Fresh Picks: Proper Prim

“Primitive” generally means an item that lacks sophistication, is naive in its form and typically utilitarian in its function. Early homesteaders, for example, did not have the means to purchase commercial farm equipment, household items and furniture. These things were made on the homestead by hand as needed. In its purest form, primitives are typically handmade, but we tend to also include mass produced utilitarian items such as tools in this category.

If you admire--and desire--primitive style, these finds are glorious examples. My thanks to Sarah of Bantam House Antiques for providing the articulate definition of primitive style.

Adorable Antique Dolly VintageInBloom $17.00	Vintage Metal Pitchfork Four... DandelionGirl $25.00	Antique Heavy Iron from Mexi... HamiltonBay $25.00
Antique Primitive Coal Scoop... EmeliasCupboar... $14.00	Miniature Tennessee primitiv... cherrylippedro... $14.00	Antique Copper Folk Art Cand... TheWhiteMole $20.00

Treasury tool by whalesharkwebsites

Welcome New Members: Hamilton Bay, Jojo's Retro and Vintage, and Vintage NH

Hamilton Bay is named after a spot in Bermuda that is dear to Patricia of Los Angeles. What's most unusual about her antiques and vintage shop is that everything is from her personal collections. It's impossible to choose one piece representative of her exquisite offerings, but my favorite is this wonderful boudoir set.


Josette from Minneapolis is the proprietress of Jojo's Retro and Vintage, a bright and beautiful vintage clothing and accessories shop. Her threads range from the fun to the formal, but all are fabulous and wonderfully presented. Aren't these 1960s shoes spectacular?

From the West Coast to the Heartland, and now to New England! Vintage NH is a sweet vintage home decor and housewares shop featuring lovely treasures from New Hampshire and beyond. At the height of popularity in vintage trends is this vintage Himark cheese plate with cloche!

Today we traveled cross-country to introduce these new members of the Etsy Vintage Team. Welcome!

Customer Impressions

Packing up items, shipping them, getting them to the post office and finding shipping supplies. Probably not your most favorite part of selling online. Interestingly though, it is to your customer. Receiving their etsy package in the mail is a moment filled with anticipation and hopefully happiness. How you handle it on your end can greatly affect their perception of your item and service.

Set of Wedgwood Pimpernel China by HamiltonBay

To start with: shipping supplies. Are you using old Corona boxes that have Sharpie marker scratched all over them? Are you using old newspapers, plastic bags from Target and other such sundries? I'm all for being green and recycling, but don't take it to extremes. Remember that moment when your customer opens the package. Looking professional is vital.

1940's Lamps by justbecauseshecan

You can get almost all of your shipping supplies for free (I get tape off Amazon through their Subscribe & Save program). I put ads up on my local freecycle group and I get flooded. Insist on boxes being in good shape, no big wrinkles or dents, no major Sharpie attacks, and no major logos (except for the Amazon.com swoop). It's not hard to find good boxes, bubble and peanuts these days.

Herman Miller Chair by TheFancyLamb

How you package your item is critical. A while ago I bought a figurine set on Etsy with plans to resell it. I bought it for $35 and it was worth $400+. I failed to note the seller was new. When the package arrived, the box was a tight fit and my beautiful set was smashed into millions of pieces. The seller had wrapped each large bisque figurine in one single sheet of newspaper (never mind that newspaper stains bisque!).

Huge Bread Sign by marybethhale

It's important to allow for space around your items. Machines are handling your packages most of the time now-not people. Fragile stickers don't mean squat to a giant conveyor belt. Wrap in bubble. If your item has a door/lid, wrap the door separate and leave it open so it doesn't rattle and break. Bury items in peanuts to protect them from impact falls (crashing 10 feet down into a pile of other packages). I make sure everything is secure and attach a business card with a future discount to the top of the bubbled item.

Dressmaker Class Sewing Machine by SurrenderDorothy

I ship generally USPS and if it's really heavy UPS. My local post office has a quick fingered worker that has hit me a few times. I've learned-if I insure an item, it's likely to go missing. If I don't insure, it'll get there. With the insurance printed right on the outside, I can see how this happens. I'm a big fan of insurance and do require it for my major sales-but then I ship those things UPS just to be sure. I want the items to arrive-that will definitely keep the customer happy!

Pink Lamps w/ Fiberglass Shades by jenzee09

The more care you take to use great looking and feeling supplies, the more professional you'll appear. You likely already do this-but this is a good reminder to stick to it. Look at your feedback-good shipping is almost always mentioned. How you package and ship will also greatly affect if your new customer becomes a repeat customer. Have fun wrapping!

Foodie Friday -- I is also for ICE CREAM

"I scream, You scream, We all scream for ICE CREAM!!!" Whether it is fancy, plain, gelato, sorbet, sherbet, on-a-stick, in a sundae, or even disguised as health food (aka frozen yogurt), it's a treat enjoyed by many all over the world.

Click here for some cool info and statistics about ICE CREAM:
http://www.slashfood.com/tag/ice+cream+statistics/

When I was a youngster (back in the late 60s/early 70s) our favorite after meal treat was an ice cream cookie sandwich. Just take a cookie (home baked are best, but packaged will do); add a generous scoop of ice cream, top with another cookie...and...INSTANT HEAVEN!!!

Ice cream scoop from Hamilton Bay