What Would Helen Do?

A couple of weekends back, I went to a great estate sale in a charming little rambler of a ranch house. The sale was super heavy on handmade crafts which of course, tickled me to no end. The lady that had lived in the house was named Helen and she was a serious crafter.  Popsicle sticks and felt. Styrofoam and sequins. Crochet and pom-poms. The whole nine yards. Yep, I was in Heaven.

Here are some of Helen's crafts that I brought home with me:

The Can Man 

You guessed it! He's made out of an old pop-top beer can and might I say, a wonderful application of felt. He might have been intended to be a bank as Helen was careful to felt around the can opening. His face is creepy in a way that I can appreciate greatly.

Sequined Sun

 

Super cheerful refrigerator magnet. I like his little half-cocked smile as if to say, "I'd never tell anyone that you're snacking again. Have pudding and a grilled cheese!" 

I love you, Sequined Sun. Thank you for not judging me. 

Caterpillar Carl

 

This guy is a refrigerator magnet and note clip. 

I can not get over his tiny top hat! He's puttin' on the ritz! 

I imagine him speaking French, don't you?

Fancy Turtle

 

Made from an old egg carton with sequins and glitter. Razzle Dazzle!

I especially appreciate the delicate glitter application on the feet.

Bunny Basket

 

Little handmade basket with wire hanger handles and will you look at those eyelashes!

She's missing some of her aqua sequined toenails but she's still perfect to me. 

Bunny in a Cup

 

I can not reason why this bunny is shoved in this cup like it is but I'm not one to question Helen's vision. Once again, the eyelashes! Sweet pom-pom nose and those perfectly crafted ears.

Easter Bunny in Easter Bonnet

 

This one has seen better days but I think that it's still so lovely with it's little netted flower hat and chenille whiskers.  (Mr. Kitten Pants thinks so too.)

Glitter!! Kapow!!

 

If there is anything that I love as much as finding vintage handmade kitsch crafts, it's finding the original supplies used to make them. I like to think that I'm channeling wonderful ladies like Helen when I use their very own supplies for my own crafts. And I can't resist glitter. I've tried.

The thing about glitter is, if you get it on you, be prepared to have it on you forever 'cause glitter is the herpes of craft supplies. - Dimitri Martin

 Tuxedo Cat Painting

 

All over the house were paintings that Helen had done. The person running the sale gave me her scoop on the paintings saying that Helen's brother was actually the "true artist" and that Helen's paintings weren't "quite as good". I'd have to disagree. I loved every one that I saw. Sure, they're not the stuff of prestigious art museums but they're the kind of thing that I really love and I can picture Helen just painting away on this one. It was unfinished and only had black spots for eyes so in a move that I'm pretty sure that Helen would approve of, I added some old faded googly eyes.

I hope that you've enjoyed this little tour of Helen's creations. I think that she did herself proud. I wish that I could have met her before she passed but in owning her handiwork, I feel like I know what was in her heart - joy and creativity.  And those two traits tell you an awful lot about a person. I always research the people whose estate sales that I go to and Helen's obituary said, "She was kind, gentle and warmhearted". I have no doubt that she was.

Until next time,

x's and o's,

Eartha