Spring Cleaning

I don't know about you, but I don't see the New Year as a new beginning.  The new beginning in this house is more the first day of school in late summer.  January 1st actually feels more like "spring cleaning" to me...out w/ the old (2010) and in with the new!  At the shop, nothing really gets thrown out...but some does get sent to a new home...Goodwill, a consignment store, Salvation Army or deconstructed to be made into something new and fresh.  What is left of Christmas gets lovingly wrapped and tucked away 'til next year.  The beautifully tarnished soft pink ornaments are grouped together and placed in big apothecary jars for Valentine's Day.  The dry, poky, once-fresh evergreen and tree get hauled outside to the back of the shop for Dan and Gary (Gilbert town crew) to chip and use as they see fit.  Once I dig in, I really start to get inspired for the new look for this new year...2011.  I see soft fresh pastels, organic and natural at its finest, and neutrals with pops of glossy black.

JB Knacker will be open on January 1st from 1-4pm.  And every Saturday in January thereafter (Jan. 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th from 10am - 5pm).  We will return to regular hours on February 1st (Tuesday - Friday 1pm - 6pm and Saturday 10am - 3pm).

My goal at the shop is that each and every Saturday will have different looks, cool new old pieces and fresh decorating ideas for you to tuck away for your own home.  See you real soon!!      

'Twas the week before the week before Christmas...

And all through the shop, not a ... sorry, too much thought to make that work!  But here it is less than 2 weeks before the blessed day!  The kids have been waiting for snow and Santa and most importantly, the birth of Jesus.  Trying hard in our house to keep that order right.  At the shop it can be a struggle to mix retail and the deep religious importance of this date...but I attempt to do it w/ a sense of reverence, elegance and even humbleness to the holiness of this event...and a twist of humor to keep the kid in all of us happy.  So w/ that in mind...let me fill you in on what's happening this week at the shop:

**Tuesday, December 14th after we close up shop at 6pm, the soldered charm workshop begins!  We have room for more!  This is a wonderful opportunity to make a couple more gifts for those on our list.  Many people have taken the "Handmade Christmas" challenge and this would be a wonderful way to stick to that theme of heartfelt and handmade.  The cost is $35 and you get to create 2 custom soldered charms!  Give us a call at (515)233-2600 to sign up.

**Wednesday, December 15th we will be host to a fun make-and-take at the shop w/ local artist, Lara Gustafson  from 1-3 pm.  Beautiful Christmas tags and mini-booklets will be the craft of choice...don't miss it!


**Big News and a bit of a change from last year...JB Knacker's last day of being open before Christmas(and for the rest of December for that matter) is this Saturday, Dec. 18th.  We will have extended hours from 9 am - 5 pm!  Christmas will be 50% off (includes wreaths, vintage ornaments, nativities, old ice skates, Christmas cards (handmade & vintage), sleds...and much of this Christmas is being brought out just this week!  Also, JB Knacker's gift cards will be 20% off on this day!!  We don't do a plastic gift card at JB...these little beauties are altered antique cabinet cards tucked into a burlap sleeve...a beautiful gift to a loved one or you!

Thank you and bless you for supporting my shop this year...it's been a very good year for the little shop, but it couldn't happen without your loyalty and wonderful word-of-mouth advertising you do for JB Knacker!  I look forward to 2011 at the shop...what new events will pop up this year?...what new workshops will develop?...what new vintage inspired handmade items will be created?...and the vintage stuff to be discovered keeps me going!!

 thinking about using this for the Christmas family photo, but the little one is missing (she's to the left in her car seat coloring her bare legs w/ permanent marker)...difficult to get all the kids together at once

 And finally, for the third year in a row JB Knacker will be open only on Saturdays in January.  Each and every Saturday in January (yes, even January 1st!!) JB Knacker will throw open our old doors to a new look from the Saturday prior.  It keeps us on our toes to create new looks and provide fresh vintage stuff!

January 1st (limited hours) ~ 1pm - 4pm
January 8th ~ 10am - 5pm
January 15th ~ 10am - 5pm
January 22nd ~ 10am - 5pm
January 29th ~ 10am - 5pm

                                                      Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,
                                                                                                            Brenda