Matchbooks, safron, and flashcards and more!

It is the end of May and we are getting some new projects done!

In the coffee area we have a new saffron sugar to add to teas.

In the class room we are working on paper ribbon which is wonderful for so may different creations! From gift wrapping to decorating to embellishing.

Remember when people would write notes on the inside flap of match books? We have done up some paper filled large match book style pads! Great size to carry around for notes, and much cuter and more practice than a real match book!

I picked up some old flashcards somewhere and had them lying around the shop for a while, not sure what to do with them. You see them almost everywhere you go these days in the antique and craft shops.

It's simple, but fun, we made up some note pads with the ones we had lying around!

What's new at the Curiosity Shop?

First off, We would like to thank our service members for their service! We would not have the freedom we do today without you!

Updates from the Curiosity Shop: We have swung into the summer season with some fun thinking-of-you gift ideas! Working on your garden, or know someone who is? These cute paper tags are more than just neat hand made paper- they are meant to be planted! Lavender, Thyme, and Rosemary seed tags for sale! Pair them up with the compostable seed starting pots and you are good to go!

For fun we made up some quilt clutches for carrying your necessities on the go! (Only $5) It is quaint, casual, and unique! (For the do-it-yourself-ers we also sell the quilt squares for only $1.75  to make one yourself!)

Cinnamon

A gift from a book folding student! CURIOSITY SHOP

At the coffee counter a new fresh roast of Bolivian Coffee is ready to brew! Bolivia is not known for it's coffee, but mostly because of the political unrest. In the event a good batch of coffee does make its way out of Bolivia it is a special treat!

Also in is a fresh batch of cinnamon for spiced teas and FREE tea journals for our regular tea customers!

Working on more new projects for the Old Glory show as well, coming up in June!

Baker's candle set!

Childhood favorites.

An Old broken mirror frame, mirror long lost. A wonderful old copy of the Velveteen Rabbit. A busy afternoon, home-made chalk paint, and some handy work and here we are. A lovely whimsical piece of art. Old Shabby Chic/ Victorian.

It is painting weather!

Yes, I painted some old books!

I have heard all the rage about this chalk paint stuff. Since "painting" is synonymous with summer, I have begun spending countless hours in the sun now that the snow has finally stopped!
And of course, I had to find out what all the chalk Paint hype is all about.

I usually sand, prime, and distress with whatever can of color I have lying around, but I gave in and purchased the pricey paint in mention.

Here are just a few of the funky and fun pieces I have done! I went a little crazy, as you may see, and started painting just about everything! But it is SO MUCH FUN!

It went on old laminate pieces, glass, clay pots, wood (even finished woods) and so much more!

I am in the process of trying to create my own "chalk paint" because at this rate I'll be out of paint long before I am out of things to paint!

Keep updated! Also, don't forget to sign up for our "Furniture re-do" class the end of June!

I love this old rocker! Love it even more now!



Pretty in pink. This dainty chair would have it no other way!

Spring has Sprung!

I LOVE RED!

Spring has Sprung! And it's about time!

Not only has spring finally sprung, but so have a few of our seeds!

I always follow the rule "Never plant before Mother's Day!" and last week we went to town with planting!

We just got this classy glass and metal table.
Still working on creating it!



But take a closer look at what we have done so far...
look closely under the glass.

Here is the mint we planted. The lavender & chamomile
is just starting to sprout!

Free demo Saturdays!

Looking for something FREE to do this Saturday?

Stop By Carmen's Curiosity Shop every Saturday to learn a new tip or technique!

We will be offering a new demo each week on Saturdays 1:30-2:30.

This week we will showcase our fun jars we have been creating this past week and show you how easy it is to make your own at home!

Can't wait to see you this Saturday! Keep posted on upcoming demos!

In the back... industrial corner

Industrial lights for sale unfinished or finished.

Find yourself exploring an industrial inspired nook in the back of the shop. Steampunk and oldies-but-goodies, unique treasures and new ideas.



Springs! So many fun things with springs!

Welcome to the back of the store


















 

Real street light.

May 10th. It's Friday and we're having fun!

Unique place setting for dinner guests!

Have you noticed the shelf of glass jars we carry, and asked yourself what in the world you would do with a glass jar? Here are some of our on-the-fly ideas we came up with today! My favorite is the glasses holder jar because anyone who knows me knows I am always looking for my glasses!

Weather vane jar with typewriter ball lid.

 

Life's a journey jar with world map. Need a clever place to hang your glasses?

Paper is FUN

Paper is so much fun! It can be found almost anywhere and you can do so much with it!

The free paper rose pins we gave out at our Grand opening!

Come in and ask Carmen how to make a paper pouch from book paper or old junk mail!

We are here to inspire you to create something new!

There are so many things to create, besides the basics of cards or scrapbooks!

Come in to get inspired and creative!

Teach your old paper new tricks!

June Classes

Hello our curious friends! We are in the process of making the Class Schedule for the month of June!

Iris Folded bird

Some of our fun choices on the docket: Iris folding. If you do not know what Iris folding is, find out! It is an amazing way to spruce up any of your paper art projects and is easier than you think! BUT if you do not know how to do it, or how versatile it is, you are missing out!

We are also continuing our Book Folding classes! We have combined our Beginning and Advanced classes to maximize what you walk away with. It has been really fun teaching this class, as it can be very intimidating to start, but so rewarding when you finish!

Book Folding Class

Also, as promised, Furniture re-dos! We will be coming up with a couple fun classes to teach you ways to up-do your old furniture! More info and details on this and our other classes coming soon!

Coffee and Tea- the art

Coffee and Tea at the Curiosity shop is not your ordinary beverage.

Coffee air press, made 1 cup @ a time!

First off, we serve all our tasty drinks in glass or ceramic, which means two things:
1. It tastes better and stays hotter!
2. It is earth friendly!

But for those of you who are on the run, we do offer for 50¢ fully compostable take-away cups with lids. YES fully compostable! That means you can put it right into the ground!

All our coffee is small batch, fresh roasted and we make it to order with an air press.

Black pear-berry tea

An air press expresses only the good qualities of the coffee and leaves behind the unwanted characteristics.

The curiosity Shop tea bar is set up like an apothecary. You get to pick and choose a variety of "ingredients" to add to your custom made tea.
For our loose leaf tea selection: We currently carry 6 tea basis to start from! All fresh high quality teas - Black, Green, White.

Organic green dragonwell with Jasmine

From orange or dried berry, to blue lotus or jasmine, to ginger or anise, the selection is seasonal and exciting!

Coming soon we will have "soda kits" made from our hand crafted extracts! Ever tried lavender soda? How about coffee soda? Cinnamon spice? For a unique refreshing way to shake things up we are creating some unique beverages. Free samples coming soon!

Need another reason to enjoy our amazingly fun coffee and teas? A portion of all beverage sales helps support Club Anbesa! A unique program designed to help street kids in Ethiopia.

(Coffee and teas are $2.49. Coffee refills $1. Take away cups 50¢)

Today at the Curiosity Shop

Some really neat drieds we turned into earthy, one of a kind pieces!

 

Funky antique porcelin doll arm
candle holder. Jar has drieds
and smells wonderfully of lavender!

This is a new week to get inspired at Carmen's Curiosity Shop!

We are playing around with some of our glass jars today.

These letters are embossed and raised.
Old light bulb makes the perfect stopper!



We pulled out the soldering tools
today and had a little fun.



Today was the Grand Opening

Thank you to all who came for our Grand Opening! It was a big success, and a LOT of fun!

Can't wait to see everyone again.