Thursday, August 12, 2010

How Do You Do?

Hello! My name is Rachel, and I blog over at Transient Expression. This usually includes outfits, DIY projects and tutorials (especially accessories), and a little bit of food. An introduction seemed in order since I recently joined The Etsy Register to promote my shop, Labwear. That's where I sell vintage finds, but I differ a bit from a lot of the Register participants in that I also sell my handmade items, too. I make vinyl luggage tags and bowties/hair bows from vintage recycled men's neckties. Here's a little taste of what my shop contains right now.

Luggage tags, perfect for making sure your bag stands out from the pack:




Vintage dresses:









I'd be thrilled if you'd visit my blog or shop, and please stay tuned for the debut of fresh handmade items and vintage in the very near future.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Etsy Essentials: The Best Polka Dots!

Polka dots are fun no matter where you find them, be it home decor or your wardrobe.  So, thank goodness we have lots of amazing Etsy sellers to continue to supply us fun polka dot patterns ranging from rompers and rings, to blazers and bathing suits.
17. Vintage Navy Polka Dot Ruffle Skirt Dress from Miskabelle Vintage

Want to participate in a future Etsy Essentials themed post?  Email us at theetsyregister@gmail.com to be added to the email mailing list.  In the subject line, write "Add me to the email list!"

Sunday, August 1, 2010

The Grass is Always Greener: Etsy Essentials to Get Your Best Look in Green

Can you believe that summer is halfway over already?  It's hard to believe!  It's time to start putting together our autumn wardrobes, or at least find some pieces that we can wear make the transition from one season to the other.  And what better color than green?  It's definitely one of those hues that looks great with your summer or fall essentials.
18. Vintage 70s Sage Grecian Dress from Darling Nikki Vintage

Want to participate in a future Etsy Essentials themed post?  Email us at theetsyregister@gmail.com to be added to the email mailing list.  In the subject line, write "Add me to the email list!"

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Etsy Essentials for your Mad Men TV Night

With the premiere of Mad Men behind us, any blogger or vintage maven out there is most likely sitting on the edge of her seat and waiting the second installment of Season 4.  I won't give any spoilers here if  you haven't seen it already, but I'm already feeling good about this season!  And here are some lovely wares that will be sure to keep you in style for all your Mad Men watching.  Think Betty, Peggy, and Joanie!

10. 1950s Handmade Cocktail Dress from Archives

Want to participate in a future Etsy Essentials themed post?  Email us at theetsyregister@gmail.com to be added to the email mailing list.  In the subject line, write "Add me to the email list!"


Saturday, July 24, 2010

Vintage Suede Skirt Giveaway!

Calling all vintage sellers! I have this gorgeous black suede skirt that, with some fixing up, will make a nice piece either to sell or wear. It's a high waist pencil skirt. There are only two real problems with it. One tiny problem is that the slit at the bottom in the back is coming undone slightly, maybe half an inch. That's an easy fix. I only mention it here because I want there to be no surprises later!

The other (larger) problem is that the zipper is broken. The zipper pull is only attached to one side of the zipper. I'm not sure if there's a way to fix this or if you'd have to put in a whole new zipper. Honestly, once I realized that even if I did fix it it'd be way too small for me, I kind of stopped trying.

Anyway, if anyone at all wants this skirt, you can have it! Just email me and I'll grab your address and send it to you. If you don't live in the U. S. I'll probably ask you to help pay for postage, but if I just have to mail within the U. S. I'll cover postage. This skirt is so beautiful I just want it to go to a good home!

Love, Lauren from A Curious Fox.

Friday, July 23, 2010

Midsummer Night's Sale and Shop Update!

Hi everyone! I just listed a bunch of new items in my store and I am also running a promotion until August 19th. If you use the code "MIDSUMMER" at checkout you will recieve 25% off your purchase!
             1.   Vintage Floral Romper      
                                    2. Vintage Floral Button Down Dress             

Thanks for looking! Stop by and say Hi on my blog, Thriftaway Vintage!

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Seller Spotlight: Rachel, of MouseVox Vintage

Today, let's have a chat with Rachel, of the Etsy shop MouseVox Vintage and the Blog of the same name. Rachel always finds the cutest vintage goodies that are always right on trend.

Q: How and when did your love of vintage start? Can you remember the first piece of vintage you fell in love with?

A: My sincere love of vintage started when I was a teenager with an affinity for creating looks for myself that were considerably out of the box. My taste in dressing was largely derivative of the music and culture that I chose to surround myself with and putting together these looks was much easier when pieced together from thrift store finds that anything else -- thus, birthed my discovery and passion for vintage!
I honestly can't remember the first piece that I fell in love with, but I can clearly remember the first piece that fascinated me -- my grandmother's mink stole. I was TERRIFIED of it as a child! Later in life, the terror turned to curiosity and I often used this piece as a prop or wardrobe piece for the many plays I would direct starring my younger cousins.


Q: How long have you been a vintage seller on Etsy?

A: I've been selling on Etsy for about 2 years now, but only consistently for a little over 1 year. Before that, I kept an eBay store, which I unregrettably closed this month. I also do shopping by appointment, which is my favorite. I love actually seeing my customers in my wares. All in all, I've been selling vintage as my full time job for 4 years.


Q: How long have you been a blogger? Has it changed the way you get ready in the morning?
A: I've been blogging for almost 2 years now, but only in the past 6 months have I felt like it's started to become an important part of my day. I don't think it's really changed how I get ready in the morning, though. I can say that having my morning coffee while catching up on my favorite blogs is one of my favorite ways to start the day, though.


Q: If you had the choice, in which decade would you like to have been a teenager?
A: This is a difficult question. There are many decades in which I wish I could have been alive for purely aesthetic reasons, but factually speaking, I am a woman and I honestly would not have wanted to deal with many of the struggles that females had to deal with in decades past. I'm going to go with the 1960's on this one, as it was such a pivotal time politically as far as women's rights are concerned. The 60's were a time of great change characterized by ethnic consciousness, civil rights and female liberalism. I think it would have been incredibly exciting to have been a part of this movement. You can bet I would have been at the forefront of any demonstration necessary to encourage these changes!

Q: What is your all time favorite vintage find?
A: This is a tough call to make, as I have so many pieces that are truly special to me. My most coveted vintage possession is a platinum & sapphire ring that my grandfather gave to my grandmother – it’s locked away in a safety deposit box though, so it doesn't get a lot of wear. Another piece in my collection that is quite special is a very rare Emilio Pucci for Formfit Rogers negligee that I found on a thrifting trip for $2. While I don’t often wear either of these pieces, I truly treasure them and each one reminds me of why I love vintage – the excitement of finding that needle in a haystack kind of gem at a thrift store, the emotional value of an heirloom and the history behind each piece.


Q: What song/artist can you never get sick of?
A: Another hard question! I listen to everything from freak folk to black metal to hip hop, depending on my mood. I can say that Otis Redding has written a song for every mood I've ever faced and his songs, whether they be sad or happy, always make me feel nice inside. Plus, they're fun to dance to.


Q: Your favorite fashionable film?
A: Recently, I've been fascinated with Czech New Wave cinema and came across Vera Chytilová's 1966 film, Sedmikrásky. It's quite surreal and, in my opinion, touches upon the inherently hedonistic nature of human existence in a very playful and visually stunning way. Here's a link to a video with excerpts from it, as you should really see for yourself:




Q: What keeps you busy, aside from blogging and running an Etsy store?
A: I love to create with my hands, particularly with textile, so I do as much sewing as I possibly can in my free time. I'm a bibliophile tride and true and often have my nose stuck in a book when I have the time to relax. I'm also an avid yoga practitioner and started kickboxing classes a few weeks ago, too. Lately, I've been traveling quite a bit, which I always enjoy.


Q: Any tips for Etsy shop owners?
A: The most important advice I can give is to try to always stay positive. Keeping an online shop is a lot of hard work and isn't always easy. You will come across speed bumbs, sometimes you'll have to deal with cranky people and if you want it to be a full time job, then you'll have to expect to work more than you would at a basic 9-5 gig. Remember, you're doing something that you're passionate about, so you should only put out positive intentions when going forward with it.



Be sure to stop by MouseVox Vintage, where Rachel is having an AWESOME $10.00 & Under Sale!!

If you'd like to be featured in our Seller Spotlight, shoot us an email and let us know! Remember, our participants should be both Etsy shop owners (vintage and handmade!) AND have a style blog!

-Annie, Little Ocean Annie