ismoyo vintage playground

Vintage Good Manners Posters - Don't Gossip

2013-04-19T20:17:00.000-04:00

Remember the vintage good manners posters i showed a little while ago? I found a whole other set of them! These are for a little older children, intermediate grades at school.
Just imagine these posters hanging in the back of a classroom, teaching the children how they should behave properly.

I got many listed in the shop right now, but i think these are some of my personal favorites.

All these posters are illustrated by Bertha Kerr in the late 1950's. I don't know a lot about her, just that she did a lot of work for the Hayes School Publishing Company. And that i am a big fan of her work.

Production Company looking for Collectors for new TV Show

2013-03-23T16:06:00.000-04:00

Do you own an impressive Pop Culture Memorabilia Collection?
Would you like to show it off to the world?
Have it appraised? Discover its real value?

I was recently contacted by Handel Productions, a Canadian-based Television Production Company. They are developing a television series and are seeking avid pop culture memorabilia collectors and active buyers/sellers of pop culture items who can evaluate the value of pre-owned collectibles and original memorabilia.

If you are interested and want a shot of showing your collection off on tv, email the following information to popculturetv01@gmail.com :
1) Name, age, location and contact information
2) 3-5 photos of you and your collection
3) A brief description of how you started your collection and why you are an avid pop culture memorabilia enthusiast.

Note: Applicants must be English speakers and live in Canada, U.S.A. or the United Kingdom.
Submissions are due by Tuesday, March 26th, 2013.

If you decide to apply, good luck and i'll be watching!

Facebook Photos on the Blog

2013-01-05T13:43:00.000-05:00

Gem from my Vintage 1950s record collection "Don't Whistle at me Baby"

When i started this blog it was 2005 and times were different.. Days were spent without tweeting or checking statuses on Facebook. Nobody was pinning pictures.
I'm not saying that those days were better. It was just different. I like Pinterest, i've been tweeting for about 4,5 years now, and i'm on Facebook, although that's a love/hate affair.

Had nothing more to read... until the box of a little under a 100 vintage mystique mystery romance novels arrived!

My blog is my first and true and only and for always.
But there are times that i just want to show something real quick, maybe say, 'hey look at what i found', and not write an entire article about it.
For short updates i tend to skip the blog and go straight to twitter or facebook, depending on what it is, or in what kind of mood i am in.
Because of this there are some photos that never make it on to the blog. But do deserve a spot. And that's where this whole story was leading up to.
Facebook photo's on my blog.

I love my new vintage mushroom table lamp! A Gilbert Softlite from 1973.

And of course, if you don't want to hold out and wait till the next time i post some of the face photos on the blog, just hop on over and like the vintage playground page. (i have occasional vintage giveaways on the Facebook as well!) Looking forward to seeing you there too!

Vintage acquisition for the home! Green plastic (foot)stool/plant stand/side table with storage space inside! Very mod and very multi purpose!

Vintage 50s Good Manners Childrens Posters

2013-01-03T17:55:00.001-05:00

"Watch No Trespassing Signs" and "Wipe Your Shoes Before You Enter".

Let's start 2013 off with a couple of mid century Good Manners reminders.
These vintage posters used to hang in primary school classrooms to teach young children about the etiquette of having good manners.
The posters are illustrated by Bertha Kerr and were published in 1957 by the Hayes School Publishing company.

I found a set like this for the shop before, and two shoppers quickly scooped up all the posters. Luck wanted it that i came across another set, so they are for sale in the shop again! Some of the posters have already sold again, but a few are still available.

"Don't Waste - Take Only What You Will Eat" and "Nobody Loves a Tattler".

"A Good Little Boy Never Talks Back" and "Don't be a Show Off".

"Be Prompt Always" and "Be Friendly Not Rude".

"Be Helpful to Others" and "Always Knock Before You Enter".

Wishing all a great and well mannered new year!

End of Year Vintage Sale!

2012-12-28T20:14:00.001-05:00

1966 Joan Walsh Anglund wall hanging - Umbrella Doll Ornament - Crib Nursery Art - Wooden Bistro and Post Office Wall Hanging - Stuff 'n Sew Craft Kit

Have been busy shopping for presents for other people the past few weeks? Isn't it time to treat yourself a little now? Well, go get your vintage on! And everything in the shop is 15% off for the ismoyo-etsy-end-of-year-sale!
And if you have to have another reason, just giving a heads up, USPS postal shipping rates are going to increase again in January. International shipping will even double in some cases, so order now and still have the current shipping rates!

Merry (Vintage) Christmas!

2012-12-25T17:55:00.002-05:00

Christmas Decorating page from a 1973 Sears catalog.

We live in an Apartment building in New York, so there is not a lot of outdoor decorating to be done. Not at all actually. If i did have a front yard, i would make it look somewhat like this. Or probably just a whole lot of reindeer.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!

Vintage inspired craft: Pasta Christmas Ornaments

2012-12-18T22:34:00.000-05:00

Looking for some small paint brushes, i came across a few small styrofoam wreaths in my craft supply stash. Perfect to make a variation on the vintage inspired pasta Christmas trees i made recently! I quickly forgot about my search for the brushes and started digging further to find some small figures to place in the middle of the wreaths. Vintage mini birds! And i knew i had a little bit of red and white bakers twine somewhere. That would work to get them hanging.
A little paint, glue and time later and all done, ready to go up in the Christmas tree!

To make these pasta Christmas ornaments, just follow the tutorial for the Christmas trees, only starting out with the wreaths as the base instead of the cones. Finish them off by glueing the bakers twine (or other string) in a loop at the back, and attach the birds (or other miniature) in the middle with some more white glue.

Vintage Kitchen Wall Art Collection

2012-12-16T18:48:00.001-05:00

I have been wanting to write this post for so long now, that i now have no idea how to begin. This is a corner of my kitchen. Filled with vintage wall art pieces. Constantly growing and changing. There is no real rhyme or reason to the way the pieces are hung. I just eyeball the composition of where the next piece goes.
It's a mix of personal pieces with the occasional shop item in between. Like the old Dutch carved wooden cookie press wall hanging. I still kind of regret selling that one. Or, if you look at it in another way, selling that one motivates me to plan another thrifting trip in the Netherlands. I sold it a while ago, showing that i really wanted to post these pictures already long ago. My plan was also to show the growth of the kitchen corner. If you look at it at this moment, there are already new thrifted treasures that found their way on to my kitchen wall since the time i took the photos.

My all time favorite vintage item is the red and white checkered coffee filter holder. It used to hang in my Grandma's kitchen. When i moved to NY, my granny and i became pen pals. Old fashioned letter writing. I loved finding her notes in my mailbox. Always with a few little drawings in between her writing. I keep her letters in the coffee filter holder.

The wall started out as a place where i could hang my none-big-eyed-art pieces. I had a few vintage animal plaques that didn't really fit in with the decor in the rest of the house. So i gave them a place of their own in the kitchen. Now there are plaques and wall hangings, bundt cake molds, small figurines in a tall wood shadow box, and even a few vintage ornaments.
I'm a big fan of the little wooden plaques with sweet inspirational quotes on them. They always make me smile.
"I love you in big ways
I love you in small ways
I love you this minute
And i'll love you always"
Or the two cuddling bunnies saying "Love makes your tummy tickle".
Just as cute is the little mouse that tells you "Happiness is... thinking of new ways to say i wuv you."

One last special mention has to go to the wood Apple Brown Betty apple shaped cutting board. You can just see a bit of it on the side of the group shot above. It's super adorable, and it's so special because it was the very first vintage piece i thrifted in New York. In all my years as a vintage collector and seller i have never seen another one. Obvious that i won't be selling that one any time soon.
Let me leave the kitchen for now. With the promise that i will take some more pics soon to show of the new gems added.

Vintage Christmas Wrapping Paper

2012-12-08T23:50:00.001-05:00

I'm a bit of a graphic design nerd. I might not do a lot of designing myself lately, but i still often dream in color compositions.
If i would dream of Christmas gift wrap, i would dream about vintage Christmas wrapping paper designs.

Over time i have gathered quite a few of these wonderful sheets of paper.
Just the fact that someone bought them years ago, to pack their presents with, had a few sheets left, never threw them out, but instead kept them, maybe for next year. And then probably forgot about them when they were neatly stored away.

I have never been able to get myself to actually use them. Even though i think the packages would look amazing wrapped in them under the Christmas tree, i just can't put the scissors in to them.

I thought of maybe one day using them in my collage journals, or maybe framing them as Christmas wall art, but so far i did the same thing as the person who originally bought them; neatly stored them away.

So this year i said enough is enough. They need to get some more love. I have to send them out in to the world to new loving homes. To people who might really use them. Or not. Maybe the next person who owns these treasures will also just store and cherish them. And that is okay. They are beautiful as they are.

This is just a sampling of the papers i have. Or should i say had. They are listed in the Holiday section of the shop. Some of them already found new homes. And i can still look at them right here.
I say goodbye and thank you for the great design inspiration dreams.

Vintage Christmas Giveaway!

2012-12-03T12:16:00.001-05:00

It is so busy in my shop this holiday season that i haven't even had time to decorate the house. Usually i eagerly put up all the vintage decorations right after Thanksgiving. Today there are just two rubber pixies hanging above my computer. But that doesn't mean i am not completely surrounded by all cute and pretty Christmas decorations. The shop has a lot of them in stock right now and i'm packing many to send them off to new loving homes.

And since Christmas is the time of giving, i thought it to be appropriate to do a Vintage Christmas Decoration Giveaway! It has been awhile since i last did some sort of sweepstakes, so here you go. Just hop on over to Facebook, and like ismoyo's vintage playground facebook page to enter the giveaway. It's that easy to have a change to win this cute vintage angel ornament and the reindeer figure! US only, giveaway ends Dec 9 11:59pm. Winner will be chosen ad random but i will keep my fingers crossed for you!

Vintage inspired craft tutorial: Pasta Christmas Trees

2012-11-27T19:36:00.000-05:00

With this vintage inspired craft it is so very easy to create a handmade alternative Christmas tree for the holiday decor. Just a few items needed and a little time. I remember making pasta crafts in the early years in Elementary school. I don't think we ever made Christmas trees, so to make up, i made three of them now!

You will need the following materials:
- Plastic or Styrofoam tree base cone
- white craft glue
- various shapes and sizes of dried pasta
- paint in color of choice

How to make the pasta Christmas tree:
1. If you will use spray paint, skip this step and move on to step 2. If you will use craft paint applied with a brush, start by painting the cone in the color you want your tree to be. Let dry.

2. Apply glue to pasta pieces and place on cone in desired design. Push a little and hold in place for a short time until the pieces stick.
No worries if you see small bits of glue in between the pasta at this point.
Continue until cone is covered.
Let the glue dry.

3. Use the spray paint in the color of choice and cover the entire tree. For the trees in these pictures i used regular acrylic craft paint applied with a small brush. If brushing the paint on, make sure to get in between all the nooks and crannies, so no pasta color is showing.
Double coat is advisable.

Tip: When storing the Pasta Christmas tree, place it in a plastic bag. If a piece of pasta does happen to fall off in between Christmas seasons, you will be able to easily find it and glue it back on.

If you paint these in white, they almost look like porcelain trees. Pasta Porcelain!

Vintage Christmas Knee Hugger Pixie Elves

2012-11-25T22:41:00.000-05:00

I had posted this picture on my facebook page a few days ago when i started listing the knee hugging pixie elves in the shop. By now most of them have sold already. Just a few more left. And i understand the shoppers who picked them up so quick. I love them too. It is hard seeing them go, but i just keep telling myself that they are going on to new loving homes to bring Christmas cheer.

And it's not as if i am selling all of my collection of Christmas elves. I have plenty left to decorate with. Here are just a few of my favorites that i won't be selling anytime soon. Last year our Christmas tree was decorated almost only with pixies en knee hugger elves. I was planning on doing so again this year, and take it even further, filling it up completely with them. But since i've sold some of them already i don't think that will happen. Got to start coming up with a tree decorating plan, it's only 29 till Christmas..

Kids Cooking for Thanksgiving Dinner and a Turkey Craft Tutorial

2012-11-21T13:48:00.002-05:00

I found some cute recipes pages in vintage Jack & Jill childrens magazines from the 1960's.
I'm in the middle of making my last minute shopping list for cooking Thanksgiving diner tomorrow, and maybe you are too. Here are some quick and easy recipes the kids can help out with when preparing the holiday feast.

Trimmings for Turkey: Parsley rolls, Perky Turkey Stuffing, Cranberry-Orange Relish, and Down East Pumpkin Pie.

November recipes: Write your name on pumpkin pie, Gelatin salad or dessert, and Turkey Noodle Casserole.

And when all the food is in the oven, and all you have to do is wait for it to get ready, keep the children busy with this easy handmade thanksgiving decoration. Make a Thanksgiving turkey from paper plates!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Alain Gree The Childrens Book Illustrator

2012-11-13T17:27:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite children's book illustrators must be the French writer and illustrator Alain Grée. Some of my favorite books from when i was little, were his Little Tom book series. I obviously read them in Dutch as 'Kleine Tom' and originally they were called 'Petit Tom'. His books were translated in 20 different languages so many kids all over the world could enjoy the great illustrations. Popping with color and cuteness.
With a little luck you can still find his vintage children's books in thrift stores or vintage shops. A few years ago he licensed his illustrations for new merchandise and re-issues of his classic books. More Alain Gree is a good thing, but for now i'll cherish the books from my childhood past.
I'll leave you with a little clip of Monsieur Grée drawing one of his adorable illustrations.

Vintage Big Eyed Deer Figurines

2012-10-06T16:11:00.000-04:00

I have vintage deer figurines displayed in our home all year round. But obviously around the holidays they will get a more prominent place. I especially like these type of plastic figures with their big eyes. They come in many sizes, from very small to fairly large. The smallest i have is just over one inch tall, the large momma measures 7". Even though she's cute with her big eyes, she does look a little angry. Maybe a little stressed out from having to watch so many kids?

Over time i gathered quite a few of them and occasionally i sell one or two in my shop. At the time i write this, there are two deers listed. Usually they are picked up pretty quick. Guess there are more people out there that like them as much as i do! I like that there are so many to collect, different sizes and different poses. There is one large standing deer that i'm still on the lookout for. That one is so poised and elegant. And there is another larger one that is kind of crouching down. That's not all, there is also a set of a standing mother with two small fawns on chains attached to her. Hopefully one day i'll reunite them all together in my collection!

And then there are these sequin embellished deers. I have two in my collection. These Christmas deer ornaments were sold without the embellishments as craft kits in the 1970's. So that's another thing i can add to my vintage wish list, to find one of those craft kits that hasn't been done yet.

Vintage Cooking for the Crowd

2012-09-21T17:39:00.000-04:00

I have a nice collection of vintage cookbooks. Both in my kitchen and in my shop. I always enjoy discovering old cooking booklets during my treasure hunts. Not necessarily for the recipes, i have a recipe scrapbook and Google is a trusted friend when i quickly want to find out anything cooking related. But i love the great illustrations and food photography you find in most vintage cookbooks.

This early 1960's 'Cooking for the Crowd' recipe booklet is a great example of a vintage cookbook with wonderful food photos and colorful layouts. Very bright and cheery!
Published as a promotional booklet by the Carnation Company, it was described as 'a new cook book for more Contented Families from Carnation, the Contented Cow Company'. Fun!

The Vintage Playground in My 365 Magazine

2012-09-14T17:56:00.001-04:00

My 365 Magazine is a wonderful online lifestyle magazine and their latest issue is all about Etsy!
They had asked me to write an article about my shop and selling vintage on Etsy, and i gladly shared my story. You can read it starting at page 64.
Thank you 365 Mag for having me be a part of this great edition!

Vintage Eskimo Emotion Doll

2012-08-06T20:05:00.000-04:00

This Vintage rubber Eskimo emotion doll is one of my favorite pieces from my vintage rubber toy collection. It has a knob on top of its head and when you turn it, the doll changes moods!
It's either smiling and happy, crying and sad, or grumpy and being a sourpuss baby.

These type of 3 faced dolls were made in the early 1970s in both Hong Kong and Korea. And I have seen them with outfits in a few different colors.
Usually i keep him displayed with a happy face, but its fun to change its expression. What is your favorite look of this cute toy?

Vintage Flocked Animal Collection

2012-06-11T20:48:00.002-04:00

I am so lucky to have married a husband who understands my love of vintage cuteness. So much as to the extend that it often happens that I'm about to put an item in the shop when he notices and grabs it with the remark that that particular item really wants to stay and live with us.
Of course he understands that I'm running a business and need to stay away from being on that show Hoarders. Still, he did over time 'rescue' a good amount of items from going into the shop. It became evident that he has a soft spot for vintage flocked animals. So much so that you can now call it an actual collection.

The cat in the 'handle with care - with love' box, is one of my personal favorites. It's a very rare flocking over ceramic Josef Original figurine. My hubby added the spun cotton bird to the box, so that the kitten would have a best friend to love always.

A few other favorites. They usually are displayed standing together on top of his bookcase, but from time to time they venture out and explore his studio space.

I must say i don't mind him keeping these treasures. I am happy they stayed with us and i wouldn't want to miss them.
Oh, ssst... don't tell my husband, but there are a few other vintage flocked animals for sale in the shop too..

Retro Resin on the Oskar en Ik Blog

2012-06-06T16:37:00.001-04:00

Today my handmade Retro Resin collection has been featured on the wonderful Oskar en ik blog! Since the blog is in Dutch i will post an English version of the interview right here for your reading pleasure. But definitely also go and take a look at Oskar en ik, because it is filled with lovely finds. And if you don't read Dutch, there is plenty of eye-candy to look at!

As for the interview, here goes:

Ismoyo's handmade Retro Resin

A few years ago I interviewed Ismoyo Green for Kiki’s Collage: Auteur, vintage and antique collector, Etsy seller and all round crafty girl.
I met her just before she emigrated to New York and I bought a Monchhichi keychain from her through Marktplaats (ed: a Dutch selling site). Deborah, as Ismoyo is also being called, brought the darling heart over to me and since then we are in contact. Obviously ismoyo informed me of her latest creative success: Retro Resin, a line of handmade resin figurines. Usually I’m not one of plastic items, but hey... aren’t these designs just too cute?!
It’s time to drop a list of questions in Ismoyo’s mailbox:

Congratulations with your new line! What does the Retro Resin Collection consist of?
“Retro Resin is my new craft line. Cute resin figurines, wall hangings, jewelry and magnets. Made from handmade rubber molds based on original vintage designs. Modern with a vintage feel.”

What inspired you to start this project?
“I’m a crafty girt at heart, but the last few years I was mostly focused on my vintage shop on Etsy. I did miss creating, but it took a while before I could really take the time out to do that again. I love to learn new crafts and was inspired by all the resin jewelry I saw on Etsy. I quickly got the idea to do something different with the material and to link it to my passion for vintage design. Retro Resin is the result.”

Why ‘resin’? Can you tell a little more about the material?
“Besides the designs, the material has a vintage link too. In the 70's crafting with resin was already popular. Back then they used it a lot to make paperweights. Often embedded with little things: butterflies, flowers, shells. On my blog you can see some examples from those days. The word ‘resin’ might be unknown to some, but loosely translate it to ‘hard plastic’ and one can imagine what it is. A lot of items in and around the house are made out of types of resin, and for instance artificial nails, but also a lot of toys are being made from resin.”

It looks to me like a lot of work to make those resin figurines...
"To give Retro Resin a vintage look, I wanted to go for iconic designs from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. Think about owls, deers, and poodles. But then with a modern twist. And I love cute, so everything had to be made in sweet colors. From my collection of old figurines I made a selection. Then I ‘just’ had to learn how to make rubber molds and how to pour resin from them. I did a lot of research and watched a lot of tutorials online. I also researched what would be the best materials to work with. But when I knew what I was doing, it went pretty easy. Even though there were some prototypes that didn’t turn out quite like I hoped. There was the eggcup shaped like a chick that came out looking like it was melted!
In my supplies I have a few original molds from the 1960’s from a closed factory. I might be using those for the Retro Resin line too.

Are the designs pure decorative or can children play with them too?
"My Retro Resin collection is not specifically designed to be used as toys for small children. But the figurines and wall hangings do make for great decorations in baby nurseries.”

Anything else you would like to share with us?
"Right now I’m mostly testing and expanding the different colors, I mix all the pigments myself. I also do custom requests for pieces in specific colors. Retro Resin is now a separate section in my vintage Etsy shop. Which will continue as usual. I have a large and loyal customer base for whom I love to continue to go out and hunt for pretty and unique vintage treasures!"

Thanks for your answers, Ismoyo!

See more of like on Facebook? Click these links:
http://www.ismoyo.com/retroresin.html
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ismoyo
http://www.facebook.com/retroresin

Vintage Resin Crafts

2012-05-09T19:54:00.000-04:00

I’m spending a lot of my time lately getting ready to launch Retro Resin in the shop, but I’m definitely still also very focused on my regular vintage shop activities.
I don’t know if i'm unconsciously out looking for vintage resin, or that it is the universe bringing it to me at this time, but on my latest treasure hunt I came across this wonderful bunch of vintage resin flowers.

I remember as a young girl having a small resin paper weight with a real seahorse embedded in the clear resin. I wish i still had it. Will have to be on the lookout for a similar piece. Will find it someday. I did find this round paperweight with flowers embedded inside.
I might list it in the shop at some point, but for now it stays here with me. Retro Resin inspiration on my desk.

And for more resin inspiration, my treasure hunt also brought me several early 1970s vintage craft magazines, in them a few great resin articles and advertisements.

Article on how to make resin paperweights with small items embedded.

The Art of Embedding, Capture Memories crystal clear with American Handicrafts supplies.

A gift only you can give ... something you've made. Buy a gallon of Clear Cast resin, get a mold for free.

I'm going to list some vintage goodies in the shop now, and prepare to add the first pieces of Retro Resin later this week!
More pictures and updates on Retro Resin on Twitter and Facebook.

Mold Making and Resin Figurines

2012-04-23T21:10:00.000-04:00

After a long time without crafting, i felt the urge to create again. To learn something new.
I wanted to do make something with a vintage feel but in a modern kind of style.
So i did some brainstorming, and ended up with a few ideas on mold making and resin crafts. I did a lot of online research to figure out if it was something i thought i could possibly do. After watching a lot of youtube resin tutorial videos, i decided to just purchase the materials and dive in.

Not only did i have to learn how to pour resin, for the end result i had in my head, i couldn't use the store bought standard resin molds. I had to make my own rubber molds. So back to researching how to's and which materials would work for me.
I must say i was really excited pouring my first molds and later pouring the actual resin. But the very best part to this craft is de-molding of your work. Resin has to cure and harden for like 24 hours, so i timed it so that they were ready to be removed from the molds in the morning. Waking up all excited, did they come out alright? Resin demolding party! A big Tada! moment.

The pieces in above picture were some of my first resin creations.
The blue figurine in the back is an eggcup in the shape of a chick.

And for full honest disclosure, not every craft i decide to teach myself comes out perfect the first time. In this case i overlooked the fact that not all resins will cure in larger shapes. I just figured it might take a little longer to harden, but oh, how wrong i was! After a few days of waiting for my first try at the resin eggcup to cure, i gave up and removed it from the mold.
This is what it looked like after one day being out of the mold.

And a day later it looked even sadder..

No way of saving it. The only way to make the eggcup with this type of resin is to do it in layers. Let one layer cure, pour another layer, let that cure, and another. A bit more work, but at least it gives it a chance to harden correctly.

I made some more figures, like a whole bunch of these little owls.

Not quite sure what to turn these into. The deer from the first picture is really 'just' a figurine. As is the pink owl on the right. These owls are smaller with flat backs and can be turned into charms, pin brooches or magnets. The orange bulldog has a flat back too and even though he's a bit bigger than these owls, i think it would also be wonderful as a brooch pin or pendant. My hubby thinks it might be a little too big for most people (a little over 2" tall), but i do think there is a market of enough people who would like a to wear some sort of statement piece. And otherwise the bulldog will remain as is. A cute resin figurine.
I have a few more molds ready to pour, like cute duckies, and an adorable reindeer head. So more to show soon.

I call them Retro Resin. When i have more pieces ready, i will start selling them in my Etsy shop. For now i have set up a twitter account and a Retro Resin Facebook page. Nothing happening there yet, but that will come. Feel free to start following and be a part of this new creative adventure with me.

Happy Easter!

2012-04-08T14:35:00.004-04:00

Hope everyone is having a lovely Easter!

'Easter Surprise' illustration by Rae Owings on the cover of vintage 60s Jack and Jill childrens magazine. Easter edition 1968.

Vintage Richard Scarry Huckle's Book

2012-02-28T18:17:00.002-05:00

Sharing some pages from this adorable learn-to-read vintage cloth book, Huckle's Book. By the great illustrator Richard Scarry.

It has a little fraying on the top and bottom, but being from 1979 it still is in wonderful condition.

Huckle Cat lives in Busytown and this book introduces you to his house, his family and his best friend Lowly Worm.

Fun fact, the nickname of Richard Scarry's son, Richard Scarry Junior, was Huckle. He continues his fathers legacy working as an illustrator, sometimes even working under the nickname Huck Scarry.

This rare vintage childrens book is currently for sale in my shop.

Find pins of Etsy listings on Pinterest

2012-02-25T20:06:00.002-05:00

Pinterest, How i use it, and How to find pins of your Etsy shop listings on Pinterest.

When Etsy recently added the Pin this buttons to our listings i knew it was time for me to go ahead and dive into this Pinterest world. I set up an account and quickly found out that it is highly addictive!

Pinterest gives you a place to create visual mood boards and follow those of others. Obviously my boards are all vintage related. I've got themes like Vintage Thrifting, Vintage Advertisements, Mod Home Decor and Fashion, Vintage Toys, Old school crafting and more. But you can create boards around any subject you like.

Pinterest doesn't like you using the site purely as a self promotional tool. So spam pinning your own stuff is frowned upon, plus usually it won't gain you much lasting followers (just as promo spamming on twitter).
I'm also not much of a re-pinner, i do occasionally and i do use the like-button to show my appreciation of other pins. I like to 'give fresh pins' to the pinterest universe.
What i did just started is one dedicated board where i re-pin other peoples pins from my Etsy shop. So what ends up in there depends completely of what other people think is special enough to pin.

I have also added 'pin this' buttons to my blog posts, to make it easier for people to pin images from my blog to their boards. Locating who pinned what from my blog is not too difficult. I type in http://pinterest.com/source/blog.ismoyo.com and it gives me the pins originating from my blog. You can do this for your own site by changing the end of that url, the part after 'source/' into your own url.

But finding out which of your Etsy listings have been pinned is a bit harder to do since Pinterest throws all Etsy pins on one big source pile. http://pinterest.com/source/etsy.com I doubt anyone would go through all these in hopes to find some of their own.

So how to find those Etsy listings on Pinterest pinned from your shop?
Your Etsy Stats page will show pinterest.com as a traffic source if an Etsy listing pin was clicked on and lead to your shop pages. Etsy stats shows the landing page, and this could give you a clue as to which items might be pinned, but it doesn't tell you where on pinterest this pin exactly was that was clicked on. You could try and use the Pinterest Search box to find your items, but i found that not many people pin with relevant keywords, so finding a specific pin is very hard.

If you use Google Analytics for more extensive shop stats, you can find the link to the actual pin. To do so, log into Analytics and go to 'Traffic Sources', then 'Referrals'.
Under Referral Sources, click the 'Pinterest' link. This will show you the pinterest links that have been clicked, leading to your shop.
Click the little box on the right of each link to see the pin that lead the visitor to your shop.

Note that these links don't in fact all have to be pinned items from your shop, these could also be items from other Etsy shops that someone clicked and eventually found your shop within Etsy during that same session.
And also note that more of your items could have been pinned, and even re-pinned, without them showing up even in your Google Analytics. If nobody actually clicked the pin and got transferred to your shop, there won't be a traffic trail to be found on Analytics.

A little bit of a long story, and if you haven't done this before, going through the links that come up on Analytics might take a while, depending on how many there are, but if you are caught up, you'll only have to do this whenever your Etsy shop stats show traffic from Pinterest and find the referrals for just that day.

Have fun pinning and hunting those pins down!