Top 10: Etsy Arts and Crafts for Under $15

This is a guest post by Betty T.

As this year creeps to an end and the new year peeks around the corner at us, I am thinking about things that I would love to do more of in 2010.  One thing that stands out among others is taking more time to make and create things.  I love to find cheap old things and re-imagine or “upcycle” them into something new and beautiful to me.

As I walked through the virtual aisles of Etsy, I come across inspiration after inspiration.  Here are some that I want to share…all are vintage and all for under $15.

Above is Licence Plate Tags from pinksupply – $9.  I love the big numbers against such vibrant colors.

Wood and rubber stamps from timepassages – $3.  I love “Brownie” and “chicken”, for some reason.  Imagine all the cards, invites and maybe even fabric you customize!  Speaking of which…

Hawaiian Barkcloth from tessimal – $14.50.  This piece measures 18″ by 35″.  If you have a neutral sofa or chair like me, then it’s probably screaming for a 16″ pillow covered in this fabric.

Rustic Black Metal Letters from twoangelsinparis – $5.75.  A group of these would make a wonderful piece on the wall.  I love them as they are, but they can always be sprayed painted to suit.

Vintage Spice Tins from TrunkTreasures – $9.  So many possibilities – desk accessories, little herb planters in the kitchen, pin cushion on top while storing bobbins and other sewing supplies inside…

100 Mother of Pearl Sequins from grlyhead – $9.  If I had seen this a few weeks ago, they would already be strung out on my Christmas tree now.  Darn it!

Tiny Letterpress from twoangelsinparis – $9.50.  All 26 letters included!

Vintage Board Game Ephemera from FreestyleGifts – $4.75.  Awesome for the scrapbooker!

Oversized Vintage Sheet Music from PastTensePhotos – $3.  When I saw these, I immediately wished I had a fun little bookcase or two so I could glue these music sheets onto the backs.

Skeleton Keys from ImagineArt7 – $12.  I want a bunch of these to hang grouped together from the ceiling in various heights.  If you like windchimes, these would make a unique one, for sure.

Betty hails from NYC.  She grew up in Brooklyn, moved to Manhattan after college and stayed for 8+ years before moving on to a less manic and more spacious Queens and loving it.  She dreams of opening a bookstore/library/cafe/vintage furniture palace/animal rescue in Santorini one day.  Read her blog at Donkeehouse.com.

Top 10: Party Favors Under $10

This is a guest post by Betty T.

Party favors are a great way for hosts to say , “Thanks for coming!” to all their guests.  As a guest, it has always makes me feel a bit special and the favors themselves are a wonderful keepsake and reminder of a great night with good friends.

If you’re hosting any sort of holiday get-together this year, consider some party favors.  These will delight your guests and maybe you wouldn’t mind keeping some for yourself…

Above is a set of 6 Funky Magnets – Versailles with Gift Tin from funky chicken design – $6.50

Large Flour Sack Dishtowel with Embroidered Bird from susanshoopinitup – $6

Lemon Ginger Lip Balm from Sarahkat Designs – $3.25

Rectangular Crystal Ornament from Pottery Barn – $9

Flip and Tumble Bags from Flip and Tumble via Mighty Haus – $9

Eggling Crack & Grow Flowers from Uncommon Goods – $9

Stamped Ceramic Dish from Urban Outfitters – $6

Spread Heads Toothpaste Cap – $5

Flush of Red Sun Tea from Owen Acres – $4.45 for 1 oz.

Princess Pocket Mirror from Chest of Fairy Tales – $5

Betty hails from NYC.  She grew up in Brooklyn, moved to Manhattan after college and stayed for 8+ years before moving on to a less manic and more spacious Queens and loving it.  She dreams of opening a bookstore/library/cafe/vintage furniture palace/animal rescue in Santorini one day.  Read her blog at Donkeehouse.com.

Top 5: Vintage and Salvage Resources

This is a guest post by Betty T.

Top 10 is Top 5 this time around because these guys below provide enough for a Top 100.  Really!

Sometimes I find it difficult, if not impossible, to find affordable and quirky vintage or salvaged pieces.  Some retailers overcharge for just the word “vintage” or for any item with a chip on it.

I set out to find just a few places where the goods are authentic and interesting and the prices are affordable and reasonable.  These places are small businesses and the employees are the owners, so they need all the support they can get!  Check them out…

1.  Salvage Chic – Above is the Country Red 4-Shelf Bookcase – $129.  But oh, they have so much more…

4-Drawer Chest – $159

Kitchenware…

Black Oval Dining Table – $189

2.  Ergoiamtoo – I wrote about them here a few months ago, but everytime I check back in, they have new stuff!  Owners are Mark and Judy Cooke and they have been doing this for 30 years.  Their stuff are genuine industrial artifacts, not MADE to look like it.  Prices and shipping are reasonable – go check out their sales.  I’ve bought from them before and I will again.  Here’s a sampling of what they have right now…

Standing Task Lamp – $195, White Metal Cabinet with Casters – $170:

Huge 8ft Type Case – $250 and Metal Stool with Back – $95:

Metal Shelving – $105 and Yellow Garbage Can – $125:

3.  A Rustic Garden – I spent a good two hours getting all giddy and happy on their site.  This cast iron stove tickles my steampunk fancy, although I don’t have a place for it – $350:

4.  Silver Fox Salvage – Architectural salvage and upcycled furniture pieces.  Reuse and repurpose!

Bench made from salvaged wood – $225 and 2 Drawer Chest on casters – $165:

Industrial Metal Cabinet – $75 and 15 Drawer Library Catalog – $95:

5. This Is Not Ikea (TINI) – They’ve got a huge inventory and with prices this reasonable, you can furnish your whole home with these guys.  Some of my favorites:

Vintage working calculator – $85 and 18-Drawer Metal Organizer – $145:

Glossy Mannequin Head – $145 and 2 Mid Century chairs – $145:

Orange Metal and Marble Side Table – $90 and 3 Flour Sack Cushions – $25 to $30:

Betty hails from NYC.  She grew up in Brooklyn, moved to Manhattan after college and stayed for 8+ years before moving on to a less manic and more spacious Queens and loving it.  She dreams of opening a bookstore/library/cafe/vintage furniture palace/animal rescue in Santorini one day.  Read her blog at Donkeehouse.com.

Top 10: Holiday Accessories For Under $25

This is a guest post by Betty T.

November and December have always been my favorite time of year ever since I can remember.  I don’t mind the cold and look forward to the year’s first snow – which, ironically, makes me all warm and fuzzy inside.  The holidays are all about getting together with friends and family, eating an abundance of wonderul home-cooked food, playing games, most likely some bickering and generally a great reason to CELEBRATE!

These accessories around the home really help to bring in the holiday spirit – every piece for $25 and under!

Above is the Star Beaded Ornament Lightcatcher from WildWomanJewelry – $19

Under The Tree Dishtowel from Anthropologie – $18

Glass Pedestal Candy Jar 5″ h from Amazon – $19.99.  Can be used for so much more…in the bathroom with a bunch of these in green and red:

Bee and Flower Soap from Pearl River – $0.45 each

Pirate Ship Ornament from Anthropologie – $18

Brooklyn Advent Calendar from nouveaudesigns – $20

Elf Candleholder from CB2 – $5.95.  Little guy is cast iron, so he won’t burn – thank goodness…

Dining Table Ping Pong Set from The Curiosity Shoppe – $25.  Nothing like a little fierce competition with my 7 year old nephew!  If he kicks my tush, I can always take revenge on his 3 year old sister…If not, there is always the not quite one and a half year old niece from my other sister…

Create a Treat-Gingerbread House Kit with Tree from Amazon – $19.95.

Stainless Stain 3-Tier Lunch Box from Pearl River – $15.50.  I did mention exorbitant amounts of home-cooked food, right?

Betty hails from NYC.  She grew up in Brooklyn, moved to Manhattan after college and stayed for 8+ years before moving on to a less manic and more spacious Queens and loving it.  She dreams of opening a bookstore/library/cafe/vintage furniture palace/animal rescue in Santorini one day.  Read her blog at Donkeehouse.com.