tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54049566501490313102024-03-20T03:31:33.218-04:00Happily Ever AfterHosannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08410674663475994132noreply@blogger.comBlogger595125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404956650149031310.post-13640180604649067012015-04-06T22:00:00.000-04:002015-04-06T22:00:06.073-04:00Steampunk Steamer Trunk <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I used this old steamer trunk (an auction score for a couple of bucks) as a coffee table for a long time, and it was just totally ratty and grungy. I upgraded to a fabulous antique wood tool chest and stashed the old one until I decided what to do with it.<br />
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A chest like this is great as a "coffee table" because it also adds clever storage to a room. I store my hundreds of vintage 80s and 90s "Victoria" magazines in mine, and in the summer, my stash of warm fuzzy blankets we throw all over the sofa during cold weather. Out of sight, out of mind.<br />
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So earlier this winter I finally decided what to do with the Old Grungy,and started looking at buying some caster wheels like this, except new..... meh. I despise buying anything "new". Enter the husband - who, apparently, has every cool thing a DIY junkie's heart desires in his stashes of stuff disguised as "crappola". <br />
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"Oh... I have a set of vintage iron caster wheels," he says. Sure enough, he did.<br />
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BAM. A little watered down white chalk paint, a little antiquing glaze on a very wet rag, a little sanding block in all the right places - and I had the perfect "new grungy" finish on the canvas trunk.<br />
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Note: <i>there was no saving or refinishing this trunk. It was plywood covered in canvas; not pretty wood. It was water damaged on the bottom and messed up in every way possible. Painting it did not break my heart. Trust me. </i><br />
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Kevin added a piece of wood to the bottom to reenforce, and on went the caster wheels and there you have it - a steampunky steamer. I only wish the wheels were more visible..... oh well. <br />
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For sale in our shop in North Carolina. If interested, drop me a line.<br />
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Hosannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08410674663475994132noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404956650149031310.post-62370934700895160482015-03-29T02:42:00.001-04:002015-03-29T02:48:18.575-04:00Stripped<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>(unfortunately, I didn't get a photo of the mirror)</i></div>
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When I saw this thing I knew exactly what needed to be done. My client wanted to consign it in my shop and just wanted me to paint over it. But I knew that underneath this was probably gorgeous oak.<br />
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I am all for painting furniture. Especially the gross, ugly veneered stuff one finds at Goodwill or on the side of the road, or at the recycling center with the garbage, as I have done on a couple of occasions.<br />
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However, what I am not all for is painting furniture in this manner. I apologized to this piece several times in the process of ridding it of it's Smurf blue high gloss coating. <br />
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SO I pulled out the ol gel stripper and the elbow length rubber gloves and slathered the snotty stuff on and three layers of paint later, it started to show it's inner beauty...<br />
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then came several hours of sanding with various grits of paper on my two different sanders, a thorough cleaning with denatured alcohol, a coating of Minwax wood conditioner, another sanding and cleaning with more denatured alcohol, and finally two coats of "honey" by Minwax, which I <i>love. </i><br />
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The mirror was a beast; I pried off the carved appliques and that was a life saver. I was able to use tiny tools and brushes to get in all the nooks and crannies. Then they popped right back into place. I also had to add new knobs, as the ones it came with were white plastic, and the original wood ones were long gone. I chose these antique repro ones from Hobby Lobby.<br />
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I finished the piece with Howard's Feed n' Wax, which is a product I just RAVE about. I love all the Howard products for wood.<br />
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I did not, and will not put any Polyurethane products on this piece or any antique piece. I have really come to despise polyurethane and even polyacrylic, for a lot of reasons. I think this looks just fine with it's beeswax based finish.<br />
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This lovely is available in my shop for $275.00, delivery available to certain areas of VA and NC. Hosannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08410674663475994132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404956650149031310.post-26812264911736514252015-02-12T12:53:00.002-05:002015-02-12T19:17:50.973-05:00Three alarm nightstand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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You're probably assuming I need three alarm clocks to wake me up in the morning.<br />
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HA!<br />
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No, I just like them, and this is three out of my collection that I happen to like the best. They don't work. They just look cute and serve absolutely no purpose.<br />
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So this is my own personal nightstand. It started out as a record cabinet:<br />
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I'd had it since last summer and never did anything with it; I just put it in my bedroom and kept putting it off while I did bigger more important projects. I like it as a nightstand because it's tall-ish, and my antique iron bed is really tall, so I needed something that I didn't have to lean far out of bed to reach. <br />
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It has these little divider doo dads in it, that Kevin removed before I got this photo. It was rather dusty inside as well. Ewwww.<br />
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It is solid wood, but not super thrilling; and lest you think that is pretty wood grain on the bottom and top of the doors lemmie just tell ya - it's <i>paper. </i>Paper, made to look like pretty wood grain.<br />
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Post-war furniture like this was made to look modern, sleek, and useful. Homes were smaller in the post war era, and furnishings followed suit. No one, pretty much, was buying huge heavy bedroom and dining room suites anymore. And this kind of furniture was being made to be affordable - so while it was durable, it didn't have a lot of fine craftsmanship or details.<br />
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SO anyway I painted this with some random concoction of leftover paint I had mixed up a few months back for some end tables in my living room; so it's like a blue/grey/slightly aqua color. I did the design on the doors with a stencil that I then doctored up a bit. I didn't want to do it in white because that's not the "vibe" I have going on in my bedroom; so I did it in Rustleum's "Java" antiquing glaze. And I kept the original iron knobs.<br />
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Cute.<br />
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I love it.<br />
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Happy Valentines Day, everyone!<br />
<br />Hosannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08410674663475994132noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404956650149031310.post-43916058344601700092015-01-19T11:36:00.002-05:002015-01-19T11:36:26.649-05:00In which I kick chalk paint to the curb and have a wild fling with milk paint.<br />
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I have been reading about and drooling over milk paint and milk painted pieces for a long time, and when I bought this cute dresser at a local flea market I immediately knew it needed the chippy milk paint treatment.<br />
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It had a mirror on the back of it but one of the arms that held the mirror had broken off so I decided just to omit the mirror altogether.<br />
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I ordered some samples of Miss Mustard Seed's milk paint since she emerged as the leading authority on milk paint and it's use. I bought one sample size of "Linen" and one of "Kitchen Scale", and mixed them exactly 50-50.<br />
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The cool thing about the milk paint is, if comes in a powder form, and you add water to the powder to make your paint as thick or as thin as you want/need. For this piece I wanted a thin coat of paint so I would end up with a genuine looking chippy old look. The piece had a nice grain to it, not a smooth veneer, which helped with getting the "primitive" look on it. One teeny tiny (about 1/2 cup of paint) covered the whole cabinet of the dresser, with double coats in a few places. A little of this stuff really does go a loooong way.<br />
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The main reason I liked this paint's performance so much was because of the natural way the distressing looked. You know how you can look at some chalk painted pieces and the distressing looks so fake? <i>(I despise the fake distressed look.... distressing should only be done on areas of a piece where distressing would occur naturally, not just random spots making it look downright silly.) </i><br />
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As this piece started to dry, areas of the paint lifted away from the surface
of the wood in large flakes. Once the whole thing was totally dry, I
rubbed it lightly with a about a 120 grit sandpaper and it distressed
perfectly. It was amazing. It was like it knew where it wanted to be
distressed and just did it itself. No heavy handed sanding needed here. It was effortless and<i> perfect. </i>It looks like a authentic, primitive piece that was painted 100 years ago, not something that was just painted last week.<br />
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I left the drawers original (but cleaned and oiled them) for contrast. I also did a light wax on it but not anything too shiny.<br />
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I haven't totally cast off chalk paint, though. Chalk paint is still great for many things.<br />
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I think it depends on the piece. Something primitive like this looks great with a chippy weathered finish.<br />
Something more Victorian style, for instance - or something MCM, would look kinda funny with a super chippy paint finish on it. In my little ol' opinion.<br />
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I tried to come up with all kinds of reasons for keeping this dresser but in the end none of them were good enough so it went to the shop where it awaits a new home.<br />
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<br />Hosannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08410674663475994132noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404956650149031310.post-58265393107884254922014-12-06T01:06:00.003-05:002014-12-06T01:06:35.150-05:00Upcycled SIlverware Jewelry I'm eyeballing my silverware drawer with a critical eye...<br />
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For years I've picked up old silverplate flatware at all my junking spots, some I used every day an other pieces I threw in my "stash" room where all my goodies are kept.<br />
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I finally got around to doing something with it all this week, and I must say this is my new favorite thing to do.<br />
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I've used more powertools this week than I have in my life; and don't think I just provided the idea and sat by and watched my strong man do it for me; no siree bob. I did it all myself; using a grinder, a torch, a vice, various hammers and such...<br />
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I decided to stamp sassy Southern sayings on some of the spoons; here's a few I selected: <br />
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Buy<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/213853501/stamped-spoon-necklace-vintage-silver?ref=shop_home_active_8"> here </a></div>
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Buy <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/213855159/stamped-spoon-neckace-vintage-silver?ref=related-5">here </a></div>
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Buy<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/213865403/stamped-spoon-necklace-vintage-silver?ref=related-4"> here </a></div>
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Buy <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/213866094/stamped-spoon-necklace-vintage-silver?ref=related-3">here </a></div>
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Buy <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/213921931/stamped-spoon-key-chain-key-ring-gimmie?ref=related-2">here</a></div>
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So then there was all the leftover spoon handles, which are just as lovely as they can be. SO I had to do something with those, too.<br />
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<i>Available next week </i></div>
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<i>Available next week</i></div>
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I've also done some rings. I'm juts loving beating on this stuff with mallets and hammers.<br />
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I have a bunch more designs than what I've shown here, to be uploaded in my Etsy shop next week, or at least, what is left of them after I get through our Christmas Open House at the brick and mortar shop tomorrow. Hosannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08410674663475994132noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404956650149031310.post-21745133647121931132014-11-17T01:29:00.000-05:002014-11-17T01:35:59.920-05:00Cats In and On Vintage Furniture: BUSTEDMan, it has been a while since I posted.<br />
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I guess I kind of got blog burnout and lost my enchantment with it altogether.<br />
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I gotta tell you, I've been thinking of quitting this blog and starting something else on another platform... still trying to figure all that out.<br />
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Anyhoo..... <br />
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If anyone has cats you know how they love to get into stuff, and mine are no exception.... they love to get into all my furniture projects and inspect every new piece that comes in the house. Chances are, if you've purchased furniture from me, it was cat-approved at least once before getting to the shop - or your house.<br />
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<i>I like to display my cats in cabinets.... </i></div>
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<i>Ok, so this isn't vintage furniture but I just love it. :)</i></div>
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<i> </i> </div>
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Hosannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08410674663475994132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404956650149031310.post-70361329651548600062014-06-06T11:19:00.002-04:002014-06-06T11:19:19.211-04:00Sideboard RescueOn Memorial Day I took a load of recycling to my local recycling center, which is always an adventure.<br />
In the "green box", I found a load of very dirty, moldy, water damaged, broken furniture. This small sideboard was in the best shape and I brought it home with me.<br />
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The top was covered in a plastic vinyl contact shelf paper. The bottom was gone; the back was gone; the veneer was shot, there were no doors.<br />
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So, my crafty guy made a new back and floor, and new doors; using several parts from some other broken pieces of furniture. I gave it a coat of chalk paint, and she looks like a whole different piece. <br />
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<i>(sorry for the rubbishy photo)</i></div>
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Don't send things to the landfill! There is <i>always</i> hope. :)</div>
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<br />Hosannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08410674663475994132noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404956650149031310.post-78935555752492941782014-05-30T19:00:00.002-04:002014-05-30T19:00:59.440-04:00Hardly Aqua Awesomeness. I decided to needed to try some fresh new colors for this season.<br />
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This china cabinet whispered to me when I got it: <i>".........ppppssst. I wanna be aqua. But I wanna be hardly aqua. Just a teeny tiny little bit aqua."</i><br />
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I complied.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-qWHtUTr_f5hPn1R-v5ZfyrIsBrfU6QrPNtTWSLcXY3UeAj6YNNhJyc4n_xjRGsuX8TevQ-Wq9Dktqm5bOSu9LoW-wi104rf3YW9icgNLxbPL-2ZvnOJBNtkiBySoI8JNbmEFu0QpC5bR/s1600/DSCN5385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-qWHtUTr_f5hPn1R-v5ZfyrIsBrfU6QrPNtTWSLcXY3UeAj6YNNhJyc4n_xjRGsuX8TevQ-Wq9Dktqm5bOSu9LoW-wi104rf3YW9icgNLxbPL-2ZvnOJBNtkiBySoI8JNbmEFu0QpC5bR/s1600/DSCN5385.JPG" height="640" width="428" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDf0JcF4CcoK2_WzQG2Im0AXlfad-JxQT9AoQZ94eI_eU2ufI2vyJ8RHYNJxDPbX3pzBHEYmosLi9S7sdRAOtXFVE-MoodZKxqP6tMX4ERgWdHvRvWj4sTL7uxHdzTfWDhdIDyWRN-wMrZ/s1600/DSCN5386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDf0JcF4CcoK2_WzQG2Im0AXlfad-JxQT9AoQZ94eI_eU2ufI2vyJ8RHYNJxDPbX3pzBHEYmosLi9S7sdRAOtXFVE-MoodZKxqP6tMX4ERgWdHvRvWj4sTL7uxHdzTfWDhdIDyWRN-wMrZ/s1600/DSCN5386.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I painted the inside white, as well as the neat little details on the top and bottom. Also - though you can't see it here because my pathetic camera didn't pick it up in the photos - I stenciled a vine pattern on either side of the glass door. I also added Deco style knobs from Hobby Lobby in white, distressed metal. <br />
<br />
And, I had leftover paint, so I painted my old waterfall vanity. And, I didn't get a before pic, but it's easy enough to picture a drab brown waterfall piece, so..........<br />
<br />
I also added white accents on this piece. <br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ay4_ss1wq7yJ6HvQSQHeVr1ZOij1d5uvhJBXVvOuACuAhPFxHWuyVPuZAW_dvnkhhFWTJVaGu9bEkUH-t47w1EM5-FDzYLEfw65S3Zhuzv7gISz6LsChGYqEu4ET2JDfOj3HA3IAQUPD/s1600/DSCN5467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ay4_ss1wq7yJ6HvQSQHeVr1ZOij1d5uvhJBXVvOuACuAhPFxHWuyVPuZAW_dvnkhhFWTJVaGu9bEkUH-t47w1EM5-FDzYLEfw65S3Zhuzv7gISz6LsChGYqEu4ET2JDfOj3HA3IAQUPD/s1600/DSCN5467.JPG" height="640" width="508" /></a></div>
<br />
The aqua is so barely aqua, they almost pass for white. I love it. If I had my own paint company, I'd call this color "hardly aqua" or "aqua whisper". <br />
<br />
Both pieces are for sale in our shop in North Carolina. <br />
<br />
<span id="goog_852842715"></span><span id="goog_852842716"></span><br />Hosannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08410674663475994132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404956650149031310.post-51897636337283583672014-05-08T15:02:00.002-04:002014-05-08T15:02:37.011-04:00Painted Upholstery - Louis XVI ChairI read about 200 tutorials on how to do this before I actually got up the nerve to do it. Yep, I'm a very cautious person.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNHDXIIZ7AEHb1yWfHmsfSNHOIbwKABln-qiik9jYAPeRcCetGx1itkN-k4PUMm7Baf594z9XF5DjyKfthdwGvD9jn8uS51Gn2qOG3KnD1BvOJkHJUueWgzn7GZdOEdFNRw2A0EP2Y0SB1/s1600/DSCN5393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNHDXIIZ7AEHb1yWfHmsfSNHOIbwKABln-qiik9jYAPeRcCetGx1itkN-k4PUMm7Baf594z9XF5DjyKfthdwGvD9jn8uS51Gn2qOG3KnD1BvOJkHJUueWgzn7GZdOEdFNRw2A0EP2Y0SB1/s1600/DSCN5393.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
I knew this chair needed something fresh and new, but was dreading - absolutely dreading - upholstering it. I don't know why... I just was.<br />
I got it as part of a partial trade I did with a client on some custom work I did for her, back in October. It is really good quality, but the weird, fake crackle finish disturbed me, and the odd black bird cage print was just a tad faded, but not ripped or anything.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvf2whownHibpZpeV9a_wjadGqRLMLZK-iYwLySCgUThDlO5CItIzF5S-ptjjLEbjsEZOCJIIVdi2STqEafs-x557m1ZCFqy4SIWUUI9oOJnu1PAPUpy7SGpSnO_jQt93sekwzVDDsAXz/s1600/DSCN5395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvf2whownHibpZpeV9a_wjadGqRLMLZK-iYwLySCgUThDlO5CItIzF5S-ptjjLEbjsEZOCJIIVdi2STqEafs-x557m1ZCFqy4SIWUUI9oOJnu1PAPUpy7SGpSnO_jQt93sekwzVDDsAXz/s1600/DSCN5395.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I do not recommend getting the upholstery wet with a spray bottle and then adding the 80% chalk paint 20% water mixture. I recommend just straight up painting it. Otherwise, the fabric is so wet, the paint just soaks right in and the whole thing is a sopping mess.<br />
<br />
Overall, I am very pleased with the result, and would totally do this again!<br />
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<br />Hosannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08410674663475994132noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404956650149031310.post-83504146149692624582014-05-06T12:30:00.000-04:002014-05-06T12:34:32.976-04:00Away, But Never Gone<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In memory of Dorothy
Rose Kelly-Bird, 1920 - 2010</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">March, 2014</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThc9TKsGB448PsOX2irUJrQPwCTsGDcQZfi7JRwGwcVQ32CZ3sL_kvKA7crfQbAp_84lkrrAYwTkp-oZZy8bq1ixD-MMuKwdFQBat7wgc1AmYbrVzl_fos8zUyNPHorUuuEr_kaB4i_HG/s1600/28101_122074657814827_816735_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThc9TKsGB448PsOX2irUJrQPwCTsGDcQZfi7JRwGwcVQ32CZ3sL_kvKA7crfQbAp_84lkrrAYwTkp-oZZy8bq1ixD-MMuKwdFQBat7wgc1AmYbrVzl_fos8zUyNPHorUuuEr_kaB4i_HG/s1600/28101_122074657814827_816735_n.jpg" height="320" width="221" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I often with I could time travel back into my childhood -
not to change anything, but to be able to fully appreciate people and events,
with my mature, "grown up" frame of mind. If I had known then how
desperately I'd wish to relive those memories; and how I'd miss those people
now, years and years later - I would have savored the time more. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But that's the thing about being a kid.... life is so
carefree. You don't think about savoring. You think about living. And learning.
And being loved and cared for ( hopefully). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And maybe that's what makes the memories sweeter, once
childhood is passed and turbulent youth is done: you want to go back and savor
it; relish it - truly appreciate it- but all you can do is treasure the memory.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I embark on a journey down "memory lane" into
my childhood, it's more like an interstate than a lane; and chief among the
throngs of memories I encounter there are the ones involving my Grandma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My Grandma lived a block from us, and going to her house was
like a trip through the looking glass; or stumbling through the doors of an
enchanted wardrobe. Grandma's house held exotic wonders and peculiarities that
made home look dull. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She was, herself, exotic in many ways. She was an artist, a
feminist, a liberal, and an environmentalist; she was creative, simple, down to
earth - and regal, elegant,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>poised, and
lovely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was truly ahead of her time.
She did all kinds of things that I thought were just odd, but today are
considered current, and "mainstream". She had money,<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> but hardly ever spent it;</span> instead living very frugally and re purposing and reusing
everything. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She rarely wore skirts, and made all her own clothing
just the way she wanted it, in fabrics that were vibrant with color and
texture. She always smelled lovely (some kind of old fashioned perfume, I'm sure),
and she loved to wear goofy hats. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She was all for being silly and enjoying life... whether it
was driving us through her yard in the open front of her canary yellow
Volkswagen Bug, buying a family of life sized plastic ducks for our sand box, cranking
up Harry Belafonte's "Day-O" record and dancing around the house
singing along, or buying a giant, human-sized bubble wand and having a bubble
party on summer afternoons with ice cream and fruit punch on her picnic table. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She took me to my dentist appointment, and immediately afterword,
bought me a large mint chocolate chip milkshake. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She made her own paper, and gave us cards with brightly
colored swirly patterns like tie dye. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She returned from wintering in Florida
every spring with her VW Bug packed with treasure:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>trinkets from The Epcot center at Disney;
shells and driftwood from her daily walks on Cocoa
Beach; oranges and grapefruit from my
great Uncle Pat's citrus grove on the Indian River,
and quirky, odd things found at flea markets and thrift stores.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wouldn't really have called my Grandma a devoutly religious
woman; but when I spent the night at her house on occasion, she'd tuck me in
bed, and we'd always recite the Lord's Prayer and the 23d Psalm. Of course I
knew the Lord's prayer <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and the 23d Psalm
by heart already; but hearing her say it was a totally different experience. Her
voice was low and soothing; and took on a different tone from her regular speaking
voice. She spoke each word emphatically, like they were an ancient, sacred
chant: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"....Yea, though
I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou
art with me".</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And I really believed that - as much as a child can deeply
believe anything, I believed that if I did find myself in the valley of the
shadow of death (wherever that was) I would fear no evil, because the Bible said so - and because Grandma believed it too, and said it with such confidence and assurance. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I was about 11, Grandma had to move to back to Florida full time to
take care of my Great-grandmother, who was ageing and ailing. I got sadder and
sadder as Grandma packed her things in the weeks before her move. She gave me a
small china figurine of a Chinese woman; something I treasure to this day. Lots
of other things were donated to charities. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The morning she left was sunny and warm; her yellow VW Bug
packed to the roof with her exotic treasures, art supplies,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>homemade clothing, and silly hats. She hugged
us all and cried a little, but not too much, so<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>no one got hysterical. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And away she drove, taking away the exciting possibilities
for each day with her. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I ran away to the neighbor's pasture and buried my face in
her horse's mane and cried my broken heart out. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What I didn't realize - at least, not right then - was that
she <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hadn't</i> taken all the exciting
possibility for each day far away to Florida
in her VW Bug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life went on. I grew
older. And I <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>discovered that even though
she wasn't a block away anymore, I could still create <i>my own</i> exciting
possibility for each day. She had shown me this; and I already had the tools: a
creative mind, confidence that being a little odd was really okay, and love and
zest for making life fun - and perhaps a little zany - but above all, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">special.</i> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wrote her letters almost weekly and she wrote back, on her
home made paper cards, or on recycled junk mail stationary she made. I gave her
all our family and neighborhood news and she filled me in on all the things she
was doing or making. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grandma did eventually move back to North Carolina when I was in my teens, but
those childhood play dates and arts and crafts explorations at her house never
really resumed; though we still spent lots of time with her. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All too suddenly, the day came to say the final goodbye to
Grandma. It's something you know has to happen eventually, but you're in
denial; and when it's staring you in the face and you're forced to deal with
it, it just feels so sudden - and too soon. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Standing by her bedside, looking so weak and frail - a whole
different person from the Grandma of my childhood, it seemed. How could this
be? How could this be happening? I was called to my parent's house on that rainy May morning, stunned by the news that it looked like she was not not long for this world. Just a few days earlier she seemed to be recovering from her recent illness. Now, it looked like she was giving up.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She seemed unconscious, but the hospice nurse said that
though she was unresponsive, she probably was aware that we were there: my
sisters, one of my brothers, and my Mom; all of us crying and talking to her
though she could not respond.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I laid my hand on her chest in the last few moments, and
felt the last weak flutters of her heart under my hand as she passed from this
life. And her voice echoed in my heart:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Yea, though I
walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for thou art with me".</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And in my sorrow, I found peace.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I am almost daily reminded of my
Grandma - even the tiniest things can bring on a flood of memories and smiles
and yes - sometimes, tears: using her teacup. Anything to do with birds. Butter
pecan ice cream. Pottery mugs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Seashells.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Driftwood.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Silly hats. Her homemade blouse
in my closet - and putting it on. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
And especially canary yellow
Volkswagen Bugs. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">"Surely,
goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in
the house of the Lord, forever".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm6yutCKDOZESEuDXuF0E7k-YmvZNZmuMDN8y7RH9QwZ4hh-8uQaaxAiyycs1HZR6g2gVHI3kR68_KFkhIvOzOUSzqRTzDoyAzMO43iMFV8hKaq4VsB4dikzfPloky7gpOdzfZaAVMGhHS/s1600/28101_122070957815197_5666237_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm6yutCKDOZESEuDXuF0E7k-YmvZNZmuMDN8y7RH9QwZ4hh-8uQaaxAiyycs1HZR6g2gVHI3kR68_KFkhIvOzOUSzqRTzDoyAzMO43iMFV8hKaq4VsB4dikzfPloky7gpOdzfZaAVMGhHS/s1600/28101_122070957815197_5666237_n.jpg" height="320" width="218" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> My Grandma and me, in 1981.</span></span></i></div>
Hosannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08410674663475994132noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404956650149031310.post-77810584423931830502014-05-03T20:05:00.000-04:002014-05-03T20:05:03.729-04:00Bed Frame BenchI've seen this done on different blogs, and of course all over Pinterest.... and I decided I needed to jump on the re purposed bed frame band wagon.<br />
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I saw this bed at Goodwill for $10, with no rails. I bought it and threw it in the truck and told Kevin he was going to make a bench out of it. He just gave me a sideways, doubtful look.<br />
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I showed him a couple pins on Pinterest, and the light dawned on him. Two and a half hours later, I had this adorable bench. :)<br />
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I sanded, painted, distressed, and waxed it. So I helped. :) </div>
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Available in our shop in North Carolina for $250.00.<br />
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We also decided to offer a custom built bed frame bench service: you bring us your bed frame and we'll turn it into a bench for $150 (and up, depending on extras). <br />
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If you're interested in this, or a custom piece, please email me. You can find my contact info under the "contact" tab above.<br />
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<br />Hosannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08410674663475994132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404956650149031310.post-81718339958710975662014-03-30T11:51:00.001-04:002014-03-30T11:51:16.834-04:00Hairy Claw Foot Buffet RestorationThe story of how I got this buffet - and the matching dining table and chairs and server - is an unbelieveable sequence of events. I don't know if it was just an incredible stroke of luck or the hand of God, but one way or the other, I got the dining suite and Goodwill did not.<br />
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The suite dates to the 1890s, and is "Empire" style. <br />
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However, it was not without it's issues. The chairs were in a really awful state, as I posted about here.<br />
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The table, server and buffet were all scratched up; apparently the movers who removed the pieces from the previous owner's beach house just stuffed everything into moving vans with no padding, and things rubbed and bumped and gouged each other and then were crammed into a storage unit, where we dug them out.<br />
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The top of the buffet was in this state:<br />
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Some of the scratches were deep, so I lightly sanded the whole thing down, without taking all the stain off, because matching it would be difficult.<br />
I used steel wool and very fine grit sandpaper.<br />
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After I sanded it, I tried Minwax wood conditioner on it, and was glad to see that the stain seemed to respond to moisture and have a uniform tone to it.<br />
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I chose these Howard products to finish it up:<br />
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The Restor-a-finish did exactly what it claimed, and restored the lovely tone of the wood. I absolutely love the Feed-n-wax polish, I used it on this buffet and several other pieces, and loved the results. I highly recommend it!</div>
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It's hard to fully appreciate it in photos; in person it's absolutely stunning.<br />
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See, proof that I don't always paint everything I can get my hands on. :)Hosannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08410674663475994132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404956650149031310.post-61360094018572909002014-03-22T19:31:00.004-04:002014-03-22T19:31:51.769-04:00Vintage Suitcase Side Table<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've had these table legs for years and just never felt inspired to do anything with them. And unless I feel inspired, I really don't do things.<br />
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This week, I got inspired.<br />
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I had the perfect size vintage suitcase to make a suitcase side table.<br />
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And I had some maps gleaned from old National Geographic magazines.<br />
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Boom.<br />
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I was going to paint some "flour sack" style stripes on the top, and I had one painted on vertically when my husband looked in at what I was doing and gave me the idea of the Union Jack.<br />
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He's amazing like that.... he gets the coolest ideas! I never would have thought of that.<br />
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Happy Spring, everyone! :)<br />
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<br />Hosannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08410674663475994132noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404956650149031310.post-12510257548818834502014-03-13T18:56:00.001-04:002014-04-15T09:06:47.996-04:00Tagging for prime SEO for Etsy sellers I am writing this here as opposed to, say, as a Facebook status, because I feel like it's important, but I hate hijacking Facebook with long drawn out blurbs about stuff only a handfull of people are going to find relevant.<br />
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I've been working today (on both my Etsy shops) and browsing my favorite shops, and some of my friend's shops, and I just have to get this tagging/SEO elephant off my chest.<i> (I don't claim to be an expert by any means; but as I've said before, I have made Etsy work for me and get (mostly) steady sales, so I think my tagging is working....but I'm NOT an SEO expert whatsoever.)</i><br />
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Okay.<br />
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Here's the thing.<br />
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Search engines are the tool by which shoppers are going to find your items, whether it's on your website, or on Etsy, or eBay, or Artfire, or whatever. But for what I am talking about here, we're just going to be discussing<i> Etsy</i> listings.<i> </i>Mk?<br />
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Search engines use an algorithm that "scans" the first several words of the title of your listing for <i>keywords</i> that help "catalog" the item you're selling. <br />
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Words like "multi", "double", "tri", "versatile", "blue and yellow", "adorable", "gorgeous", "pink" etc.are <i>not good keywords. </i>They're good words to use in your product descriptions, but not for titles and tagging. (On Etsy.) <br />
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Nor are words/phrases like "The Colette Bracelet"; or "The Edna Necklace". <i>(I think naming items like this is cute as all get out, but it doesn't work if you're going for good SEO.)</i><br />
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The first several (3-5 ish) word of your Etsy listing <i>title </i>have got to be the <i>keywords</i> that describe your item.<br />
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When I took my SEO course, one of the things I did (upon the prompting of the instructor) was sit down and brainstorm about <u>every single possible word and combination of words</u> that people might <i>possibly </i>use to describe what it is they are looking for when they use a search engine such as Bing or Google, as well as the Etsy search tool. And then, use them - in Etsy's case, as titles, descriptions, and tags. <br />
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When a buyer sits down at their computer and decides to look for a vintage hat, they're going to type in something pretty basic like "vintage hat". Or, if they're looking for a specific color of hat, they'll narrow it down: "black vintage hat". Or if they're really narrowing it down to specifics, "vintage black velvet hat". <br />
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So, if the first word of my title is "cute", or "blue", this algorithm is going to pass right over you and you're never going to be seen in searches. And algorithms are constantly scanning the web for info and categorizing listings and websites, etc. etc. according to keywords used in<i> tags.</i><br />
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SO: for me, the first three (or four) words of my title are usually the first words that one would use to describe that item: for my vintage listings, it's "VINTAGE". For my burlap banners, it's "BURLAP". Or, if it's a holiday specific item, I'll often use the holiday as my first keyword: "CHRISTMAS". "VALENTINES DAY".<br />
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Next I get into a little bit more detail, but not anything too vague or irrelevant. Next would be words like "Dress". "Hat". "Purse". "Banner".<br />
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After that, other words can come in like "Gunne Sax", "Novelty Print", "Glass Beaded", "Wedding Decor", "Rustic Wedding Decor"; and following that other relevant descriptors like size, color, etc.<br />
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Basically, arrange keywords in your title from most important to least important. It can make your titles look kind of absurd; and read like this "Vintage Hat, Floral Hat, 1950s Floral Easter Hat". But you're speaking the language of the algorithm; which is what is going to bring in your lookers... and hopefully, buyers.<br />
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<b>But wait, there's more!</b><br />
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The first words of your description should match the words of your title. The algorithm also scans the first part of your descriptions for additional information, and if these words all match or are in some similar sequence, this boosts your SEO.<br />
<b> </b><br />
So, if your title is "Vintage hat, floral hat, 1950s floral Easter hat", your description should read the same way. Or at least, mostly. This is why, if you browse my Etsy shop, you'll read some weird looking titles and odd looking opening sentences of descriptions; but to me it's not about looking like a catalog, but getting top results in search results, so I write my stuff this way.<br />
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And last, but not least: On Etsy, you get 13 tags. Or is it 15? I forget. It's something like that, though. Use these tags to add phrases that shoppers might use to search for or describe what it is they're looking for in a search engine or in the Etsy search tool. "Victorian style", "glass bead necklace", "upcycled earrings", "size small vintage", "long beaded necklace", "Purple Easter hat", etc. etc. Phrases are best. I think you have something like 20 spaces to two or three word combos are great. <br />
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<br />
Okay!<br />
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I feel better. I had to get that out in black and white. :) If you're interested in reading some more about this subject, I highly recommend this blog post: <a href="http://ogcontent.com/etsy-seo/">http://ogcontent.com/etsy-seo/ </a><br />
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Also: another quick tip for ya.<br />
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If you're not including international shipping options, you're shooting yourself in the foot as far as sales go.<br />
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Etsy is a wiiiiiide internaitonal market. Tap it. It's easy; all you need is a scale to calculate the shipping price on the USPS website.<br />
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I use 2 options for international shipping: to Canada, and "Everywhere Else". You don't have to list every single place you'll ship to.<br />
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It's very. very.very easy, and gets you more sales in the long run.<br />
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Happy selling, everyone! :)<br />
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<br />Hosannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08410674663475994132noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404956650149031310.post-56418933995237536672014-03-11T14:51:00.002-04:002014-03-11T14:51:43.115-04:00Farmhouse Style Hall TableI inherited this piece from my friend when she moved. It's the perfect low profile hall piece. It's been ensconced in my back (enclosed) porch for probably 4-5 years now. And a mess collected around it. I am ashamed.<br />
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<i>(My poor, pathetic ferns. I have been babying them and coaxing them back into health after I let them sit outside and partially freeze one night.)</i><br />
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Hubby uses this hall table as a catch all for his various odds and ends that come in the door with him and need a flat spot to land. Plus I put my plants all around it because this spot gets a lot of sun all day. Thus, the mess. But, no more. <br />
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I had a bit of blue, a bit of aqua, and a small ammt. of grey paint leftover from other projects. I have been trying to use up all of last year's paint before buying new colors for this year, so I just dumped them all together and came up with this robin's egg (or "duck" egg, if you're an Annie Sloan guru) blue. The funny thing is, it perfectly matches a piece of fabric in my neighboring dining room that I use as a "curtain" over my unused fire place. <i>Perfectly</i> matches it. I didn't even try. :) <br />
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I did put the wooden box on it for my husband to stash a few of his odds and ends in if he chooses.<br />
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I'm almost done with my backlog of neglected, personal pieces! Hosannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08410674663475994132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404956650149031310.post-84096062046766546712014-02-28T17:12:00.000-05:002014-02-28T17:18:02.045-05:00In which I muse about neutrals, texture, and finally painting my own stuffI traded this:<br />
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For this:<br />
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My husband thought I was crazy but I loved the lines of this old wardrobe. Even though it was kind of dark, and ugly. And, the people I traded with had turned it into a entertainment center and chopped a hole in the back. I've been using it as storage for my craft stuff for months and months.<br />
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I thought about doing a color on it, but decided to do something neutral with it instead; as my decorating tastes change pretty often. I didn't want to commit to a color and wind up changing my mind in six months and have to re paint it.<br />
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First, I painted it white, inside and out, with a diy chalk paint I mixed up. I took a page out of Annie Sloan's "book" and painted right over the hardware, since I was okay with the knobs for now. <br />
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It was nice, but kind of plain Jane. You know? Sorta... boring.<br />
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Then I tried a pale grey "wash" of 50/50 paint and water, and that didn't look good either. In fact, you cold hardly tell it had been "grey washed" at all.<br />
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So I got out my trusty antiquing glaze and went for that.<br />
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Yep, I make quite a mess when I'm working on a project. <i>And in case you're wondering: I usually do not work on things in the house, but this room is one we're going to be sanding the floors in as soon as the weather gets warm enough for me to have doors and windows open, and dry enough for some of the furniture to live outside for a weekend while we do the floors. SO, I've been working in this room all winter, and despite my caution, I've splattered paint all over it. OH WELL. It's just nasty brown floor paint anyway. </i><br />
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I used a small paint brush to put glaze into the lines on the front of the cabinet, giving it some definition. Then I used some 150 grit sandpaper to lightly distress it here and there.<br />
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<i>(I numbered the drawers just to be cute.)</i></div>
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<br />
A lot of people I know think neutral = boring.<br />
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I disagree. This piece is neutral, but far from boring (I think). If you're going to do a lot of neutral, like I tend to do (ALL the walls in my house are painted the same cream color, ALL my floors are going to be the same stain... etc.), at least give your neutrals character.<br />
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I have seen some photos on Pinterest and in magazines of "shabby chic" or "cottage" interiors where ALL the furniture is painted white, or slipcovered in white, the walls and ceilings are white, it's just white, white, white everywhere. While it's not disgusting or anything, it's just <i>bland. </i><br />
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So in my 1920s house, I have chosen a warm neutral palate for my permanent furnishings, and I accessorize with rugs, pillows, some curtains (I am a professed hater of window treatments of ANY KIND beyond your basic lace panel, maybe), painted accent pieces, and of course, my vintage goodies I always collect.<br />
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Not ALL my furniture is painted. I have one or two pieces per room that are painted. I do appreciate lovely antique wood, as well, and have several pieces that I won't ever paint.<br />
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But back to my "thing" with neutrals: neutral doesn't have to mean boring and plain. It's kind of hard to tell with this piece, but in addition to it's warmed up color (kind of like tea dyed lace), the glaze has given it<i> texture. </i>When I painted it with the chalk paint, I didn't sand it smooth as you usually do with the chalk paint. I left the brush strokes as they were. Then I added the glaze on top, and used a rag to work it into a "long strokes" finish as you can see (kind of).<br />
So it has texture, and character. All the things good ol' age will give a piece. Except I hurried this one along. <br />
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Anyhoo... I am trying to get my things painted; this was one, and I have one more small hutch to do and then I think I am done with all my own things. For now. :)<br />
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I did a bookshelf I haven't shown here yet; I'll try to do that this next week.<br />
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Happy painting, y'all!Hosannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08410674663475994132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404956650149031310.post-45035762733606968042014-01-30T23:57:00.001-05:002014-01-30T23:57:32.388-05:00Chairs, before and after<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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These chairs started out as really bad looking things; what I call really awful "Church furniture". They had had a lot of damage (looks like they lived through a bar fight, or something, from all the breaks and damage) which had been badly glued. Even though they were pretty nice wood chairs, the damage and the bad glue job gave me no option except paint. Which I did. And I upholstered the seats in a pretty shabby chic floral I had on hand.<br />
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I only wish I could keep them for myself, but they don't go with my dining room furniture - which I love - so I am giving them up to the shop. Hosannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08410674663475994132noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404956650149031310.post-1622273780627786732014-01-28T17:47:00.001-05:002014-01-28T17:47:21.465-05:00Valentines Day Banners<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Click the links to view in our Etsy shop for pricing, shipping and color options.<br />
"Be Mine" - made upon request.<br />
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/174217765/burlap-banner-valentines-bunting-banner?ref=shop_home_active_4">White heart garland </a>(I can add more hearts upon request) <br />
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/174204736/burlap-banner-valentines-day-bunting?ref=shop_home_active_2">Red heart garland</a> (I can add more hearts to this as well)<br />
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/174273476/valentines-day-banner-love-bunting-paper?ref=shop_home_active_6">"Love"</a> paper garland <br />
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/119324641/burlap-banner-rustic-wedding-decor?ref=shop_home_active_5">"Twoo Wuv"</a> (Inspired by The Princess Bride) <br />
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/175180324/burlap-bunting-banner-valentines-day?ref=shop_home_active_1">Kisses and Hugs </a>Hosannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08410674663475994132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404956650149031310.post-82585268834639322542014-01-21T18:43:00.002-05:002014-01-21T18:43:34.562-05:00My "New" Vanity for under $20.00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I used to have a depression era "waterfall" vanity and I fell out of love with it. Last summer, my mom gave me this desk that used to be her sewing desk for as far back into mu childhood as I can remember...<br />
The mirror was something I found at a local flea market and bought for $5. I painted the mirror months ago and had it for sale in our shop; and there were never any takers. So when I got this desk I brought the mirror home because I knew what I was going to do with it.<br />
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Desk:Traded my mom for it<br />
Mirror: $5.00<br />
Paint: $0 (I used leftover Annie Sloan "old white", plus a can of something I had that matched the Annie Sloan in color; and I mixed up the blue from leftover this and that in my stash<br />
New Knobs: $12.00 <br />
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We moved the big dark old waterfall vanity out to the workshop and this went right in it's place, and I like it so much better. I'll show it "styled" to my decor later.<br />
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:DHosannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08410674663475994132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404956650149031310.post-85761911874737371812014-01-21T18:29:00.002-05:002014-01-21T18:29:32.267-05:00Before and After: China Cabinet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I had to fight dirty for this piece. Several people were inquiring about it on line and the owner said whoever got there first with the cash could have it - so guess who was there at 8:00 am with cash in hand in the pouring down rain?<br />
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Yeah.<br />
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It's currently for sale in our shop. :)Hosannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08410674663475994132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404956650149031310.post-52867420722865580372013-10-21T15:38:00.002-04:002013-10-21T15:38:50.248-04:00So Much Vanity... <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So this mush be what people did in the 60s and thought of it as super groovy DIY painted furniture... I guess? It's rather... shockingly green, if you ask me. I actually had a neighbor come by and see it and she fell in love with it - just the way it was. Nope. I can't live with that on my conscience.<br />
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So, hubby sanded it and it was black underneath and I painted it plain white. And hated it. It was so plain looking. And the surface underneath was so uneven it really showed...<br />
I dithered for a few weeks about it and then stripped the whole thing back down so it was smooth, and I happened upon this pot of "oops" paint sample in a really pale pink and I jumped all over it.<br />
When I first painted it my husband didn't believe it was pink; it's so pale. But trust me; it's a pale, pale pink.<br />
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The ice cream chair had to be sand blasted; and then I shot it with flat white Kraylon. The black and white leopard print seat gives it a snazzy modern twist...<br />
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For sale now in our shop. :)<br />
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<br />Hosannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08410674663475994132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404956650149031310.post-92049988565799117092013-10-21T13:07:00.003-04:002013-10-21T13:07:48.794-04:00Vanity, vanity. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, I'd already taken the mirror off and the drawers out before I got a "before" pic of this piece. The drawers had hideous, bulky, fake brass handles on them. They had to go.<br />
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Then I whipped up a "custom" paint color with several leftover bits of paint I had sitting around; blues, teals and whites. I bought a fifty cent pot of "oops" sample paint called "Pot of Cream" for the drawers. We filled the old holes in from the handles and bought new ones at Hobby Lobby (on sale) and I added a little flourish on the front...<br />
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<br />Hosannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08410674663475994132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404956650149031310.post-19873820452667633752013-10-07T10:16:00.002-04:002013-10-07T10:16:23.546-04:00Do you want a free china cabinet, they said...... My friend called me and asked me if I was interested in a free china hutch.<br />
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Well, duh!<br />
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She cleans homes in town and some of them are high end places and they occasionally ditch furniture and she hooks me up. It's kind of tall and ugly, she told me - she described it as kind of a gold finish. No prob. easily refinished. We made plans to pick it up.<br />
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We got there, and it was this.... this <i>thing. </i><br />
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It was over 7 feet tall, heavy as lead, and ugly as all get out. That's a POND scene painted on the drawers. And some kind of gold spray all over it. Plus, it was not real wood - it was some kind of wood fibers, poured into molds, and then glued together. It took three beefy dudes to load it, and even then they were really struggling with it. So we got it home and it lived on my porch for a couple of weeks. I got tired of people stopping and asking me about it, and friends and neighbors seeing it and commenting about it all the time... it had to go, it was a real "attention - getter" and I hate that kind of thing at my house! I don't want to be known as the "odd furniture assortment on the porch" house in the neighborhood. <br />
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Pond scene? Really?</div>
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It took an hour or more just to tape up all those glass door panels. Ugh. Then I decided on this paint I thought was going to be more grey than blue; but enough blue to not be totally grey.... but it turned out blue-blue. So, it is what it is. I painted the accent parts white. It looks kind of Parisian/Frenchy I think. And it requires a biiiiiig house. It will be interesting to see how long it takes to sell it. LOL<br />
In the meantime, it looks pretty neat in the shop, it's better to get attention there than at my house!<br />
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Hosannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08410674663475994132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404956650149031310.post-27361560595796869692013-09-27T23:11:00.001-04:002013-09-27T23:24:47.462-04:00Etsy: My 10 Lessons Learned. sometimes, the hard way. This October 5th is my four year Etsyversary, and nearly 1000 sales. <i>(Some shops get 1000 sales in a lot less time, so don't be impressed. Seriously.) </i>Selling both vintage and handmade items. <br />
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Instead of cluttering up the forums like some people do with milestone threads about "1000 sales and what I've learned", I'm just going to clutter my personal blog with it, and then people can choose to not look at it instead of being annoyed on the forums. I'm not a seller looking for those pat "awww, congrats on your awesomeness!" replies.<br />
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OKAY, stop right here. If you're not interested in being serious about your Etsy shop, you don't need to read any more. If you want to list ten things and then sit and do nothing and wait for something to sell, move on. This post is for people who are interested in learning how I have used the Etsy platform to host items I have to sell, and nicely supplemented my income for four years and counting, and some tips I have learned along the way and how you can use them in your own shops. <br />
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So here is what I have learned in the last four years, about Etsy, and selling online - or anywhere - in general.<br />
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<i>You're going to have to forgive me because I am going to be brutally honest about some things. I apologize ahead of time if what I have to say huts anyone's feelings. I'm not trying to diss anyone's crafts.... I'm just stating what I've learned about selling. </i><br />
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1.<u><b> Have a product people want, or need.</b></u><b> </b>This is the biggest deal. Because if you don't start with a really great product, what's the point of everything else?<br />
You might like your items. Your Mom might like your items. Your friends may love them, too. But if your items don't appeal to a wide range of people, it ain't gonna work. Be honest with yourself about this. You're going to be competing with 100,000,000,000 other people who sell pretty much the same things on Etsy. (This especially goes for handmade sellers, I think.) People are not going to want to buy overpriced crafts when there are serious, full time sellers on this site who make most people's crafts look like 4th grade VBS specials. Just being honest, here. So what makes you think people are gonna buy your item? I'm serious. These are things I asked myself. So, how about it?<i> </i>Know the answer. <br />
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For selling vintage, it's a little bit easier, because one of a kind vintage items, marketed to the "vintage junkie" crowd, will usually sell themselves. When vintage shoppers spot an item they want, collect, or have been looking for, they'll buy it no matter what. Vintage it relatively easy, compared to handmade. The thing about vintage is, you have to know your product, be honest about it's condition, be fair in pricing, and most of all, know trends: home decor trends, fashion trends, collecting trends. Know what's hot for more than just one scene, too. Otherwise you're going to end up with a house full of stuff that belongs in a rummage sale that no one wants; including you. Trust me on this. I have bought things I thought should sell, only to donate them to Goodwill a year later when I realized they would never sell because they were not "Kitchy", they were tacky, and no one was going to pay money for that - plus, it made my shop look like a really bad yard sale. Did I loose money? Yup. Another thing about selling vintage: <i>you have to be ready to shell out for decent inventory. </i><br />
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One more thing about selling vintage: nothing ticks me off more than over priced vintage. Yes, there are some high end vintage items that fetch prices in the hundreds and even thousands of dollars range. But the majority of it isn't. I decided early on, I was going for selling quantity instead of trying to sell the really expensive, highly collectible items a few times a year. I looked for mid range items that were affordable by just about anyone, and sold more of that than the higher priced items. There's more shoppers out there with a low or middle range budget than people with a high income with the means to spend $400 on a dress. So I decided my target market was the middle/lower range income folks. I have carried high end items from time to time, but that just added diversity to my shop. I try to stay to the middle of the road. So.... decide your target market; and work it. <br />
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Whether you're selling vintage or handmade, find a niche.... that one thing you're really exceptional at, and work it. I started with vintage and added vintage inspired handmade items as well. But it's all "vintage" themed. Don't try to sell everything everyone else does. Sell what you are really really good at; and believe you're better at it than anyone else is. This goes hand in glove with working your target market, also. If you find a niche within a certain demographic, you're going to hit gold.<br />
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Another note about product: have lots of it. If you have five listings, you're wasting your time. Try to have at least 100. I find the more listings I have in my shop, the more traffic I get; and the more my sales pick up and stay steady. I know this seems like a lot, and it is, but if you're wanting to be serious about Etsy, you're going to have to have 100 listings or more. <br />
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2. <u><b>Learn how to use the site. </b></u>It is not as simple as creating a listing and Etsy does everything else. If you run your Etsy shop that way, you're going to get buried. Literally. Thousands of items in your category are listed every day. For each one listed, you're getting pushed further and further down the list. But if you have learned how to properly TITLE and TAG your listing, your SEO will bump to to the top of searches both on Etsy and other search engines. I am not going to go into how to do it on this post. There's plenty of that on the Etsy forums and site. I taught myself; it's not hard. I also took a class on SEO optimization through my local community college. Educate yourself.<br />
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Also: fill out your location, have policies, use the about page, join teams, sign up for direct checkout so people can use their CC. Use the site; the site will help you. BUT: <i>be cautious in the forums. </i><br />
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3.<u><b>If you want to make money on Etsy you have to treat it seriously.</b></u> I view my Etsy shop as a part time job, and I work it like a part time job. I put in tiiiiiime re working my listings all the time. Anything that is slow, or not getting views, or not selling after weeks of being listed, I re-work. See #2.<br />
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4. <u><b>Have good customer service.</b></u> Goes without saying - but you'd be surprised how many people have crappy customer service on this site. Ship ASAP. Be nice to people. Admit when you've made a mistake and be prepared to pay for it. Answer convos immediately, if not sooner, and for Pete's sake! Offer returns!! If you get a nasty convo (I have had PLENTY), step away from the computer. Scream, yell, vent, throw things, cuss.... then wait several hours. Cool off, then write down your response. Then type and send it. I learned this from experience. It works. If you have to be firm with a customer, do it professionally. Getting mad and defensive is UNprofessional and not nice.<br />
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5. <u><b>Learn how to take halfway decent photos.</b></u> Okay - PHOTOS is what sells items on line. If your photos suck, people aren't going to even click your thumbnail to see the whole listing. Think in thumbnails. You've got to at least have one eye catching thumbnail per listing to get people to want to click it!<br />
I see so many dark photos. Um... HUGE "click off"! Take pics in natural light. Please, don't do props. I am not a great photographer, by any means... but I try to take HALFWAY decent pics, at least. In natural light. Seems to work out; people use my photos in treasuries all the time; three of which have been chosen for the front page. And use all five photo slots per listing, if possible.<br />
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6. <u><b>Ship international. </b></u>It's not scary, I promise. It's really, really easy. Just do it. Use the USPS website. It is your friend. Also, make buddies with your local Postmaster. They're gems. <br />
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7. <u><b>Ship smart.</b></u> I learned this the haaaard way early in my first year. Double box. Use a mile of bubble wrap, if needed. Buy bulk padded shipping envelopes. Also, get a scale for price calculations. Trust me on this.<br />
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8. <u><b>Don't skimp.</b></u><b> </b>Don't be cheap. Don't be cheap making your product, don't be cheap buying your vintage, don't be cheap packing it, don't be cheap shipping it... just don't be cheap. You're going to have to spend some money to make some money. If you're cheap it's going to show and it's going to hurt you in the long run.Cheap does nooooot pay off. Ever.<br />
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9. <u><b>Don't look for someone to blame.</b></u> Okay I have to say there is nothing I despise more than when sellers get on the forums and whine and cry about not making sales, and griping at Etsy for changing whatever, and look for somewhere to place the blame for not making sales or getting views, or whatever. When I don't make sales, I look at ME. I look at what I have been doing - or not doing - to try and make sales. When Etsy makes changes, I don't run around like the sky is falling, I just educate myself about the change, learn how to make it work for me, and then roll with it. Usually, when I hit a sales slump, I can jump start things with new listings, re working listings, re tagging, renewing, and moving around on the site.<br />
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10. <u><b>Buy.</b></u> If you don't buy on the site, what makes you think anyone should buy from you? I buy on Etsy all the time. As a buyer and a seller, I have a complete view of Etsy as a user. I am a firm believer in buying. In fact, sometimes when things are slow in my shop, I buy things; and then suddenly I get sales, too. I don't know what it is, but it happens.<br />
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So that's my 2 cents. I know it seems harsh, but it's the straight-up truth that I have learned in four years and 1000 sales.<br />
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<i>P.S.: A word about money.</i><br />
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<i>Okay. </i><br />
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<i>I hear it a lot: "I haven't got the money to -buy a new camera/relist items every week/offer returns/give free shipping/pay the Etsy bill/have decent packaging/list more than a couple items, etc. etc. </i><br />
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<i>I know what it's like to start a small business with ZERO MONEY. I started my shop with a plastic tote of vintage stuff I have been collecting since my teens. And NO money. I think I put $20 in my Pay Pal acct. from my checking acct. when I started. I was writing checks at the Post Office to ship things, hoping the checks didn't hit my account till my next pay check. </i><br />
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<i>I was lucky, and I started making sales a few hours after listing my first items. But it still wasn't a whole lot. I went weeks with no sales. I soon realized I was going to have to take certain risks in order to achieve any success. So I started re listing as much as I could afford to. At the time, you could buy a spot in a "showcase" on Etsy for about $6.00 - $10.00. I tried to buy a spot whenever I could; and it brought some traffic and sales. I panicked when I would look at my Etsy bill... as it crept past $20 and kept on creeping up there as I listed more items and relisted others. But the sales started picking up and paying my Etsy bill was no longer a worry. It was a slow process... but I had to spend money to get there. </i> <br />
<i>It started out with just a few dollars, but the better I did the more I was able to spend on promoting, better inventory, more inventory.... then a new camera, and a new computer; etc. etc. </i><br />
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<i>And I started out with $20.00, a plastic tote, and a cheap point and shoot camera. </i><br />
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<i>Today I have two Etsy shops making money, and a brick and mortar antiques shop that's picking up steam.</i><br />
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<i>SO. Don't talk to me about not having the money to start out in a cottage business. Anyone can do it. even if you just have $5.00, and a really good idea. </i><br />
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<i>You CAN do it! It just takes really hard, steady work. But it CAN be done. </i><br />
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<i>And if you've read this far......</i><br />
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<i>Thanks for indulging me. Have fabulous weekend! </i><br />
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<i>:) </i><br />
<br />Hosannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08410674663475994132noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5404956650149031310.post-82992878347811641712013-09-20T21:59:00.003-04:002013-09-20T21:59:57.633-04:00Rocker Re-Do<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This rocker came from the shop; it's been in the "back room" for years, looking dreadful. I dragged it home and ripped everything off and gave it the 'ol DIY chalk paint treatment; and covered it with some adorable blue and white floral material ("Kingsport") that I got from a friend who had it in her storage shed. It turned out so cute! This is one of those things I hate to part with - but I can't keep everything.<br />
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I am really starting to get the "hang" of upholstery. I have a couple of Victorian chairs I am saving for later when I really feel confident. I'll probably make those my wintertime evening projects. :)<br />
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Have a great weekend, everyone! And if you're in my neck of the woods, come in and see us in our shop in the historic Milton General Store building across from the Thomas Day museum (139 Broad St.) in lovely historic Milton, NC. :) <br />
Hosannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08410674663475994132noreply@blogger.com0