Maven Vintage

teapot made etsy front page!

2010-09-15T08:49:00.000-07:00

love it!!

my first Etsy treasury!

2010-08-09T12:14:00.000-07:00

after being in several treasuries curated by others, i've decided to put together my own.

with our own patio-redo on my mind, i created:

Patio Daddy-o

More Treasury Love!

2010-07-28T12:30:00.000-07:00

My orange teapot made it to the latest treasury by Benandi.

Ben and Sandi are talented artists with obviously fantastic taste.

Please check out the other vintage citrus-hued kitchen accessories!

Orange Teapot by Maven Vintage on Etsy

The Modern Kitchen by Benandi on Etsy

Treasury Love!

2010-07-23T11:58:00.000-07:00

Fantastic collection by a fellow vintage Etsian! Thanks for including my lock!

Check out the cool assemblage of goodies based on the Emerald City:

Bell out of order please knock by strangersclothing on Etsy

SF Renegade Craft Fair!!

2010-07-18T19:57:00.000-07:00

So excited!

First time that I am not working and I can FINALLY go to this.

Fellow Etsians, see you there.

For more info, click here.

like butter

2010-07-08T13:30:00.000-07:00

I purchased these bakelite butter knives on a recent trip to Denmark. I love their butterscotch color.

I don't need these knives, despite my affection.

So they will be posted on the shop soon.

Unless I change my mind...which is often.

What do you think? Keep or sell?

backyardigans.

2010-07-08T12:16:00.000-07:00

Note to self - never use live links to photos in your blog...because then the photos go away. Boo. Sorry the desk photos and bed photos are gone. I have now learned my lesson.

However, we have purchased a sander and decided not to get another desk right now. Too many other projects around the house to contend with - namely our backyard.

We've torn out most things and ready for complete demo next week. All I've been thinking about is outdoor living. Scrounging around salvage yards, definitely got some inspiration for our trellis/arbor.

We break ground next week - I'll keep you posted on the progress.

small desk

2010-06-03T11:02:00.000-07:00

My husband and I have a lovely office of which we share. Side by side. Quite nice.

Except when he is on the phone.

Which is a lot. It is his job.

So - I've been thinking of getting a small desk for the guest bedroom that can serve multiple purposes - nightstand, a little storage (never can have too much) and back-up work space.

Here is the first one that I found on craigslist that fits the bill:

And it has a pull out shelf:

I want it. But the seller's want $325. Completely reasonable for an original danish modern desk in perfect condition. Just a little more than I wanted to spend. Okay - so maybe a lot more. I was thinking $50.

Here's the link if you want to check it out yo'self.

Sigh. I'll keep looking.

photos - eek.

2010-06-01T11:08:00.000-07:00

One of the most important factors to the success of an Etsy store are the photos.

I haven't had the time to dedicate to it and well - posting has lacked lately. I am incredibly picky about the photos I use and it takes me FOREVER.

This week, I'll be hauling all the goodies out the garage and setting up my little photo shoot. Should be sunny and nice and let's hope I don't screw it up.

Hopefully - I'll have a ton of fabulous stuff to post next week!

Before & After: Bookshelf Bed Frame

2010-05-28T10:19:00.000-07:00

Before & After: Bookshelf Bed Frame

I have to share this post from my new favorite blog - BackGarage.

Makes me want to buy an electric sander.

I mean - look at these pics!

And besides, I have that same tree pillow from Ikea.

alameda flea market. hells yeah.

2010-03-06T19:10:00.001-08:00

I seriously cannot contain myself. I FINALLY got the day off to go to the Alameda Flea Market tomorrow. That place is crack to me.

We are looking for a mirror over the fireplace, a (very) small side table for the living room and anything else that I just can't live without.

If I find treasures, which I usually do, I will post pics asap.

made it to the front page!

2010-02-27T22:19:00.000-08:00

One of the lovely pairs of shoes that I posted recently was part of a very well curated Etsy Treasury made by caffeinequeenie.

The Treasury made the front page of Etsy.com and my shoes sold in a matter of seconds.

Thank you, caffeinequeenie and Etsy!

blah mood averted!

2010-02-03T10:51:00.000-08:00

I woke up on the wrong side of the bed today.

Cloudy outside, might rain again and didn't feel like hitting the treadmill.

Grabbed my cup of coffee, sat down and 'puter and went to my Favorites page on Etsy.

Saw this and it instantly turned me around:

Thank you, Banjo Puppets. Crisis averted. Now on to the treadmill.

Only the Best of Etsy Sample Packages GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

2010-02-03T10:44:00.000-08:00

Only the Best of Etsy Sample Packages GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

What a fantastic idea! I love Etsy and when this fabulous stuff is free...couldn't beat that with a stick.

Check it out.

new (old) stuff!

2010-02-01T08:28:00.000-08:00

Very excited to start posting all the new (old) fabulous stuff that I've acquired lately!

Just posted a super-sweet tea cup with the "Occupied Japan" mark. Very cool.

And my favorite new section - vintage shoes! I happened upon a few shoes from a lady's estate here in Marin. She had great taste. All have these strange numbers written on the bottom...they aren't prices. I have no idea. But they are adorable shoes and I am pretty bummed that none of them fit me.

I just posted this one:

And here is a sneak peak at what is next:

Two words: Bruno Magli.

bedroom redo

2010-01-31T11:40:00.000-08:00

We bought our first home in August 2008. We love our little 1958 California ranch. He is just the right size and luckily required few repairs. Most the stuff we did in the beginning was typical - paint, refinishing the floors, upgrading electrical. We aren't totally done with decor as it is an ever-evolving process (as my husband says, "we are done, right?" No, honey. It will *never* be truly done. )

We just finished round one in our master bedroom, finally making it comfortable and livable.

It is small and tough to place furniture. Our original bed frame didn't fit. Most of our furniture didn't work. It was painted this crazy-person pink - ceilings, walls and all in semi-gloss. Yes, it felt like the inside of a bubble gum bubble. And the walls were dirty. Ick.

Here is a few photos of what it looked at when we first moved in:

We just hated being in there.

Now, after some help from my designer friends (who suggested the furniture layout), here is what we came up with:

What a difference. I took these photos while changing the knobs on the vintage dresser we got on craigslist. We bought two smaller dressers to maximize storage and create a collection of sorts.

Next - tension pole lamp for my side of the bed, actually hang the photos on the wall and change the ceiling light fixture. I hate it.

What do you guys think so far?

New Year!

2010-01-20T13:03:00.000-08:00

I have a REALLY good feeling about 2010.

That same feeling that you have when settling in at the movie theater about to watch the next BIG film.

That same feeling you have when standing in line to see your favorite band.

That same feeling that you had when you picked your seat in that large lecture hall for your first class in college.

Excitement, that good kind of anxious.

Here is what I am working on for 2010:

Establish a routine.
With my chaotic work schedule, it is tough to settle into a good routine at home. So I try to squeeze in stuff when I can...and it never works out. I let the stuff I love slide to the back burner when the "absolutely need to do" takes over. I need to make time for the things that matter to me most.

Stop selling myself short. Follow my bliss. Damn the naysayers.
I don't have to be Berenice Abbott. I just need to pick up my camera and shoot.
I don't need to be an American Idol. Singing in car is fine with me.
I don't need to win the marathon. I just need to cross the finish line.

I have this tendency to think that if I am not naturally talented in something, I shouldn't bother. That type of defeatist thinking takes the happiness out of even trying.

Be happy and have fun.
I let too many things get in the way of being happy. Screw 'em.
I'm going to get a massage, have drinks with my friends and watch Glee more often.

tenacity and target

2009-11-05T13:46:00.000-08:00

i have no idea why it is so hard for me to finish what i start. no problem at work...just in my personal life. here i start this blog, i like doing it, and sadly don't update it enough. wondering if other occasional bloggers out there feel the same way.

maybe i just need to plan my free days carefully...making sure i'm not wasting them roaming the aisles of Target. which is exactly what i did today. :)

i have a love-hate relationship with Target. it annoys me that we live in such a disposable/planned obsolescence culture, but i love how cheap and cute everything is here.

case in point...i am seeing these cutie-patootie boots everywhere:

they are steve madden and cost around $140. i've seen them in several different incarnations. all the cool kids are wearing them.

they look great with black leggings, dark skinny jeans, etc.

i may not be cool enough to sport these, but i am definitely smitten. i said to myself, a few more Etsy sales and I could swing those.

then i walk into target.
yeah. they totally knocked off those madden boots. they aren't leather, but hell...they are worth the $30.

they are comfy, cheap and cute. and will most likely go out of style next year.

can't argue with that.

so i scooped these up and walked out. before i bought something else.

then i thought, i should definitely blog about that today.

and here i am. back blogging...if it took a ridiculous deal at Target to do it, so be it.

ok! actually on thekitchn.com!

2009-09-04T09:19:00.000-07:00

Yes, my dear readers!! This time, I was actually featured on Apartment Therapy through their sister site, TheKitchn.com.

The article is based on decorating a San Francisco couple's sad little kitchen. The author recommended my red canisters to brighten things up a bit!

YAY me!

Apartment Therapy folks REALLY like those little red canisters.

my stuff in apartment therapy!

2009-09-02T09:57:00.000-07:00

Okay, not my actual stuff, but in today's Hot House Tour on Apartment Therapy, I noticed TWO things that Maven Vintage sells in the featured house.

Below, the kitchen of Lisa and Clay who are featured as the Hot House Tour today on AT:

On the shelves in their kitchen are the doppelgangers of my orange enamel teapot and vintage california pottery.

Seriously!

I love this house, but had no idea that Lisa & Clay should hang with Adam and I!

Well, they may be a bit too cool for us.

Here are my versions, available now on Maven Vintage:

need a mental health day...week...whatever.

2009-09-01T10:01:00.000-07:00

I have working so hard lately...all I can think about is running away on vacation!

I interviewed a gentleman who was telling me about his upcoming trip to Paris with friends. They rented an apartment and they'll be touring the city for a week.

Just the thought made my heart ache. What I wouldn't do to just take off with my hubby to Paris...in a beautiful apartment...buying cheese and wine...sitting at the base of the Eiffel Tower making fun of other tourists....just like we did on our honeymoon.

Even on our honeymoon I was thinking about starting an vintage shop.

I didn't buy anything for the shop then, but on my next trip to Europe, I picked up this travel clock at a flea market in Bologna.

I carried him around Italy with me...along with a little coin purse and a few other small goodies that I couldn't pass up.

Okay...time to get my act together and head to work.

The entire time, I'll be thinking of this instead: Haven in Paris.

back into the swing of things

2009-07-29T10:55:00.000-07:00

well, well.

I've been on a bit of a hiatus and now I am tan, rested and ready! I'm ready to Etsy like crazy, finally finish my master bedroom/living room re-decorating and blog all about it.

In the past few days, I've been swamped with Etsy love and most recently featured on The Storque, Etsy's blog. You can see the actual post here.

They listed my little green martini for two set and it sold in a matter of hours.

Soon after, FifthQuadrant including the super cool antelope clip in her Treasury!

All this attention made me realize that I have to pay more attention to my store.

I've posted a few new things and took a million photos. Soon, you'll begin to see all the treasures that have been taking up space in my garage.

Speaking of Etsy, I've decided to take the plunge and submit an article idea to Storque. I've been pondering this story idea for a while and haven't been brave enough to send it in.

It is high-time that I get back to my journalistic roots. Heaven knows I always have a lot to say.

what a month!

2009-07-13T08:37:00.000-07:00

Well, my busy week turned into quite a month!

Excuses as to why I have been absent recently:

- House guests make it difficult to blog and post on Etsy.

"Excuse me, but I need to sit on Blogger and Picasa for a few hours today while you guys drink wine by the pool."

- I got Wii for my birthday.

"Wow, how many sets of eyes do I have to go through before one looks relatively normal..and there is really only one nose option?"

- Lots of crazy going on with my day job.

"M'am we can't sell that to you for an additional 10% off. That would make it free."

- Adam took the only working camera in the house on a business trip for 9 days.

"Wow, I didn't know the iPhone didn't have a digital macro option."

- Lost my iPhone. Seriously.

"What do you mean it will cost me twice as much to replace it as it did to buy it?? I don't think you quite understand, Ms. AT&T person, my LIFE was on that phone!!"

- Heartbreaking turned into heartwarming memorial service for a close family friend in Portland.

"What would I do today if I were brave?"

The entire time in Portland, I just had Fern's voice in my ears reminding me to breathe. It has been a challenging time lately, but everything happens for a reason. Fern's passing reminded me that sometimes it is okay to go with the flow and allow things to happen naturally.

However, in the other ear, Fern was whispering, "Stop wasting time on Wii, blog and Etsy to your hearts content, and you guys should really get that second camera fixed."

So, Fern...this post is for you. The camera is going into the shop this week.

what a week!

2009-06-15T09:54:00.000-07:00

Well, a lot is happening this week.

My inlaws are coming to town and I am honestly excited. they are great to have around and they haven't met Bourbon yet.

My birthday is Thursday, dinner party on Friday, Block Party on Saturday and Father's Day on Sunday.

phew.

Good thing I had time to post these bad boys on the store today: I've been meaning to add them to the store for days and finally got a chance this morning.

In other Etsy news, I've been having great convos with Kelly from The Best Things and with Laura who will feature Maven Vintage on her blog! I also got Bourbon a new collar and leash set from Lindsay at The Hydrant. Once I receive, I will post Bourbon modeling those soon. :)

Gotta run...the guest room needs vacuuming.

etsy comes to sf!

2009-06-09T22:57:00.000-07:00

Tonight, I had the pleasure of mingling with fellow Etsians and meeting the current brains behind Etsy.com.

At the meetup, the CEO Maria answered many questions and gave us a little insight for what is to come with the site we love.

One side note - it was held at Crossroads Cafe which has an incredible mission and not to mention great food. Please check it out if you are in the Bay Area.

As expected, everyone was very cool. As the one of two vintage sellers there, it felt a little lonely. I'd love to meet other vintage sellers in the Bay Area. I might just start my own little meet up. :)

Here were some of the fabulous sellers I got to meet:

Jill of Scabby Robot

Tara of Combustion Glassworks

Wendy of buttercupbloom

Maggie of MaggieHurley

Brenda of Phydeaux

Mandy of Small Threads

Robin of Creative Beadz

Valerie of Piper Tate

Alana of Etta and Billie

Shana of Shana Astrachan

Lisa of Savor (she did a great recap - read it here.)

Fabulous Pants and KimonoMomo

Please visit their shops and support handmade and hand-selected stuff!

love lucite!

2009-06-03T08:13:00.000-07:00

Well, instead of getting ready for work, I sucked major time away scouring the web for lucite nightstands.

You might be laughing right now wondering why I would even want these.

Well, check this out:

I know...and now you want a pair too! Photo courtesy of the blog of Eddie Ross. Despite his horrid attitude on that show, he does have impeccable taste.

Oh and I'm posting some fabulous new things for Maven Vintage on Etsy this week...here is a sneak peek. Gotta run!

maker faire and other pursuits

2009-06-02T11:25:00.000-07:00

Adam and I explored the Bay Area Maker Faire this

past weekend and boy it was a hoot. We got to letterpress a small journal, witness giant Lego dioramas and play with robots! Jesus, we are geeks.

And of course I shopped...and saved. A fellow Etsian, Bread & Badger, was there and I happily purchased Adam's birthday present and saved mucha moolah on shipping. Very cool.

It was wonderful to see many Etsy sellers and see their fabulous

craft first hand. I had the pleasure of meeting Mark of marmar and he is now a favorite of mine.

His designs are incredible and I put one of his pendants on my birthday wishlist. Hey, a girl can dream.

Speaking of dreaming, in my marginal attempt at domestication, I made a strawberry jam AND strawberry pie this past week. I must say, the results have been delicious.

I freaking LOVE California. All this fresh fruit is making me a little woozy. I wonder what I'll make next...

ah, the inaugural entry.

2009-06-01T18:12:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the first entry of Maven Vintage, the blog of MavenVintage.etsy.com.

Everywhere I turn, I see inspring things in unexpected places.

I've decided to share my love of treasure hunting and deal-discovering with a spankin' new blog.

Join me and check out what I find!