Poetic Shutterbug

Penzo Zimbabwe Collector's Plate Listing at Jo's Collectibles Mercantile When searching around the city for items to place in my shop I am always on the lookout for unique and creative pieces.  When I saw this plate it simply took my breath away.  It had all the elements of a true collector's item.  Of course I love animals and nature so that aspect was what initially drew me to this piece. The Penzo.com company is highly recognized and revered for their colorful, bold and one of a kind art pieces.  The artisans that create these works of art are inspired by what they see and have experienced in their villages.  These are the eyes and the talented hands that see these powerful scenes each day.  As a result, no two pieces are alike.  These are one of a kind art masterpieces. For information and details visit the listing at Jo's Collectibles Mercantile.

Come join us on Black Friday through Cyber Monday November 28th and receive 20% off everything in my store along with expedited FREE shipping. We offer limited edition collectibles and old fashioned vintage treasures as well as some beautiful new items. There is something for everyone on your list so check us out. Visit Jo's Collectibles Mercantile and use the code Cyber Monday at checkout from now through Monday to receive your discounts.

Like my happy crab? He needs a new home - Click here for more details on this little guy . Click Photos To Enlarge View my handpicked items over at Bonanza.com You're A Doll . Click the above widget for more camera critters fun.

I inherited many of my Mom's recipes when she passed away and decided to publish a cookbook with some of my favorites. When she was alive we always had family gatherings and cooked all of the meals together. I have so many happy memories of those times. In celebration of my new store over at Bonanza, Jo's Collectibles Mercantile I decided to offer a freebie to customers and thought why not offer the same to my blogger friends. For any of you who would like a free recipe from the book and my Mom's archives, just email me at joanneolivieri@sbcglobal.net with your choice of either Greek or Italian and I will email a recipe back to you. You can also specify if you would like a food or dessert recipe. My two questions this week are: 1. Do you normally cook or go out to eat? 2. Do you use recipes or cook from memory? Click the above widget for more Thursday Two Questions meme fun.

One of my favorite wineries in California is the Martin Ray Winery in Santa Rosa, Californa. It produces some of the best wines I have ever tried. As a result, I signed up for their monthly wine club a few years back and with my first purchase I received these two wine goblets. They stand about 8 1/2" tall and about 3 3/4" at their widest point. They are hefty wine goblets with one glass that could hold almost a half bottle of wine. They were used a couple of times then placed in a glass curio cabinet. They are in used but good condition with only a minor scuff flaw on one of the logos that was there when I received it. Each glass has the Martin Ray Winery logo which displays their emblem and reads Martin Ray Estab. 1943 and has the Martin Ray signature below the emblem. For more details and ordering instructions visit the listing at my new shop Jo's Collectibles Mercantile . Here is a poem I wrote and published as a tribute to the Martin Ray Winery series of red w...

As many of you already know, I opened an eBay store last December in which I've been selling my own collectibles as well as those of my Brother and parents. For a while it was going very well until eBay changed policies and fee structures. Their policies are such that as a store owner you really have no free reign over your store and their fees are exorbitant. Granted, they do bring buyers to your store but if you are not making a profit or just breaking even, then it's time to leave. Whether you sell an item or not you still pay their fees. I did not want to leave but I found a venue which hosts free stores for sellers and only charge one small fee for each item you sell which is about four times lower than what eBay charges. As a store owner, you have complete freedom over your store and as an ex eBay seller you can easily and quickly import all of your merchandise and open your own shop. They are called Bonanza and are located at www.bonanza.com . So, I spent all morni...

Click Photos To Enlarge Simply stunning in a gold colored designed we have a set of four plates by Winterling Roslau Bavaria. Each plate measures 7 1/2" in diameter and the back stamps read as follows: two plates read Winterling Roslau Bavaria 1 - one plate reads the same without the 1 and the last plate though identical to the others does not have a back stamp at all. Each plate is in excellent condition with only very minor scuff wear on the back of the plates. The best way I can describe these plates is understated elegance. They display richness yet with a simplicity that is immeasurable. The gold color and design on each plate is gorgeous with amazing details. This set was kept in a curio cabinet for years. I urge you to view the photos. The light you see in some of them is due to glare from my window. For details and ordering visit the listing on Jo's Collectibles Mercantile .

We have a darling "like new" lady bug egg plate which measures approximately 9.8" x 1.3" x 11.8" and is in overall good condition with very minor scuff wear on the bottom of the plate and some coloring on the metal portion of the plate has come off. This plate is bold and very cute. It will house 12 eggs or you can keep it as we did in a curio cabinet for decorative purposes only. It would make a delightful conversation piece and a sweet addition to any home decor. The bottom of the plate reads Grasslands Road. For more information and ordering instructions visit the listing at Jo's Collectibles Mercantile .

We have a beautifully styled large glass compote or bowl that was made in France as per the sticker marking on the bowl itself. This compote measures 7 1/2" in diameter at the mouth of the bowl and about 5" tall. It is a very heavy piece and gorgeously etched with a fruit and leaves motif. The design is very detailed both around the compote itself and on the base. Please view the photos for more details. Note that the lighting in the photos is due to glare from my window. It is free of any chips or cracks and in excellent condition. It was kept along with other glass pieces in my Mom's glass curio cabinet for years. This would make a beautiful addition to any home decor and the perfect compote for fruit. It is a simply lovely piece. For more detailed information visit the complete listing at Jo's Collectibles Mercantile .

Authorized by the Norman Rockwell Family Trust and produced by Rhodes Studios in 1990 We have "Rockwell's Residence" which is the premier issue in the Rockwell's Hometown Collection. This is a strictly limited edition piece that closed forever in 1992. This piece is numbered 0155 A and comes with the COA and other pertinent informational materials. The house figurine measure about 6" by about 3 1/2" by about 2 1/2" tall. It is numbered with all of it's information on the bottom of the figurine as well as on the COA. Please view the photos on the actual listing for more detailed information. This house is amazingly sculpted with fine tuned details and sports some beautifully colored foliage around the home. It has intricately styled windows and is just a superb piece of artwork. It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks or marks. It is a very heavy piece and would make a wonderful addition for not only any Rockwell collector but any ...