Salvage Prep

I'm knee deep in prep for Salvage! So excited! It's been quite a roller coaster ride lately. I've made some newbie mistakes (just found out that my table is actually 6'x2.5' instead of 6'x5'... big difference!), been sorting through tons of my own vintage, as well as vintage that I've found recently, designing business cards and booth signs, making craft packs from vintage supplies for swag bags, and more. It's been so much work, and at times I've had some near panic attacks, but I thrive on this sort of thing. I'm so, so excited. I might throw up the night before, but it will all be worth it (I'm kidding).

I've been receiving project samples from our designers at Kitschy Digitals in the mail to display at the show, and I have to tell you... it's one thing to see patterns online.. but to see actual completed projects - it's so exciting to see these things in person. This is the whole reason why I created Kitschy Digitals - I love handmade! And I love encouraging people to make things themselves... you can do it, too! There is absolutely nothing like the feeling of making something with your own two hands. (P.S. You can make these adorable plush animals yourself with this pattern in the shop! As well as the gnome and mushroom and Flapper Girl Embroideries!)

The first 100 attendees at the show get swag bags and I've put together these vintage craft packs for my contribution. I've been accumulating all of these vintage elements (buttons, wallpaper, wrapping paper, ephemera, trim, beads and more) for years and I've honestly just felt so overwhelmed by all of it because I wasn't quite sure what to do with it all - but assembling the elements into these cute little coordinating packs makes it much more inspiring, and it actually gets me excited to do some paper-crafting myself, which I haven't done in Y E A R S! I have more packs to put together and I have to admit, I could make these all day. So fun. The little vintage style cutouts above of the children, I found on our Netherlands trip last year.

The show also gave me an excuse to have some more business cards printed for Kitschy Digitals, as well as for my own freelance graphic design. I had some printed at Overnight Prints (who I've used many times) as well as some Luxe cards printed at Moo for my personal design cards. They have the feel of letterpress, without the high price of actual letterpress. I'm happy with them!

I've always wanted some of these vintage inflatable hangers... I found some on Etsy - perfect for my vintage clothing display for the show! I'm keeping these beauties!

And here are the life-size cutouts I alluded to in a previous post. They came out great! I had to take a deep breath because I wasn't sure if it would work out. I didn't want to have to spend mucho $$ to have one made, but I was coming up empty handed when searching for good DIY options online. I will be sure to share how I made mine after the show.

I've always wanted one of these vintage crochet vests (I've seen them in old crochet patterns and actual handmade ones on Etsy), but have never found one with colors I liked.. until last week! I'm going to have to add some length to it because these are usually cropped, and I for one do not look good in a crop top. No. So, we'll see how it goes. Hopefully it won't be too difficult. I'm going to wear it to the show. They are having a vintage style contest, so if you go, be sure to come in your best vintage! Or, if you buy a vintage outfit at the show, there are changing rooms and you can wear that! : ) Here are the $5 voucher cards (mini cards from Moo) I'll be adding to the swag bags and I might have some at my booth as well if I have leftovers.

Here is the event poster (which I think is quite lovely). If you're local, I hope you can make it! Lots of great food, a sewing lounge (!!!), photo booth fun and of course, tons of great vintage and vintage-inspired handmade goods.