Thursday’s Unique Picks – Scrappy Do!

Greeting to you all from my little nest in SnOw Hio!

Sure it would be a good day to curl up by the fireplace with a good book, but it is Thursday and I have a blog to write...

Great 1977 children's book, "What can you make of it?" found in Bountiful Books & Papers on etsy.

Today’s Unique Picks may have started out as just a bunch of scrappy bits and pieces, but these great etsy sellers have made some love out of nothing at all (if you will). When I say nothing I may be exaggerating just a little bit. These creative sellers have taken often dismissed or discarded vintage scraps and repurposed and upcyled them into some quite unique pieces!

Don't have your own vintage junk? Well, you can find a delightful selection of Dorothy's "junque" to fill your drawers and upcycle into masterpieces, in Surrender Dorothy etsy shop.

Just to clarify these buzz words if you are not familiar…

Repurposed: “To give new purpose or use to… <repurpose the archived material>” as defined by the Merriam- Webster online dictionary. First known use of this word was in 1984. How about that?

 Upcycled: " is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or a higher environmental value" as defined by Wikipedia (one of my never fail sources for information). The first recorded use of this term was in 1994. This word has not yet made it into the official Merriam – Webster Dictionary, but I bet its coming.

I guess in some cases some upcycled items can also be considered repurposed.

My excessive nerdiness can be quite exhausting some days.

The truth of the matter is, that upcycling and repurposing really isn't a new concept though. Throughout history people have been creating useful things out of other items. We just now have some snazzy words to describe this process.

Image found on PBS's website. Check out the link to see what it appraised for...

This is actual depression era repurposed upcycling in action, that I saw it on an episode of Antiques Roadshow, a few months back. This is a cigar box that was lovingly converted into a functioning mandolin.

Fast forward to today...newly upcycled finds in all shapes and forms from etsy sellers

Wearable Upcycled

Found in Lovely Nest Designs etsy shop. A sweet little jacket delightfully detailed with vintage lace.

What a dream..in shades of cream. Slip into this former vintage slip transformed into a gorgeous dress from Velvet Ruby on etsy.

Vintage knitted afghan upcycled and repurposed into a cozy cape from SAXIIB on etsy. I once attended an auction and the auctioneer was commenting that someday someone would appreciate all of these old afghans. Ta Da! He was right.

Accessorizing upcycled with repurposed...

or vice vresa. You know what I mean.

This adorable vintage clutch from In Love Again's etsy shop, is given a unique one of a kind touch with applied cuttings from a vintage Children's book illustration.

This striking cuff bracelet, found in Lena Sekine's etsy shop, was handmade using a combination of vintage 1950's men's kimono fabric and silk screened handmade Japanese washi paper.

Even the littlest ones can get in on the upcycled vintage accessory action. The sweet little booties were crafted from a reclaimed embroidered vintage linen tablecloth. You can find these in LeilaBadblood's etsy shop.

Are you bookish? Even if you aren't an avid reader, you will be delighted by this great find from The Lint Balloon on etsy. This handbag has been upcycled from a vintage book.

That sweet little book bag is kind of my transition into upcycled repurposed home decor and decorations... but before I share anymore picks from etsy... I had to show you this.

Yes, Pottery Barn has been at it again with their 'pick it for you' vintage finds.

New on the Pottery Barn Website. Book Bundles...hmmmm...Where are the covers? $39. How can they do it for so little? (sarcasm). I am just waiting for them to block me from their website.

In case you missed my blog post on Etsy Vintage vs. Pottery Barn Vintage, you will find that they are trying their best to get in on the vintage selling trend. And with this new listing...well, it doesn't claim that these are repurposed or upcycled, but these bundles are described as "authentic vintage books and turned them into art objects by removing their covers and binding them together". Exactly what I was thinking when I saw this "art objects". Not to mention that these stacks of vintage paper are, "Purely decorative; contents and titles are not important". This just gets me all fired up, especially when there are folks that are actually making lovely and unique art objects using vintage books...and they tend to know the titles of the books.

Now this is an actual Art Object created by Lisa Occhipinti, was found in The Shop House on etsy. I love this "Bookmobile" that was created using a 1943 book. Even though this book was upcycled into a piece of art, the seller actually knows the title and has included a brief summery of the novel. Novel idea.

Pretty and playful! This large upcycled wreath was created from an adorable illustrated vintage children's book. It can be found in PhotographicAmy's etsy shop.

What a cozy reading light! This is a bright idea From mostaza seed's, etsy shop! It is a vintage tea cup turned into a decorative light.

Here are a few upcycled bits and pieces to decorate for special occasions...

These adorable little crown shaped confetti were upcycled from vintage wrapping paper scraps. These are from Jardin de Papier's etsy shop.

My shop, The Unique Bird's upcycled holiday offering.

Let's just say that this heart shaped vintage fabric garland was kind of the inspiration for today's post.

Over the summer I picked up a bag of little vintage fabric scraps at a tag sale and wasn't really sure what I was going to do with some of the tiny scraps. It turns out that they were just the right size for cutting out little hearts for garland. To top it off...or back the vintage fabrics up, I actually used some lovely bright red suede that I cut from a vintage skirt!

I am pretty excited with the way they turned out, and REALLY excited that I was asked to make some of these garland for Sobo Style! Sobo is a unique store in Central Ohio that specializes in old and new home furnishings and gift items. The icing on the cake though, is that I have been asked to sew up another batch for their great shop! Sew I better get back to work on that.

I hope that you have enjoyed today's great upcycled and repurposed finds!

Take a peek in that junk drawer. I am sure that the upcycled possibilities will be endless. Even the smallest scraps do make some pretty great items!

Etsy Vintage vs. Pottery Barn Vintage

Things that make you go Hmmmm...

At this point, I think we are all aware that vintage and handmade are kind of a trend these days, but imagine my surprise as I was recently thumbing through one of the seventeen Pottery Barn catalogues that get delivered to my house every week, and saw not just the usual vintage "look" decor, but actual vintage pieces. WHAAAAT?!?!

Wow, I never thought I would be competing with Pottery Barn for vintage sales.
This week's Unique Picks from great etsy sellers takes a slightly different twist so I can get this off my chest...

Screen shot of Pottery Barn's Main Page.

Now I admit to having my share of Pottery Barn pieces in my home, mainly due to the fact that the Hubby and I registered there when we got married. Let's just say I was young and wanted that vintage look, but wasn't really privy to finding the vintage pieces I craved. It's been almost ten years since I registered for my wedding, I am now a little older, a little wiser and a bit thriftier. I realized that it was way more exciting to discover actual vintage pieces that were unique instead of buying "vintage looking" items that were a bit over priced and mass produced. I do understand the convenience factor of buying new "vintage look" items when folks are pressed for time and they aren't really concerned about having a unique piece, not to mention some folks are kind of creeped out about buying used pieces (fair enough).

Screen shot from Pottery Barn's "Vintage Finds" listings.

Pottery Barn selling vintage pieces online is a bit weird to me. No offense, but this is the kind of stuff they are going to buy to knock off anyway...

Sure they are bringing the idea of buying actual "vintage" to a much larger and mainstream customer base that already wants a vintage look. I know that a lot of people would love to buy vintage but don't always have the time to spend hours scouring flea markets, garage sales, or even go to antique shops, but that is where websites like Etsy, Ruby Lane, Go Antiques, Ebay and many, many more...have made buying vintage a little more convenient for many people with busy lifestyles. With all of these smaller internet retailers selling a plethora of vintage online with better selections, and often at better prices, why would someone decide to buy from Pottery Barn? Brand recognition? Cheaper shipping (maybe because they ship loads from their warehouses everyday and I am sure have a bulk shipping rate)? Folks may also be a bit leery about buying vintage pieces online because they can't inspect the item in person, but the fact is, with these vintage pieces that are sold (online only) from Pottery Barn, what you are actually getting is a bit of a crap shoot...

"Found Enamel Jug" listing from Pottery Barn.

In the item description it says...

"We purchased these vintage pieces from a collector who gathered them from small villages in Central Europe.

Milk Jugs range in size from 1 to 3 quarts.
Buckets range from 9" to 11" high
Water Jugs range from 9" to 11" high
Originally used by farmers for storing and serving milk, water and food products.
Each piece showcases slight imperfections that capture true vintage character.
Approximately 40 to 90 years old, they range in size, shape and color.
Red, Blue or White; let us choose for you."

Say Whaaat??? Did it say "let us choose for you" and what you get will range in size, shape and color?? Woah there...If I were to list a vintage item in my etsy shop and say something like that...well I don't think that would fly.

Are Pottery Barn Customers really buying their "vintage" sight unseen?

Listing for three vintage enamelware mugs from The Unique Bird on etsy. What you see is what you get, and the listing is pretty specific to the size and condition of the piece.

Sure they are taking part in the vintage and antique buying process, buying from a "collector", that's what all of us vintage sellers do (it's not like I have an endless supply of vintage goodness buried in my back yard).

I just wanted to share a few of the kind of vintage items they are now selling online at Pottery Barn "Big bucks grab bag vintage," and their etsy competition...

"Found Soda Bottle" from Pottery Barn.

 Antique soda bottle "found" in Strange Vagaries etsy shop. Less expensive than the PB option, plus you know what you are getting. 

"Found Soda Crate" from Pottery Barn. You should read the customer reviews on this item...not everyone is happy with the "you get, what you get" way of selling special vintage pieces.

Vintage Pepsi crate Found in Rhapsody Attic's etsy shop. 

Vintage Royal Crown soda crate from bluebell's etsy shop.

"Found Wooden Skis" from Pottery Barn.

Vintage wood skis found in McLovebuddy's etsy shop.

Assorted mid century "Found Cameras" from Pottery Barn. Don't worry they will choose one that's right for you!

Beautiful 1960's camera found in Corr Nucopia's etsy shop.

I love that more people are falling in love with vintage, but I think it's kind of sad the way Pottery Barn is taking such an aloof approach to selling their vintage.

Please, Support Small Business! Please support the vintage sellers that take the time to list each individual item, photograph, describe with care, and even do a bit of research on the history of these pieces, so you, the buyer, knows how special these pieces truly are.

Spread the good etsy word!!