Monday, August 25, 2008

miniature beauty


This weekend I was helping my mother have a little barn sale, when I rediscovered her vintage salt and pepper shaker collection. She had kept all of her favorites, but couldn't justify holding on to these little beauties.

You might remember that my mother's collections are vast, and I am always trying to help her with a little purge. However, I suddenly recalled Resurrection Fern's lovely thimble vases and went to rescue these little vessels from an imminent sale. I've loved things in miniature form since I was a child and making bouquets, big or small, is always favorite. This 20 minute activity proved to be one of the highlights of my weekend! Sometimes it's the little things...


My daughter loved it for all of the same reasons...gathering beauty in small forms feels so right to children.

What other vessels could you repurpose into mini vases? We're off to search for more. Maybe a glass one like this or even one of these. Please let me know if you come up with some other ideas for holding flowers. Remember to pick an assortment of little blossoms for this tiny project!

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Posted by mayaluna at 12:04 AM Labels: , , , , ,

15 comments:

  1. tantehildeAugust 25, 2008 at 9:45 AM

    I saw a miniature pincuchion made into a plastic bottle cap over here: http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/2007/06/tiny-pin-cushion-tutorial.html

    I guess you could make it into those miniature beauties too.
    Mimi Kirchner makes tiny worlds into old teacups: http://mimikirchner.com/blog/archives/2008/06/tiny-worlds/

    Glad you could save them!!

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  2. AnonymousAugust 25, 2008 at 10:14 AM

    My dad is an artist that makes "Weed Pots". He turns itty bitty vases from wood on his lathe. I LOVE LOVE LOVE these tiny vases. They are adorable! You can see some on Etsy here: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5058480

    Small things appeal to me too, probably because I'm being baraged with tiny, sweaty, smashed handfulls of dandelions, weeds and leaves on a daily basis from my two year old after her nature walks. Oh I just love those moments, and every little sweaty bit of green that I pry from her fists!

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  3. melissa s.August 25, 2008 at 10:42 AM

    those are beautiful! great idea! I've found a few vintage ceramic salt & pepper shakers at the thrift store that I use for vases. the holes are sometimes big enough to fit dandelions and other small-stemmed flowers that the kids collect.

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  4. ZenCrafterAugust 25, 2008 at 10:49 AM

    What a fantastic idea! I love how you (and Resurrection Fern) make me look at the world in NEW WAYS. It just makes every day more of an adventure, doesn't it, looking for the whimsy around us? You really have to peer carefully at life to appreciate the miniature. Now I see a whole world in moss, for example.

    I love mamablogger's idea of fitting the flowers into the little holes.

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  5. Soon, ThenAugust 25, 2008 at 11:33 AM

    Oh fun! I frequently use empty pesto jars, caper jars, etc for little vases. They come in great little shapes. I also have some antique medicine vials -- tiny glass ones that come in great colors, that hold one, maybe two tiny stems.

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  6. mayalunaAugust 25, 2008 at 11:52 AM

    I love all of these great ideas you're sharing. I'm off to follow some of your suggested links!

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  7. RowenaAugust 25, 2008 at 11:54 AM

    How about old aspirin bottles, or old vanilla bottles. They don't even have to be antique. The plain old McCormick bottle is a lovely shape.

    And wouldn't this be nice decorating a table for a party or a country style wedding. Everyone with their own bouquet.

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  8. FancyPants-designAugust 25, 2008 at 1:14 PM

    These are sooo cute!! Oh I love it!!

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  9. Margie OomenAugust 25, 2008 at 5:12 PM

    I am so happy you thought of my little thimble vases and rescued those beautiful salt and pepper sets. Some other small vessels I like to use are play tea sets of which I have a small collection, test tubes and old tiny laboratory stuff and I just thought of a new one I am going to exploit soon for dried flowers. I will save that one for my blog in the near future.

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  10. Snippety GibbetAugust 25, 2008 at 7:05 PM

    The tiny vases are wonderful. I always buy tiny vases when I see them. People seem to love those arrangements more than the big ones. I never though of using shakers for vases. Nice idea.

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  11. ittybittyandprettyAugust 25, 2008 at 8:06 PM

    what a lovely way to spend the day. i have a deep love of all things minature and recently bought a minature gollywog. i will have to post it on my blog for all to see. love the owl you made for your gorgeous girl. you have a great blog, i will be back. x rosey

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  12. KirstyAugust 26, 2008 at 12:59 AM

    They look great. I love a teeny tiny floral arrangement.

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  13. ShanaAugust 26, 2008 at 6:43 AM

    How pretty, and the fact that they belong to your mom makes them special for you!

    These reminded me almost instantly of the tiniest terracota toys - vases,dishes,water vessels an old tradition in Pakistan I suppose, now a children's activity to paint on!

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  14. AnonymousAugust 26, 2008 at 10:30 AM

    I never cease to be inspired when I come here Maya! There is something appealing about tiny things. Really looking forward to your printing too.

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  15. H is for HomeSeptember 2, 2008 at 6:03 PM

    Thanks for sharing your salt & pepper pot posy idea! Great use for them!!

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