The Stillroom

A huge thank you to everyone that came out to Diamond Antiques for the first open house of the new year!  In spite of the snow, the rain and the general lousy weather that is just hanging on for dear life, it was a very busy week at Diamond.

I can’t think of a better way to spend the last of the dreary days than to get out of the house and walk around Diamond’s  terrific co op.  With Spring finally here,  the last of the cobwebs of winter have been blown away and the vendors have  spruced up to greet you and a fresh new season.

The Stillroom added beautiful both old and new tea pots and fresh teas along with a variety of vintage and antique  pieces.  Vintage gloves, hats, tea pots and cups, and  general cool stuff.   Like the forty year old cat phone that looks like a sleeping cat AND it still works!  Instead of a ring, you get a hearty meow!  When I found this gem I plugged it in for a few days and forgot about it.  One day at dinner we heard meow, meow, meow, then realized it was the cat phone.  We thought something fell on our cat.    All of my antique pieces, while used for display purposes, are all for sale.

The fragrant spring herbs and scents are here and The Stillroom workshop is busy gathering, blending, sewing and stuffing.  The scent of French Blue Lavender is  filling the workshop  and the fragrance is heavenly in there!  Extra fragrant, this lavender is perfect for stuffing into a vintage handkerchief to keep handy in your purse, pocket or backpack. You know, for when you feel stressed.  Just squeeze a little to break a few petals down to release the perfume oils and by all means, do inhale.  Available loose by the ounce or in a  sachet made in the USA by yours truly, lavender is a  also a natural moth repellent.  Sprinkle some in with  winter woolens as you start to pack them up for the summer to deter pesky bugs.  To me, lavender is one of the most beautiful scents on the earth.  So pretty in color and so tiny.  If you pinch one little petal then smell your fingers, you will be blown away at how much one petal the size of a grain of rice can pack so much fragrance.  If you want to spread out your purchase dollar, just pick it up loose by the ounce.

I’m putting the finishing touches on labeling and then my  linen sprays will  be on the shelves at the Diamond location.  The linen sprays include Lilac, Lavender Rose and naturally, Lavender and they are beautiful.  Spritz onto pillows and bed linens to create a relaxing and springlike fragrance.  I have tested them over time and I love them and I think you will too!

The lemon verbena, lemon grass, lemon peel, lemon oil and Sunny Orange Lemon Tea is here to help brighten up the days  and invigorate the senses.  When I walk into the workshop, it is like walking into a garden of fragrance.  From the cinnamon sticks, cloves and oils to the deep red roses on the shelf, this is a pretty darn good gig to have in life. Not all of these wonderful herbs are available at The Stillroom located inside of Diamond Antiques because there is just not enough space or shade for a display of everything that is available.  But, if you are reading this, and you are looking for some herb, spice or oil, shoot me an email or call my cell or leave a comment and I’ll get back to you quickly.

The tea wallets took on a fresh new look in bright floral patterns for a new season and come with one each black, herbal, decaf, white and green tea.  This is a nice way to try a tea that you otherwise might not care to buy a whole package of.  From traditional English Breakfast to the beautifully floral fragrant Jasmine Green, these wallets are made right here by me…Nimble Mitts & Co.   I am currently engrossed putting together my sleep pillows that come with a removable, washable coverlet.  Filled with lavender, just disperse the lavender in the all- cotton pocket, microwave for a few seconds and relish in the scent and warmth and soothing feeling that lavender blesses us with.  Tuck this into your pillow at night and be taken away to dream land as your inhale the gentle scent provided by mother nature.

You know, I can’t believe that we are still going to see some spitting snow and sleet and rain this close to April!  The upswing here is that I see green on the weeping willows and that, my friend, is the best part of the year.

Oh dear, I could go on, but I won’t.  I have to save some writing for another day.  I should save the mystery of The Stillroom for you so you will want to come and discover my corner of the world in person.