Spring Cleaning...More for Shoppers

It's that time of year again, when people take stock of what they want to accomplish during the summer months, and declutter, reorganize, and redecorate their spaces.

I've been going through my vintage stock and my craft room and making a lot of plans for some changes in my stores--the first being a plan to dramatically increase my inventory in all of my stores by the end of the summer.

I was recently inspired by an article someone sent me to read, that spoke of turning loose of craft supplies that I'm not using, so that someone else can enjoy them.  I'm one of those people who tries a lot of different kinds of crafts, but sometimes gives up on them after I've bought the supplies.  Yeah, I bet a lot of people are thinking, "I must be that kind of person, too."  Not a problem! Now you know you're normal, right?

Anyway, once I've bought the supplies, I feel guilty about quitting. I end up hanging on to them, when I could be making another crafter happy instead. In order to keep good stuff from languishing any longer, I've gathered some of it up and I've started listing it, today. It seemed like a good time, since people will likely be thinking ahead to "Christmas in July" craft bazaar sales and craft shows during the summer, and they might even be stocking up for projects for the holidays.  If you do those sorts of things, stop by. I've already got a bit of crochet and embroidery stock available in my Etsy store.

Taking stock of my craft supplies caused me to rediscover my jewelry making supplies, and I've made several pieces of jewelry this week.  I'm listing what I've made on Artfire.  Hope you'll take a look.  It's a small selection, so far, but I am adding more to the store as I go.

Reorganizing my craft area made me think about how many other great vintage things I have, but have not listed yet.  Recent customers have told me how they had combed the internet for days until they finally discovered what I had. It is time to make those treasures available to all of you! I've listed vintage glass and pottery, and even some cool home decor like this music box, which plays the "Laura" theme song from Dr. Zhivago while the flowers rotate under the glass dome. If you are looking for something specifically, I hope you'll let me know. The worst I could tell you is "no, I don't have it."  I won't be mean about it.

So, do you have the spring cleaning bug this time of year? If so, please share tips. I'd love to read them!

Vintage Scarves for Spring, and How to Care For Them

Washable acetate scarf now available on Etsy.

Scarves have been a rising trend in women's apparel over the past few years.  It's no wonder, either.  Besides being a wonderful way to draw the eye up to your face, they are a colorful way to shrink your clothes budget by transforming those boring old outfits you've had hanging in your closet for years.

If you are worried about the potential dry-cleaning bill associated with vintage silks, there are plenty of washable alternative fabrics, including rayon, nylon, polyester, and cotton.  I've even found specially treated acetates and silks that are designed to be hand-washed at home!

If luxury is still what you prefer, there are "dry cleaning at home" kits like the ones produced by Dryel brand (and no, no one is paying for that endorsement).

Chinese Medallion Print Scarf on Etsy

When it comes to caring for a vintage scarf, there are only a few rules to remember:

•  Too much wringing and vigorous scrubbing can stretch a scarf out of shape or even tear the fibers.  The lighter the fabric, the higher the likelihood of this happening. Wash them in a delicates bag if you are putting them in your machine, and be careful when hand-washing.
• Never use bleach or harsh chemicals when laundering (I usually use Woolite).  This is especially important for older scarves or scarves made with natural dyes.  The dyes in these scarves are often less "fixed," and the wrong chemical can make dyes run and ruin the fibers in the scarf, as well. Some acetate and silk cannot be washed at all without being completely ruined.

  

  Tan Chiffon with Violets Scarf

•  Iron most scarves on low temperatures to avoid overheating the delicate fibers and causing them to become breakable over time.
• Never pin a scarf in place. Each time you pin it, it makes a tiny hole.  Many of the scarves I list have endured this treatment (I always note it when I see it).  Too much of that, and the fabric gets snagged and ruined.
• Don't knot the scarf too vigorously, as well. I've found that in the gauziest fabrics, like chiffon, this makes ripples and vertical "slit" patterns in the fabric, like stretch marks, where the very fibers of the cloth have been scooted closer together.  This opens them up for snags and runs, as well.
• Store natural fabrics like silk and cotton in a closed drawer or some place where insects can't get to them, because moth babies see them as a delicacy (and if you wanted holes, you would have bought lace, right?).

Since the demand for scarves has been pretty high this week in my stores, I've risen to the challenge. I prepped nearly a dozen vintage scarves and started listing them over the weekend.  They have already begun to sell, so don't wait to check them out!  I picked out a variety of colors, fabrics, and price ranges, to try to have something for everyone. Here's a centralized link to all my stores, through Pinterest. Otherwise, just use the tabs at the top of the screen on this blog.

This post is loaded with pictures of what I have listed (or am listing this week).  There is also one vintage scarf I am reserving, just in case it wins in my "Fan's Choice" Giveaway Contest.  If that's what you'd like to see me give away, you should go vote in the poll I am running on my Facebook fan page.  If you vote, you will be entered to win in the final drawing. Hope to see you there!

Spring is Coming Soon!

My year kicked off with some bad news on the home front, which explains my long silence here on the blog. To fill in my blog readers, back in January, my dog suddenly fell ill and had to be put down due to a type of canine cancer called hemangio sarcoma.  Obviously, it's going to take some time to recover from that. I still miss him a lot.

Now spring is slowly starting to show itself in my part of the country, and it's bringing new beginnings along with it.  I think I need that.

I've been stocking my stores with brightly-colored vintage, and some of it is selling as fast as I can list it.  I've been doing some "spring cleaning" around here, as well.  That means lowering prices where I can, reassessing shipping costs, and even reconsidering which items are in which stores.  Now is a good time to snag some fun stuff!

Get this one here

Two of my stores (Artfire and Etsy) have taken on a decidedly kid-friendly, brightly colored retro feel, which I think I intend to develop throughout the year.  I really hope to get back into crafting new animals for you all, as well as listing new vintage regularly.

Currently, I've got a lot of new children's patterns up on Artfire, such as this one, which makes sleeping clothes for toddler size 1.  It's from the 70s (and so are most of my other patterns).

Find it here

I've also stocked things like this little Enesco duck figurine over in my Etsy store.

Really, I'm going for all the color I can get over there, getting ready for the Easter season and summer, after that. I hope you'll come and see what I've got.  I'm trying to shift my Etsy store to offerings exclusively from the 40s through the 70s, to go along with the theme of my pom pom poodles and other animals. It's looking great already!

Hope to hear from you soon.  It's going to be a bright year. I just know it.

After Christmas Sale!

In many places, people are celebrating Boxing Day, a holiday that was originally a way of acknowledging and thanking the hired help for their service. These days, there are frequently sales taking place on this day. This year, I decided to give that a try!

I have established "After Christmas Sale" sections in my stores.

Etsy Markdowns

Prices on Etsy already reflect the markdowns. Some things were marked down 10%, some 15%, some 20%, some with free shipping, and some with free shipping plus 20% off!

Markdowns include items from practically every other section in my store, including books, wall art, and some Christmas ornaments. This "veggie" cutting board shaped wall hanging is currently on sale for about $8.

I hope you will go and browse. There are some good deals to be had.

Markdowns on Artfire

On Artfire, I have a similar markdown section. Here, I have activated coupons, which expire January 5th, and have marked several things with free shipping already.  The scarves (such as the one below) and many of the lightweight items in the section are eligible for a 30% off coupon, while the rest are eligible for the 20% off coupon.

Sales on eCrater

At present, I don't have any markdowns set up on eCrater, but if there is something you really want a discount for, please just ask. I'm pretty open to reasonable offers over there, because I am trying to get established on that venue.

Sale Ends January 5th

This sale, and all applicable coupons and markdowns, is going away the weekend after New Years Day, January 5th.  After that, prices will be returning to pre-Christmas levels, and some items in the category may be removed from the stores and either listed elsewhere, or taken offline permanently. 

I will be adding new inventory as well, while the sale is going on, and may be adding more items to the sale categories (especially if things are selling quickly).  Check out what I have, ask questions if you have any, and visit often!  I'd love to have your business this season.