Recycle Your Christmas Cards!

I love getting Christmas cards!  I run to the mailbox like a little kid, just to see who has taken the time to send me a card this year!  I love looking at the cards, reading family newsletters and seeing the photo cards people send. I keep the photo cards to compare them to each other, year after year.  You can see how the family has grown!

But what to do with the other cards?  I just hate the thought of throwing them away each year.  So, I came up with this idea!

 I wasn't sure what I'd think of it once it was done.  All the different colors just mixed up, when I usually plan out these balls with coordinated colors and papers.  Turns out, I like it!

I added a hanger, which I don't have to use but it's there if I decide to use it and then added a tag with the date on it.  Now I have my cards available to look at throughout the years!

VS/RWS

Let's Promote!

Happy Weekend!

I'd like to offer 20% off anything in my shop!  Sale excludes shipping costs but does include even items that are all ready marked down!  So, have fun shopping, let me know what you are interested in purchasing  and I'll set up a sale listing for you OR go ahead and pay via PayPal and I'll refund the 20% back to your account.

So, visit my shop by clicking on my banner below and have fun shopping!  Think Christmas!!!  Costume jewelry makes great gifts!

SALE ENDS Sun, Oct. 2 @ midnight!

Have a great weekend!

VS

Great sale there VS.  And because it's the first weekend in October, I want to follow suit and offer 15% off any jewelry item in my vintage shop.  Just as VS stated, the discount does not include shipping.  There are already discounted items and so you will get an additional 15%.  How can you pass that up?  15% off even on lot listings for those creative people that love to repurpose, recycle  old vintage jewelry.
So have fun.  I will refund the difference through Paypal or reduce the listing for you.  Just shoot me an email.
Sale ends Sunday night at midnight (PST for me)
Thanks for stopping by and happy shopping!

I think I will just promote a new listing.....I did a sale a couple of months ago where vintage baby items were asked for quite often...so when I saw this sweet little hand crocheted bib...well you know what I did...I bought it and listed it!  LOL!
I have been gathering vintage and antique children's items for several years now...so guess this might be the time to actually try to sell them...

VintageEmbellishment

I am going to post something from Peppercorns shop....since I purchased a set of these in another color and I LOVE THEM!  They are purrrrfect for small gifts and in my world Christmas is coming....

 Peppercorns

Recycle those toothbrushes!

 Make these:

Into These!

  Bracelets!  So easy and fun to make.

Here is how you do it:

1. Remove all the bristles from the toothbrush with tweezers or pliers.
2. Boil water.
3. Keep water boiling, put toothbrush in water for five minutes.
4. Remove toothbrush with tongs, bend to desired shape.
5. If toothbrush doesn't bend enough, submerge again in water.
6. Remove toothbrush and bend as much as possible.

Make sure you use potholders or oven mitts to bend the plastic!  Let cool.  If bracelet is too small, it will break, so make sure it's not to hard to put on wrist.  Not all toothbrushes will work, so you might have to try a few.  I found the cheap ones at the dollar stores do NOT work!   The ones used here are Reach and Gum toothbrushes.

Have fun!

RWS

Etsy shops just starting out.

Howdy ho,
We used to do this all the time ~  look for shops with little or no sales and help them out by creating treasuries around them or even purchasing an item to help make their day and offer a bit of encouragement.
There's some great new artists appearing most every day and here are some I found just recently... 

Beautiful tiles from Ammielou

http://www.etsy.com/listing/64151507/statue-of-bearded-man-on-travertine-tile

 Awesome photography by JennDiggs 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/66309051/locked-in-fine-art-photography-bogo-sale?ref=v1_other_2

Check this out ~ recycled garbage bags! This one made with Dollar General bags from Pickleme

http://www.etsy.com/listing/66309378/recycled-shopping-bag 

Knotcards which are new to me, but really fun! This one is my favorite for some reason...by bysharonmarie

http://www.etsy.com/listing/66093740/knotcards-im-a-little-gassy 

You could spend hours looking and it never ceases to amaze me what people come up with and the talent that is abundant in our world!

Sending everyone all that is good,

Peggy ~ Goodgosh ~GG

Recycled Envelopes

A long time ago, I came across a book called The Envelope Mill and purchased it.  It came with 3 envelope templates inside it and was packed full of ideas.  It is out of print, but you can still find it from time to time, like there's one on eBay at the moment.  I have learned to make my own templates using mat board and you can search the Internet for templates.

 

One of my favorite things to use are old calendars!  Last years calendar for me was one we purchased at Chick-fil-a and it's a funny one with cows dressed up as different characters (their slogan is "Eat More Beef")!  So, I'll show you how that works up and also show you an old book I have that is pretty useless except for the wonderful photos in it.  You can use just about anything you have laying around, I'm fond of using wallpaper!

 

First thing to do is rip out the parts you want to use.  A handheld rotary cutter can be useful with this part.

  

Next step is to decide which template you want to use, sometimes the size of your paper determines the size of the template.

You simply lay the template down and trace it with a pencil.  Cut it out and erase any pencil lines you see.

This is how one from the book looks when cut out.  Now, turn it over so you are looking at the back and fold over the two sides (I use a straight edge):

Now fold up the bottom (again using a straight edge) and glue the bottom to the sides, let dry and that's all there is to it!

Here's the finished one:

They are completely legal to use but I recommend you use a white mailing labels for the address and return address.

This page from the calendar would look like something this when finished: 

It's fun to see what turns up inside, especially when using calendars!

 

RWS

SLIPPERY WHEN WET

Git yer minds out of the gutter.  Or is it just me?

I'm going to share with you today something I just finished that I thought was sort of fun.  I've had this old road sign for a while hanging out at the shop and I decided to do something different with it besides it just leaning there.

First challenge you are up against if you're not a builder is to find a table that is about the same size as your sign. I was one lucky girl who dug through her pile of thrift find furniture and found one that worked perfect!

First, I primed the table and painted it black...

Next, you have to drill more holes in the sign so you can screw it down to the surface nice and tight. All you need is an electric drill, the right bit, a steady hand and don't forget safety glasses just in case one of those metal shavings fly up in your face! That would stink big time.

Holes are all drilled, table painted, now all you have to do is screw it down. I like to use screws instead of nails because screws get a better grip on the wood and are less likely to pop out over time. I also like to use flat head screws that remain flush with the surface.

Pa-Daa! You have yourself a unique little end table that people are sure to comment on! 

You can do this with other old signs, chalkboards, old tin ceiling tiles, etc.  As I like to say, the possibilities are endless.

Peggy ~ GG ~ Goodgosh ~ Shetland Pony from the Appalachians girl  

"A Day in the Life" with Natalie”

I never really understood what “vintage” was all about and why people liked it so much.  As I’ve spent more time on Etsy, seeing some vintage shops and sharing with some folks, I can see now ~ items from the past that you just don’t see anymore.  And as my Dad would say “they just don’t make ‘em like that any more”.  In so many cases, he was right.  And as a good friend of mine always says “Vintage ROCKS”.  So today, we’re gonna spend a little time with a vintage collector/seller.  Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and spend . . .

A Day in the Life with Natalie, owner of

“RemindersOfThePast”

Click here to enter her shop

Duude:  How long have you been into collecting and selling?

Natalie:  Well, I’ve been collecting and enjoying vintage and antique treasures for quite a long time now.  My first job was with a very prestigious Decorating and Designing firm in New York.  The decorators would always incorporate antique and/or vintage pieces in their decorating scheme.  I was always amazed at how they used these old treasures with modern day pieces.  I was fortunate enough to go along with the Decorators on their treasure hunts and believe me it was a hunt.  We would haunt the antique shops and flea markets in Manhattan and I just fell in love with all the wonderful old pieces and the stories that went along with them. 

Ceramic Wood Grain Pitcher

Until my husband passed away (at an early age) I was an avid buyer and did a lot of my buying on line.  When my circumstances changed and my financial situation also changed, I thought,  well if I could buy from others, why couldn’t they buy from me – and so my journey began and people did buy from me – I was a happy camper.

Duude:  What got you into the vintage market?

Natalie:  I once sold a vintage prom dress to a woman that swore it was the exact dress she wore to her prom.   When she received the dress she wrote to tell me that it was almost an exact replica of the one she wore and she couldn’t stop smiling from all the memories it brought back.  She said the dress now lovingly hangs in her bedroom.  I think the fact that vintage evokes so many fond memories to so many people is what started me with selling vintage – I hope that the treasures I sell will bring a smile to someone’s face and a fond memory to their mind.

Duude:  Where do you typically find your treasures?

Natalie:  I absolutely love to search the Flea Markets, Thrift Shops, Antique Shops and of course Garage Sales for my found treasures.  As many of you will agree, it’s the thrill of the find and when you do find a wonderful treasure your day is complete – everything is good with the world LOL.  

Metal File Box

Duude:  Do you have any online research sites that you would like to share with our readers?

Natalie:  I do a lot of my research through Google.  Google can usually point you in the right direction for any research you may be looking for.  There are also many forums on Etsy where many sellers are willing to give a helping hand.    

Duude:  Where all do you sell your items?

Natalie:  I used to sell lots on Ebay but for the past few years I mostly sell on Etsy.   I also have a booth in a local antique shop.

Cracker Jack Charm Bracelet

Duude:  Do you have a special or favorite item right now?  

Natalie:  This bracelet is my very favorite.  It is made of antique Cracker Jack charms and handmade lamp work beads.  It is so fun and funky - there will never be another like it.

Duude:  Anything else you'd like us to know?

Natalie:  I love to try and recycle or as they say now “upcycle” as much as I can.  This corner piece is in my studio and I “upcycled” it from an old book shelf and fence boards.  It’s perfect to keep things neat and at eyes sight.  Of course, my computer room is a different story.   

Upcycled Book Shelf

Duude:  Do you have a blog or any other sites you belong to that would be nice for our readers to see?    

       

Natalie:  I do have another site – willowsnest.etsy.com.  That’s were I have my hand made and primitive pieces.  I am so incredibly computer illiterate and it’s all that I can do to manage my selling sites.  For me to have a blog, twitter, facebook or anything else would probably land me in the looney bin.   OOPS – I guess I’m all ready there – check out the sign on my “upcycled” corner piece. LOL          

(no caption required - haha)

Thanks for sharing with us Natalie.

So next time you’re out and about, passing by that yard sale, estate sale, 

or checking out that swap meet or flea market, 

see what reminds YOU of the past ~ 

you may just want to snatch it up.  Who knows what it might be worth!

See ya next week.  Duuude