Friday 29 July 2011

Loving Elly MacKay

I came across Elly MacKay's work on Etsy and was instantly in love. They have such a whimsical depth that Elly achieves using this layered theatre process. Elly blogs at http://ellymackay.wordpress.com and has prints for sale on Etsy.




Thursday 28 July 2011

Vintage Catnip

As an artist I'm always on the lookout for royalty-free images to use creatively. One website that I love is Vintage Catnip. There are so many wonderful vintage postcard and advertising images to choose from. Here are a couple of my favourites:



"Clip art images are free for decorating personal blogs, and for incorporating into 3D and digital arts and crafts for handmade sales or personal use, unless posted otherwise. Credit for the image and a link back are much appreciated. "

Friday 22 July 2011

New home!

We are Home Illustration Print by virginiakraljevic on Etsy

The shop has been a bit quieter this week because after two years of looking, my boyfriend and I have bought a house just outside of downtown Toronto! We're very excited and now have to get our condo on the market and start a plan of attack for the new house. More space will equal more creativity! I can't wait!

Tuesday 19 July 2011

Prized Kittie


Spotted at the Stratford Antique Warehouse - I wish my cat would win this many medals. He certainly deserves them!

Monday 18 July 2011

The ones that got away

I had a great time antiquing in Stratford. I came back with lots of jewelry for the shop. I especially found an abundance of vintage earrings - I'll be adding them to the shop soon. There are always a few awesome items that I just can't justify buying. Here are a few from this weekend:

This Spartan Sled Table Radio is exquisite!

Loved this art deco print sooo much! Just couldn't justify buying it after all of the buying I had been doing. One day this will be mine!

I've never seen a vanity dresser like this. You could have your mini-dresser on top of your real dresser!

Thursday 14 July 2011

Stratford

I'm headed off to Stratford, Ontario tomorrow for a long weekend. I'll be taking in some antiquing, some Jesus Christ Superstar and hopefully some great food! To get in the Shakespearian mood here are my top Shakespeare picks on Etsy:

Antique Shakespeare Double Book Charging Dock for iPod and iPhone by inbook on Etsy

Julius Caesar - The Platt & Peck Co. NY, NY by CMPKorig on Etsy

Wednesday 13 July 2011

Toms

My brother and his girlfriend bought me a couple of pairs of Toms shoes for my birthday. I was familiar with their movement - giving a pair of shoes to someone in need for every pair bought. It's a great one-to-one system. They are extremely comfortable shoes to wear - I'm completely sold! I know I'll end up buying more pairs in the future. The plain canvas shoes are great to decorate and I think some would look wonderful with vintage rhinestone shoe clips.

Here are two of my favourite designs from their site - they keep with the Toms style, but with some added vintage flair.

Natural Crochet Women's Classics
Red Nautical Stripe Women's Wedges

Tuesday 12 July 2011

Going, going gone!

These beauties just sold in the shop! I'm sure they're off to great homes.


Monday 11 July 2011

My own tintype

I love collecting old photographs. Having one made of you is even cooler! I took a course in university on experimental photography procedures where I made copper etchings. I always wanted to make a tintype, but the supplies and chemicals needed made it seem unattainable.


While wandering the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition last weekend we came across the Tintype Studio booth. I couldn't resist jumping at the chance to have my own tintype portrait taken. When else would we have the chance?


They use modern strobes so there is no waiting for long exposures. You get the same results without the waiting!

Our tintype drying over a flame.

And here it is - our piece of history! 

Thursday 7 July 2011

One of my favourite antique shops in Toronto is Toronto Antiques on King. Cynthia Findlay always has cases and cases full of the most beautiful antique jewelry. This sapphire bracelet really caught my eye!

Openwork Hinged Victorian Bangle from Cynthia Findlay Antiques

From her site, "One lady’s 14 karat white and yellow openwork hinged Victorian bangle. One sapphire (0.13 carats). Two old European cut diamonds (0.12 carats: SI2-I1 clarity: H-I colour)".

Tuesday 5 July 2011

Art crush

Shadows That Stir by Cayetano Valenzuela

I've been in love with this print by Cayetano Valenzuela on Society6 for so long. I keep it bookmarked so that when I move (and actually have wall space for it) it will be one of my first purchases.



Monday 4 July 2011

The 4th of July


The best part of having a birthday on the 4th of July as a non-American was the amount of parades and fireworks I could watch as a kid on my birthday. It really did make it seem like more special of a day!


We just enjoyed this delicious Baileys Cheesecake at work for my birthday. It was delicious! Let the great food continue with a wonderful dinner. Thanks to all friends and family for birthday wishes!

Friday 1 July 2011

Happy Canada Day!

I've seen lots of red and white Canada Day posts in the past week and I decided to do something a little different. Here are my favourite Canadiana items on Etsy.

Vintage 1950s souvenir silk scarf - by Revvie1 on Etsy

Hand carved fling Canada Goose - by RobertKellyCarvings on Etsy
Vintage beaver salt & pepper shakers - by UrbanRust on Etsy
Map of Canada (blues and greens) - by englishmuffinshop on Etsy