Instant Collections {of the Vintage Variety}

Collections are nice. But so many take so long to find. You have to go to thrift markets, antique malls, estate sales, garage sales, ebay, etsy... and it can take a while to do it. But lo and behold, what I have discovered.

Instant Collections!

milk bottles ~ vintage dujour

tin saucers ~ sushi pot parts

 Isn't that great!? You can go here on Etsy, and find out tons of instant collections. There are all sorts of bottles, teapots, tins, spoons, frames, glass insulators, letterpress blocks, vintage cameras, salt and pepper shakers, milk glass, keys, plates... and you can buy everything in one listing, from one seller, for one shipping price. I love that idea! A box of goodies all at once, and it looks like you have been painstakingly amassing them for years! Plus, these sellers have awesome shops and shows you how to display your new collections.

teapots ~ bella chic boutique

early 1900 antique license plates ~ ugly santa

bunsen burner (only one) ~ vase ethan ollie

letters ~ sweet love vintage

trophies set ~ open door studio

In any case, I'm signing off for a week or so as we move yet again, so please ignore the Chinese spam comments I get, and let me know what instant collection you would love to try your hand at.

watering cans fine art print by yann pendaries

Displaying your Jewelry

pretty bowls and small and colorful wall hooks - domino

Reorganizing my craft space and finished jewelry for my shop has really got me thinking about creative diy displays. I've found a great little collection online, so here you go!

love the hands and vintage tins! kelly rae apartment therapy

 

branches on a wall - jesophi jewelry

ladies and gentlemen home design grid how to (imagine this small scale)

Of course, these can work for commercial settings as well, though all of these are home displays. Apartment Therapy has a few posts for this and so does The Ardent Sparrow (love the rake idea!)  Very clever :)

Vintage Rehab nailed a painted branch to a wood plank

Victoria's Shell necklaces - design files

branches in a vase apartment therapy

Personally, I have metal tiered racks, jewelry trees, the screen frame and shutters. I'll show you pics soon! I think some reclaimed antlers would make a visually interesting piece with lots of storage. What ideas do you have?

Glass. Flowers. Doilies. Jazz Hands

so cal farm wedding photo by max wanger (more gorgeous images in the link)

With a little bit of glass, a little bit of light, a little bit of ingenuity, a little bit of floral influence~ you can turn a small space into a magical realm of whimsy and escape. Truly, I use spaghetti jars, old teriyaki bottles... I keep all of that stuff and reuse them as vases, and even drinking glasses. Isn't is amazing to see what can be done with old doilies, lace, bottle caps  and an end table?

lisa congdon's show display via feepeople

  country living lace garland window treatment 

Take just a little bit of time and redefine a small space today with something you already own in your home or office~ a shelf, corner, night stand, windowsill, you will be glad you did. It's relaxing to sometimes set a stressful thing aside for 20 minutes to spend on beautifying something small and serene, without having to leave the house and go shopping. You can do it for free in your jammies. Sounds nice to me!

justinejustine's gorgeous bottle cap earrings (ps i love these and christmas is around the corner)

Facinator Fascination

As promised, here are my new hair accessories that I brought to my craft fair this past weekend! Some are on hair barrettes, while others are on headbands. I'm sad because I forgot to take photos of a few of my favorites... but I should have them posted in my shop in the next week. A tutorial on making one of these flower barrettes from a store bought silk bloom is coming up too!