Garden Club Meeting

Friday, February 20, 2009

Our first garden club meeting of the year was this past Wednesday. A professor of horticulture from Ohio State University came to speak to our group on shade gardening. She was very inspiring. I am a shade gardener and never realized that I could have lots more blooming flowers in my shade gardens than I do. Cannot wait until Spring. Our garden club group has really grown in six years. I am the founding past president of the club and our first meeting was held at our local library and 13 people showed up. Since then, we have moved to a Catholic School for our meetings this past year because we outgrew the library room. We now have 67 paid members. At the meeting, we were told that we will probably be leaving for a new Assisted Living Development in the area that can provide a larger room. The meeting this past Wednesday was full to capacity. Astounding to think that it all started with a simple ad in the local newspaper. Now, our group is branching out to have membership in the Ohio Garden Club and National Garden Club.

This year, our club has an entirely new Board. Every position was replaced with fresh faces and ideas. Incredible. They have lots of new ideas for the club. It is really exciting. Our main fundraiser is Mother's Day weekend. We sell perrenial plants from member's gardens. The new President set a goal of $3,000.00 insales. Last year it was almost $2,000.00.

We use some of the money to donate trees, benches, etc. to our community. Last year our club replaced a large Maple Tree that came down in a storm last summer by our Town Hall.

It is amazing how this little group of gardeners has grown. I am truly astounded!

TAG - You're it!

February 14, 2009

I have been tagged by http://jacarandagal.blogspot.com/. Write five random things about yourself.

Rules of tagging

1. Link to the person who tagged you
2. Post the rules in your blog
3. Write five random things about yourself
4. Tag random people at the end of your post and link to them
5. Let each person know they've been tagged

So here are the five random things about me...

1. When I was a little girl (about 8-10 years old), I had a praying mantis and salamanders and two full grown painted turtles named Sammy and Joey as pets.

2. I also hand raised a baby robin named "Roby" when I was about 12 years old. He grew up and flew away.

3. I have three Grandchildren. A set of 8 1/2 year old twins (boy and girl) and a 15 month old Grandaughter.

4. I love to read murder mysteries.

5. I love country music. My favorite singer is Alan Jackson.

I am tagging

http://sheezkrafty.blogspot.com/
http://emmasgemsvintage.blogspot.com/
http://ctjewelrydesign.blogspot.com/

Vintage Crystal Stretch Bracelet

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Today I would like to share with you another of the vintage jewelry pieces that I own. It is a stunning Vintage Swarovski Faceted Stretch Bracelet. In perfect condition with over 100 Swarovski Crystal Faceted AB's (aurora borealis). Each crystal measures 8mm.

I acquired this beautiful piece of jewelry about five years ago from a lady who comes into the beauty salon where I work and brings with her trays of vintage jewelry from an auction house she works for. At the time I only paid $20.00 for it. I had every intention of taking the crystals off of the stretch band and using them in jewelry projects. We went on an Alaskan cruise later that year and I found that it goes really well with my signed Weiss Rhinestone Brooch. It looked so great on my wrist that I just could not go through with taking it all apart. The next image is of the side view from above.

This is a very stunning piece of jewelry and I love wearing it. The holidays are a great time to get some use out of it.

I hope you enjoyed viewing the bracelet as much as I enjoyed sharing it with you.

Vintage Signed Weiss Brooch

February 1, 2009

Good morning everyone. On this wonderful wintry sunny first day of February, I would like to share with you another of my vintage brooches. I acquired this beautiful brooch after my dear friend and Mother passed away almost five years ago. She acquired it from my Grandmother after she passed away. The picture on the right shows the signed Weiss Snowflake Brooch on its front side. The picture on the left is of the back so that you can see the Weiss stamp. You can see it is in block letters which is the first Weiss stamp used starting in 1942. I would probably date this pin from the 1940's.

Weiss jewelry was not as big a name as some of the other jewelry companies, but like them, Weiss Jewelry made different lines for different pocket-books. They made some very high end jewelry and accessories.

Albert Weiss, a native New Yorker, started his company in 1942, on fifth Avenue in N.Y., after having worked for Coro and Marvella Jewelry.

The first mark used was "WEISS" in block letters, then "Weiss" in script. Also "Albert Weiss" and A W Co. This last mark was started sometime in 1951.

Albert Weiss was president of his company and retired in 1969. One of Albert's sons, Michael, continued the business for a short time but finally Weiss Jewelry closed its doors in 1971.

I have worn this pin on several occassions, on cruises, during the holidays and to special events. This week I will be sharing with you a Vintage Swarovski Cha Cha Bracelet that I wear with it.

Hope you enjoyed viewing my vintage brooch. Until next time.

Rosemary, Garden Gate Designs

www.gardengatedesigns.etsy.com for jewelry and supplies

www.gardengatedesigns.artfire.com for vintage like jewelry