End of the Year Fun

I picked up a vintage Barbie the other day and of course, checked the date on her derriere. 1966 was the golden year, and after reading some online info, discovered that millions of Barbies have "1966" printed on their backsides, but that only refers to the body mold. But, mine does have "Japan" printed as well, so she might have a little more than average value. She's got blonde hair which needs a complete re-do, and her skin is a little grubby, but otherwise she's in great shape. While I was looking for info, I found the "Vintage Barbies" Flickr group photo pool. Enjoy the slideshow !

Sending Photos to Flickr Finally !

Photo0030, originally uploaded by ambrosianbeads.

OK, this looks like a mess and it is, it's a test shot of my kitty amongst some craft show junk. It's ugly, but I'm excited because my attempt to install Shozu on my camera phone ACTUALLY WORKED !!!! I tried it over a year ago, and got stalled out at downloading it onto my cheapo phone. Tried again and "voila" I'm in business ! Hurray
I've been dying to get this working because I want to upload photos of what I call "ugly duds" (hilariously ugly clothing I find while I'm thrifting). At one point, I wanted to devote a whole website to this, sort of like that ugly bridesmaid dress website (I hope it's still out there, such a hoot). Stay tuned for lots of "ugly duds" now !

Men's Vintage Gift Guide

The Etsy Vintage Street Team has a new gift guide posted with some fabulous choices for men's gifts for the holidays. My thanks go out to Haute Country Vintage for selecting my Men's Sock Patterns booklet for the guide.

Etsy Vintage Street Team Holiday Promotion !

Join in the Etsy Vintage Street Team's "Walking in a Vintage Wonderland" holiday promotion from November 28 to December 28 for your chance to win a $10 gift certificate ! Each day a different team shop is featured, and all you need to do is add your comment about an item in the shop. Follow the hotlink above for all the details. Good luck !

Vintage Embroidered Purse

Vintage Embroidered Purse, originally uploaded by ambrosianbeads.

I've got the perfect tote bag for the knitter in you or someone in your life, or someone who just has alot of stuff to haul around and needs a cute bag to carry it in !p>

Dress it UP for the Holidays !

I'm cranking up the listing of wearable items in my Etsy shop and have a couple of pieces perfect for holiday events:
Black Handknit Sequin Jacket
Black and Pink Wool Suit

Black Pleated SkirtGold Strappy Sandals

Thrifting Buddies

All you thrift shopping fanatics know what it means to have a "thrifting buddy." Someone who not only supports your obsession, but actually enjoys taking part in it as well. Someone who doesn't stare at their watch and turn up their nose when you come running up with something awesome. Thrifting is usually a solo affair for me because it's so hard to find someone who doesn't frown at you when you tell them that your outfit only costs $10.00 from head to toe. At least I have my husband, who also proudly wears outfits that are at max, $30.00 (he refuses to shop for pants at the thrift store, and I don't blame him. That's one area where I usually draw the line, but sometimes get super lucky in the 50 cent bin). What I discovered, however, in shopping with my husband, that he likes record albums (he collects classical only), and now our basement is filled wall-to-wall with bookcases of albums...ruh-roh !! So I'm always trying to sniff out new buddies and just recently found a kindred soul. I'm ecstatic about sharing my favorite stores with her and vice-versa. Now to start shopping for X-mas gifts (believe it or not-they are out there !).

Fresh Vintage

I finally figured out a good configuration for photographing my massive vintage clothing collection and am now on a roll to get everything listed in my Etsy shop. Take a look at these newly listed items:

Floral Print Accessory Box Set
Sheer Black Sequin Gown
Black and White Silk Dress
Vintage Auto Print Apron Tote Bag

Olive Treasury

Thanks to simplysuzula for including my vintage olive boucle' jacket in this awesome treasury called Spanish Olives. These colors make me want to redecorate !

New Fall Finds

Lately, I've picked up a number of great knitting patterns and other nifty accessories. Enjoy browsing my newest finds:

Stitch up something warm for fall with these two shawl leaflets from the 70s and this great sock pattern booklet from 1950. In fact, I forgot to mention that the shawl booklets were featured on the Etsy Vintage Street Team "Daily Dose" on Sept. 22nd !

Keep your slippers or shoes in fine fit with these shoe stretchers.

Go back to your childhood with a delightful, collectible Flatsy doll from the late sixties.

RetroThreads gets interviewed !

Last week I was interviewed by Susan, AKA calloohcallay for the Etsy Vintage Team blog . Her questions were well-crafted and I enjoyed blabbing about myself and my obsession with collecting vintage. Please take a minute to visit her shop and see her wonderful button jewelry and vintage accessories. Here is a postcard she is offering in her shop. I chose it because I am a parrot fanatic.

Home at Last

My entire vintage collection, that is. I decided to bring everything home from the antique store I was in. The place is about 25 miles from my house and it was getting to be a challenge to get there, put in new items, straighten up, and generally feel in control of my inventory.

My first task was to finally say goodbye to all the vintage clothing projects-repairs, redesigns, cleaning tasks, etc.-that were taking up valuable storage space. Where should I take it all ? Back to Goodwill and SA where they came from ? Good plan, but lo and behold, a message appeared on craigslist asking for vintage clothing and costumes for a wonderful, non-profit, arts academy for inner city kids. Solution ! Out come all the unfinished and unstarted projects and the bags start to fill up. Add to that, an ironing board, iron and display rack and the van fills up quickly. I head downtown to the Adams Morgan area of DC to the Patricia M. Sitar Center . There I'm greeted by three helpful young male students who unload everything in a flash and it's done !
Later I get a thank you letter and email from the director who tells me the costume director is gleefully digging through the bags and finding things they will use right away in their summer theater production. Good feelings all around.

Next, the move from the antique store. I was able to remove some large display pieces and some clothing earlier so all that was left was easily removed in a 10 minute trip. Whew ! So now everything is home now, just waiting to be photographed, measured and listed one by one =P

Etsy Vintage Street Team: EVST Daily Dose: 6.1.08

Another Etsy Vintage Team Feature !, Thanks, Justine !Etsy Vintage Street Team: EVST Daily Dose: 6.1.08

Mod Seersucker Suit

UPDATE !!! I sold the suit the other day to a customer in Australia who promised to send me photos of her wearing it ! I hope to have another update in a few weeks :-)

Mod Seersucker Suit, originally uploaded by ambrosianbeads.

Dress for success ? Make a flamboyant entrance at the office on Monday ! Go here for all the measurements.

Vintage Marie Osmond Gift Book

Vintage Marie Osmond Gift Book, originally uploaded by ambrosianbeads.

Alright, I saved the best for last today. This one is the most fab find of the month. It's a Marie Osmond birthday gift book and it sure screams the seventies (hey, I should know, I lived through it !).

UPDATE !!! My Marie book was featured on the Etsy Vintage Street Team Blog !!!

Vintage Men's Knitwear Book

Vintage Men's Knitwear Book, originally uploaded by ambrosianbeads.

Another menswear knitting book is in my collection. This one contains over twenty patterns in classic styles. It gives no publication date, but the designs appear to be from the early sixties. I think they would look great knitted up in some handspun yarns in current colors.

Vintage Childrens' Knitwear Book

Vintage Childrens' Knitwear Book, originally uploaded by ambrosianbeads.

I always stock up on great vintage knitwear books, and recently came across this one while out thrifting. It says "Baby Book," but it contains patterns for ages up to pre-teen.

Free Money !

...spend it HERE !!!
I just signed up for RME (Revolution Money Exchange) after reading about it in the Etsy forums. It's a no-fee version of PayPal. There are quite a few Etsy sellers who are accepting it now, and when you sign up, they automatically put $25.00 in your account. If you put a button on your website or blog, you can get $10.00 for referrals (hint, hint...look to the left...see a large green button ?).

New Purses

I now have several cute vintage purses listed including this great large olive green handbag.

The Keeewtest Sewing Box !

Just listed is this adorable mini sewing box. The interior is lined in a delicate blue floral pattern. For anyone into vintage sewing accessories, this is a must.

It's Hat Time at RetroThreads

I'm so excited that I was able to thrift a new wicker head to photograph some hats for my Etsy shop. I've collected a few great hats recently and will list a couple more in the next few days.

Vintage Knitting and Craft Books

Looking to start a retro craft project ? Here are some cute pattern books that will take you back to the seventies and beyond. Indulge in your passion for needlework, or try something completely different with an unusual egg carton art pattern book.

Vintage looks for PROM !

It's time to check into some vintage looks for spring proms. Why spend a fortune on a dress that you're going to see on someone else at your prom ? I have some wonderful glamorous yet wearable vintage gowns in stock. Not into floor-length styles ? The answer is SCISSORS !!! Dresses pictured are available at Southworth Antiques in Fredericksburg, Virginia. I can also ship anywhere.

Classic Ladies Stockings

THe graphic design of the period was just scrumptious. This box contains not one but three pairs of never-worn stockings individually wrapped in tissue. Even if you never plan to wear the stockings (I personally think stockings are totally evil !), the box is great to have in a collection of vintage accessories.

Bargello Clutch Purse

I love collecting handmade vintage accessories and last week I found the cutest bargello needlepoint clutch purse. It's all handstitched and is fully lined with a tricot knit fabric. The bold color palette of pink, burgundy, tan and blue makes quite a statement.
UPDATE-item no longer available, but check out the new items at RetroThreads .

Think Pink

Is your retro room decorating project in need of the finishing touch ? Make a bold statement with a set of pink panel curtains featuring a flocked (raised velvet)pattern of fabric draping.

Designer Clogs

Can clogs really be "designed" ? Who cares ! If you just have to be seen wearing Dolce & Gabbana, I have a pair of comfy clogs for you for only $65.00 (new, they would be around $495.00 !). They are in great shape, hardly worn, with a veeerrrry faint water spotting. They are size 38.5 which I think translates into size 7 & 1/2. Too big for me, and a little too tall. I'm not the courageous type who can make it in 3 & 1/2" tall clog heels. Post a comment if you want more info.

Handmade Vintage Goodness

Lately, I've listed some sweet handcrafts in my Etsy shop like this lovely crocheted apron and this set of delicate crocheted collars. I like to reflect on the love and care that someone took to create these items and who might have worn them.

Recycling

One of my hobbies is to reconstruct certain vintage pieces I find that need a new life. Here are some of my reconstructions which I am proud of. The black and white dress was too obnoxious to be worn in public so I reconstructed it into a halter dress (sold) and a groovy shrug top . The yellow plaid skirt needed a new look so I fashioned a purse and a dress/skirt .