WHAT I DIDN'T BUY :: INDY

Hey everyone... I'M BACK! Sorry it's been a YEAR since I last posted. I'm not sure why I stopped updating the blog, it's not like my hands got cut off in some crazy bad ass honey badger accident and I couldn't type.

Anyhoo, I'm just going to start right back in with another edition of WHAT I DIDN'T BUY (at the thrift store)...

A few weeks ago I went to Indianapolis for the weekend to see a friend perform as the Baker's Wife in Into the Woods (she was amazing!) I went up in the morning and spent the day thrifting. I found some great stuff! And I will show you that great stuff at the end of this post. But first, you cheeky monkey, I need to show you WHAT I DIDN'T BUY...

This hutch was great. And it was only $70. But I have no room nor reason to purchase said hutch. So I took a photo and away I went. 

This little guy with a cork head looked like he was supposed to be something vintage and amazing. But I didn't know if he was vintage or retro or something that's worth a billion dollars because he's rare and Scandinavian or something. So I left him. And the large tumbler was fun, but just didn't get my juices flowing (see what I did there).

The wooden tray bowl hybrid was awesomely mod, but it had a nick. And I like the clock, but not that much to buy it for the shop.

Ok, so now on to some of the amazing things I did find in Indy...

Why yes, that's an Alvar Aalto designed Iittala votive candle holder. It's not vintage, but it was only $1. I also found an amazing "TOTE" bag that's perfect for my MacBook. I also kept that brown and blue and tan mod vase. And also that giant paperclip. The black and multi-colored pot, the Orchids of Hawaii tiki mugs and the white enamel kettle are all in the shop.

What DIDN'T you buy recently at the thrift store recently?

WANTED :: TIE TESTERS

 Two years ago I made a batch of ties out of vintage fabrics. I posted a photo on my Flickr page and it became my third most viewed photo. Everyone was asking when I was going to start selling them. At the time I was too afraid of all the hand sewing required so I didn't finish them.

A few days ago I posted the image on Instagram and Facebook and once again, they were a huge hit. I got out the needle and thread and sat my ass down and started sewing. It wasn't that bad and didn't take that long. It went faster while watching a DVD.

I will make more and start selling them but I need to test them first. I want to improve the pattern and know if there are any potential issues.

I need three testers that are willing to wear the a tie over the next 2-3 weeks and then report any issues. I will send you the tie. All you need to do is report back to me. You can keep the tie.

The first THREE readers who comment to this post will receive the ties. I will choose which tie you get. Please be sure to leave an email address. USA and CANADA residents only.

UPDATE :: all spots are filled. Thanks!

WHAT I DID'T BUY :: ART

I'm always on the look out for unique vintage wall art. It sells fairly well in the shop and is a great way to decorate my own place. It's an inexpensive way to add some original art to your home which can make a huge statement especially when it's larger or when you group it together on one wall.

Below is some art I found while thrifting but didn't bring home with me...

I collect hand painted portraits. But that doesn't mean I buy everyone I see. It depends on the price, then condition and what my gut tells me. This is a great thing to keep in mind for other collections that you might have... don't buy everything just because you want a collection... only buy what you love.

The two portraits above were alright, but they didn't speak to me. I liked how jolly the man was but it just didn't have that certain something that I want to see. And the child was just kind of creepy.

I don't mind prints, especially when they are kitschy and quirky like these. But these pieces are more Shabby Chic/Bohemian than I like. They'd do well in the shop, but they were too expensive.

I'm always attracted to string art. My dad made a bunch and hung them in his office. Whenever I see one I always think of him. The two above were in poor condition so they stayed at the thrift store.

I love mod, abstract art. The mirror above was cool, but also had a county-fair-not-cool vibe that I didn't like. The Japanese style print was also cool, but it was really big. I didn't love it enough to buy for myself, and it was too big to sell in the shop.

What DIDN'T you buy at the thrift store lately?

LIVING ROOM REDUX

Usually about once or twice a year a phenomenon I call a "feng shui attack" envelopes my life for a few days at a time. It usually is triggered when I feel that I have too much "stuff" and need to purge.

I'm currently in the middle of one such attack (my car is filled with bags and boxes full of stuff to donate.) While I was cleaning out the living room I decided to take a few hours and rearrange. Which a minimum amount of effort, I made it a bit more inviting and comfy. It seems to work a bit better now and looks more professional.

The tulip table I bought months ago has finally been reassembled. It's not the best use of a dining table, but it will do for now.

Instead of buying new throw pillows, I just whipped up some new ones using an old striped sweater and an old Urban Outfitters bed coverlet.

I also dug around my fabric stash and found some awesome old IKEA fabric that I am going to use to finally cover the cushions of the Danish modern chair I've had for years. When I leave this apartment this chair will go with me, so I am going to take my time with this one and make a sample using muslin to get it right before I use the "real" fabric.

I recommend spending an hour or two and rearranging a room in your home. It can make a huge difference.

SALE

All women's clothing and accessories are on sale in the KitschWear shop. I'm clearing space because I plan to give the shop a make over as well as only selling men's items.

Lots of great vintage items for women, some reduced up to 50%. Check out all items in the shop.

WHAT I DIDN'T BUY :: FURNITURE

I have a bunch of "what I didn't buy" photos backing up on my phone. So, I thought I'd put together a few installments by subject. Today... furniture.

These tables could all be great in the right environment. The silver glass combo on the left would be an awesome dining table with some super mod chairs. The green plastic side table could be either super BoHo or minimal mod. The mirrored side table on the right could be totally glam in the right setting.

The wooden chairs on the left would look great around a Saarinen tulip table. And I can picture the yellow office chairs in a mod design or architecture office.

I've always wanted a French-inspired sofa like this. I love mixing antiquey with mod. It would have to be reupholstered in a neutral fabric like tan or gray and maybe the frame repainted.

I always love a good, mod hutch and I see them fairly often. I don't have a need for one, but these two would be great for a dining room or living room. Or how about an artist's studio... I can see two of these sitting side by side holding fabric, paints, etc. It would be cool to paint them something bright, like pink and orange.

I mentioned above I am not looking for a hutch, but I am looking for a smallish sideboard/cabinet like this one. I was standing in the thrift store considering it, when this woman wheeled her cart in front of me and said in a bitchy tone, "Um, I've already claimed that." Ok, whatever, you weren't even anywhere near it when I got there. It wasn't in the best condition anyway.

What DIDN'T you buy at the thrift store recently?

TUTORIAL :: PATCHWORK FABRIC CARD

I've been meaning to make one of these cards for a while. I thought I'd document the process and share it.

This project is a great way to use up scraps of any kind of fabric. I used mostly vintage bed sheets and napkins/serviettes.

Sewing the fabric on to the card stock isn't as crazy as it sounds and is very easy. Make sure you needle is newish so it pierces the paper.

Follow the tutorial after the jump...

BICYCLE

I'm loving these retro bicycles from Public Bikes. I'd love to have one, but let's be honest, I'd never ride it. For now I will just imagine myself riding down the street with a cool helmet and a basket holding a small dog.

BILL ZINDEL

I'm really loving the vintage inspired collage work of Bill Zindel...

WHAT I DIDN'T BUY :: L.A. EDITION

I was in LA again a few weeks ago and was able to thrift in Culver City and Santa Monica and also around Pasadena and Arcadia. We hit up about 8 stores total... the pickings were slim. Seems like it's the same around the country as I've had very poor luck recently in Ohio, too.

Anyway, to all the stuff I DIDN'T buy...

We stopped at a boutique-y type thrift store across from Sony Studios in Culver City which had a lot of cool stuff. I bought a cool TWA carry-on bag but had to leave the great Mikasa sugar, creamer and mug and the HIS mug.

A few church related charity shops turned up some good finds, like a Dansk fish-shaped trivet that I bought for $2. I also found this cool rooster that reminds me of a Dala horse, this fun Copco Michael Lax style kettle and this groovy, folksy, neonish wall-hanging.

This Y plastic and styrofoam signage would sell well in the shop, but it was too large for my luggage. And this silver carafe is super mod and fun but too large to stuff in to my carry-on.

I find these Dansk pitchers all the time without their lids! And this soup mug set is totally fun and would do well in the shop, but again it was too much to carry home in my luggage across three time zones.

I usually see my friend Robert when I am in LA. This time we went to the Helms Bakery to check out some of the cool designy shops.

We saw lots of cool things, like these overpriced pieces of signage and this creepy clown clock.

There were also some amazing things, like vintage school maps and diagrams, some from Europe.

What DIDN'T you buy at the thrift store lately?

MOTHER

Happy Mother's Day to my fabulous mother! Photos of my mom, circa 1978, 1958 and 1969... and yes, that's me when I was approx. 4 years old.

AUCTION

Wouldn't it be great to have the money to spend at an auction full of mid-century furniture and art like this one?! Here are a few of the items that caught my eye...