tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726365670038062252024-02-25T13:13:07.976-08:00Either/Or FindsMy Life Selling Vintage on Etsy ~ and other musings about finding and collecting old stuffKris McLaughlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00446111200955238031noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72636567003806225.post-30780171956381365272018-12-20T08:38:00.000-08:002018-12-20T08:38:11.334-08:00Decorating for Christmas with VintageA couple of years ago here I gave <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2016/12/decorating-my-home-for-christmas-with.html#more">a tour of our house at Christmas</a>. Given that we decorate pretty much the same way every year, this is basically what it looks like again right now as we await the big day.<br />
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This year I thought I'd pick out some of my favorite ways to decorate with vintage from my Pinterest board, named, not surprisingly, <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/eitherorfinds/decorating-for-christmas-with-vintage/">"Decorating for Christmas with Vintage."</a><br />
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I love this use of a vintage scale and bowl, along with greens and pine cones and what is probably a vintage carved Santa, to create a festive look:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSj5AEzMguinDhPSyCSya4P8MuxyKw9Ih1atQuJslPkEqZcyBqxlW7Smb5_NI5yZl_ZjQTZQozCyb2NA-KagOP1TkkJqYIHar2gXqOb_EaVm9wWKyY2Rf9FRMw9KXG0ZCV-Fv3cmLC-GY/s1600/christmas+blog+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="428" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSj5AEzMguinDhPSyCSya4P8MuxyKw9Ih1atQuJslPkEqZcyBqxlW7Smb5_NI5yZl_ZjQTZQozCyb2NA-KagOP1TkkJqYIHar2gXqOb_EaVm9wWKyY2Rf9FRMw9KXG0ZCV-Fv3cmLC-GY/s320/christmas+blog+1.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
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And here's another vintage scale that's topped with a wire basket filled with ornaments:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdGoo3DyeY_FY3g-_oDHf7WWk4OjQbFAHMBvk6eNQNxUZHwvKonDplkVn1HjUENNP-jBtQWQhX8cPNrpcLvyCDFlHpkJcn3qwuHfvUpc1Ls-AAg37tAu956tSbaDryfsj82JFmNIgUZlA/s1600/christmas+blog+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="334" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdGoo3DyeY_FY3g-_oDHf7WWk4OjQbFAHMBvk6eNQNxUZHwvKonDplkVn1HjUENNP-jBtQWQhX8cPNrpcLvyCDFlHpkJcn3qwuHfvUpc1Ls-AAg37tAu956tSbaDryfsj82JFmNIgUZlA/s320/christmas+blog+3.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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I've sold a lot of vintage scales over the years, and here's one <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/641793795/metal-kitchen-scale-vintage-shabby?ref=shop_home_active_68">in my shop </a>that could work for either of the above decoration ideas:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7yFouQQO6HDj7Es7COaDkBfRKgS1Fd-xQqVsTdOVrXsqZ_4bA74fI4DleFSOxPnrcSzHTPYzEr_KEEiKS1Xs6HUnpYC9FMiKVo56AIgwNRabLO7EZ285poQlxCi5mjLRW0mvqSvzvx0s/s1600/blog+scale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="570" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7yFouQQO6HDj7Es7COaDkBfRKgS1Fd-xQqVsTdOVrXsqZ_4bA74fI4DleFSOxPnrcSzHTPYzEr_KEEiKS1Xs6HUnpYC9FMiKVo56AIgwNRabLO7EZ285poQlxCi5mjLRW0mvqSvzvx0s/s320/blog+scale.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And here's a way to use vintage canning jars:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBW9yw-xcyok-PZyPgGSLt9m8fc8Jx2hW_vIwGCfSMIcX7QhS1iSGu3HYFPchP7CLw6FqOkcHOS_SCU8WZ3YTGVtyTFK-kUzcNgZ-ZlU-wfiVyVSJpNLYBKZ15C_DOe9lamkoNqi8EpoI/s1600/christmas+blog+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBW9yw-xcyok-PZyPgGSLt9m8fc8Jx2hW_vIwGCfSMIcX7QhS1iSGu3HYFPchP7CLw6FqOkcHOS_SCU8WZ3YTGVtyTFK-kUzcNgZ-ZlU-wfiVyVSJpNLYBKZ15C_DOe9lamkoNqi8EpoI/s1600/christmas+blog+2.jpg" /></a></div>
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I do want to get some bottle brush trees and try this! Meanwhile, I've<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/622709757/vintage-canning-jars-set-of-6-ball-mason?ga_search_query=mason%2Bjars&ref=shop_items_search_2&sca=1"> sold a lot of vintage canning jars </a>in my shop this year, but have a few left:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4JuMG3rViX9jihG136ZgIYnA1hcgcCyy7_RyQ6CXc2ojHz4-odnZj9qHweGJC9ANa2M9pZ2fXUZaeAg4_XviIJ3_UzIOxa5ioenKdoo9u0mRuunfUeQ0mhy9oYwOyWwjapB47uSa9xyM/s1600/blog+mason+jars+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="570" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4JuMG3rViX9jihG136ZgIYnA1hcgcCyy7_RyQ6CXc2ojHz4-odnZj9qHweGJC9ANa2M9pZ2fXUZaeAg4_XviIJ3_UzIOxa5ioenKdoo9u0mRuunfUeQ0mhy9oYwOyWwjapB47uSa9xyM/s320/blog+mason+jars+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here's another creative way to use canning jars, filled with candles and put into a vintage box with greens and pine cones:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWhu39FY2KJtiyJsKCeySUiIkPKoRK60QcKT2QAvvbR5uyOORwhkFRDBnZjGuLsLWStbApjmt0iGCVPJ8nJu1whs-na8rK5RjEtZ3LTGYMZQnMMh6qGfyjsRncgDUxyQeAaKGDcmQfKSw/s1600/christmas+blog+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="577" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWhu39FY2KJtiyJsKCeySUiIkPKoRK60QcKT2QAvvbR5uyOORwhkFRDBnZjGuLsLWStbApjmt0iGCVPJ8nJu1whs-na8rK5RjEtZ3LTGYMZQnMMh6qGfyjsRncgDUxyQeAaKGDcmQfKSw/s320/christmas+blog+8.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>
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A fun way to decorate with vintage in recent years has been to find old, rusty Tonka trucks and fill them with greens, Christmas ornaments, pine cones, or, as in this one, the ever-popular bottle brush trees:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg244jZW-30GsmFJAo_d320mpDNJMnbWmB-mhIDq0TaY-KFWMTjlNkYmw-BpSU42aVEZZqLCc1UKIs0dVFo0VbVxF9a9kION9S1vTckQPLnsKknguf27zq__ZZED3f9UOiiEYnh8l559S0/s1600/christmas+blog+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="894" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg244jZW-30GsmFJAo_d320mpDNJMnbWmB-mhIDq0TaY-KFWMTjlNkYmw-BpSU42aVEZZqLCc1UKIs0dVFo0VbVxF9a9kION9S1vTckQPLnsKknguf27zq__ZZED3f9UOiiEYnh8l559S0/s320/christmas+blog+4.jpg" width="201" /></a></div>
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I've got one <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/650292407/tonka-pickup-truck-vintage-yellow-rusty?ref=related-8">Tonka truck</a> left in my shop:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHhNoqgCNVrSTNIEH_yJZjYEUp3gC0FZq48TDY1LF3AeQ5F56L9cgD8FdfnXmchKjqmGRdoN4L4lQEu7M_8dbSbgVsdNqJoLJmhSrt5-IsKeJNGFT7e9gIu0EOErW0bQSHoB-KNlf1dbI/s1600/blog+tonka.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="570" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHhNoqgCNVrSTNIEH_yJZjYEUp3gC0FZq48TDY1LF3AeQ5F56L9cgD8FdfnXmchKjqmGRdoN4L4lQEu7M_8dbSbgVsdNqJoLJmhSrt5-IsKeJNGFT7e9gIu0EOErW0bQSHoB-KNlf1dbI/s320/blog+tonka.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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For those who live in cities, I've even got <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/557147130/white-pine-cones-lot-of-75-for?ga_search_query=pine%2Bcones&ref=shop_items_search_1&sca=1">pine cones from our 25 wooded acres</a> here in New Hampshire:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN2wVWMVbJdevOLJ4sMhvqUCTrBFZdpZXO51A-6q3sKGrPTcOOlSLOHwFaNNx9QLtAY56FyXNVWbVIayXCyuU0ZNPzJfii8D2UzYSg8KHrW3nTkvV8ixZRFEbOTID2lpDv-KqR5pbsxe8/s1600/blog+pine+cones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="570" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN2wVWMVbJdevOLJ4sMhvqUCTrBFZdpZXO51A-6q3sKGrPTcOOlSLOHwFaNNx9QLtAY56FyXNVWbVIayXCyuU0ZNPzJfii8D2UzYSg8KHrW3nTkvV8ixZRFEbOTID2lpDv-KqR5pbsxe8/s320/blog+pine+cones.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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White milk glass, which<a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2018/08/musings-on-vintage-milk-glass.html"> I've blogged about before,</a> is also great when filled with greens:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8jQu-_ENvNOIXeXrIblwwaNSZ5sHtRk06z0CmuG1aVBDKh6xJp98-mdi1VUz91gBFWIxCqxic6W4iKI9cXqkq-HHm9tIv5GRGAxJ3RhFmdnmtMOUgVFzsP_3SBj_vvJ83YQbNOD2N-hs/s1600/christmas+blog+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="734" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8jQu-_ENvNOIXeXrIblwwaNSZ5sHtRk06z0CmuG1aVBDKh6xJp98-mdi1VUz91gBFWIxCqxic6W4iKI9cXqkq-HHm9tIv5GRGAxJ3RhFmdnmtMOUgVFzsP_3SBj_vvJ83YQbNOD2N-hs/s320/christmas+blog+5.jpg" width="245" /></a></div>
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And a few pieces of milk glass are still in my shop: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/636248076/white-milk-glass-hobnail-trumpet-vase?ref=related-2">a trumpet vase</a>, a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/636244146/tall-white-milk-glass-vases-vintage-set?ref=related-1">group of four vases</a>, and a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/650072251/milk-glass-pedestal-vase-vintage-wedding?ga_search_query=milk%2Bglass&ref=shop_items_search_3">pedestal vase</a>:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIY4Rhh4-9HEJX0eR7h9pX2KRM0kwzmqITB3MgxaspOZXA2nB38u0sHD1iq0DkNEdyGCc3HsH2ClwJOI2tAaM9DP56qOE9M0fDWh5PftRV5R9Nh4AR9SC9TQ_FDFfA9ZXxjR_4aFWbUGk/s1600/blog+milk+glass+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="760" data-original-width="570" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIY4Rhh4-9HEJX0eR7h9pX2KRM0kwzmqITB3MgxaspOZXA2nB38u0sHD1iq0DkNEdyGCc3HsH2ClwJOI2tAaM9DP56qOE9M0fDWh5PftRV5R9Nh4AR9SC9TQ_FDFfA9ZXxjR_4aFWbUGk/s320/blog+milk+glass+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqtEq1j-rWLJ_PEURkVMEgW2h3M5q1V3Rl3OkU3YhjM1ecdVXsdW6Ln3aH-O3_azqnNPK11jRO_Ug69yxTxxnMchMhyD_PffkKwoxlUU9I6lRtLaRuu9W-cl7wNEN7drrbZmoNff6ye8/s1600/blog+milk+glass+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="570" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqtEq1j-rWLJ_PEURkVMEgW2h3M5q1V3Rl3OkU3YhjM1ecdVXsdW6Ln3aH-O3_azqnNPK11jRO_Ug69yxTxxnMchMhyD_PffkKwoxlUU9I6lRtLaRuu9W-cl7wNEN7drrbZmoNff6ye8/s320/blog+milk+glass+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I also like the vintage medicine or apothecary bottles, which are painted white and filled with greens and small glass ornaments:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgurdXnUSE1FaA3MzPzS80UIctnho-exBn7M8CZibzOAOdwr5Ygmvgu83tGUmHZ4GFrUgVcSPTyhMj6RGY4rYeC-TJOasViYBZhgaz-KSYrWB-nCCKZT07CuN8M8WcVC_OXRALDWix9frA/s1600/christmas+blog+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgurdXnUSE1FaA3MzPzS80UIctnho-exBn7M8CZibzOAOdwr5Ygmvgu83tGUmHZ4GFrUgVcSPTyhMj6RGY4rYeC-TJOasViYBZhgaz-KSYrWB-nCCKZT07CuN8M8WcVC_OXRALDWix9frA/s320/christmas+blog+7.jpg" width="243" /></a></div>
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If this works in your decor, here are some <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/641683858/6-antique-clear-glass-bottles-apothecary?ref=related-4">vintage bottles in my shop</a>, which I filled with greens: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedsccsmNp_gnr7o6nTTEZxCblFO91yeWfHM0Ew0gczmBwZjz5GCTHV8tnCz7nLmmP9kyPPpINNgeYKp7SdAUgAB4hcFtOMEqfzB8x2X-Ssgjlh3HqepR2mKGfNtu755Yq9NFz-EqKEDM/s1600/blog+bottles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="570" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedsccsmNp_gnr7o6nTTEZxCblFO91yeWfHM0Ew0gczmBwZjz5GCTHV8tnCz7nLmmP9kyPPpINNgeYKp7SdAUgAB4hcFtOMEqfzB8x2X-Ssgjlh3HqepR2mKGfNtu755Yq9NFz-EqKEDM/s320/blog+bottles.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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There are so many great ways to use vintage items in your Christmas decor. Right now the only vintage Christmas decorations I have left in the shop are an <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/579070035/christmas-angel-ornament-large-vintage?ref=listing-shop-header-1">angel ornament</a> and a group of <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/254130355/molded-christmas-ornaments-vintage-set?ref=related-1&frs=1">molded ornaments:</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG06b54-69C_ALzy_oULHqBH0-3ajD_4ipb0ZdZs4wb_NknO_GTs1huI68I60mrZaFaBvcP31a7ICEbeuEAZ5l_tfvaKyogI-5ojv77gT1eoFXB-NHkDkCKd-VAIGkoQysuvA7-wEJ4GE/s1600/blog+angel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="570" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG06b54-69C_ALzy_oULHqBH0-3ajD_4ipb0ZdZs4wb_NknO_GTs1huI68I60mrZaFaBvcP31a7ICEbeuEAZ5l_tfvaKyogI-5ojv77gT1eoFXB-NHkDkCKd-VAIGkoQysuvA7-wEJ4GE/s320/blog+angel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjCXKr73i8OvTLLOieNo18qTUXA3QTeccvejg5RqUF-7dhbg7fD4qjYM_G_f_PVLzwgyKv8peCezaDbz3Xhc-iCFdRfhI2AOIoCD_B_0k9k4ss_pTSwAu7ki4LyaRA8QmPyn3LJ7MTdRY/s1600/blog+ornaments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="570" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjCXKr73i8OvTLLOieNo18qTUXA3QTeccvejg5RqUF-7dhbg7fD4qjYM_G_f_PVLzwgyKv8peCezaDbz3Xhc-iCFdRfhI2AOIoCD_B_0k9k4ss_pTSwAu7ki4LyaRA8QmPyn3LJ7MTdRY/s320/blog+ornaments.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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However you decorate your home this year, I hope your Christmas is a joyous one and that your New Year overflows with blessings!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01508219542835099393noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72636567003806225.post-42910270461394963982018-11-16T12:17:00.000-08:002018-12-20T09:04:06.179-08:00Bring on the Vintage Baskets!I'm a huge antique and vintage basket fan and collector. To prove it, here are several pictures of my kitchen ceiling, where we hang some of our finds (along with pots and pans):<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqvJFyASMgTE8o5DGXShsEtLTOyTtfrq_L4OKL32-Npha0YpR-bav5UsoQ3VEKHS3sVcA0JVRfXf9L4XhTBIdULU5pwOFkBEnqCZRtV8wNI2A-zmKHR5pkgutztibf6fONIFT6be-3JOq/s1600/baskets+1+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqvJFyASMgTE8o5DGXShsEtLTOyTtfrq_L4OKL32-Npha0YpR-bav5UsoQ3VEKHS3sVcA0JVRfXf9L4XhTBIdULU5pwOFkBEnqCZRtV8wNI2A-zmKHR5pkgutztibf6fONIFT6be-3JOq/s320/baskets+1+.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWadqm5JHPeU1LiEG9ik_pKKJQsCk4pApZKnW1w4QmW8NK5FzOOms83v4fp7UoH74Zy8Fk5OzY2jE3A_cIiGfu7mvMG8MHVvmISZh6jf_eeyYXb86HZKPWbYd_8Fxml0wf0dBUesX3Cya/s1600/baskets+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWadqm5JHPeU1LiEG9ik_pKKJQsCk4pApZKnW1w4QmW8NK5FzOOms83v4fp7UoH74Zy8Fk5OzY2jE3A_cIiGfu7mvMG8MHVvmISZh6jf_eeyYXb86HZKPWbYd_8Fxml0wf0dBUesX3Cya/s320/baskets+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3sayQM-QzPi6ZBi9HgQBpF_iJRzQLVtYzuirlovX_jvVQz65o-NoEQI-dYNe5C267Ps7bzM_KC4PvSn0K_1J6aYHzh9a_eFDcDv8D1wL3wWK2iWixHosEI7c1egmcsASbPYy7MCQhecLu/s1600/baskets+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3sayQM-QzPi6ZBi9HgQBpF_iJRzQLVtYzuirlovX_jvVQz65o-NoEQI-dYNe5C267Ps7bzM_KC4PvSn0K_1J6aYHzh9a_eFDcDv8D1wL3wWK2iWixHosEI7c1egmcsASbPYy7MCQhecLu/s320/baskets+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a>My husband and I started collecting baskets in the 1970s, when the whole country-style movement was just beginning and we could find antique oak splint baskets for, well, a whole lot cheaper than they are today. We lived then in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and the picking was pretty great.<br />
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A lot of the baskets we collected then are either hanging from the kitchen ceiling or scattered around the house, in use, to store towels, books and magazines, plants, or blankets, such as this large antique gathering basket:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWCHNj835RGlZJcnHkLPAQlzhHdjsRhN87DBV4EkSL0L1wxwZziGH61Jb-CXixdZe4DGiD5fZN6MDrMH9T0L2SFZIu0Vc_Kv62MKr9xx7kU5OegCPkRv-bEFweZgekP3JHiMJvgPJVNqNW/s1600/basket+6+big.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1182" data-original-width="1600" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWCHNj835RGlZJcnHkLPAQlzhHdjsRhN87DBV4EkSL0L1wxwZziGH61Jb-CXixdZe4DGiD5fZN6MDrMH9T0L2SFZIu0Vc_Kv62MKr9xx7kU5OegCPkRv-bEFweZgekP3JHiMJvgPJVNqNW/s320/basket+6+big.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
An antique rye basket holds a collection of blue and white ceramic balls:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMC_LFNlMUeW7x5ooKYOKbsC83-hBMbJ24VEsvNGSgLccn7ZBUhdMowSKisA8vXPYFyFo2ETeRSgoeLdB4KGU2Rksvp6yJeRs_tdcZ4mbIUeeIUnxo0kvUxcNnWHSWo-9UgLP5eTE2DbQd/s1600/baskets+4+rye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMC_LFNlMUeW7x5ooKYOKbsC83-hBMbJ24VEsvNGSgLccn7ZBUhdMowSKisA8vXPYFyFo2ETeRSgoeLdB4KGU2Rksvp6yJeRs_tdcZ4mbIUeeIUnxo0kvUxcNnWHSWo-9UgLP5eTE2DbQd/s320/baskets+4+rye.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
We also collect vintage picnic baskets, which are terrific storage containers. And the extra ones we store under a long table in the living room:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi16P2F89MgCbJHfESRqNH5I6fBG8JzIDF7U1_7sLy6DtxuALv-sGb-P9s-ntH6IYAUmJcCpMTDGkd751glmX2mTL0y4sstSTw7EQa-_RQe7sAkOBfzi6mSv8CFWwKCP_fup9wZJldBaxVj/s1600/baskets+5+picnic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1137" data-original-width="1600" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi16P2F89MgCbJHfESRqNH5I6fBG8JzIDF7U1_7sLy6DtxuALv-sGb-P9s-ntH6IYAUmJcCpMTDGkd751glmX2mTL0y4sstSTw7EQa-_RQe7sAkOBfzi6mSv8CFWwKCP_fup9wZJldBaxVj/s320/baskets+5+picnic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
In the summer a variety of baskets go out into the garden to bring in fresh veggies and flowers, or pick blueberries, like many of those that we've got hanging, above, from the kitchen ceiling.<br />
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Of course, as an <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/eitherorfinds">Etsy seller</a>, I sometimes part with some of our <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/EitherOrFinds?ref=l2-shopheader-name&section_id=22773207">vintage basket finds</a>, like these (find them <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/622760718/large-vintage-splint-buttocks-basket?ref=related-1">here</a> and <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/592205777/twig-basket-collection-set-of-4-vintage?ref=related-1">here</a> and <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/657610089/vintage-cheese-baskets-set-of-2?ref=shop_home_active_1">here</a>):<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTnYoPZ4uKxxi-k7jniaBBYOCcnBhbk7e6XHtDTjvBosJGBqWUhyphenhyphenVcEfomH7BCd8UK4MHrLOc9bS12yufuX1_Lcc8NGHzUz_fgLR8Xk0GBbbdM8JIMp7ovkMfv0F9PMSpNc0fd9hazxVY/s1600/blog+basket+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="1140" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTnYoPZ4uKxxi-k7jniaBBYOCcnBhbk7e6XHtDTjvBosJGBqWUhyphenhyphenVcEfomH7BCd8UK4MHrLOc9bS12yufuX1_Lcc8NGHzUz_fgLR8Xk0GBbbdM8JIMp7ovkMfv0F9PMSpNc0fd9hazxVY/s320/blog+basket+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPydl92_wQDR9ElALwBGdB1wAQqd91Jr87hWtvNMlXbH1yYl8B5_QqMUU00VXRV4xQGgHPOPi2sh328NRrvLwGcDRLhZH63rvYvan4GpdDvfiFT1PXOVxOAl56kcvxDF6D4Eg9A209dis/s1600/blog+basket+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="570" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPydl92_wQDR9ElALwBGdB1wAQqd91Jr87hWtvNMlXbH1yYl8B5_QqMUU00VXRV4xQGgHPOPi2sh328NRrvLwGcDRLhZH63rvYvan4GpdDvfiFT1PXOVxOAl56kcvxDF6D4Eg9A209dis/s320/blog+basket+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYMMBuWnlVnbd3gGZUBnEKCSiSRQKtXyr2STEYrMRCPar8r8FpvhO1fObDvS55iXgftKkf9sp8lKMuwGnJ-l-32N2GWDE3tx7OQn85Y0XafUqSFVC7XPq4WDHcg-oipUXiGbv1Kccskz4/s1600/blog+basket+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="431" data-original-width="570" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYMMBuWnlVnbd3gGZUBnEKCSiSRQKtXyr2STEYrMRCPar8r8FpvhO1fObDvS55iXgftKkf9sp8lKMuwGnJ-l-32N2GWDE3tx7OQn85Y0XafUqSFVC7XPq4WDHcg-oipUXiGbv1Kccskz4/s320/blog+basket+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Wire or metal baskets, like these two in the shop, are also terrific (find them <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/489313394/vintage-gathering-basket-metal-storage?ref=related-1">here</a> and <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/479302464/metal-gathering-basket-vintage-storage?ref=related-8">here</a>--and check out how great they look filled with fruit or books):<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRm0QrUIuRVdUtRmJbJei5HMi5nbshxsD3WPSgvvMCk1xgx9pt_2hlidKRLsOHHck0mLbpRgHF5-5SlQDoQBJ0rHaRo2c6DmtKgAwj6ZjUBsgxLNwpykA_soxSk9lvnHYfMQU5xJl6V0U/s1600/blog+basket+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="1140" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRm0QrUIuRVdUtRmJbJei5HMi5nbshxsD3WPSgvvMCk1xgx9pt_2hlidKRLsOHHck0mLbpRgHF5-5SlQDoQBJ0rHaRo2c6DmtKgAwj6ZjUBsgxLNwpykA_soxSk9lvnHYfMQU5xJl6V0U/s320/blog+basket+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfGmoshfwypASiCHczP0XhRPqXq3MH6UtodP4QIJuSxJH8SYi7TboXEEET2qDj-t9B9nsrvWpyIUZf8TVm4D_xU3BftNG-hBiZeju6JMPR3Yn4vPwlzeSwH-pfLyY5uX09e0OF-JrxFg/s1600/blog+basket+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="1140" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfGmoshfwypASiCHczP0XhRPqXq3MH6UtodP4QIJuSxJH8SYi7TboXEEET2qDj-t9B9nsrvWpyIUZf8TVm4D_xU3BftNG-hBiZeju6JMPR3Yn4vPwlzeSwH-pfLyY5uX09e0OF-JrxFg/s320/blog+basket+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
And vintage ceramic baskets, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/657313357/portuguese-pottery-basket-with-handle?ref=shop_home_active_2">like this hand painted one made in Portugal:</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7yPiXHbNBqp8CZYG2aILqf1BRVCXED7rsA-Jko3D9x0nEYQBcHNhfRFUX77Ey_AtYnRqnbAUmOCmzl1KpBjbhVZ0oBKoIXWYi62-nSrJ6nVccISybDM4Or35tEPkwcYRVH3-lTdJl5WY/s1600/blog+basket+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="1140" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7yPiXHbNBqp8CZYG2aILqf1BRVCXED7rsA-Jko3D9x0nEYQBcHNhfRFUX77Ey_AtYnRqnbAUmOCmzl1KpBjbhVZ0oBKoIXWYi62-nSrJ6nVccISybDM4Or35tEPkwcYRVH3-lTdJl5WY/s320/blog+basket+6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/621288024/antique-brides-basket-meriden-b-company?ref=shop_home_active_10">This silver plated vintage Bride's Basket </a>is another beauty:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1h6HriJyX5FeXU3I_MDgXSch34ZqNAcso-yNR7nfDS5mrwHLU4KEUt1qR4mI6bxOSKC-pwEfECD-GnfNi-X2brDH7Xrz-tOdPw8UssMMr-XMWxDl21lZYkHr4BvuM3kDtHYBozc7eug/s1600/blog+basket+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="1140" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1h6HriJyX5FeXU3I_MDgXSch34ZqNAcso-yNR7nfDS5mrwHLU4KEUt1qR4mI6bxOSKC-pwEfECD-GnfNi-X2brDH7Xrz-tOdPw8UssMMr-XMWxDl21lZYkHr4BvuM3kDtHYBozc7eug/s320/blog+basket+7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I love baskets so much I started a Pinterest page for the ones I find online <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/eitherorfinds/basket-love/">here</a>.<br />
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And I have another Pinterest board just for Wall Basket Decor <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/eitherorfinds/wall-basket-decor/">here</a>.<br />
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All the baskets currently in my shop can be found <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/eitherorfinds?section_id=22773207">here</a>.<br />
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There's a tour of my house, showing all of the baskets on my ceiling and elsewhere (although probably looking a little bit different because I might have sold some or purchased others)--this can be found in the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/EitherOrFinds?ref=l2-shopheader-name#about">"About" </a>section of my shop--if you scroll over to the fourth picture, you'll see the video.<br />
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The great thing about shopping for and collecting baskets is that they can still be found in garage or church sales or auctions and estate sales. Or from Etsy shops ~ just put "vintage baskets" in the search bar and check out a few thousand!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01508219542835099393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72636567003806225.post-81906988193965821712018-10-19T11:02:00.000-07:002018-11-16T12:18:45.526-08:00Bring on the Vintage Brass!Vintage brass adds a sparkle and vitality to any decor.<br />
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Made from two natural elements, copper and zinc, the similarity of brass to gold in both flexibility and color accounts for its popularity from Medieval times to today.<br />
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Once, highly polished brass was the most desirable because it looks like gold. But today, with the surge in decorating with vintage, brass with aged patina is also sought after. And the question becomes: to polish or not to polish?<br />
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Actually, I think it's up to the preference of the owner--and the type of item. Some items I polish and some I think look great just the way they are.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_qpnOfWnZfww-96q0yUYkV-RAxtihbfl9im9eqydJAlYo_COiIfSCYD21EdUnHXL7UwLOkKbd5FO4wvbXZiSzpVQS-1p-S6XOcge_VTRRjkIlZHW9xcIDZqZK9pF7Beja3Tw-GiD5L4Y/s1600/amysvintageemporium+brass+decor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="570" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_qpnOfWnZfww-96q0yUYkV-RAxtihbfl9im9eqydJAlYo_COiIfSCYD21EdUnHXL7UwLOkKbd5FO4wvbXZiSzpVQS-1p-S6XOcge_VTRRjkIlZHW9xcIDZqZK9pF7Beja3Tw-GiD5L4Y/s320/amysvintageemporium+brass+decor.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a>The picture above is from Amy's Vintage Emporium on <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/amysvintagedecorium">Etsy</a> and on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/amysvintagedecorium/">Instagram</a>, where she has over 5,000 followers. Amy's Instagram hashtag #mybrassabode has examples of how brass is being used in a variety of different decors today from Jungalow to Modern Farmhouse, and she's definitely one of the biggest supporters, sellers, and promoters of brass everything.<br />
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I buy brass items whenever I can. Examples currently in <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/eitherorfinds">my shop</a> include this <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/605687888/solid-brass-victorian-candelabra-antique?ga_search_query=brass&ref=shop_items_search_1">candlelabra</a>:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheTtU5VAVxdABm784K_a3lC-SE2NsmRbnJ2dbXMR2XJEpngqGWjH_PZNw6cx4CsqRE_RnQjHyJZNxsY3McjSRYigZeOH-aAPnrGiSMllYhhVIMUe6JGG8VuYLS6dBDXsFRmMCnnhA1vFBK/s1600/blog+candlestick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="570" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheTtU5VAVxdABm784K_a3lC-SE2NsmRbnJ2dbXMR2XJEpngqGWjH_PZNw6cx4CsqRE_RnQjHyJZNxsY3McjSRYigZeOH-aAPnrGiSMllYhhVIMUe6JGG8VuYLS6dBDXsFRmMCnnhA1vFBK/s320/blog+candlestick.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
a set of three <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/559375312/brass-candle-holders-set-of-3-vintage?ga_search_query=brass&ref=shop_items_search_5">candlesticks</a>:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxO14Odoa_NUGR2120BgnvppntteA7sL2N8CIlQKLuqYpUUgH-TJOjMx-Vy0wB5BJw1ctZYwUPtrwEE3d53qK5INQ1Nx3O5p-qVCB0q1cgNalHVyyCUBp8NAA-c5xQy-eL5Hog58jtKPpC/s1600/blog+candlestick+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="570" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxO14Odoa_NUGR2120BgnvppntteA7sL2N8CIlQKLuqYpUUgH-TJOjMx-Vy0wB5BJw1ctZYwUPtrwEE3d53qK5INQ1Nx3O5p-qVCB0q1cgNalHVyyCUBp8NAA-c5xQy-eL5Hog58jtKPpC/s320/blog+candlestick+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
and a tarnished brass <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/562226412/brass-palm-tree-candlestick-large-13?ga_search_query=brass&ref=shop_items_search_4">candlestick in the shape of a palm tree</a>:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjExQ_wRPrIj8tBUHNeMHYaqLw93gnVa5J-4ywA6HPYsHKWgWqLEacldL2bEalH60wOR6K3YV475KCINEId0HcSDgyRVKCqZY0jpvTQ4e4yeap570g99sXUyB-1DeK7V-YXly-iFRQp8kT-/s1600/blog+candlestick+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="570" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjExQ_wRPrIj8tBUHNeMHYaqLw93gnVa5J-4ywA6HPYsHKWgWqLEacldL2bEalH60wOR6K3YV475KCINEId0HcSDgyRVKCqZY0jpvTQ4e4yeap570g99sXUyB-1DeK7V-YXly-iFRQp8kT-/s320/blog+candlestick+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
A set of vintage <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/598260983/brass-napkin-rings-with-copper-holders?ga_search_query=brass&ref=shop_items_search_6">brass napkin rings</a> is another find:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpL-4TV4qmVSSJ5OfaimZq0Uae-Sn89QjpyL-HSJ1MmoUSIwAYYC-wxVXpD2tKrjHRbPuKT8rBJGzkiIXhro-Nbg-122Thx_kJSaJ37GlbhB_NHTjvdWRxi82fJU_IP_2MxvGlUs5PTxPp/s1600/blog+napkin+rings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="570" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpL-4TV4qmVSSJ5OfaimZq0Uae-Sn89QjpyL-HSJ1MmoUSIwAYYC-wxVXpD2tKrjHRbPuKT8rBJGzkiIXhro-Nbg-122Thx_kJSaJ37GlbhB_NHTjvdWRxi82fJU_IP_2MxvGlUs5PTxPp/s320/blog+napkin+rings.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
and here's a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/585500557/brass-wall-sconces-pair-of-vintage?ga_search_query=brass&ref=shop_items_search_3">pair of brass wall sconces</a>:<br />
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One of the most unusual vintage brass items in <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/eitherorfinds">my shop</a> is <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/631011508/empty-brass-bullet-shell-casings-lot-of?ga_search_query=brass&ref=shop_items_search_2">a lot of empty bullet cases for crafts</a>:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvNBLbXogvJdQPnXnGA7l8Oc-lcsegVUU1sLSG63LTMX_O1iGA_-mbBc-dBzHJrZ4Mr351FYrPaSWfKLjKuiDjkLSp_EX5e1BDH9tATro1F5Nr56aMGEFcUebTVUUc-gRB_APoL7ogDJsx/s1600/blog+empty+bullet+cases.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="570" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvNBLbXogvJdQPnXnGA7l8Oc-lcsegVUU1sLSG63LTMX_O1iGA_-mbBc-dBzHJrZ4Mr351FYrPaSWfKLjKuiDjkLSp_EX5e1BDH9tATro1F5Nr56aMGEFcUebTVUUc-gRB_APoL7ogDJsx/s320/blog+empty+bullet+cases.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
And because of my love for all things brass, I've started a Pinterest board called <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/eitherorfinds/collecting-vintage-brass/">Collecting Vintage Brass</a>, where almost daily I find and post the vintage brass items I come across.<br />
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Later today I'm heading over to one of my favorite church sales here in New Hampshire, and vintage brass will definitely be one of the items I'll be looking for.<br />
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Then the problem becomes--in addition to "polish or not polish"--do I sell it, or keep it for myself? :)<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01508219542835099393noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72636567003806225.post-26334189425065760222018-08-28T10:30:00.001-07:002018-10-19T11:04:19.811-07:00Collecting Cast IronEvery day I use cast iron pans in my cooking. Couldn't do without them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ajxC1ceVjP6fzUIurc0_cSpB5RHFkZo5X409RDTyYndapRpDpa51xShI7baTB9Zh7HiwdIUqNFcGWIv7aOInYkHtH703vk81MdRPaYyYjuUHRtEacZ4nkBFmBYeFIMTCMdVsOKN87tc/s1600/cast+iron+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="570" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ajxC1ceVjP6fzUIurc0_cSpB5RHFkZo5X409RDTyYndapRpDpa51xShI7baTB9Zh7HiwdIUqNFcGWIv7aOInYkHtH703vk81MdRPaYyYjuUHRtEacZ4nkBFmBYeFIMTCMdVsOKN87tc/s320/cast+iron+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Collecting vintage cast iron has become increasingly popular in the last few years. Not only are cast iron pans and other cooking utensils handy in the kitchen, but they're also wonderfully decorative when displayed on the wall.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhttRUwS77sfYyGbX8kLcvznLpzohT2JCrYS618cCh21IqN1velkcFk5xCnoxvMoQVATEm3wxiuJkyU0_wK3EEgdIqFdIaA-F6uVuMQ4HfgpOTy2WsZy6RLj1LKjCrY62EldjhbH6wx6Rk/s1600/cast+iron+from+pinterest+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="564" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhttRUwS77sfYyGbX8kLcvznLpzohT2JCrYS618cCh21IqN1velkcFk5xCnoxvMoQVATEm3wxiuJkyU0_wK3EEgdIqFdIaA-F6uVuMQ4HfgpOTy2WsZy6RLj1LKjCrY62EldjhbH6wx6Rk/s320/cast+iron+from+pinterest+blog.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
(The photo above is from a blog called <a href="http://thecountryfarmhome.blogspot.com/2012/02/my-kitchens-hidden-secrets.html">The Country Farm Home </a>and featured on my Pinterest board <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/eitherorfinds/cast-iron-collectibles/">Cast Iron Collectibles.</a>)<br />
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Some people are looking for cast iron made by companies such as Griswold, which was founded in 1865; Vollrath, 1874; Wagner Ware, 1881; Favorite Stove and Range, 1887; Atlanta Stove Works, 1889; Lodge, 1896; Wapak, 1903; Le Creuset, 1925; or Krampouz, 1949.<br />
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Personally, I just like the way it looks and feels and, especially, the way it cooks my food.<br />
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Amazingly, you can find vintage cast iron with a certain rare mark for as much as $999 from online sellers.<br />
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That's a little out of my price range, however.<br />
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On Etsy, a rusty cast iron skillet might run you $28, such as this one from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/468580388/cast-iron-skillet-black-vintage?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=ca">Goshen Pickers</a>:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHfFT1iGlGLo7GM1Ue7POnCz-n3BcmQw-xmCU7XqiC_971K-3jSnwZgVLaO1KYefjm0iGWVFbTCjSyo5xATcieUcrX2Jq7wmYbqTQr9QaJc6MfoDBlYKmm391AnduYwrSAZNqkSz6soY/s1600/cast+iron+skillet+goshen+pickers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="570" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHfFT1iGlGLo7GM1Ue7POnCz-n3BcmQw-xmCU7XqiC_971K-3jSnwZgVLaO1KYefjm0iGWVFbTCjSyo5xATcieUcrX2Jq7wmYbqTQr9QaJc6MfoDBlYKmm391AnduYwrSAZNqkSz6soY/s320/cast+iron+skillet+goshen+pickers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Or this unusual baking pan from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/616169541/cast-iron-pan-muffin-pan-cast-iron?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=cast%20iron%20pan%20epsteam&ref=sr_gallery-3-7&organic_search_click=1">Rustic Buckets</a> for $35:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjVYfATtvXd1OiyeUFHA4AlgVOP1VxCEwh9mUfRLAOmPmwVYuUkd6IiZkL21GaC-au2uySkhES_aqQ-VTwYJNHx7Z_q1kvPQeq1GnfeYFRF9DKpC1EKH4BizRAXwef4MXzJNKq4KJWvM/s1600/cast+iron+unusual+rustic+buckets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="760" data-original-width="570" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjVYfATtvXd1OiyeUFHA4AlgVOP1VxCEwh9mUfRLAOmPmwVYuUkd6IiZkL21GaC-au2uySkhES_aqQ-VTwYJNHx7Z_q1kvPQeq1GnfeYFRF9DKpC1EKH4BizRAXwef4MXzJNKq4KJWvM/s320/cast+iron+unusual+rustic+buckets.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
And then, of course, I have some in my shop (the top two pictures; the third one, a popover pan, has been sold): a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/598770583/cast-iron-pancake-pan-vintage-plett-pan?ref=related-1">cast iron pancake or plett pan from the 1930s</a> for $26, and an <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/599937569/cast-iron-pan-antique-french-roll-baker?ref=shop_home_active_6">antique French roll pan from the 1910s</a> for $45.<br />
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But I'm always keeping my eyes open for more, so head over to <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/EitherOrFinds">my shop</a> and see if I've listed any others. If you read this before August 30 to September 3, 2018, everything in my shop will be discounted 15%.<br />
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And if you're too late for that, head on over and get 10% off anything with the coupon code 10EITHERORFINDS at checkout just for reading all this way!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01508219542835099393noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72636567003806225.post-22752458082626248932018-08-21T11:09:00.003-07:002018-08-28T12:57:19.853-07:00Musings on Vintage Milk GlassI didn't always love milk glass, as pretty as it is.<br />
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I knew that some people collected it, but I was into blue and white, my own personal collecting passion.<br />
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And then, as an<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/eitherorfinds"> Etsy seller</a>, the Modern Farmhouse trend became something I started to follow.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKfTz_rYTeLoAXMXEzGT5tOOU3Ck_qHKs2qlYyjh42miag_zv5FBFblJ7U7xByA2cbQvz5cXqmYe_0avkC6Z60hGOE3MYGePmA3wV_zthdikG-h9ZxQbSLvj3JpUrsgFjcmSYqgrERWMa/s1600/modern+farmhouse+for+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKfTz_rYTeLoAXMXEzGT5tOOU3Ck_qHKs2qlYyjh42miag_zv5FBFblJ7U7xByA2cbQvz5cXqmYe_0avkC6Z60hGOE3MYGePmA3wV_zthdikG-h9ZxQbSLvj3JpUrsgFjcmSYqgrERWMa/s320/modern+farmhouse+for+blog.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
My home isn't Modern Farmhouse, it's definitely Country Primitive (see the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/eitherorfinds#about">"About" page in my shop </a>--scroll down on the link--where I share a video tour of several rooms in my house) because I prefer lots of color, and the basis of Modern Farmhouse is All Things White. White, white, white. With maybe a little wood tone thrown in for good measure.<br />
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(If you're still not exactly sure what the Modern Farmhouse look is, check out my Pinterest board called <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/eitherorfinds/modern-farmhouse-decor/">Modern Farmhouse Decor.</a>)<br />
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Anyway, if white was selling, white was what I was buying--white objects of all kind, from white cream pitchers, plates, cups, vases, and soup toureens to white matelasse coverlets, enamelware pails, and even bird houses. A few examples currently in my shop include <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/528794292/white-ceramic-creamers-set-of-2-vintage?ga_search_query=white&ref=shop_items_search_13">a pair of white creamers</a>, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/532715860/white-dessert-bowls-with-leaf-pattern?ref=related-1">white dessert bowls</a>, and a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/576513618/oval-serving-bowl-with-lid-antique-adolf?ga_search_query=white&ref=shop_items_search_21">white serving dish</a>:<br />
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During my vintage finding forays, then (church sales, yard sales, thrift shops of all kinds), the color white always caught my eye. And of course, that included milk glass. I bought a few vintage bud vases and sold those, and then became aware of the current craze for using collections of white milk glass vases at weddings. Like these, currently in my shop:<br />
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So I kept on buying them, and it was during this period that I really began to fall in love with all the shapes and sizes and designs and textures of this interesting opaque, translucent or semi-translucent glass.<br />
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Its history is interesting. I found out that milk glass was first made in Venice in the 16th century but rose to popularity during the Victorian era because of its similarity to porcelain. In fact, the Victorians are credited with first calling it "milk glass." While its popularity dipped during the Depression, interest surged again after World War II, especially during the 1950s and 1960s.<br />
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Some of the companies producing collectible milk glass are Fenton, Fostoria, Imperial, Mosser, Anchor Hocking, and Westmoreland.<br />
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(For glimpses of various other items made out of milk glass, as well as articles about it, see my Pinterest board called "<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/eitherorfinds/vintage-milk-glass-love/">Vintage Milk Glass Love.</a>")<br />
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And now, in the 21st century, its popularity is back. Because, when you start taking a good look at milk glass, what's not to love?Kris McLaughlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00446111200955238031noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72636567003806225.post-62942201513138896132018-08-14T10:40:00.000-07:002018-08-21T12:08:07.845-07:00Musings on Vintage Mason JarsI love vintage Mason jars!<br />
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If you came to my house and saw how many I have you'd realize what an understatement that is. I started out years ago collecting the big aqua ones with the zinc tops.<br />
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I use them in my kitchen pantry to store dried beans and peas and flour and sugar and various cooking needs.<br />
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But then the aqua ones started getting too hard to find and too expensive if I did, so I switched to collecting the clear glass ones made by Ball and Atlas.<br />
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The clear glass kind are great to use filled with flowers as table centerpieces:<br />
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I also put candles in them for special dinner celebrations, and for festive evening parties on a patio you can fix wires around them and hang the the jars with lit candles inside from nearby tree branches.<br />
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When we have picnics at our house, I fill one jar with knives, another with spoons, and a third with forks. And they're perfect for "salads on the go," which have become pretty popular lately.</div>
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Vintage Mason jars also provide ideal storage in the bathroom, especially for Q-tips and cotton balls. And in the craft room, they corral buttons, thread spools, shells, gem stones, marbles, and whatever else you have that needs containing.<br />
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Another of my vintage canning jars is now a lamp,<br />
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and one has been outfitted with a soap dispenser (which you can buy <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/JarringCreations?ref=l2-shopheader-name">here on Etsy at Jarring Creations</a>, like I did--thank you, Kim!) and sits in the bathroom.<br />
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Anyway, I just couldn't pass up collecting Mason jars at yard sales and church sales and wherever I found them, so I kept on accumulating more and more and more. Until finally I decided: this is crazy--I need to start sharing my finds.<br />
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So now in my Etsy shop I offer lots of <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/608194978/ball-mason-ideal-canning-jars-vintage?ref=shop_home_active_9">three Ball jars </a>or <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/622709757/vintage-canning-jars-set-of-6-ball-mason?ref=shop_home_active_8">six Ball jars </a>as well as <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/608198050/vintage-canning-jars-set-of-3-vintage?ref=shop_home_active_11">three Atlas jars </a>and<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/608872558/vintage-canning-jars-set-of-6-atlas-e-z?ref=shop_home_active_10"> six Atlas jars</a> (which essentially differ only in what's embossed on the front of them). All are pint size:<br />
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Mason jars have a fascinating history. John Landis Mason invented this type of jar in 1858, and in 1884 the Ball brothers used his design in creating the first Ball Mason jar.<br />
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More history about Ball Mason jars can be found <a href="https://www.glassbottlemarks.com/ball-bros-glass-company/">here</a>, and history about the Atlas Jars (also known as Hazel-Atlas) can be found <a href="https://www.glassbottlemarks.com/hazel-atlas-glass-company/">here</a>.<br />
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I love vintage canning jars so much I created a <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/eitherorfinds/vintage-canning-jars/">Pinterest board</a> with various ideas of what to do with them ~ take a look and start stockpiling your own collection. For me, they're indispensable!Kris McLaughlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00446111200955238031noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72636567003806225.post-16485953660453759422017-10-03T10:37:00.000-07:002018-08-14T10:43:02.117-07:00Selling on Etsy: A Frustrating LessonIt was one of those days....<br />
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Last Friday I photographed a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/547585494/vintage-glass-cloche-dome-marble-cheese?ref=shop_home_active_1">terrific vintage glass cloche and gray marble cheese server </a>for my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/EitherOrFinds?ref=l2-shopheader-name">Etsy shop:</a><br />
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I filled out most of the necessary listing forms: title, description, tags, etc., but ran out of time to finish it completely, since we were heading out to a football game in Vermont and I had to pack and otherwise get ready to leave.<br />
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So yesterday, back home again, I thought: time to get that cloche and cheese server online.<br />
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As is my practice for every listing I do, in addition to filling out the information about the piece I also package it so it's ready to ship out immediately once a buyer hits "purchase." I'm able to do this because, fortunately, there's a shed in back of our house where I store all my boxes on rows of metal and wood shelving.<br />
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So I carefully put bubble wrap and brown paper around the glass cloche and the marble tray, and tucked in my card along with a little handwritten note. Taking the two pieces, I put them carefully inside one of the recyclable boxes I keep in the garage, stuffing all the sides and edges with recycled cardboard, brown paper, and plastic grocery bags. On went the tape and voila: all was secure and ready to go. I weighed and measured the box and put those numbers into my listing. It was ready to publish.<br />
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But before I hit the "publish" button I thought: let me just read through everything to make sure there are no spelling errors or other mistakes. And then I saw it: on Friday I'd left a blank space in the description text where the cloche and marble base measurements were to be slugged in.<br />
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Urrrrggghhh! For awhile I fought it, trying to think of some way I could estimate those measurements, but in the end there was nothing to do but rip off all the tape, remove the scrunched up plastic bags, cardboard, brown paper, and bubble wrap, get a tape measure and write down the height, width, and base diameter of both pieces.<br />
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Then I rewrapped everything, labeled the box and took it to the shed, entered the information in the proper place, and hit the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/547585494/vintage-glass-cloche-dome-marble-cheese?ref=shop_home_active_1">"publish" button</a>. Talk about time consuming. To console myself, I tried thinking about how I'd sold several great items over the weekend:<br />
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But I learned a lesson: Never leave a nearly but not quite finished listing on a Friday without writing a huge sign beforehand: MAKE SURE YOU MEASURE THIS ITEM BEFORE PACKING & LISTING!<br />
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Now, if I can just remember to do this....Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01508219542835099393noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72636567003806225.post-65233946184046797802017-09-22T07:17:00.001-07:002018-08-14T10:43:48.769-07:00A Hurricane, A Broken Mug, and EtsyLast week most of the world was watching as one of the largest hurricanes on record, Irma, headed straight for the Caribbean islands and Florida.<br />
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Since we have friends in the USVI, Puerto Rico, and throughout Florida, including my brother in Tampa, our concern, focus, and prayers for all in Irma's wake was intensely personal.<br />
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Fortunately, all our loved ones were safe, with only minimal damage, but the devastation throughout this region was massive, to say the least.<br />
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Just after the worst of it had passed, I heard a "cha-CHING" from my iPhone, signaling a sale in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/eitherorfinds">Etsy shop</a>. I looked to see what had been sold:<br />
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<a name='more'></a>It was a vintage ceramic Telavera mug, made by a pottery in Mexico. Then I checked to see where the mug was going to be delivered: Florida!<br />
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As I always do, I contacted the buyer to thank him for his purchase, adding "The people of your whole state have been in our thoughts and prayers--I'm glad you have power.! I haven't heard back yet from my brother in Tampa or friends in Naples. Enjoy your mug--and the storm being over!"<br />
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He wrote back right away, saying "I hope your brother and friends have made it through Irma and you'll be in touch with them soon. Thank you for your warm wishes, While (our city) took Irma very hard, we were unscathed. Except for one thing...I did break my wife's favorite coffee mug in a moment of cabin fever chaos, hence this purchase."<br />
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After I'd heard from my brother, I wrote back: "Thankfully my brother and friends made it through Irma unscathed and the only real problem for them now is no power. I sympathize with you about needing to replace your wife's favorite coffee cup after having broken it!.... It reminds me of the time <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2012/11/when-selling-on-etsy-lifts-my-spirits.html">I sold an unusual glass bottle </a>with a wavy top to a man whose wife was grieving over a bottle just like it that she had loved and that had been broken in a move. He was delighted to find one in my shop that he could surprise her with. Both of you: very thoughtful husbands! I hope she is very happy with her new mug."<br />
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After a few days had passed he wrote back again: "The mug is beautiful. She loves it. I'm glad to hear your brother and friends made it through the storm with minimal adversity. Many of us were so fortunate in how little impact we suffered. I suppose that really all of us who lived through the event were fortunate....Thanks again."<br />
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Exchanges like, this because of a sale (and especially under these unusual circumstances), make life as an Etsy seller extra rewarding.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01508219542835099393noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72636567003806225.post-30781703044219947902017-07-31T12:51:00.001-07:002017-09-22T07:21:53.178-07:00Fantastic Finds at the Yankee Barn Sale, Dublin, NH<span style="font-family: inherit;">Recently we attended, for the umpteenth time, the amazing annual <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Rte+101,+Dublin,+NH/@42.9058259,-72.0975056,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x89e24a608ebc75bd:0x85a0d260744821e3!8m2!3d42.9058312!4d-72.0624862?hl=en">Yankee Barn Sale</a>, New Hampshire's flea market extravaganza in Dublin.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now in its 36th year, the sale features new, used, antique and vintage items from over 80 local residents and employees of Yankee Publishing, Inc. (publishers of the renowned </span><a href="https://newengland.com/yankee-magazine/" style="font-family: inherit;">Yankee Magazine</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, founded in 1935). It's definitely the primary Do-Not-Miss treasure hunt on our calendar.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And this year was a great one, at least for acquiring loads of new finds for <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/EitherOrFinds">my Etsy shop</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The whole scene is held in a huge field near Yankee headquarters. You pay a dollar to park (hopefully not too far from the sellers, as you don't want to spend too much time walking back and forth to your car with all the stuff you've found), </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sellers park their cars and vans in their pre-paid-for slots and then set their ware out on the grass or under a tent, if they've brought one. There's absolutely everything for sale from furniture to clothing to all kinds of vintage and antique household items.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I always bring along two large bags to carry over my shoulder, although a lot of what I bought this year was too heavy and had to be transported to our car via my patient and helpful husband.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">There are food vendors here for breakfast and lunch, although I'm too busy buying to stop and eat. I pack peanut butter toast and smoothies for our half hour ride over, and we leave home at 7 a.m. for the sale, which, strictly speaking, begins at 8 a.m. However, there are always people there when we arrive. I suppose we really should get there earlier, but...sleep and a leisurely wake-up with coffee are simply higher priorities.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The whole scene is so colorful and a real New England dose of high Americana.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But then, within about an hour and a half of intensive looking, bartering, and buying, we're suddenly exhausted--kind of like when you're going through a fantastic art museum (the Met, say) and, going from one visual stimulation to the next, you find your knees getting weak and your eyes beginning to blur....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So then home we go, our car loaded with fantastic finds. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">All of which then need hours of research and determining prices, and then photographing, and listing...lots of work. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But ah the hunt: therein lies the never-ending joy!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01508219542835099393noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72636567003806225.post-62751675397538047142017-07-18T10:28:00.000-07:002017-07-31T12:53:01.647-07:00Fabulous Finds & A New Friend at the St. James Fair, Woodstock VTMy daughter, who lives in Woodstock, Vermont, said I absolutely had to come. The <a href="http://www.stjameswoodstock.org/st-james-fair.html">St. James Fair</a> there, now in its 92nd year, was something not to miss.<br />
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We live about an hour and a half away in New Hampshire, so it's not a long drive. And since it was a great excuse to spend the weekend with the family, we drove over Friday night for dinner.<br />
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But on Saturday morning, at 9 a.m., my daughter and I were there, scouting out what we wanted to make a mad dash for once the ribbons encircling the tents were cut precisely at 10 a.m.<br />
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She was after art work, but I was after vintage household items to sell in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/EitherOrFinds">Etsy shop</a>. See that top picture--those white plates with the flowers? When the ribbons were cut, I planned to scoop all of them up as my first find. They were Portmeirion Botanic Garden plates, made in the 1970s.<br />
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But there was a woman standing next to me, staring at the same plates. She looked over at me. "Do you want those?"<br />
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"Yes," I said.<br />
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"Are you sure?"<br />
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I nodded.<br />
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She looked back at the plates. I began feeling guilty. Selfish.<br />
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"So...you want them, too?" I asked.<br />
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She nodded.<br />
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"Do you collect Portmeirion?" I asked<br />
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"I do," she said. "I have several pieces, but no plates yet."<br />
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"Then why don't we split them?" I suggested. "That way there won't be any blood spilled in the glass and china section." A cop stood several feet away. "And we won't have to bother him."<br />
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She laughed and looked at me gratefully. "Really?"<br />
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"Sure," I said. "There are six big plates, so each of us can take three, and there are four salad plates, so we'll each take two."<br />
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Now she was beaming. She extended a hand. "My name is Dorian," she said. "Thank you!"<br />
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As I told my new friend my name, the ribbons were being cut. Dorian wanted something else, too, on the table, so I picked up all the plates and divided them up. We paid the woman on duty taking money, took our plates, shook hands again, and wished each other luck on the rest of the hunt.<br />
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Which, for me, was pretty amazing. I kept filling my bags with items, paying for them and, when the bags became too heavy, taking them back to the car, which we'd parked about a block away. Back and forth I went for the next hour, finding treasures and hauling them back to the car.<br />
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Finally my daughter came up, her bags bulging. She, too, had been taking trips back and forth to the car. "I'm fading," she said. "How're you doing?"<br />
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"Since I only have $3 left," I said, "I think it's probably time to leave."<br />
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She sighed. "In an hour everything goes half price. Some real bargains then."<br />
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The heat of the day was rising and I was beginning to feel faint. "That's okay," I said. "I don't think I could last that long."<br />
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We shouldered our most recent purchases and headed back, one last time, to the car.<br />
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Later that day my husband and I drove by the Fair, which was wrapping up. A good amount of items were still there, and I felt the urge to stop and take a look at the leavings.<br />
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But I was too tired. Way too tired.<br />
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Back at home, I set my finds on a table to show my husband.<br />
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The next step was to do some research, figure out prices, photograph them, write up their descriptions, and list them in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/EitherOrFinds">Etsy shop</a>.<br />
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Unless, of course, a few of them became too impossible to part with....Kris McLaughlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00446111200955238031noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72636567003806225.post-85219318532699897432017-07-11T12:31:00.000-07:002017-07-18T10:42:11.846-07:00The Unexpected Journey of a Kentucky Derby HatWhen I found it, I had to buy it. Even if I would never make it to the <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=kentucky+derby+2018+date&oq=kentucky+derby+2018&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0l5.12441j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8">Kentucky Derby</a>.<br />
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Maybe one of my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/EitherOrFinds">Etsy shop</a> customers would, I thought. It was definitely an amazing vintage hat!<br />
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So I took some pix in my studio, like this one:<br />
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and put my beautiful hat online. The description read, in part:<br />
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"What a spectacular vintage hat this is, created out of 100% red wool and decorated with a black velvet band, feathers, lace, and large black velvet flower...The label inside reads Toucan Collection, New York. In excellent condition, this gorgeous, classy hat is perfect for any dressy event, like a wedding, Easter--or the Kentucky Derby!"<br />
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It was in my shop for a few weeks, and then, finally, I heard that "cha-CHING" that's the happy sound from my iPhone's Etsy app indicating a sale.<br />
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But I was curious about the buyer, so I wrote to her and said "This is truly a lovely hat--you must be going to Derby Day!"<br />
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And she wrote back: "Oh, I wish! I'm hosting a Kentucky Derby Bridal Shower for 50 in black and white with red. The bride is marrying a Kentucky boy. This will be part of my main centerpiece and I HOPE to wear it to the Kentucky Derby next year! I searched and searched and this was the prettiest one I found."<br />
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I wrote back: "That sounds fantastic! If you have time, I'd love to have a picture of the centerpiece with the hat. And you definitely should wear it to the Kentucky Derby next year."<br />
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About a month passed and then the buyer, Jody Smalley, wrote back and sent me to the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BadolletHouse/">Badollet House Bed and Breakfast</a> on Facebook (which she owns and runs in Salem, Illinois), where pictures of the Kentucky Derby Bridal Shower were posted:<br />
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How creative and festive was this party! And how pleased I am to have helped Jody with her Kentucky Derby-themed shower decor.<br />
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But next year, she really needs to wear this fabulous hat to the real Derby!<br />
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<br />Kris McLaughlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00446111200955238031noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72636567003806225.post-22211047823532352432016-12-22T08:52:00.000-08:002017-07-11T12:32:48.259-07:00Decorating my home for Christmas with vintageLast week, after sharing some holiday decorating with vintage ideas that I found on the internet and put on one of my <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/eitherorfinds/">pinterest</a> boards called <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/eitherorfinds/decorating-for-christmas-with-vintage/">"Decorating for Christmas with Vintage,"</a> I promised that I'd show you around my house and some of the ways I decorate with vintage.<br />
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First of all, I'll take you to my kitchen. Our house is just barely vintage, as in 1990 we purchased a high, wooded parcel of land in New Hampshire and in 1992, after clearing some of the trees, we built a one-room cottage (my husband purchased a book called "Building Thoreau's Cabin" and began building) which, once finished, served as our living room, dining room, and bedroom (that ladder leads up to a sleeping loft, which we now use for storage; on the ceiling is part of our extensive basket collection).<br />
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<a name='more'></a>At the time this was our getaway house from the metro New York City area, and primitively exciting as we heated with just a wood stove, used oil lamps, brought water in to use for drinking and washing, and had an outhouse behind the cottage. Definitely "back to the land" living! Which works great when you're in your 30s or 40s. However, eventually we started hankering for hot showers and electricity....<br />
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Over the years, we finally hooked up to the grid, knocked out a window and built a wing with a bathroom and bedroom and another sleeping loft, along with a sitting room. The next project was breaking through another window and building a deck with a view of Mt. Monadnock.<br />
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Then we extended out in the other direction and built a new living room and, eventually, a whole other wing with bedrooms and work areas.<br />
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While all this building was going on, we dreamed and wondered how we could manage to live up here in the New Hampshire hills full time. In 2004 our dream finally became a reality.<br />
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(For a video tour of a few rooms in my house, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/EitherOrFinds#about">go here, to my About page </a>in <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/EitherOrFinds">my Etsy shop</a> and you'll see the video with me narrating)<br />
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This year we're going to our daughter and family's home in Vermont for Christmas, so we just put up a little tree that we loaded with lights and ornaments, some vintage and some newer.<br />
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And the white dove on the top we've had for many years (as well as the old flag behind it):<br />
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We put the tree into an antique square wooden box with faded old blue paint and a wire and wood handle (the icon is from Lourdes, but not quite vintage):<br />
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Next to the tree we put up a red, rosemaled sleigh that my father made many years ago, as well as the Santa inside, which he carved and gave me as a present. This year my husband hooked up Santa and his sleigh to the vintage reindeer candlesticks we found long ago:<br />
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On the other side of the tree, we filled a red wire basket with my collection of vintage mercury glass ornaments:</div>
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And next to that is a treasured creche that my father carved:<br />
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On the coffee table in front of the wood stove is an antique dough bowl my husband and I found decades ago in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley--we always fill it with big pine cones saved from trees at our old home in New Jersey (the pine cones are vintage, too!), along with a few little gold mercury ornaments. The antique silver candlestick we found in an antique shop in Wisconsin while celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary (we doubled that last June).<br />
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On the stone wall behind our wood stove we hung up my husband's stocking and mine from our childhood--definitely vintage!<br />
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And my collection of vintage Putz houses is set into a window:<br />
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The history of these little cardboard houses is interesting--according to Wikipedia, it seems that, in Germany, families would create miniature scenes in their homes to celebrate Christmas. The word "putzen" means "decorate," but sometimes it took weeks to collect the bits and pieces for their tableaus, and so the term "putzing" (taking your time doing this and that) came about!<br />
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I love these little houses because I remember them lined up along a high door ledge in my grandmother's home at Christmas. I don't know what happened to those, but years ago I came across a bunch of them and bought the whole lot in what I considered quite a bargain.<br />
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I inherited a lot of vintage Christmas ceramics from my parents (cute Santas and angels and snowmen), and scatter these around the house, mostly in windows. My mother used to put them on the mantle above her fireplace, swathed in white, wispy angel hair--but we don't have a mantel!<br />
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Another treasure is this wonderful Santa, also carved by my father:<br />
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Christmas is a wondrous, blessed time of year, and from my house to yours....<br />
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I wish you all the joys of this beautiful season!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01508219542835099393noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72636567003806225.post-23693423177807693052016-12-13T13:48:00.000-08:002017-07-11T12:33:11.730-07:00Decorating for Christmas with VintageI love <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/eitherorfinds/">Pinterest</a>!<br />
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Whenever you find something you like on the internet, there's always a place to save it there--just put it on one of your boards or create a new one.<br />
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Recently I was searching for ways to decorate for Christmas using vintage items. And I found some great new ideas. So all I had to do was hit the round red P button and save them to my new board: <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/eitherorfinds/decorating-for-christmas-with-vintage/">Decorating for Christmas with Vintage</a>.<br />
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Below are some of the ideas I especially liked....<br />
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Using vintage glass jars as candle holders, setting them into an old box, and filling with greens and pinecones:<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Using an old skate and a vintage watering can and adding greens, bittersweet or other red berries, and maybe a colorful bow for porch decorations:<br />
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Getting a little tree and putting it into some kind of vintage container--in the pictures below, an old metal basket, a large ceramic bowl, and a vintage wooden box were used:<br />
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Using an old grater, vintage bowls and cookie cutters, a long trough, a dough bowl and a lantern--along with greens and vintage Christmas ornaments--to create beautiful centerpieces:<br />
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Dressing up vintage scales for Christmas:<br />
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Once I take a look at some of these ideas, I start thinking about what I have in my own home that could be "up cycled" or repurposed into decorating possibilities.<br />
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Next week I'll show you some of the vintage decorating in my home. In the meantime, all these ideas and more are located on my <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/eitherorfinds/decorating-for-christmas-with-vintage/">Pinterest page</a>--come on over and check them out, as when you click on an image, whole articles come up with more clever DIY vintage Christmas decor inspiration!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01508219542835099393noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72636567003806225.post-57921333001981316702016-11-04T11:51:00.004-07:002016-12-14T05:22:32.382-08:00My Etsy StudioOkay, first off, I often dream of having the perfect studio: white walls, tall windows with great natural light, lots of room to store all my items and pack them up when purchased,,,,,<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv57CtQ-18fBwBTvzNr3kHo5QRJbuQOdkOm3RGsIyviV_pO1gvA9qAp9X20SCMqBO4Dk4SkNjCI3WIxHX8Dh87LOnWf60hw9PpMjqBfR6WPMYJNb_0EMCc5tmNMuOITokrC9EHdPOHC-E/s1600/photography+studio+Junction-Studio_02-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv57CtQ-18fBwBTvzNr3kHo5QRJbuQOdkOm3RGsIyviV_pO1gvA9qAp9X20SCMqBO4Dk4SkNjCI3WIxHX8Dh87LOnWf60hw9PpMjqBfR6WPMYJNb_0EMCc5tmNMuOITokrC9EHdPOHC-E/s320/photography+studio+Junction-Studio_02-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPiUT4f9TPJ1dzUiXSXznHg-qpXtkt4ESKVWuCiEe-YxoghCDPoKMrvKOLLKwjjvIKgeypiA8eQPieODOVAZYwAy2Elzy7PXiL4hAznC_ciVTzVaCZzzGE-htD15vLvvdWtH9Bj3EpvE/s1600/photography-studio-by-ft-architects-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPiUT4f9TPJ1dzUiXSXznHg-qpXtkt4ESKVWuCiEe-YxoghCDPoKMrvKOLLKwjjvIKgeypiA8eQPieODOVAZYwAy2Elzy7PXiL4hAznC_ciVTzVaCZzzGE-htD15vLvvdWtH9Bj3EpvE/s320/photography-studio-by-ft-architects-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
However, that's not what I have, not even close. So: you gotta make do with what you have, and this is what I have:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPt9bMRTwengQlIfiZRPP_BKAJQabbv3jhkDXqCekoS5cCZADhS1afYYXRo-AoveF3k6KgoOOvZRDqSMAsThCDJCohE8glSzs4hlMGO54hIYHGxe9MPlotzZ7yjiA3SlHX17utExqWAc/s1600/P1320006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPt9bMRTwengQlIfiZRPP_BKAJQabbv3jhkDXqCekoS5cCZADhS1afYYXRo-AoveF3k6KgoOOvZRDqSMAsThCDJCohE8glSzs4hlMGO54hIYHGxe9MPlotzZ7yjiA3SlHX17utExqWAc/s320/P1320006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now, it's a cozy little room and I'm lucky to have it. Once upon a time it was the children's playroom. Later, it became a "hang out" room for teens. But, unless we need another bed for visitors, now it's all mine! </div>
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Actually this is an upgrade from the "studio" I used to have when the children lived at home, which was simply a stairwell with white walls (to read about that, <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2014/01/new-year-new-etsy-studio.html">go here</a>).</div>
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Off to the right of my studio is a bathroom, which is super handy, especially for cleaning items before photographing them. I have a desk with a computer and printer, and an old table that serves as my "photography studio":</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi5aMS5VpZQp0NbdNOTsOMF0Ipf7QYBQgXfuPQpPhaAT0iYU6eyt1uLemFE3nf4-xbVBIuHELCZabUFheOMjI2NUp0NzMYWLDCzQSYrKyUEW2lYKsOCVkgLhUs1-22xRiKjhf5FA8BH4k/s1600/P1320007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi5aMS5VpZQp0NbdNOTsOMF0Ipf7QYBQgXfuPQpPhaAT0iYU6eyt1uLemFE3nf4-xbVBIuHELCZabUFheOMjI2NUp0NzMYWLDCzQSYrKyUEW2lYKsOCVkgLhUs1-22xRiKjhf5FA8BH4k/s320/P1320007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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To tell you the truth, I don't know a lot about lighting, but did the best I could, using cheap clip-on work lights from the hardware store and bulbs that had been recommended to simulate, as much as possible, natural light (6500K Daylight GE energy smart compact fluorescent bulbs, 26 watt--100 watt replacement or equivalent bulbs). </div>
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(Natural light, oh natural light: I only dream of you!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwN8Q0LtveiJD2o4RyjL_vICCQJKUQLhZ-UnIe-5DePTpjXfPahAEaKvWadcgM1NyiIQT97sL2ivoLTC466zVgFzb-EQgwVzAxP5XjVNTXqyM-bRXYZ-yl0eogydo6T0SVjQ7QZdT_hM/s1600/P1320017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwN8Q0LtveiJD2o4RyjL_vICCQJKUQLhZ-UnIe-5DePTpjXfPahAEaKvWadcgM1NyiIQT97sL2ivoLTC466zVgFzb-EQgwVzAxP5XjVNTXqyM-bRXYZ-yl0eogydo6T0SVjQ7QZdT_hM/s320/P1320017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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On the walls above my photography table are magazine clippings for "staging" inspiration:</div>
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I have two pieces of white matte poster board on which to put my items. And when there's too much glare from the lights above, I put this white screen over them to keep out the glare:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNJ7Q4RcfYK0hjNV1koZzgWYvP3fdrLoklkBKqKRn1FeVZ6dcv_T2i7WjorKBbTboLxTYIHEFbb6-Eh2866QHfRCJTJfAIYm-ESQwfXAEXWErFRb0fg1TagtUaIzpRVRXPNNiQsfKCpI/s1600/P1320018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNJ7Q4RcfYK0hjNV1koZzgWYvP3fdrLoklkBKqKRn1FeVZ6dcv_T2i7WjorKBbTboLxTYIHEFbb6-Eh2866QHfRCJTJfAIYm-ESQwfXAEXWErFRb0fg1TagtUaIzpRVRXPNNiQsfKCpI/s320/P1320018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's actually part of one of those folding "light box" kits you can get on Amazon or eBay, but the lights that came with it didn't really work well for me, so eventually I took it apart and just use this folding nylon screen.</div>
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I keep a box handy with potential props:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNiVQ8WgWtTk_SnOxf_RPStR6H3FSTfEKllEcsNViQ3FpwA6j43koqDNfx_iSYAC2mqf9DQcAeBHfZU1JtyzJ89OIraHBDNe9naTLum0IqebQZZz03mr75YXg4lvJOiYa-2VWxsjrFA64/s1600/P1320014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNiVQ8WgWtTk_SnOxf_RPStR6H3FSTfEKllEcsNViQ3FpwA6j43koqDNfx_iSYAC2mqf9DQcAeBHfZU1JtyzJ89OIraHBDNe9naTLum0IqebQZZz03mr75YXg4lvJOiYa-2VWxsjrFA64/s320/P1320014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And close by I have stacks of old books and bread boards, which are particularly helpful when photographing white items.</div>
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(By the way, this note for other vintage or Etsy sellers: I run ALL of my photos through <a href="http://www.picmonkey.com/">Pic Monkey</a> before posting; if that still doesn't get the look I'm after, I run them through <a href="http://www.fotofuze.com/">Foto Fuze</a>.)</div>
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Also in this room are packing materials--brown paper, packing peanuts, bubble wrap, plastic grocery bags, etc.--which I keep in a chest of drawers as well as big old baskets:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3dvazABuS1LButPZCa5Dj6aVRfrFtTR057rFDdznFMkQvzPrPIBSwZ_-zJKgqtOtRZ8SCkPjmMeMmrBITEQHXKJHETX74xe-hQHZkeaARk23uGm5XgOl5RdiDU3k6EniMAfdteDDrEc/s1600/P1320008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3dvazABuS1LButPZCa5Dj6aVRfrFtTR057rFDdznFMkQvzPrPIBSwZ_-zJKgqtOtRZ8SCkPjmMeMmrBITEQHXKJHETX74xe-hQHZkeaARk23uGm5XgOl5RdiDU3k6EniMAfdteDDrEc/s320/P1320008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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My scale is here, too, along with a measuring tape, ruler, and Scotch tape:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgwMqh0ddNrMoYEY1hP7cfPaxmaM1mLFSD5veFAY5gX0xhKQYMi8gGV5WqVTWupPW270r4w-qIEVzoHYCWnaOulHRZ7rXwQR3C1Gl4CuXGr2WbAGQ5uorJEDSaeD859sHgaERLQh03Zs/s1600/P1320010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgwMqh0ddNrMoYEY1hP7cfPaxmaM1mLFSD5veFAY5gX0xhKQYMi8gGV5WqVTWupPW270r4w-qIEVzoHYCWnaOulHRZ7rXwQR3C1Gl4CuXGr2WbAGQ5uorJEDSaeD859sHgaERLQh03Zs/s320/P1320010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-CbG9IFH7LeS8EF0rC4JDfx-0O2AAR8hAsClQQoVy91_t2AWaLUIcitacuPjlz9h3D7y8x_N_ucQYNMCMiMhadYzjzHuZQmtcrdHIHGh-p0NiwhOm0mysAnLYebkWG4GOhEMpq5HQQ4/s1600/P1320011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-CbG9IFH7LeS8EF0rC4JDfx-0O2AAR8hAsClQQoVy91_t2AWaLUIcitacuPjlz9h3D7y8x_N_ucQYNMCMiMhadYzjzHuZQmtcrdHIHGh-p0NiwhOm0mysAnLYebkWG4GOhEMpq5HQQ4/s320/P1320011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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and my cards to include when something is purchased (I always add a "Thank you" and personal note in my own handwriting):</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCLs8ym9mJmENt4iRRqXQjheU3Eni0ycpGmMVKXwVkHYitQmoA6GPPdTleA-uPc4PD-dWpTX43RGtlMI3skPWBF_04E3q6Ddw4toSWgcY0BQbRaRJz_czK_bv5qwbsNWAdbCMQkjQvPA/s1600/P1320009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCLs8ym9mJmENt4iRRqXQjheU3Eni0ycpGmMVKXwVkHYitQmoA6GPPdTleA-uPc4PD-dWpTX43RGtlMI3skPWBF_04E3q6Ddw4toSWgcY0BQbRaRJz_czK_bv5qwbsNWAdbCMQkjQvPA/s320/P1320009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Bubble mailers are stashed under my desk, and poly mailers in some drawers. </div>
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There's a door in my studio that leads out into the garage, and my unruly stash of boxes, which my husband is very patient about (well, usually):</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXi-UyO199pe56wH9fyvQtHygJMS9mJQxgvIj7ZsgThQBEDXGSqFTP6qMc4YB1nZduBeCOrJjHDXHn3FrZJel2w-yvP8z_SpjGgUgWTFvdz8ghPPsLGYp32nrBUVpP9kmiiTlydXd-hTg/s1600/P1320020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXi-UyO199pe56wH9fyvQtHygJMS9mJQxgvIj7ZsgThQBEDXGSqFTP6qMc4YB1nZduBeCOrJjHDXHn3FrZJel2w-yvP8z_SpjGgUgWTFvdz8ghPPsLGYp32nrBUVpP9kmiiTlydXd-hTg/s320/P1320020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Finally, there are also shelves in my studio where I store some of the items I'm going to photograph and list in my shop:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlX4sK-U04MUTzouaL3tG7RaV5gNE0r5s3qGaKvH6MQGHu8KDWfn6t4YMF2AZnXwj93sKzsLtgVNfuYhyphenhyphenR-fo4EEbS4LwPfCWMjat3CY9NMISkkrwn1eZnkhpqAISUVrAoufVd-CK1Rd0/s1600/P1320019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlX4sK-U04MUTzouaL3tG7RaV5gNE0r5s3qGaKvH6MQGHu8KDWfn6t4YMF2AZnXwj93sKzsLtgVNfuYhyphenhyphenR-fo4EEbS4LwPfCWMjat3CY9NMISkkrwn1eZnkhpqAISUVrAoufVd-CK1Rd0/s320/P1320019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Of course, since the "hunt" is part of the fun in being a vintage seller, there are lots of other items, too (probably enough to keep me listing for another lifetime), which I keep in a separate shed out behind our house--a building that is definitely "Off Limits" to everyone except me. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2kvGkQSANpo3GFhPMiW4GOCkw19jkOrKdFXphjmjS4Zxoa-dx2XFf6rXQrE7SGvLF3WBv3OnWcsa10_ICZoSw-ko56jdrgCBzOIj27GOAl7OUMyXMGlNu-rESPUIO30dA1WBhR0UnwGk/s1600/P1320021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2kvGkQSANpo3GFhPMiW4GOCkw19jkOrKdFXphjmjS4Zxoa-dx2XFf6rXQrE7SGvLF3WBv3OnWcsa10_ICZoSw-ko56jdrgCBzOIj27GOAl7OUMyXMGlNu-rESPUIO30dA1WBhR0UnwGk/s320/P1320021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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But that's a story and a tour for another day!</div>
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<i>Kris McLaughlin sells vintage on her <a href="http://www.eitherorfinds.com/">her website</a> and in her <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/eitherorfinds">her Etsy shop</a>. She's a writer, photographer, and grandmother of 5 who lives with her husband in the beautiful hills of New Hampshire.</i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01508219542835099393noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72636567003806225.post-47380582326498293912016-09-20T13:43:00.000-07:002016-11-04T12:38:15.881-07:00Browsing BrimfieldOverwhelming.<br />
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Our first trip to <a href="https://brimfieldantiquefleamarket.com/">Brimfield</a> can be summed up in just that one word.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIaG-vK2XVh1WlGkugYQvvv149Yb-SHUyvPCd5lwGmx9HV0M_hleNy3AdBcVicwPAJEP4tpuxKfaXZTb8pZWzN3y5WCc20fLmQMcuup8D-pecS434KFJeKIV8RGGbuAxz3WvM8k6n6AwAO/s1600/brim+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIaG-vK2XVh1WlGkugYQvvv149Yb-SHUyvPCd5lwGmx9HV0M_hleNy3AdBcVicwPAJEP4tpuxKfaXZTb8pZWzN3y5WCc20fLmQMcuup8D-pecS434KFJeKIV8RGGbuAxz3WvM8k6n6AwAO/s320/brim+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
We went the last day, Sunday, September 11. I'd heard comments online that great bargains were to be had the last day. I was hoping that was true....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVMdkoU-lpd8AesGUHx5iDpd5a1iSffHNSpDW6Qo314f8o6swHEEhRGFenSpYpqxXVRzNV7KIag_lhGrsSMUTT1clPFPv4uXRvdCljlzP2Rbuku95_uQTmWG_TF8rkEN1ZhhxJASBAmU/s1600/brim+view+of+tents+etc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVMdkoU-lpd8AesGUHx5iDpd5a1iSffHNSpDW6Qo314f8o6swHEEhRGFenSpYpqxXVRzNV7KIag_lhGrsSMUTT1clPFPv4uXRvdCljlzP2Rbuku95_uQTmWG_TF8rkEN1ZhhxJASBAmU/s320/brim+view+of+tents+etc.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The day dawned rainy in New Hampshire, and the nearly two-hour drive down Massachusetts Route 32 was not particularly encouraging, given the squalls of wind and occasional downpour blasts we encountered.<br />
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Fortunately the rain stopped just before we got there. But for the Brimfield dealers, having had five straight days of beautiful, sunny weather and great crowds, when thunderstorms rolled in a lot of havoc came along, too, with occasional collapsing tents and breakage of fragile or unsecured items. Some dealers just packed up and left. Most of the rest, even though the rain and wind ceased and sun came out again, seemed ready to go home.<br />
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"You must be exhausted," I asked several, and weary nods confirmed this to be true. "How was the week?"<br />
<br />
"Great!" was the universal response. Well, except for the blast of wind and rain that morning.<br />
<br />
One dealer pointed to a huge blue ceramic elephant in her shop and told me that several similar ones had crashed to the ground and smashed when a sudden wind whipped through her tent. In other areas, mud stained items were being trashed as the still good stuff was being packed up.<br />
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But most dealers seemed to be in it for the rest of the day, which would be about 5 p.m.<br />
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"I'll stay here until closing time," said one dealer. "Although typically Sunday folks are not serious buyers. They just wander around looking, not buying."<br />
<br />
We were basically lookers, too. Unless we found a few bargains we couldn't live without, or that I could put into my shop. But I really did want to find something to bring home. My husband and I stayed together, walking down aisles of tents--first in Quaker Acres, where we had happily snagged free parking, having passed by other offers of $5 or $6 to park--and then trekking along the main drag to get a feel for what was going on.<br />
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And what was going on was more of a carnival scene than we had imagined. More of our local antique flea markets, "only on Steroids," as my husband put it.<br />
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Steroids indeed. There was so much of everything, an eclectic mix for
the most part of dishes and furniture and glass and smalls and
clothing and rugs and on and on and on....<br />
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And on...and on...and on....<br />
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There was so much to see that it was hard to know where to begin, even though I thought I had scoped it out online by going to the <a href="https://brimfieldantiquefleamarket.com/">Brimfield website</a> and downloading the free app someone had made called <a href="https://www.instagram.com/brimfieldfleafinder/">Flea Finder</a>.<br />
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But no. I had not prepared well enough. Online reports urged everyone to wear comfortable shoes (check) and bring along enough water (check) and lots of cash (check) and a cart for all your purchases (well, I just brought along a large cotton bag as I wasn't expecting to score big because I'm such an intrepid bargain hunter).<br />
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Anyway, I found that the Flea Finder wasn't really working for me and I made the mistake of thinking that other than Quaker Acres, which supposedly had a lot of primitive dealers, which we lean towards, we could find another area called Shelton's, which seemed to have dealers with the types of items we would be interested in. BUT, I forgot my printed map and instead of heading toward Shelton's after quickly browsing Quaker Acres, we were going in the opposite direction.<br />
<br />
Which was okay, because by now everything was starting to look like everything else--rows and rows and rows of tents filled with tables and tables and jam packed with STUFF of all kinds. And prices on items that I liked were pretty much the prices you would expect to see in a nice antique shop. Bargains weren't exactly jumping out at us.<br />
<br />
Finally I could see that my husband's energy and enthusiasm were waning. We needed to sit down and get something to eat and drink, quick. So we headed for the main concession area, where everything from burgers and fries to vegetarian paninis were being offered up. (Side note: the vegetarian tacos with beans, red onions, cukes, and yogurt sauce were really good!)<br />
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<br />
But I wanted to find something, and so far that hadn't happened. What we were looking at just seemed like things we saw everywhere, or else they were totally crazy, bizarre stuff that you just laughed at.<br />
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I was surprised we didn't see many really high end stuff. Not that we buy high end, it's just fun to look at. Obviously it was there and we just didn't find it. Well, we had been warned that there was no way to even begin to see everything in a day.<br />
<br />
Finally, however, I spotted it: a red enamelware teapot with white polka dots!<br />
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I have a weakness for enamelware of all kinds, and especially if it comes in either red or blue, the colors of my kitchen. Since the dealers in that booth were beginning to pack up, I charged straight toward it while my husband thumbed through a rack of vintage jackets:<br />
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Coming up just in front of me, however, was another potential buyer, a woman who grabbed the teapot, held it up, and asked one of the dealers: "Would you take ten dollars?" Oh no, I thought, and it was only ten dollars? Fortunately the dealer shook her head. Once the woman was gone, I asked: "How much would you take?"<br />
<br />
"Thirteen," she said. Wow. The other woman had been quibbling about three dollars?<br />
<br />
"Sold!" I said, handing her the cash and happily stowing this terrific find in my cloth bag.<br />
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"What do you say--have you had enough?" asked my husband hopefully. Counting myself lucky with my teapot find, I nodded and we headed back toward Quaker Acres.<br />
<br />
Then, just before reaching the car I spotted something I had remembered liking on the way over: a wonderfully rusty, green industrial tin drawer that would make a great planter. I hurried over and picked it up--and then saw another smaller one, and two more of the smaller sizes. All with that great shade of green and perfect for<a href="http://www.eitherorfinds.com/"> my shop</a>.<br />
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"How much?" I asked hopefully. The dealer offered me a price I couldn't refuse. On the way back to the car I imagined how fantastic they would look filled with yellow marigolds or red petunias or as containers for office supplies or kitchen utensils...or hung on a wall as cabinets or....<br />
<br />
Endless possibilities. And soon, fresh from the Brimfield Flea Market in Brimfield, Massachusetts, at <a href="http://www.eitherorfinds.com/">Either/Or Finds</a>!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01508219542835099393noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72636567003806225.post-988402642394132602016-09-07T13:28:00.000-07:002016-11-04T12:38:32.729-07:00Brimfield Bound!Looks like it's finally happening, and I'm getting excited.<br />
<br />
Even though I used to be an antiques writer and I've been an <a href="http://www.eitherorfinds.com/">Etsy seller</a> now for several years, I've never been to the Antiques and Collectibles Capital of the U.S.: <a href="https://brimfieldantiquefleamarket.com/">Brimfield</a>!<br />
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Since 1959, Brimfield, Massachusetts has been the site for three annual gatherings of antiques and vintage dealers--thousands of them--who come from all over the U.S. to display and sell their wares: 6 consecutive days (Tuesday through Sunday) in May, July, and September.<br />
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None of the other weeks has worked for us this year, or any other year for that matter, but we've finally cleared our schedule and will travel from our home in New Hampshire for the very last day, Sunday, September 11.<br />
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Etsy friends and others tell me: "You won't believe the traffic!" "Take a cart along for all your purchases!" "It would take the entire week to see it all!"<br />
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Well, we just want to get a taste of what it's like. Maybe there'll be some bargains on the last day (she said hopefully).<br />
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Next week I'll let you know what happened. Meanwhile, those of you who have been there, feel free to leave us pointers. Four days and counting!<br />
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P.S. Many thanks to <a href="http://www.brimlife.com/2016/05/may-2016-brimfield-show-recap.html">the blog "Life to the Brim"</a> for these great pix. Next week they'll be mine....Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01508219542835099393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72636567003806225.post-40224242165947062112016-08-31T10:04:00.001-07:002016-11-04T12:38:53.682-07:00Farmhouse Decor: White, White, Wondrous White!Before getting onto <a href="http://www.instagram.com/eitherorfinds">Instagram</a>, I had no idea how widespread the White on White Farmhouse decor had become. If you're on IG, just put "farmhouse" into the search bar and see the incredible numbers of sites, plus their followers--pretty amazing, right?<br />
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You can find the same thing on <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/eitherorfinds">Pinterest</a>. Although the Farmhouse crowd can get much more interactive and chatty on IG.<br />
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Being an <a href="http://www.eitherorfinds.com/">Etsy seller</a> who wants to keep up with the trends (my home is rustic Country, which still has its thousands of followers, but not to the extent of the current Farmhouse rage), I started tracking some of these sites and their devotees and checking out how they liked to decorate their homes. Here are some examples:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tb9tApUK3KWVtrwzmTDQBQNiMIcLDyO1fq-f6PhwTCwcdkaIR8LsmsTTMadbzt4eHxgfVCbKMCxwk0X8gibPGnOaO2d6ZFDoDH4IPkibBVaMmeEUEY81RQWDJZWsL2y5ldx_EiU6ZzQ/s1600/farmhouse+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tb9tApUK3KWVtrwzmTDQBQNiMIcLDyO1fq-f6PhwTCwcdkaIR8LsmsTTMadbzt4eHxgfVCbKMCxwk0X8gibPGnOaO2d6ZFDoDH4IPkibBVaMmeEUEY81RQWDJZWsL2y5ldx_EiU6ZzQ/s320/farmhouse+3.jpg" width="241" /></a></div>
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Okay, so it's mostly white, white, and more white with an occasional brown woven basket or box for a little neutral add-on.<br />
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Country, in contrast, usually goes for bold splashes of color:<br />
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I have lots of Country in <a href="http://www.eitherorfinds.com/">my shop</a>, but what did I have that would qualify for Farmhouse? I looked around my stock and found a white ceramic fish platter:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc9tD6kwngsTGoDvfmYnrY8kVDxybgoOU7rQfC-XjVYjDQtuu77IEJY1Ff3BiBWZJ_aUxWDKrYkgOZehUqyaxvlMOpM8XCUgk_u2YIHMOLZ8Z94Q-xtccXdTMvfBMVF6fvYmpklg-a6k0/s1600/1+fish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc9tD6kwngsTGoDvfmYnrY8kVDxybgoOU7rQfC-XjVYjDQtuu77IEJY1Ff3BiBWZJ_aUxWDKrYkgOZehUqyaxvlMOpM8XCUgk_u2YIHMOLZ8Z94Q-xtccXdTMvfBMVF6fvYmpklg-a6k0/s320/1+fish.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
and put it up. It sold. A good start!<br />
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So I found a set of white porcelain plates and put them up...<br />
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...and found a buyer! Farmhouse was proving to be a bigger selling item than Country, so I kept on searching and found a white matelasse quilt--a great farmhouse find:<br />
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Now I became ravenous for white. And when I came across a set of pure white, embossed Wedgwood dessert bowls and plates, I was ecstatic:<br />
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Today these sold as well. Now I'm continuing searching for white, and recently listed these beauties in <a href="http://www.eitherorfinds.com/">my shop</a> (still available at this writing): a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/293512999/white-vintage-enamel-bowl-with-black-rim?ref=shop_home_active_9">wonderfully shabby tin bowl</a> and a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/189938701/white-milk-glass-vases-set-of-2-vintage?ga_search_query=milk+glass&ref=shop_items_search_1">pair of white milk glass vases</a>:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIivK1cA87VY-j9skJb2LPVl_MIPpOywYNsL9fHTSzwbUZUIboIY9RJ-iF_sSC2JIFiKNyUt5pZLY-E1Oj5364OzwwSvHw65AwGrjEQEBcPHARRyxvfgYNG2JUKOfmasXX5QmBPhDwPI/s1600/farmhouse+bowl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIivK1cA87VY-j9skJb2LPVl_MIPpOywYNsL9fHTSzwbUZUIboIY9RJ-iF_sSC2JIFiKNyUt5pZLY-E1Oj5364OzwwSvHw65AwGrjEQEBcPHARRyxvfgYNG2JUKOfmasXX5QmBPhDwPI/s320/farmhouse+bowl.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Don't you think they'd fit in with these rooms?<br />
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Oh, and for that white bathroom, clear containers are great as well ~ so I put up these <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/464941981/clear-glass-vintage-apothecary-jars-with?ref=shop_home_feat_1">two apothecary jars</a>, which I'm thinking aren't going to stay in my shop too long:<br />
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Happy Farmhouse decorating!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01508219542835099393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72636567003806225.post-69036260383612948722016-04-07T09:33:00.000-07:002016-08-31T11:59:53.255-07:00Etsy Changes: New Shop Look, New Seller WebsitesChanges abound on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/">Etsy</a> today.<br />
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Well, they were rolled out a few days ago and most of the sellers are still reeling from the shock of so much newness confronting them all at once: new shop looks and now "Pattern," a previously un-announced "stand-alone" website being offered, for a monthly fee, to sync in with each seller's Etsy shop. <br />
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To Pattern or not to Pattern: that has been, and continues to be, the question sellers have to grapple with individually.<br />
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Will it help, will it hurt? Is it worth the $15 a month or isn't it?<br />
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After my own grappling, I decided to jump in and give it a try.<br />
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So not only do I have<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/eitherorfinds"> a new cover photo in my shop</a> (looks huge on pcs, looks ok on mobile devices), but I now have my <a href="http://www.eitherorfinds.com/">own (kind of) website</a>. It's still tied into Etsy, but it's a place where shoppers seeking a certain vintage this or that can possibly (the operative word) find me when plugging search words into their browser outside of Etsy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-jyr1bxXfBTIMdK183S4OQ4LqEZFkelIuQjZh6T0WRaQt64pT-2aftUwLelCrWWV6eiFuw7fKppM3cOM-Apnh_khyphenhyphenP_IBHtjHMkdw0Rq3N7OgBVwCtnd3WO0IVdeYwh5BXcABSTfn7Tx/s1600/eitherorfinds+cover+photo+blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-jyr1bxXfBTIMdK183S4OQ4LqEZFkelIuQjZh6T0WRaQt64pT-2aftUwLelCrWWV6eiFuw7fKppM3cOM-Apnh_khyphenhyphenP_IBHtjHMkdw0Rq3N7OgBVwCtnd3WO0IVdeYwh5BXcABSTfn7Tx/s320/eitherorfinds+cover+photo+blue.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Will it be worth the $15 a month? Will people find me?<br />
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<a href="http://www.eitherorfinds.com/">Here I am</a>--what do you think?Kris McLaughlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00446111200955238031noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72636567003806225.post-44640681918014131332014-03-31T13:08:00.000-07:002016-04-06T09:53:33.970-07:00Vintage Hats and EtsyThis week some of my vintage hats were featured in <a href="http://weheartvintage.co/2014/03/20/50-gorgeous-vintage-hats/">"50 Gorgeous Vintage Hats"</a> in a fun blog<br />
called "We Heart Vintage," written by Mary, who--according to her bio--is "a mum, web designer and vintage-addict from a small village in the UK":<br />
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You really should take a look at the amazing array of hats featured here--such a wide variety of colors and styles, really interesting! <br />
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Here are a few of the hats currently in my Etsy shop:<br />
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There are so many vintage hats, thousands of them, currently being offered on Etsy--all you have to do is search for the color you want, the material, the style, and up will come zillions of prospects. <br />
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Of course, the question in selling hats is: for the photographs do I use a live model, a mannequin, or just shoot it all by its lonesome, maybe with a book or some other prop. Since I didn't have a good mannequin, I finally persuaded my beautiful granddaughter Zoe to be my model.<br />
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Unfortunately she's away at college most of the time and I have to grab her whenever she's home and free for a photo shoot. How do I pay her? In vintage hats and dresses, naturally! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01508219542835099393noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72636567003806225.post-78662413994648335082014-03-26T09:20:00.002-07:002016-04-06T14:04:02.239-07:00Celebrating Three Years on EtsyThree years ago this month I took the plunge and put my first items up on Etsy.<br />
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Actually I joined in December 2010, but it took me months to figure out what was going on. If you want to read how it all started, you can check out my first post titled <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2011/03/whats-etsy.html">"What's Etsy?"</a><br />
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Which was followed by my second post, titled <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2011/03/first-listing.html">"First Listing,"</a> and then <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2011/03/filling-up-my-shop-little-by-litte.html">"Filling Up My Shop Little by Little." </a><br />
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In April 2011 I finally made my first sale, a Beacon Hill Staffordshire dinner plate:<br />
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which I recount in a post titled <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2011/05/life-so-far-on-etsy.html">"Life So Far on Etsy."</a> Today I wouldn't take a photograph for my shop like that, because I now prefer to shoot against a white background--for a lot of reasons, one of them being a consistent "look" among the listings and another the fact of being more often picked up in treasuries, which hopefully gives the seller more exposure to a wider buying audience. These things you pick up and learn as you go along. Not every Etsy seller agrees with photographing against a white background, but I've become a die-hard about this. <br />
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Here, for example, is a blue and white plate I recently put up: <br />
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I think that focusing more on the item itself, without a busy background, makes for a better listing.<br />
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However, along my beginning Etsy journey, I wrote for awhile about vintage for the Examiner.com, so many of my posts here are on specific related topics, like <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2011/04/writing-about-antiquing-for-examinercom.html">"Writing About Antiquing for Examiner.com,"</a> <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2011/06/toot-my-recent-examiner-articles-on.html">"Toot: My Recent Examiner Articles on Antiquing and Vintage,"</a> <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2011/07/another-assignment-as-writer-on-vintage.html">"Another Assignment as a Writer on Vintage,"</a> and <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2011/08/interesting-etsy-sale-examiner-life-in.html">"An Interesting Etsy Sale, the Examiner, & Life in General."</a><br />
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My blogs here have also been about various vintage items, like baskets and plates or quilts and coverlets: <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2011/03/thinking-easter-and-talking-baskets.html">"Thinking Easter and Talking Baskets,"</a> <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2011/06/thinking-about-antique-textiles.html">"Thinking About Antique Textiles: Coverlets and Quilts,"</a> <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2011/04/all-about-roosters.html">"All About Roosters,"</a> <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2011/06/inspiration-from-design-sponge.html">"Inspiration from Design Sponge,"</a> <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2011/06/design-sponge-type-food-mills-found-on.html">"Design Sponge-type Food Mills Found on Etsy,"</a> <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2011/05/musing-on-repurposing.html">"Musing on Re-purposing," </a> <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2011/06/from-decor-8-8-decorating-trends-in.html">"From Decor 8: 8 Decorating Trends in Europe,"</a> <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-beauty-of-vintage-bottles.html">"The Beauty of Vintage Bottles,"</a> <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2014/01/vintage-fashion-and-my-new-etsy-model.html">"Vintage Fashion and My New Etsy Model,"</a> and <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2014/01/plate-passion.html">"Plate Passion."</a><br />
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Sometimes I write about seasonal things: <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2011/04/spring-in-all-its-forms-snow-rain-cold.html">"Spring in all its forms: snow, rain, cold, garden vintage....,"</a> <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2011/07/happy-4th-of-july.html">"Happy 4th of July!"</a> <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2013/12/christmas-on-etsy.html">"Christmas on Etsy,"</a> <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2012/04/happy-easter-happy-passover.html">"Happy Easter! Happy Passover!"</a> and<br />
<a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2014/01/new-year-new-etsy-studio.html">"New Year, New Etsy Studio."</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFWyzZ97-4Cccf3rx7bUwKzDaVKZ1rsP8IUmWEhqo7LI5nfUGSYfg7X5lqv4plIhqwTe0fJzTztEYmAH8hX7m_uXcw6tUqBPr_sueAxpQQ18Z69_sxwXMPjsS3oQ-cydw8zR0UBw559Fb8/s1600/leather+elephant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFWyzZ97-4Cccf3rx7bUwKzDaVKZ1rsP8IUmWEhqo7LI5nfUGSYfg7X5lqv4plIhqwTe0fJzTztEYmAH8hX7m_uXcw6tUqBPr_sueAxpQQ18Z69_sxwXMPjsS3oQ-cydw8zR0UBw559Fb8/s1600/leather+elephant.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
But mostly I just write generally about Etsy: <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2011/03/filling-up-my-shop-little-by-litte.html">"Filling up My Shop, Little by Little,"</a> <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2012/03/celebrating-one-year-on-etsy-with.html">"Celebrating One Year on Etsy with an Interesting Sale,"</a> <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-strangeness-of-selling-moms-things.html">"An Unexpected Gift on Etsy,"</a> <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2013/10/a-reunion-on-etsy.html">"A Reunion on Etsy,"</a> <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2012/11/when-selling-on-etsy-lifts-my-spirits.html">"When Selling on Etsy Lifts My Spirits,"</a> <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2012/05/amazing-etsy-story-from-ohio-picker.html">"Amazing Etsy Story from Ohio Picker,"</a> <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2011/10/international-etsy.html">"International Etsy,"</a> <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2012/03/getting-back-to-blogging-and-old.html">"Getting Back to Blogging and the Old Blogger Interface," </a><a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-yellow-vintage-shirt-story.html">"The Yellow Vintage Shirt: A Story,"</a> <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2013/06/etsy-and-weddings.html">"Etsy and Weddings,"</a> <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2013/06/oops-or-there-goes-another-etsy-sale.html">"Oops! Or: There Goes Another Etsy Sale...,"</a> <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2014/02/a-passion-for-books-encounter-on-etsy.html">"A Passion for Books: An Encounter on Etsy,"</a> <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2012/08/etsy-feedback.html">"Etsy Feedback,"</a> <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2012/03/how-etsy-sale-created-international.html">"How an Etsy Sale Created an International Friendship,"</a> <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2012/08/an-etsy-international-friendship-part-2.html">"An Etsy International Friendship Part 2,"</a> and <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2012/05/etsy-sale-leads-to-good-cause.html">"An Etsy Sale Leads to a Good Cause."</a><br />
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Wow. I'm amazing myself with this list. I haven't been too great about blogging regularly (a New Year's Resolution that I'm being kind of slothful about), but all in all I've written a lot! So: Happy Third Birthday to me ~ and I hope you enjoy some of these stories!Kris McLaughlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00446111200955238031noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72636567003806225.post-25325575985420750562014-02-19T19:02:00.001-08:002016-04-06T14:04:43.839-07:00The Beauty of Vintage BottlesOver the years I've sold a lot of bottles in my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/EitherOrFinds">Etsy shop</a>.<br />
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Last week a fellow teammate of mine on the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/teams/11433/etsy-pickers-sellers-team">Etsy Pickers and Sellers Team</a> (known affectionately as "Epsteam") bought this bottle:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrljrHO0Rqqrm209kl_eloCDm0kKJFTeuoc8N3HtfTWeT8aa5pOkTwQn82VVPecAlKhJnlNlg7Qw8rYaje_PC4NLACoZvNpxNOaSiVYzXNsAvJ18_TpS08unQH3Lbg9NwqDo7w5dtBx3w/s1600/bottle6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrljrHO0Rqqrm209kl_eloCDm0kKJFTeuoc8N3HtfTWeT8aa5pOkTwQn82VVPecAlKhJnlNlg7Qw8rYaje_PC4NLACoZvNpxNOaSiVYzXNsAvJ18_TpS08unQH3Lbg9NwqDo7w5dtBx3w/s1600/bottle6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
She said she has a collection of bottles displayed over her kitchen cabinets and took them all down recently to wash. After rearranging them, she found she could use a few more, so went looking on Etsy ~ "Of course I searched on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/search?q=epsteam%20glass%20bottles&view_type=gallery&ship_to=US">"Epsteam glass bottles"</a>!" she said. <br />
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If you'd like to start a collection yourself, or add to one you have, here are some beautiful glass bottles from other Etsy shops (from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/search?q=epsteam&view_type=gallery&ship_to=US">Epsteam</a>, of course)--you can find and collect them one by one, or purchase an instant collection.<br />
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Here are two beautiful cobalt blue bottles from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/170303221/old-glass-bottles-phillips-milk-of?ref=shop_home_active_4">GreenBeeKC</a>:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOuCQXZIzjoPiqFO6pvfAnAo5CjtkVPIH3I1hMLZlfADqDktYPLjWhY0LkBuZdFyOXR5WjNNrsTjc-IVEaq4eGXiEq2rDbvBPNS2WKllZ244vzj7L9wnOgJGzb4ibYXG3DNhCUhC63oJ0/s1600/bottles+renabkc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOuCQXZIzjoPiqFO6pvfAnAo5CjtkVPIH3I1hMLZlfADqDktYPLjWhY0LkBuZdFyOXR5WjNNrsTjc-IVEaq4eGXiEq2rDbvBPNS2WKllZ244vzj7L9wnOgJGzb4ibYXG3DNhCUhC63oJ0/s1600/bottles+renabkc.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Last year I wrote two blog posts about my adventures with bottles--one is titled <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2013/06/oops-or-there-goes-another-etsy-sale.html">"Oops! Or: There Goes Another Etsy Sale" </a> (yes, it's about what you think it is) and the other is <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2012/11/when-selling-on-etsy-lifts-my-spirits.html">"When Selling on Etsy Lifts My Spirits,"</a> the story of a man who bought that first red bottle above, the swirly one with the yellow felt craspedia flowers, and why he bought it<br />
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Numerous articles on collecting antique or vintage bottles can be found on the internet, as well as a variety of books on Amazon, if you'd like to familiarize yourself with what to look for.<br />
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Or, if you're like me, you can simply collect ones that you like!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01508219542835099393noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72636567003806225.post-23832658246385308132014-02-04T09:28:00.000-08:002014-02-19T19:08:40.259-08:00A Passion for Books: An Encounter on Etsy Books have always been a special love. I was a reader from the moment I grasped "Run, Spot, run!"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJg3V4RmL3PWn4XjEbLcS7gNGCLSD2ok2c2lZrHq4kl6Y4Sq01PGi_yFAW0Zmh4DVwAeudF0zo8H_ZMdpXZRsoruk6qTKBHM022Rp7qpZbmcT1K0LW7zNii4wdw85x1vYVxBLymNmgPfJA/s1600/book8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJg3V4RmL3PWn4XjEbLcS7gNGCLSD2ok2c2lZrHq4kl6Y4Sq01PGi_yFAW0Zmh4DVwAeudF0zo8H_ZMdpXZRsoruk6qTKBHM022Rp7qpZbmcT1K0LW7zNii4wdw85x1vYVxBLymNmgPfJA/s1600/book8.jpg" height="277" width="320" /></a></div>
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As I grew up, books were given to me for birthdays and Christmas because my family and friends knew I loved to read. Once I was out of college, married and living on a budget, I started buying books at sales, a practice that continues to this day. I always look forward to that final day "bag sale," where you can stuff in as many as you can for a few dollars! <br />
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Consequently, I have a lot of books. In fact, there's not enough space to display them all. Many I'll never read again. It's nice to have them, though--books are like old friends, really, and give one, at least me, a cozy feeling just looking at their covers there in the bookshelves. But downsizing has become a new passion (you'd laugh at that statement if you saw my house: "she thinks she's downsizing?").<br />
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So when I opened my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/eitherorfinds">Etsy shop</a> a few years ago, I started selling <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/EitherOrFinds?section_id=8117893&ref=shopsection_leftnav_2">vintage books</a>. I've sold fiction for both <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/113232253/the-road-to-heaven-by-thomas-beer-1928?ref=shop_home_active_7">adults</a> and <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/117995970/1930-edition-of-gullivers-travels-by?ref=shop_home_active_5">children</a>, as well as books on <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/153001304/vintage-garden-and-flower-books-set-of-3?ref=shop_home_active_1">gardening</a>, history, crafts, nature, antiques, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/172505659/the-cooking-of-italy-time-life-foods-of?ref=shop_home_active_3">cooking</a>, photography, and even books as "<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/113144008/red-and-gold-vintage-books-set-of-4-book?ref=shop_home_active_6">book decor</a>"--i.e. books in sets of colors that people put in their bookshelves for a "look" (sometimes they're used in photo shoots or for television and film set decoration).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTjSi7m8imPcSyg4KJzbglEwAS_RxUuJQuqaCiXOI__epwx-_FeVUovY_JUglQfjmfe3Lx5L9QG7bP-VLzQ4SdDpNk29uakdMrW4sHfkxUUVhADotMA51oZ5TcjgXzAshoQG0TxHJnU7z-/s1600/book9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTjSi7m8imPcSyg4KJzbglEwAS_RxUuJQuqaCiXOI__epwx-_FeVUovY_JUglQfjmfe3Lx5L9QG7bP-VLzQ4SdDpNk29uakdMrW4sHfkxUUVhADotMA51oZ5TcjgXzAshoQG0TxHJnU7z-/s1600/book9.jpg" height="268" width="320" /></a></div>
Old Reader's Digest books are also sought after by certain people, mostly those who take the covers and turn them into purses, like this, which can be found at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/85608253/recycled-book-purse-readers-digest-v5">SmartDesigning</a> on Etsy:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5X_oo92j08hr_bcRShjOl14lvH1M6tqozWHPGciBNkb57KH6UMuqnl0cse8RFjPTl81B3ppN4jgatx_a_zj0s71JuKwtZcXrUQ992zyF2xdvn6cYlTZYddKfQy5zEGuykYkiDKAJM_oCZ/s1600/book+readers+digest+purse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5X_oo92j08hr_bcRShjOl14lvH1M6tqozWHPGciBNkb57KH6UMuqnl0cse8RFjPTl81B3ppN4jgatx_a_zj0s71JuKwtZcXrUQ992zyF2xdvn6cYlTZYddKfQy5zEGuykYkiDKAJM_oCZ/s1600/book+readers+digest+purse.jpg" height="291" width="320" /></a></div>
Any time I'm at a yard sale or church sale or thrift shop and find vintage Reader's Digest books, I buy them and group them into lots for sale, like this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvlAyYW1wXWS6s0Xz3RWxNuUUxQLnMaTjCMjO_eCu-KQJTxJfO684oiO4yuhx3bpuoKR51XGT-7vUkG_Hrz2CqdNRTCULRh7GOCBZVjfcSyGUzgZLvIYq1vpcMhyphenhyphen7NXoedISv0SOnlbFN/s1600/book7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvlAyYW1wXWS6s0Xz3RWxNuUUxQLnMaTjCMjO_eCu-KQJTxJfO684oiO4yuhx3bpuoKR51XGT-7vUkG_Hrz2CqdNRTCULRh7GOCBZVjfcSyGUzgZLvIYq1vpcMhyphenhyphen7NXoedISv0SOnlbFN/s1600/book7.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
But I digress. What this post is about today is a particular buyer who first bought this book from me:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWrIiBPbvvai2HHwKSMhDLWQB-Q_SySuvHFlQ25cLI5v5-VZ1a5GygIX8b0i0ApMF4pOC0RmxnUmK0Cn3JHoyGwHE5tE0IxhhtCFTJT1bttEj3s52KAaCA-F9XzvHLWpobGsE1LJtvlZHH/s1600/book1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWrIiBPbvvai2HHwKSMhDLWQB-Q_SySuvHFlQ25cLI5v5-VZ1a5GygIX8b0i0ApMF4pOC0RmxnUmK0Cn3JHoyGwHE5tE0IxhhtCFTJT1bttEj3s52KAaCA-F9XzvHLWpobGsE1LJtvlZHH/s1600/book1.jpg" height="295" width="320" /></a></div>
It was a lovely first edition book published in 1914, and the buyer wrote that she was so happy to have found it. She said it would be "a great addition to my kids' library." Not long afterwards, when I put up a bunch of other books including a beautifully illustrated series of "My Bookhouse" books, she returned to my shop and bought them, along with a Shakespeare book by Charles and Mary Lamb:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpftMLkcyvhO6Ri-kwKUixIgz7HVtYGm60dA8AMalauMuRPtzCSNkYyIR4GOdU6oGbOUC6ahSHxdamnxjfVwUZmqZ0pV84wwHtTt7cBURH8sAc8Kn0QihAcEOBV4S03PqmQk1P9-4F7A5R/s1600/book2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpftMLkcyvhO6Ri-kwKUixIgz7HVtYGm60dA8AMalauMuRPtzCSNkYyIR4GOdU6oGbOUC6ahSHxdamnxjfVwUZmqZ0pV84wwHtTt7cBURH8sAc8Kn0QihAcEOBV4S03PqmQk1P9-4F7A5R/s1600/book2.jpg" height="267" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLaQXLoxNt76tZbVFSHR6_MhZam8GTN-wBhC9B_wN_g6Vtgy4_pVJCgvRuvzxA5VUWqKJKwXNSJmXLVyFqp9Dj8FFx5qRoTHsuXvSKSE0ypLrT9XzqHNzTPUoSp3oredOaFWocqwBHjOn-/s1600/book3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLaQXLoxNt76tZbVFSHR6_MhZam8GTN-wBhC9B_wN_g6Vtgy4_pVJCgvRuvzxA5VUWqKJKwXNSJmXLVyFqp9Dj8FFx5qRoTHsuXvSKSE0ypLrT9XzqHNzTPUoSp3oredOaFWocqwBHjOn-/s1600/book3.jpg" height="285" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCp8mRDyYIavh0XPXFrpPPJbskV0SiiLnabUhj3jhGe_o8UyQm6ROxEmXESMhnsBX_57yHCFLB8k9Fbp4l3upcR1gNs7VE2kwtrI3GFM5aE8xwcY3D0h9oyMaHyDnXEFFVEyh-xyPW_0MA/s1600/book4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCp8mRDyYIavh0XPXFrpPPJbskV0SiiLnabUhj3jhGe_o8UyQm6ROxEmXESMhnsBX_57yHCFLB8k9Fbp4l3upcR1gNs7VE2kwtrI3GFM5aE8xwcY3D0h9oyMaHyDnXEFFVEyh-xyPW_0MA/s1600/book4.jpg" height="278" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhEZaajgfXwCJpyNVtcz67JYbvytj43MsZiYoAc0YF7ldT0LdwoxaOQHXsDcOJab76l6n3ACpy6_ilzYr4nocI52NZa9D-_LHBQuwavoAd0R1UI0w-4h34mxPMuWUTo6TS1-T5-wHZuj6/s1600/book5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhEZaajgfXwCJpyNVtcz67JYbvytj43MsZiYoAc0YF7ldT0LdwoxaOQHXsDcOJab76l6n3ACpy6_ilzYr4nocI52NZa9D-_LHBQuwavoAd0R1UI0w-4h34mxPMuWUTo6TS1-T5-wHZuj6/s1600/book5.jpg" height="288" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHmS55qztatO4QhBqTx58seL-unSnBs51Cx13itHUzANIDatY6GUNyyxBOBUehCik1EQlyDxh_EyB1Bk7MoMuystCfSKyWx55S3YWY7c7ANEgs077izVV9wrfzl2aHnvg-KRcsqi4mjo4/s1600/book5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHmS55qztatO4QhBqTx58seL-unSnBs51Cx13itHUzANIDatY6GUNyyxBOBUehCik1EQlyDxh_EyB1Bk7MoMuystCfSKyWx55S3YWY7c7ANEgs077izVV9wrfzl2aHnvg-KRcsqi4mjo4/s1600/book5.jpg" height="288" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYMfU4JM-kFwxwk_BieZ_TR5liIIbFM4OTkla7ZcAudmxaiP2iZO5G6vHFus1tzuxERRJUUwH52yIjY26cyKJN5HBN3vdSXHXHE-u3hcMiQpCt8nfgNDnSRISy37-Xq3lcUIw0pTIgNSo/s1600/book6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYMfU4JM-kFwxwk_BieZ_TR5liIIbFM4OTkla7ZcAudmxaiP2iZO5G6vHFus1tzuxERRJUUwH52yIjY26cyKJN5HBN3vdSXHXHE-u3hcMiQpCt8nfgNDnSRISy37-Xq3lcUIw0pTIgNSo/s1600/book6.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
By this time we were writing back and forth to each other, and at one point I asked how many children she had. She replied that she didn't have any children of her own, although she hoped she would some day. "I teach Cherokee at an immersion school," she said, and "I like to take in old books with beautiful pictures, so that the kids can see the pictures while I read the stories and translate them into Cherokee." Her teaching assignment was first through third grade science and social studies, and she had six to nine children per class. "I call them my babies, even though they aren't biologically."<br />
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One of the wonderful things about selling on Etsy is that often, in conversing back and forth, sellers and buyers become friends. I learned more about my new book-loving friend, who wrote me that because she was looking forward to having children "I collect books the way some women collect toys or clothes. I
was an English Lit major before I went into linguistics, and I was the
kind of kid that always had at least two books in arm's reach. My dad
and I were the only bookworms in the family, so he'd take me to the
bookstore as a special daddy-daughter date. I still have most of my
childhood books on a shelf just waiting to be read again (and, if truth
be told, I still read them myself, especially the Louisa May Alcott
ones--I went through at least 4 copies of Little Women, because I read
it so much!).
I love old books, and the sweet illustrations in them. I want my kids to love and respect books as much as I do."<br />
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This young woman's passion for books is inspiring. If all teachers were as committed to the beauty and value of good literature, I have no doubt that our world would be a better place.Kris McLaughlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00446111200955238031noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72636567003806225.post-66161514721331945522014-01-28T07:39:00.001-08:002014-02-19T19:08:59.572-08:00Vintage Fashion and My New Etsy ModelThere's a whole new look to <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/eitherorfinds">my shop</a> these days with the arrival of my new model:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh645fqce8IZRZPzGlI1C8FQU0Uwo277SoS7k0evEloI6_Z707BFR1aN0s0KAr7tM2DBU8mgXb-oKciFi_yNoxPPARt7tsiU4eRHlltKKXABhV7Tqtia392lE6ggsuQQCCP5i_tbWUqKAY5/s1600/green+silk+dress+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh645fqce8IZRZPzGlI1C8FQU0Uwo277SoS7k0evEloI6_Z707BFR1aN0s0KAr7tM2DBU8mgXb-oKciFi_yNoxPPARt7tsiU4eRHlltKKXABhV7Tqtia392lE6ggsuQQCCP5i_tbWUqKAY5/s1600/green+silk+dress+5.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Here she's photographed wearing a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/175981911/70s-lime-green-silk-sheath-dress-size?ref=listing-shop-header-0">lime green silk sheath dress</a> from the 70s. A great dress, but her presence among the pictures in my shop adds a real buoyancy to all the listings. This is a story about how her arrival came to be:<br />
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Figuring out how to present vintage fashion has, up until now, proved to be a real challenge for me. It's a challenge because you have to find an attractive way to display the dress or skirt or whatever it is that you're selling--not an easy task, believe me. At first I thought I needed a mannequin, so I set about trying to locate one. But the online prices were daunting--normally over $100 plus shipping. Next, I called around to local thrift and antique shops to see if I could find one there. I even drove quite a distance to check some out. But nothing was what I wanted--or if it was, the price was too high.<br />
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Finally my daughter found a scruffy mannequin languishing in an art studio storeroom, no longer used. She brought it to me and I set it up in my little stairwell studio where I take photographs (see a recent post <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2014/01/new-year-new-etsy-studio.html">here </a>about my studio). The mannequin was wobbly, so my husband made a sturdy base for it and I pulled out a bunch of beautiful vintage dresses I got from an elderly friend who wanted to clean out her closet and get rid of as many possessions as she could. (Since they were all gorgeous and from the 1970s, I was happy to take them off her hands!)<br />
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So I set up the mannequin and tried to slip on a pink silk dress. But the mannequin was too fat! I tried on another dress that wasn't so fitted--a handwoven Guatemalan cotton dress by Las Manos--and came up with this photograph:<br />
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Definitely not a great picture! But it was hard to get back far enough to get a good shot of the whole dress, so I resorted to using that as one of the listing pictures as well as a series of closeups like this:<br />
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Later I tried dressing it up with scarves ~ the sold listing can be seen <a href="https://www.etsy.com/transaction/89717806">here</a> ~ but it languished in my shop for quite awhile, suffering several price drops before someone finally hit the purchase button.<br />
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I decided that trying to sell vintage clothing would have to wait, so I packed away my friend's dresses and continued putting up for sale my home decor and collectible items. I thought that if some day I had a space large enough to hang up a dress on the wall and photograph it that way, on a hanger, I'd rethink dealing with vintage fashion.<br />
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Then one day an artist friend went away for a week and loaned me her huge, to-die-for studio with lots of light and white painted walls (I wrote about it <a href="http://eitherorfinds.blogspot.com/2014/01/new-year-new-etsy-studio.html">here</a>). Finally I had a chance to take some killer photographs of my vintage dresses!<br />
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I hung up several and came up with pictures like these, which (although the exposure is not good in the first one and I couldn't edit it any better), did show what the dress looked like:<br />
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Most of the dresses I put up from that shoot sold fairly quickly. But then it was back to my little stairwell studio again, so I put the rest of them away.<br />
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Until recently, when my granddaughter came back from college for Christmas break. Most days she was busy with art projects and seeing friends, but one day I asked if she could do some modeling for me and, since she had a free afternoon, she agreed. Not only is she tall and beautiful, but she wears a size small (6-8) like my dresses, and when she tried a few on it was clear they fit her perfectly. Finally I had come up with the best way to photograph vintage fashion: on a gorgeous model!<br />
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Even in my little stairwell studio I was able to get some great pictures that were both closeup and full figure (or almost). She also modeled some vintage hats I'd had (another problem to photograph without a good model!):<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTdPf4oEBqj2S1B5ZrMMoD_hCtcinXLJqLXhp7wj1HPwn1NgaRX1tenlkBCd_0qQl74RweimRJdH-uz2lCxYNw1BNUhSW7VEFWz43gIs447CAIYryhUDx5nPMc6ugE77KH7D-jYY0i0OK/s1600/black+hat+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTdPf4oEBqj2S1B5ZrMMoD_hCtcinXLJqLXhp7wj1HPwn1NgaRX1tenlkBCd_0qQl74RweimRJdH-uz2lCxYNw1BNUhSW7VEFWz43gIs447CAIYryhUDx5nPMc6ugE77KH7D-jYY0i0OK/s1600/black+hat+9.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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And even a pair of gloves:<br />
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Yesterday I found out that one of the pictures I took of my granddaughter wearing the black dress above was included in a blog post titled "1970s Vintage: 50 Fabulous Finds" in "I Heart Vintage"--check it out <a href="http://weheartvintage.co/2014/01/27/1970s-vintage-50-fabulous-finds/">here</a>. She's also been included in a bunch of treasuries, which can be found <a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/OTgzMjYyNnwyNzI1NjIxODc0/epsteam-bring-it-spring">here</a> and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTE0NzE3ODJ8MjcyNTU4NjgzMg/bits-pieces?index=0&ref=l2&atr_uid=">here</a> and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NzI3NzQzN3wyNzIzMDIxNjY3/epsteam-celebrates-black?index=1&ref=l2&atr_uid=">here </a> and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MzE2OTI3MDZ8MjcyNTU4NTUwOA/a-journey-back-in-time?index=0&ref=l2&atr_uid=">here</a> and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NzcyNDIwN3wyNzI1NTc2ODU0/lighten-up-its-a-beautiful-day?index=0&ref=l2&atr_uid=">here</a> and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTQ4MTY3MzR8MjcyMjk5MjgyMw/looking-back?index=1&ref=l2&atr_uid=">here.</a><br />
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I hope she comes back home on break soon, because I have lots of other hats and dresses for her to model! <br />
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A little postscript to this story: because I'm a grandmother, I think I'm entitled to a few bragging rights. Not only is this lovely young woman a great model, but she's a super talented artist and a 4.0 student. Because she's also a math and science wiz (our family is mystified at where this came from), she's enrolled in an Engineering program at her college. She's also hoping to do some modeling in New York City this summer to earn some money for college.<br />
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Think she has a chance? I'm betting on it!Kris McLaughlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00446111200955238031noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72636567003806225.post-48851911272849633122014-01-22T06:30:00.002-08:002016-04-07T08:24:39.486-07:00Plate PassionI love plates. Colorful vintage plates. Not only are they functional, but beautiful when displayed in a hutch:<br />
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For a long time I've been collecting blue and white plates, like the display above. <br />
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And on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/eitherorfinds">Etsy</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/eitherorfinds">my shop</a> is filled with vintage plates. Over the past several years I've sold all kinds: English Staffordshire and Transferware, Italian porcelain, Chinese export, Czech dessert plates, hand painted Greek plates, Christmas plates, yellow ware, art pottery, vintage ironstone, souvenir plates, Liberty Blue commemorative plates, Finlandia, and Pfaltzgraff, to name a few. Today I'll be photographing more plates that I'll carry in, through the snow, from my storage shed, where I keep everything I find during my spring, summer, and fall finding forays.<br />
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Some of my finds I just have to keep, but to avoid becoming a complete packrat (well, that might be impossible) I offer up a good portion of what I come across in <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/eitherorfinds">my shop</a>. Here's some of the plates available right now in my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/EitherOrFinds?section_id=13586946&ref=shopsection_leftnav_3">"kitchen"</a> section:<br />
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And today, hopefully, there will be even more. That way I get to keep on indulging my passion for finding! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01508219542835099393noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72636567003806225.post-8565263015084619262014-01-03T12:31:00.001-08:002016-04-07T08:48:22.272-07:00New Year, New Etsy "Studio"(Note 4/7/16: For some inexplicable reason, a number of photographs used to illustrate this blog post disappeared. I have re-written the post, accordingly, as I'm loath to simply delete it. Hopefully you'll enjoy it anyway!)<br />
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One of my New Year's resolutions is to write a new blog post every week. Well, we'll see how that goes...<br />
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So today, being snowbound in New Hampshire (schools are closed for the second day in a row, probably just because it's so cold here right now with temps of about 3-5 degrees and a good wind chill going), <br />
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I decided that this was a good time to write a little bit about my new Etsy "studio."<br />
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I say "studio" in quotes, because it really isn't a studio at all, but a stairwell with white walls and a skylight, which means a fairly good, light-filled space in which to photograph the finds for my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/EitherOrFinds">Etsy shop</a>.<br />
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We have a pretty decent-sized house here on the top of a ridge in southern New Hampshire overlooking Mt. Monadnock. But when I first opened my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/EitherOrFinds">shop</a> several years ago, I looked around for a suitable place to set up a real studio and never found anything except this stairwell, because most of our house is very rustic with pine walls and cathedral ceilings. Which I love, but not for photographing items to sell. What is needed is a white background (well, that's what I prefer anyway) and white backgrounds are pretty scarce in my house.<br />
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Except for the stairwell to our bedroom, which has white plasterboard walls. Since it's a small space, to say the least, the challenges of serving as a "studio" are, well, challenging. But it's all I've got, so I try to make the best of it.<br />
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Until now I've set up a small table on the landing--small enough so that my husband and I can go up and down without crashing into it. On top of the table I put a piece of white poster board on which to photograph my items, and with the aid of my old Lumix Panasonic camera (set to "auto," as I'm not an f-stop kind of photographer) and my favorite, free editing site <a href="http://www.picmonkey.com/">Pic Monkey,</a> I was able to do simple pictures like this of fairly small items: <br />
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Then one day I found a fantastic old blue-gray table at a yard
sale for $4.00 which I set up and happily used because it gave another texture and color to my photographs.<br />
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Unfortunately, my husband kept
forgetting that the table used up most of the stairwell, and when I was upstairs I'd
hear him bumping against it, accompanied by certain epithets of
unhappiness.<br />
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"You've got to get rid of that table!" he said finally, after bruising his leg yet again. Since I really do like him a lot and don't want him to be constantly upset, I took down the table and put up the small one I had before. But I just wasn't happy with the way it was working for me. There had to be a better way. <br />
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Eventually my husband was the one who came up with a plan: he re-painted the wall on the stairwell and made me another bench that worked better. He made a peg rail and attached that to the wall so I could hang up my vintage clothing to photograph.<br />
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In the winter I use 6500K Daylight GE energy smart compact fluorescent bulbs (26 watt--100 watt replacement or
equivalent) in work light reflectors from the hardware store (credit for this idea goes to the Captain of the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/teams/11433/etsy-pickers-sellers-team">Etsy Pickers and Sellers Team</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ohiopicker">OhioPicker</a>, who advised us about this in a discussion thread called "<a href="http://www.etsy.com/teams/11433/etsy-pickers-sellers-team/discuss/10062391/">Photography Tips & Tricks </a>"--thanks, Kevin!).<br />
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Okay, off now to take more photographs in my "new Studio"! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01508219542835099393noreply@blogger.com0