Author Archives: Meteor Vintage

Four for Friday, #3. Now with Pictures! (And an Announcement!)

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One: vinellenn

Jessica Ellen is a vintage enthusiast out of Melbourne, Australia.  She posts lovely pictures of herself modeling vintage and vintage-inspired fashion and makes references to many classic Hollywood actors and actresses.

So happy with my hair today. The wind better not destroy it or it'll have me to answer to!... So fierce! Lol #vintage #vintagefashion #retro #1950s #1940s #redhead #ginger #luxulite

So happy with my hair today. The wind better not destroy it or it’ll have me to answer to!… So fierce! Lol #vintage #vintagefashion #retro #1950s #1940s #redhead #ginger #luxulite

Two: littlemessymissy

Little Messy Missy is a varied interests blogger with an earthy, homespun style I admire. Featured in the mix is her love of vintage and retro items, advertising and pinups.

#whiskey #bourbon # peaches #vanilla #bean #jam #kitchenwitch #canning #homemade #persevering Making some Vanilla Bourbon Peach Jam.

#whiskey #bourbon # peaches #vanilla #bean #jam #kitchenwitch #canning #homemade #persevering Making some Vanilla Bourbon Peach Jam.

Three: cosmicyaina

Lenore’s feed is full of beautiful pictures of vintage signs, abandoned buildings and houses. Roadside America at its best!

We have a few Cadillac Motels in Florida. This one is in Sarasota, FL. Some of you #signgeeks may have already loaded this one.

We have a few Cadillac Motels in Florida. This one is in Sarasota, FL. Some of you #signgeeks may have already loaded this one.

Four: tjraygun

My husband was the first to notice TJ Raygun‘s art (featuring the following character) on the walls of Two Rivers Craft Coffee in Arvada, Colorado.  Since then, we’ve come across several other TJ Raygun installations around Denver that we’ve enjoyed.  Art is always best peppered with humor and TJ, who has had showings both nationally and internationally, is excellent at marrying the serious with the sarcastic.

a is for astronaut. #illustration #art #drawing

a is for astronaut. #illustration #art #drawing

This next one is from my own Instagram feed:

My husband, @alex_meece and I will be moving from Denver to Louisville, Kentucky (a few hours from where we're both from) in the next few weeks. I will be happy to be closer to family and friends back home, but it will be hard to leave all the great people we've met here. #denver #kentucky #2014

My husband, @alex_meece and I will be moving from Denver to Louisville, Kentucky (a few hours from where we’re both from) in the next few weeks. I will be happy to be closer to family and friends back home, but it will be hard to leave all the great people we’ve met here. #denver #kentucky #2014

That’s right!  We’re moving!  Though I have some future posts planned in my head, I have a lot to do in order to be ready to move 1,000 miles across the country.  If I go quiet for a little bit, don’t worry!  I’ll be back once we’re settled in our new home!

– Mary Beth

Pop-Up Culture

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Around this time last year, I started participating in pop-up markets.  I had no idea what I was doing and flew by the seat of my pants through the first few.  Back then, I wrote a post with “tips” for other sellers, but let’s not kid ourselves, those tips were as much for me as they were for you guys because I was still as much a newbie as anyone else.  A year later, I’ve learned a few things (through trial and error mostly) and I’m starting to feel more relaxed about the process of public selling.

A lot of people ask me what kind of stuff I sell and, really, I sell just about anything vintage if it has caught my eye, is in good condition and easy to transport.  I look for things I know people want and quality products are always in vogue.  In a disposable culture, such as what we have today, I believe that’s why there has been a return to vintage.  People want items that don’t wear out in a week.  Everything old is new again and many people want to learn the skills their grandparents had.  In one of the photos below, there is a great shot of a gentleman who purchased a vintage Gem-O-Matic safety razor from me.  His interest prompted a discussion among the men at the sale about shaving the way their grandfathers did and what you need to know to do it right (without shredding your face!) .

At every sale, I get asked if I have a brick and mortar store.  Nope.  Selling vintage is something I do for fun in my free time.  I’ve sold a bit through Instagram and I aspire to begin selling through Etsy, but I like selling at pop-ups best of all.

To further your idea of what I sell and what a sale is like, I thought I would share some photos and a video from the trunk show I did on September 14th.  These were taken by Christian Anderson of Penamora Photo who was kind enough to do some shots for me of the event since, as usual, I forgot something in all my preparation…my camera!

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Four for Friday, #2

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One: vintage_vixens

Vintage Vixens is the Instagram account of Reel Dames.  Their feed is dedicated to “Old Hollywood Glam and Classic Fans.”  V.V. posts some great photos of old Hollywood stars and legends and I really like that they don’t post pictures I’ve seen over and over again.  Following Vintage Vixens gives you the opportunity to discover someone new to admire from the past.

Two: vintageglasstherapy

Angela M. is a wonderful source of information about your old glassware.  She has helped me several times.  And…let’s talk about what she finds!  I don’t know where she shops, but damn.  Angela has items in her feed I’ve never seen before.  Some of the items even have their original sales tags and advertising.  I didn’t know that the Fire-King D-handle mugs came in pink until I saw them in her feed.  If you’re a vintage glass lover, as I am, check out vintageglasstherapy.

Three: samisosa16

Samisosa16 is the Instagram feed of Samantha K., the author of Nettle and Honey.  Samantha is an aspiring pin-up model with an eye for the “little things” that make life worth living.  Her posts feature food, diy projects, fashion, clothing and genuinely nice wishes for anyone who happens across her feed.

Four: ronifeelsnostalgic is the feed of Veronika, a self-described “tumbleweed”.  Roni posts photos of her day to day life, which (to an outside observer) looks pretty sweet.  Her style is what I would describe as “modern vintage”.  She appears to be family-oriented and makes some great references to old television shows and movies.  Don’t take this creative soul lightly, she used to be in the air force!

Four for Friday, #1

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Puffin Biscuits Instagram with Words 2 and Logo_640I love Instagram.  I follow over a thousand people who, like me, have vintage and creative interests, want to sell the items they make or curate, reflect on activities of daily living, decorate their homes in interesting ways, eat all the things, have adorable pets and so on and so forth.

I am not alone in my use of ‘Four For Friday’.  There are several blogs that post with this tagline as a means of featuring the most popular ideas related to their page.  While I am sad not to be original in the concept, I thought ‘Four for Friday’ would be a fun way to bring who I follow on Instagram to the forefront of your imagination once a week.  So, in no particular order (thanks to random.org)… Let’s begin!

One: citygirlcountrydreams

Macey doesn’t have a description posted of her Instagram feed, but she posts some beautiful pictures of the vintage she sees and buys.  She has two precious cats and a great eye for vintage.  Check out her pictures from the World’s Longest Yard Sale (#wlys).

Two: mr_rhythm

mr_rhythm is a private Instagram user whom you have to request to follow.  He is a very talented pinstriper and his posts include lots of vintage vehicles, lowriders and details of his work.  He also posts some funny and sweet pictures of his lady and baby.  Proof that the tough can also be tender!

Three: vintagebyrd

Rebekah is an Instagrammer out of Portland, Oregon.  She has an Etsy shop and her posts have a very naturalist/boho quality to them.  There are lots of gauzy, well-composed photos to start you daydreaming in her feed (as well as two very cuddly cats).

Four: 1shotslinger

Devin is another pinstriper (as well as hand letterer, graphic designer and leather tooler!).  He recently completed work on the signage for Ollie’s Barber Shop here in Wash Park, Denver.  His posts contain lots of hot rods, art, vintage lettering, graphics, and logos to enjoy.

Happy Friday, Everyone!

– Mary Beth

One Heart, One Hand

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I’d like to tell you a little bit about where my recent Meteor Vintage logos came from.  I am lucky enough to have a friend (with an extreme amount of patience) who has been there for me through the years as both my friend and my “partner in crime”.  Through my many harebrained schemes, project ideas and (sometimes) tears, she has never once complained.  To have a friend who can give substance, form and detail to your ideas is a rare treat.  I consider Debby Wagner to be, not only a fantastic artist, but one of my very best friends.

by Debby Wagner

by Debby Wagner

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by Debby Wagner

Debby comes by her artistic talent honestly.  Her grandmother was Mary Dorman Lardie, an artist for Hallmark whose career as a greeting card writer and illustrator spanned more than 60 years.  I had the pleasure of meeting Mary at her home in Traverse City, Michigan one summer when I was in high school.  She was in her eighties at the time and every bit the character she had been described as by her family.  I enjoy the Wagner women for their sense of humor and, after meeting Mary, it was easy to see where that came from.

Debby (pictured right) was my Maid of Honor. She and her mother sewed the dress she is wearing in this photo from a re-issued vintage pattern.

Debby (pictured right) was my Maid of Honor. She and her mother sewed the dress she is wearing in this photo from a re-issued vintage sewing pattern.  Photo by Erin Claire Photography.  Hair and styling by Miana Cornell, Hive Salon.

Mary wrote, designed and illustrated over 8,000 cards in her career, more than half of which were published by Hallmark.  A Google search for Mary Dorman cards and items often takes you to eBay or Etsy, where pieces from her popular 1950’s teen line can still be found.  I frequently search through old postcards at antique stores hoping to find one of Mary’s designs, such as the patriotic ones that follow.

Happy Independence Day!

by Mary Dorman

by Mary Dorman

by Mary Dorman

by Mary Dorman

“I Spy” Saturday, #10

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I apologize for the long break between posts.  March saw me working every day (sometimes at both of my jobs) and following that I had surgery.  What’s a girl to do?  (Not post, is what I’m guessing.) Let’s take a look at what I’ve found over the past month!

Image courtesy of The Plaid Thermos

Michelle at Thrift Obsessed posted about The Plaid Thermos‘ “Fake or Bake” Bakelite testing kits and I think they are simply brilliant.  As Rebecca of The Plaid Thermos states on her blog, “No more wondering if a piece of jewelry etc. is Bakelite or not while standing in a thrift or antique store (or going through existing jewelry at home). Now you can easily take with you a “Fake or Bake” kit! It fits easily in your purse &/or pocket!”  I’m ashamed to admit how many times I’ve purchased a piece of jewelry thinking it was Bakelite only to get home, test it and find that it was not.  “Fake or Bake” kits run about $11.00 and can be purchased from The Plaid Thermos’ Etsy shop here.

Wondering what to do with all those lovely vintage hankies you’ve got stashed around?  Pattern Patter posted an idea I’m absolutely envious of from Lake and Garden.  Turn them into a hankie quilt!

Image courtesy of Lake and Garden

Have you ever seen anything more lovely?  Imagine that quilt in a guest or child’s bedroom. Suzanne of Lake and Garden shares the process of making the above quilt here.

Need something to listen to while you sew?  Maybe a little punkabilly?  The Koffin Kats shared recently via Facebook that they are part of a new punkabilly compilation titled ‘Punkabilly Shakes The World’.  I’m always up for finding new bands to listen to.  I discovered The Koffin Kats through a similar compilation.  As its title suggests, ‘Punkabilly Shakes The World’ features punkabilly bands from all over the world.

 

After you sew your quilt, you can cuddle up and celebrate the 24th anniversary (25th if you’re going by the year the show is set in, 1989) of Twin Peaks.  Instagrammer @dollymaevintage  posted about these fabulous Twin Peaks travel posters created by Jazzberry Blue.  Prints from Jazzberry Blue’s Etsy shop run as low as $22.00 and feature several mid-century modern inspired prints that are nothing short of stunning.

Once you purchase and frame your Jazzberry Blue prints, you can use the following tips posted by Black Dog Architectural Salvage (the same shop featured on Salvage Dawgs via the DIY Network) to hang them.  The tips come from Driven by Decor and are a popular Pinterest pin.

Image courtesy of Driven by Decor