Jennifer's Junky Life ~

Shop Name Change Announcement and New Facebook Page! :: Willow Moon Vintage

Last week, on Facebook I announced that I have officially changed the name of my Etsy shop from Whimsical Junk to Willow Moon Vintage. I'm really excited about the change and the new direction I'm taking things this year!

{1980's Toddler's San Francisco Sweatshirt.}

I've been working hard at sticking to my goal of doing something, however small, nearly every day for the shop! And I've been consistently adding new items, working my way slowly toward having 100 items in the shop. (My goal is to get to 100 and try to stay near or around 100 items at all times.) Things go a little slower than I'd necessarily like but I expected it to be that way during the school year (as we home school).

{Tapestry Handbag / Clutch.}

Also, I have opened up a new Facebook page for Willow Moon Vintage! Please come on over and 'like' the page to get shop update info. and other posts about vintage related things! I opted not to go the route of bombarding everyone's email with an invite in the hopes that those who would like to follow along on Facebook, will see this and come join up!

{Swiss Dot blouse.}

Self-promotion is not my forte but I would love it if you'd join me! You can click on the links here or search Willow Moon Vintage.

I will be doing all of my shop update notifications there from now on (and on here) but I will no longer be posting newly listed items on my personal Facebook page.

{1970's Striped Sleeveless Tunic.}

One more thing of note - In addition to Paypal, I've now enabled my shop to accept credit cards and Etsy gift cards! (Previously, I'd only accepted Paypal.)

Thank you to those who have joined the Facebook page and to those who are helping to promote it for me! I really appreciate everyone who is willing to help spread the word so those who are interested know it's there!

It's a beautiful sunny day here in the north woods - hope your day is equally as gorgeous! (: Time change this weekend - can't wait. The days are getting longer and longer - spring is near!

Whimsical Junk :: Shop Update

I've been updating the shop lately. I have a ton of stuff that I've photographed that's waiting to be listed, as well! Working on fulfilling some of my personal goals this year...

{1960's Black & White Tapestry Handbag.}

I've never had enough items in my shop to make frequent, more consistent sales, and am aiming for 100. It's going a bit slower than I'd hoped to when it comes to adding items, but not slower than I'd expected.

As I'm working to grow my shop, I'm trying to do something for it every day whether it be taking photos, editing photos, cleaning items, or listing items. No matter how small, everything adds up. So I have a ton of pictures to edit for items waiting to be listed and I've been adding them here and there as I find time. And, although, I haven't been able to work on it every day, I'm working on it far more often than I have in recent years. A work in progress...

{Vintage blue carry-on.}

{1980's Chunky Aqua Bead Bracelet.}

I've been wanting a DSLR for years. About 6, to be exact. And at the beginning of this year, I set my mind to begin saving for one. I have so much to learn about photography and editing photos but I'm looking forward to the challenge! I'm hoping to be able to get one this year. If not, then at least by next year. I've been long frustrated with the lack of quality to my photos, especially as a seller of vintage junk, and dream of being able to take clear pictures in just about any lighting - especially low light.

Working on Changes

I went to set up my Etsy shop today with a new shop name...the second step in changing my shop and blog name. {The first, being setting up an email account, which I did prior to that.} However, when I set up the Etsy account, although I'd previously searched for the name and it hadn't shown up, I was notified that it was already being used as someones user i.d.

Darn.
Double darn.

I've had this name on my mind for a long time. And because it was either someones old shop name (a shop that has since closed) or it is someones current user i.d. (but not their shop name), I'm not able to use it.

So I cancelled the email account and I'm back to square one.

Square one kind of bites... I'm so determined to stick to and work through some of my New Year's goals this year and one of my mini goals, that I made only last week, was to have a new shop name picked out by this weekend so I can begin working toward switching my blog name/url.

I'm trying to find something like 'whimsical' because I want something eclectic, different, and feminine sounding. Carter threw out, "Pink Fire", tonight and although it doesn't fit, that's the general idea.

Something completely random. An adjective and a noun. An adjective and an element. Two things that clash but match. Something that no one else will have and that will be somewhat catchy. Two random things that don't even go together. Because I like things like that.

I might have to extend my deadline on a name now. A minor setback. Hardly a setback. Just a personal goal but I know how well I stick to personal goals if I don't do them right away. (I don't.)

In other news... We got the treads for our stairs this week. We've been in this house waiting for them for 5 years, five months, 17 days and 3 hours.

No.

I have absolutely no idea how long I've been waiting for them but it's been over 5 years (and five months) because we moved in here in August 2007 and I'm really looking forward to having our steps finished off. It gets so dusty under there (on the sheetrock) and is such a pain to vacuum and the kids are always dropping/leaving stuff in the space under the bottom step. And now that we have a little mover, she loves to dig under there to find all sorts of random things to put into her mouth.

It'll be awhile before we get the treads on. Tonight, he took the old ones off just to make room for the stairs skirt. (And put them back on for now.) Small steps. But it's progress.

I can't wait to have 'normal' steps. Right now, we're planning to either paint or stain the treads white (they'll be white, just haven't settled on paint or stain yet) and add vintage wallpaper to every other riser going up.

{Source unknown. The link on Pinterest didn't go to the photo.}

I've always known I wanted something colorful on the risers. I've often thought of painting them, putting patterns on them, adding wallpaper, etc. But after seeing a picture (above) on Pinterest this week, I knew I was going to do every other step with pretty vintage wallpaper. More than likely... which leads to my next decision, to use the same paper on those every other steps or use a bunch of different ones. I'll have to go through my stash to see what I have.

Whimsical Junk :: Closed Until Further Notice...

I've temporarily closed the junk shop. I'm due for my baby on Saturday so it can happen any time now. I plan to have the shop closed for a week or so after she arrives. I don't have a definite time frame - we'll just see how I feel and how my baby is.

I've been continuing with the sorting and purging around here. Although, in the last week or so it's greatly slowed down! I do, however, have a *huge* box of clothes and other vintage items that I hope to start listing sometime this spring.

I dropped off a bunch of boxes at the thrift a couple of weeks ago - and it's funny because I was thrifting in a town about 45 minutes away and saw one of the items I'd dropped at our local thrift. It was a vintage doll case. And I know it's the exact case I'd dropped off because of a mark on it! I hadn't realized that the items we drop are passed on to other thrifts but I suppose that's what they must do with their excess.

I was washing sheets today for the upcoming birth and as I was hanging them on the line, I noticed a pile of animal droppings near the clothesline that looked similar to bear scat. So odd, as we have three dogs! I'm still quite baffled. It could be something else (as I haven't looked it up to try to figure it out on-line) but either way - it was more than our dogs leave behind so I know it wasn't from them. I just find it hard to believe a bear would be that close to the house with the dogs around...

Once Upon a Monday

Today was one of those days... One of those days where I'm 35 weeks pregnant and feeling a little grumpy because I didn't get enough sleep. I don't function well without sleep so this is going to be something having a newborn again! I know the only thing that will get me through the sleep deprivation factor is having a new little being to love and snuggle again.

I had to run errands today so the kids and I ran to the thrift. I didn't find much... A little (Target brand) 18 month size yellow sundress for my baby and some 2T aqua leggings for her, as well. I found three Pyrex mugs for the junk shop. A pair of really cute children's moccasins - trying to decide if I want to hang on to them for years for this little lady or if I should just list them in the shop... And a bunch of vintage plates for us. I've been wanting a few more dinner plates and one of my kids has an affinity for dropping dishes whenever he unloads the dishwasher or gets a plate down for himself so I also found a bunch of the small dessert size plates since our stock of them has greatly dwindled in the past year! (I still need to get a photo of my hutch - the one I said I'd take pictures of last week. I'll try to get that this week along with my thrifty finds.)

We also ran grocery shopping since I didn't get out last week. I'm planning to make pasties this week. (That's pronounced with the short a sound - and they're basically hand pies with meat, potatoes, carrots, onions and rutabaga - for those unfamiliar with them.) I'm hoping to make a huge batch this week so I can freeze them for when the baby comes. They're such a quick and easy supper that way.

I visited with my new midwife at the beginning of last week. She wasn't 100% positive on the position of my baby - which made me feel incredibly apprehensive because it feels to me like she's head down... Admittedly, it made me feel uncertain and nervous that she couldn't tell, too - even though I realize sometimes that can happen when the baby is in a certain position.

Anyway, she wanted me to do an ultrasound to confirm presentation and I was holding off on it but it's making me feel so upset and worried at this point that I finally scheduled it. I need to know for my own peace of mind. (I've never had a breech baby before.) It's scheduled for tomorrow (Tues.). I'm looking forward to knowing either way. If she's breech, then I can decide how aggressive I want to be in getting her to shift into the right position. But I'm really, really hoping I'm all worried and anxious for nothing and she's in the position she's supposed to be in...

For now, I've been continuing with inversions and other exercises from the Spinning Babies website. Here is hoping for the best...! I have a planned outing to the thrift for after the ultrasound. Nothing will be better than a little thrifting therapy after all this!

Photos: New items in the junk shop.

Whimsical Junk :: Shop Update

I did a junk shop update today. Finally added some of the upcycled items I had worked on last summer for the craft show I did.

Vintage Ralph Lauren Polo Mugs - Set of 4.

Upcycled Owl Figurine.

Upcycled Framed Doily Art.

Upcycled Antique Iron Tricycle.

Upcycled Mid Century Napkin Holder.

My house is completely upside down right now. All of my projects from the craft show, of which I was left with many, were all in the laundry room. I had to empty it out this week and now I have boxes and clutter everywhere to try to find a place for.

Mark's going to begin work on it soon, though! I'm so excited and really hoping to have it, maybe not finished, but at least in operation by the time the baby arrives - or at least not long afterward.

It will be such a treat to have laundry right off the kitchen after all these years. I love doing laundry but at this stage where I'm 34 weeks, or about 8 months pregnant, it's a big job to try to lug heavy laundry baskets up and down the stairs. I will be appreciating this for a long time to come once it's done.

Last week, I was able to get that mid century modern hutch on Craigslist and I love it! It was a super great deal and it's in the dining area of the kitchen now. I've been wanting one for a long time because I hate dusting, and it shows. It'll be so nice to have all of my dishes behind glass now. I have a few things in there but can't wait to finish filling it. I'll try to get pictures up next week.

Hope you're enjoying your weekend!

Whimsical Junk - Shop Update

I started working on a little shop update this evening. It's been a long time since I've listed anything new. Since last summer, to be exact.

Vintage Toddler Cardigan.

I'm hoping to continue adding things over the coming weeks as I find time. It feels great to freshen up the junk shop a little! I have boxes of stuff around here to list and I know the new garage sale season will be here before you know it and I need to part with some of this stuff before I can justify getting more.

Oh, who am I kidding! I'm really good at justification. But my husband will appreciate it so much more if I start making way for new items instead of adding to the piles around here.

Vintage Baby Sweater.

I took the photos for these new items as it was nearing evening. I didn't have the best light but I've realized lately that if I always wait for the best light I'll never get any pictures taken. I'm not sure how to use my camera in low-light situations real well either - so I have to admit I'm not crazy about the quality of these images but they'll work for now!

Whimsical Junk :: Junk Shop Update!

After being closed for just over month, I've reopened the junk shop.

I'm feeling much better than I did a few weeks ago and nearing the end of my first trimester. I'm at thirteen weeks now. Although I still have days here and there, like yesterday and today, where I'm feeling nauseous in spite of the anti-nausea drugs I'm still taking. But I can't complain! This is nothing compared to what it was. :)

I'm starting to feel like I have a little bit more energy, too, although a nap would feel great if I could get one every day! Here is hoping things continue to improve over the coming weeks.

I'd love to do a shop update this fall -- but I had hoped to get to one this summer and even took a bunch of photos but I never got my summer stuff listed -- so I'm taking this one day at a time. No promises. Just something I'm hoping to get to. I still have a lot of stuff from the craft show from this summer to photograph and list.

It's a gorgeous fall day, after a rainy fall morning. I'm loving this weather even if I haven't spent a whole lot of time outside. I'd love to get the camera out and take some pictures of the fall foliage before it's all gone.

I can't believe how fast our maples are losing their beautiful leaves!

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P.S. Picasa help -- I put an S.O.S. out on Facebook... I've tried multiple things, including a tip from a blog reader (thank you!), and spent a couple of hours this afternoon trying to figure out how to get my photos back into Picasa so I can start posting photos on my blog again, to no avail. (They disappeared a couple of months ago but are still on my computer.) I even uninstalled Picasa, shut down my PC, and reinstalled it.

I'm able to get a folder of photos into Picasa but then they all disappear after I close out of it again. When I reopen Picasa, sometimes all of the folders that I'd attempted to put in show up but then the little bar on the right-hand side starts running with all the photos (like when you're importing them) and those folders all disappear. I can't figure it out and I'm giving up for the time being. I spent some time in Picasa's help section but haven't found a solution. If anyone has any suggestions, I'd really appreciate it!

Project Restyle :: Upcycled Mailbox

I've been wanting to join the Flickr group Project Restyle ever since it was up and running earlier this year and I'm so excited to finally be a part of it. It's hosted by one of my favorite bloggers, Elsie of A Beautiful Mess. As you well know if you've been here for any amount of time, my passion is upcycling and repurposing and I've really enjoyed all of the great things I've seen in the group so far! Check it out when you get a chance.

My first entry is this old mailbox with an artificial rusted patina I found while thrifting on our trip to Minot, ND when Mark was working for an oil company out there this past winter. I think it was around $4.00, if I remember correctly.

I've picked so much stuff up over the years and it's really hard to remember exactly how much everything is off the top of my head. (And I don't feel like looking it up right now in my little notebook where I keep track of things like that.) And, let's be real - I've picked up so much stuff over the past six months, there is no way I'd remember everything exactly!

Before.

After.

I primed it both inside and out, painted it with several coats of spray paint, distressed it, and embellished it with a little vintage card and Mod Podge for use in a studio or home office and it will be listed in the junk shop sometime in the coming weeks along with numerous other upcycled treasures as I find time to photograph them all!

P.S. That blue in the 'Before' photos hurts my eyes, too. I tried to tone it down a little, without much success.

Waiting for the Sun to Shine

We waited with bated breath all night Friday as we anxiously kept our eye on the weather forecast. It was saying 50% and 60% chance of strong scattered thunder storms for most of the day Saturday, the Arts & Crafts Show Day, but we woke up to cloudy skies and a cleared radar screen!

I didn't pack up on Friday night because the weather looked so dismal, especially through 9 a.m. (the time the show was to start). I figured I'd be setting up late morning, if at all, so I didn't worry about it and even slept in 'til 7, the original time I'd planned to be there to begin set up. I still only got 4 hours of sleep because I was finishing up a few projects late in the night.

Maybe Murphy decided to play a little mischief because of it, so maybe that was a good thing I didn't pack up! If I had taken the time to do it, maybe it would have stormed. I was scrambling and dripping sweat by the time we headed out the door at 8:30. And I couldn't have done it without my family's help. Mark and the kids worked hard to help haul boxes and things out to our cars and during set-up. We were fully set up by a little after 9 -- so we made it.

Nikayda stayed with me all day and in spite of the awful heat, said she had the most fun day ever. She enjoyed her first real taste of (a little) independence as I let her walk the booths several times alone during the day. She also was able to see a lot of her friends, as well. It kind of hit me that I'm entering a new phase of life (she's 9) and is old enough for such a thing. I wouldn't have let her in a large city. But in our tiny town, I felt comfortable enough since we knew many of the people mingling around or hosting a booth.

Mark quickly took this picture (below) right before he left just after set-up.

It's not a perfect booth -- definitely not worthy of a juried show entry or anything but I wish I had another wall behind my table to pull it all together and a white canopy to put over it. (someday!) But it worked for now!

It was *so* hot and humid on Saturday but the sun came out in the afternoon after an anxious morning spent eyeing the grey clouds rolling by. A lot of people came out but it wasn't as busy as it could have been, probably due to the weather. (Below, My sister, Sara's, Circle Boutique booth. She had fairly consistent sales all day. We set up next to each other and put the blue tent behind my wall for shade -- so glad we had it!)

After all that anticipation and weeks and weeks spent working on these projects, I only sold 3 things. The fee for the 1-day booth is only $25 but I only made $24.

Yes, I was a little disappointed by it all. But I think Mark was more disappointed. He thought it was such a waste after all the work and time put into it (including his for building a wall and helping to set up). But I had a blast the entire time I worked on these projects so I'm only mildly disappointed. I don't think it's ever a waste when you spend time making art! I'm also excited because now I have a bunch of upcycled stuff to *finally* put in the junk shop! I plan to take some time over the next week or so to start photographing them and listing them.

I also have a bunch of vintage summer baby and toddler things to get listed that I haven't had time to because of prep for this show -- can't wait to finally get those listed as well!

But first on my list of priorities is to whip this house back into shape. I bought a bunch of old metal cupboards in the past month or so that are sitting here still waiting to be scrubbed up and put to use. I'm so looking forward to finally having more storage around here for my art supplies and things like our sheets and extra blankets! Happy Monday!

(P.S. Looking at these, I realize these pictures are kind of habbasham. I was in a hurry when I was taking them and didn't take much time to be sure they were straight or centered or even in great focus but you get the idea!)