Day of the Dead

 

 My little town put on quite the festival this last weekend. Cirque de Horror Show, 18 piece orchestra (all skeletons), Salsa contest, Sugar Skull cookies and more.

So many people dressed up! I was pleased to see all of the dead and Lydia and Beetle-juice even turned out!

Vintage Back Talk

 

The inspiring Julia over at Goat Notes recently featured me in her Vintage Back talk series.

So delighted to share this interview, it really got me to think about Etsy vintage sellers and what we do everyday. The research, the photos, the cataloging. We are essentially a council of international vintage curators. So proud to be among you. Thanks for reading and thanks again Julia!

1. Why Do You Love Vintage?
Its the little things...tatted lace with unbelievable detail, embroidery, hand-stitching, printed fabrics from the 40's with such great shapes and color combinations that don't appear in the mass produced labels of today.
I often think about what modern items could be vintage treasures in 50-110 years.
Will any of these modern clothes be able to stand the test of time? With the exception of a few designer labels, I still don't have the answer.

Read more... 

Close to home

 

Last weekend the Etsy Denton members had a great showing at the local arts center. While I had to work the entire day, I did find some time to go down the block and show my support.

I came away with these finds and met some wonderful people as well. I am so completely in love with the 1940s celluloid and rhinestone buttons turned hairpins from Blossom Shop.

The rhinestone pave earrings are also from the 40's and I can't believe my luck in finding them. From a good friend and cute vintage shop called Beth aka Betty Vintage.

The last thing I found was pure serendipity. I have long needed a wrapping station for packages and the occasional cutting of small fabrics, this one is made from reclaimed industrial materials and

even has a handy place to put my customs labels etc.

From the lovely Home again, Home again.

Vintage re-do

Chelsea from Italian Postcards introduced me to the wonderful world of polyvore by asking :

Do you polyvore?

Do I what? Well I didn't, but now I do. I SO do. My first collage of items above featuring Tory Burch Leather frame handbag, Roberto Cavalli Serpent Bangle and my favorite 40's inspired pumps, re-created in vintage below. Going into the shop today! Like I needed another way to lose some real world time!






A girly polka dot skirt paired with a mens wear soft as all get out chambray shirt. Lots of timeless vintage accessories and
a little serpent brooch with ruby eyes for a touch of edginess.

Happy Thursday!

Will Work for Vintage

A few of my favorite images from an all day photo shoot yesterday with the girls. Hanging out, going through vintage, drinking homemade black current and elderflower soda and eating crab and corn chowder. Great way to spend an afternoon!

Photo shoot casualties: These below were "sold" before days end along with a myriad of belts not yet listed for the Fall.

a 1960s citrus sundress that we all believed we owned when we were little and a vintage Emanuel Ungaro vest with the cutest pinstripe back.

A Hint of Vintage

Rebecca from The Ardent Sparrow has featured my blue 1950's Peggy Sue Dress in her posts today. I can't believe I haven't come across this blog before, I love it!

My favorites are posted above from her wonderful "Hint of vintage series"
Top to bottom: the blue collection, the muted collection and the red collection.

Thank you Rebecca!
all images via The Ardent Sparrow

Etsy Friends

When I became an a seller on Etsy, my first overseas convo was from a shop called Italian Postcards. She wanted a quote for a plate in my shop for shipping to Italy...and while that plate was eventually sold to someone else, the convos have continued and the friendship has grown.

Somewhere along the way Chelsea and I figured out that her family, her American family, live just 30 minutes away from me in the States....AND her sister and brother in law had their wedding reception dinner at my restaurant! Wow!

So a few weeks ago you can imagine what happened. Chelsea e-mailed me to let me know that she was going to be nearby for the weekend, and so we planned to meet, thrift, eat, thrift,talk...you get the idea.

What a great start to the weekend!

Right away, Chelsea finds the goods...and below, things we saw but did not buy.

Mid-century Modern Table

A pair of Altar Chairs

A brass Wine rack

A really cool office chair

Copper topped canisters

We are not quite sure what this was...why peaches or apricots, maybe faded out coffee beans?

Lots of wooden bowls

and cross stitch...

Glass and brass boxes

A crazy wooden candelabra and a letter organizer

Here we are at the end of our day! We did find some great things for our shops and Chelsea found a wonderful cream Samsonite train case in excellent condition, but I think she is going to keep it for herself!

She has promised that if I come to Italy she will take me to the outdo0r markets for some old world thrifting!

Another sign I saw at the stores said "Friends are the family you choose"..
I am going now to add Italian Postcards to my etsy family.
Check out Italian Postcards! I know she will have some awesome things for sale when the shop re-opens after vacation!

Ciao!