Ten fabulous assorted vintage treasures from Buy R Vintage Junk

Yard sales around these parts lately have left much to be desired a lot of the time. In fact, I haven't bought a single thing at any of the ones I've visited so far year and that's saying a great deal right there. Granted, I'm on the prowl for mid-century (and early) vintage and antiques first and foremost, but for the right price, I'll buy newer items, if I need them, too. Nothing has swayed me to dip into my pocket of jangling coins quite yet though and this is definitely the furthest into the season that this has happened before.

Chances are, I will find a few vintage goodies on the yard sale (and flea market) front before the season wraps up in early autumn, but for now, as it so often has been for me over the years, the web is my #1 source of vintage items - not that I'm complaining there, I'm certainly not. It's really, really handy to have such a vast marketplace at our fingertips 24/7!

Sometimes when the yard sales gods are forgetting to smile on me, I turn to my favourite Etsy shops that house a wide range of old school products at reasonable prices. I love shops like this - they're a bit like a mini flea market - or certainly a very well stocked yard sale - in one handy-dandy spot and can be a great place to unearth a treasure (or ten) that you didn't know you needed, but suddenly can't imagine leaving behind.

This month I had the great pleasure of welcoming the charmingly named Etsy shop Buy R Vintage Junk as a brand new blog sponsor and goodness, does their delightful array of offerings fall into the fabulously yard sale-esque camp in terms of the diversity that they stock.

Helmed by a lovely third generation treasure hunter named Denise, who is located in Indiana, Buy R Vintage Junk, is chalk-a-block with - to quote the shop's welcome message itself - "Primitive farm finds, burlap feed sacks, vintage lingerie, rusty & salvaged metal, creepy dolls, vintage jewelry, cottage decor, retro kitchen items, old tools and more". Tell me that doesn't sound enthralling!

As a way of introducing all of you to Buy R Vintage Junk, I thought it would be fun to shine the spotlight on ten of their current offerings that really caught my eye. These are the kinds of items that I would always gravitate towards, online or off, and which I hope you'll really enjoy as well.




This gorgeous Victorian silk and straw drawstring handbag is truly gorgeous and still in very decent shape for its age. I could see this looking stunning with all kinds of 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s outfits alike and can't help but think how sensational it would be for the annual Jazz Age Lawn Party in New York state.




There is something about old flour and feedbags that speaks to my inner farm girl (I've never lived on a farm, but I have an inner country lass all the same) so very much, and this great old early 20th century Purina Steers Chow bag is no exception. It would make for such a cool pillow or framed piece of wall art.




I will never fully get why galoshes, by and large, went the way of the dinosaur (save for amongst some of us vintage wearers). They're beyond practical and they look seriously cute, too. Though this pair, at a petit size 5.5, is much too small for my feet, these are just the sort of fit-over-a-pair-of-heels vintage rain galoshes that I would love to add to my wardrobe one day.




If you ask me, most bed linens these days are far too lackluster or run of the mill. I miss the days when each piece was imbued with handmade charm, and love that we can still get that either from creating our own pieces or turning to vintage offerings, such as these splendidly pretty mid-century vintage embroidered pillow cases, both of which feature peach and green butterflies and flowers. So darling!




This vintage kitty cat coin bank is too cute for words!!! Who wouldn't want to stash their pennies away in something this smile inducingly fun? I know that I certainly would!




Perfect for use as a display piece in your vintage kitchen or dining room, this charming mid-century PY-O-MY vintage metal pie pan is sure to be a bit hit with all the vintage and pie fans in your life alike!




Look closely at this immensely lovely circa 1950s cream straw hat, for there on the band, what do you see but a row of matching coloured buttons. How fabulously fun, creative, and cute is that?




Whether you start an instant collection, or bolster your existing one with them, your winter decor will be enhanced by this selection of five elegant, timelessly pretty sparkly vintage rose shaped Christmas ornaments.




Perhaps its my family ties to gold mining, maybe it's because I adore camping, or it could just be because they're so timelessly beautiful looking, but I have always felt drawn to classic vintage metal lanterns like this age worn charmer that was used by the Chicago Bureau of Sanitation.




Long before the widespread vintage crafting scene as we know it today came into being, various books and magazines were produced that celebrated and shared old school patterns with those who were already looking to the pas for creative inspiration, including this wonderful edition of Olde Time Needlework Patterns and Designs magazine from 1973. I can just imagine that awesome designs it must house!

(All images via Buy R Vintage Junk. Please click on the photo of an item of the link in the text below it to find out more it, including that piece's price.) 

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Which of these delightful vintage finds appeals to you most of us? I'm especially smitten with the Victorian hat, kitty cat coin bank, and beautiful straw hat myself.

Buy R Vintage Junk is a relatively newcomer to Etsy, having opened their online doors in August 2014. Their inventory continues to expand and you just never know what yesteryear gem you might discover amongst their digital shelves. If you haven't done so already, be sure to heart/favourite them on Etsy so that you can stay abreast of all the great new (old!) items that Denise continues to stock in her shop.

Though I'm not calling this year's yard sale season a total wash yet, whether things pick up on that front or not, as I've done for nearly twelve years now, I will turn to the web and shops like Buy R Vintage Junk not only during the spring and summer, but all season long.

It's so important that we support small business owners online and as I'm one myself on Etsy as well, I can't help but have an especially soft spot in my heart for my fellow sellers and their awesome vintage wears there.

And on that note, Buy R Vintage Junk has very kindly created an exclusive coupon code just for CV's readers. Between today and July 31, 2015, you can save 20% off on everything in their shop when you use the coupon code VGT20 at the checkout. Sweet!!!

Discussing fashion, crafts, and the perfect Saturday afternoon with Marcy from Manhattan Hippy Vintage

This month Chronically Vintage has been blessed and delighted to welcome our largest number of new blog sponsors in a given month to date, one of the most recent of which is a seriously terrific etsy shop called Manhattan Hippy Vintage.

What strikes you at first glance about Manhattan Hippy, aside from their smile-inducingly awesome name, is the fact this etsy shop is stocked not merely with "just" vintage items or handmade products, but with a selection of each. Shop owner Marcy Langworthy (pictured below - does she not have the most gorgeous blonde curls imaginable?) is both an artisan and a vintage enthusiast, and she has woven her passion for each together seamlessly in a shop that conveys the creative spirit of the hippy movement with the posh, stylish elegance of Manhattan worthy fashion.




Living up to its moniker and then some, Manhattan Hippy, is a treasure trove of vibrant, wearable, very reasonably priced mid century fashions, accessories, and handmade jewelry items crafted by Marcy herself, that beckons one in and keeps them thumbing through each page of listings with great interest.

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Marcy and getting to know both her and her awesome etsy shop better. From wearing vintage on the daily to being a fellow crafter who also has a massive passion for the past, I discovered the she and I share a lot in common and highly suspect that you'll likely see yourself in some of her answers as well.



Your shop has such a fabulously fun name, evoking a sense of both upscale sophistication and fun loving, youthful flower power. What was the driving motivation behind selecting it?

I've been living in Manhattan for 10 years and I absolutely love the city and all its quirks. NYC is known for high fashion, but what I really appreciate is the hole-in-the-wall thrift and vintage shops. I’m moving to Brooklyn this spring…but, Brooklyn Hippy just doesn’t have the same ring to it!



{1980s does 1940s red, yellow, white and blue floral print dress}

How long have you been selling vintage and what lead you pursue this passion?


I’ve had a funky fashion sense ever since I can remember so it just seemed natural. I opened my Etsy shop two years ago with no expectations. Little did I know, it would take over my life and my apartment!



{Vintage blue denim a-line skirt}

Has your etsy shop become your full-time career? If not, does your other job relate to your passion for vintage?


I spend insane amounts of time doing shop stuff, but it never really seems like work. Scouring flea markets and hitting up estate sales is my idea of fun. Last year, I worked in a vintage warehouse which was kind of a dream come true! I also work in a vegan restaurant from time to time.



{Handmade blue floral fabric button earrings}


Do you wear vintage often yourself? If so, what are your favourite decades to dress from?


I wear vintage every day, I gotta represent! Sometimes it’s just a pair of suspenders or a tie (my most recent obsessions), other times I’m decked out in head-to-toe vintage. I am always a sucker for ‘60s and ‘70s novelty prints and anything polyester.



{Awesome 1960s beaded fruit handbag}



You sell both genuine vintage items and beautiful handmade earrings created using vintage fabrics, how have you found managing both of these sides of your shop to be? (As opposed to only selling one or the other, I mean.)


It’s gets overwhelming at times, but I love being able to offer both vintage and handmade. My work space is always a hot mess, the woes of running a business from an NYC apartment I suppose.



{1950s/1960s red daisy metal and enamel brooch and earrings set}

What sorts of similarities between vintage clothing and crafting do you find ring true for you?


The main thing is creativity. I can find a dusty, wrinkled up maxi skirt at a warehouse and envision it all cleaned up and styled. Likewise, I can spot a fabulous earring print from a mile away. They’re both really hands on too. Obviously I make the earrings by hand, but the vintage requires a lot of work. I’m always washing, measuring, fixing or photographing the vintage pieces.




{Vintage patriotic American history print scarf}

What are some things that you feel help set your etsy shop apart from the crowd?


Carrying both vintage and handmade is pretty rare. I also offer styling suggestions. My favorite tip is to hoist your maxi skirt up, belt it and wear it as a dress.




{Vintage floral print dress with big front pockets}


What kind of advice would you give to someone who was brand new to wearing and shopping for vintage?


Don’t rely on vintage tag sizes, know your measurements. And, just have fun! (Jessica's note: for more on vintage clothes sizing, be sure to see this post from last year devoted just to that topic.)




{Cute white and yellow bow print fabric covered handmade earrings}


In your opinion, what are three to five timeless vintage pieces that any woman's wardrobe would benefit from owning?


1950s dresses are always a good idea. And, gauzy 60’s tops belong in every girls summer closet. Plus silk scarves for bad hair days.

{Beautiful 1960s/1970s floral stitchery fabric purse with wooden handles}



It's a sunny Saturday afternoon in July, what are doing, wearing, shopping for and noshing on?


I’m in Central Park wearing something skimpy and colorful, picnicking with my husband, eating vegetables and day dreaming about cats.



{Plus size vintage sleeveless striped summer dress}


Is there anything else about yourself or shop that you'd like to share with us?

I'm really excited about a new line of restructured vintage pieces that I’ll be adding to the shop over the next few weeks plus some hand painted earrings are on their way. Stay tuned.


You can also connect with Manhattan Hippy Vintage via their social media accounts on the following sites:

-Facebook

-Instagram

-Twitter

{All images in this post via Manhattan Hippy Vintage} 

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Thank you very much for a lovely interview, Marcy, and for sponsoring Chronically Vintage. I've fallen hard for your wonderful shop and handmade jewelry (you use the cutest vintage fabrics for your button earrings!) and could easily picture myself sporting several of the fabulous yesteryear fashions you have listed.

Should you also feel yourself pulled towards doing some shopping at Manhattan Hippy Vintage, Marcy is very generously offering all Chronically Vintage 20% off their purchases at her etsy shop until March 31, 2014 when you use the coupon code spring20 at checkout. This coupon code can be applied to orders of any size and used from any country that she ships to.

Though I don't usually don the threads of the time, I've always had a deeply rooted passion in my heart for the 1960s and 70s, the hippy era that massively changed the world and produced some of the best music ever. There should be at least a whisper of this amazing period in all of us, no matter if we wear "far out" fashions or not. That spirit is alive and well at Manhattan Hippy Vintage, where flower power meets chic New York flower pattern in a marvelous symphony of vintage and handmade items that are sure to catch the eye of yesteryear fashion fans far and wide.