What are the Chances!?

Okay, so I was at antique shop a few years ago, and I saw a basket of old photographs, and decided to look through them.  I always find them so interesting, and wonder about the people in them.

But one picture jumped right out at me!  It was handsome Gary, I guy I worked with like 20 years ago!  He lives in the same town as us and his kids go to the same school my kids do/have, so I see him occassionally, but we haven't really had time to chat much.

When I found this picture I tried to do some research on Gary's family, to see if it was actually a member of Gary's family.  After trying for awhile, I didn't come up with too much, but I still knew he had to be related to Gary, I swear, it looks just like Gary!

So today, I went for my usual Saturday spin class, but the instructor never showed up, so I decided to workout on my own in the gym.  Guess who showed up there!?  Yep! Handsome Gary!  So we talked for awhile and caught up on stuff, and then I told him about the picture! Sure enough, his grandfather was from Sandusky, but I think he said he didn't know much about him.

I'm going to carry this picture with me so the next time I see Gary I can show it to him.  Maybe I can even get a picture of the Gary I know so I can show you just what I mean!

So what are the chances of this happening!?

Enjoy your weekend!

Jen 

I Love Barbies!

I loved playing with Barbies as a child!  I had quite a collection, that is, until my Mom sold them all when she moved from our house to a condo!  I didn't figure it out until a few years after she had sold them.  That is when I started becoming obsessed with vintage Barbies!  Several years ago, my daughter, Lindsey and I, pretty much had a pasttime of buying vintage Barbies and Barbie clothes! Lindsey ended up with quite a collection, which is stored somewhere in our house right now!

I managed to dig up some of the collection and had put pictures up on Flickr awhile ago.  You can find them at www.flickr.com/jenscloset.

I happened to be at ToysRUs about a week ago (hadn't been in there in such a long time since my kids are older now).  I was there to find a gift for my nephew Bobby, but I just had to check out the Barbies!  I'm so excited, they have a new collection of reproduction Barbies!  So, how could I resist!?  I had to buy this 1964 Ponytail Barbie!  Check out that adorable pink dress (I think I had that one)!

I also have this cute 35th Anniversary 1963 Midge set, and I KNOW I had that dress when I was little! It was one of my favorites!

The cute black Barbie case and Allan box (it's just the box) are the real deal, vintage!  Those are Lindsey's.

Since Lindsey was recently engaged, I thought I'd bring out the pretty repro Barbie the Bride! 

This is really just a tiny percent of our collection. Someday I'll get it all out and play with it!

My birthday is in May, and I'm hoping for another reproduction Barbie!

Have fun-don't forget to play!

Jen

I made it into Vogue!

Okay, so it wasn't actually me that made it into Vogue, and it's not the magazine.  But it still is so thrilling!  Check out my milk glass hobnail vase on http://www.vogue.com/!

http://www.vogue.com/fashion/most-wanted/shop-the-look-elettra-wiedemanns-apartment/

Hope you like it!

Jen

Vintage Research

I don't retain information very well!  Yes, I'm the first to admit that!  I'm lucky I remember my own name! (It's Jen, right?)

I'm always amazed at the information some of my other vintage-seller-friends have stored in their brains!  They've come to my rescue more than once with great info!

I have a pretty good eye when it comes to knowing if something is actually over 20 years old or not.  I buy the things that I love, so if they don't sell, that's okay...I can keep them!

I bring home my loot, and then start researching.  The internet is a good place to start, it's amazing how much good information you can get these days!

I am constantly borrowing books from the library too!  That way, if I find ones I really like, I go on over to Amazon.com to buy them (you can get used books that in in excellent condition, at a great price).

I've acquired quite a collection of research books.  The ones I'm showing now are some of my all time favorites!

Some of my favorite milk glass pieces are Westmoreland and Fenton.

Here's one of my favorite's for researching Westmoreland.

Two of my favorites for researching Fenton: Fenton Art Glass Hobnail Pattern, by Margaret & Kenn Whitmyer, and The Big Book of Fenton Milk Glass 1940-1985, by John Walk.

For my china shop I love this reference book for markings:

Pictorial Guide to Pottery & Porcelain Marks, by Chad Lage

My latest book purchase was The Hazel Atlas Glass Identification & Value Guide, by Cathy & Gene Florence.  I have some many pages marked, as I have several pieces that are listed in this book!

I learn new things everyday about vintage and antiques!  It's fun! 

Happy Hunting!

Jen

Happy Easter

To those that celebrate Easter.....

Happy Easter!

Jen

Front Page Treasury

I rarely have any of my items make the Etsy front page, but I was bored this morning, so I thought I'd check http://www.craftcult.com/ check it out! You can enter your shop name, and it will tell you when you've been on the front page! And there it was....March 11th! and I had no clue!  There were more, but I was too excited to look further, but I'm sure going to check!

Now to check my other two shops!

Happy Friday!

Jen

Opportunity Knocks!

When opportunity knocks, I'm right there to answer the door!

I'm always thrilled when I receive a convo from Adam, from Etsy Press!

When he contacted me a few years ago, it was because Brides Magazine wanted to feature a pair of milk glass candlesticks in their magazine!  I had to ship them via overnight, but it was well worth it.  Brides Magazine was nice enough to send me some of the state Bride Magazines that my candlesticks were featured in!! http://www.mymilkglassshop.etsy.com/ !

I've received a few convos from Adam about some other things, but nothing came of them.

I just received another convo today, and shipped out something to arrive in NYC by 10:30 am tomorrow morning.  I'll give more info on it if anything comes of it!

Adam was surprised at just how fast I was at getting this done!

So when opportunity knocks, open the door!!

Jen

I've been blogged

Not only was my shop blogged about, but it comes all the way from Norway!

She bought these pretty plates!


and some pretty vintage tea towels!

and the best part...she blogged about my shop!

http://sitrende.net/i/hverdagsmagi/posrselenshimmelen/

Check it out if you get a chance!



Happy 14th Birthday Bobby!

I cherish my nephew, Bobby!  I cannot believe he turned 14 today!  I hope he knows he always has my unconditional love.  So does his Mom, my sister (and yes, she's younger, as she loves to point out), Susan!

How cute!

I've wanted to write a blog about Bobby's Dad for quite awhile now.  I thought this was the perfect day!

His name was Steve.  Not only was he so darn cute, but he had such diverse talents!  This guy could take apart a computer in minutes, and put it back together in seconds!  How could that same guy also know how to sew!?  Yes, I said sew!

Steve loved the sweets!

What I remember most fondly about Steve was his warm, genuine hug, everytime we got together!  And that smile, wow!

Steve and Bobby!

I still feel his presence, his warm, sweet presence.

It's true, even if someone you love his gone, physically, they're still in your heart.

One of our summer get togethers

That cannot be taken away.

Younger Steve-so sweet and innocent!

Bobby, I knew you realize what an amazing Dad you had!  I hope I can help to keep the memories of him alive for you!

You are sweet, thoughtful, and intelligent, just like your Dad!  I know he is so proud of you!

I am too!

Love,

Aunt Jennifer,

Count Down to 2000!

I'm so excited!  4 more sales to go in my Etsy shop, until I hit 2000 sales!

I absolutely love running my 3 Etsy shop, Jenscloset (I don't like the name, but I'm stuck with it), was my first!

I've learned so much since 2008! 

I'm forever tweaking my photography, I know that's a must for a good shop!  I still don't get on the Etsy front page treasury too often, so I guess I still need to work on that!

Shipping has been another challenge; not so much the packing of fragile items, but getting an accurate shipping quote, so I'm not loosing money.  I learned the hard way on several occassions through the years.  I've learned to quote for the farthest distances from my zip, and always refund shipping if it does come out to be less.

My last blog was about customer service.  I've always been a stickler for good-no....excellent customer service!  I expect it when I'm purchasing anything, and so I try my hardest to give the best customer service!

Of course, describing the item you're selling is important too!  I do find myself using the same words way too often, such as "lovely", "beautiful", and "elegant".  Guess I need to work on that a bit!

I love every aspect of running my Etsy shops. 

If you know me, you know I love to talk!  That's a good thing, since marketing your shop is so imporant too!  I began twitter as a way to market my shops, but I've gained a bunch of friends from it!  I try not too post my listings too often, that would be considered spam!

I have this blog, plus my "beauty" blog.  Check it out as http://www.fabfortyandbeyond.blogspot.com/ -I'm going to be updating it with a blog about my new favorite mascara!

A lot of research goes into running vintage shops.  I am always learning more, and have my favorite vintage friends (not that I'm calling them old), that help me out from time to time when I'm stumped on a particular item.  I borrow books from the library, and when I find a favorite one, I'll buy it on amazon.com.  Some of my favorites are my milk glass books, and a porcelain marking book.  You can find so much information on the internet as well!

I would say the only negative to my shops, is the storage!  I am forever feeling guilty that our house is now more of a "warehouse" than a home!  Oh, and that brings me to another point!  I have come up with a few ideas for storage and organizing.  I will number a box, and when I list an item, I put that number on the listing, so when I sell it, I can go straight for that box.  I also keep a excel spreadsheet to cross reference. Okay, so that was actually my daughter, Lindsey's idea!

I also have a ton of shelves (thanks to my husband, Bob).  They're even in my living room now!

So, here's to my 2000 sales!!  I wish everyone success!

Jen