beautiful colors. Her creations from her very own sheep! That pretty much blows me away.

Misty, the paint guru. That girl knows how to turn castaway furniture into drool worthy loveliness. With any luck at all she will have found time to bring us something wonderful this weekend. OR you might just have to keep revisiting until she does.

And me. I'm Dottie. I find things. Wonderful old, nearly old and fun things. I bring them to the shop for you. I change some of them up and leave some of them the same. Jim helps me. He helps me a LOT.

Thank You, Ladies From Time Gone By

Thank you for saving bits and bobs. 

 

Thank you for trimming the edging from those worn out pillow cases. Thank you for carefully wrapping those 8 and 10 inch long pieces of rick rack back onto the cardboard.

 

 



 

And most of all, thank you for placing that little broken soldier in the bag to protect them until I could rediscover and rehome them.



Last Night, In Echo

Last night in Echo was like a scene from a postcard. It was a gift and a blessing from God. Amidst national sadness there was this postcard. Sweet snippets of couples, families, precious families.

The golden horses pulled the wagon loaded with folks of all ages. Many times. Mr. Meyers directed them to the best Christmas lights in town. Gus and Call did their horse work.

Somewhere in my heart I have held this postcard for my entire life. It came to life last night. The little groups got on and off of the wagon. The shop lights and street lights twinkled. We shared hot apple cider, cookies, mulled wine. We giggled and little kids were silly and safe and happy. The cafe was full of diners. Handel's Messiah filled the community center.

And So This Is Christmas

It has happened at Gathered Over Time. Christmas has arrived! Wreaths are hung. Stuff is fluffed. Lights are lit. Shoppers are shopping.

The shop is nicely filled with cool old stuff that I have gathered for you. CeCe Caldwell's Paint has filled the chippy diva cupboard. Local artists and artisans have brought their best to 211 West Main Street. And maybe the best part; Echo is dressed for Christmas!

This Friday and Saturday (December 14 & 15) you can not only visit my store and the rest of Main Street's resident retailers, Echo Bike and Board, His Design Thrift & Gift, Coleen's A Cut Above, and Sno Road Winery + The H&P Cafe; you can hop on a horse drawn wagon and be squired around town. Coooooolieo!

So here's the deal. If there's that one thing that you really, really want that you've seen in my shop, get in here today and buy it. This weekend there will be lots of other people who will want it. ;-)

Here's the other deal. "My" artists and artisans. They are awesome!

There's Marcee, homeschooling mom who brings us the best beeswax based (from Echo bees) lip balm, lotion bars and green tea soap.

Maria, the paper artist who creates truly one of a kind blank greeting cards using vintage ephemera.

Brandi Dayton, the artist whose paintings are bright and vibrant and alive. She's brought us originals, prints and cards.

Jennifer, the soap maker aka Score Soap. Her cold processed soaps are little works of art that seem too beautiful to use, but once you do you won't be able to keep your hands off of them or take a shower without one.

Tina, 2 Cool Creations. Creating jewelry is her passion. Her pieces include carefully chosen specimens, many that she, her husband and daughter have rock hounded and faceted themselves. Looking for a statement piece? 2 Cool!

Terri, locally known as the go to sewing genius has truly brought Merry Christmas to GOT. It's big and silver and hangs on the wall. And bedspring angels, and....

Shelley, a jewery artist punches circles from brightly patterned tin boxes, reimagines vintage beads and baubles connected into perfection for you neck, ears and wrist. Really.

Bonnie and Sally, a mom and daughter in Montana. Their finds are quirky, lovely, arty. Ones of their kinds. My favorite picking partners. Next time I get to go home to Montana I'll bring even more of their finds to Oregon.

Purple Ridge Lavender ~ Some may think of Jim and Sheri as lavender farmers. If  you've visited their farm, you know that they are artists and their acreage their canvas. Visit GOT for an introduction to local lavender products. How is it that the scent of lavender can both calm and keep me awake at the same time?

Misty, the paint guru. That girl knows how to turn castaway furniture into drool worthy loveliness. With any luck at all she will have found time to bring us something wonderful this weekend. OR you might just have to keep revisiting until she does.