Progress Report

As you can see the pages of the magazine are taped to my wall and I am dying to share them with you! Christine is writing last minute blurbs, filling the resource page and politely reminding me to stop changing things up as we are on the home stretch. In between mom duties, Stacey is tweaking layouts and reorganizing stories so every page is the best it can be. Heather is processing her millionth photo like a crazy woman and is patiently waiting to hear if we need an emergency photo shot. Margo is keeping the blog running smoothly and is contemplating new post ideas.

What am I doing? Details! There are so many and I really hate details. But that is what makes a good magazine a great magazine!

We are on schedule to be on newsstands mid February. I can't wait!

The team at FMS has some super news to share with you very soon! Be sure to check back!
Cheers,
Ki

Blessings

I can't believe Thanksgiving is almost here! The FMS team spent the day discussing, proofing, writing, and even taking a few photos. Deadlines are looming as we have a magazine to deliver to the publisher very soon!

I am grateful for the amazing team I have the privilege to work with and for you, our readers, for making Flea Market Style Magazine possible!

Have a wonderful holiday and enjoy your families and friends!
Blessings,
Ki

Guest Blogger Post, place setting name cards

Hi! Today I'd love to share with you a simple and fun way to make place setting name cards...or rather, I should say name spools! I have long enjoyed the process of setting a pretty table and am always looking for creative ways to make the experience for my guests just a little bit more special. If I can incorporate my love of vintage finds into that process, all the better!!

Old thread spools are readily available at the flea market these days and usually quite inexpensive, which is always a plus! Turning them into a spool name card is super easy...

I took some of my favorite vintage seam binding and rolled a length of it onto one of the spools that I had.

Then all it took was my letter stamps and a pretty sepia toned ink pad...stamp each name onto the last few inches of the ribbon and then secure with a decorative straight pin. Easy peasy!

Guests can take the spool home with them at the end of the party and use the ribbon the next time they need to wrap up a present!

For a little extra interest, I placed my name spools on top of a vintage tart tins.

There is endless inspiration to be found amongst everyday flea market finds! I'd love to hear about what you've created lately?!!


Tracey from French Larkspur

Taking Great Photographs, Guest Blogger Post

I use vintage finds daily in my life as an online shop owner.

By incorporating vintage finds into my shop photography, I have been able to not only market my style...but define it.

I wanted to share ways that I have used vintage in my shop that you might want to incorporate into your shop or photography.

One of the most important things I have incorporated in my shop photos is that almost all the photos have the same, consistent background.

I love to use old, chippy, vintage doors. They make the perfect backdrop and the consistency really helps to pull together the look and feel of my shop.

I also use props such as a vintage chairs, stacks of old suitcases and old ladders in my photography of my pieces for sale.

If I am going to take a close up shot of old keys I will photograph them on an old, chippy chair.

The chair doesn't distract from the keys but it adds the character and charm to the photo that I am wanting to convey.

Even if you are not a shop owner but love to take photographs...flea market finds make the best props when you are trying to convey a feeling or look.

What are your favorite vintage finds that you have incorporated into your photography?

Jeanne Oliver

www.bushelandapeck.typepad.com
www.abushelandapeck.etsy.com

Tool Tips- The Drill

Several years ago I discovered the wonderful world of power tools and it has changed my life. Once you get over the fear of power tools, you'll find they open a world of possibilities.
Ladies, we use more power tools in one day than any other member of our family. The vacuum, blender, mixer, dishwasher, clothes washer, sewing machine and the list goes on. They are all power tools, and it's time to expand that list.

My power tool of choice is the hand drill or drill gun. I use my drill for something every week. Once you get over your fear of this tool, there will be no stopping your creativity.





Hand drills come in many shapes and sizes. Choose one that feels comfortable to you.
Some have removable batteries that can be recharged, some need to be plugged in like your phone to be recharged and some have a power cord. I prefer the removable battery for myself for many reasons. I feel that cords are a hindrance and I don't like waiting for the drill to charge, so I have 2 batteries, one is always at the ready.

What can the drill do for you? The most common use I have for the power drill is as a screwdriver. You can zip screws in and out of anything in no time with one of these beauties. As an antiques dealer who is always changing things around in my displays, it is a necessity to have my power drill with me at all times.

Of course the power drill can drill holes, and with the right bit you can drill any sized hole in just about anything, wood, metal, china etc.

But the part that seems to be difficult for most ladies is changing out the bit. The bit is the tool that goes in the end of the drill to make it do what you want, ie: a screwdriver or a specific hole size. Do not be afraid of changing the bit! If you can change the beaters in your mixer, or the needle in your sewing machine, you can change a drill bit.

Practice a few times, and you'll have it figured out. The whole process takes about 3-5 seconds and you'll be ready to drill your way through any project, and impress your friends and family at the same time :)

Please use caution with all power tools. Protect your eyes, hands, etc. We want you to be safe to enjoy many more years of junking fun.

Next tool, The Miter Saw! Woo Hoo!!!!!


Blessings,
Margo

Backyard Hoe Down, Guest Blogger Post

Hello....and happy day.

I happen to be a girl who loves to throw a good party...so when my husband and I hosted a backyard hoe down last month...the first place I headed was the flea market for some inspiration and a place to find some much needed props for display.

I truly believe you can incorporate just a bit of vintage into any party that you throw..and you can do so on a budget. I found that by keeping your eyes open when you shop...that you will be pleasantly surprised by what you find.

Mix matching tables and chairs for outdoor parties.

I served drinks in mason jars....but I have a collection of vintage ones that I put into an old galvanized bucket for display. You can also use those old galvanized buckets for holding bottles of wine and beer. Just fill it with ice. I also love the idea of using old hankies....{clean ones of course}...which you can have laying around to add some color or even string them to make a sweet banner.

My mom collects vintage cowboy boots...and she was kind enough to send me a box of them that I used in different ways around the yard. I used one pair as a vase to hold sunflowers...and some of the others i just had sitting on tables.

I also brought out of my garage one of my old baking hutches that I used as a place for desserts at the party. I had found this piece at an antique store years ago
that was practically giving it away. I love to entertain outside because living right outside
Chicago...we all know it's only nice half of the year..so entertaining outside is
so important to us as is the perfect weather.

I hope you come away inspired and knowing you too can pull off a backyard party by just
keeping an eye open for some pretty things to use...and by not breaking the bank.


Kasey Buick