Inside Etsy Vintage Seller's Shop : RetroBabs

RetroBabs brings one of a kind eclectic finds, and a touch of ReMix too!

RetroBabs, or Barb, as her friends know her ventured onto Etsy one day with the help of her daughter, Bec.  It seems there was no turning back.  I took some time to interview her to find out how her "RetroBabs Vintage and ReMix" shop came to be.

How did you find Etsy start?

Barb says, "Bec was constantly telling me to go to Etsy because there was things she wanted me to buy.  I started searching the site and realized they had vintage.  I had been a big collector for years and I loved all the shops.  I decided it was something I could do and a good project for Bec and I to do together."

Baby Quilt, found HERE.

What role does your daughter, Bec play in your shop?

"She told me she wanted to be a silent partner (then having been a newly wed and all-married in June of 2010).  I supply the vintage fabric and Bec makes what she wants out of it.  She is a talented seamstress."  *Read about Babs and Bec here*


So how did you prepare for your "grand opening" in August, 2010?

"I started to collect some items to put in the shop.  I went to resale shops, antique stores, searched through my own collections, flea markets etc.  I decided to start listing items and it was then that I realized it all had a theme of sorts.  Mostly mid-century modern stuff. "

Lovely Desk Accessory, Found Here.

Mid Century Modern seems to be THE theme in your shop? 

"I was drawn to mad men, rat pack type items, and also desk accessories were selling. I have many male customers they buy things like york barbell weights, martini shakers and Ice -o-matics.  At Retrobabs we also sell a lot of fabric items from towels, apron, curtains, linens, and gloves. "

Lovely Seashell ReMix frame!

What is the "ReMix" end of things?

Barb explained that Bec re-mixes items that would normally be discarded into functional can-use items mixed with original artwork. You will find everything from Baby Bibs to plates fashioned into clocks, or hand sewn dish towels incorporating older fabric remnants.  She explains, "Bec's items are finally starting to sell. It took a while for the ReMix to catch on. We have sold three clock/plates to date. " 

Juicy Strawberry Pitcher. Find it Here.

What is your personal favorite item in your shop?

"Right now my favorite item in the shop is our Juicy Strawberry ceramic pitcher and the Mad Men type barware set of glassses with its groovy metal tray.  I want to keep them myself but I think my husband will make me move out of the house!"

Temporama cups by WhatsNewontheMantel

Do you collect anything? 

"I have to admit I am a collector of many things, atomic dishes, (I love Temporama), pottery, hand blown glass, elephants..... "


What have you learned from your experience on Etsy?

"When I first made my shop I thought you were supposed to keep everything separate from your personal life. Privacy wise I tried to separate my art life from the Etsy life.  Many of fellow Etsians including encouraged me to let people know who I am and what my art is.  With RetroChalet's help I started my RetroBabs blog and set up one for my personal artwork.  I now try to link everything together so folks get the full picture of our shop and us."

Etsy Teams ROCK!

What is your favorite part of being an Etsian?

"My favorite part of Etsy is the  community and the customers.  I did not expect this, such camaraderie and fantastic friendships.  I have 57 positive comments and customers write me letters, send photos and one actually sent a thank you gift to my home!! I then joined the Vesties team (focused on vintage) and that really helped me hone my shop and I picked Martha's brain (Team Captain of Vesties) at a local meet up."

Barb is a member of several teams, all of which help curtail her Etsy experience in positive ways.  Catch up with RetroBabs: 

RetroBabs Shop


Check her Facebook Page out!

RetroBabs Blog

On Barb's Art and Pottery Blog

On the Vesties Team

Meet Slapsy Maxi : Etsy Vintage Clothing Seller Dawn of Recyclers Guild Team Spills All

Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves Floral Blouse, $38

Dawn of Slapsy Maxi told me a little about how her love of vintage clothing came to be.  

She explains, "I got addicted to vintage clothing about 22 yrs ago. My Mom gave me an Edwardian, leather drawstring handbag. That was all it took. My husband and I would go to auctions and buy boxes of clothing, hats, shoes, purses. No one else wanted these things. We LOVED them. So much history we can learn from clothing. I wish clothing could talk, the stories they could tell. "

Lovely Louis Fe'raud Sweater, $30

So how did her sales of vintage clothing start?

Dawn says, "Three years into marriage I told my husband I was not happy working as a LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse). I wanted to own a shop with vintage clothing. So I quit my job and Timeless Treasures Vintage Clothing Boutique (Brick Mortar) was born! I opened on November 17th, 1993."

How did she grow her business? 

She continues, "Filling the store from stem to stern. A few years into business and with knowing the RIGHT people we were able to connect with Hollywood. Our first movie we sold items for was Titanic. In fact of all the items they purchased from us, the only thing we could recognize was a Large, Black, Ostrich Plumed hat with a Red Rose on it, worn by Kathy Bates! "

Could this be the hat? Image courtesy of WornThrough blog.

Dawn continues, "From their we sold clothing for SeaBiscuit, Mona Lisa Smile, Public Enemy, That 70's Show.  Meet the Browns, HBOs-Carnivale to name a few. I always tell people that we are Collectors First and Sellers second." 



I asked her what she collects....

Dawn says, "Between my husband and I we have an Eclectic collection of items. I collect Vintage Ladies Head Vases, Art Deco items that Trip My Trigger, Flapper items with Faces on them, Old Hollywood items (I have a cigarette case/lighter combo that belonged to Cary Grant) and Vintage Mannequin Display Heads. "

I spy a vintage mannequin showcasing her 1936 vintage hat for sale!

Dawn and Hubby Jim

She continues, "My Husband collects Chicago Worlds Fair 1932-1933 items and memorabilia from our hometown. Our home is more of a museum and we LOVE it!"

Libby Lucille has inherited a passion for vintage!

Libby gives her Seal of Approval !

She continues, "Our 9 yr old daughter, Libby has inherited our Vintage passion. My all-time favorite find besides the TITANIC hat would have to be my Cary Grant cigarette case. Although I LOVE IT ALL! I get my inspiration and passion from the history in vintage items. I love finding an item that has a hand written note with it telling who owned the item and where it was worn. Clothing is a personal item to collect and I relish in that fact."

Vintage jewelry is also found in her shop!

What else does she want the world to know? 

Dawn explains, "I also dabble in making Jewelry. Especially earrings and necklaces. I enjoy making them out of broken or one of a kind jewelry pieces. Most of my time is spent online , reading books or magazines on Fashion and Vintage. We are never to old to learn!"

Gunne Sax Dress in her shop, Lace Confection timeless at $165

What is her favorite item in her shop? 

"One of my favorite items in my Etsy Shop right now is an Early 1970s GUNNE SAX-Cream Lace-Wedding Dress. So there you have it, me in a Nutshell."

Connect with Dawn: 

 Timeless Treasures Vintage Clothing Boutique on Facebook

Etsy Shop Slapsy Maxi

Ebay Shop

SPOTLIGHT: Heather of Re-Zip It: Recycled Vintage Zippers Transformed Into Beauty

Green Recycled Vintage Zipper Brooch or Hair Clip

Heather of Re-Zip It transforms recycled vintage zippers into beautiful wearable works of art! Her eye-catching creations are one-of-a-kind and handcrafted with stunning detail. Heather has been featured on the Today Show as a top 10 finalist in the Art of Reuse Contest sponsored by NBC, and she has also been featured in the LA Times!

We have awarded her the "May 2011" Handmade Spotlight Award here on the Etsy Recyclers Guild blog!
Sunflower Up cycled Zipper Flower Brooch or Hair Clip

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am a full time working, married, mother of a beautiful
boy named Benjamin. I work in a jail, as a therapist, with
individuals that battle from issues related to drugs and
alcohol. This career choice came after growing up in a
family of addiction. I have a very stressful job and have
learned over the years that it is important for me to have
some form of stress relief. My creative mind allows to express myself while making others smile and keeping the earth GREEN all at the same time!

Pink Recycled Vintage Zipper Brooch or Hair Clip

What inspires you?
Through my quest in creating an outlet for myself I was
inspired to work with old materials to make new treasures.
Zippers were attractive to me because I was reinventing
here conventional use.

Black Vintage Zipper Flower Brooch or Hair Clip

How did you start your business?
My process began with the search for zippers. I was
fortunate enough to find a lady that had 8000 zippers in her
basement, she acquired them from her great grandmother that
owned a sewing store. She had no use for the zippers and
just wanted to get rid of them. Little did she know that her
trash was about to become my treasure.

Orange Recycled Vintage Zipper Flower Brooch or Hair Clip

Tell us a about your creations; what do you want people to think when they see your products?
All my patterns have been completely inspired and
designed by me to attract a vast population. I only use
recycle vintage zippers that have the cotton metal
component.

Please visit:


ReZip it on Etsy HERE

Meet Member RetroBabs : Retro Babs Vintage and ReMix

Renuxed Dish Towels!

Retro Babs is a great Etsy shop full of vintage housewares and upcycled finds. This shop is a Mother-Daughter duo known as Barb and Bec.  They stock their shop full of "a little vintage this" and "a bit of handmade that."  I love the vintage decor and practicality housed here.   Bec enjoys "remixing" things such as making ooak towels -- a lovely set of 3 can be had here for just $10.  Bec often embellishes things with her own personal touches, making them more lovely than they originally were.

My absolute favorite has to be the clocks.  Ahhhhhh, the clocks.  These are a great way to re-use vintage plates, and not to mention would be a great gift idea if you know someone who collects this particular line! There are usually several different versions in stock here.

Although I'm reportedly a kitchenista (RetroBabs stocks plenty of cool kitschy items), I find it interesting to see her mix of lovelies. Here you will find gifts for him, for her, memories for both, and wedding items.   These great gloves are only $12, a real steal for the vintage clothing lover, and would be perfect for the bride to be vintage-wedding-style.

Let's not forget the cameras, RetroBabs has some keen eyes for the hottest in vintage camera finds! I just love this 1957 Poloroid Highlander, with original case, booklets, and everything for $30.  Perhaps the photographer in you can get this working, or use it for a cool icon in your retro home.

She is a proud member of the Vintage Etsy Society Street Team, Trade-a-holics, and Etsy Recyclers Guild Team on Etsy!

Keep up with Retro Babs :

In Her Etsy Shop
On Her Blog
On Her Facebook Page

This article courtesy of VintageChalet.  and was previously published here.

Coffee Talk with Heather of Texas Vintage: The Interview

Texas Vintage Things:  From Houston, with love, Brooch $30

Q: Tell us all about you.

My name is Heather. I'm a mom to a cute little boy named Dominic and a five year old Akita named Hana. I am a native Texan and currently live in Houston, Texas. I went to college in Chicago for fashion design. I sell vintage jewelry, clothing, accessories and mid century modern stuff when I get my hands on it. I also make handmade items and other crafty things. I like to cook (not bake), blog, travel, go to estate sales and craft. I hate housework, although I clean everyday.

Sheer dress, $38 at Texas Vintage shop.

Q: Why vintage clothing?


I'm not quite sure really. I remember going to thrift shops in junior high and high school. I've always loved really old things. I love vintage clothing because it fits women in the right places. Especially 1940s-1950s garments. Women actually had real waistlines. I prefer the more fitted vintage garments. Not the big, circle skirt type garments and party dresses. I love looking at those garments and studying their construction, but they're not my style.

Texas Vintage Things offers everything from fashions to jewelry and then some!

 Q: What was your best find ever?

I have a few. One of my best finds was probably a 1940s Adrian suit. I've also had a few pieces of Miriam Haskell jewelry. One Miriam Haskell necklace cost me about $75, but I turned around and sold it for $750. I also found a pair of Miriam Haskell Baroque pearl earrings within a "lot" of jewelry. The woman obviously didn't understand how valuable the earrings were and sold me the entire lot for $10. I turned around and listed those earrings on auction and they sold for over $200. Pretty sweet!

Heather and son Dominic Summer 2010.

Q: What other things do you love besides vintage clothing ?

I adore vintage jewelry as well. I also LOVE mid century modern furniture. I've been replacing pieces of our furniture with MCM furniture when I find pieces I like. I also like Hollywood Regency style stuff, but it doesn't fit with our decor. I just like to look at it!

Vintage Pin

Q: When did you start selling online ?

I started selling vintage stuff on eBay during college to make some extra money, then. I started selling vintage clothing on eBay when my son was three months old (in 2007). I did pretty well on eBay this last round. I was a Powerseller for several years as well as a top rated seller. I even offered consignment to people in Houston, which actually worked out well for me. I was able to make a commission on items that I didn't have to buy, just sell. I closed my eBay shop this past fall (2010) due to continued fee increases and lack of sales.  *(unlike Etsy, who allows you to list an item for only twenty cents, gives you five free picture and a free shop and takes a very small sales fee!)

Q: What brought you to Etsy?

I have two Etsy shops :vintage which is Texas Vintage, handmade which is Mattie Reid Chicago. They  were both open a few years ago. Etsy is a friendly, happy site compared to eBay. I like Etsy because all of the shop owners are crafty and/or like vintage. eBay wasn't like that at all. I also like how Etsy has teams. eBay never had anything like that. It's a nice change.

Mod Halter Dress, $40

Q: Tell us about challenges of selling online and what you have learned....

There are many challenges to selling online. People can't see your face or talk to you in person. Since closing my eBay shop and focusing on my Etsy shops only, I've basically started all over. Traffic just pours into eBay, but it seems like you have to work so much harder on Etsy.

In order to sell online, photo's really matter. They really do. If a potential customer cannot see the details of your item, even if the item is amazing, why would they buy that item. You also have to give complete and accurate descriptions of your items.

If you are selling vintage garments, you have to measure the shoulders, bust, waist, hips, inseam, length, etc. The customer has to know that this garment is going to fit them when it arrives. It the item is damaged, you have to list that information as well. I put my reputation on everything. I want to win that customer for life, not just one sale.

A new camera in tow, Heather has been working on her pictures. I love this brooch!

Selling online is also challenging because people have to find your shop. You have to utilize or try and utilize various social sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Indiepublic, etc. You have to network with other sellers, retweet their tweets on Twitter, repost other sellers posts on Facebook and hope they will do the same for you. What goes around comes around, hopefully. I will say that I work way more for myself, selling online, than I did when I worked in a corporate job.


WRAP UP: We can learn a few things from talking to Heather.  First, it's never too late to start over.  It may be time to take a good hard look at your Etsy shop and see what you need to work on.    Secondly, you have to work hard at your Etsy shop.  Promoting others on your blog, Facebook, or tweeting other's finds (and hoping they reciprocate) is a very good tip and something that is proven to work!    Heather also features a lot of shop interviews on this blog, and both her Mattie Reid Chicago blog and her Texas Vintage Things Blog.  If you want to do an interview, contact her!

Catch up with Heather and show some love:

Shop: Texas Vintage Things

Blog: Texas Vintage Things

Facebook: Texas Vintage Things

Shop: Mattie Reid Chicago

Blog: Mattie Reid Chicago

Facebook: Mattie Reid Chicago

Twitter:  HERE

Interview with RE Recycled Fashion (Relogyyy)

Black Jersey Blouse with alternative circular decorations $50


Shop name: RE Recycled Fashion

Name: Giota Kaiopoulou

Location: Europe

Red Recycled Origami Clutch $55

Q. Tell me a little about yourself.

I'm a fashion designer. I always search for innovative elements in fashion so that I can excel and walk forward to new challenges and inspirations. I love art and nature. I studied Fashion Design in Greece and I have been exposed to public several exhibitions of art and fashion. I have also taken part in the 13th Biennale of Young Artists from Europe and the Mediterranean back in 2008 presenting my project- fashion collection "Origami Flowers". Recently, I have re-arranged this collection trying to transform it to foldable recycled plastic garments made up from layers of plastic bags. One of them in 2010, "Origami REvolution" has been exposed to the Center of contemporary art in Thessaloniki Greece. As you see I love origami and geometry very much because I find beauty in mathematics.

Q. When did you first start crafting/designing?

I remember me back to my teen years collecting several stuff, beads ,buttons, fabrics, clothes and all the vintage leftovers from my mama and friends. I still have a lot of stuff! At the time of my teenage years, I was mostly making jewelry and bags, handmade gifts for friends and family. I remember a year that I've made elements for the Christmas tree with packing paper and glitter it was a success we still use them!
Professionally I've started this past year to sell my first clothes and accessories to shops and e-shops.

Black A line Dress quilted in geometrical structures $75


Q. Please describe your work in detail. What's your favorite type of crafting/art/design?

I start with inspiration that is the most important for me. I try to follow the trends and i draw some figures just to have an overview of lines that I will use as the basics to continue and materialize my collection. I keep this work in mind and then I visit some friendly ateliers, and other fashion businesses to look for fabrics or decorations leftovers that they were planning to throw away or they don't know what to do with them because they have such a small amount. I also buy stock or defective fabrics and second hand outfits of high quality that have something challenging and inspiring for my concept. Sometimes I try to collect cut outs of other garments and keep them for applique and other decorations. Some of my garments didn't need pattern making only sewing because I've used the ready cut outs and I've made with no more cutting a whole new outfit. I do not throw anything to the bin. Everything can be useful. Recycling fabrics amazes me in a way that a piece of cloth, a cutout leftover can always transform in strange ways and be whatever the shape that is left like...new strange decorations emerge like they knew where their position is and perform art! I only choose the beautiful position and then I sew! One the mannequin the cloth embraces the body and reinvents new shapes and lines using only the shape that is left. I love this procedure, fashion re-innovating in a chic and arty way is my passion. I love fashion, I love art. My new challenge is to draw on some leftover vintage silk pieces for summer, Ι'm thrilled to finish!!!

Q. How has your work evolved from your earlier work?

I'm always trying new ways to work with different supplies. Quality razed through the years with the good searching of supplies. I'm more feminine now in my collections and more commercial. My clothes are for everyday, but many of them are formal too. My earlier works were mostly art, fashion art craft, but now I think I cover more people with my lines that are wide easy and fit plus sizes. Designing one sized outfits was a big challenge for me but I'm hearing good feedback.

Q. Where do you get your inspiration?

I'm following trends in fashion and accessories mostly with books and internet. I look up for innovative news in architecture, design, art and illustrations. I'm following blogs and designers just to get inspired. Anything geometrical and mathematical draws my attention. I love them! My great love is nature. Nature is the one and only inspiration that includes mathematics geometries. It's the primary way of constructing things creating beauty. Origami shows the way that nature creates. That's why i love it so. I always try to draw inspiration from nature's structures like scales, flowers, marble water or cymatics. I try to research the theme I'm interested in and I collect a lot of pictures. I always make a concept board to refer to that keeps me in trends and in my inspiration.

Black Top/Dress Interlock jersey with Boucle insect decoration $54


Q. Where are your products sold(online/stores)?

I sell most of my items in local fashion shops for now. I recently opened my Etsy shop. I hope it will go well!

Q. What advice can you give other crafters when selling their items:

About Etsy, I'm not a specialist, but selling needs a lot of promotion. If you don't have the outstanding things to sell with connections and a lot of exposure in craft fairs, posting and talking about your work, things start happening. Sometimes the work itself speaks and all you need are some customers to start and others speak for you. The most important thing is to have the concept and the way to accomplish great innovative things. Sales will come sooner or later. But, keep in mind that your concept must have it's own audience. Try to calculate what your audience will like and have the money to buy your concept. Be realistic.

Q. Describe your self in three words.

RE, Innovative and love

Q. Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?

Challenge yourself. Everyday we walk one step forward to inspire others to a better and sustainable world with love and art!!! Don't stop dreaming!!! Don't stop sharing recycling ideas and art!

You can find Giota online at the following places:
Facebook
Flickr and
Twitter

This post was contributed by Heather of Texas Vintage Things.

Get to know our awsome team captain, Cindy of Retro Chalet

I joined the Etsy Recyclers Guild Team a few months ago and have had a pleasant experience from day one. Cindy our team captain and team leader has several shops on Etsy. Her main shop is Retro Chalet and her second shop is Retro Chalet Studio. She sells really cool vintage stuff including vintage buttons, vintage Melmac, vintage block letters, vintage advertising and other vintage items at Retro Chalet.

Her Etsy bio says, "Dumpster Diving Diva, Recycler, Artist, Writer, and Greenie. Proud Team Leader of the Etsy Recyclers Guild. Member of the Vintage Etsy Society Street Team. Do-gooder".

Lot of vintage buttons $12.00


In her Retro Chalet Studio shop, she sells a variety of cute recycled handmade art things such as poker chips with cute images taken from vintage books and other sources (these are made into pendants), mixed media collages and other jewelry pieces.

WATER LILY - Pendant - 1930s Vintage Ephemera - Eco Friendly Blue Poker Chip Pond Plant Pendant $12.95


Cindy is the type of person who is willing to go above and beyond for anyone. She's always willing to promote other team members because that's just who she is. I've never met her in person, but we have exchanged quite a few messages and I feel as if I've gotten to know her. She's a genuine person who would give anyone the shirt off her back if it came down to it. She gives 110% and more in everything she does. I would like to thank Cindy from the bottom of my heart for everything she has done for our team and for me. You can get to know Cindy better by clicking the links below:

Retro Chalet
Retro Chalet Studio
Ira Mency
Ira Mency Blogspot
Twitter

Meet Red Umbrella Design Etsy Shop! ( RedUmbrellaDesign216 )

 

It's time to meet the very talented Marina Marquez,  with help from collage artist hubby George Potts from Cleveland Ohio.  Marina's shop, RedUmbrellaDesign216, brings us whimsical upcycled arts and home decor!  Marina says, "I'm a stay home mama who gets to play with my daughter Luna everyday. She is my inspiration and also our future. With this in mind, I enjoy making art, functional art, such as, owl mobiles, T'OWLS (owl stuffies), children's clothes, and collages out of organic, reclaimed/recycled materials. Packaging materials are also eco-friendly."

Screech owl mobile!

Marina was actually a sculptor who worked in metals, plastics, and recycled materials. Due to some of the techniques required for making her sculptures, she had to suspend the making of them during her pregnancy, which allowed her to explore other crafts such as these great "Scrappy Owl Mobiles" and TOWLS (stuffed owl pillows!)

Scrappy Owl Mobiles are so adorable, and she has a wide variety of species!

TOWLS are stuffed owl pillows!

Mini towls!

She explains, "The T'OWLS are made from reclaimed/recycled 100% cotton towels, stuffed with organic bamboo fiber, and hand stitched. They are 100% environmentally friendly! Care involves a gentle wash cycle & air dry!"

Not My Cup of Tea, Really (Collage, 2008)

Among other whimsical things you will find original collage prints, like these--these particular ones printed from her husband George Potts' original collages which can be bought framed or unframed. This collage art is wonderful and I admire his talents so.

Domestic Violence II (collage, 2008)

Be sure to welcome Marina to the team!

Catch up with Marina :

Blogs/links:
On Her Blog
On Her Main Blog
On Facebook
Twitter
Etsy Shop

Spotlight Team Member for Holiday Season : In the Studio with relove

relove:  The Interview

relove's favorite quote:

"Wait...don't throw that away! I can use it for one of my notebooks!"

Q: Tell us about the move to Brooklyn.

Brooklyn has affected my creativity in lots of interesting ways. I am surrounded by creative people and businesses all the time and this encourages me to think outside the box when I am crafting. Also, Brooklyn living is small. My studio is small so I find myself really thinking about quality rather then quantity. Lastly, Brooklyn has tons of opportunities to sell handmade crafts and hopefully by spring I will have a nice size collection of notebooks to sell. I plan on approaching some of Brooklyn's fabulous boutiques and craft markets. A long, cold winter will definitely help me stay on track and get some work done!

relove's notebooks combine upcycled components.

Q:  Can you tell us more about the process in which your notebook are created?


Each one of my notebooks are little works of art and I really enjoy selecting the pages from my collection of vintage and reclaimed papers. My paper collection is very personal. I have been collecting paper and envelopes for about 5 years and each piece relates to my life in some way. If you look closely at my books you will find pieces of old sketches I did in collage.

The insides of each notebook are unique, you never know what you may find.

Q: Your books are amazing, I bought a bunch and gave them away to my family last year as gifts -- they loved them. I still use one for my art journal.  I particularly love the vintage paper, where does all of that come from? 

Vintage papers are found randomly placed in the books!

My vintage paper comes from years of thrifting and tag sale hunting. Also, lots of my papers have been given to me by friends and family. Just about anything that I can write on and fold in half I will save for a notebook! Lately, I have been having fun giving each one of my books a playful title and "curating" the pages inside to match. For example, the graphic cover of the "Checkmate Notebook" reminds me of graphic design so I chose papers from and old graphic design and lettering book to include in this pocket sized notebook.

"Checkmate" retails at only $14 in her store.

Q: So where does all of this creating take place? Tell us about your studio!

My boyfriend and I built our loft bed/studio area ourselves out of partly salvaged wood and wood from a local lumber yard.

The relove studio, aka where the magic happens!

We reused brackets from old shelves to support the desk area. We had the wood precut at the lumber yard and assembled the bed/desk unit with a power drill in our bedroom. The entire project cost about $150 and took about two days to assemble. It was tons of fun to build and a fantastic example of upcycling done right!

My vintage chair (that I love) was found curb side and will soon get a new seat cushion once I find the perfect fabric.All of my art supplies and papers are organized in repurposed buckets and boxes.
 

I spy works in progress atop the desk!

Q: I'm glad I'm not the only one doing curb-side pickups.  Can you tell us anything about your upcoming projects?

I am working on some new books made from repurposed corrugated cardboard and vintage sewing and craft magazines. I love the vintage clothing depicted in old craft magazines so i decided to turn them into book covers.

Sneak Peek!

One of these fun notebooks is available in my shop now, "I Heart Vintage Notebook". More will be on there way soon!

Priced at $16 I Heart Vintage  from ReLove is a great gift for the fashionista in your family!

Q: Any secrets you want to share? 

Looking forward to spring...I am planning on introducing some upcycled jewelry to relove.etsy.com. My first line will be one of a kind "found object" necklaces. I have included a sneak peak photo (project3) for you to check out. Please let me know what you think!

Please share your comments and feedback to Sarah @ relove, and please share this story by clicking on the share buttons below!

Additional Note:  Relove has been an amazing help to this team, and even during a hectic move from her former home to Brooklyn, she managed to donate a huge box of merchandise (tote bags for sale in our Team Shop) and help with the team store.  Thanks for being a part of our team!