Blog Archives

Image

Become a Millionaire by Shopping Garage Sales


ONE MAN’S TRASH IS ANOTHER MAN’S TREASURE

So how does one become a “Garage Sale Millionaire?”

Our own Aaron LaPedis, AKA “The Garage Sale Millionaire” shares his tips:

EDUCATE YOURSELF:  Reality TV is not always reality, BUT, shows like Antiques Roadshow and Pawn Stars can still be good teaching mechanisms in that you can learn what items are in demand and how the experts appraise them. Become an expert on a handful of items, so when you come across those items, you know how much, if anything, they’re worth on the market.

Remember, sometimes the most valuable things to collect depend on the geographic region you’re in. If you live in the South, you’re surrounded by Civil War stuff, whereas in Colorado, there’s not much of it, so it’s priced at a premium. The same goes for Western memorabilia – it’s popular in the Midwest, where there’s less of it. So when collecting, consider the place you’re doing it in: What is that state or region known for? That’s where you’ll get the best price and the best value.

NEGOTIATE – IT’S THE ART OF THE DEAL:  Be it a thrift shop, consignment shop or pawn shop, when you’re talking about the money, find out who the owner is because you’ll get the best deal from that person. The owner doesn’t have to worry about paying a commission and if they’re having any kind of money crunch, they’ll want to turn inventory. Cash is often king, because a lot of places don’t take credit cards, so you’ll get a better deal if you’re willing to pay cash.

DON’T LEAD ON TO BEING THE NEXT MILLIONAIRE ON THE BLOCK:  How you dress is also important when shopping for collectibles. That means dressing in inconspicuous clothing, leaving expensive jewelry and shoes at home and parking your car a block away. If you drive up in a Lexus in front of a garage sale I’m holding, I’ll probably be hard-pressed to give you a good deal. Also, build a rapport before you start negotiating. Don’t immediately rush in with, “How low can you go?” Start a conversation about the weather an find common ground somewhere… cozy up to the seller, to the point you both agree it’s a good deal for both parties.

MIND YOUR MANNERS: Don’t be that guy… If an item is $100 and you offer $15, that’s an insult. You’ll turn that person off right away and they’ll never want to do business with you. I would start just under 50% on an item, sometimes even less, depending on how badly I want that piece. Don’t ever try to crush the other person during negotiations. The deal is never a good one if it doesn’t get done.

GETTING RIPPED OFF SUCKS, SO USE COMMON SENSE: Know that 50% to 60% of all signatures on memorabilia and documents are fake. Autopens allow people to copy signatures and unless you’re a foremost expert, you’d never know the difference. When you buy an autographed collectible, you don’t want to pay cash. Use a credit card or PayPal to protect yourself, and let them know you’ll insist on a refund if it’s not real. There are third-party authenticators that will verify whether or not an autograph is real. Sometimes making a “non-refundable” deposit to show the seller you’re interested before committing to paying asking price can save your A$$.

USE TECHNOLOGY TO YOUR ADVANTAGE:  I have an online tip for buying offline – I use the website Tag Sell It and I also have their app on my smart-phone.

MOST IMPORTANT:  Read My Book

FIRM BELIEF: Not only can garage sale treasure seekers make some money reselling various items, but they can make very substantial residual profits over time.

As the owner of two art galleries in Denver and former host of a local PBS show calledCollect This!, LaPedis knows how to track down hidden treasures and turn them into a profit. His recent book, The Garage Sale Millionaire (Wiley), offers advice on how to make money by digging around garage sales, storage units and everything in between. Aaron became an owner and partner with Tag Sell It Inc. in 2013.

 

Image

Porter and Hollister Hovey’s Flea-Market Chic

The sisters create interior designs that combine pieces of personal history with thrift-store finds (like stuffed birds) and a smattering of modern electronics

Special thanks to Megan Buerger at the Wall Street Journal for allowing us to repost this awesome story!

In the shared Brooklyn loft of sisters Porter and Hollister Hovey, stuffed birds mingle comfortably with eclectic vintage furniture. The unusual décor displays the combined styles of Hollister, 34, a leather-loving tomboy with a taste for Louis Vuitton luggage and antique backgammon sets; and Porter, 30, a photographer who loves exotic stuffed birds, chinoiserie vases and pearls.

“It’s Palm Beach on crack,” Ms. Hollister jokes, describing Ms. Porter’s style, “but mixing and matching in an eclectic way is our game.”

A framed Hermès scarf that belonged to their mother hangs above Porter and Hollister Hovey’s fireplace. -Dorothy Hong for The Wall Street Journal

The sisters run the up-and-coming décor company Hovey Design, creating a distinctive aesthetic by combining keepsakes with thrift-store antiques and a smattering of modern electronics. Since founding the firm in late 2011, the Hoveys have decorated penthouses in Williamsburg, developed a wallpaper and an adhesive wall mural for retailer Anthropologie and published a book entitled “Heirloom Modern,” which was released last month. On May 23, décor e-retailer One King’s Lane will release a “tastemaker tag sale” with about 100 of the Hoveys’ favorite items up for grabs.

On Hollister’s blog, which she started in 2007, the sisters share old family photos, renovation tips and snapshots of thrift-shopping adventures from the Berkshires to Tokyo. Known in design circles for its vintage style and flea-market savvy, the blog receives about 2,000 hits per day.

It’s easy for manipulated authenticity, particularly one built around nostalgia, to feel contrived. “The key is to be yourself,” Hollister says. “It sounds simple, but trust us, it’s not. You have to be honest about your story. If you try to be someone you’re not, everyone who enters your home will notice. Instead, they should take a deep breath and say, ‘This is so you.’ ”

To do so, the sisters say clients must embrace their oddities and abandon perfectionism. The Hoveys’ design service, which begins with a consultation that costs about $3,500 per room, comes with a lengthy, personal questionnaire. (They typically charge between $3,500 to $5,500 to conceptualize each room, plus an additional 20% charge on top of the price of any items they source.) In the questionnaire, clients are asked about their favorite childhood vacation, the best advice their parents ever gave them and the secret career they wish they had. Those answers then become a treasure map for details to highlight in the décor.

Last fall, Anthropologie commissioned the pair to design a wall mural called ‘Photographed Antiquities’ ($248). The print is based on a photograph of the Hoveys’ living room. -Anthropologie

“Our process is very personal,” Porter says. “Sometimes it feels like therapy, unearthing childhood memories and showcasing them in a sophisticated way.”

“The memories aren’t always happy or pretty, but that’s life,” Hollister adds. “It doesn’t make your home a sad place, it fills it with life. It’s what makes it interesting.”

The Hoveys’ 1,400-square-foot Williamsburg apartment is brimming with quirky antiques, animal prints and a mishmash of design genres—a lot like their childhood home in Kansas City, Kan. The two credit their treasure-hunting abilities to their mother, who was a fan of flea markets and eccentric fashion and filled their home with trinkets from around the world.

“She believed eclecticism was fabulous and always encouraged us to be individuals,” Hollister says. “She potty-trained me by bribing me with designer underwear.”

Their mother died in 2002, and the women have turned her favorite Hermès scarf into a piece of framed wall art. Next to it sits an old family desk flanked by a pair of 1970s Art-Deco chrome chairs and a large portrait of a hunter. The space also includes a life-size papier-mâché leopard, plastic tusks made from melted toys and a trio of taxidermied birds including a pheasant, swan and scarlet ibis. None of this is supposed to go together, but that’s the point. The sisters rely on traditional design rules such as color balancing and shape variation, and then bend them to give the space personality.

Among the heirlooms is a collection of stuffed birds. ‘They’re elegant and exotic,’ Hollister says. ‘Every woman should have at least one.’ Dorothy Hong for The Wall Street Journal

Hollister and Porter Hovey took different paths out of Kansas. Hollister worked as a reporter before joining a health-care public-relations firm, where she still works, and Porter worked at an art gallery in Manhattan before dabbling in music public relations and, now, real estate.

Their first client, Peter Jenkins, was one of Porter’s bosses who hired them to decorate his penthouse loft apartment in Williamsburg. It was so well-received that it quickly led to more clients; the apartment he bought for $2.16 million in 2011 was listed for $3.25 million and is now under contract.

In their book, the sisters offer personal examples of translating a life story into décor. The book draws on a mixture of family and friends for inspiration; subjects include their aunt and grandmother, along with friends like New York hotelier Sean MacPherson, of the Bowery and Jane hotels.

“We often feel like we’ve been branded as these vintage puritans, but it’s not that simple,” Hollister says.”Taste is more complicated than that. In the book, Sean talks about how the Navajo intentionally weave mistakes into their rugs as a way of celebrating imperfection, and I thought, ‘That’s it.’ It’s the antigeneric. It’s about breaking out of traditional design boxes in order to build your own.”

Special thanks to Megan Buerger at the Wall Street Journal for allowing us to repost this awesome story!

Original Source

Image

Earth Day 2013

“Climate change can seem like a remote problem for our leaders, but the fact is that it’s already impacting real people, animals, and beloved places. These Faces of Climate Change are multiplying every day. Fortunately, other Faces of Climate Change are multiplying too: those stepping up to do something about it. Help us personalize the massive challenge climate change presents by taking a photo and telling your story.” – earthday.org/2013/ 

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtfully committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

- Margaret Mead

 

Earth Day has become an international celebration of all things environmental. All around the world, individuals and communities are gearing up for the Earth Day 2013 celebration on April 22 — and often, the weekend before and after.

For people who take a more hands-on approach to environmental issues, Earth Day is the ideal chance to get involved in green living and sustainability issues. Write your congressman, volunteer to clean-up a park or river, or start a protest: It’s the most patriotic way to celebrate Earth Day!

 How has climate change impacted you?

What are you doing to be part of the solution?

Image

Savvy Shopping Guide

We recently discovered this cool site called savvyshoppingguide.com. It’s a resource dedicated to helping shoppers save thousands of dollars on clothing, accessories and much more. The site’s founder, Carolyn Schneider, is also the author of The Ultimate Consignment & Thrift Store and an internationally recognized global bargain shopper. Ms. Schneider began secondhand shopping over nineteen years ago.

We really liked this so we wanted to share!

“Bargain Shopping Expert and Author of The Ultimate Consignment and Thrift Store Guide Discusses Bargain Shopping Secrets to Finding the Best Bargains Around the Globe”

The Worlds Best-Kept Shopping Secrets

A Ralph Lauren blazer for $15? A Donna Karan suit for $40? A Chanel silk lined jacket for only $5.00? These are normally priced at thousands of dollars each and you will never find them for that price at a department store. “You can get great deals if you know where to shop” says Carolyn Schneider expert bargain shopper, author of The Ultimate Consignment & Thrift Store Guide, newly published fifth edition & and savvyshoppingguide.com, the internet’s first and only international guide to the world’s best consignment, thrift, vintage & secondhand stores featuring over 10,000 plus stores. From New York City, to Paris, France to Sydney, Australia these bargains are waiting to be found.

Ms. Schneider offers the following tips for shoppers that are guaranteed to save thousands of dollars on designer clothing and accessories.

  • Shop at the end of the season and put away the items for next season. April is a good time to shop for winter, September is a good time to shop for summer. Consignment stores are try to clear their inventory at that time. If you are fortunate enough to find a store that offers a bag sale, you can fill a grocery bag of merchandise for $10.00. Ms. Schneider bought a denim silk lined Chanel jacket this way and only paid $5.00. The retail value on the Chanel jacket is over $1500.00, see enclosed photos.
  • Get a frequent shopper card. Many stores encourage repeat customers by offering a card the salesperson will punch with every purchase which will earn 10% off.
  • Don’t be afraid to bargain. If you are buying several items and find an item you like for more than you want to pay, make an offer. Most store owners are happy to see the items sell, and will accept your offer.
  • Wait it out. If you see something you can use but are not desperate to buy, try waiting. Consignment stores mark items down 20% if they don’t sell within the first 30 days, in another 30 days the price is marked down another 20%. That is an additional savings of 40% off the ticketed price.

(Reprint) Source

Image

Tagsellit.com New Website Coming Soon

Coming soon to your screens… A new and improved Tagsellit.com!

Our team is excited to be launching a new and improved website. In addition, we’ll also have a new iPhone and Android App available for mobile users. The new site will feature a fun new user interface, graphic design and layout.

Navigating the second-hand marketplace can be challenging. This is why our new site will be also dedicated to assisting second-hand retailers (such as Consignment Shops, Estate Sale Events and Pawn Shops) generate better visibility and offer more solutions to drive interest to their places of business.

As our mission says, our goal is to provide a big-picture roadmap for navigating the second-hand industry. Tagsellit.com’s platform helps sellers liquidate second-hand items through both our online virtual garage sale listings and with the ability for users to advertise their weekend sale events (for free). Tagsellit.com brings second-hand buyers and sellers together.

Did you know the yard sale market alone is an annual billion-dollar industry? There’s a lot of value hidden in closets, garages, basements and attics across the country. Generations of “crap” have accumulated and what’s “old” may be “new” …and worth lots of money!

Bottom line: Expect to be dazzled soon! We’ve revolutionized the garage sale industry by creating the “virtual garage sale” marketplace and we’re continuing to revolutionize the entire second-hand industry!

 

Image

Thanks for choosing me…..to host a party I can’t afford.

Life is full of joyous occasions, and along with those joyous occasions we like to have a joyous celebrations. As we get older and more friends and family get married, have babies, birthdays and all of the good things that can happen, there is a good chance you will find yourself the key host/hostess for such an event. And while you are probably overjoyed to have been chosen to plan a soiree, your bank account can really cramp your plans. I’ve hosted many bridal showers, baby showers, surprise birthday parties, and numerous other gatherings. Throughout trial and error I’ve figured out some great ways to save money and still make a special event to remember. Here are some ways that you can stretch your dollar and actually enjoy your own party!

Pick a Date

I can’t save you money on this one, you’re on your own.

Location, Location, Location

Ideally you’ll be able to host the get together in your own home or the home of someone also associated with the party. If you book a space with a hotel or restaurant there will be minimum food and beverage costs, gratuities etc. that can really add up. A great alternative is to use some of the places that your taxes already help pay for. Wait, what? Unbeknownst to most people, your own city is full of venues you can rent for a fraction of the cost. This can vary from parks, community buildings, recreation centers and how many people you will need to host. Simply google your city governments website and there should be an option for facilities rentals. You will be eligible for a non-profit rate as long as you aren’t seeking to raise any funds during the event. For example; I am hosting my sister’s baby shower at a beautiful community center in Fort Collins, Co for $30/hr and they provide tables, chairs and cleanup. We also have access to a kitchen and can provide all of our own food. Simply contact the venue that you wish to rent and they will be happy to provide you with more information and book a date for your party. A small deposit will be required at the time of booking.

An Outdoor Affair

If you procure a park space or even a backyard, an outdoor party can be a fun and beautiful location. Then again, seating can be a issue with a lack of picnic tables, and the cost of bringing in extra seating. Why not do a picnic party? Simply go to your local thrift store, purchase some fun printed blankets, take them to the laundromat and wash them and spread them around, planning 4-5 per blanket. In the center, have an individual food spread for each blanket. This prevents people from having to continually rise and sit to get what they need. Plates, silverware, everything. It’s a one stop shop. Drinks can be brought around and offered to each guest and refilled as needed or they may also be offered at a combined drinks/dessert table. Make sure you arrange the blankets in close proximity to one another to keep things social. Also at your local thrift store you can find apple crates, baskets, cheap dishware and any other little touches that would enhance the picnic. Mother nature will do most of the decorating for you but paper lanterns, wildflowers, or other theme appropriate items can be nice as well. Timing can affect type of food people are expecting to be served, so opt for an early afternoon start time that will go well with light appetizers. Think cheese, crackers, fresh fruit, finger sandwiches, iced tea etc…here are some pictures of how you might set it up.

 

 

Plastic silverware with a napkin and a paper doily wrapped around it and secured with twine or ribbon is a functional, yet personal touch.

**Any guests that are unable to sit on the ground can easily be accommodated with a chair and TV stand that someone is bound to already have.**

 

The Incredible Indoors

When your event will be inside, you don’t need to worry about overhauling the space. Small touches make the biggest impact. Tablecloths can be purchased at any party store for around $2 each and in a wide variety of colors. Use place mats to create surfaces to set flowers, decor, food etc. Using different colors and patterns creates visual interest and is very inexpensive. Centerpieces or table decor? Simply type into Google what you have pictured in your mind and more than likely there will be a tutorial on how to make it. There are videos on arranging flowers, creating luminaries, banners, paper lanterns etc. Marthastewart.com is a personal favorite of mine. The woman literally knows how to make everything….and it’s usually on the cheap. Here are some of my favorite (super easy) party touches.

 Limes? Flowers? You got this.

Regular Christmas lights and some paper? Who knew?

 

Just some twine, clothes pins, fabric flowers and a onsie. Go ahead and have shower guests write well wishes and words of wisdom to the Mom to-be on colored notecards and pin them up. This makes a great memento for the guest of honor.

 

Food, Dude.

Rally the troops! Once again, there will be people who are also closely associated with the party that wouldn’t mind helping out by bringing a little something to contribute, and eat! Everyone has a “go-to” that they can whip up to create an eclectic mix of appetizers that are sure to leave everyone full and happy. If you’d rather shoulder the food portion yourself, be practical about what you serve. Veggie trays, meat and cheese trays, tea sandwiches (make a regular sandwich and use cute cookie cutters to make four small sandwiches out of each one), pasta salad, cupcakes, snack mix, hummus, etc can all be purchased ready-made and will keep you from having to cook on top of everything else you’ll have going on. Sam’s club is a great way to get all of these items in bulk for a big discount. If your party will be serving alcohol, don’t be shy about letting it be a BYOB, but make sure you have some water and tea or soda available for those who don’t care to imbibe. Just set it up and enjoy!

Fruit + water = yum!

A little something for everyone.

Party Favors

Do ‘em, don’t do ‘em…It’s really up to you. They aren’t really expected anymore and making a donation to a charity close to the guest of honors heart in the name of the guests at the party serves just as well as anything that will just collect dust in someones closet.

This should have you all set to host a very special, not to mention cost friendly gathering that will be one to remember. Set a play list on your ipod, get all dressed up and have a GREAT time!!

“It’s not where you are, but who you’re with.”  -Dave Matthews Band

XOXO

Kelly

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image

Resale or Retail?

The past five years have brought a tremendous new perspective to the resale shopping world. Frugal living has become a popular trend among many households and with the ever changing global environment, the “reduce, reuse, recycle” mantra has become more popular than ever. NARTS, (The Association of Resale Professionals) probably has the best perspective on resale vs. retail industry statistics and trends today. The resale industry offeres quality second hand items with fabulous savings.

We decided we would highlight some of the cool fun facts about the current industry statistics and trends of the resale industry that NARTS has published.

  • The resale industry is healthy and is one of the fastest growing segments of retail
  • The industry has experienced a 7% growth rate per year in the last two years (reflected by the estimated number of new resale stores opening each year, less the businesses that close)
  • NARTS provides invaluable continuing education to members that enhances the success of business owners and the industry as a whole
  • NARTS reports that there are over 25,000 resale, consignment and not-for-profit resale shops across the United States
  • Resale is a multi-billion dollar a year industry
  • Goodwill Industries alone generated $2.69 billion in retail sales from more than 2,500 Not For Profit resale stores across America in 2010
  • Buffalo Exchange began with a 450 sq. ft. shop in 1974, has grown to 43 stores plus 2 franchises in fifteen states, they employ more than 700 people and generated annual revenues of $64.4 million in 2010
  • Crossroads Trading Co., based in Berkeley, CA, rang up over $20 million in sales last year at its 27 stores with plans to add additional locations

Resale shopping attracts consumers of all economic backgrounds and levels and continues to blossom thanks to value-conscious consumers. “According to America’s Research Group, a consumer research firm, about 16 – 18% of Americans will shop at a thrift store during a given year. For consignment/resale shops, it’s about 12 – 15%. To keep these figures in perspective, consider that during the same time frame; 11.4% of Americans shop in factory outlet malls, 19.6% in apparel stores and 21.3% in major department stores.”

“With an increasing awareness of the importance of reducing pointless waste, we are progressing from a disposable society to a recycling society—a change that has enormous market potential for the resale industry as a whole. After all, “Resale is the ultimate in recycling!”

Source: NARTS

Image

Decorating on a Dime: Repurposing for any Occasion

Today we’re excited to introduce and feature Linda Benson of Linda Benson Interiors in our continuing “Decorating on a Dime” series. “I grew up in an artsy family. I always loved to work with fabrics and metals so I went into set design. I had to make pieces from scratch when I couldn’t find anything that perfectly fit the scene. That is where I honed my hands-on approach to Interior Design. After working on sets, I designed my own house and that inspired me to do it for others.”

Linda shares some fabulous examples of her work with a recent exhibit she helped put together: These pieces were used for the “Pippa Middleton’s Private Office” exhibit in the Glynallyn Mansion for the Mansion in May event held in Morristown, New Jersey. The space was designed and decorated to reflect Pippa Middleton’s lifestyle. I looked to her as an inspiration because of her professionalism, active participation in charity work, and social character. However, I created it with all young professional women in mind as well. My goal was to create something that would feel professional yet cozy for any ambitious young lady. I believe that magic happens when you re-purpose separate items to complement each other for a space, and in this case, it created a charming atmosphere.

1. I bought the blue lamp (on top of the coral octagonal table) at a thrift store for $10. It was originally beige and chipped without the wooden base. I changed the fitting and brought it to a finisher to put a glaze on it.

2. I bought the desk lamp at a thrift store for $35 – ceramic pieces are a little more expensive. It was rusty so we sanded it and painted it. I often collect bases and fittings so when the time comes, I have all the materials to work with.

3. The Wing chairs with the blue and white graphic print I found at an antique store for only $25 each. They were covered in old ripped fabric. I chose brand new trim and brought them to be re-upholstered. The legs were all scratched so I made them darker. I also removed the padding on the back to reveal the sweetheart detail. I often add or take away padding to change the shape of chairs.

4. The Venetian Painting I found at a thrift store. It was simply just canvass paper at the time. The artist happened to live locally so I asked him before I mended the rips and then framed it. I got the frame for $20 at an antique sale.

5. The Umbrella stand I got at a rummage sale for $4. It was actually a garbage can. I panted it and added a band of grass cloth. By adding ribbon, texture and an inside contrast color, it transformed into a cute little umbrella stand.

To learn more about Linda’s work, check out her website, lindabensoninteriors.com

Image

Decorating on a Dime: I Live with My Mom

We’re really excited to introduce and feature Tracy Metro in our “Decorating on a Dime” series on Second Hand Social. Tracy is an on-air designer who is currently designing rooms on I Live with My Mom on Spaces TV, all-new home & design channel on YouTube, am designing and building spaces on Oprah Winfrey Network’s show Home Made Simple and am designing a doggie “coming out” ala a debutante’s ball on HGTV’s upcoming special called Posh Pets (airing June 22nd). I’ve designed spaces from homes, to gardens to even a houseboat. If it can be rethought, remade, redesigned I’m REdoing it! Tracy is the Ringmaster of her Domestic Circus… she’s a Foodini, Craftortionist, a Thrift Freak, Clutter Tamer, Strong Woman and Party Thrower. Check out her awesome work:

I’ve bought everything from bathing suits to boats in places ranging from yard sales, to estate sales, to pawn shops and everywhere in between. I don’t discriminate. If it’s a deal and I love it, I BUY IT! Oh, and I’m a diehard dumpster diver. Most of my dining room chairs were scored on the street.

Deciding what to share here has been extremely difficult! It’s like choosing ones’s favorite child (just so you know, I was my parent’s favorite!), so I decided to go from cheap to expensive and to share recent purchases made for I Live with My Mom.

What: Headboard
Price: FREE!
Location of score: Found on the corner of Irving Place x 15th Street NYC
Use: Headboard in Tristan Sierra’s room on I Live with My Mom
Upcycle: Spray paint
Total cost: $4.55

What: Luggage
Price: $2.50
Location of score: Goodwill Upper Eastside NYC
Use: End table in Vincenzo Argento’s room on I Live with My Mom
Upcycle: Added legs to create proper height
Total cost: $12.50

What: 3 record players
Price: $50 total
Location of score: Salvation Army 23rd street x 2nd Ave NYC
Use: Wall décor in Ryan Nach’s Hip Hop music production company office on I Live with My Mom
Upcycle: Added bolts and wire to properly hang
Total Cost: $52.50

What: 1960s cocktail ring
Price: $550
Location of score: Matisse Trading on 47th Street x 5th Ave, Diamond District NYC
Use: To make me happy and remember my time on the show!
Upcycle: None, just cherished by someone new now!
Total Cost: $550

What: 1975 Harbormaster houseboat
Price: $7,000
Location of score: Marina in Sacramento Delta via Craigslist
Use: Complete and utter recreation for my husband and myself! We call her the Retro Metro (Click Here to Check out the AWESOME Video!
Upcycle: A complete renovation from soup to nuts
Total Cost: Too much to share!

Tracy Metro is the host of I Live with My Mom on SPACEStv, YouTube’s newest home & design channel. Developed, produced and edited entirely by Digital Broadcasting Group (DBG), SPACEStv is a new YouTube channel that provides a unique, fresh angle on home and design for urbanites and cool hunters within the art, fashion, architecture, and design world. Its lean-forward programming slate totally clashes with your old Lazy-Boy, serving up the inspiration and innovation of top designers and hands-on professionals with an advice-driven spirit.

If you’d like to read more about what she has to say about design you can follow her @TracyMetro and DomesticCircus.com.

Image

Design on a Dime: Crochet Projects, Second-Hand Style

We are excited to once again feature Morgan Roberts, owner and designer behind King Soleil, a boutique specializing in children’s wear and home decor. Morgan recently shared some of her latest “Design on a Dime” projects with us, check these out!

Pink Cashmere Baby Blanket with Floral Applique and Bamboo Crochet Trim
This blanket was made from a cashmere sweater, (J.Crew) that I purchased at my local Goodwill, here in CT, for twenty dollars. The color caught my eye the second I stepped in the store and I bee-lined straight for the rack! When you spend as much time in second hand shops and tag sales as I do, you develop a sixth sense for lux materials, and this was no exception. It is possibly the softest cashmere I have ever found, I could tell the previous owner took really great care of this knit. The style was outdated, which is why I assume it was there, but the color was vibrant and unique, so I knew I would make it into a baby blanket. I resized the shape, and sewed the front and back together, making it even more cozy. I crocheted the blue shell stitch trim from bamboo yarn, sustainable and super soft, but still felt it needed a little something. After rummaging through my odds and ends, I found a scrap of floral fabric that was part of a discontinued fabric sample book (this was actually free). I cut out a flower from the fabric, embroidered over the center and then hand sewed the applique to the blanket. This was one of those times where everything just seemed to fall into place. I have received quite a few comments that people wished this was larger so they could use it for a throw! Maybe pieces a few sweaters together could solve that problem!

Lavender Cashmere and Merino Baby Security Blanket with Embroidery and Cotton Back
I was asked to donate an item to the ‘Sacred Pregnancy’ Book Launch event and an upcycled baby security blanket seemed perfect. Off I went to look for the perfect material and found an awesome cable knit J.Crew merino wool and cashmere blend lavender sweater for ten dollars at a thrift shop. I knew I would have to fiddle a bit with this one because it was an extra small. I cut the sweater bodice into strips and was able to sew those together to create a larger area. I embroidered a couple little lavender branches and then backed the blanket with cotton fabric purchased at a tag sale for five dollars (for a whole bolt)! It was a hit and now these upcycled sweater baby blankets are also going to be sold in the Sacred Pregnancy Handpicked Shop.

Grey Cashmere and Organic Cotton Little Whale Baby Blanket
One of my all-time favorite designs, this started out with inspiration from a vintage Bergdorf Goodman grey cashmere sweater found at a vintage shop in CT for twenty five dollars. The shape of this men’s sweater baffled me for quite some time because it tapered quite dramatically at the waist. Thankfully, I was able to cut squares from the bodice and sew them together to make a larger blanket. I embroidered a little whale and then backed the blanket with organic cotton. I love the size and weight of this blanket, and have received quite a lot of positive feedback on this one!

Argyle Merino and Crochet Baby Dress
This baby dress design is so much fun and only uses half a sweater! It can be made with literally any kind of sweater and it my most requested product from the Upcycled Children’s Wear Line. This super fun and cheery argyle print sweater was purchased at an estate sale in CT for fifteen dollars. I loved that the front had a print and the back was solid green. I crocheted the bodice, and shell stitch trim from navy yarn and added a brass colored anchor button on the back. The button was part of a Ralph Lauren blazer I purchased at a vintage shop for ten dollars. I absolutely love making these little dresses and wish I had made this pattern while my daughter was still a baby!

Aqua Toddler Dress with Floral Cotton Sash and Crochet Detailing

This dress is truly one of a kind, made from a J.Crew aqua cardigan with floral lining I found at a local Goodwill, in CT, for fifteen dollars. The color first caught my eye, and the lining totally sold it for me! I could tell that this sweater was shrunk, as the actual size definitely did not match the size on the tag, and the lining was not flush with the back of the sweater. There wasn’t enough fabric to make a baby blanket, and I really wanted to keep the whole front intact, as I loved the little crew neck and buttons. So I resized the sweater as a toddler dress. I cut out the lining, and repurposed it into little flutter sleeves and a sash. I then used silk bamboo ivory yarn to add a detail to the buttons down the front and two flowers and leaves on the front. I then used some amber beads, which were originally on a broken necklace I purchased for a few cents from a tag sale. I am totally in love with this dress and am constantly on the lookout for more cardigans so I can make more!

Morgan Roberts is the Owner and Designer at King Soleil
You can view her online shop here: www.etsy.com/shop/kingsoleil