Vintage Summer Photography

So here again is some beautiful vintage summer photography just to give you a little inspiration and because these things are always so nice to look at. Hopefully they'll help you think of some new ways to wear your clothes instead of just going and buying new ones, because I'm beginning to think that that is how IT girls and models and people that always look good do it! 

Mothers Day

I somewhat enjoy Mother's Day because it's the one day I can buy my mother a present without her saying "Oh, you shouldn't have", technically mummy yes I should have this time. I brought her a little vintage trinket pot with a mirror in it, and it's in a really good condition. I think it said that it was 1960's or something like that. I think the top is so beautiful and the sides are in a good condition too, they just needed a little care and some dirt removing and look all better! 

The detail and time that someone took designing this is so careful, even down to the flower with the petals having little green specks in the white, I think it's just beautiful. Almost want to keep it myself.

What's everyone else brought their mother for Mother's day? 

xoxo

First Vintage Item!

So I said I'd show you my first item! And I'm so glad I picked this one I think it's gorgeous! It's a 1960's brooch and it's absolutely perfect, barely a mark on it. I was always a bit wary of old things because of them ageing but this has aged gracefully indeed! I'm selling it currently on my Etsy store, and here is a smaller store I've created for my favourite pieces to sell them on, be sure to tell me what you think in a comment! http://vintagetreasuretrove.bigcartel.com/

Just thought I'd also remind you of the competition I'm holding to name the Vintage clothing and jewellery store! 1 free item and 10% off! Just enter below in a comment with the suggestion, your name, and an e-mail address to contact you on! It ends the 31st so hurry up and get entries in! 

xoxo

Excited!

EEEK! I've just brought my first piece of Vintage Jewellery and I couldn't be happier with it! It's stunning! It's a beautiful silver brooch with 2 blue flowers in. It has such a vintage feel and I'm so happy that it was my first purchase for the new store! I've set one up on BigCartel where I also plan to be selling items, however Etsy will still be my main store front I think. Although I've called the BigCartel one Vintage Treasure Trove, and I've borrowed a header from Kirsten at http://community.livejournal.com/freak4graphics/7530.html, she has some amazing stuff so go check her live journal out as well! I've stolen it while I wait for her to get back to me about being allowed to use it, it was so beautiful I couldn't resist! 

So yeah, when I get the item you will all get to see it first! 

I'm also excited because I'm waiting on the fabric to arrive for my jacket from Spinsters Emporium, I recommend checking them out they have some beautiful fabric and not too expensive either! However it only shipped on Monday so I think I might be pushing it for Tuesday, although it is again a Vintage fabric and it is beautiful! Pictures of the fabric will also be up when it arrives!

Don't forget the name competition for the new store! It will be housing Vintage Clothing and Jewellery, and badly needs a name! The winner will receive a Vintage piece of jewellery as well as 10% for them to use! So hurry up and post below in a comment your suggestion, and an e-mail address for me to contact you at! The competition ends 31st March. Good luck!

Vintage & a Competition!/Give Away!

So I've now got my Uni places, and sorted my finance, and my accomodation, and I'm getting good grades. Time for a new project! So I've always had some form of failing little business going on online somewhere, whether it was on Bebo (which was replaced by Myspace), then to Facebook(which replaced Myspace), then to Etsy (which replaced Facebook) (seeing the link to social networking sites and how they lose popularity?) Anyway,so I've always had one somewhere hidden in the depths of the internet.So I've decided to buy up a bunch of Vintage Jewellery and to sell it on my Etsy site, or I may get a new one, I'm not doing anything till I have done some proper research for a change! But I was trying to think of a name?

So I've come up with a plan!

On the 31st March (providing I get any entries) I am going to run a competition to come up with the name for a shop that sells Vintage jewellery and clothing, whoever I like will get one of my pieces before it goes on sale! and a 10% discount voucher for them to use!

So just post in a comment below any name that you see fit and leave an e-mail address for me to get in contact with you! 

GOOD LUCK! xoxo!

Romper suit and other things...

So I've actually realised that I have my interview for college soon, the 8th and 9th and that that means I have to miss lessons again... people will be pleased.

On the upside I tried to make a play suit from a dress today, and it went well except my bum is too fat and so I'm having a small issue, however if I lost a bit more weight then it might fit, it really was going to be a lovely play suit, so it's quite a shame. Though I am looking to buy another cheap dress to turn into a romper suit since I feel I only just missed the mark! However my boyfriend is begging me to stop buying clothes, and it is a fair plea I must admit. So I might quit for now, since I don't get paid for a while and I'm fast running out of money, oopsey!

However I have put some jewellery up on my Etsy site :  http://www.etsy.com/shop/thefaithboutique, in case anyone is looking for gifts for anyone or some quirky jewellery.

Also if you want the Tutorial on how I made the play suit then it's here : http://victoryistheonlyoption.blogspot.com/

xoxo

Yippee!

Been at work all day, and it wasn't too bad today, we had chocolate behind the till and they are now significantly down. I have also discovered Ebay... I love it! It combines my competitiveness with my love of shopping! Total heaven! and you can get some absolute bargains on there! I absolutely can't wait to verify my Paypal and such, and start selling on their and buying more stuff. For now my poor boyfriend is footing the bill, it's a good thing he loves me! 

I'm also working on a new project, I found a jacket pattern that I really love and so I'm going to find some pinstriped material, navy and white I think, and make it into a beautiful jacket hopefully! But I'm still trying to find some fabric for now, so it's a bit of a pain, I might wait till I'm next paid and go on a hunt, since my bank account is currently suffering a little....

I've also brought new shoes and a top, I think my mother might kill me!

I'm also going to start up my Etsy business again soon and am going to sell on E-bay as well, starting with all the jewellery that I don't want or wear I think, but mainly for little vintage pieces since I know a lovely antique shop in Ely where you can by some lovely jewellery and think it might be fun to get the train to their once a month, but I'll have to see for now.

xoxo

Interview with.... Minna from Vietto.

This is another interview for handmade clothing! with Minna from Vietto at Etsy!

How long have you handmade things?

I have made things with my hands almost all my life, my great grandma, grandma and my mum taught me the very basic skills when I was little. 

How did you get into hand making stuff?

I think it's kind of family thing, my great grandma, my granny and my mum have all been crafting as long as I can remember, so I got interested in it too! I have also been really keen on fashion for a long time, so my very first handmade creations were fashion orientated. I used to make clothes for my Barbie dolls,but quite soon I started make clothes also for myself.

What when you were little were you're favorite things to make?

It must have been knitted dresses for my dolls or crocheted jewelry pouches.

Where do you work from? Office space, the lounge, outside?
I have my little studio at my home; it’s really nice to work at home. Only problem is that my projects start to invade to every room we have...

Do you mind you're projects invading into other rooms, or does spreading it out a little help?
Not really, such a waste of time bothering something you can't help... ;)

How do you get you’re inspiration for new products?
Its continuous process, I get new ideas almost all the time. I draw/write them down in my sketch book (or any paper if I don't have my sketch book with me), so I can come back for them later. I use my sketch book as a catalogue, some of the ideas I'll keep working with, some of the ideas need still more thinking. 

What is your most favorite item of clothing you've ever made?
It could be one nice fitting coat made of old black and white graphic curtain fabric I made for myself few years ago, the convertible cape shirt of my latest collection or the craziest neckwarmer of this season, the pom pom cowl. 

Do you remember the first person you ever made something else for? and what was it?
I think I made something like a beanie or a knitted scarf for my mum when I was little, but the first real piece of clothing probably was loose hip-hop style jeans for my little sister.. ;)

Have you got a project in you're head that you've always wanted to do but is maybe a little impractical or something so you've never made it?
I have planned to make a dress of silk and upcycled leather, I have so strong vision of it! It may not be the most practical dress ever but surely gorgeous! :D And I will make it, sooner or later!

Were you brilliant first off, or did it take a few attempts?
I wasn't brilliant in a start, but my dolls didn't complain, haha! Of course it took a very long to get to the level, I dared to make anything for anyone else than myself...

What led you to creating your own business?
It must be the fact that I just have to make things with my hands, I can't help it! A voice in my head forced me to! Seriously, I have a day job with computers, so I have to use my creative energy in something.

Do you think it’s been worth it?
Yeah, absolutely! Of course I still have much work to do for marketing my label, I'm not really good at it at all...

Is there anything you would change?
I would like to have more hours in days... Sometimes I'm just too busy because having two jobs. That's probably one reason for lousy marketing...

Do you get many difficult customers, and if so how do you manage not to yell at them?
I haven't had any difficult customers, and if I had I think I wouldn't yell at them because I'm just too kind person.

Is there any particular reason you started your online shop, apart from you love it?
I have few retailers for my stuff here in Finland, but I thought that it would be a good idea to sell them online; Finland is such a small country! 

What country would you sell in, if you could sell in any country?
UK!

What are the things that you most enjoy about owning your own business?
Creative work! To see my idea turning into a piece of clothing, I always keep my mind open for incidents in my designing process, sometimes garments change from my original idea, they may turn out to be even better!

An Interview with... Alexandra from Makemeadress

Today, from the wonderful world of Handmade and Vintage! I've interviewed for your pleasure Alexandra from the online Etsy store Makemeadress. She was wonderful to interview so thank you for letting me!

Makemeadress Shop!

How long have you handmade things?
Since I was a little girl playing with my mum’s fabric box and my grandmother’s huge array of clothes, shoes and just about anything else you could wear.

Black Lace Cocktail Dress - $210.00

Did your grandmother and mother ever encourage you as such or was it more self-driven the need to create?
I wasn't actively encouraged to create but was actively taken to dance classes nearly every day. My grandmother was a dance hostess in the 50's and thought I should be taught properly. I was more interested in the costumes and was eventually told I would be better off designing the costumes than dancing in them! My mother is very creative and is a wonderful support.

Where do you work from? Office space, the lounge, outside?
I'm lucky enough to have a studio where I live.

Do your surroundings reflect how you design?
Not so much, I'm sure if I lived in the city my designs could be a little different but out here in the country I'm able to run away with my imagination. 

Do you sell in the countryside, or go into London etc. for ideas occasionally?
We always take holidays in cities which are great for ideas and to be around a buzz. Our nearest city Bristol is only a short drive away and is an amazing hub of creativity. 

Little Black Organic Cotton Dress - $190.00

How do you get you’re inspiration for new products? I am constantly watching old movies, pouring through books on the golden age of design and have an unhealthy addiction to vintage clothing and fabrics. I find inspiration in just about everything and live and breathe dresses all day long.

Is there anything special you do when stuck for an idea or on an item? i.e. walk?
I usually get to a point with each dress where need to step away and not look at it for a few hours. When you have been staring at the same dress for sometimes twelve hours a day, you need to get some perspective. 
I take trips out, we'll go to exhibitions, and there is an excellent fashion museum only an hour away. I watch a lot of films and visit flea markets and vintage shops as much as I can. I love people watching and seeing how people style themselves which is always inspiring.

How did you get into hand making stuff?
I started with textiles at school and went on to study fashion design at university.

Were you brilliant first off, or did it take a few attempts? It’s taken 27years to be good at what I do; making dresses is a very long and endless process of learning. Every dress is different and there is always a new way to cut a dress. I hope to be brilliant when I'm 90!

Black Lace Peter Pan Dress Collar -$35.00

What led you to creating your own business?
Since graduating I had the option to move to London to work or stay living in the countryside; I chose to stay and as there aren’t many fashion jobs in the countryside I decided to set up my own business.

Do you think it’s been worth it?
Yes! Its hard work but I love every day that I get to work on new commissions and am happiest creating dresses all day long.

Is there anything you would change?
Being more confident to make contacts and network - but I'm working on this.

Do you get many difficult customers, and if so how do you manage not to yell at them?
There is no such thing as a difficult customer just a great challenge!
Of course there have been times but they generally just need some reassurance and everything is fine.

Is there any particular reason you started your online shop, apart from you love it?
Selling on-line has been the best way to reach lots of customers interested in the same vintage look as me. My perfect customers are rarely found walking down the dirt track to our house in the middle of nowhere.

Blue Red Cosmic Print rockabilly Dress Sample -$80.00

If you didn't make dresses what else would you of done?
I would have been a terrible dancer, singer or a very mediocre actress maybe?! I nearly went into fine art but was still sculpting dresses. I like the idea of teaching one day. 

What are the things that you most enjoy about owning your own business? 
I get to work with wonderful customers on their ideas and get to work on dresses every day.

What is your next step for your business or is selling online it?
I'm working on a new collection of bridal gowns which will launch early next year and I will be working with local boutiques selling one of a kind dresses.

Thank you for reading the interview, and be sure to pop along and have a look at what other items they have, there are also the most wonderful clutch bags as well! 

xoxo

Interview: Dianescloset

Andy T - lookbook.nu
Showing us how to mix Vintage with new styles and other items.

So I had a snoop around on Etsy.com and here is an interview with Claire from Dianescloset on Etsy.com

She discovered Etsy while searching for jewlery and accessories for her wedding.(Hand made items and blissful weddings do go hand in hand for unique Jewellery for you're once in a life time day!) She was very impressed by the skill and talent of the vendors and bought several pieces that She  wore on her wedding day including a necklace, shrug and clutch. Her wedding dress was her mother's, though altered to fit her specifications and season (her mother got married in the fall, she got married outdoors in the summer). Shortly after her wedding in July, she quit her job to go back to school full time. She was in the process of searching for a part-time job when she saw a vintage suit in a shop window that reminded her so much of the clothes her mother had worn and passed down to her and her sisters. This inspired her to start her own vintage shop on etsy, selling mostly 1960s and 70s clothing like her mother's. She has always been facinated with fashion and if she hadn't chosen to study an academic field, she likes to think she would have gone into the business. She started her shop mid-September and has been working hard collecting, listing and promoting her vintage pieces ever since and she has an amazing collection with currently 49 listed items. she chooses unique items that can be worked into outfits today, giving a good mix of Vintage and new. It's inspiring that she just quit her job and was inspired by something she saw and has done so well at it! 

Never Worn vintage beaded

 Glam Cocktail Dress - £50.89

The interview...

Me: How long have you handmade things? 

Diane: I've been collecting and wearing vintage clothing since I was a kid.
Me: Where do you work from? Office space, the lounge, outside? 

Diane: I work out of my apartment.
Me: How did you get into hand making stuff? 

Diane: My mother passed down some of her loud 1970s clothing to my sisters and I. We also often went to thrift stores and I loved the thrill of finding wonderful, unique items. I love history (I majored in it in college) and I think that translates into me being drawn to items with history.
Me: Were you brilliant first off, or did it take a few attempts? 

Diane: I've gotten a lot of compliments on my items but sales are still slow since I am new to Etsy.

Me: What led you to creating your own business?

Diane: I recently left my job of three years to pursue a Masters degree full time. I had been searching for part time jobs with no luck when I saw a vintage suit in a shop window that reminded me so much of my mom's vintage clothing. I was inspired to start a shop selling similar items.
Me: Do you think it’s been worth it? 

Diane: So far, it's been awesome!
Me: Is there anything you would change?

 Diane: I would love to have more free time to devote to my shop.
Me: Do you get many difficult customers, and if so how do you manage not to yell at them?

Diane: Like I said, I'm new, but so far all of my customers have been wonderful!
Me: How do you get you’re inspirations for new products? 

Diane: What ever catches my eye!

Me: Is there any particular reason you started your online shop, apart from you love it? 

Vintage Cream Crocheted Jumper - £22.27

Diane: It's a fun way to do share something I love with an awesome community of like-minded people.
Me: What are the things that you most enjoy about owning your own business? 

Diane: The flexibility and the sense of accomplishment.

Plaid Jacket - £15.90

To Visit Dianes Closet. CLICK HERE!

Bad driving, Christmas Shopping and a need for a Tripod... oh and feeding?

For some reason, and I'm not sure why since my mother keeps a weirdly tidy house... all our mirrors are filthy! Why?! It's even odder because mine manage to all be clean. We also desperately need some good lighting! I was going to take some photo's outside, except I lacked something... my camera. So I clearly had an issue with this. By the way I'm now taking my photo's with my expensive camera, as I call it. But I think for the pictures to improve I need an a) interesting background, or at least a plain one or b) I need a tripod so that they aren't shakey... either I think would definitly increase the picture quality. Christmas is always around the corner though, so I'd better start my list! 

The London Eye at Christmas, when it's snowed and all the trees
 are lit up! how pretty is that?!

On the subject of Christmas, I went and collected my order, and now have the main part of my Christmas shopping done. How brilliant! My mother claims it to be FAR to early to start Christmas shopping... I strongly disagree! Saying that I'd have the Christmas Tree up in May if I had my way, I likely all the twinkly lights >< ^.^, but that might just be because I am a sad child. But it is all done, and I will take a picture, later and show you what I've got for everyone, since I do love sharing. 

I also have an annoying boyfriend (Who I love very dearly) who I've still to buy for... he's a pain. Men always are, it's okay if they're you're father, they're related to you. Bad Christmas presents are expected like jumpers. *Wonders if said boyfriend needs a jumper?* So now I've to get him a really good Christmas gift, since I'm a little competitive. So any idea's would be GREATLY appreciated. *Said boyfriend may ask for stuff when he reads this later so as to SEO* But I doubt much will come of that either.

My driving instructor has also changed her car.

 I DO NOT LIKE!! I insisted on moaning the entire hour, because the gear box is far higher up and it confuses me, I also keep putting it into 4th instead of 2nd and vice versa. It is also weird to pull off in. I'm far to used to the other car, and now plan on buying the same car that I learn in so that I don't have to get used to a 3rd car! I will never manage this. Also the bell just went, ooh! I wonder what it is! Sadly probably not anything interesting, which is a shame. I doubt it's a big present for me. Though if it is I love whoever the sender is, extremely dearly. It may be next door giving back the 2 springs, that flew over their fence 2 days ago while I was on the trampoline... I lose weight and now the springs start breaking? Our trampoline is impossible. Least I didn't kill anyone with them... 

Oh yes, and I suppose I'd better show you what I wore! Christmas side tracks me awfully, one day you'll all log on to find I've gone Christmas mad, and written 4 posts in 5 minutes about it... Hopefully I'll keep my sanity, but do expect far too many Christmas pictures. 

Create a Free Slideshow

I wore my Topshop, Coco Chanel Quote top that I got in the sale for £10! and a Primark wrap around belt in light grey, my River Island £4 sale necklace that I got recently, my blazer, leggings and my high boots again. Although of course I wore flat shoes to drive in.

Oh and I also forgot to tell you on the front of having interviews with people that own their own hand made store or Vintage stores, I've found a few people and sent them the questions, so I'll post that up as I get replies back! There'll be links to there stores as well so you can have a little snoop for yourself!

xoxo