vintage – Jess Wrobel: Textiles and Decor

Tag: vintage

Kantha Style Quilted Footstool

Posted on February 18, 2019 by jess

A little blue footstool–a vintage thrift store find–became the newest fodder for my latest stitching obsession.

This cotton upholstery fabric finally earned its keep in my stash, pairing beautifully with the original paint of the stool.

Prim Excursions

Posted on January 10, 2016January 10, 2016 by jess

I am fascinated by the primitive. The old and weathered. The patina of life’s wear and tear. The functional side of folk art. Dave and I have designed and made several pull toys together, but this one is an altogether new undertaking. Three dimensional, fiber art, and salvage combined all in one piece. I am just thrilled with the results. While the piece functions spectacularly as a pull toy, due to governmental oversight, I need to tell you it is not a toy. It is for decorative purposes only. Nonetheless, our Primitive Hooked Giraffe Pull Toy has won over our hearts.

More designs to come…

Primitive Hooked Giraffe Pull Toy — Our giraffe is hooked with an assortment of wools and organic cottons. Stuffed with organic cotton, too.

Folk Art Hooked Giraffe Pull Toy — The back is coffee stained linen to give it an old world appeal.

Three dimensional rug hooking. — Dave fashioned the base of our pull toy from an old roller skate he found in a house clean out. It could not be more perfect.

Vintage Style Schoolhouse

Posted on April 27, 2015 by jess

We seem to have a trend going on in our finds lately. Hmmm. All are available at The Barn at Todd Farm, 275 Main St, Rowley, MA.

blackdesk3 — The best part is underneath!

Yard Sale Season Begins

Posted on May 21, 2014 by jess

As you know, we are always on the lookout for great vintage finds at yard sales and flea markets. The thrill of the search never diminishes for us. This year was our first visit to the annual Grand and Glorious Yard Sale and it is sure to become a lasting tradition for us. We left the hall with many a treasure, but most triumphantly we tucked this oversized wooden train engine with two towed cars securely under our arms. I have visions of an extensive display at our shows, this choo choo set up on a rustic antique workbench next to the 1930s hoosier. Stuffed toys, yarns, kits, and vintage laces, baubles, and other vintage oddities in tow, each car overflowing with goodies.

Vintage Millinery

Posted on May 9, 2014 by jess

Vintage Industrial Bar Cart

Posted on February 13, 2014 by jess

Or it could be a kitchen island, too. Frankly, we brought it up to my studio for the photo shoot, and I want to put it to work as a storage master. It is tempting me with its handiness.

: The perfect storage unit, for sure.

We salvaged this antique oak bureau from the basement of a candy making workshop. Dave thought I was daft, but I think he figured we’d at least get some kindling out of it. Good guy that he is, he humored me as my vision for the piece evolved. He even did all the work. Stripping off the finish, we found the warm patinaed hues of solid oak. Pieces of drawers that were too far gone to be saved were used to create open shelves instead. Wine, baskets of kitchen tools, fabric could all be stored beautifully. In my intitail vision of this piece as a mobile bar cart, the top functional drawer would be used for the barware, but you could put a rolling pin it, too, if you wanted. Meauring 39″ w x 19″ deep x 36.5″ tall, it is sure to find the perfect spot in someone’s home. $475.

barcart1 — The perfect salvaged vintage industrial piece.

barcart3 — This is the "before" shot. I thought it had good bones.

Hungarian Grain Sack Salvaged Bench

Posted on May 31, 2013 by jess

This is fresh off the workbench, and it may be my favorite one yet. Dave made the frame using more of the balusters to make the legs. I upholstered it with a vintage Hungarian grain sack that had been mended numerous times. I just love the patchwork.

Spring (Shopping) Fling

Posted on April 12, 2013 by jess

Ruthie's New Bed — Ruthie seems to approve of her new bed in my office.

Time goes by so quickly and it was certainly a winter of busyness rather than hibernation, but last weekend the wintry nap of flea marketers came to an end. Todd’s Farm Flea Market’s first day was an awakening of old friends, familiar rituals, and great finds. I still need to picture and catalog all the goods we reaped in, but suffice it to say that the studio is brimming with new fodder for our crazy ideas, exquisite pieces will be joining the decor of our home, and our Ruth got herself a nice new napping spot in my studio office in the form of an enormous vintage wooden shipping crate.

Happy Spring!

Feels Like Vintage, Baby

Posted on February 7, 2013February 7, 2013 by jess

possum waldorf toy … outsideeverywh… $9.00	Vintage Bread Box b… JujusVintageOo… $58.00	Mushroom Bowling Ga… MuddyFeet $32.00	Sewing Pattern and … NobbyOrganics $9.95
Modern Wood Brooch,… LizzesBeautifu… $9.00	Tweet Beige Hood by… afra $52.00	Very decorative LAR… RueDesLouves $51.00	Shetland Sheep Desk… willodel $84.00
Bowl of Figs – Food… findingfocus $28.00	Narwhal Messenger -… ArmadilloDream… $12.00	Dolls, Old Fashione… woolies $16.00	14 Vintage Skeleton… Artstock $32.80
Personalized Wooden… friendlytoys $29.00	Serving Tray, Antiq… MyHouseOfDream… $29.00	Waldorf Toy – Dollh… TheEnchantedCu… $15.00	Waldorf Doll 15 inc… handmaidencana… $15.00