Trend Watch: The Good Old Days

I have been watching trends to figure out what buyers are looking for in my stores, and thought I'd share a few trend watch articles for those who are interested:

Interior Decor Trends of 2010--Yes, I know this is an older article, but I have a feeling these trends/colors will stay "in" for this upcoming year.  For instance, the "aged" colors and neutrals are still very popular Google search trends, as well as the tribal patterns and themes, and "upcycling."  I have so many of these items.  Can't wait to show you what I have!

Spring 2011 Fashion Trends--There are some great pictures to help you see how you would use vintage to decorate your home.  Eclectic clusters of figurines and curiosities in similar or complimentary colors seem to shine on a bookshelf, mantle or side table.  Items from the 60s and 70s are really popular, especially when the colors come together in new ways.  If you make careful choices about what you want to display and how you group them, your house will look fashionable and modern, without looking like something from a time warp!

Some Spring/Summer Trends 2011 Forecasts--This article predicts pinks, faded or worn items, tribal prints, playful 50s-inspired patterns, and animal prints and natural textures drawn from natural history, and more.  This made me think of all the vintage scarves I have.  I have already listed several that answer to these trends, but I have so many more only I have seen...

Top 10 Home Decor Trends for 2011--Neutrals with pops of bright color, earth tones and natural materials, "green" measures, and more are the decorating trends.  What could fulfill that order better than vintage?

Decorating with Vintage Finds (on BHG)--This article has 21 example pictures for displaying vintage in your home.  It might inspire your imagination--I know it did mine!

The 2011 Trends Issue--An article on PoppyTalk that shows how to blend vintage items with ultramodern decorating.  Love those pictures!

That's enough good reading for today.  I'll be checking in again after Christmas, and I plan to have vignette pictures of some of my items, decorating tips, collections, and more.  See you then!

Last Days to Ship

I have tons of things in both of my stores which I think you'll love, if you are looking for a last-minute Christmas gift.  Unfortunately, if you wait too much longer, I won't be able to get it to you by Christmas.

The last day to ship First class mail is Monday.  If you don't get your order in by noon (Central time) Monday (today), I will be upgrading the shipping to Priority mail, which is a faster but more expensive rate.

Priority mail charges will remain in effect until noon (central) on Tuesday.  If you can't get your order in by noon (Central) on Tuesday, I will be upgrading shipping charges to Express (next day) mail, which is much, much higher than the other two rates.

After noon Wednesday, I will not be able to get the item to you by Christmas, according to the U.S. post office.  As it is, this is cutting it really, really close.

I won't be shifting shipping prices on really heavy items this week (unless by special request), because I realize that the shipping costs for faster delivery are rather outrageous on heavy, bulky items.

Of course, if you don't need it by Christmas, please tell me.  I can save you a lot in shipping charges by sticking to First class mail where possible with smaller items.


If you don't tell me you need it by Christmas, I will send it using the marked shipping rate--which in many cases means the item will arrive after Christmas.

Remember, I have sales going on in both stores.  See the "Events" tab above for details.

Thank you, readers.  Hope to hear from you this Christmas season!

Collecting: Vintage Christmas Trees

I've heard of people collecting vintage artificial Christmas trees.  I once watched a tv interview with a woman who had collected dozens of them (yes, full-sized), including real Victorian feather trees and quite a few 60s-era aluminum trees in several colors.  She had a large home and was displaying at least one tree in every room!  I think that was on an old episode of Martha Stewart, but I can't be sure of that.

I technically have two artificial trees, myself:  One tabletop white tree, which you can see in all of my ornament photos, and one full-sized pre-lit green tree which sits in the front room.  I hadn't really thought of collecting any more trees, until I saw this fabulous embroidered tree at my local thrift store.

 People were practically drooling over this when I brought it to the checkout at that store.  Yeah, I think it's awesome, too.   Don't you love this?

I really admire the level of detail in this piece.  Whoever did this was patient and dedicated.  I know--I've done large embroidery projects before myself, although never this big.  It's white and colored yarn on peacock blue moire silk, nearly two feet tall and over a foot wide. There isn't a snag on it, although of course the yarn is a little fluffy in a few places.  I love the sequin shapes. 

  I looked online and found a lighted tree of this style (yes, that one hung on the wall and had lights installed in it), and it was decorated with broken jewelry.  It had been put together back in the 60s.  I think mine comes from the same era. 

This leads me to think it was a trend at that time.  Anyone else have a tree like this?  I'd like to see it.  Post some photos on your blog and create a back link to this one, would you?  Your links will be displayed at the end of this post.

Pantone Color Pick for the Spring

I found this article on Yahoo today, which says the top color from the Pantone color predictions for spring is called "honeysuckle pink."

Read the article for yourself here: Honeysuckle: THE Color for 2011

I realized I happened to have something in that color in my Candy Apple Crafts store on ArtFire--a super-long vintage silk shawl.  Lovely, isn't it?

Check it out here!

In the Christmas Spirit!

This is definitely my favorite version of "Jingle Bells."  Enjoy!  Off to run some errands.

Christmas Plaid

Check out my new Artfire collection! Don't you love that plaid?

Christmas Plaid!

Curated By: CandyAppleCra...

ArtFire.com

Fine Art Photography

Collecting: Scarves

A Thrift Store Find-- from Australia

Some people collect rocks or coins. Me? Well, I have collected some of those, but I think I like vintage scarf collecting better.

Often, for a pretty low price, you can own a little piece of a luxury material (most of them are made out of silk), which is better described as wearable art. They are often signed by a designer (a trend begun by an American scarf maker). If the label has been removed, and they aren't signed, I really don't know how to identify them--but they're still pretty.

Here are a few of my favorites from my personal collection.  Please pardon the photography.  I just took some quick snapshots.

The first one is probably from the 50s.  I'm tempted to frame it and hang it on the wall.  It's the Grand Canal in Venice.  I have a feeling this was a souvenir someone bought on a trip there.  Maybe I'll see Venizia (as the locals call it) for myself someday.  For now, I have this beauty.

This is a blurry shot...sorry. I picked it out of a pile of scarves because I liked the colors, only to unfold it and realize the paisleys and things form a dragon face in the middle.  There are actually two faces; if you turn it over, the face in the middle seems a little less fierce than this one.

I don't know what this scarf says. I'd love to have it translated.  I believe this is either Korean or Japanese (sorry for my ignorance, folks).  The art in the four corners really leads me to believe it's Japanese.

Well, that's all for now.  Do any of you have some fun or pretty collections you'd like to share?  If so, contact me in the comments section or on my Facebook fanpage.  Who knows?  I might decide to feature it here.

Sharing Another Collection...Gift Guide Ideas?

Woke up this morning and found that I had been included in another collection on Artfire.  This grouping is all elves (only a few are vintage). Mine are on the second row. 

Santas Little Helpers

Curated By: DebsCrochet

ArtFire.com

Handmade Gifts

Now, I have an idea. I'd like to put together some themed gift guides on Artfire or Etsy.  Do you have any ideas for themes?  Feel free to share in the comments section.  I will try to work one of your items in if you are selling on either site.  Interested shoppers are also welcome to comment, so don't feel left out!

Packages, Packages!

I woke up this morning to find out I have an order to mail to the Land Down Under! Hurrah! I always see that as a bit of an adventure. Someday, maybe, I will get to go to some of the places where my packages go. ;)

I also discovered that I have been on the front page of ArtFire this morning. I doubt it will stay up there too much longer (it's noon), but I'm excited anyway! The collection is Currier and Ives/ Sleigh Ride themed. My vintage Currier and Ives plates were included, and they have already gotten some attention from shoppers.

I've got this code I have to publish, so Technorati can accept this blog, in case you are wondering.  W4D6WRFM7WS4

Well, I have errands to run.  Be back here later today, maybe with some vintage trivia to share.

My Latest Artfire Collection

Around Christmas time, I'm always looking for great examples of work from artisans (many undiscovered) around the globe.  Here's my latest collection on ArtFire.  Enjoy!

Partridges and Pears, Oh My!

Curated By: CandyAppleCra...

ArtFire.com

Handmade Jewelry