Vintage Pyrex Delight.

Vintage Pyrex bowl, from The Vintage Apartment.

The Electric Company

For the past few weeks, just before bed, I've been unplugging almost every single electronic component in my house. It's an experiment really. And the goal is to see if I can save any money on my $25 electric bill (that comes every 2 months). Most likely, I'll only save a few bucks. But hey, if just 10% of the population did this, we'd be using a lot less power! We'd also be saving enough money (per year) to go out and buy something unique, handmade and/or vintage (i.e.--shop on Etsy).

Here's my estimate of how much money could be saved and put towards the handmade sector of the economy:

-We'd save approx. $2.50/month on each electric bill. That's $30 per year, per person.
-If 10% of the U.S. population did this, that's about 30 million people (conservatively).
-30 million people x $30/person/year = $900 million!!

That's right--$900 million could be spent towards handmade goods if just 10% of us unplugged our televisions and computers each night. Think about that the next time you're wondering what you can do to jump start this economy...

Repurposed light bulb vase, $11 - from Star Redesigns.

Vintage Primary clock, $21 - from The Vintage Apartment.

"TV Bikes" Print, $20 - from Press Print.

"As Seen On TV" embroidery, $185 - from It's A Stitch.

Friday Faves - The Hangover Edition

It's been a while, but it's definitely time to revive the "Friday Faves" feature. My mind is a total wasteland today and I can't even begin to think of a relevant/interesting and/or topical blog post. So I'm essentially phoning it in. Blah, blah, moush, moush, rah, garfh...You see kids, that's what a red wine--Belgian beer--red wine combo will do to your brain...

Nevertheless, do not let my hangover/brain cramp destroy the greatness of today's finds!

Post-A-Plate, $28 - from Just Noey.

Chocolate Gingersnaps, $8.50 - from Whimsy & Spice.

Screen printed bicycle glasses (Set of 4), $35 - from Vital Industries.

Felt iPod Nano/credit card case, $8 - from Norm and Lou.

Vintage salted peanuts tin, $42 - from The Vintage Apartment.

Postal-Modern

I'll just go ahead and say it--I take mail for granted. And despite all the rate hikes and lines out the door, the U.S. Postal Service is pretty amazing. Just imagine the insane amount of logistics it must take to route a letter from San Diego, California to Portland, Maine. The mail carrier picks it up (at your door) and takes it to the local post office. The local post office sorts it--all of it. The planes, trucks and cars pick it up and deliver it--everywhere. Then, another local post office sorts it--again. And finally, back to your trusty mail carrier, who delivers it (right to your door step).

And typically, all within 2 days.

Postal Service: Thank You.

From Top to Bottom:

1. Custom Zip Code Necklace - $59, from Zip Code Candy.
2. Vintage Postage Stamps - $10, from Verde Studio.
3. Vintage Postal Scale - $25, from The Vintage Apartment.
4. Digital Collage - $3, from Sabinesydney.

Sugar and spice--and everything I like

Begrudgingly, I've committed 2 hours/day to social media networking.  I made this commitment a few weeks back, not knowing if my long stints in front of a computer screen would pay off.  Surprisingly, it's turned out to be one of the smartest decisions I've made in my brief, but adventurous networking career.  I've "met" so many great fellow Etsy sellers on Twitter--many have gone so far as to include me in their blogs or treasuries.  How great is that?

So here's the first step in my effort to repay a few of my new e-friends.  Have a look at some of the great items available in their Etsy shops.  And be sure to follow them on Twitter too!

Sweetness:

 

Vintage, pastel sugar cups, from The Vintage Apartment - $15.

Spiciness:

 

Vintage, milk glass spice Jars, from The Wild Plum - $75.

A dash of this and that:

 

Vintage Danish Modern, teak, salt and pepper shakers, from The Sunday Times Market - $28.

Mix it up a bit:

 

Honey Czech glass and silver earrings, from Jewels of Saraswati - $15.

What a delicious, delectable and divine collection of goodies!