Monday, September 29, 2014

A Fun Filled Weekend At The Maker Faire


Phew!  Ben and I are pooped from two big shows two weeks in a row!  But we had lots of fun at the second show too...the Bust Craftacular at the Maker's Faire in NYC.  We'd never been to the Maker's Faire before and until we got there I didn't even know what it was.  Ben was in heaven...because the Maker's Faire is a geeks paradise!  It's a world expo pretty much on all things technology.  There were tents and tents filled with random computer parts (it was all Greek to me).  People doing robot demonstrations and my personal favorite, the 3D Printing Village.  It was like nothing I've ever seen before. 

 
The Bust Craftacular was located within the Faire and offered a nice respite for all those family members who were accompanying their geeky kids or spouses and for those who wanted something to remember the event by. 

 Mr. Ghost spent the weekend with us and though we tried, we couldn't shake the worrisome expression from his face.  I think the robots disturbed him...he died in 1843 afterall...
 
 Mr. Octopus was right at home though.  :)

 
 Our friend Elena of Folkloric Jewelry shared a booth with us, which was lots of fun!!  I'm proud to say that I own several of her beautiful beaded and wireworked creations.

And Olive had the best time of all of us!  She strollered around the place quite a bit and got lots of attention from many admirers.  My favorite...as the Faire came to a close, I was pushing her in the umbrella stroller back to the booth and a big burly guy was directing people and traffic and he shouted to me, "you and your gorgeous baby move to the left!"  Haha...this is a proud mama!

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Halloween Blog Sale!

Hanging Pumpkin Girl (orn) - SOLD

Have you decorated for Halloween yet?  No matter the answer, I am so happy to show off this latest Halloween collection.  Lots of creativity went into these pieces and I hope you'll find one or some that will fit your collection perfectly!  I am loving Halloween so much this year!!  I hope you are too!  :)

As usual, this blog update offers first dibs on our new spun cotton one-of-kind figures. If you see something(s) you love, just email us at crystalandben@vintagebycrystal.com and we'll let you know if they're still available. First come first served! we'll update item status in this post as often as we 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".  Click on photos to enlarge. 
 
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 via first class mail and should arrive within a few days.  If you prefer 1-3 day priority shipping, please let us know (there will be an additional $3 charge).  We send Paypal invoices via email unless you specify that you'd rather pay via check. And of course email us if you have any questions!

Happy Shopping!


Jockey Girl - SOLD
Miss Halloween Hula - SOLD

Tricky Treat - SOLD
Ghost and Gal - SOLD

Miss Turnip (Paper Mache Head) - SOLD
Gary Ghost (Paper Mache Head) - SOLD

Miss Jinxie - SOLD
Miss Verna - SOLD

Witch Apprentice - SOLD
Cat in a Basket - SOLD

The Growler Monster - SOLD
Pumpkin Jack (Paper Mache Head) - SOLD

Miss Lilura - SOLD
Grave Digger - SOLD
The Summoner - SOLD

Kitty Child - SOLD
Miss Medeia - SOLD

Black Cat Man - SOLD
Halloween Spirit (Paper Mache Cat O' Lantern) - SOLD

Sabrina - SOLD
Bianca - SOLD

Mr Stumpy (Paper Mache Base) - SOLD
Piping Penny (Paper Mache Base ) - SOLD

Miss Bumble - SOLD
Miss Jack O'Rope - SOLD
Miss Bliss - SOLD

Miss Aster - SOLD
Miss Helenium - SOLD

Moe -SOLD
Larry - SOLD
Curly - SOLD

Mickey Moon (Crepe Paper Basket) - SOLD
Picky Nicky - SOLD

Miss September - SOLD
Miss October - SOLD
Miss All Hallow's Eve - SOLD


Miss Faba - SOLD
Pirate Patrick - SOLD

Pail Mary - SOLD
Miss Jeannie - SOLD

Devil Nevil - SOLD
Satan Clayton - SOLD

The Collector (Painted Light Bulb Head) - SOLD
Joe Cool (Painted Light Bulb Head) - SOLD


Matt Demon (small orn) - SOLD
Miggle Maggie (small orn) - SOLD


 Miss Trudy Witch (orn) - SOLD
Mrs. Thimble Witch (orn) - SOLD

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Halloween Blog Sale Announcement!


I've been going crazy making Halloween things in the past month or so.  My Halloween materials bin is getting pretty low, which sounds like a bad thing, but really it means all the "easy" materials have been used up and now I have to be extra creative to use what's left.  Not to toot my own horn, but Ben and my mom both independently commented that this latest group is the best Halloween collection yet.  I've had these little Chinese jack 'o lanterns hanging around the studio for years (yes...years).  They were always too big for figures to hold, too flimsy for them to sit on.  I didn't know what to do with them!  Finally, after staring at them next to a blank figure...it came to me...a fairy skirt!  Now I have three little Halloween fairies that I find just darling!!  Same goes for all the weird little paper scraps, flower and plant pieces, things on stalks, weird sized baskets...even these two tiny spun cotton black bodies I made a long long time ago (they turned into a mini skeleton and a black bat).  I've used almost everything and it looks awesome!  I also used all the paper mache goodies I whipped up earlier this summer.  I hope you'll come by and take a look and snatch up your favorites!  :)

The Blog offers first dibs as usual and if you'd like to be notified about upcoming blog updates and special events, just sign up for our 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: 
Wednesday, September 24th - here, the blog - 11:00 am EST

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Vote for Us!!!

http://www.marthastewart.com/americanmade/nominee/95309/crafts/vintage-by-crystal

We are so excited to announce that Vintage by Crystal has been selected as a finalist for the Martha Stewart American Made Awards and now we need everyone's help! From now until October 13th voting will be open for the Audience Choice category.  You have 6 votes each day (that is the potential of 162 votes per person).  If everyone participates, we may have a shot!  It takes seconds.  You do have to initially register to vote, but they only ask for your email and then to confirm.  Please pass this along to everyone you know.  Wow...wouldn't it awesome to be winner?  Sigh....  Thanks so much! 

Here's how it works:
    • Click on the image above or click on the American Made badge on the top corner of the blog
    • click on the blue "Vote" button under our profile. 
    • Register with your email and create a password for login

    • You have 6 votes each day, so select "Vote Again" on your confirmation page
    Not only will you be supporting the work of American makers, you'll also automatically be entered to win a new prize each week worth over $300.

    Remember, Your vote Matters!

    We Had a Blast at Renegade This Past Weekend!

    Phewie!  Ben and I are still recovering from a busy weekend in Brooklyn!  Renegade was great!  Saturday had a rainy forecast, but it didn't actually rain until mid-afternoon, making it a great day for easy shopping.  And there was so much amazing work there!!  I spent more money than I probably should have...but hey, I deserve it!  Sunday had a sunny forecast and everyone seemed to know it because boy o boy was it crowded!  Ben spent most of the time manning the booth while I was roaming about with Olive.  Pushing even a tiny stroller through thick crowds was an interesting challenge, but Olive loved every minute!  She loves new people and seeing new things and just being out and about in general.  Plus we picked up an awesome new bib for her that just might be more for me than her.  Hehe.

    Mention Update for next wednesday

     
    Our booth was chock full of goodies...half the table was covered in Halloween!  A lot found new homes, and I'm hoping to have some left after the Bust show this weekend because....we're having a Halloween update next week!!!  I think it will be on Wednesday.  I have even more Halloween pieces half done on my work table, so I'll be finishing them up on Monday and Tuesday to add to the mix. 

     
    This great photo was taken by Instagrammer @sophie_morris_.  Isn't it pretty?  I'm thinking of the Lion King right now when all the animals congregate to the big rock after Simba in born...

    Boo!!

    And speaking of Halloween...I am sooooo feeling it lately.  The mornings have been so crisp and chilly here...we turn the heat on for a bit when we wake up just to nip it out of the air and it feels so so good.  Subtle smells and feelings that just scream "Autumn is practically here!"  Ben spotted some orange tinge to some of the foliage nearby.  I am more excited for the fall season this year than possibly any year before.  Olive may have something to do with it.  I love it!!

    Anyway...thank you so much to everyone who stopped by at our Renegade booth this weekend!  Hopefully we'll see you this weekend too at Bust!  Or at Renegade during the holidays.  So much going on!  Until then....





    Monday, September 15, 2014

    BUST Magazine Craftacular This Weekend!

    The three of us are heading to the city again this weekend for another amazing show!  The Bust Magazine Craftacular World Maker's Faire at the Hall of Science in Queens has amazing venders and hello...science!  I'll be working like crazy this week to make lots of brand new pieces.  And a bonus...our good friend Elena, who just launched her whimsical jewelry collection (Folkloric) will be sharing our booth...I'm in love with her "little o" earrings!!  If you weren't able to make it to Renegade this past weekend, or even if you did, we hope to see you there!

    Thursday, September 11, 2014

    Brand new goodies at Renegade!

    I've been making lots of new Halloween goodies...using the materials from the bottom of my Halloween goodies stash, which I always feel results in some of the best and most creative pieces I make.  I had some large-ish faux Chinese Jack-o-lanterns that were really too big for my figures to hold and I couldn't figure out what to do with them.  Finally it hit me...fairy skirts!  It was perfect!  Now I have three little Halloween fairies with super cool pointy orange skirts.  A vintage black toy horse with no tail....hmmm...that one was sitting around for a while.  But finally...that's it!  The Headless Horseman needs a black horse!  Add a crepe paper tail...and we now have a super cool figure!  Two little wicker pumpkin baskets?  Fill them with black kitties!  I'll be bringing all the brand new Halloween goodies to Renegade this weekend.  For first pick, I hope we see you there!  :)

    Brooklyn Renegade Craft Fair
    September 13th & 14th - 11am - 6pm
    50 Kent Ave
    Brooklyn, NY 11249



    Monday, September 8, 2014

    Brooklyn Renegade Craft Fair This Weekend!

    Ben, Olive and I are heading down to the city this weekend for the Renegade Craft Fair in Brooklyn!  This show is amazing and I can't wait to let Ben man the booth for a little while so Olive and I can roam the aisles shopping and just breathing in the creativity and inspiration.

    We hope to see you there!

    Thursday, September 4, 2014

    Olive and Winnie!

    Sigh...these two sweet faces are all I need to know life is good.  So good....

    Tuesday, September 2, 2014

    Do I hear a peep?

     Peep peep!  Things are coming alive here on the "farm"!  Ginger, the newest edition to our little flock had only started laying for a few weeks before she decided that everyone needed a little more excitement around here.  I went out to get eggs one day and she was sitting in the nest box that all the hens use (I have two, but they only ever use one...go figure).  Figuring she was in the process of laying an egg, I decided I'd come back later once she was done and off the nest.  That afternoon I came back and she was still on the nest.  Hmmm....I guess I'll wait until tomorrow.  I think you know where this is going.  Tomorrow came and she hadn't moved.  Then I realized that she was broody and was wanting to hatch those little eggs out.  I was delighted of course!  Chickens are not as easy to come by around here as you'd think and my flock only had four hens and a rooster with plenty of room for more.  
    Ginger is the lowest hen in the pecking order and so when the other hens needed to lay their eggs, they'd kick her off the nest.  One hen isn't laying right now, so that meant that Ginger was laying on the eggs from herself and two other hens.  Yay!  I let the eggs accumulate for a few days until it looked like she couldn't possibly fit anymore underneath her (it was about a dozen).  Then I put magic marker lines on them and every day I'd go out and take out the eggs that didn't have marker on them (the other hens were still kicking her off the nest).  Twenty one days later.....chicks started hatching! 

     
    The mama's being a good mama!

    What's that peeping out from under her wing??

    Sorry mama...we've just got to see what's underneath!

    So incredibly adorable.  I'm hoping to handle them enough so they'll grow up friendly...Ginger doesn't seem to mind too much.  


     They all have the same papa, a blue splash maran (this breed lays maroon colored eggs), but three different breeds of mothers, Ginger is a Buff Orphington/Brahma mix, Cleome is a Brahma, and Jenny is an Araucana.  The chicks mostly look very similar, but some are a little tanner than others and some have feathered feet.  When you mix marans and araucana, you often get hens that lay olive colored eggs...I'm hoping for some of that!  We'll see!  Hopefully most are hens, as I can't keep many or maybe any roosters... :(

    Peep peep!