garage sale girly

School girly crushes

Yes it's officially fall...
The leaves have started to change but I can promise you one thing, the Garage Sale Girly hasn't!
Back to school time always brought about new crushes for me and I have to admit that it still does.
The only difference is now I fall in love with great vintage treasures.
I found it funny upon closer inspection of all of the booty I came away with from Brimfield, that I had aquired quite a few new "loves".
I always think that I am very random but as it turns out, I definitely exhibit some distinct "patterns" and end up with little collections.
If you have read some of my previous blogs you may know that I have been extremely drawn to vintage wall paper lately.
It appears now that I have switched over to a less permanent type of paper product.

Vintage wrapping paper.
This crush may stem from my love of kitschy conversational prints and illustrations or just that I still haven't forgotten my first job at the Hallmark store.

And then there are the paper dolls...
Is it my love of clothes and vintage fashions or is it the desire to be little again cutting out paper dolls with my Grandma Esther?
Either way I think these uncut sheets of paper dolls will look really cute framed up to decorate the bed room or play room of some lucky little girl.

Another discovery I made were these vintage metal curtain tie backs.
I am going to equate this crush to a boy you may have seen everyday in class since you were in kindergarten. He was always around but one day it hits you over the head, "gee wiz he is pretty cute!"
It was the same with me and these curtain tie backs. I know that these are things that have probably crossed my visual path hundreds of times at flea markets and in antique shops, but I guess it wasn't until the day I figured out what I could do with them was the day the crush began. They make adorable push pins on a cork board! What a way to make something I use everyday a little more stylish.

As all of my readers might have heard, my favorite sister will be taking a stab at connubial bliss next year. This vintage pipe cleaner wedding party was a no- brainer for me.
I have been very attracted to all things wedding and of course, a bit out of the ordinary wedding decor.

They will make great decorations at a wedding shower or tied onto a package instead of a bow.

What girl doesn't like accessories?
These celluloid accessories are from the 1940's and have their original packaging.
Doesn't it give you the urge to start wearing barrettes in your hair?

Bits and bobs

Beautiful little glass beads & buttons.

Fantastic plastic flower charms.

I am not sure what I am going to do with all of these little bits and bobs but I will be sure to put my crafty hat on and come up with something great.

I have to say I fell head over heels for these.

When I saw all of these plastic buckle sliders sitting in an old tin I had an instant brainwave.

I used to have quite a few more than this but since I instantly knew how I was going to use them I got right to work.

take a look at some of the below sliders in action!

I was trying to come up with different ways to turn my huge collection of vintage fabrics into adjustable, reusable wine wraps to use as unique hostess gifts. These buckle sliders were the perfect touch!

even two buck chuck will be considered a great "vintage" in these wraps

If you would like to see more or are interested in picking one up visit http://www.theuniquebird.com/

and select the "shop" link.

I am frequently adding to the "hostess gets the mostest" collection so check back often to see new wraps as well as my other great collections of vintage and repurposed home decor!

I better get back to the salt mines...This Garage Sale Girly has to give her wraps some love!

girly's got booty

Last week I was lucky enough to attend a little antique show in Brimfield, MA.

The funny thing is, this show isn't small at all .

It was listed as one of the top 25 antique shows and flea markets in the world in the September 2009 issue of Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel (click to link if you want to read about the other 24)

Just a short walk away from Hooya's and Jiggity liquors amazing treasures await.

Dawn poses, ready to start out on our adventure along a mile stretch of the two lane highway that houses hundreds of antique vendors sprawling across 21 "fields" on both sides of the road.

My pulse quickens...this was any vintage collector's dream come true.

Dawn was going for work (she is a textile designer) and I was happy to tag along in search of great booty for my new company,The Unique Bird

Just another day in paradise for me.

This was my kind of table. Fabric, aprons, quilts...

What a spectacular sight, so much Jadeite dishware. I love how they look, especially when all grouped together on this red polka dot table cloth. But I couldn't be distracted by this sea of green from the task at hand...unique finds for you to decorate your nest with.

(and especially since I swore I wouldn't buy anything breakable)

This was a really cool repurposed metal filing cabinet. I loved the pop colors. The best part about this piece is that these are individual sections that all stack together. It's not breakable...

I don't know why but I really liked this chair. There was something really cool about it. (or maybe I just needed to sit down)

This one wasn't going to fit into my suitcase but I had to try it out.

Do you like my flannel? The look I was going for was..."don't hassle me I'm local".

But I think my excitement as I approached each tent gave me away. (and my accent)

Awash in white! What a shabby chic dream.

Ahhh, art. I don't think this one would make it into any of Cowan's auctions any time soon.

(maybe I should ask my sister)

A little slice of heaven.

I did actually stop & ponder if my little sis would allow me to wear this in her wedding. (Why not... I am the Best Girl)

This over sized pirate babe brought me back to reality. I was here in search of booty for The Unique Bird!

Here is a sneak peek into the garage sale girly's treasure chest.

This is what I call "unique"!

It was a successful journey!!
If you want more information about upcoming Brimfield shows you can visit their official website

http://www.brimfieldshow.com/

That site has it all, except the correct Massachusetts pronunciations of common words ie:

car = caaah

bar= baaa

sure = shoo-ah

beer= beee-ya

I am not making fun. We were urged by some of the local residents to practice our accent.

We were also informed that we shouldn't refer to Brimfield as "the show" in those parts it is known as "the flea".

Hope you enjoyed the adventure about a garage sale girly looking for some booty.

Can't get enough of Brimfield mania, check out this Youtube video from a few months ago about

Brimfield's 50'th anniversary.

What's hiding in my liquor cabinet

Precious Moments figurines were first created in 1978. The same year I was born.

Somehow this connection isn't really all that precious to me.

I don't want to insult any one's collection because god knows I have some doozies, but Precious Moments really aren't my cup of tea. I think that part of my distaste for these little creatures stems from working throughout high school at a Hallmark store dealing with crazed customers clamoring for the latest special edition piece.
and then we got ours...

We were given this Precious Moments figurine to celebrate my hubby & my engagement. It was a very thoughtful gift expressing meaning and love but was just not our taste. Knowing the thought was there when this was purchased for us we couldn't just return it. We kept it, but tucked it away into our little liquor cabinet. Hence it did get occasional visits.

My kind of figurine is a bit more obscure, or shall I say,on a another planet.

For example, this pair was purchased for me by the hubster. I know that they are book ends but I currently do not have them fulfilling their purpose. I do consider them as part of my very important kitsch/ figurine collection.

This vintage figurine could melt your heart. It is an adorable baby elephant. He definitely had some condition issues when I purchased him. You can tell that he has had some reconstructive surgery on his back side but I felt the connection when I looked into those big brown eyes and knew I should buy him.

This squatty little birdy is perched up on my living room shelf. He was once part of a salt & pepper shaker set. I love picking up these lonesome pieces that used to be part of a pair because they make great conversation pieces on their own. (and you can usually get them at a really great price)

Another one that lost their twin.

This former salt shaker, little pineapple head, sits on my kitchen window sill and greets me while I do dishes.

(I just noticed the shape of the head on this one does bear a resemblance to the heads on the Precious Moments)

My final figurine is this crazy cat. As you can see the original purpose of this piece was a place to store you chewing gum when it wasn't in your mouth. I can honestly say that I have never taken advantage of this little guy.

This figurine will someday soon find his way onto The Unique Bird website. Doesn't he look like one of the characters on the Rice Krispies box? I know there is a customer out there that has a special place in their heart for Snap,(or is this Crackle or Pop?) or might be looking for a little elf to help out in the kitchen.

This is a pair that did stay together and could be coming to your house for the holidays this year. Keep your eyes open for these snow people at The Unique Bird when we set our holiday collections.

I can't believe I am talking about Christmas and it is only Sept, 3rd

I was able to figure out a way to give my little Precious Moments a new life

As you may recall, my little sister got engaged and I felt I should pass along the love to her.

Is that contempt in her eyes as she opens this gift?

I explained my plan to her. It could become a progressive heirloom and get passed along to the next close friend or family member that gets engaged and so forth and so on. I even thought it would be nice if each couple put their names on the bottom & their wedding date for a sentimental touch. We would be creating a precious moment for many others in the future.

She liked the idea so much that she left this very precious gift at my house when she went home.
Never fear, it will find it's way to her house.

Crafty in Columbus

Steps away from downtown Columbus OH, the hubby & I visited an event called Urban Scrawl
in Franklinton.
It was a great way to spend a beautiful end of summer day by checking out artists practicing their craft, local vendors featuring their handmade goods and local live bands.

here are a few pics I snapped of the artists in action, creating large murals that may someday be hung on buildings around Franklinton.

There was even a spot set up where visitors could get in on the painting action

though there weren't a tremendous amount of local vendors on site, I was reminded by yet another fortune I got on Friday night...

There definitely wasn't any shortage of quality hand made local goods.

One of the vendors happened to be one of my former work colleagues that is starting up a her own business.

her business called Objet Adapte features a selection of recycled & vintage fabrics that have been adapted into amazing handbags & accessories. This bag is one of my favorites.

Hint, hint...my birthday is rapidly approaching.

If you are interested in checking out some more of her bags and accessories you can see them at http://www.objetadapte.etsy.com/

merchandised along side of these great bags from Objet Adapte was lingerie and lounge wear from almightyquinn. They sell handmade clothing & lounge wear made from new, recycled & vintage fabrics. I love the ruffle front tunic pictured above. To see more from the almightyquinn you can visit http://www.almightyquinn.etsy.com/

more news about local columbus crafters in the September issue of Lucky magazine

here is the article

it is located in the Shopping Report section on page 112.

Non Fiction Design Collective has an absolutely inspiring selection of housewares & porcelain.

Take a peek at their collections at http://www.nonfictiondesigncollective.com/

From current artist and crafters to ones from the past,here are a few pieces I picked up this week at various auctions from local artisans

I bought this painting titled "Bronze lady" dated 1969.

I still can't decide if she is creepy or cool...or maybe a little bit both but I think that is why I was drawn to it.

At another auction this week, where one of the featured items was this gas lamp that was once located at the Ohio State Fair grounds at the turn of the century, I found some really great hand made pieces from another Columbus resident.