Saturday, September 29, 2012

New on Etsy!

I've been posting a whole bunch of new animals on Etsy, including a prong horn antelope, moose, bat, swans, loon, and wildebeest.  The wildebeest was sort of an accident.  Someone asked me to make them a Takin (google it) and instead I made a wildebeest!  Oops!  lol 

I also posted a new birthday girl, unicorn girl, pink owl and will be posting a handful of new one of a kind Halloween pieces next week...keep your eye out!  :)


Friday, September 28, 2012

The Guest Room

 A while ago Ben went on a trip with his mom and brother for about a week.  While he was away I took advantage of having one less distraction (Ben) and went to work ripping out the flooring and painting and building in the tiny guest room that started out quite shabby and depressing. 

Shabby and dull before shot.

Pretty and welcoming after shot!

 It's a very tiny room, and therefore very hard to photograph.  Winnie was looking cute for a second...but dashed off right as I snapped the photo, lol. 

Last year Ben and I waited for hours for this dresser to come up for bid at the auction down the road.  We were both so nervous that someone else would bid it up real fast!  But alas, we brought it home for $2 and it's worth every penny.  Ben glossed the top, I added a $3 mirror that I bought ages ago and I still need to work on the handles.  The reason we got it so cheap?  When it sat up on the stage for bid, it was extremely lopsided.  Two of the casters were missing.  But I knew where they were...inside one of the drawers!  I opened them during the preview time and found them there.  It took literally 30 seconds to put them back on once we got home!  Score!

The little midcentury stool off to the side was Ben's great uncle's and the two frames hold tiny Diane Arbus photos of mentally disabled people in Halloween costumes (Ben used to work with them, so it fit!). 

Ben and I got the full size bed from a garage sale last year for 10 bucks.  The old man we bought it from said it was his boyhood bed.  It's been in the basement waiting for it's time to shine.  The stretching wall lamp was from Brimfield...and I painted the running dog when we first moved to Boston and needed to fill the large wall space in the dining room.

I have more typer's drawers than I care to admit...but they are finding homes around the house...including bedside here in the guest room.  It houses my most precious miniatures including a bisque circus and wooden animals my friend from Germany sent me.  The blue pillow on the bed was $2 from the thrift store down the street and features birds that were embroidered using all french knots...it's very pretty!  I may re-edge it in the future as that type of ruffle is very 90's...but we'll see.

Two tiny vintage alarm clocks add some insurance if a guest need to wake up early.  I constructed very simple end table shelves from scrap wood and brackets I found at an antique store (I was looking for them that day just for this project and actually found them for $6!)  The hardest part was hanging them up...I swear there are no wall studs in my house!!  Seriously, none!  Argh!  

If you look close you can see a ghostly Winnie.  She was looking adorable with her head popped up behind the bed...but alas, she's too quick.  But this photo does give me the opportunity to show you the floor a little.  I ripped up the carpet that I hate so much, the foam, and the luan to reveal some so so pine plank floors.  The section underneath the bed is very patched up and not so pretty...but luckily the bed covers it!  I painted the whole thing white just like I did in our bedroom and it brightens up the room and looks lovely.  The little black rug was 50 cents at a yard sale.

The ugly closet got a transformation too.  Before:  A rod and shelf that was poorly anchored (again, no studs).

And after!  No longer a closet, but a reading nook!  Extra blanket stored underneath.

Ben was looking online one day and saw that someone else had done something similar to their closet and wanted to do the same in this room.

His wish has come true!  Except I added shelves to both sides...we always need room to keep things!  I added the paneling and little ledge shelf too (that was part of the original idea).

There is still room for more goodies, but here's what I put there in a hurry...lots of childrens books (why I have so many...I don't know!) and some fun colorful toys and things.  I love it!  I do still need to make a cushion for the bench and add some pillows...but that might be a winter time project...

You can see how tiny the room is!  I painted the walls a very faint blue.

 And lastly, I switched out the ugly pillow light fixture for a small chandelier I found at a church thrift store for $10.  I spray painted the brass a dark green and polished the crystals a bit...doesn't it look lovely!

Ben had quite the surprise when he came home and was very happy with the result...as I'm sure all of our guests now are (we've got some coming this weekend in fact!)  :)

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Come visit a collection of my pieces in Massachusetts this weekend!


It's been a while since I've been to the state I used to call home...but this weekend a whole bundle of my characters are going off without me!  The sweet Amy will be offering them up for me at her booth at Pettengill Farm's Vintage Bazaar this Saturday and Sunday from 10-5.  If you live nearby, please go and check it out!  They'll have tons of other vintage goodies too and since it's at a farm...will be a great place to scoop up your fall mums and ornamental kale and cabbage.  I so so wish I could go!!  :)


Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Halloween Update!

Halloween Bird Balancer - SOLD
The Haunted Horse Girl - SOLD

My studio is being haunted by all sorts of creatures looking to move on to the after life...maybe they can find peace over at your house? And trick-or-treaters have eaten all of my candy and need a new source for sweet delectables...maybe you have a stash of untouched gummies and lollies? There's a bountiful pumpkin harvest this year too...but my mantels and doorsteps are full...maybe they can rest on yours? The devil is looking for souls to steal and witches have already cast their fair share of spells on me...new victims are needed. And new this year...the undead have finally emerged from the earth and have already eaten all of my brains...they are hungry and need more. Perhaps they can have yours?

All sorts of fun, scary, sweet and whimsical stuff is going on in my head right now and on the studio shelves right now, and I have many goodies up for grabs today. Hope you find someone to steal your heart, soul, or brains! ;)

As usual, blog readers get first dibs on my new spun cotton one-of-kind figures. Click on photos to enlarge. If you see something(s) you love, just email me at vintagebycrystal@yahoo.com and I'll let you know if they're still available. First come first served! I'll update item statuses in this post as often as I can to make it easier for you to know what's available. Items often get scooped up quickly, so make your selection as swiftly as you can, you can always add available pieces to your order later.
Also feel free to include second choices in case your first choice is unavailable, but make sure you label them "second choice".

Shipping is $3.50 for one item and $1 per additional item up to $6.50, then additional pieces are free. All paid orders will ship out immediately and should arrive within a few days. I send Paypal invoices via email unless you specify that you'd rather pay via check. And of course email me if you have any questions! Happy Shopping!


Owls:
Harriet - SOLD

Percy - SOLD
Bromley- SOLD
Pumpernickel - SOLD

Helga the the Horrible (paper mache head) - SOLD
The Too Many Jacks - SOLD
Balancing Kitty - SOLD

Little Black Riding Hood - SOLD
Hermena - SOLD

Miss Spider Surprise - SOLD
Miss Wise Gal - SOLD
The Long Legged Beastie - SOLD

Miss Jack-o-Lantern Bell - SOLD
The Royal Pumpkin Princess - SOLD
Miss Skelley - SOLD

Mr. Prim Pumpkin - SOLD
Mrs. Prim Pumpkin - SOLD

The Brush Brothers - SOLD

Miss Midnight Moon - SOLD
Sour Sally - SOLD
Tim the Grim - SOLD

The Masked Feline - SOLD
Boasting Barb (paper mache head) - SOLD

Sally Spirit - SOLD
Glinda the Party Witch - SOLD
Little White Devil - 26

Miss Fall Leaves - SOLD
A Gathering of Ghosts - SOLD
Miss Pumpkin Garland - SOLD

The Devil's Cauldron - SOLD
The Witches Cauldron - SOLD

The Witch and her Cat - SOLD
Miss Fanny Pumpkin - SOLD

Portia Prat with Bat - SOLD
The Haunted Angel (large) - SOLD

Miss Kitty Black - SOLD
Batty Patty - SOLD
The Spider and the Fly - SOLD

Miss Trick or Treat - SOLD
The Girl and her Witch Doll - SOLD
Miss Full Moon Flower - SOLD

Freddie Flame - SOLD
Bebe Bulb - SOLD

Miss Mum - SOLD
Miss Cats for Brains - SOLD

Katelyn - SOLD
Miss Owl Hoot SOLD
Goldie - SOLD

Zombies:
Brainless Brad - SOLD

Undead Ned - SOLD
Rotted Rachel - SOLD

Friday, September 14, 2012

Halloween Update Announcement!

It's truly time to start getting into the Fall and Halloween mood! Start thinking about how to decorate your mantel and doorsteps. Plan your costume for the big night. And pick the last of the pumpkins and squash from the garden. I've been whipping up some fantastical new Halloween and harvest pieces...some scary, some charming, all very festive! I hope you'll come and check out what I've got! :)

Blog readers get first dibs as usual and if you'd like to be notified about upcoming blog updates and special events, just sign up for my mailing list on the right side of my blog, or leave a comment with your email address.


New one-of-a-kind pieces will be available for purchase on:

Tuesday, September 18th - Here, the blog - 11:00 am EST

See you here on Tuesday! :)


Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Fresh from the Pumpkin Patch!

Freshly plucked from the vine! My mom brought these over the other day and I must say...they are super swell and full of expression! They are made of needle felted wool (solid wool and very light and sturdy) and have amazing detail. The babe has a tiny tooth inside that cavernous mouth and I get the feeling that the big fella just finished a big lunch...maybe an innocent gourd that was in the wrong place at the wrong time?

These fabulous sculptures are up for grabs right now it my Etsy shop. Check them out! :)

Monday, September 10, 2012

Meet Winnie!

Meet Winifred! Or Winnie for short. This super sweet little girl has come to live with us and we couldn't be happier to expand our family!

She's been hanging out with me in my studio today, sitting on my lap most of the time. She's a real lover and LOVES people... She especially loves Ben and was so excited when he came home from work today! It was nice to see. Ben is in love too. He's been wanting a dog for quite a long time and finally on Saturday he said "let's go to some shelters!" He didn't think he would bring home a dog that day, but knew the possibility was there. We went to three shelters altogether. The first two had adult dogs (mostly Pit Bulls) that were more interested in sniffing around than in us. Plus the ones we were interested in had masters that still might come to claim them. The third place we went to had millions and millions of puppies! It was a place called Adirondack Save-a-Stray. It was a converted house and was so cozy and comfy with throw rugs and dog and cat chotkes everywhere. None of the cats were in cages, but in a huge cat paradise play room. I don't think I'd want to be adopted if I were one of those cats! The puppies all came from down south (Winnie is from Georgia), where they said that there are a lot of people who try to make new breeds and have a lot of cull puppies that are unwanted by the breeders. We aren't sure exactly what breeds she is, but she's considered a terrier mix (I think she has some schnauzer too). Little Winnie is very well socialized and was never abused or neglected, but she didn't have a forever home down south...and I must say I'm quite glad because we feel very lucky to have this adorable and very loyal pup (she comes when you call her excitedly and follows us everywhere). The cats even don't seem to mind her too much and Sophie has been side by side with her competing for attention (don't worry, the kitties are getting no less love!).

We just love our new little one! :)


Friday, September 7, 2012

Around the Studio Today...

As usual, I've had a busy week! And I can't believe it's already Friday...and already past noon...where does the time go?! I've been really good with prepping for the holidays so far and with all the wholesale orders I'm working on at the same time...the studio is looking plump with creation. I snapped a few photos to show you...














Back to work!!