Teeny Tiny Secondhand Treasures: Shrink It All With Grafix

Authentic Loteria 

It has been a while since my last Teeny Tiny Secondhand Treasures post. So I thought, what better  time to talk tiny than right now, to perfectly coincide with the Grafix Shrink Film Giveaway?

For those who missed the initial giveaway announcement and craft post, no worries. There is still time to get those entries in before the lucky winner is named. But here's just a little refresher.

Vintage Inspired Shrink Art Charm Bracelet 

In the last Let's Go Thrifting update, I introduced my vintage inspired charm bracelet to the world, with a handy how-to guide to make one of your very own. And thanks to the kind folks at the Grafix company, I am able to provide one reader with a 6-sheet pack of Inkjet White Shrink Film! 

Well, all of this excitement surrounding the giveaway got me thinking---what other teeny tiny secondhand inspired treasures can I create?

I took inventory of my vintage photographs, illustrations, ephemera, and pictorial collections and I've come to a conclusion. I MUST SHRINK EVERYTHING. I mean, come on. You just try to tell me that those colorful Loteria cards wouldn't make for some adorable earrings! 

1JJ Swiss Tarot 

Or how about these gorgeous Tarot cards? These are straight off my Thrift Wish List, reprints from original woodcut design---and would look absolutely charming dangling from my wrist. 

Or if I want something a little more dramatic, I could always draw inspiration from my collection of royalty-free pictorials. 

Anatomy sketches and 19th century ladies 

There are boundless opportunities with royalty-free illustrations. These are just two books I own from my days of zine making. But if you're looking for your own vintage illustrations to shrink, Antique Clipart is highly recommended. So many things to shrink, so little time!

And with just five days left in the giveaway, there's little time left before you can start shrinking if you're the winner. So get those Rafflecopter entries in and you'll be making your own teeny tiny treasures soon enough.

A Vintage Inspired Charm Bracelet How-To And A Giveaway!!

"What sorcery is this?"

At long last the winter months are leaving us. And with the spring, comes a newfound appreciation for all things crafty. If you recall my post on how thrifting can inspire creativity, you may remember a little teaser about an upcoming craft project and giveaway. 

Well it is time for that giveaway! But first things first, my lovely little charm bracelet. I was wearing this vintage inspired charm bracelet, showing it off to coworkers, and a young woman passing by was in literal awe. She grabbed my arm, and actually screeched in excitement, "What sorcery is this?" Well, for the first time I am revealing the magic behind the making of my charm bracelet. And the magic is Grafix Shrink Film.

With just a few simple tools and a sheet of the Grafix Inkjet White Shrink Film, I've turned a few of my treasured photos and ephemera into wearable art. And with this simple step-by-step guide, you can create one of your own.

Watching those little plastic films shrink and harden is a thing of wonder, I tell ya.  Prepare yourself for compliments galore. And while you're at it, be sure to check out some of the other neat little DIY projects that are possible with the magic of shrink film and other fun products over at the Grafix Project Gallery.

I am truly excited to say that this charm bracelet will soon be featured on the Grafix website and blog, as well. And thanks to Hayley Prendergast, President of Grafix, you should be excited as well. Because in this corporate sponsored promotion, Let's Go Thrifting is supplying one lucky reader with a 6-sheet pack of Grafix Inkjet White Shrink Film for your next craft project!

So without further delay, here's how you can score yourself a 6-sheet pack of shrinkable sorcery, courtesy of the Grafix company. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Many thanks to the Grafix company for taking part in this project and sponsored giveaway. 

This giveaway is open to US residents only.  The winner will be announced on 4/21/15.

Good luck, everyone! 

Thriftspiration: From Haute Couture To The Thrift Store

Since the hectic holidays have come and gone, I've had some time to organize my surroundings and prioritize my thoughts. And what's more, I've had the time to recover from whatever demonic respiratory illness that plagued both my Christmas, New Years and better part of January. 

On to bigger, better, brighter things. With the return to my old self, and my love of all things old and quirky, I've been hitting the thrifts hard. But I've been very selective of what to bring home. After the annual post-holiday closet cleanse, I've decided that it was time to narrow my secondhand gaze upon mostly clothing and accessories. 

And in doing so I've developed a few tips I'd like to share: 

• Clothing is more than a size, more than a label. And this is especially true for previously loved garments.  Quality and fit are important factors. And sometimes the manufacturer, and indeed the size, are not universal in the end result of the product. Try it on and give it a few moments on your skin, and a few poses in front of the mirror to see if it's for you. 
• Take sartorial risks. Thrift stores are the perfect place to step out of your aesthetic comfort zone without financial ruin. I mean...who knew that my thick-in-the-middle proportions could rock a pencil skirt? 
• Keep your closet organized...all the time. Seriously. Pants with pants, shirts with shirts, sorted by color or style. Maybe you have a formal side and a casual side to your closet? That's okay too. But set up a system and stick with it. This way you'll know what you already have and what you'd like to have. 

And lastly, I won't hide it any longer. My indulgence (okay, one of many) is magazines. I love, love, love a well-written interview with a designer, an expertly photographed fashion spread, an editor's picks of the season's hottest trends... And this does not mean I can't be thrifty!  

That photo of my closet? I estimate that its entire contents are as follows:

- 80% thrifted

- 15% purchased on sale or clearance 

- 5% purchased at regular price

And when I see these gorgeous spreads in the pages of InStyle, Nylon, or Marie Claire magazine, I'm only more driven to find suitably on-trend alternates at local thrift stores. I even keep a clippings notebook on hand, full of colors and styles that inspire me while I am thrifting for fashion. And I encourage you to do the same. Carry a source of thriftspiration. I like the tangibility of a notebook. But you're welcome to make a file on your iPad or a Pinterest board accessible on your smartphone. 

Use what inspires you as a springboard for ideas, or make a challenge of mimicking your favorite look.  And in the end, when you start racking up he compliments, you can brag all about your fashionably savvy secondhand know-how to envious friends and family. 

In the coming weeks, when I'm feeling a little bolder and a little braver, I'm going to show you some head-to-toe looks that were assembled with design in mind and more money in  my wallet. 

Can you think couture and spend thrift store?

Holiday Thrifting: It's A Secondhand Winter Wonderland

"Now bring us some figgy pudding."

There are seven days left until Christmas. And like many frantic holiday shoppers, I've hit malls, outlets, supermarkets and yes, wine and spirits shops. And I've hit them hard. There was just one place I hadn't been able to hit in anticipation of the big ho-ho-holiday bonanza. 

That's right. I'm hanging my head in shame that, I, the sole force behind Let's Go Thrifting, had yet to visit the thrift store for some holiday inspiration. And so, with a week to spare, I reached out to the kind folks of Impact Thrift, to ask if I could take a few holiday themed photos for this very blog post. And of course, they welcomed me back to take a gander at what festive wares they had in store. 

I was not disappointed. And this got me thinking. Could a well-stocked thrift store be a one-stop holiday shop for gift-givers, party goers, social hosts, and Christmas revelers alike? Well, let's see...

There are lovely dinner platters to bring that you wouldn't mind leaving for your host to keep. Of course, you might want to keep them too...especially that one on the left. But, hey! This is the season of giving! 

There is a bounty of holiday tins. And they'll make a perfect presentation for all of the candy and baked goods you'll be giving to friends and family, or as storage for delicate tree ornaments. 

Talk about some elegant serving options. If you'd like to host a holiday dinner party, why not keep it classy? You can bring your guests some figgy pudding---whatever that is---and  do so with a lovely silver serving bowl. 

And don't forget the decorative touches...

Oh. My. God. How cute are these ornate candle holder gift boxes? 

And carolers-- you can never have enough carolers, even if they demand figgy pudding. 

So, if you're looking for holiday decor, elegant dining inspiration, last minute gifts, or something festively appropriate to wear, thrift shopping can help you be merry, bright, and on budget. 

What holiday goods have you purchased secondhand? 

Season's Greetings and many thanks to the folks at the Feasterville Impact Thrift Store!