Etsy Handmade Discoveries no.2 - Rubber Ducky, you're the one!

Anyone who has ever been to my house knows I have a fondness for ducks. And now that I'm known as the "duck lady" I can't survive a single holiday or birthday without receiving at least one. These little handmade duckies are ones that I certainly wouldn't mind receiving!

As always, if you have an item on etsy that you would like to be considered for a future Vintage, Handmade or Art Discoveries post leave a comment or shoot an email to suitcaseart@yahoo.com


Onward Gocco Printed Card
from two guitars


Peeps the Little Yellow Duck
from MoontsyAndFloontsy


ducky hand carved stamp
from paperfruithair


Acrylic Duck Pendant
from La Canica

Etsy Vintage Discoveries no.5 - Going Somewhere

I'm not allowed to buy anymore suitcases until I do something with all the lovely vintage pieces I already own. But if I could, I'd buy every one of these.


Red as Apples
from HappyDayVintage


Vintage Biscayne Blue Samsonite Silhouette Luggage
from Retro Rox


Samsonite - Medium Suitcase - Brown
from Mystic Lily


Bright Blue train case
from Jupiter and Mars

Life so far...

We've been so busy just doing things and going places there hasn't been much said about how our lives are going.

I've started helping at the Photo Club at Richard's school with our favorite immersion school Librarian. Every Thursday I get to help wrangle a bunch of high school kids while simultaneously trying to teach them how to take a good photograph - so far it has been really fun, but I'm not sure how its going to get once it gets really cold and we can't take them on as many "photo walks." I guess that will be part of the challenge.

I'm still trying to find a full time job, but since I've been playing around with both my etsy shop and my photography I've grown a bit more picky about the jobs that I'm going out for. Currently I'm only looking for nanny jobs because I want something that I really do love (since it isn't about the paycheck) and something that has close the the same schedule as Richard so I can have the same weekends and holidays. I'm also contemplating going back to college either to pursue photography further or in order to teach English at the high school level. We'll see which way I go.

We're making a trip out to see one set of Richard's grandparents (he has three!) during Thanksgiving and he and his grandpa will be out deer hunting so for grandma and me it should be plenty of relaxing time.

In rather unrelated news I took some film into the new "Super" Target that opened near us to be developed only to learn that they no longer develop in house. They send it out. And it takes up to SIX DAYS. It's not so much the time that is involved.... okay, it's the time that's involved, because really, I love Fuji labs and all but if my film is going to be sent out and I can't get it within 24 hours I would much rather take my film to a local camera shop. I really can't believe that we're going back to sending out film when there is the instantaneous delight of digital cameras, I guess it's one more nail in the coffin of film but I won't be stopping anytime soon.

One of the only reasons I always went to the Target Photo Labs is because I worked there. I know the workers are trained to be more competent than most drug store photo labs and the price is right. Who wants to recommend a good in house film developer in Milwaukee?

Etsy Art Discoveries no.2 - Atlas Love

I love maps, and that's all I have to say.


LITTLE ONES 11 - FLY BABY
from Reclaim2Fame


South for the Winter
from peanutbutterandyelly


Warm Heart
from selflesh


Documented Landscape Coachella
from CitySilhouettes

Etsy Handmade Discoveries no.1

And I present to you, something with absolutely no theme at all.


Ballerina Mini Notebook
from Piping Hot Papers


Upcycled - Little Chalkboard Magnet
from VintageTheory


Order Typeface Handmade Wilderness Project
from rubyslounge


Butterscotch Warm and Thick Dog Coat
from BeanTownHandmade

I really do want this coat for Daisy! Don't you think she'd look adorable this winter?

Etsy Vintage Discoveries no.4 - things I love (and "need")

Kodak Duaflex II with flash
from Pinguim
(is it bad that I already own two Duaflex cameras but still want this one?)


Vintage Orange Traincase
from ModishVintage


Vintage 1960s Dutchmaid Sleeveless Blouse w/Match Skirt
from Atomic Katz


Metal Serving Tray.. Deer in the Woods
from The Fancy Lamb



I found another fun Tuesday Etsy list from Verabelle so go check it out.

Etsy Art Discoveries no.1

I've been having so much fun getting my Etsy Vintage Discoveries together every Tuesday, that I've decided to expand to two more each week with new themes - Etsy Handmade Discoveries (Wednesdays) and Etsy Art Discoveries (Fridays).

If you have a shop you would like to have considered for an Etsy Discoveries feature leave a comment below.

To celebrate my first week working with the photo club at Richard's school this feature is all photography.


Swinging at Tibidabo
from bomobob



Sunshine Motel
from Roadside Photographs


Stalks in Blue
from Citrus Tree


Travel Light
from sfgirlbybay

Etsy Vintage Discoveries no.3 - ode to NaNoWriMo

This week, in an ode to National Novel Writing Month my etsy vintage discoveries focus on the craft of writing and the office supplies that you need to accomplish the crazy goal of 50,000 words in one month.... or just the really cute things you should keep around for inspiration

If you run a vintage shop on etsy and would like to be featured in a future Etsy Vintage Discovers leave a comment below.


VINTAGE retro 2 hole MUTUAL punch OFFICE supplies METAL
from Jenny Elkins


Library Drawer
from solsticehome vintage finds


Remington Streamliner Typewriter
from In My Nest


1936 Gregg Shorthand manual
from The Junkyard Dog

Home again, Home again

It was a quick trip out across the state to visit friends and we have already returned. But these people are certainly worth driving 10 hours round-trip! I miss them dearly already, and it is hard to deal with the fact that they are no longer a mere hour's drive away.

Ninja Stories II

We even managed to make a quick jaunt to Minneapolis and accomplished wondrous things on a strict time table! We dropped by two locations of Ax Man Surplus stores, and I managed to lose only $16 on complete necessities.... and a pirate flag. I hear rumor, although I'm not sure how true, that they are run by the same entity that embodies American Science and Surplus, which will still hold title of "favorite junk store ever" in my heart. It was a complete and wonderful surprise to discover Ryan, an old friend, working at one of the Ax Man locations. We planned so much on the fly for this trip that I didn't have time to get ahold of him when we decided to go into Minneapolis - it was pure serendipity that we should find him at the first place we stopped.

We also managed a 35 minute trip into Ikea, which is probably record setting. We have been looking for good recycling bins for a year now, all the while knowing they had exactly what we wanted at Ikea but not being close enough to a store to make the trip for just those things worth while. We got in, found the bins, made a tiny detour though toys, bedding, and 'As Is' and got out and onto our next stop - The Mall of America!

Previously, I had never been to the Mall of America, nor had I necessarily wanted to go but I remember how awed we were as teenagers when the Mall of Georgia opened, and I am all for amusement parks in odd places (Dutch Wonderland, anyone?). It was totally worth the 45 minute expedition. I got to see the Apple Store, mostly Richard's doing, and Lego Land, for which we are both to be blamed, and watch the log flume which really does get you wet. It was fun, we didn't spend any money, and while I may not say no to a mall trip the next time I'm in Minneapolis - I never have to do it again.

ps - I'm reopening the photography/art shop on etsy - natajean.etsy.com - there are a few prints up already, and everything should be in full swing by next week

On the schedule for tomorrow:

- Shopping with Mom

- Further organizing the studio

- Stock photos

- Calling about potential nanny job

This week's big things

This week is a week for big things. I've been working nonstop on the house, mainly because Richard and I have finally settled on the fact that we probably won't be moving anytime soon. It's been so long of living one place for six months or a year and then moving to the next that I haven't felt the need to really settle into this place.

Today we're heading across Wisconsin to visit some friends near Eau Claire and I really can't wait. We haven't seen them in so long it will totally be worth the five hour drive. I miss my friends and the wonderful creative atmosphere they create. But I must remind myself that trips through Wisconsin are best taken before winter takes hold, and the odds of another trip out that way before spring arrives are not very high.


This is Matthias.
He is a typewriting ninja fool.
We cannot wait to see him.

In other news, I'm already preparing for my trip out to New York next June and it is looking more like I'll be taking the train out to meet everyone. It's cheaper than a plane ticket, and it is by far my favorite way to travel. I just cannot wait for that trip, I only wish the school year didn't end so late so Richard could join me!

Etsy Vintage Discoveries #2

I do not hide my fondness for daisies. Daisies are by far my favorite flower, and they were everywhere at our wedding in August - even the groomsmen had to have them.



So this week's vintage Etsy Discoveries are all about daisies!


Vintage Swanky Swig Juice Glasses Daisy
from yokohiyoko


Fab sixties enameled daisy pin and earrings
from tomatored


Vintage Mark Time Timer
from violet64


Hot Red Enamelware Saucepan for Fondue
from Jud's TrashnTreasure


Yellow daisy pyrex with lid
from RicRac and Buttons

Weekly Goals - for today

#1 - set up and organize basement studio/office - this one is far from done, as I didn't even go down to the basement today!

#2 - spend 30 minutes advertising the etsy shop each day - done, and done. spent time over on twitter and facebook

#3 - list one new item to etsy and make one blog post each day
new item - Vintage Dynaware Ramekin (tiny soufflé/casserole dish)



#4 - spend one hour creating (anything) each day - Plarn! I managed to get about ten plastic grocery bags cut up and almost all of them strung together so I can have some great "creating" material during our many roadtrips for the holidays

#5 - spend one hour cleaning/organizing/decorating each day - did the kitchen, and dining room - our stove is so shiny now!