Mamas*Little*Treasures

Gossamer Wings Studio

I'm not sure why I've been having so much trouble getting these posts up on my blog . . . . it must be that my computer is just getting tired!  The past several weeks, I've written up blog posts, and then as soon as I try to insert the photos, everything locks up on me.  Is it just me or is Typepad having a little post-holiday confusion?  Well, I'll keep trying, but I know that one thing I need to do as soon as possible is get all my computer files updated or deleted, and generally do some PC housecleaning.  So that's one of the reasons for the long delay between posts from December to January.  That, and the realities of life around here that have included the wedding back in September as well as my oldest daughter's birthday, two birthdays in October, two birthdays in November (one of them mine!), Thanksgiving and Christmas, two birthdays in January, and now we are just about ready for the wedding in February.  Which, of course, includes showers and lots of other activities that require lots of time and money     ;o)   This is an exciting time for our family, and all of this is really lots of fun, but in the midst of the other demands of a family and a job away from home (and getting snowed in occasionally, AND the ice storm a couple of weeks ago), I'm just kind of worn out from all of this fun! 

I'm ready to get back to a routine of sorts, and be able to work a bit more on my new Etsy shop, Gossamer Wings Studio.  The past week has been quite encouraging for the prospects of my new vintage venture . .  . . .  I sold a gorgeous boho skirt, I think the first day I listed it.  It is a bold aquamarine color, with light green and gold accents, and several golden lacey insets on both sides.  It is long and flowing, and will be beautiful with a jacket and boots.  Or whatever the new owner chooses to wear with it!  I fell in love with this skirt, but since I have a dress code where I work (that doesn't include such fanciful items as a long, boho skirt!) I'm just delighted that someone else loves it as much as I do, and will have all of the fun of wearing it. 

Then, today, I sold two more items that have been listed for a few days.  One cute item is the sweet little black and pink bustier totebag that I included in yesterday's post.  The front of the tote is shaped just like a bustier, with bright pink embroidery, and there is bright pink ribbon lacing up the back.  Very adorable!  Then this afternoon I sold this fringey golden lacey top, that is absolutely stunning over a black tank . . . . . or bustier!  And with jeans, it is too cute.  I have found so many fun, whimsical, dramatic, retro, and unique items, and I have so much more to list in the shop.  This is so much fun!  Please stop by and see some of the beautiful items in my shop, at Gossamer Wings Studio over at Etsy. 

On a Vintage Journey

Now that I've made the decision to focus my creative energies on searching for vintage treasures, my brain is filled with ideas!  Ways to take old "junk" and turn it into wonderful works of art; or retro / vintage clothing and create gorgeous, reconstructed, and restyled garments; even ways to use vintage embellishments and sewing accessories to create nostalgic home decor; and ideas for making family memories with vintage children's and baby clothing.  So, mamas*little*treasures is taking a new journey into the world of vintage design, collection, recreation, and artsy projects.  I hope some of you who have been following my journey over the past couple of years will come along!  And I am looking forward to making new friends in the vintage indie community.    But all of this takes time, of course, and I know that I will need to reach out and meet new friends . . . . but I know you are out there, and I will find you!  Please stop by my new Etsy Shop, Gossamer Wings Studio, and see some of my other vintage treasures that I have recently discovered. 

Just a couple of new vintage treasures to share with you today - but once I get going on my reconstruction projects, I'll be sharing my journey with you, and give you ideas for projects you can do to create your own vintage style, and feather your own vintage nest.  I'll be cutting up garments with gorgeous fabrics and embellishments to make a brand-new, and totally unique new outfit, or perhaps pulling together various parts and pieces of a few retro and vintage home decor items to create a whimsical little "thing" to decorate your home.   Whatever we do with all of these vintage treasures, we'll have great fun   ;o)   I'm off for now, but I'll be back with new ideas for you soon! 

Classic Vintage Where the Old Becomes New Again

I've been blogging for a couple of years now, motivated by my online business of designing and creating boutique children's clothing.  And then, as time went by, and my time was to limited to continue offering custom clothing, I started writing eBook patterns so that others could create their own garments, using my ideas.  I might continue to do that.  But with the recent uproar over the CPSA regulations concerning children's clothing and accessories, I've decided to move on to another passion of mine . . . . vintage!  I've spent many years searching in all of the little resale boutiques, consignment shops, thrift shops, junk shops, old book shops, and antique shops for unusual, whimsical, or classic finds.  Now, I will be able to have even MORE fun discovering vintage treasures, because I have begun offering some of my best finds in my Etsy shop.  I sold two items in my first week with this shop! 

I realize that since I've been so busy lately with my job, my family, two weddings (just about got that one taken care of!  Two weeks from today . .. .) the holidays, and just the normal every-day demands of real life, that I haven't even visited my own blog in over a month!  I'm hoping to get back on track here soon, at least after this next wedding is over, and begin posting on a regular basis and also stocking my Etsy shop with all of the beautiful vintage finds that I have discovered.  The tricky part, for clothing, is to find a way to display them so that they look as good in the pictures as they do in reality.  Without a model, I purchased a sweet Victorian-inspired dress form, which displays very nicely for tops and jackets . . . . but not so great for dresses and pants.  So, I'm working on that.

Another discovery that I have made recently is all of the reconstructed garments.  Now, that brings back memories!  My mama made me a sweet little coat when I was about 5 years old, by taking apart an old coat that had gorgeous fabric and buttons.  She recreated a coat for me from the fabric, lining, and buttons on the adult-size coat . . . . and I did those kinds of creative projects for my older children when they were little, too.  Now I see these kinds of fun, funky, and edgy garments all over the place, in lots of Etsy shops, and who knows where else!  So, since this is something that I love to do, have lots of experience with this kind of garment construction, and it seems that there are a few customers out there who are interested in this type of style - well, why not? 

So, between my vintage finds and my deconstruction / reconstruction projects, I should be able to keep my new Etsy shop filled with new items on a regular basis.  Trying to keep up with designing and sewing new items for the shop was just too labor intensive, and took too much time - that I no longer have!  Also, I've found another website where those of us who LOVE the vintage look can discover a world of vintage shops.  It is at Bonanzle - I'm going to be setting up a shop there later today, so stop by and take a peek.  I discovered this website by visiting Vintage Indie, a blog that was featured here on Typepad.  When you have a few minutes for a cruise around the vintage blogosphere, check 'em out.  And be sure to visit my Etsy Shop often, because I'm finding new stuff all the time!