Indulge Your Shelf

I indulged in some thrift shopping this morning, and was very happy with what I came home with for just under $5: This pretty runner, which I intend to take apart for its tatted middle I don't know why I felt I needed this veil -- but I did.  It's new in the package. Just in time for Oktoberfest -- these tiny paper party hats!  They originally had feathers attached, which I might replace since these came without. This extra large pad of hangman pages -- I thought it would be the perfect thing for hanging out with my son next week.  We used to love to play that when he was little! Even though these transfers are intended for punch needle, I think I can just as easily use them for regular embroidery. Some handwritten letters, a prayer card, and an old postcard. Did you notice this under my pile of ephemera?  I had to have it!  It desperately needs cleaning... but it's PINK and I think it will be fun to craft with. This party centerpiece is incomplete, but I still ...

I'm trying to downsize, and cut back on buying.  I love buying and re-selling kitschy stuff, and have had a long and enjoyable hobby doing that...but, with my full time job and no plans to revert to part time again soon, something had to give!  I've tried very hard this summer to resist the temptation of flea markets, antique shows, and thrift shops.  But every once in a while, I'll treat myself -- and I did that Saturday! I adore this little cloth bag that someone created from an embroidered runner (I think.)  The best part: that little covered button! I went back and forth about buying this polyester "throw" that someone sewed like a quilt -- so much ORANGE!  I ended up getting it and then was lucky enough to find this little juice carafe.  I'd actually been searching for it for a couple of years, as I have another glass bottom without the lid.  I think it's a cute holder for fall snacks like nuts. One of my collections that many people don't know ab...

It took my many years, but I finally reached the milestone of 1,000 sales in my Etsy shop, Indulge Your Shelf .  I've had so much fun with the shop over the years!  In fact, I started this blog specifically as a way to help market the shop!  It felt so good to finally get to 1000! When I first opened the shop, I sold some of my handmade crafts fashioned from antique and vintage materials: pillows, journals, Christmas ornaments, etc. And I've found amazing treasures at thrift shops, garage sales, estate sales, etc. -- and listed them in the shop.  Wonderful things that I didn't need but that I knew someone would love.  And they did!  They went up in my shop and soon they were found by someone who'd been searching for JUST that thing and they would buy it and love it and gush about it!  It makes me so happy! Things that I loved myself but just had no use for -- like the barkcloth fabric draperies above, perfect for a child's room... And sometimes when so...

I went estate sale-ing yesterday! It was so much fun. There were four sales in a row, close together and all very different in style. On the drive to one of them I saw two MORE signs for unadvertised estate sales! I wish I could have spent all day going from one to the other, but I did make it to three of them anyway! My favorite was the home of a woman who reminded me of all of my vintage-crafting-junking friends! To the extreme -- just about every surface of all her walls, up to the ceilings in many cases -- were covered with art and knick knacks. She had fabric, notions, plate, plates and more plates! I spent a lot of time in the house, just taking in and enjoying everything she had assembled. The majority of it was not my style, but it was still fascinating. Many of her items still had the thrift store tags attached to them, and it made me wonder how often I may have passed her in those shops over the years? My favorite thing about her house was the way she used some o...