Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Two for two


In addition to my addiction to vintage Christmas and vintage dishes (and vintage fabric and vintage tablecloths…), I am now officially addicted to selling at vintage events.

It is So! Much! Fun!

This photo courtesy of Plucky Maidens

At least after all the hauling, unloading, sweating and setting up is done and even that’s pretty fun.

As I type this, I realize it’s possible I have a twisted vision of a good time. 

Last week was my second vintage event as a vendor, this time at Plucky Maidens Junk Fest in Portland, OR and it was as terrific as my first experience but in its own unique ways.

Yet another fabulous venue, throngs and throngs of shoppers (on a Thursday afternoon, no less) and even a celebrity brush with fame!

Here are some of the things I sold at this event:


Furniture of all sorts – a gray & white painted dresser, some Mid Century Modern side tables (wish I had a hundred of those), a vintage wood settee frame with rusty coils, vintage typewriter tables and an Adirondack chair.



Milk glass vases of all shapes & sizes.



Little bottles. These were voted ‘Most Popular’ by the other vintage items in my booth.



Vintage cameras. Far and away the winners of ‘Most Likely to be Picked Up, Examined & Used to Take a Pretend Photo.’

Vintage yearbooks – I sold several from the early 1960’s. I still wonder what the man in a suit & tie who bought them will use them for?


This photo courtesy of Plucky Maidens


Hand-painted vintage signs. I live in the Columbia River Gorge (aka The Gorge) and so do these buyers.



Vintage chalkware fruit and vegetables.



Vintage ice cube trays. As if on cue, every person who touched these said, “I grew up with these!” (So did I. Many memories of my fingers getting stuck to them…)


Laurie, Emily and yours truly. Thanks to Laurie for this photo!

Oh, and the brush with fame? Emily Henderson of Secrets From a Stylist and last year’s winner of one of my must-watch TV shows, HGTV’s Design Star, stopped by after I posted a comment on her blog letting her know about Plucky Maidens. 

She and Laurie/Ethel and I were just hanging out. J 


Such a fun day!

Saturday, August 13, 2011

A public service announcement



We (and by 'we', I mean 'I') interrupt this vintage Christmas post with an important announcement.

It has been reported there is another severe outbreak of vintage dish-itis.


Please, do not panic.

While there is no known cure for this condition, the prognosis can remain favorable by following these simple instructions:



1.  Locate any vintage dishes you have that resemble the one pictured here.

2.  Carefully pack, insure and ship them to me immediately.



I will place all dishes in quarantine for as long as necessary.

Remember, I am a professional so do not try this in your own home.

The quarantine process may take months, if not years, so please feel confident that these dishes will be well cared for.



And now we return to our regularly scheduled vintage Christmas programming.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Notes and broad generalizations from a tired but happy first-time vintage vendor at A Vintage Gathering


The entire contents of a one-car garage fits perfectly into a 15 passenger van (minus the passenger seats) which, it turns out, is also excellent for a quick cat nap.


That's my space on the left with the white canopy
Me again

Everything is easier when done in sunny weather.


Despite my tossing and turning about it the night before, lots & lots of things sold. (whew)


Keeping the price tag for every item that’s sold with the  correct ‘sold for’ price written on it prevents a mental meltdown later.



Every single vendor I met was nice, helpful & encouraging.


Every single vendor has a slightly different pricing strategy.



Anything with a horizontal surface being used for display will sell first.


Into Vintage

Things will end up on the ground.


Crowds of people will turn out to shop vintage on a Friday night in the country.


Hard work can be fun.


{ click to enlarge }

Four gold stars!! to A Vintage Gathering for such a wonderful vintage event this past weekend – it exceeded my expectations in every way!

Can’t wait for next time! And there is a next time