This Sunday, 6/26 in Old Town Tustin!

Join us for the Vintage Fleamarket-8am to 3pm.  Free parking and admission!  Whimzy will be open, so stop in and see what's new!

Please adopt a display case today!

Throughout the last month, we have been arranging and re-arranging to make Whimzy fit our vision.  This means that some of our well loved display pieces need to find new homes.  Listed below are the cases up for adoption~

   This one is a vintage display cabinet.  It is a burnished gold on the outside and pink on the inside. It is 30" x 61 1/2" x 12 1/2" deep, has glass shelves(3), & lighted=$250.00.
Items inside are not included!

   This piece is from the old Buffum's that was located in downtown Santa Ana.  It is from the 40's, measures 40 1/2" x 74" x 24" deep, is lighted and includes to adjustable glass shelves.  It also has some stunning marble on the front!  Again, items inside are not included! $250.00 is really a steal!

   This beauty is from the 60's, features an antique gold finish, wood finials, lovely back and side detail, and printed music sheet shelf paper. Items not included.  It has served us very well and would be a gorgeous addition to a home or work space! 49" x 85 1/2" x 14 1/2" deep=$350.00.

   You can look for yourself on Sunday, August 23rd during flea market hours. If you would like more information, please email your questions to Whimzy@sbcglobal.net.  See you SUNDAY!!!

Changes

We have been a retail outlet for the last 10 years.  Searching for new and interesting finds, collecting vintage ephemera, holding classes, and doing many other things.  The time has come for a something new!

As of August 5th, Whimzy will be closed for a few weeks.  We will re-open on August 23rd for the Vintage Flea Market of Old Town Tustin.

We will be hard at work re-arranging during this time to bring you a new Whimzy! Some of those changes are~

*New in-depth classes

*Special events

*Weekend sales

If you find you are needing something from Whimzy while we are closed, please call and book an appointment.  We are happy to acommodate!

We will be posting more as we come along.  We hope you will enjoy our new direction and look forward to spending more quality time with you!

The Vintage Flea of OTT! July Edition~

Yesterday was an amazing day at the Vintage Flea of OTT!  

We had a little warm weather, but that didn't slow the shopping and deal making down one bit!

Here are some of the items I found striking~

And as always, I look forward to visiting with friends~

(I know, it looks like I am out of it, but I am a known "blinker"!)

As always the Adobo truck was with us turning out tasty food!

Our next event is Sunday, August 23rd.  Mark your calendar and plan to join us!

If you would like more info, or to reserve a spot, call 714-573-1025.

How to Shop a Flea

Alex Bell and Shira Entis know their fleas, from Elephant’s Trunk in Connecticut to Portobello Market in London. Which you would expect from the girls who started the awesome line of handbags and totes called Fleabags.

“We’ve been lovers of flea markets forever,” Bell says. “When I met Shira at Brown University, we bonded over great market deals.” Currently, their favorite markets are Chelsea’s on 25th street and that up-and-coming hidden gem Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market (406 West 39th Street) on Saturdays. As quasi professionals, however, they never venture forth without a game plan, which includes the following advice:

1. Keep your eye on the ball. “We try to talk beforehand and focus ourselves a little bit,” Entis says. Markets are open on various days, but the girls prefer Saturdays (the most vendors turn out) and suggest arriving when the gates open (usually around 9 a.m.). Most important, know what you’re looking for before you get there.

2. Weather makes all the difference. “On a cold or cloudy day, fewer vendors set up,” Bell says. “That means there are fewer shoppers too. So, the vendors there are more likely to make a deal. One of Shira’s most successful excursions happened at the outdoor Chelsea flea on a cold and windy day. Only three vendors made it out and because Shira was their only customer she walked away with a huge box of YSL blouses and antique brocade fabrics. Great finds!”

3. Your outfit might, too. “When marketing outside of the city, we try not to look like New Yorkers,” Entis says. “Especially no jewelry!” When you are in Manhattan, the jig is usually up and vendors know a tourist from a seasoned shopper a mile away. Dress casual and for comfort. You don’t have to prove anything about your vintage know-how.

4. Let them do the talking: “Being coy is the name of the game,” Bell says. “No one is going to give you a deal if they think you’re going to turn around and sell it on eBay. But on the flip side, don’t be naïve.” It’s O.K. to eventually let them know you know Balenciaga from Target and that you’re not going to get pushed around.

5. It’s O.K. to be thrifty: “We rarely spend more than $100 during the entire day,” Entis says. “And, we always have a good bartering session with the vendors,” Bell adds. Entis scored a vintage Chanel jacket for $40, and Bell found a pair of new Oscar de la Renta heels for $15 at the Chelsea flea. “If you are buying multiple items, they’ll usually give you a better deal rather than just buying one item,” says Bell, who along with Entis stocked up on military blankets from vendors for their fall 2011 collection.

6. Go with a friend: “We like to help each other,” Entis says. And what’s more fun than shopping with a friend?

http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/07/how-to-shop-a-flea/?_r=0

The Cheat Sheet To Finding The Good Stuff

1. In Peter's world, it's all about the couture details, craftsmanship, and the sign of an artisan's hand: Look for hand-stitching, nail-head trims, embroidery, and hand-woven textiles. It makes anything more special.

2. Look past the scratches, dust, and dirt. Not only can you have anything restored, cleaned, or reupholstered (see below for a list of resources), but you can also change the finish on a table. Try to survey the options while focusing on the possibilities—not on the limitations. In the world of interiors, there really are very few.

3. Don't focus on provenance—unless you really know what you're doing, or are shopping at an auction house that guarantees authenticity, you don't want to splash out big money on something that might be a reproduction. (If you see something too good to be true, it probably is.) This is not to say that there aren't treasures around—just take a deep breath, get out your phone, and search the internet for originals so you can confirm that the details are correct (the wing of the arm, the stamp on the bottom, the type of wood).

4. Measure your space before you go. Beyond the parameters of the area you'd like to fill (i.e., the space allotted for a coffee table), bring measurements for the supporting furniture (i.e., the height and length of your couch, etc.). If you live in an apartment building with small elevators, or a house with unusual doors, be sure that you'll be able to get the item inside!

5. Interact with your potential purchase. Sit in the chairs and make sure they're comfortable and that they don't wobble; make sure a table is the right height, etc. Don't be shy about giving your potential purchase a test-drive.

6. If you're interested in an item, but not overly attached, walk away—do a second lap at the end of the day. If it's still available, you'll have much more negotiating power.

7. Know your budget—and don't forget to factor customs and shipping in (see below for a list of resources). It's easy to get totally carried away in the moment, so know your upper limit.

8. Look for pairs and sets: Vendors generally hate to break them up, so you're going to get a better deal. Besides adding symmetry to a space (see below), you can often use an extra lamp or chairs in a different room.

http://www.goop.com/journal/see/275/the-flea-market-guide?utm_source=goop+issue&utm_campaign=201db18bc9-275_The_Flea_Market_Guide_3_13_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5ad74d5855-201db18bc9-193176

The Best Times to Shop Flea Markets and Yard Sales

Unlike retail stores, flea markets, yard sales, and other secondhand sources don't have duplicates of every item in the store. It's a treasure hunt. Whether your goal is to find the most treasure or to snag it for the best possible price, here are the best times to shop flea markets and yard sales.

Flea Markets

Best Selection: For the best selection of flea market merchandise, get there as soon as it opens on the first day of the market. If it's open Saturday and Sunday all year round, go early on Saturday morning. For seasonal or annual flea markets, go early in the season, preferably the first weekend. You'll have first pick of the goods the vendors gathered during the year.

Best Price: For the biggest discounts, it's just the opposite. Shop mid to late afternoon during the final day, or days, of the flea market. The vendors are tired and ready to get home -- and they might just cut you some fantastic deals if you ask. You may have to haggle a bit, but you'll probably go home with some bargains, especially if you're buying large, heavy pieces the tired sellers don't want to pack and load. 

Yard Sales

Best Selection: Yard sale shopping is a lot like flea market shopping. You'll find the best selections when the sale first starts. Go early on the first day of the sale. If the sale starts at 7 a.m., be there be there a few minutes before -- but not so early that you're labeled an early bird. If you've got lots of sales on the day's route, prioritize them by the most promising sales and by starting times. Your goal is to be the first shopper at the very best sales.

Don't wait until Saturday to visit a yard sale that starts on Friday. Since most weekday workers wait until the weekend, Friday morning is a prime time to shop. If you work on Fridays, hit the sack early on Thursday nights. Yard sales start early; you can probably fit in a few sales before work.

Best Price: Like flea market vendors, yard sale sellers aren't as willing to haggle early in the morning, but the prices are usually pretty low to start. Don't wait until the afternoon bargain hours to shop yard sales. Go early, and if you can't make the right deal to start, ask when they're closing and go back. If the items you're eyeballing haven't sold, they'll probably be ready to make deals.

Estate Sales

Best Selection: Like flea markets and yard sales, you'll find the best choice of merchandise early on the first day. Go a little earlier than the start time. You may have to wait in line -- and sometimes sale organizers limit how many people can go in at one time. You want to be in the first group admitted.

Best Price: Some estate sales organizers won't negotiate price on the first day. Go ahead and ask, but don't be surprised by a strict policy. There is an upside; they usually have a discount schedule. If the last day of the sale is Sunday, they might offer 25% off in the morning, 35% off in the early afternoon, and 50% off during the final two hours. The discount percentages and schedules vary by estate sale company, so ask if it isn't posted.

Thrift Stores

Best Selection: For the best thrift store selections, ask the employees when the new merchandise arrives. It could be a certain day of the week or a certain time each day. New furniture might arrive on a different day than smaller goods. Find out, and then plan your visits for those days and times.

Best Price: Thrift store prices are usually lowish, so you might want to snatch things up as soon as you find them. If the prices are a little high, ask about their sale structure. Thrift stores don't always post their sales clearly and sometimes the sales are confusing. Find out when they discount the items that interest you. That's when you'll find the best deals.

Consignment Stores

Best Selection: The best days and times to shop consignment goods depend on the individual stores. If new merchandise comes in on certain days, that's the time to go. If it's random, you'll just have to pop in fairly often.

Best Price: Sale structures vary, but lots of consignment stores discount based on how long they've had the merchandise. For example, one of my favorites takes off 20 percent after the first six weeks, and then another 5 percent each week until it reaches half price. Ask how it works. Then, keep a list of the pieces you want and on which days the prices are scheduled to drop.
http://fleamarket.about.com/od/insidershoppingtips/qt/besttimestoshopfleamarkets.htm

Glittefest!

 

Hello!

Long time no write, I know, but with all of the social media out there I do not know where this blog fits in.  Please leave a comment if you were here, so we know who is out there!

 

These are the Glitterfest Fall winners for the most "BOOTIFUL BOOTH!".  We give out awards at every Glitterfest.  So many of the artists go above and beyond on their booths , we just had to recognize them for all of their efforts!

 

 

 Priscilla Magdaleno and Becky Wimbs-These lovely ladies are so talented and sooooo nice!  They always pack their space with sparkling magic!  We love them both and are so happy they continue to join us for Glitterfest!

 The folks from Meyer Imports!  They continually provide Glitterfest shoppers with the best glitter in the universe!  It looks so yummy you want to dive in and play in it!

Deb Ward Kennedy of HOMEWARD found had the most amazing waterfall of sweater pumpkins and décor!  I believe it was her parents there helping as well!  Deb dressed the part too, which is always fun and appreciated!  This was her first Glitterfest.  We hope she will join us again!

 

For everyone that joined us for Glitterfest, Thank you!  It was a wonderful day full of art, fun and sparkling laughter!  For those that missed out, please plan to join us on March 15, 2014 for our next Artful Occasion!

Getting it Together

Well,
We  have been working very hard on the shoppe for the last week and it is coming along nicely!  There is nothing like shifting and moving everything around to inspire something new!  I think you will like what we have "in store" for you!  The reveal happens on the 23rd of August right before the Vintage Fleamarket on the 26th.  We encourage you to stop in and see all that is shiny and new!

Time for an update!

Whimzy! is taking break!  August 1st to August 22nd we will be closed to re-do, re-design, & 
re-new.  We are full of new ideas and inspiriation and look forward to seeing each of you at the next Vintage Fleamarket of Old Town Tustin on August 23rd.  We will be in the store for phone calls, mail and emails, so if you need us just call 714-573-1025.  See you soon!

Whimzy's First Junque Trunk

May signaled the first Annual Junque Trunk!  What is a Junque Trunk you ask?  Well, we invited a bunch of our artist friends to clean out there precious supplies and bring the excess to Whimzy to sell.  We had a fantastic turnout-Artists as well and shoppers!  There was some primo booty for sure!  And the prices were fantastic!

We had so much fun, we are planning to do it again!  Stay tuned for your chance to be part of Whimzy's "Junque Trunk 2"!  www.VintageWhimzy.com

Class with Cheryl & Rita

Last Saturday Rita Reade & Cheryl Waters came to play @ Whimzy!  Let me tell you. these ladies do not mess around!  The table was beautifully set-up with the most amazing goodies that for the first time my cupcakes did not steal the show!

The project was  a soldered canvas shadowbox.  Lots of fun techniques, ingredients, and GLITTER!

First we gave the upside-down canvas some color and texture.  Next we cut-out and embellished the cute little birds.  As you can see here, the canvas really works well  for the shadowbox.  By this time, my mind is thinking up all kinds of goodies to do up this way!!!

We then cleaned our glass, applied the copperfoil, and soldered away!

Finally, we added all kinds of wonderful trims and things to the outside!  Voila!  Project complete!

 Rita & Jenelle posin' pretty!  These ladies are so fantastic.  They do it all!

 This is  Terry's piece.  Notice the dark frame!

 This is Diane's.  She went a completely different route all together.  The items were those she brought from home!

 This is the floor under Terry!  As you can see, she really enjoys our classes! :)

And here are the cupcakes, just because there is no-better treat than chocolate cupcakes!

Join us for some creative time!  Go to www.VintageWhimzy to see what is up & coming!

Red Riding Hood was back!

Last Saturday, we had the wonderful Polka Dot Pixie back @ Whimzy!  Jenny Hernandez spent a few hours and had a lot of fun teaching her Red Riding Hood Project.  Here are some shots of the students contructions!

It was a full house!

All the supplies included.  Isn't she cute!

Forming her head and face.

Time to add arms!

Students made her outfit as well.  It's a no-sew technique!

 Getting ready to put Red together.

 Each sculpture shows the personality of her creator!

 Hollie decided to "Goth" her sculpture a bit!

She also came out very cool!

Join us at Whimzy! for all kinds of different projects!  Click here to see what's coming up!

Coptic Journals with Jenelle Van de Mortel

Saturday I was lucky-ducky to take Jenelle's Journal making class.  I rarely get to play so I was very excited to spend the day being creative with the other students!

Jenelle is very energetic, fun, and artful!  As I am sure you can see by the table setting!

 

Isn't it lovely!

Here I have just applied gesso to the journal covers.

Terry does the "flapper" to help her journal covers dry!

Here I have painted, glazed, and decoupaged the front.  I have also painted, textured and glammed up the back cover.  Jenelle knows so much about some many products!  Many are new to me and will soon be added to my creative arsenal!

Here is the crepe medallion to decorate the front!

Next, we learned the art of sew in the "signature" of pages using the kettle stitch.  Jenelle made this very complicated method very easy!

The stitches form a beautiful chain like stitch along the spine of the book.

Here you can see how spectacular it is all coming out!

And here is it!  Isn't it fabulous!  Glittery, artsy, and oh so fun!

If you would like to learn more about Jenelle and her artful journals click here!

If you would be interested in joining me at Whimzy for a creative learning experience click here!