My vintage shop update

My little dream shop is going great so far. I am having so much fun finding amazing treasures, there is so much good stuff out there waiting to be discovered and appreciated and given a new life.

My only problem so far has been wanting to keep things once I get them home! Oh dear! They always look so much better when they are bought out of the context of the opp shop chaos and given the chance to shine! They steal my heart I tell you!

 

 

I'm getting the hang of wrapping valuable treasures in a million layers of packaging, fortunately I happen to have a giant roll of bubble wrap that should last me a while.

Below are the items that have been shipped off to new owners so far - I hope they have found their way safely and are being appreciated like they deserve.

There are still plenty more beautiful items for sale in my shop and more waiting to be photographed and listed. If you want to have a look you can view my shop here.

My new shop - Craftykin's Curated Vintage Goods

So you might remember me recently talking about the fact that I would love to one day open a little shop selling a mix of vintage and handmade goods? - with a little coffee shop on the side that would sell the best coffee in town?

Or maybe you don't remember that, well anyway, I'm making that dream come just ever so slightly true. It's just online not bricks and mortar, and there's no coffee, sorry, but I am drinking a really good coffee while I type this, if that's any consolation.

 



I've been noticing that there are all these amazing 'curated vintage goods' style shops in the US, it's basically like someone has gone op shopping for you and collected up all the coolest stuff from all the op shops and put it in one place. You know like that awesome thing that you stumble across every so often in amongst all the junk. So it's like a shop of all your best op shopping days! Yes!
So you don't have to spend time searching through all the junk! But most of these cool curated vintage shops don't post their goods overseas - so little old NZ misses out!

 

So I thought I'd check out if anyone was doing the same in New Zealand, but I couldn't really find anything (please do tell me if you know of any!). There are plenty of great vintage and second hand shops around but they still take a bit of sifting through to find the really cool stuff. Of course everyone's style and taste is different but to me really cool looks like bohemian/scandinavian/earthy/handmade kinda, do you know what I mean?

 

So hey, I've decided to make one of these shops myself (I do have a slight problem in that I keep deciding to keep the stuff, must work on that).

 

I've pondered lots on this idea over the last few weeks, and tried to figure out how I could best make it work. My mum has currently taken over my Felt shop with her beautiful handmade things, and anyway, I don't think you can sell vintage stuff on there. My Etsy shop is sitting vacant at the moment so I considered selling it there, but then I open it up to overseas buyers and the postage just gets too expensive to send from way down here in New Zealand. So I've decided to use good old Trade Me for now, and maybe I will open up my own independent online shop at a later date.

 

These photos are just a few of the things that I have listed at the moment. You can find my Trade Me page here and I will be updating it often, so you can save me as a seller if you're interested in being notified when I add new stuff.

I've tried to make the prices reasonable, I don't want it to turn into an expensive antiques store! But I also need to make all my hunting (and shop keeping shenanigans) worthwhile. I've set prices that I would be happy to pay myself (and I'm pretty tight when it comes to spending money haha!) So I hope you agree.

I also have a link to my Trade Me page up at the top of my blog - if you're viewing this on a PC its the VINTAGE SHOP heading at the top. If you're viewing this on your mobile its in the drop down Menu.

So there you have it, I'm quite excited about my little venture, and perhaps, maybe, one day, it will turn into a real life shop, with good coffee.

 

 

Morepork handmade goods

 

Morepork's Dallas Madsen (aka my mum) working in her studio at home.

 

My sisters and I get our creative genes from my mum, who in turn got them from her mum, who in turn got them from her mum - my Great Granny. So that's four generations, and it's not stopping, the next generation seem to have the creative genes too - and all my aunties and cousins and nephews. It's a strong gene! Always have to be making something us folk, always pottering away on some creative endeavour.

 

 

When I first set up Craftykin it was my younger sister and I selling our creative wares - hence the name CraftyKIN. But now its another of my kinfolk, my mum that's taken up residence in the Craftykin shop. She makes amazing jewellery out of polymer clay, and rope bags and baskets. She's a clever lady my mum!

 

 

We went to stay with her a couple of weeks ago so I took the opportunity to take a few photos while I was there. She's been busy pottering alright! And she always has new ideas that she's working on. (I bet she even made that cool wooden ladder display - am I right mum?). You can buy her lovely wares from our Craftykin shop on Felt.

 

 

 

Jewellery now selling at Craftykin!

I need to introduce you to my mum, my wonderfully talented mum Dallas Madsen, and her beautiful jewellery she is now making - and selling in our Craftykin shop!

Our shop had closed down for a bit as both my sister and I were not finding much time for our creative endeavours of late. But I'm so excited that my mum is now using our shop to sell her wares!

Please go and have a look (and buy something!). It is beautifully made and very unique, she is always making something different and each time I check the shop she has added something new. Um, she may be slightly obsessed with polymer clay ;). Just saying. But that is a good thing, a very good thing!

Also - don't forget my other sister Adde also sells her jewellery too, I did a little write up on her here. You can find the button to her Sweet Gems jewellery shop in my side bar to your right.

 

Sweet Gems Jewellery

I've been meaning to do this for a while - introduce you to my sister Adde's beautiful gemstone jewellery.
The love that she has always had for gemstones has led her to start creating these gorgeous delicate and colourful pieces. She makes necklaces, earrings and bracelets. I have two of her necklaces so far and a sweet pearl bracelet. I've never had my ears pierced, but I'm seriously considering getting them done now so I can wear some of her beautiful earrings!
Go on over to her website and have a look. www.sweetgemsjewellery.co.nz

Last time I visited I took some photos of her workspace, what a lovely spot to sit and imagine and create, don't you think. Look at all those beautiful gems!

The Knight Circus - costume hire

My sister Frith has just recently started up a costume hire business which I have been meaning to introduce to you.(She's always been in to dressing up!).



I think the idea came about after her 30th birthday when she organised an alice in wonderland fancy dress party. Everyone had so much fun designing costumes and dressing up, and Frith did such an amazing job with all the decorations that somebody suggested she should organise themed parties for a job - and behold The Knight Circus was born!



She's got a cool little shed out the back that is so much fun to explore when we go visit!



I've conducted a little interview so you can learn more about Frith and The Knight Circus.



So was I right with how the business came about?



Yip, that's right. I had so much fun organising my 30th that I was a little sad to pack it all away! Then I thought, hey I could turn this into a business, something I can do from home with the kids around and also giving me a creative outlet - so The Knight Circus was born!



Why did you decide to call it The Knight Circus?



I have this nostalgic image of early circus's, the costumes, the performers and the atmosphere.  I wanted a name that when you heard it, it made you dream a little....and Knight is my last name so it fitted together well with a little twist.



What is your favourite costume?



That's a hard one.  Wonder woman would be up there and my husband looks great in Batman.  Although I have a gorgeous turquoise satin and lace ballgown which I would wear to the supermarket if I could!



Where do you get your costumes from?



The majority of them came from a company based in America. It was really hard to pick which ones would look good in person and which would be popular. I have most of the licenced ones - superheros etc, 1950's, renaissance, Micheal Jackson, pirates.......And then there are pieces that I have picked up at 2nd hand stores or from my own wardrobe. So far I have only made a few but this is something I would like to do more of.



If I was after a particular costume could you help me out?



Yes of course, I would love to help you out. If I had enough time I would try and source something for you or make it myself. I had an order for 10 elf costumes for the Whangarei Christmas Festival late last year, they were fun to make, thanks to Hanna too for helping me out with the hats!!



When are you open and how do I contact you about viewing costumes?



Basically I'm open when I'm home. You can contact me on Facebook and we can arrange a time for you to come round. I have lots of photos of my costumes on my Facebook page and I'm in the process of setting up a blog where I'll be able to give more details and measurements of my costumes so people out of town can have the opportunity to hire them also.



What other ideas do you have about branching out your business?



More making costumes from scratch or restyling clothing into costumes. I'd also like to get into making props or decorations for weddings and parties, like favours, confetti, buntings etc. Also hiring out complete sets for high tea parties, including tablecloths, cups and saucers, teapots, cake stands and other tea party necessities. I'd love to have a corner in my shop that sold handmade wares too.