Reware Vintage Blog

I was so excited this weekend to go to an estate sale of a former Herman Miller executive! The house and furniture throughout were AMAZING (and completely out of my budget). I managed to grab some quick pictures, though!

Sales awards he had won in 1979 and 1980.

I did however, get some stuff that was in my budget. A couple of Herman Miller watches (newer), an old 80’s Herman Miller binder from their office with a great design on the front, a Herman Miller T shirt from the early 80’s, and this:

A box full of these big industrial size thread spools from the Herman Miller factory. The spools are from the 60’s, and the man had taken a ton of them home to use to build his own furniture (he used a bunch in a shelving unit he’d made). I’m so glad he never used them all, as I have a craft project in mind for these! Can’t wait to post pictures when I make what I plan to make out of them, I think it’ll turn out awesome!!!

I also went to a housecall to look at a woman’s collection of her mother’s clothing, and fell in love with a number of dresses that I bought, which will be posted on the website sometime next month. Betty Drew had a great eye for fashion, and a fantastic wedding dress (and handsome husband) as well!

I will make sure to let you all know when her items go up for sale on the site, and her daughter will also be Ebay-ing a number of even more fantastic 50’s and 60’s dresses soon – I’ll give you the links when they go up! I did keep one thing for myself, this bag.

60’s tweed and leather, and I love it! It is by John Romain, who I’d never heard of, but I now have looked at a lot of pictures and items of his since! Very classic and timeless design, and very durable too.

I also bought the trees piece at the thrift store I’d written about last week, and we are hanging it in our bedroom today. It is sewn together so well, and someone hand stretched it out and stapled it onto the frame. I’m so glad to have gotten it, and to see it every day when I wake up.

Over the weekend I bought dozens of new items to sell, reconstruct and craft – so excited to show you all soon!!!

I’m so excited to have been featured in MetroMode’s article “Metro Detroit’s Homeprenuers” today! Reporter Amy Kuras was so great to talk with – it was one of the easiest, most fun interviews I’ve ever had, more like a conversation with an old friend than an interview, really and photographer Marvin Shaouni was fantastic (and so are his photos!). Kona and I had a great time, and I’ve never seen my home look so great in pictures before. Kona adored him to no end, and was a perfect model that afternoon.

Thanks so much Amy and Marvin! And welcome to my labor of love to all our new visitors from the MetroMode website!

I am so incredibly sad that my friend Therese is leaving Michigan today to head for greener pastures and a brighter career in New York. Therese was a big supporter (and our most asked about model) for Reware Vintage, and is one of my oldest friends.

Therese also happens to be an absolutely amazing singer, and I have no doubt that she will find success where ever she goes (god damn it, I really don’t wanna cry here so I’m gonna not get sentimental anymore…)

So Friday night was Therese’s last show in Michigan, and Dan and I went to watch her in awe one last time and say goodbye for a while.

Love you Therese!

Whew! Hard part’s over….Saturday night Lish, Kim and I went to the Crofoot to check out Women: A Night of Art & Culture after Dan made us a quick dinner. There were bands, comedians, rappers, dj’s, crafters, artwork…and this crazy handmade skirt that covered the ballroom.

I really loved crafter Carrie Marchand Ceramics and photgrapher Christine Edwards. And this dollhouse that was on display.

The Sisters Lucas were fantastic.

And I forgot to snap any pictures before Lish left.

So this one is real

and this one is also real, in the way that we really did take a picture of each of us, and then I combined them with the magic of Photoshop. ha!

Sunday we cooked, baked and ate way too much. All day. Which is exactly how I like my Sundays.

Today I went to estate sale in Hamtramck, Michigan. I didn’t know until I walked in that the sale was of a fellow vintage dealer (still living). That made it a bit more interesting…

I was surprised and excited to run into my brother and sister-in-law just a few minutes after I walked in (Andy, say hi! – Andy told me he reads this blog today, which made me smile), and we caught up as we all went through boxes, racks and tables of vintage clothing, records, shoes and other stuff. Most of it was junk, but I did get a number of choice T shirts and  these lovely wedding pictures:

I LOVE this dress! What a gorgeous bustline! And her nail polish is a fantastic color, isn’t it?

A truly Motown Wedding! The bride and groom are such a sweet looking couple…and I love the bridesmaids’ outfits!

Across the street was a burned out house, with an interesting art installation after the home had met it’s demise…

It reads “Speramus Meliora Resurget Cineribus” (Latin for, “We Hope For Better Things; It Shall Rise From the Ashes”), which is Detroit’s official motto. Beautiful! Does anyone know who made this?

Inside the house was a different story…

Piles and piles of clothing, added after the fact. Who would do this, and why? What a shame…

An interesting day, for sure.

Saturday Lish and I went and checked out Knit Michigan, and drooled at gorgeous yarn and some cool fashions.

Ultimately, I reminded myself that I didn’t need any more yarn in my crowded office, but I couldn’t leave without buying a couple of these cards from City Knits. Lish had a great idea to frame one, so now I’m looking for the perfect vintage frame to match.

That night was a crafty dinner with the Handmade Detroit ladies and the I3 Detroit boys, then I scooted over to the Exposure Detroit photography exhibit at the Bean and Leaf Cafe. It was PACKED, my macchiato was excellent, and I had some great conversation before I interrupted a very busy Tafari for a quick hug before hitting the road down into Detroit.

Next, Kim, Lish and I checked out the Majestic Garage Sale. We scored books some books and records, and I got a couple great vintage T shirts. Highlight of the night? Photos with the Stormtrooper there that was selling Star Wars collectibles.

Sunday was pretty uneventful, except one thing – I got into my first Etsy treasury – Check it out here! In case you didn’t know, yep we are on Etsy as well, you can see the shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/rewarevintage.

Otherwise it was a simple day – Gym, baking, Puppy Bowl. Love the Puppy Bowl! The rabbit cheerleaders were a nice addition, don’t you think?