A peek at the process

A little while ago, photographer John Burke came to my house to do a photo shoot of "an artist at work". He directed and staged and shifted things around a bit and was able to get some really nice shots. Here are just a few. :)

- In the living room -
This is where the spinning starts, usually with me in my pajamas and the TV on.

- Painting -
Some pieces never get painted, but Mr. Foxy sure does.

- Getting dressed -
One of my favorite parts is dressing up all the characters. This bunny is getting a pretty antique tinsel sash.

- Details -

Ok...maybe this is my favorite part. Adding the finishing details. This custom cake topper required lots of individually glued leaves, but the result was great!

- Voila! -

The proud creator/crafter/mom of this little Easter gal...and of course countless others.

Thanks John for the amazing photos!

End Table

My poor family photos are forced to share the living room end table with a hoard of naked spun cotton bodies, all destined for John Derian's shop in NYC. Phew! Make sure you stop in if you're ever in New York. He's got some super interesting items! And then go to Obscura, it's only a few blocks away. Ok...back to work for me!

Thank you!

Thank you so much everyone for a successful update yesterday! Most of the characters found new homes and any others that are still searching will go up on Etsy soon, along with some new everyday figures (including a bee, a ladybug and a talented poodle).

And I'm already planning my next update...for Saint Patty's Day! Stay tuned! :)

Easter and Spring Update!

Easter Egg Hunt Girl - SOLD
Happy Spring Girl - SOLD
Easter Party Girl - SOLD

It's snowing here this morning in Boston and while it's not too springy outside, my studio is bursting with colorful pastels, Easter grass and flowers. The result is this collection of springtime characters, ready to get you all excited about one of my favorite times of the year. When there's only a few small piles of snow left on the ground and the crocuses start poking their purple and yellow heads out to say "hello". That's what these guys represent and I hope you enjoy them as much as I have! :)

As you probably know by now, blog readers get first dibs on my new spun cotton one of kind figures. 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.

Shipping is $3.50 for one item and $1 per additional item up to $6.50, then additional pieces are free. And of course email me if you have any questions! Happy Shopping!

Miss Polka Dot - SOLD
Sunshine Bunny - SOLD
Bright Butterfly Girl - SOLD

Flower Boy - SOLD
Flower Girl - SOLD

Miss Proper in Blue - SOLD
Mushroom Boy - SOLD
Easter Loot Cat Girl - SOLD

Chocolate Bunny Cat Girl - SOLD
Mr. Carrots - SOLD

Miss Silver Spring - SOLD
Atop the Egg Girl - SOLD
Miss Pink Bunny - SOLD

Miss Oopsie Daisy - SOLD
Prima Ballerina of the Garden - SOLD

Miss Daffodil - SOLD
Sweet Umbrella Cat Girl - SOLD

Miss Magician Cat Girl - SOLD
The White Rabbit - SOLD
Miss Dove Cat Girl - SOLD

Too Many Chicks Girl - SOLD
Happy Easter Cat Girl - SOLD
Miss Easter Bonnet - SOLD

The Chocolate Sisters:
Nutella - SOLD
Thora - SOLD

Pretty in Pink Cat Girl - SOLD
Happy Spring Girl - SOLD
Easter Basket Cat Girl - SOLD

Miss "Put Me in Your Easter Basket" - SOLD

First Easter Update!

My studio went from red and pink to sunny pastels overnight! I know it's still February, but spring really is around the corner and I've got visions of puffy yellow chicks and pretty posies dancing in my head. And to prove it, I'm having my first Easter update of the season!

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:

Monday, February 21st. Here, the blog. 11:00 am EST.

See you here on Monday! :)

Obscura, NYC

Ben and I were down in New York City this past weekend. While we were there we spent some time walking around downtown and thought a visit to this store would be fun. Obscura Antiques and Oddities is a wildly unique store that focuses on antique medical and natural history objects. Strange surgical instruments, possibly even some for brain surgery, real human skeletons and mummified heads, and unique and old taxidermy. It was amazing!

This store is also the feature of a new show on the Science Channel that Ben and I have been watching called Oddities. If you haven't already seen it, I suggest you watch! It's so interesting. And strangely enough, we were only allowed to stay in the store for about 20 minutes before they kicked us out to film. The store is even tinier than it looks on TV and they needed some room to move. What were the odds that they'd be filming on that day? If you see a guy with a pinstriped suit and a pony tail on the show...he came in last Friday! lol

This mummified human head was the first thing to grab my attention. It even had eyelashes! The large domes flanking it were just as amazing and I immediately wanted them. Real birds in a natural history museum setting complete with dried grasses and plants. I reeeeeally wanted them...but their price tags were a tad high. :(

The small amount of floor space in the store brought you up close and personal with the old skeleton in the casket. It was dusty and amazing. I wonder who it belonged to and when they lived?

This strange orthopedic shoe was quite interesting too. I wonder who had to wear it?

Wouldn't you just love to have this entire display case in your living room? Those wax face casting at the bottom were calling my name too.

Interesting wall art...

A denture key chain anyone?

One of the most amazing stores I've ever been to. Next time we'll have to stay longer and hopefully find something to take home to add to my own collection of oddities! :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

What a day...the day of love.

While my fellow, Ben, certainly loves me, he doesn't really like to celebrate Valentine's Day. He still hasn't used his "fresh baked cookies" and "free massage" coupons that I gifted him last year. Oh well. I guess I'll have to celebrate the day of love here with all of you instead! I suppose I'll do that by showing you my little Valentine's Day feather tree.
I made this table top feather tree for Christmas a few years ago and last year I decided to leave it out and decorate it for Valentine's Day. It was such a success that I decided to make a tradition of it! I collected all of my heart shaped and small pink and red ornaments and filled the tree with them.

Most of my ornaments are extremely old...like this venetian dew covered cardboard heart from Europe.

Some Victorian era glass ornaments grace the tree with their presence right along side a newer rose shaped ornament (on the right) that only looks old...I think because someone stored it in a wet basement, causing the paint and silvering to flake off. Luckily I think it looks more charming that way!

The little piggy ornament is my favorite. It came with my antique Christmas feather tree but I thought it was much better suited for Valentine's Day.

A collection of handmade vintagey figures sit at the base of the tree....

...made by Magpie Ethel, Hatu, and yours truly!

And finally a lonely fellow all dressed up with no where to go. Still searching for his Valentine I presume.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day Update!

Girl with Letter - SOLD
Shout it from the Rooftop Girl - SOLD
Girl with Pretty Apron - SOLD

Valentine's Day is almost here and with it comes my last Valentine's Day batch of goodies until next year. I really enjoyed creating all the special details on these guys and gals. Click on the photos to get a better look. All items scooped up today will be shipped out first thing tomorrow morning and should reach your doorstep prior to Valentine's Day. Plus, you'll see a little surprise at the end of this post!
I hope these characters tickle your fancy as they have mine! :)

As you probably know by now, blog readers get first dibs on my new spun cotton one of kind figures. 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 get scooped up quickly, so make your selection as swiftly as you can, you can always add available pieces to your order later.

Shipping is $3.50 for one item and $1 per additional item up to $6.50, then additional pieces are free. Small orders will be shipped first class and will probably reach you before Valentine's Day, but if you would like guaranteed delivery before the 14th, please let me know and we can upgrade to priority. And of course email me if you have any questions! Happy Shopping!

Cupid Bunny Girl - SOLD
Striped Stockings Bunny Boy - SOLD

Valentine Bunny Boy - SOLD
Basket of Hearts Bunny Girl - SOLD

White Angel - SOLD
Clown Girl - SOLD
Snow White Valentine - SOLD

Be Mine Angel - SOLD
Girl with Puppy - SOLD

Circus Headmaster Girl - $28
Pink Blossom Juggler - SOLD
Fire Breather - SOLD

Pink Lace Princess - SOLD
Garden Girl - SOLD
Mary Contrary - SOLD

Key to Your Heart Girl - SOLD
Valentine Fairy - SOLD

Sweet Angel Girl - SOLD
Teddy Bear Girl - SOLD
Heart Girl - SOLD

Valentine Cat Girl - SOLD
Red Cat - SOLD
Dove Cat Girl - SOLD

Paskal the White Owl - SOLD
Pinky the Pink Owl - SOLD
Germaine the Red Owl - SOLD

Easter Cat Boy - SOLD
Silver Glittered Egg Girl - SOLD
Snappy Dresser Easter Boy - SOLD
Sweet Spring Bunny - SOLD

And surprise! The very first signs of spring! This mini collection welcomes spring whole-heartedly and Mr. Bunny especially would "jump" at the chance to get into your Easter basket this year!