Christmas Memories & End of Year Blog. Maybe Commentary. Happy New Year!

Small trees this year. This could be "vintage" Dollar Tree but with the vintage one-of-a-kind shabby chic ornaments it takes it to another level. I don't see good stuff like this in average shopping anymore. (not my locale) Most of my goodies I have had for years...

View from the side. Setting on a French looking chest of drawers. I have another one of these in the garage. Why don't I bring it in?? The clock, not old maybe 20 yrs old, stopped working. I like props so I use it as an accent. I bought that from those glossy ads that used to come with my Gulf Oil credit card.

Oh boy where did I get this beauty; have more than 2 but 2 are on the tree. Angels are always in style in my house. The ethereal is nice.  Whispy.

Metal 2-part tree that I got at Target last year way after Christmas. So good to shop off season. It blends well with all the true vintage and is a nice display, easy storage.  All the ornaments were made by my mother many years ago. Mom was a beautiful seamstress but due to health reasons, she had to switch creative outlets. This is called 'yarn on canvas.' I was to the Descanso Gardens (or it could have been Huntington) in the Los Angeles area one Christmas. They had a very large tree decorated with only these handmade ornaments. Yes, I was surprised too but nice to see equal opportunity to varied artists.

Another Mom gift. Three angels holding song books made from old greeting cards. The pink convertible, vintage inspired, came from Goodwill. Sometimes, it is just right place, right time. True in vintage shopping, true in life. The pink tree is a repro.

Grandma (Martha) made Ice Box Cookies. That is what I did this year with sugar cookies and decorated them with silver sprinkles. Fun to make into logs, refrigerate and bake the next day.

My corner shelf with goodies found through the years. This shelf rotates from one season to another. The sheep are props for Etsy photos.

Mom's all cotton Christmas tablecloth from the 1950s.

Alice. What can I say about Alice? Good name for a novel. She was my boss when I was very young and we remained friends through the decades. She made and sent me these reversible placemats. Cherished.

New Year's Eve is coming soon. These 1940s liquor bottles are available in my Etsy shop.

• I hope I have given you some inspiration and ideas. Elevate the simple.  Mix. Mismatch. Be who you are. Think outside the proverbial box. 
• I guess this is commentary.

https://graciouscottage.etsy.com

Displays, Vignettes, Props, Staging, Arrangement & More

In the Vintage Resale Business...Dealers like to search for their next treasure but  for me doing displays in my booth is my favorite part.   Sometimes, I practice at home.  I'm working on my photos to take better pictures for Etsy.  Trying to re-invent myself during this period of the pandemic.  Good to have multiple talents.

I started selling vintage in 1990, I learned from seasoned dealers that a space can be too perfect (esthetically) and it's a detriment to selling.  Customers just want to look, admire and not disturb.  You don't want a museum or a Macy's window.

Good product should always sell.  That is why some have white shelves lined with their wares that are viewable & reachable.  A colleague of mine had that style with all 1950s items.  Right place, right time.  It worked & he sold abundantly.  So timing and location are important too.  It's getting more complicated. Hmmm.

A space (talking in an antique mall) can be too empty or too full.  There is a fine balance.  Think of the jewelry in the window of a fine jewelry store.  There are just a few pieces arranged attractively.  Now think of racks of jewelry in a discount store.  Which looks better and which would demand a higher price?

Do you want the volume approach?  It works for McD. Then you have to buy appropriately before you can sell appropriately.  Do people make more small purchases or would a few large purchases get you through?  Amortize over the months.  One size does not fit all. Not for seller.  Not for buyer.

What spurred this post?  Monday, is June 1.  Antique Station (my booth #42) is re-opening.  It has been closed since early March.  Exciting?  Yes.  I hope you stop by.  I will post some more pictures of what is waiting for you there.

 Vignette at home.  Practice.

 Fun to do vignettes with your camera.

 Of all vintage, linens are my favorite.  I wash & sometimes, even iron before selling.

 Garden grouping.

 Look at the details.

 Patio.

 Tools & hardware.  I like the contrast between primitive & refined.

Curated.  Estate finds.

Taking Inventory for Tea--Start by Choosing a Main Color

Visit us at Pink Saturday!  http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/

1. Survey Tea Cup Shelf & Cupboards for Dishes

2.  Choose Pretty Trays for Carrying

3.  Go Through Cookbooks & Magazines for Ideas

4.  Think Ahead about Flowers Available

5.  Go through Your Linen Closets for Tablecloths & Napkins

6.  Look for Props

7.  Props and Special Serving Pieces

8.  Cake Plates Aren't Just for Cakes; and They Can Add Height

9.  Find a Theme and Mix

10.  New Can Intermingle with Vintage

11.  Pastel Sprinkles Add Old Fashioned Charm to Tea