Vintage. Discovered and Rediscovered.

Vintage Shopkeeper ... Hello Kristina

2012-08-15T05:30:00.000-04:00

This week's featured shop is run by a woman whose shop is quite new but shows the experience and quality of someone who has been selling vintage jewelry for quite some time. Her love of animals will also make you melt. Below is an interview with Kristina from Massachusetts:

Kristina

Spruce Cove

Start by telling everyone about yourself.
I’m a 30-something with diverse interests and passions. Besides running my etsy shop, I work part time as a communications specialist and part time as a healer, doing energy work. I love the variety and using different skills.

Creativity is important to me; my outlets are writing and photography, and I’m learning how to bead. I’m passionate about animal rescue; my husband and I live with four rescue dogs, and I’ll be donating 5% of my etsy store proceeds to a dog rescue.

What started you on your path to becoming a vintage seller? How did you arrive at the name for your shop?
My parents loved flea markets, and in my childhood, we spent many weekends wandering through tables of old things. My mother’s parents were born in Italy, and my father was born in Norway, so I don’t have a long family history here in the United States. Seeing and touching old things helped me connect with the past and helped deepen my roots.

My shop is named in honor of where I grew up. I was lucky to spend much of my life on the coast of Maine, where our house overlooked a beautiful cove. Since my shop is inspired by items from my childhood, my shop name is, too.

How has your shop evolved over the years? What do you envision for your shop as it continues its evolution?
My shop is new — only a few months old — but it’s been years in the making. Right now, Spruce Cove has vintage jewelry, but I plan on expanding to include other things. When my parents passed away, I inherited my mom’s vintage jewelry and old bottles, and my family’s collection of china, glass and Scandinavian Christmas plates. Most of these beautiful vintage items are sitting in boxes, and that’s just not right. I’d like to keep a few things and know that people are enjoying the rest.

Thinking as a shop owner and looking back on your early days, were there any missteps?
I’m still in my early days, but already I’ve discovered a mistake: many of my first photos were too dark. Fortunately, this is easily fixed. I’m lightening them and updating my listings.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of opening an online shop?
Be prepared to invest time and energy. I spend hours taking and editing photos of my items as well as researching and learning. Building a community takes time, too. Although I enjoy all of these things, I didn’t know going in how much time it would take.

What are some of your favorite places to shop for vintage finds? Feel free to share names of great shops, flea markets, etc.
In Maine, the Montsweag Flea Market on Route 1 in Woolwich is great. Recently I moved to Massachusetts, and I’m still finding places near my new home.

Storage of vintage items that are waiting to be sold can quickly overwhelm a seller’s personal space when they sell from their own home. How do you make it work for you so it doesn’t take over your personal space?
I’m lucky to have a home office where I photograph and keep my current items. My storage room has lots of boxes waiting to be sorted, but the door to that room stays closed until I have time to dig in!

What era or style are you particularly drawn to? Why do you think that is?
I’ve always loved the 1920s: the long flapper necklaces, cloche hats, drop-waist dresses, the art deco jewelry. The style seems both old and modern. In photos, people always seem to be having such fun, and I love that women were enjoying newly found freedoms.

Why do you think this love of vintage is so universal? What do you think it is that draws so many of us in?
Nostalgia is powerful. Lately I’ve been searching other vintage shops for things from my childhood, and when I come across a beloved toy, it makes me smile. Looking at and touching old things is a way of connecting with our pasts, a kind of grounding.

Where can everyone find you?
I’m on etsy at http://www.etsy.com/shop/SpruceCove and on twitter at @packofhuskies

Vintage Shopkeepers are awesome! Read more of these interviews here.

Natalie

Vintage Saturdays: Flower Frogs

2012-08-11T05:30:00.000-04:00

Flower frogs are definitely not something you see all the time, but when you do, they are often super cute. Sometimes made of glass, other times of metal, they can also vary by size and color. So what do you do if you are not an avid flower lover but want to use these in new and interesting ways?

Frog Goes to Market shows them functioning as a business card display.

Kristin Smith pinned this image on Pinterest. A simple stack of flower frogs under a cloche is genius.

Design Sponge shows them artfully arranged on a wall selecting from among a variety of sizes, colors, and shapes.

Vintage Indie showcases them being used as Wedding place card holders. Gorgeous!

Ollie's Fine Things shows how cool they look when used as pen holders.

~~~~~~~~~~xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo~~~~~~~~~~

Feeling inspired? Find vintage glass or metal flower frogs here:

Vintage Saturdays are the best! Find previous posts here.

Natalie

Vintage Shopkeeper ... Hello Linda

2012-08-08T05:30:00.000-04:00

This week's vintage seller has so many fun and interesting items for sale! You'll feel like you're being transported to a fabulous, faraway place when you see what kinds of wild vintage finds she carries in her etsy shop. Meet Linda of Columbus, OH:

Linda Sapp Long

umeone

Start by telling everyone about yourself.

Hi, my name is Linda Sapp Long. My love of the Tropics, Art and Antiques started with my Parents. When I was 2 in 1961, my Dad, Bill Sapp and his business partner Lee Henry, opened a huge restaurant called The Kahiki Supper Club in Columbus, Ohio. Entering The restaurant included passing by Giant fire spewing Moai, walking over the Bamboo bridge that covered the flowing river moat, open the doors, pass by a magical rock wall waterfall, be greeted by a huge center fountain and that's just the entrance! The Kahiki was my playground, my escape from the cold gray winters in Ohio. My mother, Marcy created or designed several of the mugs used to serve up exotic concoctions of rum and fresh juices. Since these mugs weren’t readily available to the tikiphile collectors, I started recreating some of her designs.

We moved to Florida for a few of my early years, where my mother tried to teach me to paint and my parents started collecting art and antiques. my passions were instilled in me at a very early age. my parents success opened a world of fantasy and my love of beautiful things with a past.

Fast forward 40 years, I’m a retired bartender and my fabulous husband, Craig has enabled me to unleash my passions. Etsy has provided me the vehicle I needed to blossom.

What started you on your path to becoming a vintage seller? How did you arrive at the name for your shop?
Originally I opened my shop to showcase my pottery. The economy went south, we moved north and I needed to make a living, I had been picking up things at auctions, garage sales and a thrift store around the corner from our condo. I was quickly obsessed with making wristlets, most of which are still in my shop. Then I discovered that you could sell vintage on etsy! I started creating more of my own pottery designs and supplement that passion with my other passion vintage! Life is good again and I’m enjoying my venture on etsy.

My shop name started out in 2004, when my husband and i started collecting vintage tiki and buying things from the early years of the kahiki on ebay. My husband came up with it, u me one, we are together in all our ventures.

How has your shop evolved over the years? What do you envision for your shop as it continues its evolution?
My shop is still getting its footing. I really only went full time with it in January. so I’ve been in a learning curve. I envision selling more pottery and getting into a vintage/antique niche.

Thinking as a shop owner and looking back on your early days, were there any missteps?
Huge mistakes, for one I am not very computer savvy, so I’ve had on the job training. I didn’t realize I was starting a business, so i didn’t start out with a business plan in place. oh, and there’s that whole wristlet obsession.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of opening an online shop?
Learn all you can from etsy handbook, labs and join teams with your same interest. The people on my teams have been extremely helpful with not only explaining things to me but, the support they provide is essential to my successes.

What are some of your favorite places to shop for vintage finds? Feel free to share names of great shops, flea markets, etc.
I love going to Estate sales, auctions, garage sales and my little honey hole around the corner, Volunteers of America.

Storage of vintage items that are waiting to be sold can quickly overwhelm a seller’s personal space when they sell from their own home. How do you make it work for you so it doesn’t take over your personal space?
I am lucky enough to have a large closet in the second bedroom that we have set up as an office. I have storage tubs with my items for sale and a ton of packing boxes, bubble wrap and my special rattan boxes for my pottery. My pottery is on display all over our house. It has taken time to get organized and i do have items on my work table that needs to be either worked on or photographed. It’s always a work in process.

What era or style are you particularly drawn to? Why do you think that is?
Mid Century definitely, I grew up with 1950’s furniture at home and at my grandparents house. it’s comfort furnishings! Just like pot roast or macaroni & cheese!

Why do you think this love of vintage is so universal? What do you think it is that draws so many of us in?
Vintage items catch up with us, they may not have been thought of since you were a kid but, you know it when you see it 50 years later. For me an item as simple as a dishcloth can transport me back to sitting on the kitchen counter talking to my grandma while she’s doing the dishes (with my help of course).

Where can everyone find you?

my etsy shop ... www.etsy.com/shop/umeone

Facebook ... http://www.facebook.com/KahikiDaze

Pinterest ... pinterest.com/umeone

Vintage Shopkeepers are awesome! Read more of these interviews here.

Natalie

Vintage Shopkeeper ... Hello Deb

2012-08-01T05:30:00.000-04:00

The featured shop this week is run by a woman who has been selling on etsy since November 2010. Her shop is super sweet and full of all sorts of fun and whimsical items that span many different decades and styles. Below is an interview with Deb from Louisiana:

Deb

WhimzyThyme

Start by telling everyone about yourself.

I am a french cajun lady who loves God, family and country. I have been a collector and lover of antiques since my early twenties. I so appreciate the craftsmanship and design of yesteryear. Recycling, reusing and rescuing vintage finds is my mission and my love.

What started you on your path to becoming a vintage seller?

How did you arrive at the name for your shop?

The name of my Shop is Whimzy Thyme. I became a lover of antiques and vintage sometimes in my twenties when decorating a new home. I was always looking for something that would bring a bit of “whimsy” and that had passed the test of “time”. I love to collect “pretties” that are different and tell a story. Things that have a past and were loved by someone else. So “Whimzy Thyme” just fits perfectly.

How has your shop evolved over the years? What do you envision for your shop as it continues its evolution?

In the early 90s I had multiple booths in four different antique shops in north Texas. My goal was to purchase antique home decor and furniture to fill my booths spaces. Financially I was able to purchase many fine antique pieces but knew I had to broaden my scope to also include quality vintage (items ranging from 20 to 75 years old). My hope is that I can continue to provide my Customers with quality items that they will be proud to display in their homes.

Thinking as a shop owner and looking back on your early days, were there any missteps?

To be successful in this business I believe you need to be open change. You need to stay abreast of changes in technology and educate yourself as to what items are in vogue. People taste in what they want to collect and purchase to decorate their homes is constantly changing. The trick is to have a variety in your inventory and continuing education is a must.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of opening an online shop?

My advice would be to make sure you are mentally prepared to work long hours which does not necessary calculate into large monetary rewards. You need to open a vintage/antique shop because you truly love the treasure hunt and being able to provide a venue to others. I would definitely suggest that you try it as a hobby for awhile before committing full time. Most days I spend at least 12 to 14 hours working on cleaning treasures, researching information, taking photos and writing descriptions. Also, you need to allocate time for marketing and participating on social network sites.

What are some of your favorite places to shop for vintage finds? Feel free to share names of great shops, flea markets, etc.
My favorite places for treasure hunting are thrift shops, estate sales and auctions. I love the charity thrift shops because I not only find great items but am also supporting a great cause. I love estate sales and onsite auctions because you can count on finding some items that was truly loved and taken care of my the owner. My most favorite finds are those that was passed on from a previous generation. A couple of my favorite flea markets are Round Top and Canton in Texas and Brimfield in Massachusetts.

Making sure that your safety store items once you have listed them for sale is a constance struggle. I am fortunate to live in a house that was built in 1941 and has tons of storage space. I have a huge walk in closet in an extra bedroom where I am able to place shelving units to store my listed inventory. I also have lots of attic space to store shipping boxes and material. Once I list an item in my Shop it gets an inventory number and stored out of harms way.

What era or style are you particularly drawn to? Why do you think that is?

I love the victorian ear because one of my favorite treasures is celluloid boxes, photo albums and vanity items. I started collecting celluloid boxes and photo albums about 25 years ago. I also adore Art Deco because of its intricate beauty. The roaring 20s gave us gals beautiful flapper jewelry, handbags, hats and dresses. Many items from this decade has survived the test of time and can be found on Etsy.

Why do you think this love of vintage is so universal? What do you think it is that draws so many of us in?

I believe it is the craftsmanship and in many cases the painstaking detail that went into the manufacturing process. It seems like items made within the last 20 years are throw aways. Meaning the intention was not to make it last for generations. So many items are made with the cheapest materials possible with the goal of producing quantity and not quality.

Where can everyone find you?
Whimzy Thyme can be found at http://www.etsy.com/shop/WhimzyThyme

Vintage Shopkeepers are awesome! Read more of these interviews here.

Natalie

Vintage Saturdays: Romance Novels

2012-07-28T05:30:00.000-04:00

I have to admit, I have never once read a romance novel. But this has never stopped me from being totally fascinated by some of those most...interesting...artwork. The colors, the graphics, the poses...awesome in its own unique way. Beyond simply reading them, what can you do with these books after they've long been enjoyed for their literary fabulousness?

Oh So Beautiful Paper turns them into amazing wedding invitations!

TheCraneFactory uses the pages to create super awesome bouquets.

Contextomy uses very specific snippets from the novels to create the coolest hair clips ever.

American romance novels can't have all the fun. Heavensentcrafts uses Spanish novels to create book journals.

Bookity uses the pages within to create super pretty wedding confetti. Way cooler than rice and bubbles.

~~~~~~~~~~XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO~~~~~~~~~~

Feeling inspired? Here are a few places where you can find your own vintage romance novels :

AmeliaBedeliaVintage

CherryRiversVintage

BingoBits

Vintage Saturdays are the best! Find previous posts here.

Natalie

Vintage Shopkeeper ... Hello Madalena

2012-07-25T05:30:00.000-04:00

The featured shop this week is a woman who has been selling on etsy since February 2010 and always has very fun and unusual small items. Below is an interview with Madalena Borg from Berkhamsted, UK:

Madalena Borg

Brocante Art

Start by telling everyone about yourself.
I am an artist and designer who has taken a few years off to look after my three children. i grew up in brazil where my main interests were electronic and post punk music and cinema, mainly silent films and european arthouse. i have lived in uk for the past 20 years where i still like music and avant-garde films but developed a semi-obsession with antique european textiles and 18th century history

What started you on your path to becoming a vintage seller?

How did you arrive at the name for your shop?
As time went by my interest gradually moved on from fine arts to decorative artifacts and especially european fabrics, trimmings, haberdashery and soft furnishing.
As most of my items are found in french brocantes where i always look for a piece of poetry and art in everything i thought brocanteart would sum it up perfectly.

How has your shop evolved over the years? What do you envision

for your shop as it continues its evolution?

i see brocanteart moving into interior styling and decorating, i have also been researching fabric and textile manufacturing from 17th century onwards and would ideally move into small scale manufacturing using traditional techniques.

Thinking as a shop owner and looking back on your early days, were there any missteps?
i guess i am on my early days still, but when i was a total beginner i thought that i could just upload a few jpgs and wait for the orders to flood in... needless to say that did not happen. in fact things started picking up as soon as i devoted time to research every item and photograph them in their best light.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of opening an online shop?
don’t expect to start earning a living straight away, it takes time, effort and commitment but it can be wonderfully rewarding. in the first few months/years you must re-invest all your profits to make your business grow.

What are some of your favorite places to shop for vintage finds?

Feel free to share names of great shops, flea markets, etc.

i buy most of my wares in france and belgium. As for inspiration i go to london’s shoreditch and whitechapel areas in the east end where the wonderful spitalfields antique/flea market has the best stalls. ardingly antique market is also worth a visit.

Storage of vintage items that are waiting to be sold can quickly overwhelm a seller’s

personal space when they sell from their own home. How do you make it work for

you so it doesn’t take over your personal space?
they have taken over my personal space and most of them are part of my home decoration until the time comes when we part company. i don’t see my beloved fabrics as separated from myself maybe i should seek professional help lol!

What era or style are you particularly drawn to? Why do you think that is?
austerity meets provencal, pale colors with lavish trimmings, wood, wool and muted colors, time worn loved pieces of great quality.

Why do you think this love of vintage is so universal?

What do you think it is that draws so many of us in?
probably the overbearing mass produced goods in our throw away society.

Where can everyone find you?
my website www.brocanteart.com where there is link to my etsy shop and a contacts page

Vintage Shopkeepers are awesome! Read more of these interviews here.

Natalie

Spotted: Vintage Car

2012-07-23T14:13:00.001-04:00

Serving through Clark, NJ, I spotted this in the parking lot of a Wendy's. Pulled in to snap a shot, and it was totally worth it. Vintage Ford Bronco in orange?! Yes, please!

Vintage Sneak Peek

2012-07-22T01:43:00.000-04:00

Some just listed or soon to be listed items that you will be able to find in my etsy shop this week...

Just Listed...

Extra Large MFB
Shortening Tin

Vintage Wooden

Drawer Organizer

Draper Screen Co. Vintage Projector Screen

Soon to be Listed ...

Trio of Old Valves and Plumbing Parts

Antique Ice Pick

Valves and Old Plumbing

Trio of Vintage Tins

Vintage Washboard by Columbus Washboard Co.

You'll be able to find all of these

in my etsy shop this week ...

Natalie

Vintage Saturdays: Silver Trays

2012-07-21T04:17:00.000-04:00

For anyone who loves going to estate sales, flea markets, and garage sales as much as me, you know how easy it can be to find beautiful old silver trays. They come in so many sizes, styles and degrees of aging. Beyond using them for their originally intended purpose, what else can you do with these beauties?

Casa Sugar creates magnetic inspiration boards. What a great way to kickstart your ideas for your home renovation or your next craft project.

Goodbye, House. Hello, Home! used a reticulated tray and some berry garland to create a ridiculously awesome front door wreath.

DishfunctionalDesigns suggests gathering several of them, mounting hooks on the back and then hanging them as part of a large collection on the wall.

Unchanginggrace creates beautiful

wall vases by mounting a small jar

onto a metal tray. Very cool.

~~~~~~~~~~xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo~~~~~~~~~~

Feeling inspired? Here are a few stunning trays

available for sale right now:

APKVintage

gardenofsimples

gazaboo

HappyGoVintage

DovieMoon

SalvagedCuriosities

Vintage Saturdays are the best! Find previous posts here.

Natalie

Lovely Surprise

2012-07-20T09:30:00.000-04:00

Recently, I included a book wreath by tamragerber in one of my Vintage Saturdays post (see the original post here). Imagine my delight when Tamra offered to send me one of her original book wreaths as a thank you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So much time was spent on the attention to detail. Each page was individually rolled and carefully mounted onto the base:

The wreath is larger and fuller than I expected and is incredibly dramatic:

Because I have a screen door in front of my regular front door, I have never been able to hang anything there. This just leaves the secondary door that leads directly into my apartment. I have always wanted something to grace the entrance, but have always struggled with finding something really unique and dramatic. I think I have finally found it!

Thank you, Tamra!!

Natalie

Vintage Shopkeeper.... Hello Amanda

2012-07-18T09:30:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the first in a long series of posts that spotlight people who are living their truth. People who have discovered a love of vintage and, although some may also have other jobs, they spend their free time cultivating their interest in vintage finds, whether it be home decor, clothing or more, and have turned it into a business. A business through which they are able to bring these finds to the world.

Today's seller is a woman who began selling vintage in 2010 on etsy. Her shop is always full of vintage finds ranging from rustic to 70s retro. Below is an interview with Amanda from Bloomfield, NJ:

Amanda Kartanowicz

APKVintage

Start by telling everyone about yourself.

My name is Amanda, I am 30 years old, I live in northern New Jersey and am a middle school French teacher during the week. On the weekends though, I hunt for vintage items and spend my time cleaning, restoring, photographing and selling my finds on etsy.

What started you on your path to becoming a vintage seller? How did you arrive at the name for your shop?
I can remember being 12 years old, my older sister Natalie just old enough to drive, and us driving around our neighborhood following signs to any garage sales, heading to the Salvation Army (hoping it was a sale day) and being intrigued by everything we would find. Why were the sayings on a t-shirt from the 70s so much funnier than our t-shirts? Why were those shades of retro brown and orange so much cooler than our browns and oranges? There are photos of me at 17 in my bedroom sitting in a huge, over-sized velvety armchair covered with brown and orange flowers. My room was a mix of furniture my mother had picked out when I was young and furniture I had added in from the Salvation Army along the way. Other photos remind me that I went through a phase where every Halloween I simply wore the craziest, brightest vintage dress I could find. I wore a uniform in high school and we were allowed to wear blazers, so I of course wore a brown velvet blazer from the Salvo and when we had dress down days I took full advantage and often looked like I was ready to go disco dancing in an ensemble of polyester. When I look at photos like these and think back, I realize how early on my fascination with vintage began, as well as how long ago I began selling things online.
I opened my ebay account in 1998, which makes me 17 years old when I first began selling things here and there. It has been a long evolution to a site like etsy and I love it! The story of my shop name is less interesting though, APK being my initials, I added vintage and handmade to form the names of my two shops. I wanted a relationship between the two; something that would show that they were both owned by the same seller and a buyer could expect the same level of customer service at each shop.

How has your shop evolved over the years? What do you envision for your shop as it continues its evolution?I would say that the overall look of my shop has changed quite a bit since the beginning. My photos are completely different and I am so much better at tagging items with search terms that will help a buyer find me. My items have changed a bit as well as I learned what was way too difficult to ship or what items didn’t generate much love. I hope that in the future, although some things are bound to change and evolve, that my shop always maintains its soul. No matter what new photography style I might attempt or if my shop begins to focus on only home décor or only clothing. I want to own everything I sell and I think it should always stay that way.

Thinking as a shop owner and looking back on your early days, were there any missteps?
My original shop name was definitely a misstep! I opened my etsy account to purchase something and used my email address as my username. Within a month I began selling and realized I couldn’t change my shop name. For over a year my name was rutabagasix, my email address. There was nothing about it though that rolled off the tongue or made you think of awesome vintage finds. Etsy has since changed their policy and I was able to change my shop name to something much more logical…phew!

What advice would you give to someone thinking of opening an online shop?
My best advice is to always make or sell what you love. There were times in the beginning where I was picking up items that I “thought” people would like. Items that may not have necessarily been my taste but I could see people wanting it for themselves. The items that I bought and sold with this assumption would sometimes take over a year to sell. Whereas when I choose things that I personally love, they sell much more quickly. You’ll find that you are able to describe it better, you’ll enjoy doing the research for the item and lovingly take every photograph.

What are some of your favorite places to shop for vintage finds? Feel free to share names of great shops, flea markets, etc.
I love going to estate sales for most of my vintage items. I love the thrill of searching through an entire sale, digging to the bottom of each box, or going to the far corner of the attic and blowing the dust off to reveal something amazing. I also sell at several markets with my sister Natalie and the Brooklyn Flea in New York and Clover Market in Ardmore, Pennsylvania are our favorites. Walking to get a coffee always takes way too long because I am drawn to each booth I pass…

Storage of vintage items that are waiting to be sold can quickly overwhelm a seller’s personal space when they sell from their own home. How do you make it work for you so ti doesn’t take over your personal space?
Well, I would say my personal space is often taken over by my items! I live in a one bedroom condominium with garage and basement storage that are always on the verge of overflowing. It can be difficult but I am often reorganizing, rearranging and finding better ways to store everything. Inevitably, the initial process, once I bring new items home, always takes over the apartment. As we speak, I have silverware in the sink to polish, a newly cleaned vintage dress air drying, a pile of things ready for photos and a half-dressed mannequin staring at me from the middle of my bedroom. To me, the restoration process is one of the most exciting and seeing something come back to life and revealing the final product makes it worthwhile. And I have been known to keep a vase or two around the place until it sells.

What era or style are you particularly drawn to? Why do you think that is?
This is a difficult question to answer because I find myself drawn to so many! In any given room you can find something mid-century modern, rustic, or from the 70s. I may wear a brand new outfit but put on a vintage hat from the 50s, or accessorize with a scarf or some retro jewelry. I drive a new car and use vintage handmade afghans of grandma squares as seat covers. I guess if it catches my eye and I think something is interesting or beautiful, it doesn’t matter what era it’s from, I’ll find a way to make it work!

Why do you think this love of vintage is so universal? What do you think it is that draws so many of us in?
There are so many answers to this question! I think that people are able to see the styles, fads, and decor of the past and see the relationship between something they see in a high-end catalogue of today and how they are obviously based on fashions and decorating ideas of the past. When faced with a viable option for owning something that is original and not reproduced for the mass market by machine, people will prefer the original. I would much rather my chips and nicks and rust caked on after 60 years of living than something made to “look” rustic.
Nostalgia too must play an important role. A toy that reminds you of your childhood, a vase your great aunt had or a dress just like the one your mother wore. When something can transport you back to a happy time in your life you don’t want to lose it. Now, you can wear that dress, or look up to your mantle and think of your aunt or give that toy to your own child.
And lastly, I think we all have a glamorous view of the past. I am constantly finding myself thinking things like: “Why don’t men wear hats anymore?” “Dresses in the twenties were amazing.” and “Things were made so much better back then!” There was art in everything, value placed on the craftsmanship of something and an attention to detail that is difficult to find anymore.

Where can everyone find you?

On etsy…
My vintage shop: apkvintage.etsy.com
And my handmade shop: apkhandmade.etsy.com

On twitter...
twitter.com/apkvintage

A Tisket, A Tasket, A Picnic Basket

2012-07-17T18:05:00.001-04:00

Summer is in full swing! Today, a collection of finds to help make your Summer picnics deliciously fun!

All these vintage and handmade finds can be found right now on etsy.

Natalie

Etsy Feature >> 1980s Conair Clock

2012-07-16T18:10:00.003-04:00

It was lovely to see today that one of my items was featured on Etsy's blog in a post entitled, "Story Board: Factory". Find the original post here:

Story Board: Factory

The item featured is a 1980s lavender Conair clock. Originally $18, it is actually on sale for the entire month as part of my Christmas in July sale.

click here for more info

Thanks, Etsy!

Vintage Sneak Peek

2012-07-15T09:30:00.000-04:00

Some just listed or soon to be listed fun vintage finds that can be found exclusively on my etsy shop starting this week.

Just Listed...

Vintage Tablecloth

Pair of Ritz Tins

Vintage Metal Bookends

Soon to be Listed...

Vintage Metal Hinges

Set of 6 Vintage Reader's Digest Books

You will be able to find them all on my etsy shop this week...

Natalie

P.S. Like having a sneak peek? Check back every Sunday morning for the newest updates...

P.S. Looking for fun DIY projects using vintage finds? Check out my Vintage Saturdays series...

Vintage Saturdays: Children's Book's Illustrations.

2012-07-14T09:30:00.000-04:00

As a teacher in my real life, I am constantly surrounded by children's books. While I think they are mostly all adorable, I am seriously in love with old children's book. What to do with old books that are no longer usable in its traditional sense? These artists have come up with wonderful ways of reusing the pages within (and even the covers) to create new and super cool treasures.

GormanStudios decoupages the images onto blocks

to create unique children's toys and room decor:

StoriesDivinations uses reproductions of these images

to create delightful cards for sending to others:

Another adorable greeting card from StoriesDivinations:

What can you do with the actual book covers themselves?

PigseyArt turns them into whimsical journals:

Prefer jewelry? StudioLaTouche makes

adorable necklaces using vintage illustrations:

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Feeling inspired? Here are a few etsy sellers with super fun books

that are ready to be used in projects of your own:

grainedit:

FondlyVintage:

ValinthePaperValley:

Vintage Saturdays are the best! Find previous posts here.

Natalie

Welcome to the Christmas Party!

2012-07-12T18:47:00.002-04:00

As someone who just adores Summer, I am always feeling pretty good at this time of year. How can it get any better than this? By finding out about an awesome vintage sale! As an Etsy seller, I have become active by joining up with several different teams of like-minded people who are all working to bring super cool vintage finds to the world. One of my vintage teams, Etsy Vintage Elite Team, is working collectively for a week straight to offer tons of vintage items at a discount. Deb, one of the team leaders, has penned this post to not only share the details of this sale, but also to invite you to the link party!

Vintage Retrievers

Hi, my name is Deb and I am one of the Blog Leaders on the Etsy Vintage Elite Team, also known as the EVETeam. I’m grateful for this opportunity to tell you about a fun event we have up and running on our team Blog called “from the circle of eve”. We’re hosting a Christmas in July Link Party which began July 11, 2012 and will run through July 17, 2012 for shop owners on Etsy and all bloggers. Links are Christmas and Christmas in July Sales listings.

Here's a link to our Party: etsyvintageelite.blogspot.com/2012/07/etsy-vintage-elite-christmas-in-ju...

CalloohCallay

Our blog “from the circle of eve” is our place to share the story behind our offerings, our knowledge about vintage, and some fun DIY projects as well as show off some of the wonderful vintage goodies we have for sale in our shops. We have some wonderful blogger’s who contribute including Moody, a Team Leader, from Mylittlethriftstore on Etsy, our vintage camera expert and Maggie from Hilltoptimes on Etsy, our vintage collections curator who also is a Blog Leader, as well as guest bloggers who cover a variety of subjects.

Scavengenius

For Blogger’s and Etsy Shop Owners this is a wonderful opportunity to introduce yourself to our team who will also be posting items from our shops which are either on sale and/or vintage Christmas items such as ornaments and Christmas related home décor. There are some easy to follow rules which are posted on the Link Party page. For shoppers it’s a fun way to see a sampling of our Christmas in July Sales and Christmas items. To see more of our Christmas in July offerings and sale items use the search term “eveteam cij” or “eveteam Christmasinjuly” in the search box on Etsy.

HilltopTimes

We hope you’ll take an opportunity to come on over, take a look around, link up with us and have some fun! While you’re there we hope you’ll join our blog as a follower and take a look at our membership drive Give-A-Way which can be seen using this link:

etsyvintageelite.blogspot.com/2012/06/new-life-for-old-cameras.html

We look forward to getting to know you!
Deb TheInspiredTrader on Etsy

Vintage Saturdays: Valve Knobs

2012-07-07T09:30:00.000-04:00

Sometimes the smallest objects can be used in some of the coolest DIY projects. Eternally awesome items are old valve knobs. Some were previously used on hoses or plumbing and can be found in a wide array of colors, sizes, and styles. There are many handmade sellers online using them in their pieces. Here are a few artists that I adore...

stringnthings turns them into super cool necklaces:

ikcdesign creates really cool wine stoppers from old valve knobs:

cre8iveconcrete makes the most awesome lamps using old plumbing and valves:

Looking for a unique bracelet with an industrial, steampunk look?

Dinglewear attaches valve knobs to leather cuffs:

Valve knobs can also be incorporated into home decor, like these wall hooks featured on

Young House Love's blog:

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Feeling inspired? These etsy sellers always have lots of old valve available for sale!

coolvintage:

scrapyardgirl:

HeartlandVintageShop:

sushipotvintage:

Vintage Saturdays are the best! Find previous posts here.

Natalie

Independence Day

2012-07-04T09:30:00.000-04:00

Happy 4th of July!

Today's a great day to sit back, reflect on all that is good, and spend time enjoying ourselves and the freedom we are blessed to have.

Vintage Americana: Classic Style

2012-07-02T09:30:00.000-04:00

What is it about the combination of red, white and blue that is both patriotic and also so classically inviting into a home's decor? Today, a few beautiful finds for you to feast your eyes on. The timeless looks of these pieces, I think you'll agree, makes these perfect for much more than just during our most patriotic holidays.

DesmondBrownDesign:

MannMadeDesigns4:

CariKraft:

AveryleeDesigns:

Vintage Sneak Peek.

2012-07-01T10:00:00.000-04:00

Some just listed or soon to be listed fun vintage finds that can be found exclusively on my etsy shop starting this week.

Just Listed...

Vintage Sir Walter Raleigh Smoking Tobacco Tin.

Vintage Tall MINT GREEN Floral Hat or Wig Box.

Industrial Chic. Pair of Orange Metal Vintage Bookends.

By Highsmith Co.

Soon to be Listed...

You will be able to find them all on my etsy shop this week...

Natalie

P.S. Like having a sneak peek? Check back every Sunday morning for the newest updates...

P.S. Looking for fun DIY projects using vintage finds? Check out my Vintage Saturdays series...

Vintage Saturdays: Book Pages

2012-06-30T11:13:00.000-04:00

I'm a modern girl in virtually every way. But there are a few things I need to hold on to. Things like old books. While I appreciate the ease and simplicity of new e-readers, I will take a book anytime. Nothing can replace the look, feel and smell of a nice big book and if it a bit older, smellier and yellowed? Even better.

So to me nothing is more tragic than seeing an old book ruined and in the trash. Certainly they can't all survive time, but what can be done with some of those older books that are in a state of disrepair and beyond the point of being able to be fixed? These artists have found some ingenious ways to reuse books pages. Even old paper can seem fresh and new when reused.

EmeraldCut runs these pages into mini envelopes. These are perfect for sending small notes or adding to your wedding decor:

TheTurningofaPage turns them into the cutest stickers ever. She creates many different shapes, including flying birds:

BookCraft creates super cute roses from book pages. I think these will look gorgeous as a big bouquet:

More into jewelry? ThePaperWord uses small strips of book pages to make these really awesome earrings:

Or how about a super cool necklace? This one is from SimplyPrettyStyle:

Tamragerber uses several book pages to create the ultimate in beautiful wreaths. I adore these! They will look great in so many different rooms and fit in nicely with many different home decor styles:

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Feeling inspired to make something of your own? These etsy sellers always have tons of vintage books and/or book pages on hand:

Vintage Saturdays are the best! Find previous posts here.

Natalie

Vintage Saturdays: Mason Jars.

2012-06-23T10:00:00.000-04:00

I don't cook, bake or do much of anything in between. Yet I inexplicably find myself with an obscene amount of mason jars. I am drawn to all the different brands, colors, sizes, and styles. So what does someone like me, a non-sauce maker (or maker of anything food-related) do with these jars? There are some really fun and interesting ideas out there and I have come across some really creative uses for these jars.

Industrial Rewind turns them into awesome soap dispensers that make me want to get dirty just so I have an excuse to wash my hands:

Does looking at mason jars make you feel...thirsty? ScissorsNPaste turn them into Redneck wine glasses complete with screw on lids:

Prefer a shabby chic, rustic look? SunburstOutdoorDecor attaches them to distressed wood and turns them into a unique double vase that also has a peg for hanging small items:

One of my longtime favorites is designed by BootsNGus who create ultra cool lights from mason jars. Incredibly gorgeous:

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Feeling inspired? Looking for some mason jars of your own? Here are a few etsy sellers that always seem to have many jars available:

APKVintage

Hindsvik

oneredhen

Vintage Saturdays are the best!! Find previous posts here.

Natalie

P.S. Have an idea? I would love to have guest bloggers! Contact me directly for more info...

Vintage Saturdays: Wooden Spools

2012-06-16T10:00:00.000-04:00

If you are into crafting, DIY or just appreciate the art of making something fresh and new out of something old, then you are probably like me and always looking for cool vintage finds that others might see as castoffs. It was during one of these endless searches that I first discovered vintage spools. These originally held sewing threads of all varieties and were often thrown away once the thread was used up. But for those of us lucky to come across a stash of them, we know we need to grab them immediately!

What can you do with these spools?

ette studios suggests making a headphone keeper:

Wooden NickelsJewelry adds a dictionary page and turns it into an awesome necklace:

BuenaHelena turns them into wall art:

ArcofTime turns them into killer rings:

Feeling inspired?

Looking for some of your own?

Check out these shops:

LittleBeachDesigns:

RomasMaison:

Created a project of your own using vintage spools? Feel free to send a photo or two over to me and I will repost it here on my blog!

Nature Calls.

2012-06-14T17:12:00.000-04:00

Some fresh etsy finds perfect for summer. Explore both vintage and handmade items...

The Outdoorsy Type

2012-06-13T17:25:00.000-04:00

Summer should mean more than just flinging open your windows, outdoor grilling, and no school. Summer should mean rediscovering nature, spending time outdoors, and watching the natural world go by.

Today, some etsy finds for you that evoke that feeling.

The Outdoorsy Type