It Just Gets Better and a Coupon!

Well, I need to thank Lora from Eager Hands for bringing my attention to the fact that another Mostaza Seed Teacup Light has been featured by Etsy. This time it was in their Etsy Finds email!

I am becoming an expert "screenshot saver." As a big thank you to all the sweet strangers who have been giving Mostaza Seed lots of love, I want to offer this coupon code WINTERBLOGTHANKYOU of 5% off any order in my shop to anyone who reads this blog. All I ask is that you would leave a little comment and add yourself as an official follower if you are not already one.

I say this because I'm a total blog stalker and there are plenty of lovely blogs I read but never comment on (wrist slap).

Well, it's back to packing for our Christmas trip home to Seattle, how cute is this suitcase?

A Total Success!

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Garden Market! We had a blast selling earring racks, tea cup lights, colander lamps, french glass lights, hoop wall art, key/necklace hangers, magnetic memo boards and more! This, being our first craft fair, far surpassed our expectations and breaking the $500 mark made all the hard work worth it!

After selling on Etsy for a year, it was so fun to get face to face reactions to my products and the positive feedback from countless strangers was extremely encouraging!

Thanks, also, to my awesome husband who drilled oodles of lamps, built me wonderful displays, put up with the house being a total war-zone in the days leading up to the fair, loaded and unloaded the car, and helped me sell at the fair. He always encourages me to step out, create, and achieve my goals. I love you, Nick!

If you are still looking for original, vintage and upcycled Christmas gifts, check out our shop. Don't see what you are looking for? Convo us for a custom order!

MIA What I've Been Up To....

Sorry for the lack of posts these past few weeks! I've been busy filling earring rack orders and doing lots of graphic designing for a friend's photography business. I don't know if I've ever shared my designs with you, my blogger friends. Take a look at some of my work:

On Etsy, you can purchase a Custom Logo , a Custom Etsy Design Package (banner, avatar, and logo), or Business Cards (on thick stock paper with a silky matte finish and rounded corners) in quantities of 100 and 250. In the fall, I plan to create a listing for Christmas cards. Let me know if you are interested. Also, if there is something you'd like me to make that isn't listed in my shop (birthday invites, a family tree print, postcards, flyers, etc), send me a message at graphics@mostazaseed.com. I'd love to work with you to create something unique and special!

I'm Letting You In on My Secret...

For a good while now I've been scheming and dreaming about opening my own shop in downtown Marietta Square. A few months back I did the legwork to obtain all the forms and documents needed to apply for a business license and permits. I also drafted up a business plan, formally mapping out my business goals, the reasons we believe they are attainable, and a plan for getting there. Thanks to my incredible husband, whom I swear was born part accountant, part business man, I believe we have a pretty good thing going.

What type of shop will it be, you ask?

Mostaza Seed will be a vintage resale boutique for the Marietta and Cobb County communities. It will also carry upcycled design and handmade items from local artisans. 

Our target group is the emerging market of socially, environmentally, and budget conscious individuals who seek to fashionably furnish their homes with upcycled, repurposed, and unique vintage and handmade items. A steady flow of vintage items (procured from local estate sales, resale shops, and wholesale flea markets), coupled with readily available materials to craft upcycled products and wares of local crafters and artisans will allow us to create and deliver our value proposition.

They overarching goal is to be a welcoming, Christian presence in the Marietta Square where community thrives and creativity flourishes. Eventually, we'd love to see a coffee shop incorporated into the shop.

Here's the catch. Retail space in Marietta square is roughly $2000 a month and that's currently out of our price range. So, in the meantime, I'm continuing to sell my little heart out on Etsy, making connections in the community, and hoping to rent out some dealer space at a local antique mart by the end of the summer.

I was discouraged when I realized how much overhead would be (and that's probably not even that much for gorgeous historic spaces like this (see below) when you compare it to other places in the country), thinking my dream was impossible. BUT, I've regained focus and am more excited than ever to inch my way towards this goal. An option that I am very open to, and praying about, is partnering with a creatively minded person in the Atlanta area who shares this vision and could bring in more of the handmade element to compliment my vintage wares.

So, that's the dream and it's alive and kicking! I'd really appreciate any thoughts and advice from people who have ahceived this or have dreamt about doing something like this! If you prefer, shoot me an email at mostazaseeddesign@gmail.com

Vintage Touches in a Portland Home

My friend Robyn has such great style. I am constantly amazed at her ability to group and arrange vintage and salvaged items in her home, so I thought to share some of that magic with you. Behold her Sellwood (Portland), OR home.

I was in her neck of the woods a couple of weeks ago and was pleased to enjoy bubble tea, and catch up, and celebrate our friend Erin's grad school thesis completion! By the time we got back to her house it was too dark for me to snap some pics, so I asked her to send some my way when she had a chance. These are a few of the many cute nooks in her house. She modestly only sent me five frames.

P.S., if you don't know what bubble tea is, please look it up. P.P.S, I have yet to find a place to buy bubble tea in Atlanta and it saddens me:( If you know of such an establishment, please fill me in!

Okay, on to Robyn's lovely vintage groupings!

Old books? Check, check, check!

These are what I believe to be called rosettes, salvaged from old staircases. Brilliant!

Succulents in an old enamelware soup toureen and conch shells. How cool:)

She has a melmac collection. I knew we were friends for a reason!

I Heart Hoop Wall Art

There is, perhaps, no better way to display lovely, vintage fabric than to stretch it on to an embroidery hoop, add embelishments (vintage buttons, jewelry, embroidery, appliques, etc) and hang it on your wall. Here are a few examples from my own home:

I have plenty of extra fabric and vintage buttons, so all of these hoops can also be purchased in my shop:)

Check out a tutorial here.

These are a few hoop wall art groupings that have me itching to make more!

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Ideas for your own hoop wall art:

- Vintage screenprinted t-shirts, perhaps a sentimental scrap of fabric from one of Grandpa's old shirts

- Upholstry squares (they are cheap and the perfect size--not to mention durable)

- Chalkboard oilcloth fabric (purchase here) for writing notes!

-Vintage curtains, sheets, or pillowcases offer super fun and funky patterns (especially barkcloth!)

Embellish with:

-Vintage buttons (easy to find at flea markets or in Gram's sewing basket)

-Criscrossed ribbon (ala french memo board) and insert photos and ticket stubs!

-Cutout appliques-- cut out a heart, flower, or any other shape from fabric, rustically stitch it

to the canvas and leave a bit of room to insert batting before you stitch it up

(it makes for an adorable 3-D hoop)

-Vintage jewelry (clip the posts off of large, round earings and hot glue on to fabric,

affix a strand of beads or faux pears to the rim of the hoop)

-Silhouette cutouts, in black or contrasting fabric, of your loved ones or favorite shapes

Feel free to comment with your own ideas for hoop wall art decor!

Giveaway!

Hi friends! The fabulous blog Favourite Vintage Finds is hosting one of my items in their giveaway! It's the Vintage Tray Magnifique Memo Board with vintage button magnets. Super cute:) Want to win it? Click here to find out more!

Mostaza Seed Original: Honeycomb Earring Rack

Since I'm just getting this blog started, I thought to feature one of my highest selling items, the Honeycomb Earring Rack. These sweet and lightweight panels come in multiple colors with coordinating ribbons and are available in lenghts of 12 inches, 18 inches, and 3ft long. Finally, a stylish way to store and display all of your earrings in one place.