I'm not quite sure where my love for all things vintage originally stemmed from. Gaining my hoarding tendencies from my grandparents, I vividly remember getting lost in the wonder that was their Tennessee farm house. I would drink juice out of old rinsed jelly jars and Flintstones glasses, and create new culinary wonders with metal cookie cutters and fun dulled utensils. We'd eat our soup out of large ceramic bowls and watch my brother play with rusted trucks while looking at the clock to see if it was time for The Price is Right (Bob Barker's inability to age still trips me out). Later, my grandmother and I would paint and create the most amazing art projects with things we'd found from our treasure hunts on the farm. It was magic.
So, when I say I'm not quite sure where my love for all things vintage stemmed from, I think I may actually mean I know exactly where it stemmed from: Tennessee Sundays.
And, in case you're curious, my culinary wonders always included a large dollop or two of Marshmallow Fluff. If that doesn't say something about me, I just don't know what does.
So, for this week's Found on Etsy, I thought we'd bring it back home and focus on vintage. But, always one for a fun twist, let's keep it local.
Not one to pick favorites, I'm starting off with my favorite. GoodBonesVintageCo is a fantastic, and rather new, Tampa Etsy shop. Run by newly married dollbabies, Chris and Sarah, GoodBones "find(s) vintage home decor, typewriters, and cameras, furnishing from mid century modern to 1970s kitsch, retro fabric, tools, industrial items and clothing to bring charm to your home, closet and craft table." The large collection of vintage cameras and typewriters originally brought me to this shop (I mean, that Bell and Howell film projector, COME ON!) , but once I was here, I noticed all the fantastic other eclectic wonders: industrial lamps, gorgeous luggage, the cutest mustard colored fondue pot around … and that's just on page one! With a nod to mid-century modern, there's something for everyone here. Whether you're hunting fantastic industrial metals, bright popping colors, or just looking to add a vintage griddle to your kitchen, this shop is sure to please. And speaking of pleasing, that brass turtle container on page five has my name all over it. And on sale!
(As always, clicking the photo will bring you to the shop you desire.)
So this next shop really could be selling poo in a bowl and I would still be talking about it because their photos are so good. So bright and colorful, and it doesn't hurt that one of my all time favorite go-to colors is turquoise. Nicely played, VintageChichibean, nicely played. (And Etsy sellers take note: pictures matter! Make 'em good.) But really, VintageChichibean has a lot to offer. Shop owner, Carol, finds her inspiration from the outdoors, Florida wildlife, and the thrill of the "hunt." A pro at refinishing and repurposing antique and found items, she has a shop packed full of wonder. There's everything. There's upcycled vintage lamps, there's French maps, there's gorgeous rustic kitchenware, there's refurbished frames and shelves, there's a Star Trek mug collection forgoodnesssakes. I adore the shabby rustic charm of everything in the shop. It gives off a warm cottage vibe of old Florida. It's enchanting. Check it out.
This article appears in Sep 29 – Oct 5, 2011.