Construction Crunch

Welcome to my kitchen!!! When there is remodeling going on in your place of business, it tends to sometimes transfer chaos to one's home life too. This Sunday my husband and I decided to take advantage of the store being closed and planned a one night trip up to Mt Hood, one of my favorite places to visit. However, before we left, I actually took several hours and cleaned my kitchen out of Chalk Paint and a little madness.

We did not arrive on the mountain until nearly dark, but in the morning the sun was on the mountain and it was majestic!

Yesterday I finally got around to painting two tables that I will finish today. It felt so good to pick up a paintbrush again and dip into a quart of Chalk Paint™ decorative paint.

After closing my store last night, I had to run out to Home Depot for a few items, metal stripping for the corner of a wall.....

And some joint compound. Unfortunately, the one that I was looking for was completely gone so I had to go to another store. Funny how one can be so oblivious to certain items in a store until you have to purchase them. I had no idea there were so many kinds of joint compounds out there. Some even come in a box already mixed and for some odd reason, it made be think of boxed wine!

Now I am busy getting ready for Plucky Maidens. This is always a fun show to participate in and equally fun to attend. Hope to see many of you there. I will be selling Chalk Paint™, painted furniture, pillows I have made, Christmas stockings and lots more!

Store Progress

We're almost completed with my store remodeling, and my customers have been so gracious in spite of the sawing, hammering and other usual construction noises. We've enjoyed sharing our Annie Sloan products with so many of you at the new location at 6016 NE Glisan in Portland.

This morning, I made my first sale of Annie's fabric at my new store to a true lover of the French country look. Debra Ruggles, from Canby, Oregon, is shown in the photo below with her purchase of Normandy Toile. I wanted to capture this exciting moment for The Purple Pear and Debra was gracious enough to allow me to do that. Thanks Debra! Please stop in and take a look at the other three designs that I am offering. They are all beautiful and the quality is superb!

The Purple Pear will be the location for many exciting events during the remainder of 2012 as well as for the new year ahead. In 2013, we will be hosting an evening guest artist series. More immediate, several workshops are scheduled for November and December, mixed in between the holidays. Please check the dates on my website's "Welcome" page.

Also, a grand opening for my new store has been set for Saturday, December 8, from 4-7 pm. (More to follow in a subsequent blog.)

Finally, for those of you who have already stopped by The Purple Pear's new location on Glisan Street, I want to express my appreciation for your visits. The remaining touches of remodeling will soon be completed, and it is my hope that The Purple Pear will be a place to find joy and inspiration. As one of my favorite artists, Georgia O'Keeffe, once said, "I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way - things I had no words for."

Peggy Del Rosario's: An Autumn Open House

Welcome to the world of Peggy Del Rosario, an amazing artist that has created a world enveloped in beauty, elegance, and old world style. Peggy opened her home for five very special hours today and invited people to view her immense talent, experience her warmth and flair for living, and visualize a space that achieves balance, beauty, character, and comfort in every single corner of her surroundings. Included were special offerings of collections from various women who share Peggy's love of luscious surroundings and special finds.

Peggy's back garden is an oasis of privacy and serenity and elegance. Amidst this in the foreground is the most wonderful Asian pear tree abundant with fruit. One wonders if it is really Oregon or could it be France or Italy, the European feel is so pronounced and rich.

As you enter through the front, you would never have any idea what is beyond awaiting you in the house and the back garden.

There were lovely items for sale in the garage....

I brought some of the Chalk Paint™ decorative paint by Annie Sloan.

Even Mia, Peggy's adorable cat, stole center stage in front of the cozy fireplace.

This is one of the pieces that Peggy has painted, decidedly magnificent and breathtaking!

Details....

I love the way that Peggy handles the hardware on each piece.

And the way she mixes and applies her colors of paint.

Soon this piece will be displayed at The Purple Pear in the front window.

Peggy has such a rare and exquisite talent. It will be exciting to see what else unfolds in her palette of color and beauty.

And how fortunate we are to have someone so inspiring and talented in our midst. Please see what happens in the months ahead with this creative and incredible talent of a woman!

New hand-crafted candles

One thing I love about being a shopowner is that sometimes you feel like Christmas comes all through the year. Every time a shipment comes in and you open the box of goodies, you feel like a kid all over again, the excitement of anticipation and surprise always present in that moment.

I am always on the lookout for small businesses that are doing special and unique crafts.

A candle lit on a cold and windy Fall day is simply the best way to cozy up with a warm throw, cup of tea, and a special book.

Reconstruction or Deconstruction?

When I was finishing my English degree I recall a class called "Literary Criticism". I have to say it was one of my favorite classes and as a last assignment we had to be on a panel discussion with four of our classmates. We were given the topic "Deconstruction" to research and present. So when I see any form of dismantling or uncovering or exposing or redefining, I think of the author, Derrida and Deconstruction. Currently, that is exactly what I have going on in my store at this very moment!!

This is the wall that was installed by the last tenant to divide the two rooms. It was the one thing I saw that I knew would be dismantled to clear the way for open space and ease of flow.

This is the low ceiling in that room that had fluorescent lighting, not the best solution for a workshop area where quality lighting is key.

Deconstruction and dismantling of the wall!

The ceiling above the lower tiles was chipped off crumb by crumb.

Wow! This ceiling that was exposed definitely dates the building to its 1901 origin. Apparently, at some point there was water damage so it was covered up by lowering the ceiling and creating what was then a more "modern look".

The contractor who is redoing the shop space sold me this cabinet for displaying the Chalk Paint™ and waxes and books. It has a beautiful distressed look and came from a high-end boutique in the Pearl District of Portland that decided to change their look and no longer needed this beautiful piece.

Back home, my dining room table and room is still filled with shop boxes, files, ongoing shipments coming in, and unopened newspapers that we have not had time to read in the last week. We will be open for business on Thursday, the 18th but are actually selling Chalk Paint™ in the interim, so please feel free to stop by if you are in the neighborhood! The address is 6016 NE Glisan Street and our phone number is the same, 503-206-6554.

Time to Celebrate!

Time to celebrate!! I have a new store location!

The location is 6016 NE Glisan Street, Portland, OR 97213. There is a lot to do, but I am so excited to get my furniture, Chalk Paint™ decorative paint, and all the remaining things out of storage and into this new/old shop.

As you can see, a lot needs to be painted and new light fixtures hung. A wall needs to be taken down and the bathroom needs a facelift too! I am thrilled, as well, to have a bathroom in the space. I will be posting photos as I gradually give this space new life.

While traveling back from Mendocino, California yesterday with my husband I had lots of workshop ideas brewing as well as decorative ideas for the shop. As the sun was setting along the Pacific Ocean, it was nice to know that I had a home again for all the wonderful Annie Sloan products as well as furniture, books, gift items, and exciting new ideas that will be growing in this new location. I will be open for business officially on the 18th of October, but I will have product in the shop as soon as this Thursday, the 11th so if you are in the neighborhood, please stop in and say hello! New listings of workshops will be posted on my website by tomorrow so take a look at the offerings and come in and share the excitement of learning. My store hours and days will be as follows: Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. I be closed on Sunday and Monday. I am looking forward to seeing you!

Surprises Unfolding

Out with the old, in with the new. I have found a new store location!!!! I will reveal the new address this week. I will keep you posted. When the store opens I will also be selling the newly arrived Annie Sloan fabrics!!!