Antiquing at the Largest Antique Mall in America

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If you watched last week’s video, you know I spent the holidays away with my family at a ski resort — creating art, eating way too much, and laughing nonstop (while I avoided skiing because I’m extremely fond of walking 😂).

One of my favorite traditions during that week is taking myself on a cozy antique adventure, and this year I visited one of my favorite places — The Factory Antique Mall, said to be the largest antique mall in America. In this video, I take you along on my slow wander through the mall, including a visit to Amanda Mercantile Booth, which I discovered years ago and instantly fell in love with. If you’re an antiquing lover, you’ll definitely want to check out her YouTube channel — I’ve linked it below.

✨ Let me know in the comments: Have you ever been to The Factory Antique Mall? Or what’s your favorite antique spot? Thanks for being here. — Jan

Amanda's Mercantile : https://www.youtube.com/@amandasmercantile

My First Year on YouTube as an Artist — Was It Worth It?

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Is YouTube worth it for artists?
After one full year of showing up, creating, and sharing my work, I wanted to sit down and reflect honestly on what this journey has been like.

In this video, I’m sharing my thoughts after my first year on YouTube as an artist — the highs, the disappointments, and the quiet lessons that don’t always show up in numbers. I talk about what it’s like to create art without guaranteed sales, to launch collections that don’t sell, to post weekly videos without monetization, and to keep going anyway.

This reflection is woven together with footage from a winter getaway and moments of felting — working slowly, intuitively, and with intention. As I work, I share what I’ve learned about creativity, comparison, consistency, and why the act of making still matters deeply, even when the outcome isn’t what we hoped for.

If you’re an artist, creative, or anyone wondering whether YouTube is worth the effort — especially in the early years — I hope this video makes you feel a little less alone.

Magical Homestead Gardens Holiday Shop + Haul

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This week I’m stepping away from the studio and taking you along on a cozy seasonal outing to Homestead Gardens Holiday Shop — something that’s been on my list for weeks.

Homestead Gardens transforms into a winter wonderland this time of year, with multiple plant-filled rooms dressed for the holidays, each one offering its own atmosphere and sense of discovery.

We wander through lush greenery, twinkling lights, and beautifully styled holiday décor that somehow feels new and inspiring every single year.

One of my favorite parts of the visit is their charming train display, featuring multiple trains weaving through detailed miniature villages and snowy scenes — a nostalgic, storybook moment that feels both joyful and calming. Outside, there’s a cozy fire, real Christmas trees, live-cut greens, and that unmistakable winter air that makes you want to linger just a little longer.

I went with a purpose, though — and at the end of the video, I’m sharing a small holiday mini haul, so be sure to stay until the end to see what came home with me and how I’m planning to use it.

If you’re craving inspiration, beauty, and a gentle pause during the busy holiday season, I hope this little outing brings you along for a moment of wonder.

The Cold Case Project Files: Reviving an Old Artwork on a Snow Day ❄️

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When the first snowfall arrived, it turned the whole world quiet… and magically cozy. The studio felt like a winter hideaway, and I decided it was the perfect day to revisit an old project that had been tucked away and forgotten — something I now call “The Cold Case Project Files.” 🗂️

A few years ago, I challenged myself to create one artwork two different ways:• first as an oil painting, and• then again using needle + wet felting (painting with wool!) One version was completed long ago… but the second was left unfinished — waiting for the right moment to be revived. In this video, I bring the felted version back to life — warming up old skills, transferring the original image onto wool, and slowly shaping leaves, feathers, and color until it starts looking like something again. 🎨🪡

This is part 1 of a cozy winter mini-series — a project filled with texture, trial-and-error, and that satisfying feeling of returning to something you once loved. I hope it inspires you to dig out your own forgotten art and play again. 🥰

Videos mentioned• Oil Painting Pink Bird - https://youtu.be/_sBDAyzgbKw

Felting video Pink Bird- https://youtu.be/yoUV7Py8l68

Tell me in the comments:Do YOU have a creative “cold case file” hiding somewhere? What would you bring back to life first?

Meet My New Painting Collection | Echoes of Old — Dutch-Inspired Country Landscapes

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Echoes of Old — Original Oil Painting Collection
Inspired by The Dutch Masters • Stories Told in Light & Landscape
✨ 20% Off Holiday Sale — Nov 28 to Dec 10 ✨
Shop the collection ➜ [insert your shop link]

There are places where time seems to slow — where a soft wind moves through the grass, and light rests gently on the hills. That’s the feeling behind Echoes of Old, my new collection of 8×10 oil paintings inspired by the quiet beauty of the countryside and the mood of the Dutch masters.

As I painted, a story began to surface — the story of Mrs. Primrose, a young artist living long ago. She spent her days walking the fields, painting in the garden, and sending small painted letters to someone she never named. Whether real or imagined, her presence lingers in these landscapes: gentle, hopeful, and a little mysterious.

Each piece captures a fleeting moment —
• a farmhouse under drifting clouds
• a golden path leading home
• a woman in a white dress waiting in the fields

If you love quiet things… soft light… and stories hidden in the everyday… this collection was made for you.

🖼️ Details
• Original 8×10 oil paintings on wood panel
• Antiqued, painterly surfaces & warm heirloom tones
• Limited collection — once sold, they’re gone
• Optional antique frames available