ETSY

Way back in January of this year, I decided to put up a few vintage items on Etsy to see if it would be another good outlet for me to sell some of my vintage and retro items. It started out to be a discouraging and daunting task as I had few views, few sales and felt like I was spending all my time online trying to drum up more business.

Somewhere around 2 months ago, I finally hit my stride. I wish I knew what to attribute it to (I was doing SO many different things to try and make it work) but nonetheless, I now has promise.

What's even better, is some of the items that I have discovered in OTHER people's shops. I fully intend to do a lot of my Christmas shopping on the site from fellow "Etsians" as well as purchases for birthdays, bridal showers, baby showers, etc. in the future.

If you would like to check out my shop, I'd encourage you to do it by following this link:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/2becontinued13?ref=si_shop

I am also working on a collection of items that inspire me from other vendors, that I hope to post up here soon.

Until then, happy shopping. I think the world would be a much better place if we would all stop shopping at Wal-mart and Big Box stores, and support each other ;-)

April Showers

Its been raining endlessly. I have mounds of projects that have piled up, all of which require painting or sanding or both. The problem with this, is that many of these projects, especially the larger ones have to be done outside. Which in turn, means that all these "showers" we've been having, have put a serious damper on my creativity. BUT in the spirit of spring, I decided to take a stab at floral arrangements.

Using a cheap little "rustic" or "shabby" metal container that I picked up at a garage sale for $.25 a few weeks back, i ran to (my mecca) the Dollar Store for some inexpensive flowers.

SIDE NOTE: While i was there purchasing these flowers, there was an older lady ahead of me in line also purchasing the same things. There was another lady behind us, probably in her 40's, ALSO purchasing floral materials. The checker then proceeded to have a conversation with the (who I can only assume were friends of his) chain smoking-beer T-shirt-wearing-haven't had a shower in 3 days- couple he was currently ringing up. It went something like this.
Couple: "wow, there are a lot of cheap fake flowers in here."
Checker: "yeah, you'd be amazed how much we sell"
Couple: "seriously?"
Checker: "My first day here I rang up some little old lady who bought over a $100 worth... I think she was redecorating her house or something. Anyways, it was totally ridiculous"
Couple: "Wow, she must have a really nice house.. hahahaha"
THEN, the previously mentioned older lady ahead of me, turned to me and said "yeah, you and me, WE'RE the cheap ones." OMG.. I could have died laughing.

But I digress.
Back to my project.
When I got back from the mecca, I had spent all of 4 dollars on 3 different bunches of flowers, and a floral styrofoam block to arrange them in. I hot glued the styrofoam into the metal container and cut off all the stems from the bunches, with a pair of wire cutters. Then i just played around a bit till things looked good. To finish it off, i used some floral moss i had from a previous craft urge and glued that in around the base to cover up the few spots you could still see the styrofoam. I love it. It feels so "may flowers" instead of all this freaking "april showers". Sure hope that chain smoking-Beer T Shirt wearing - haven't showered in 3 days couple could see this ;-)

Slow and Steady May win the Race....

"Slow and steady wins the race." What if that's only because everyone else gave up and went home?

Here I am, days after my first post, and I've made little leeway. I could come up with a MILLION excuses. Most of them centered around wanting to move. Number one: I need more space. Number two: This house is SOOOOO not my style. How do you incorporate a shabby chic / country cottage / fifties feel into a 1998 cookie cutter ranch style home? I've googled it. The answer? You don't. At least not when you're a renter.

I need a glass of wine.

The Insanity Must End

People used to tell me that I should be an interior designer. I would take on a room in my home as a project and by the end of the week, or weekend, have a cute new space, often themed, to show off . The best part was, I did it on a budget. An extreme budget. Spending more than a $1oo or so just seemed ludicrous to me.

I would peruse thrift stores, clearance racks and even shop in the closets of my own home for inspiration. Once I found that piece, that ONE singular item that cried out "Make me a room!", it was on.

Paint was purchased. Fabric was sewn. Curtains put up, rugs put out. Pillows placed, trinkets arranged. Lighting adjusted, finishing touches and VOILA! Cue the friends and family invite to shower me with "oohs" and "aaahhhs" and, say it with me now...."you should be an interior designer".

Fast forward button.

I have a husband, and teenage daughter and new baby son. There are piles of projects cluttering the corners and spare spaces. Any ample plot of land in my home has been commandeered for things that need to be cleaned, priced, or painted and made ready for sale. I'm running a business and living in a storage unit.

I've made my decision. The insanity must end. I started today with the kitchen. Cleaned and organized. Next comes the inspiration piece, then the flurry of activity. I must take back my home.