I taught three separate workshops in July and August here at Inspired Barn where we crafted adorable illuminated displays utilizing mason jars, papercrafting, collage, and assemblage. Since most of you are not in my area and are unable to attend such a workshop, I went to work creating a digital kit for you so you can craft this project wherever you are!You can find this kit for sale right now in my Etsy shop, along with two other paper house projects. This kit includes step-by-step photo instructions, and a template (to print to cardstock) for crafting a house and pedestal sized perfectly to fit a Kerr brand wide-mouth mason jar (available at Michaels) and one battery-operated LED tealight per luminary. I’ve included a full materials list along with a load of tips and ideas for embellishing and customizing your cloche display. Below are some of Inspired Barn attendee’s finished projects utilizing supplies provided in class and a few they brought with them. Pull out your embellishments, order the kit, and be inspired to craft your very own (everyday or holiday) version for yourself, as gifts, or special event centerpiece such as wedding or bridal shower decor.Happy crafting!
While cleaning the garage over the weekend I happened on a collection of jars I’d tucked away for future use. (Hey…It’s the future!) And I can always use more crafty storage in the studio. Jars work so perfectly to show off the stored contents. I find when I can see my supplies I’m much more apt to use them as I tend to forget some of the supplies and materials I have stored in drawers and boxes. I decided to attach into the dead space found on the underside of existing studio shelves. I simply drilled pilot holes into the lids, double-stick taped the lids into place under the shelves, then using short screws, attached them to the shelves. For larger lids & jars, I needed two screws and washers to keep the lids from turning when removing and replacing the jars. The jars were filled within minutes of installment.
Also last weekend I designed a fun set of Dennison-Style little labels that are available to you as downloads for FREE courtesy of WorldLabel.com on their blog HERE.Download the PDF files, print to full sheet label stock from WorldLabel.com, trim out the individual labels (a good project in front of the TV), and use in a multiple of ways! I used the printer cuts set to decorate another set of shelf jars.Here are even more ideas. Have fun!
If you’ve seen my workshop studio, Inspired Barn, in magazines, online, or in person, it’s likely pretty obvious where my number-one inspiration comes from- early general stores and mercantiles.
I’ve long been attracted to photographs showcasing proud shopkeepers and customers posed within tidy, well-stocked emporiums that stocked everything from overalls and tobacco to fabrics and soaps.
Counters, shelves, cases, drawers and bins filled with neatly arranged and stacked goods, much of which was packaged and labeled with the most excellent design and typography. With over 20 years as a career graphic designer specializing in branding and packaging– that’s definitely my thing.
So imagine my pure delight to happened upon the Monteverde General Merchantsstore in Sutter Creek, California a couple of years ago. Started in 1898, this store is now a museum of many of the original relics of the past. Most everything is still neatly stacked and stored as a window into Gold Country’s past and remains spectacular inspiration for the present. Much of the store’s merchandise dates back to the early 20th century, with a few current items from the early ’70s that the late Rose Monteverde left on the shelves in hopes of the store one day becoming a museum. If you happen to be in Sutter Creek, simply call the phone number on the sign taped to the front window and a nice gentleman will walk down from his nearby home to open it up for you to explore.I toured this magnificent general store with my husband and my camera and just came across these stored photos the other day. So whether you’re into vintage-inspired graphic design, good ol’ vintage goods, or simply love to organize stuff, I hope you’ll enjoy my personal photo tour of the Monteverde General Store.
Sunbrite Cleanser, stockings, and shoe repair. Double paper roll dispenser No. 1.Counter glass case filled with confections. Union Farm and Garden Tools broom and tool handles display. General store shelves food items. Soap and soap packaging. Canned fruits, mason jars, caps and rings. Cigars, cigar boxes, tobacco goods. Bird food & supplies.The general store scale.Bins, drawers and shelves. Beautiful vintage hardware.The storekeeper’s nook. Handwritten store ledgers.Double paper roll dispenser No. 2. Fuller brand linseed oil barrel. Mooreknit children’s hose.The haberdashery section of the store featuring silk satin tafeta and cotton tatting thread.J&P Coats embroidery and Royal Society crochet cotton threads.Dennison Gummed Labels.The library.Boxes and crates, printed and stenciled.Children’s rubber boots, and shoe thread.Clothing: Men’s dress, work and sleep shirts.Seidlitz Powder.Fontana’s Semolina plain noodles, wide. Schrader’s Insecticide Powder. Roach poison.
Medicinal herbs: Sanicle. Elmo Cucumber Cream. Par, Palmolive, Crystal White, P and G, and 20 Mule Team soaps.Vintage jar examples.Juan de Fuca and Londres cigar boxes Store receipt pad.Notary embosser. Double paper roll dispenser No. 1.Trupak mixed bird food. Shelby hardware hinge.I’m looking forward to visiting again.
I taught three separate workshops in July and August here at Inspired Barn where we crafted adorable illuminated displays utilizing mason jars, papercrafting, collage, and assemblage. 
Since most of you are not in my area and are unable to attend such a workshop, I went to work creating a digital kit for you so you can craft this project wherever you are!
You can find this kit for sale right now in my Etsy shop, along with two other paper house projects. This kit includes step-by-step photo instructions, and a template (to print to cardstock) for crafting a house and pedestal sized perfectly to fit a Kerr brand wide-mouth mason jar (available at Michaels) and one battery-operated LED tealight per luminary. I’ve included a full materials list along with a load of tips and ideas for embellishing and customizing your cloche display. 
Below are some of Inspired Barn attendee’s finished projects utilizing supplies provided in class and a few they brought with them. Pull out your embellishments, order the kit, and be inspired to craft your very own (everyday or holiday) version for yourself, as gifts, or special event centerpiece such as wedding or bridal shower decor.
Happy crafting!
