Christmas in July

 On Thursday at a local Estate Sale, I spied this box hiding under  a table.  There was no price on the box and the lid was closed.

I opened it up and it was full of Christmas stuff, and I could see under the not so great garland and boxes of modern lights,  a few vintage items. I decided to ask the price for the whole box and snatched it up.  Still unsure exactly what I had purchased , I could not wait to get it home and dig through it.

There were 2 boxes of round red and pink balls, No biggie, but I loved the light up plastic Santa, as I dig further I find...

 Several kitschy plastic vintage ornaments, some smaller balls and then... Jackpot, Vintage glass ornaments. I'm such a sucker for the vintage Christmas blown glass ornaments, and this box had at least a dozen, plus the balls.

So around here, it's Christmas in July.

Vintage Props make Cute Photographs for Newborn, Child and Family Photographers

My Daughter In Law, Kalynne is launching a Newborn and Child Photography Business.  She loves to raid my barn for props,  and I love to let her.  Last week she had this great idea for a Watermelon Mini Session and spotted some things in my Etsy store that she liked.  

She snagged several fun items from my barn of goods, and was able to borrow a baby from a  friend, and shot these fabulous sample pics.  In the photo above you can see the metal child's chair, picnic basket and galvanized tub that she found in my stashes.

What a great idea, I love how the photos turned out and Eva (the model) is a perfect little angel, and always happy to pose for Kalynne.  You can see more here.

I've added a "photo prop" section to my etsy store with a few things that I think would work well for all you photogs out there.  I love seeing my goods used in such a fun way.

Great Job Kalynne!!!!!

I'll be in Grapevine Texas this weekend with lots of jewelry pieces, Join me at the Red Shed, Friday Evening and Saturday

 

Red Shed French Antiques & Travel
317 Church Street
Grapevine, Texas 76051
817-310-6006

 

 

Re-print from the Red Shed Blog

Join Us Friday July 12th 6pm - 9pm for a "Starry Night"

Bring your friends and enjoy wine, nibbles, & shopping at Friday evening's “Starry Night Sale”. Meet our three Special Guest “Stars”! Each will be sharing their talents through handmade pillows, jewelry, linens and more. They will light up the French cottage style of the Vintage Market!

We are so thankful to welcome Designer Dorothy Hames, of Shabby Y. Dorothy creates absolute magic with needle, thread, hand dyed fabrics and vintage linens. You will love her ruffled storage boxes, cushy pillows and wall pockets pretty enough for every room!

Meet Margo Arrick, of Ruff by Margo, and contributor to Flea Market Style Magazine. We promise that Margo's bright spirit and re-imagined jewelry will make your day! You'll love Margo's fun necklaces designed of vintage baubles and lace from around the world.

Our Third Shining Star is amazing Carolyn Westbrook! Creator of the national linen line "Carolyn Westbrook Home" and author of “The French Inspired Home”, and “Through the French Door”, Carolyn is certainly a designer after our own hearts! Bring your own book for her sign, or purchase one at the Vintage Market (one of our favorite Gifts to give or get!) You will love them! (Her linens will also be available for purchase).

Finish your evening with just a little more sparkle as fireworks light up the sky over Lake Grapevine, just a short drive away, each Friday night at 930pm.

Saturday 8am - 4pm "Hot Flash" Sale

The fun will continue on Saturday morning with a “Hot Flash Sale” featuring fresh merchandise and sizzling savings throughout the buildings and gardens! We'll try to keep you Cool among the Hot deals! You'll find Lots of beds, mirrors, dressers, loungers, love seats, chandeliers...you know, Red Shed Stuff! If you haven't been to a Red Shed Sale, you don't know what you are missing!

"Like" our facebook page for Sale updates!

Vintage Displays in Retail

I love it when I walk into a store and see a display that creatively uses vintage items to enhance their products.  Those of us in the Vintage world have been using our own items to display other items for years, but it seems the world of retail has caught on to the visual impact a vintage item can bring to their new products.

Anthropologie Was one of the early adopters of this trend, and regularly uses common discarded items for their window displays.   from Books to Clothes pins, To a  plethera of Christmas Ornaments as seen below.

Ornaments. Credit

One of the favorite ones I ran across in my searches was one made with Chair parts.

Chair and table pieces. Credit

To me that is a work of art.

They also use vintage items for their indoor displays

Orla Kiely recently used vintage office furniture and accessories for her runway show.

 

http://londonfashionweek.com/designers_catwalk_overlay.aspx?designerid=477&seasonid=36

And in her window displays for Uniqlo as well
 

Fossil jumped on the band wagon, but uses reproduction old pieces. I'm not sure how I feel about that.
 http://www.thewindowshopper.co.uk/tag/inspiration-2/

Reproduction letterpress Letters, and trunks for their Key Per Bags.

 

I have a favorite Local shop in town and the owner often brings in vintage items for her jewelry displays.  

Fabulous Shop, Sterling Grace, Tyler Texas

Besides the bicycle, there are vintage coke crates for her various charms.

Bachman's of Minnesota, under the guidance of our very own Ki Nassauer not only uses vintage to display their items, but will also sell them to you.

It's always nice to see what we love going mainstream and I'm seeing it used more and more and in unique ways.  Vintage displays are sometimes less expensive, and more appealing and attention getting than standard store fixtures.  Kudos to all the retailers who are using these fabulous pieces in their displays.

Addicted to Acquisitoin

While watching the show hoarders the other night I heard a phrase that hit home.  "Addicted to Acquisition"

Oh boy can I relate.  There is a rush that I think most women know and understand when you find that perfect thing whether you've been looking for it or not.  The difference between collectors and hoarders is obvious to most people.  As I tell most people, "almost everything I have is eventually for sale".

I thought I'd share some of my latest acquisitions, just for fun.

 This lovely cathrineholm bowl was brought to my attention by a reader who was in the selling mood. Of course I snatched it up as quickly as possible. It is right at home in my ever changing hutch.  With other cathrineholm bowls, some orla kiely prints, and Fiesta vases. After all, it is summer and time for color right.

 I was also on the look out for some mid century pieces in mustard yellow, and found this nice set of coffee pitcher, creamer, and what you can't see is a sugar bowl and S&P. I like the clean lines, and I can use the pitcher and coffee pot as flower vases if I want.

Lately some of my favorite things have found me instead of the other way round.  This very unique scale came to my attention on a friends facebook page.

  It's unique in that you have to view in the mirror to see the weight. I'm guessing there was a specific use for it to be designed that way. I just love it. The platform is cast iron, and the whole thing is quite heavy. And oh so shabby white, with a perfect patina.

 It goes great with my accidental scale collection. I say accidental in that I never aggressively seek scales, they just jump out at me.  The one below called to me because of it's label. :)

 I like the dial on this one

 and I found this one in Paris, but it is English made.

 All at home in my kitchen hutch.    There is everything from retro to rusty in there.

And now to things that are currently finds for sale soon.  I'm giddy over this retro yellow ball lamp. It adjusts its angle and would be a great accent or up-light.  Look for it on Etsy soon, or feel free to mail me.

2 more weeks to catch items on sale in my booth at Winnie & Tulula's, Athens Texas. See post below.

End of an Era, I'm moving out of Winnie & Tulula's end of June Deep discounts throughout space

 It's been 4 wonderful years of fabulous items both sold and purchased, but the time has come for me to move out of Winnie & Tulula's in Athens Texas. 

 Today I cleared out many of my smalls, but there is still a lot left, all at 50% off.  Everything from rusty metal pieces to display pieces like this white piece below.

 Crates and trunks too

 And this lovely yellow armoir would make a fabulous tv or media cabinet.  Or storage and display in your cottage room. Yes it's 50% off too.  Local pickup only, cash or check only. Credit cards are 45% off.

I'm moving it all out at the end of June so get it while you can. 

The 27th and 28th is First Monday weekend and the last days of the sale. so travel just 20 mins down the highway 19 and you'll be at Winnie & Tulula's.  I'll be moving out on the 28th.

Some Summer Fun from My Etsy Shop

I have lots of fun new items in my etsy store. Click any thumbnail to take a look.

From Retro to Rust I try to have a little bit of everything.

Be sure to check out my facebook page for more frequent updates.

Have a great Summer

Inspiration Office Decor thrifting

I must admit, that a huge part of the inspiration for my new office re-do goes to Orla Kiely. If you read my blog at all you know I LOOOOOVE Orla. I'm not a fashionista by any stretch, but I love her bags like nothing else.  

 After seeing her set, for the recent London Fashion week, I was truly energized to get going.

Here you see Orla's set and later with the models.  I love what she did with touches of color, just a touch, so as not to distract from the clothing.

I used a bit more in my decor because I don't have the beautiful clothing or models running around.

  I wanted to share, how much of my office redecorating was done with thrifted and used items. Hopefully this will inspire you to take the time to hunt and find those things you need to redo your space, save money and the planet at the same time.

Below you can see  how much of my office was thrifted. All the circles show items that I found used, at thrift stores, used furniture stores, and garage sales.

 All of my  "in" baskets, and desk top file holders.  The lateral file that holds my printer, the desk and chair, the bulletin boards, clock, globe  and vintage office  accessories,

The map, the organizer on the white shelf, the bulletin boards below, The book shelf everything on top of the filing cabinets including the lamp and scale (hard to see the scale),  The larger file cabinet, And even the carpet (which had never been used),  were all found second hand.

And I do love my retro clock that I spiced up with some spray paint.

Out of the camera view is a credenza which was also a used office furniture store purchase from several years back.  Of course I have the usual office fodder, copier, credit card machines, phone, printer, computer, calculator fax etc.  Those things are usually beige or gray and nothing can really be done about that.  But now they have some fun retro pieces to brighten them up, which I am loving.

If you are looking for office furniture I highly encourage you to find the used office furniture stores in your area, and take a look. Old furniture is made so much better than the new stuff. It's more durable and has great lines and styles.

You can almost always find exactly what you are looking for and maybe something you weren't  ;)

check out my Etsy store for more vintage office and organizing items.