Nifty Thrifty Dry Goods

Yesterday I had a group of Japanese women come to the shop - they were visiting Southern California to attend the International Quilt Festival, held in Long Beach. After much shopping, sign language and praise, they offered me a ticket to the festival. I had never been to the festival but was very interested since I will be attending the Quilt Market in Houston at the end of October.
The quilting world is huge - I had no idea. I spent the first 4 hours of the show walking the aisles, stopping at the vintage booths to admire the quilts and pick up a few scraps of old florals for inspiration. On my way out of the show, I noticed a booth that caught my eye, Nifty Thrifty Dry Goods. Not only was everything displayed by color, but I was amazed at the beautiful old and new stock of ribbons, trims, buttons, beads, patterns and pin cushions. I had to introduce myself to the owner, Susan Gower, I felt some sort of strange connection. I knew we both must have a love of the odd and unusual sewing notions.
According to Susan, "Nifty Thrifty has always been about the venerable in domestic useable art, the proven beauty of vintage “exquisitry” and the grace of antique notions."
I love it when what I do is validated by what someone else does - it makes me think that I am on the right track. Susan Gower has been selling vintage notions to the craft world for the past thirty years - which makes me think, she's on to something.
Visit Nifty Thrifty online or at one of the many shows they do - Susan will open up your eyes to a whole new world of craft. If you can't make it to one of her shows, be patient while she catches up with the 21st century and offers her goods online. It will be worth the wait.