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!

CUSTOMER PHOTOS

I love when customers send me photos of the items they've bought from the shop. Here are a few of my favorites...

YELLOW

There's lots of sunny yellow items in the shop to brighten up your winter blues...

Large Lemonade glass tumbler :: $7 at Kitsch Café
Lemon illustrated carafe :: $11 at Kitsch Café

Four Heller side plates :: $25 at Kitsch Café
Japanese flower power canisters/tins :: $15 at Kitsch Café

Wooden salt and pepper shakers :: $16 at Kitsch Café
Dansk snack tray :: $21 at Kitsch Café

LITTLE HOUSE

I found this little Japanese toy house a few weeks ago while thrifting. Not exactly sure what it is or its age. It kinda looks European. I was going to put it in the shop, but I couldn't resist keeping it... it's too cute and too mod.

KITSCHY THRIFT SCORES

Some of the (few) kitschy thrift finds from September that were/are in the shop...

:: The child's clock on the far left fooled me. It's actually a reproduction from the early 2000s. Doh! I really need to read the fine print before buying.
:: I love the gold pirate ship. I had to talk myself out of keeping it for myself. It's currently in the shop.
:: The awesome apple clock was in the shop. It sold and was sent to Australia.
:: Anything rainbow sells quickly, and the rainbow tray went fast.
:: These granny chic red bowls are in the shop.

:: This print by Medeiros will be in the shop shortly. I couldn't pass it up because it has an uncanny likeness to a neighbor kid that lived across the street when I was little.
:: A child's suitcase in GREAT condition, in the shop.
:: Groovy lemon juice carafe, in the shop.
:: A unique Thermos container that has a handle, which I've never seen. In the shop.

WHAT I DIDN'T BUY :: KENTUCKY EDITION

For those of you who don't know, Cincinnati is on the Ohio/Kentucky border. The southern suburbs are in Kentucky. So the other day I decided to head down south and check out seven thrift stores in the Bluegrass State.

The thrift gods weren't with me... I only found one item in all the seven stores where I stopped (perhaps I used up all my thrifting karma a few weeks ago). I also stopped at a thrift store back in Ohio closer to my place and found a few more items. But this post is about all the stuff I didn't buy, so let's not get sidetracked...

KY schools start earlier than most... in fact some of my teacher friends start teaching this week. So these Thermoses got my attention right when I walked in the door of this shop. Thermoses never sell well in the shop, and I've never really been a fan myself. So they stayed put.

Another school-like object, these tiny file drawers were a nice stand-out. I'm pretty sure they held 8.5 x 11 sized paper. They'd be great for a home office or studio.

I always come across a lot of religious art in the area... it's the Mid-West, after all. This kitschy Last Supper made out of crushed plastic pieces stood out. But its size would make it awkward to ship. And the crewel flowers were nice, but it didn't scream at me to take it home.

The pepper mills were also cool, but they just didn't have that je ne sais quoi. The bird was cool, too. It was signed by someone in Peru. But, same as the pepper mills, it just didn't speak to me.

These lamps were interesting. I almost bought one of the desk lamps. The other one didn't work. I had just bought a great lamp at the place where I stopped right before this shop or else I would have bought it.

What are some thing you didn't buy last week?

GIANT VINTAGE CLIPS

A few weeks ago while thrifting I found the giant black clothes pin above. It's not vintage, but I couldn't resist its charm. I also recently sold a brass giant paper clip in the Kitsch Café shop, then found another one last week. I'm thinking maybe I should keep it and officially start a "giant office supplies" collection... hmmm...

Here are some other giant clips and pins I found on Etsy. Enjoy...

Can you imagine a collection of these large vintage paper clips grouped together on a windowsill or bookshelf? That'd make me faint from the awesomeness.

Giant vintage brass paper clip :: sold from Kitsch Café (this is the first one I found)
Desktop note holder :: $9.99 from thisotherthing
Giant paper clip :: $15 from Kitsch Café

Maybe I should just focus solely on collecting large clothes pins. These are hilarious... I love everything about them.

Blue paper clip :: $14 from collectedfat
Large clothes pin :: $10 from elensolete

Over sized safety pins? GET OUT!

Giant paper clips :: $6 from deweydecimals
Giant safety pins :: $6 from deweydecimals

CHRISTMAS IN JULY

Stop by the Kitsch Café shop and check out the Christmas in July sale. 25% off selected items through July 31.

DOG DAYS OF SUMMER

It's HOT here in the fly-over states! Here in Ohio it's supposed to be 100F (38c) tomorrow. Yikes! I'm sitting directly in front of the air conditioner as I write this. To cool everyone else off, I thought I'd pull together some items from Kitsch Café and KitschWear...

The perfect beach tray :: $20 at Kitsch Café

A flowery sleeveless dress perfect for a backyard BBQ :: $36 at KitschWear

The best beach bag you'll ever own :: $20 at KitschWear
Who wouldn't like rainbow espadrilles? :: $38 at KitschWear

Stripey tumblers for your iced tea with the girlfriends :: $12 at Kitsch Café
Lightweight 1980s dress for casual Friday :: $32 at KitschWear

A mod variation on the Hawaiian shirt :: $18 at KitschWear
Sip piña coladas next to the pool in these collectible coconut mugs :: $25 at Kitsch Café

ANIMAL KITSCH

Kitschy animals have taken over the Kitsch Café shop!

Kitschy Green Dog Coin Bank, $12 :: Great way to keep your change, sitting on top of your dresser.
Bulldog Ceramic Planter, $13 :: He'd be super cute holding some fresh spring flowers. Or use him to hold pens and pencils on your desk at work.
Vintage Puppy Dog Squeak Toy, $10 ::  It makes the best sound when you squeeze it... just the most perfect squeak ever
Cat and Mouse Coin Bank, $9 :: Great for your change or just for dressing up a window sill or bookcase!

THRIFT ROUND-UP :: JULY 4TH WEEKEND

Whenever I travel regionally, I usually make it a point to carve out some time to thrift. Last holiday weekend, on the way to and from my parents, I stopped at about eight Dayton-area thrift stores. Here are some of the better items I found...

Check out this great floor lamp. I love its modness. There is no label or mark. It was kinda expensive at $25, but I felt it was worth it. It reminds me of those fold-up music stands you used to practice your band instrument at home. I'm not sure if I will keep it or put it in the shop.

These four black candle holders are a mystery. They look alike at first glance, but there are actually two sets of two. One set has the original price tag on the bottom that reads, "Oaxaca $6.00" and the second pair has a price tag that reads "Sanborns $150.00"... Yikes! So are these some kind of fancy mid-century modern candle holders or are they tourist trinkets from Mexico?

I found these great plates by Berggren and almost passed because I thought they weren't vintage. iPhone to the rescue... I looked it up and found they are indeed vintage. And I couldn't pass on these two great coffee mugs.

I have a fondness for items covered in type... especially when they are mod. So the in/out file box and the "salad" bowl came home with me. They'll make great additions to the shop.

Everyone loves paint-by-numbers, so these three made the cut. I like the European seaside setting of the large piece and the two smaller ones are a nice pair.

I found a lot of other great stuff, but these are the items I wanted to share with you. What have all of you thrifted recently?

RED YELLOW ORANGE

Lots of bright red, yellow and orange items in the Kitsch Café shop lately. Check 'em out...

1 :: Woah... loving this amazing Danish Modern Erik Kold red mixing bowl.
2 :: Add some vintage charm to your next party with this great bright orange Serving tray with cutting tile.
3 :: Super mod and super designy Vignelli designed Heller plastic plates for your table.
4 :: I'm thinking of keeping this amazing Coca-Cola bottle carrier so somebody better snatch it up, now before I officially become a hoarder!
5 :: This versatile and Expandable coat and hat rack would be amazing in any modern home.
6 :: These Striped glass tumblers are a great way to add some vintage charm to your next outdoor/summery dinner with friends.