Garage Sale Girly Fun With Marketing Mike

Hey You!!

Long time no see, eh?

Well, I have decided to give the old sewing machine the day off so I could WRITE A NEW BLOG POST! I know, I can’t believe it either. Since today is #SSPS (Shameless Self Promotion Sunday) on the Twitter, I figured it would be a perfect opportunity to do just that!

This week I had an amazing opportunity to be interviewed by an author, speaker, sports marketing specialist, hot dog extraordinaire and all around great guy, Mr. Mike Rudd.

Wine Not? July is national hot dog month! Enjoy a hot dog classy style with a glass of vino while conducting a very serious interview! Photo via Marketing Fun With Mike's Facebook Fan Page. 

Mr. Rudd wrote his debut book, “Hot Dogs, A Little Marketing, and A Lot of Fun”. In this book, he explains how working at a hot dog stand in college, taught him lessons that he was able to apply to achieve greatness, not only in his career, but in life as well!  It is his story, not necessarily a “how to” manual. One of the great things about reading this book though, is that so many of his stories and “Carry Outs” can be applied to your own life and be beneficial to anyone trying to find their own “Hot Dog Stand”.

My personal copy of "Hot Dogs, A Little Marketing and A Lot Of Fun". I am old school, so I decided to go with the actual physical book...but you can also purchase it as an e-book on his website, Marketing Fun With Mike!

I was honored when Marketing Mike asked to interview this Garage Sale Girly for his Hot Dog Chronicles!

So without further ado, here is the pod cast interview! I hope you will sit down, grab a hot dog and enjoy the pod cast!

I just wanted to say a huge footlong hot dog sized thank you to Marketing Mike!

Marketing Mike beat me to the punch with the thank you though! I added his thank you card to my "insprational" cork board that hangs in front of my sewing machine.

p.s. If you made it to the lightning round portion of the interview and were wondering about my recent best vintage find, that is not for sale…here it is!

At first glance it is an unassuming vintage hard plastic case...In fact my husband and I almost didn't give it a second glance when at a recent garage sale.

But when you open the case...the party begins, a la Don Draper! Yes, a complete c.1960's Trav.L.Bar by Ever-Wear! The set even came with a swell transistor radio! 

Well, if you are really in love with it, I did say that I would be willing to part with it for a million dollars! I am pretty firm on that price.

Vote For Vintage

Vote for Vintage

Vintage book "America Goes to the Polls" at The Unique Bird.

During this election season, I urge you to vote for vintage. Sure these items may be a bit worn and tattered, but they have survived. The wear gives these pieces character and unique qualities that are admirable. The choice is yours when buying gifts or items to decorate your nest.

Vintage Patriotic serving tray at The Unique Bird

I am Garage Sale Girly and I approve this message.

Watch out On Halloween...

Antique postcard from The Unique Bird on etsy. "And the goblins will get you, if you don't watch out On Halloween"...or the pirates. 

I had an interesting conversation with a 5 year old boy over the weekend. It went a little something like this.

Me: "What are you going to dress up as for Halloween?"
Little Boy: "Arrrrrr"
Me: "A dinosaur?"
Little Boy: "No. Arrrr"
Me: "A monster?"
Little Boy: "No. Arrrrrrr"
Me: "A pirate?"
Little Boy: "Yes."
Me: "What is your favorite candy?"
Little Boy: "You are."
Me: "You don't want to eat me...I am not very sweet. I am pretty salty"
Little Boy: "I like salty."
Ok...just chuckle it off. Surely this little boy is not trying to pick me up!?!
A little while later I asked him: "Are you hungry? What do you want to eat for lunch?"
Little Boy: "I want to eat YOU."

My little 5 year old friend...he looks so sweet...but he is a bit salty himself!  Father's lock up you daughters...husbands hang on to your wives...this pirate is on the prowl!

I kind of got the feeling that this little pirate really was looking for booty. I am impressed...this kid's pick up lines were better than most of the men I had encountered when I was single.

Back Story - Treasure Hunt In The Dark

Howdy folks!

Just a little backstory on this fantastic mid century Bay Keramik West Germany art pottery planter that just arrived in my etsy shop...

Mid Century Bay Keramik planter - Ripe Olive, at The Unique Bird

Because sometimes the hunt is just as interesting as the find.

Picture it...

Early August, somewhere in Ohio on Rt. 127 (a.k.a The Endless Yard Sale)...

There was a field filled with rusty metal vintage treasures. A huge thunderstorm was brewing. Instead of wondering around the field of metal finds with lightening overhead, the hubby and I opted to venture into a little farm out building. There was a sign on the door that said “More Inside”. Oh yes, there certainly was more. The building was filled with tables of treasure from what we could tell. There was some daylight coming through one door and there was one very dim overhead light. Basically...it was the type of building that felt like it belonged in a horror film…and the men that were selling didn’t exactly give me a fuzzy safe feeling. Honestly I felt safer outside the field of metal with the lightening striking… But there was the vintage…so I pressed on. I don’t know that I have ever selected my purchases as fast as I did that afternoon. There was no time for pondering over details; there was not really any way to check for cracks or makers marks considering the low lit ambiance of that charming building. The name of the game was, take a chance. Grab what you like, buy it and get the heck outta there. My husband...didn’t seem to notice my uneasiness and urgency. He was lost in a box of vintage beer bottle openers. I wondered over to him with my hands full of vintage pottery and said…in a slightly…well, rather stern tone, “we need to wrap this up”. With every crack of thunder, I selected faster. All I kept thinking was, please don’t let this storm knock out the power to that light. We purchased our treasures from a slightly sketchy looking fellow and made it to the silver flea (a.k.a. my sweet car) right before the rain started pouring. When we made it home safe and sound I decided to inspect my finds, since I had not really seen them. As luck would have it, this mid-century pottery piece was in pretty good shape…I didn’t fare so well with all of the pieces. One out of six isn’t too shabby..and we didn’t get kidnaped...also very good.  The moral of the story is, sometimes it is better to be lucky than good.

Sure those men may have been a bit sketchy but they did have some pretty sweet vintage. Maybe it was a genius selling technique. Entice the customer with awesome vintage..but make them feel very uncomfortable and a bit scared so they don’t quibble about price and they don’t linger…the world may never know. 

Hi and Good Bye to May

Dis-ci-pline -
activity, exercise, or a regimen that develops or improves a skill; training. Example: A daily stint at the typewriter is excellent discipline for a writer.

Thank you  Dictionary.com. for giving me such a fitting example of discipline.

So let me just say my poor little blog has been suffering...begging for some sort of attention each week. 

It is not that I have lost the discipline to post my favorite etsy finds in my blog each week...the fact is, my discipline has shifted. I have really been trying to step up the production of my handmade vintage fabric goodies...because as it turns out, you cannot sell more stuff if you don't have the product to sell (I think I must have missed that day in Introduction to Business class). Sew on my little Kenmore Ultra Stitch 12.

Yes, I am jealous of the folks that can do it all! You know those people who are able to juggle regular blog posts, sew up the merchandise, list new items in the etsy shop, hunt for vintage treasures, research those vintage treasures, go to the grocery, cook up the dinners...and clean (god forbid). I don't even have any little ones yet to throw into the mix! To those who can do it all, and get to bed at a reasonable hour, I honestly salute you.

Any who...now that I am finished whining about my lack of multi tasking skills... I guess the good news is that my lack of blogging has resulted in a lovely selection of handmade goodies!

Hello May!

At the beginning of the month I was a vendor at the Spring Flea in The Short North in Columbus, Oh.

Our favorite local wine shop, Meza, stocked up on a serious selection of our handmade vintage fabric wine bottle wraps just in time for Mother's Day gifting! 

picture courtesy of Meza.

...and more new Spring-tas-tic wine wraps were delivered to Celebrate Local! 

Apparently the customers are celebrating with Ohio wines wrapped in the best handmade vintage fabric wine bottle wraps from The Unique Bird!

So if you visit Columbus Ohio and are looking for unique dressings from The Unique Bird, for gifting a bottle of wine, you know where to find them!

Now if you are headed to Kansas...

I am super excited to announce that some of The Unique Bird's handmade can now be found at a new shop in Lindsborg, Kansas called Sarahendepity!

Picture courtesy of Go Poverty Flats blog post.

I was fortunate to get to know the owner of the shop through etsy and was thrilled when she asked me to send some of my handmade vintage lace garlands and vintage fabric coffee cup cozies to her new shop!

Some of the handmade vintage and antique lace garlands I sent to Sarahendepity.

Talk about a gal that can do it all! The shop owner, Sarah, has not one...but two successful etsy shops. At Sarahanntiques on etsy she sells a fabulous assortment antiques and primitives and at Que Sarah Sera on etsy she sells beautiful handmade jewelry. Her new brick and mortar shop Sarahendepity, not only houses her handmade jewelry as well her antiques, but a selection of products from other etsy handmade artists from around the U.S.! I am very proud to be representing Ohio in Lindsborg, Kansas! 

This is the gal that can do it all! Great photo of Sarah in her new shop from  Go Poverty Flats blog .

Now if you happen to link over to one of her etsy shops right now you may find them in vacation mode...not because she is actually taking a vacation, but she is a bit tied up with harvest on her farm. (Told you she can do everything!) Be sure to stop by her etsy shops in the next few weeks to check out her beautiful online selection if you cannot pop in to her shop in Kansas. I wish her continued success in her etsy shops, and all the best in her new brick and mortar!

Good bye May...

So to wrap up this crazy good month...the hubby and I will be hitting the road... the National Road that is. We are heading out on an adventure in search of fantastic vintage treasures for the shop! This week the National Road yard sales kick off and run through the weekend! The National Road yard sales are scattered along Rt. 40 and run from Baltimore to St. Louis. Unfortunately, we have a limited time to cover so many yard sales...so we will just be able to hit some of Ohio and part of Indiana. Maybe someday...we can go all the way.

One of my snap shots from last year's National Road Yard Sailing adventure.

Here is hoping that I won't be such a stranger to my blog next month...or at least will have more exciting happenings from The Unique Bird to report to you about! 

The Bird is the Word

Hot Dog! Yes, Girly is FINALLY updating her blog!

Oh, where do I start?

A lot has been going on at the headquarters of The Unique Bird (a.k.a. my nest). As I slowly try and get back to some sort of a blogging schedule, hopefully you will enjoy a brief rundown of my adventures over the last few weeks.

Wake up and smell the coffee!

Vintage Flavo Matic percolator found in my etsy shop. A few days after my coffee maker was kaput, a customer inquired if I could test the working condition of this percolator. I did, and it perked right up! Why didn't I think to do that myself?

Or not...

A few weeks back, I awoke...not to the smell of freshly brewed coffee...but an empty coffee pot and my coffee maker blinking "error" at me. Shock. Horror. Not really a great way to start the day...or a story (I promise it gets better). So feeling under caffeinated, I trudged down stairs to check my email.

How to brighten my mood sans coffee? Insert an amazing opportunity. Imagine my now shock and awe when I was asked to go to my hometown and appear on live television to talk about my vintage treasures and my handmade vintage fabric goodies! Suddenly my day was perking up.

Yes, I was walking on clouds with excitement over my upcoming television appearance, but that was a few weeks away...back to work girly! You have to get sewing. Someone had to make a fresh selection of vintage fabric wine accessories for our favorite local wine shop for Spring, and that someone was me! Suddenly I felt like wonder woman...(because I was a kick butt sewing machine...not because I was wearing a cape while sewing).

A stitch in time saves nine

My Vintage Kenmore Ultra Stitch 12.

Rolling along on my good old 1982 Kenmore Ultra Stitch 12.  Ca chunk, ca chunk, ca...whaaat?!?! Shock. Horror. My poor sewing machine finally had enough of my empty promises to give it a little rest...and had a bit of a break down. Suddenly a broken coffee maker seemed like small potatoes...this was serious.

Much like Demi Moore, my sewing machine needed to be treated for "exhaustion". Thankfully I had a back up sewing machine.

We got off to a rocky start...but pretty soon my back up sewing machine and I became good pals.

Last summer, I became the proud owner of my Mother-in-law's c.1970's Kenmore sewing machine. I have to admit...we got off to a rocky start (me and the sewing machine...not me and my Mother-in-law) but I kept at it, and we soon became close friends. I was able to deliver a new selection of my bloomin' wine bottle stoppers to Meza Wine Shop.

Bloomin' Wine Bottle Stoppers from The Unique Bird exclusively sold at Meza Wine Shop in Westerville, Ohio.

 I was also able to get started on some pretty new handmade goodies to debut on my TV appearance and oh yes...a big selection of Spring-tastic goods for our first Trunk Show at Meza's Girls Night Out Wine Tasting.

Filling up my trunk (well suitcase) with handmade vintage fabric goodies for Meza's Girls Night Out Wine Tasting and Trunk show featuring The Unique Bird and Objet Adapte! 

Welcome Home!

After a week of rehab and a few new parts, I welcomed my good old Kenmore home..and I departed to my hometown for my television debut in Dayton!

It was all very exciting to appear on Living Dayton! Living Dayton is a new lifestyle program on WDTN - TV (the ABC affiliate in Dayton, Ohio). I felt so glamorous...I felt so excited...I felt like I was 5'6" tall!

 A behind the scenes snap shot from my segment on Living Dayton courtesy of the fantastic Mr. Schmelick. No, I was not working out, but I did need a step up so I wasn't a floating head behind my suitcase filled with pillows.

Objects on the screen may not be to actual scale. Through the magic of television I actually was taller! So without further ado...yours truly's television debut.

Decorating tips from the Unique Bird: wdtn.com

Um. So there you have it. Um. not too shabby for my first time on live TV. In my attempt to not say "like" 750 times, I ended up saying "um" 950 times. Oh well, c'est la vie. Hopefully what I had to say was so impactful that it distracted the viewers from counting my...um...ums. As my sister said, it was "Um - believable". All jokes aside, I cannot thank the folks at Living Dayton enough for such a terrific opportunity to spread the word about The Unique Bird's vintage and handmade treasures!

Sew on and Sew Forth...

After appearing on Living Dayton...I whisked myself away to my favorite Kettering thrift store...just to see if there was anything I couldn't live without...

So we meet again Frigidaire Flare. In January, the hubby and I stumbled upon one of these c.1960's stoves at the Re- Store in Columbus, Ohio...and then I spotted this one in Kettering. Much to my hubby's dismay once again...I lived without it. 

Then back to Columbus to wrap up my sewing projects for Meza's Girls Night Out Wine Tasting and Trunk Show featuring handmade vintage fabric goods from The Unique Bird and Objet Adapte.

Photos courtesy of Meza. March Girls Night Out Wine Tasting 3/21/12. We had an awesome selection of  new Bloomin' Wine Bottle Stoppers displayed on the front table!

Beautiful handmade vintage feedsack handbags and accessories from Objet Adapte at the wine tasting!

It was a fantastic turnout for the wine tasting! Thanks so much to our talented friends from Objet Adapte for partnering up with The Unique Bird for this event, to Meza for featuring us, and of course, thank you to everyone that came out to support us!

In a nut shell...that is what I have been up to. It has been a crazy town at my nest over the last few weeks but it was crazy in a good way! Just think, it all started with a broken coffee maker... What's next? No more glamorous television appearance and wine tastings lined up in the near future, but I did go to my first Garage Sale of the year this morning...so it is back to normal-ish business here. I am hoping to get some new vintage pieces added to my etsy shop soon, so stay tuned!

P.S. Do you remember at the beginning of this post when I said I was going to give you a brief rundown of my adventures? For me, this is brief.

Thursday's Unique Picks - As Seen On TV

Don't you hate it when people say, "I've been busy...".

I mean who isn't?

Hey Girly what have you been up to?

Ummmm, I've been busy. Oh well, I am back today with a little Unique Picks blog post!

Soooo...I have been doing a little shopping around for vintage goodness lately and have spotted some pretty sweet finds.  

What kind of vintage are you talking about, you may inquire?

What is not to love about this fantastic 1960's portable TV radio from Mae and Jean Vintage on etsy? It is so sweet, petite and retro fabulous.

Let's just say when I picked up these vintage pieces, I had no idea that they were "as seen on T.V." spectacular.

Last week my thrifty adventure began in Dayton, Ohio. My mother and I went to a Goodwill Thrift Store Outlet...yes, I said outlet. Have you ever been to a thrift store where you pay for your purchases by the pound? Well, I haven't...until last week. Picture it, large bins brimming with bits and pieces to sift through. It was sort of like panning for vintage gold. 

My mom spotted this fantastic Mid Century Chip and dip set for me.

"Vintage gold" that will eventually be listed in my etsy shop.

As seen at Sterling Cooper...

Have you ever heard of a show called Mad Men? Stop that laughing...I know...who hasn't. I have to admit I just started watching it a few weeks ago and the hubby and I are now hooked. (we are just in the middle of season two, so don't spoil anything for me)! Part of the fun of the show (for me) is seeing all of the vintage. Imagine my delight when I spotted the matching ice bucket to the above chip and dip set, in one of the offices at Sterling Cooper, in one of the first few episodes of season two. I sure do wish I had a screen shot just to prove the provenance of this vintage gold.

At our second thrift store stop, I was united with these pretty wall hangings. My Mother said, "I think my Grandmother had those". Who knew my Great Grandmother had such fantastic taste.

Brilliant Botanical 1960's Syroco Wood Wall Hangings. Just added to my etsy shop, The Unique Bird, today!

As seen in the Draper residence...

...Don and Betty's master bedroom to be exact. My Husband's eagle eye, spotted some wall hangings pretty similar to these, in one of the episodes we watched a few days after I picked these up.

Photo from casasugar blog post and AMC.

Photo from an article on Woman's Day.

The article on the Woman's Day magazine website is about Mad Men inspired home decor. They tell you where you can score a headboard, lamps and bedding just like the Drapers have, but they don't tell you where to pick up those fabulous wall hangings...hmmm...I know exactly where you can find some.

I can't wait to watch more episodes of Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Men to see if I have any more vintage items "in stock" that are like ones on T.V.

A few days after my thrift store adventures with my Mom in Dayton, the Hubby and I headed over to Re Store in Columbus. If you have never been to a Re Store, it is like a home improvement thrift store run by Habitat for Humanity. Folks will donate items for the home; cabinets, wood, appliances, sinks, etc. You name it...they might have it. It isn't all vintage, but sometimes there are a few old gems in there that can be refurbished for a retro renovation.

Bewitched by an oven...

I didn't exactly snatch up this 1960's Frigidaire beauty (much to the chagrin of my husband)...but I did snap a few photos. 

Oh, it needed some...well, a lot of love to get back into tip top shape. I can't say that I am in the market for a new oven right now and my husband doesn't currently have the know how to overhaul a vintage appliance...(not that you couldn't honey).

The Frigidaire Flair we spotted at Re Store in Columbus, Ohio 1/21/12.

True retro flair for only $150.

Now where have I seen an oven like this before?

As Seen on Morning Glory Circle...

Of Course, Mrs. Stevens has a slightly more deluxe model in her kitchen.

Bewitched, happens to be one of my Favorite classic television shows!

Image from Kitchen and Residential Design blog post of Samantha Stevens' kitchen in Bewitched.

Image from Certain Ladies blog post of the Flair and Samantha in action.

Image from Kitchen and Residential Design blog post about The Frigidaire Flair.

I am pretty impressed with my "As Seen On TV" sighting and scores over the last week. It is like going to Hollywood and spotting the T.V. stars walking down the street. (kinda)

 As if the hunt for fantastic vintage treasures wasn't already fun...now there is a reason to shop and catch up on my T.V. viewing...

Geeze, I don't know how I am going to squeeze blogging into that tight schedule.
Let me know if you have any sweet as seen on T.V vintage beauties in your shop or home!

Sew What?

Hello again! How has everyone been? 

I know it has been quite a while since my last post... I just wanted to let you know that I haven't had a slack attack. Things have been hopping for The Unique Bird lately and I have been a busy little girly sewing, sewing, sewing...much to the chagrin of my 1982 Kenmore Ultra Stitch 12. As my little vintage sewing machine ch-chunks along, I feel it is sending me subliminal messages..."why don't you go and play on the computer and let me get some rest?". Sorry little Kenmore, we have miles to sew before we can sleep because there are some exciting things happening for The Unique Bird!

Sew, what is all the excitement about?

Our handmade wine bottle accessories have been at hit at Meza Wine Shop in Westerville, Ohio! 

Picture via Meza's Facebook Fan Page.

We have been creating a fresh new selection of our handmade upcycled sweater wine bottle cozies and Bloomin' Wine Bottle Stoppers (exclusively sold at Meza) that are perfect for Fall. Thanks Meza! Keep selling those delicious bottles of wine and we will keep those bottles dressed in the best handmade wine bottle wraps and sweater cozies from The Unique Bird.

Last weekend we were a vendor at the Fall Flea in the Short North, in Columbus, Ohio.

I was busily adding some new handmade vintage fabric home decor accents to spice up our selection for Fall and complement our assortment of vintage home decor.

Our booth at the Fall Flea October 2011.

We were so excited to feature a selection of  beautiful handmade feedsack handbags and totes from our talented friends at Objet Adapte, in our booth!

We also featured a selection of handcrafted crochet neck warmers and  bracelets from Mama Bird. Yes, my super talented mom crocheted these cozy accessories for our booth! I am thinking she needs to get a shop on etsy too.

Thanks so much to everyone that stopped by at the Fall Flea! 

If all of that isn't enough to get excited about...I am proud to announce....

drum roll please....

You can now find unique handmade vintage fabric pillows, 

One of my new vintage fabric throw pillow designs that is now available at Wholly Craft!

upcycled sweater wine bottle cozies 

and our signature handmade vintage fabric wine bottle wraps 

at Wholly Craft in Clintonville, Ohio!

Wholly Craft storefront photo via Craft Caucus.

And starting next Tuesday, 10/18/11, you will be able to buy a selection of our handmade vintage fabric pillows, 

vintage fabric appliqued garland

and unique vintage kitchen goodies 

at Celebrate Local, in Easton Town Center, in Columbus, Ohio.

Image via Celebrate Local.

Celebrate Local is a new seasonal shop at Easton Town Center that showcases the best of Ohio produced handmade and artisan goods. The Unique Bird is so thrilled to be a part of this new shop! 

I hope that if you live in Columbus, or if you are just visiting our fine city, you can stop into one of these awesome retail shops and take a peek at some of our unique handmade and vintage wares!

Sew, What's Next?

Well, in a few weeks we will be a vendor in the Grandview Holiday Bazaar.

It is bound to be one sweet shopping experience! 

The Holiday Bazaar takes place on Saturday, November 12th 2011 from 10 a.m to 3 p.m.

1240 Oakland Avenue, Grandview, Ohio 43212

I plan on sewing up some fantastic new vintage fabric goodies for this event to amaze and excite you. (fingers crossed)

Sew, now you are all caught up on some of the exciting happenings and opportunities that have come our way!

I have not forsaken my little blog...but I am going to warn you that over the next few weeks my posts may be a little bit spotty, as the sewing factory in my nest will be in full swing. 

I will try my best to post when I can and eventually I will get back on some sort of a schedule...but for right now I am just going to take my Dad's advice, "Just do the very best you can every day".

Thanks so much to my customers, readers, family and friends for your support and patience...The Unique Bird wouldn't be where it is today without all of you.