Where Did October Go?

Where did October go? I feel out of touch with the store and my blog, I haven't been there much lately.

I got back from my Grandfather's funeral last night. On a whim, not being able to decide whether I should go or not, I rented a van, packed up my 4 little ones, and braved the long drive from Pocatello to Duluth, Minnesota for a sad and strange trip. I finished working with clients on Thursday and left after work. We drove about 6 hours to Billings, Montana and spent the night in a too-expensive room that was gross and smelled like cigarette smoke. From West Yellowstone to Billings was snowy, and my mood was heavy.

I wanted a chance to explore the city of Duluth. Its old architecture, dirty shipping industry, sandy shores, history, Finnish heritage, memories (I moved away to California with my mother when I was very small but have very strong feelings of familiarity when I go there). The chill in the air, steep hills, liberal politics (at least compared to here) the unique style of homes give the city its own flavor that I can't get enough of. The weight of the impending drive home with my little ones took priority and I didn't get the chance to explore like I wanted to. Maybe next summer.

On the way home, my mood lifted. Northern Minnesota is so beautiful in the fall. All the leaves were gone, but there wasn't snow yet. I felt happy, contented. I took pictures of things that spoke to my soul.

So, now that I'm back, I'll get back to business. The store will be open regular hours this weekend. Customers can come in and meet my fabulous new employee, Jessica. We have been working to price new items over the past few weeks. We have made a severe dent in the overstock in my back room. There are new items all over the shop. I will also begin bringing out the vintage Christmas decorations I've been collecting all year. I hope to see you soon!

Creepy Chic Upcycling Ideas for Halloween, ToDo list, and Challenge Challenges

I'm so excited! I was blog surfing and came across the funnest ideas for an uPcYcLeD Halloween. They are from the Value Village website (for those of you who don't know what Value Village is, it's a thrift shop.) They also have instructions for Barbie Zombies!div> Old frames spraypainted black with creepy sillouettes. You can print them off at the website.
Orange painted door with black spray painted ceramic owl.

Regular thrifted glasses, with googly eyes added.

Adorable ghost and Halloween kitty stuffed pillows made from old tshirts!

More ceramic figures spray painted black.

To Do Today:

Etsy shipping

Post office business

paperwork for my real job (yuck)

Goals:

List 10 items on Etsy (I have so many great vintage things to list)

Dye another batch of slips

Work 2 hours pricing things at Abigail's

make potato soup (its snowing here).

So far, the Dottie Angel challenge has been ok. I ran into one problem with it. My laptop cord broke (probably from kids playing with it). I hunted at computer shops for a used cord and couldn't find one, so I had to buy a new cord. I need to have my computer to keep up with blogging and my etsy shop. I also use it for work. I felt bad, but couldn't have forseen this problem when I took the challenge and am not willing to live without a computer.

I needed new shoes, my favorite ones are about worn out. I dug through my closet and found another pair to become my new favorites (I got a sore on the back of my heel). I will find some way to make it work.

MySoCalledJunkyLife Giveaway!

Sarah at "My So Called Junky Life" is the sweetest person ever, I was just telling her how I love to browse through her Etsy shop and drool as I look. There may be a trade between Sarah and I in the works, as I just hoard my enormous stash of vintage jewelry like a troll and Sarah actually does something lovely with it.

I just heard about her very generous giveaway: A $50 gift certificate to her etsy shops! She just updated her shop with a bunch of vintage "assemblage jewelry."

Dottie Angel Challenge

Today, I've decided to try something crazy.

I've decided to join dottie angel in her amazing and scary challenge.

I am committing to buy only handcrafted or secondhand goods for my home or my closet for 1 year. I'm also adding my 4 children to the challenge. They have so many clothes right now. I can mend, thrift, get creative, and do what I need to do to make sure nobody goes naked.

As I am typing this, I'm really considering how challenging this could be. I'm thinking: what about Christmas? I guess that can be handmade. My kids have too many toys and things anyway. Spencer's birthday on Friday. I don't have presents bought for that yet.

So here are my exceptions. I'm starting TODAY. But, I don't have time to get creative and make Spencer something for his birthday, so I'm going to make that my exception (unless I have some great idea before Friday). The other exception is, of course, any underclothing that may need to be purchased. Oh yeah, and diapers. I won't do cloth diapers. I just won't. Sorry. And the store isn't included in this challenge. I need supplies and can't get them second hand.

I will update my blog whenever anything worth mentioning comes up with this challenge. Wish me luck!

Melissa

New Displays at the Shop

Another slip for my etsy shop.

New display at the shop.


Beginnings of a Halloween display at the shop.

Vintage Slip Rescue Mission

I've been busy with dye baths, vintage fabric and my sewing machine getting these upcycled vintage slips ready to list in my etsy shop. I have lots more on the way!

La Musique

Yesterday, I went out junkin' like I do most weekends. I have a head cold, as do my little ones, and didn't feel well, but went out anyway. I'm glad I did for the short time I did because I found this beauty: something you would expect to find at a Paris Flea Market, not a yard sale in Pocatello, Idaho. And you would just die if you knew what a deal it was.

She is aged bronze with a wood base that says "La Musique". I haven't decided what to do with her yet. For now she is on my bedroom dresser. I have an art nouveau mirror that would look really pretty with this. I like to keep things, enjoy their beauty, then when I have had enough of it, put them in the shop. Who knows, she might make an excellent blog giveaway!