Gregory "Pappy" Boyington & the Black Sheep Squadron of WWII

Have you ever run across something you had no idea what was?  Well, I seem to do that quite a lot recently!  I love finding out what something is and the story behind it.  One (or 2) of my lastest research projects led me to WWII history and ace Pappy Boyington.  It all started when Vanessa (my good friend and business partner) and I were going through some estate items of another friend's sister.  She had asked us to help sell some of the items, including some artwork.  We came across these 2 Limited Edition Prints....

What makes these so interesting is the autograph that each has in the bottom left hand corner....

The prints were also signed by the original artists but these personalized autographed signatures intrigued me and so we started searching for more information on the history of Pappy Boyington.

Well.... our journey led us to WWII and the Black Sheep Squadron, who got there name from the fact that all of the pilots were orphans and not attached to a squadron when they got together, and the fact they had very few reliable planes and no mechanics.  As the commander, Gregory Boyington became nicknamed "Pappy". 

He wrote his autobiography and titled it "Baa Baa Black Sheep".  This title was later applied to a TV show loosely based on his story.  I definitely learned a lot while researching these beautiful pieces of art.

So.... what did I do with these wonderful pieces of history?  They are at auction on eBay for a lucky bidder to win and place in their home!  What a great conversation starter these will be! 

You can find them on eBay here if you'd like to see more detailed pictures or would like to own them!
 http://www.ebay.com/itm/PAPPY-BOYINGTON-AUTOGRAPHED-Corsair-LuLubelle-Limited-Ed-Print-Artist-J-Ficklen-/161231338347?pt=Art_Prints&hash=item258a22fb6b
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PAPPY-BOYINGTON-AUTOGRAPHED-WWII-Limited-Ed-Print-Airplanes-signed-by-Reynolds-/161231361142?pt=Art_Prints&hash=item258a235476

To eBay or not to ebay... that's the question!

Well, it's been a while since my last post. It seems I never have enough time to sit a minute and think! Maybe that's my problem with deciding where to list/sell items these days. Years ago I started selling on ebay. That was when the costs of selling were low and the prices you got were higher. I've currently been selling on etsy via http://www.tootsystreasures.etsy.com/ but that is all vintage and mostly jewelry at the moment. And then there's Bonanzle. http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/toyland and http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/CherishedTreasures It's kind of similar to etsy but the strange thing there is I've sold most of my items to people who are brand new to Bonanzle. They must be finding me through other online venues.

But back to my original question.... when should I list on ebay? My current theory is to list the unusual items that seem to be rare and hard to find. I have 2 souvenir glasses up for auction right now. http://myworld.ebay.com/tjtreasures/ One's a 1949 Kentucky Derby festival glass. I found it in my Great Aunt Pip's stuff along with her 1949 program where she had marked her bets! I also have another mint julep glass that I'm not sure about but it was found with the 1949 items. I can't find any info about it at all .... does that make it rare or just not searched for? The good thing about ebay.... you have a better chance of moving items quickly! The bad thing.... waiting, watching and hoping and never getting a bid :(

For now.... I guess I'll stick with my theory and see where it gets me! Anybody else have a theory of your own you'd like to share?....

Etsy Treasury ... I finally did it!

Yesterday was my lucky day! I finally made an Etsy treasury for the first time. It takes some time to do but I had it ready using the tips from http://www.etsy.com/storque/how-to/how-to-make-a-treasury-the-nuts-and-bolts-688/ and http://www.etsy.com/poster_sketch.php. Using the Poster Sketch Tool helped me have all my pictures ready to go! Then just had to wait until the Treasury number fell below 333.

It's called "Running through the forest.... picking up leaves...." and you can find it here... http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=84292 Take a look and let me know what you think!

Decorating with a few of your Favorite (vintage) things!

Decorating with antiques and vintage items can be lots of fun! Don't know where to start? I usually look through magazines such as "Southern Living", "Country Living", "Country Home", etc. at the pictures to find new and interesting displays for my home. You can also find some of these magazines online. They give great tips on a variety of things, including collectibles and furnishings.

Next, find things that are interesting to you. It may be the size, shape or color that catches your eye like this vase and platter display.

Or this interesting metal wall candle holder. -- (when removed from wall, the plate pivots to sit on a counter or table)

Or, maybe you found an interesting little dish or ashtray that could make a cute soap dish....

And, last but definitely not least... One of my favorite finds. A vintage glass plate used by an artist to make an interesting hanging for my bathroom window!

I guess the best motto is ... Think outside the box! There are a lot of ways to create interesting displays with antique and vintage finds. Be creative and have fun!

Places to search for ideas:

http://www.countryhome.com/

http://www.southernliving.com/

Places to find vintage items:

http://www.tootsystreasures.etsy.com

http://www.PardonMyVintage.etsy.com

http://www.sidedish.etsy.com

SALE, SALE, SALE! - Black Friday thru Cyber Monday

Why wade through all those people in the shops when you can buy online?! Many sales are running the Friday after Thanksgiving on the shops at etsy.com. Looking for vintage jewelry, patterns, aprons, etc? Check my shop out at www.tootsystreasures.etsy.com Don't find what you need? There are many etsy members with great discounts for the holidays. Whether you're looking for vintage, handmade or supplies for crafting, Etsy is the place to be!

Go Green...Buy Vintage!

"Going green" and saving energy seems to be the in thing that everybody's talking about these days. There are discussions ranging from solar energy & dual fuel cars, to wind power and growing your own vegetables. But I'd like to suggest that we may be overlooking a very important "green" topic -- Recycling VINTAGE items!

Just think how much fun it is to take trips down memory lane. Whne you buy vintage items, you get to do just that. Plus, you are saving an item from possibly being discarded into our landfills which are already too full. You can also get some great deals when it comes to vintage. There are many different websites to find that unique vintage item. If you're looking for jewelry, aprons, Christmas items, patterns, etc. check out my store at www.tootsystreasures.etsy.com. There are other sellers on Etsy as well that may have just the right thing!

But... vintage shops aren't just for the buyer of pre-made items. The crafter can also shop vintage to find those unique supplies such as recycled buttons, belt buckles, vintage patterns, reclaimed lace, miscellaneous jewery parts and many other things that can be re-worked into wonderful new projects.

So.... why not join the crowd and start buying vintage? Get out there and find that vintage gift for that special person at Christmas. Let's have some fun and improve our planet all at the same time!

New shopping site

I have just discovered a new site online that is really interesting! It is a site that allows crafters and sellers of vintage items to sell at a low cost to internet buyers. The site is "etsy.com" and I was so impressed, I started my own store! For years I have made hand made gifts and have even done several craft shows. I have also been interested in antique and vintage items. That's what my store is currently about. I have costume jewelry, vintage purses, However, I hope to put up some craft items in the near future. If you want to check out my site, go to www.tootsystreasures.etsy.com. You might just find something you can't live without!