Our Vintage Etsy Shop is Freshly Stocked!

My Mom, Mummu and I have been running our hobby vintage Etsy shop, Minden Shop, for years.  We expanded to selling vintage wares locally, on Instagram and we've even dabbled with eBay.  I really want to get into doing some local antique shows because seeing and touching vintage items in the best way to buy them.  Etsy is a great substitute, though, if you can't find what you want locally.  Running the shop is a lot of fun (and, surprisingly, a lot of hard work!), but it's been really rewarding.  We enjoy connecting with fellow vintage collectors and seeing photos of the goodies we've sold in their new homes always makes us smile!  Plus it's something the three of us do together.



I let the store get pretty empty this spring while we decided what to let go of and sell locally.  We don't want to be those people that hang onto something for years, waiting for the right buyer, so we did some local sales, slashed prices and sold a lot of inventory.  It helps keep things exciting for us!  Recently I photographed some fresh finds and have re-stocked the shop.  I'll be listing more and more, but the nearly 50 items we have now is a pretty good start.

We enjoy running the shop, but we're not sure how much longer we'll keep it open.  We kind of waffle between going all in and adding tons more vintage finds, or switching gears and finally selling the handmade items we intended to?  But then life gets busy and we think, maybe closing up while it's still fun and not stressful is the way to go.  Quit while we're ahead.  We're going to just have fun with it this summer and fall and see where the road takes us!  We'll reevaluate in December and see what the new year has in store for us (pun intended). 

For now, here's a peek at what's new - including some of my favorites.

I love this set of Butterfly gold vintage Pyrex Cinderella mixing bowls (UPDATE: SOLD) but I've seriously downsized my Pyrex collection in the last couple of years.  I had some big sales on Instagram and sold a lot locally.  I'm hoping to find this set a new home!  I also have some fridgies for sale.

When we spotted this pair of Lotte fiberglass and jute lamp shades we were so thrilled.  Once we got them home, we realized they're too small for my yellow Lotte lamps!  Womp, womp, womp.  I know these will make some Lotte lamp collector VERY happy, although I'm so, so nervous about shipping them!

With the living room Besta dismantled, my vintage McCoy pottery collection has been displaced!  The pinks went to my Mom, the creams are currently in the basement, and I'm slowly spreading the turquoise ones around the house.  A few pieces, including these green basket weave planters and also a gorgeous yellow McCoy planter, have found their way into the Etsy shop!  There MIGHT be some really great turquoise ones that find themselves in need of a new home, so favorite the shop to be the first to know.

Do you remember the start of my FAB trays collection?  I loved the history of these kitschy Canadian-made resin trays.  I ended up collecting quite a few, but since moving to the lakehouse I find myself short on space!  Any new trays I find are shop-bound and even the aquas and blues (gasp) are up for grabs...like this one!

We'll be listing some more jewelry, too - including a stunning Baltic amber necklace.  Ack, it's so gorgeous.  But these huge Lapis Lazuli earrings (UPDATE: SOLD) are pretty darn stunning too - look at that gorgeous veining.  Drool.

SO shocked these Caribbean themed high ball glasses have not been scooped up yet (UPDATE: SOLD).  They are one item I could not part with in our big spring purge.  I am seriously in love with them and every day I'm tempted to deactivate the listing.

This aqua vase was made in Canada!  I just love the subtle glaze at the top - it pairs so well with the soft, minty-aqua hue.

We have vintage dollhouse furniture for sale!  I always meant to make a cute vintage dollhouse so I scooped up some pieces from a local antique seller.  But really, the kids will be asking me for help applying to university before I get a dollhouse done.  With so many folks making them these days, I thought I'd release these back into the wild.

I've got a pink bathroom dollhouse set for sale, retro plastic dollhouse arm chairs, plus a brass miniature dollhouse furniture set with a birdcage (UPDATE: SOLD) - complete with mini bird inside.  The last photo of this listing for dollhouse kitchen appliances (UPDATE: SOLD) has a photo with the set in use - too cute!

I lowered the price on this green Red Wing pottery vase (the design is Tropicana Bird of Paradise).  I love this vase so much - the emerald green interior is so clever, because it hides discoloration from flower water.

Somehow we ended up with quite a few petite figurines, but they're all so adorable!  This little goat would look so cool tucked into a larger planter or terrarium for a little quirkiness.

Check out the rest of the shop inventory here, and favorite us on Etsy to get a first look at the new things I'll be listing soon!  If you collect anything or are on the hunt for something special, let me know because I'll be happy to keep my eyes peeled for you - just leave me a note in the comments with your wish list.

Mid-Century Inspired Open Concept Living Room

The lakehouse is far from "done," but with the completion of the kitchen makeover and dining room credenza, the open concept living/dining/kitchen combo is probably already unrecognizable for the former owners.  Today I wanted to share a quick tour of all three spaces together, because so far you've only seen them discombobulated.  While I'm at it, I might as well chat about my ideas for what's next - and what's getting in the way of my plans.
 
First, though, there's a sweet and simple change that I'm way too excited about.  Where there was once a redundant light switch, there is now art (the watercolour painting of chairs from Paris).  The dining room light was controlled by a switch beside the patio door as well as a switch on this wall and we really didn't need two, so Hubby worked his electrical magic and removed this switch which we covered with a blank wall plate.  He's not an electrician, so there's no tutorial, but we did do everything to code and it's been safely hidden.  The painting was strategically hung to cover the blank wall plate.  Moving from a townhouse with more rooms and three floors to this single level open concept space has meant a serious wall shortage - bad news for our burgeoning art collection - so I'm happy to have reclaimed a wall.

Here's a quick reminder of before:

Sometimes I forget how much it has changed.  I wish I could accurately capture the brightness and liveliness of the lakehouse but my pictures just don't do the house justice.  I'm still learning how to properly photograph a space flooded with light (what a fabulous problem to have). 

Here's a flashback to a year ago:

There are still so many things I'd like to do in this space but I have to keep an eye on our budget.  We have to buy a new furnace this summer and get a land survey - both of which will cost thousands.  And both are un-fun ways to spend cash (although not freezing my butt off next winter will be fun).  Still, I'm on the hunt for new dining room chairs or the perfect fabric for the ones we have because I'm really tired of the brown leather.  Similarly, I'd like to make a smaller, more mod ottoman.  Do you know I have a secret sofa?  This mid-century sectional is languishing in the garage but I'm still waffling about spending the cash to have it recovered because our cream leather sofa is in perfect condition.  But a sectional would mean more seating so I'm saving up for the fabric and upholstery job, despite my reservations.  Hey, I'm sure I could always spend the money on something fun like shingles or pumping our septic tank...

Ultimately, budget can't stop us and we're steam rolling ahead with some smaller paint and upholstery projects in here, as well as tackling projects all over the house. 

Read more »

Treasure Hunting Report

Fondly referred to as "Treasure Hunting" by one of my friends, hitting yard sales on a warm summer day thrills me.  The last few weeks of treasure hunting, including a couple estate sales, yielded modest results.  I'm trying not to fill our house with things we don't need, but it is hard - especially when yard sale finds are so inexpensive! 

I found a great mid-century chair (solid oak and teak) for $25 this weekend, but walked away.  We already have two random teak chairs (guest room & living room) and have no need for a third.  A pair I would have taken home, I'm not going to lie.  But what we need is a chair Hubby can use for his (currently imaginary) desk.  So I'm holding out for something perfect. 

While I may exercise restraint for larger items, the smalls get me every time.  Here are two of my recent favorite finds, plus an oddity I couldn't resist.

I found this gorgeous, spike-y glass vase for $4.00 at an estate sale last week.

I need another vase like a hole in the head.

I also found another McCoy Planter (the smaller white one), to add to my growing collection, for only $1 at a yard sale last weekend.

Yesterday (among other finds) I picked up this cute little trivet, thinking some spray paint would spruce it up.  Then I saw it is stamped "Finland".  Now I hate to paint over it, but it has seen better days . . . thoughts?

Do you go treasure hunting?  What great finds have you taken home recently?

Read more »

The Dog Ate My Homework

As I hinted at this weekend, I was a Captain Distracto.  In lieu of marking on Friday, I went to an antique show.  In lieu of marking Saturday afternoon, I went for a long walk with a friend, then took her grocery shopping for heavy stuff (she is car-less).  But, Saturday night and Sunday morning I put pen to paper & got my marking done!  (Not that there won't be more headed my way . . . )

So, I did work on a painting.  But I ran out of white paint and, all grubby & covered in paint, I just threw in the towel.  I'll buy some paint soon, and I'll work on it again next weekend.  But, here's a sneak peak:

I promise more pics & "how-to" when I'm done
this painting

Below are some photos of the two goodies I bought at the antique show.  (And, a tip: if you're headed to an antique show with an entrance fee, check out the website.  I signed up for the newsletter via email and received a discounted admission).  Another McCoy planter:

Here are the photos I promised of the whole collection, stored in our much loved Ikea Besta wall unit (modular units are swell for small spaces - if it fits perfectly, it makes every inch count!):

Super hard to take a photo of it - our living room is NOT really wide . . .



My second antique show find was a pair of Majorica (a manufactured replica of cultured) "pearl" earrings.  The size and setting is so gorgeous, I don't even care if they are manufactured.   

This is an end of day photo - ignore the messy hair

Check out the substantial backing . . .

How was your weekend?

Read more »

The Real McCoy

Hubby & I took a friend grocery shopping this weekend but we were early to pick her up, so we sauntered over to a vintage shop and look what I found:

I added it to the other turquoise McCoy planters I have:

You likely already know of my collection love (esp. McCoy Pottery):
Click here for an older post about my McCoy pottery collection
Click here for the adorable story of the planter my grandma gifted me
Click here for a post about some completely drool-worthy collections some other lucky ducks have amassed
Click here for a post about silhouette collections

I enjoy collecting for the thrill of the hunt.  The largest McCoy planter, on the top shelf, was a yard sale score!  (My newest acquisition was a splurge).  But I also love collections for the design statement they make:

Apartment Therapy

Via I'm So Vintage

I'm working on my collection, slowly but surely.  I'll post a new photo of the whole lot, soon.  You know I never grow tired of asking: what do you collect?

P.S. Click here for a great article about recognizing the "Real McCoy" pottery markings.

Read more »

The Real McCoy

Still thinking about collections . . . so I thought I’d post pictures of my newest McCoy piece.  My grandma gave me this green planter (below) from her own collection.  She had ogled it in a store window, many years ago, for quite some time before making it hers.  I’m so touched she gave me such a treasured piece.  What is also sweet is that her better wares are labeled on the bottom, lest we ever need to know the value.  I’m not kidding.  Many of her items have been priced by her, including this piece. 

This planter came from my grandma's collection, already priced.

My collection, thusfar (plus a few imposters).  I had to photograph with the glass doors open, otherwise you could see me!

So, what do you love to collect?

Read more »

Collecting: McCoy Pottery

I heart McCoy Pottery, but I’m picky about the pieces I collect.  I’m trying to collect pieces that are green, turquoise, pink or white.  I want my collection to eventually have some visual punch, like Martha Stewart’s: 

Martha Stewart's McCoy Collection at her East Hampton Home

I found this picture of Martha Stewart's amazing collection here.

Complicating my collecting is the fact that I never purchase online.  I like what I buy to have been found in my city, or on a trip.  I’m a sucker for sentiment!  Happily, I found a new piece at a local antique shop just a few days ago.  Here are a couple pics of some of my collection: 



The low turquoise dish isn't McCoy, but I love it still



This one is the only one actually home to a plant. 



Hello new addition!

The colour combo of my newest planter reminds me of this kitchen featured recently on Apartment Therapy.  I love, love, love this kitchen.  So gorgeous.

Thanks, Apartment Therapy, for this gorgeous inspiration!

I found this picture from Apartment Therapy here.
 
McCoy Pottery is really varied.  There are different kinds of pieces (cookware, bowls, vases, lamps) and many, many different styles.  I love the mid-century cool "Harmony" line featured on this blog.

Picture from "Just a Modern Guy" blog

For more info, there are plenty of books on collecting McCoy and here is a great website.

 Anyone else collect McCoy Pottery or have a different kind of pottery collection?

Read more »