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Recycling Day

Recycling Day published on

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I’m still trying to pump out the handmade inventory in time for the holidays. Can’t even upload it to the online stores because I don’t have enough stuff to fill my space at the Gifted show this weekend. I’m having great fun playing with all of the salvage and junk I’ve been collecting over the years.

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My second child. The first one was a very crude screened in baby. This one has class. She’s in an old clock case. I love the eyes!

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Non functional diorama in an antique sewing machine drawer. No, that wasn’t by Barbie, but that is a photo of me and I think that was my mom’s camera. It’s hard to distinguish what I grew up with and what I picked up at garage sales.

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What Christmas tree would be complete without an Obama ornament? I was lucky that a bulb blew out this morning. I made other ornaments but I used new glass balls. I like them better, but they’re not recycled. I’ll have to find some ugly used ones to cover.

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Someone put this chair back out on the curb thinking it was useless. It’s now a lovely coat rack.

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And speaking of racks, here’s another use for Barbie. She’s a decorative topper on a hook thingy made from an old yard stick. The stick is too delicate for coats. Dog leashes? Hats?

Market Report: Braving The Cold Pays Off

Market Report: Braving The Cold Pays Off published on

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Yeah, I set up my booth at the Brooklyn Flea yesterday in those arctic temperatures. The sun was scarce, the wind was fierce, hey I rhymed!

Less than half of the outdoor vendors showed up, which meant less competition for those of us who did. Ah, but would the shoppers show? Well, there weren’t crowds of people, but those who were out there weren’t doing it because it was fun. They were there to shop. Or they didn’t realize there was an indoor show going on as well.

The photo above is of Gifted, the indoor show. I went into the Masonic Temple briefly to use the facilities. After suffering the cold all morning, I felt like a homeless person crashing a lavish party. The place was packed. People were hanging out, smiling, shopping. They were warm! I did my thing and returned to my freezing spot.

Did I make money? Yes! People bought things without too much bargaining because I earned it after working outdoors all day (They said so!). Would I do it again? Nah. I’m a wimp. I’m going indoors for the rest of the season.

But hey, if you want to pick up some extra money with your crafts or vintage items, here’s your chance to grab a spot at the Brooklyn Flea. It ends on December 21st and reopens in April, when spaces will be harder to get.

If you’re a shopper, please support those brave vendors who are sitting out there freezing their tokheses off. They’ve earned it!

Dear Santa,

Dear Santa, published on 4 Comments on Dear Santa,

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I know I said gifts were evil, but since I didn’t have anything else to write about today I came up with my wish list. Please do not hesitate to help me out here. I’ll accept any generous offer. Oh, and thanks in advance.

1. Flip Video

2. 3G iPhone. I have the older one. I’m jealous when I see people with the new model.

3. New pair of MBTs. They’re pricey! But they are all I wear these days what with my old lady feet and all.

4. Heater for the flea market.

5. New wardrobe that I don’t have to shop for and try on. Preferably vintage.

6. Massages every day for the rest of my life.

7. A vacation. Without the family.

8. A personal assistant. Someone who can do everything from the laundry to renovations. To massage.

9. Heck, an entire household staff. I want a chauffeur, a cook and a cleaning person.

10. New old house to work on. I’m bored with these.

11. Tickets to the inauguration.

How Do These Etsy Mofos Do It?

How Do These Etsy Mofos Do It? published on 4 Comments on How Do These Etsy Mofos Do It?

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So, as I reported yesterday, I’m taking much of my salvage and vintage flea crap and upcycling it for the winter season. I’m doing this partially because I only have one more outdoor day at the Brooklyn Flea and partially because, well, it’s the holidays and nobody is buying furniture as gifts.

Ok, so I woke up at 5am and got right to work. A few distractions here and there, some breaks, but by quittin’ time, I had only finished five pieces. WTF? Am I a dimwit or something?

What I want to know is this: How do people find enough hours in the day to produce several pieces, photograph them, measure and write text, then upload them to Flickr, Etsy and other stores? And I think some of these people have full time jobs!

And don’t get me started on the days I have to cook get take out, clean, do laundry and pay bills! Who are these superpeople and how can I become one of them?

So, hey, come bring me hot chocolate at the Brooklyn Flea this Sunday where I’ll be freezing my ass off. The following 2 weeks I get to do the Gifted show because I bitched and moaned and he just wanted to shut me up. Squeaky wheel gets the oil!

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Craftin’ The Night Away

Craftin’ The Night Away published on 3 Comments on Craftin’ The Night Away

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My disorganizational are amazing. The plan this week was too organize my crap and work more productively. As you can see from the photo above (my living room floor), it ain’t happening.

I’m trying to make the shift from falling back on selling vintage pieces to doing more hand made items for the holiday crafts scene. It’s tons of fun! But only if you have your act together.

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I tried separating doorknobs by spreading them out on the floor. I’ll make some coat hangers and such out of them.

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I took apart this clock to add the photo only to lose the screws. Now I can’t put it back together. Pathetic, huh?

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Ok, this was fairly simple and I managed to accomplish something. I bought these irregular concrete tiles last year and they’ve been sitting in my basement ever since.

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Add cork to the back and they are coasters! I left the numbers because I kinda like them.

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This key holder/shelf would’ve taken less than a half hour to make. Too bad I couldn’t find screws, then I broke one of the glass knobs, then I couldn’t get the screw out of the replacement knob, then I couldn’t find the Modge Podge, then I couldn’t find the scissors…..I took this photo while the glue was still wet on side “hooks”. You can see them starting to slide down.

Won’t You Be My Friend?

Won’t You Be My Friend? published on 1 Comment on Won’t You Be My Friend?

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A couple of months ago my friend Scott made me join Facebook. Yeah, it’s fun, I waste lots of time and reconnected with some old high school buddies. I’ve been meaning to put the blog up there and I finally did last night. So, if you’re a fellow blogger, a reader or just someone who doesn’t want me to look pathetic up there, go on and friend me! Or “fan” me if that’s the only option. Please? 

Hijack This Blog

Hijack This Blog published on 3 Comments on Hijack This Blog

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Well, that’s a fine how do you do! On the very morning of Reclaimed Home’s 1st anniversary, my computer dies. Now, being a photographer, I know that the most important thing is to have back up equipment. As a blogger, yeah, not so much.

The closest Mac place to Beacon is in Danbury, a good 45 minutes away. I took the drive on Friday only to have them inform me my computer will have to be sent to the main repair location. That’s in Texas. And as luck would have it, they’ve evacuated because of Ike. Here’s where you realize what a selfish cow I am. People have much larger problems due to the hurricane, but all I care about is my computer. I know. I know.

Anyway, I don’t know when I’m getting my computer back since I couldn’t even leave it there yet. Right now I’m on my husband’s PC. It’s slow as sh*t and doesn’t even have good photo editing software. Makes for some very unpleasant blogging.

So if anyone feels like guest posting or trying their hand at blogging, shoot me an email and I’ll post it. Otherwise I might just have to rant about things off the top of my head.  

My Life Is A Friggen Seinfeld Episode

My Life Is A Friggen Seinfeld Episode published on 7 Comments on My Life Is A Friggen Seinfeld Episode

**Archive. Originally posted: May 28, 2008

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1930-2008

5/27/08 My father passed at 9:30 tonight. This post was written while we waited.

It’s a well known fact. New York Jews go down to Florida to die. Of course it’s terribly sad. But it’s also pretty humorous. And I don’t feel too bad laughing about it because my father would be the first one cracking jokes if he could. Anyway, I feel like I’m caught up in a bad Seinfeld episode.

The other day when we went to visit the hospital we ran into THREE other people we knew. A friend of the family whom had been helping my mom and visiting my dad all along was there with her husband. He had suffered a heart attack. Then there were 2 elderly neighbors from the senior condo. I think they called 911 just to get attention. It was like a party at that hospital!

It’s Jewish custom for immediate family to sit shiva after a funeral. It’s supposed to be a full week, but my mother says 3 days is acceptable. That suits me just fine. There is no way I’m spending an extra 7 days down here!

My brother lives in Florida now and he’s even more selfish than I am. He’s not happy with 3 days.

Brother: So, I have to stay in the house for 3 days?

Mother: Yes. You have to be here for people to come visit.

Brother: Does the day of the funeral count?

Mother: Yes. So, it’s only 2 days, really.

Brother: But can I take a walk in the morning before visitors arrive?

Mother: You’re really not supposed to do anything.

Brother: But what if I get sick? Would I be able to go to a doctor? I mean, I could die myself if I’m stuck in the house.

Mother: You won’t get sick.

Brother: Do I have to sit on one of those boxes?

Mother: Well, you can sit on the couch, but maybe sit on a box when company arrives.

Me: Isn’t that hypocritical?

Brother (before my mother can answer my question): Do I have to eat on the box? How do I balance my food?

And so it went on and on. At least I realized one thing. I’m not George. My brother is George. I’m Jerry. And that’s a step up from George. Maybe even two steps.

Related: Gone South

Hudson Armory

Hudson Armory published on 3 Comments on Hudson Armory

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My van was full of furniture for a week. I finally got up to Hudson Armory Art and Antiques to unload it on Saturday. The armory is owned and run by the Keegan family: Mom (Jean), Dad (Ed Sr) and Son (Ed Jr). They have an impressive selection of vendors with really decent pricing. A shame I didn’t have time to take pictures as the hubby was whining about needing something to eat after helping me unload.

Two Hudson dealers recommended I not go with the armory. They said it’s too far off the beaten path and I should stick to Warren Street. The other criticism was that the Keegans don’t try to sell the items because they’re not working on commission. Well, I gave them a chance anyway.

First of all, the monthly charge is $250 compared to the starting price of $600 plus commission at The Supermarket. Carousel came highly recommended, but has a waiting list. One dealer suggested The Coxsackie Antiques Center over the armory, saying it gets traffic from Hudson. I don’t get why something over the river, miles away would get more traffic than a shop around the corner. What am I missing?

What sold me on the armory is the space, number one. When we left, my husband said “I want to buy an armory.” Honey, say no more! I’m there! I also like the way my merch gels with everyone else’s. The items being sold aren’t stuffy expensive antiques. There’s an assortment of affordable eclectic offerings. A vintage phone booth for $450 was crying out to me to take it home for the brownstone hallway. “Add some coat hooks inside and make a little coat/brolly/mail closet.” It said. There was some decent vintage artwork for under $100. I saw architectural salvage as well as antique furnishings.

Hopefully next time I go, I’ll have the chance to shop and take pictures. And meet up with Hallie the Holy Hudson honey.

What’s Up With Jews and Diners?

What’s Up With Jews and Diners? published on 1 Comment on What’s Up With Jews and Diners?

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Thank you for your patience during my time off for my mother’s visit. I sent her packing back to Florida yesterday, hurricane threat and all. Two weeks, she was here. Two weeks.

These old Jews, all they want to eat is diner food. In Florida, they go to dinner at 4pm for their early bird specials. They fill up on the bread and salads that are out on the table. After eating the soup, they take a few bites of their huge meal and leave some room for desert, also included in the price. Then the entree gets boxed up and they get another meal or two out of it. Or sometimes, it sits in the fridge until the children visit a few months later to throw it out.

I’ve had diner food nearly every. single. day. that my mom was here. (I won’t bore you with my protein deficiency. I can’t do veggie burgers every night. I just can’t.) We ate at Junior’s on Flatbush, El Greco in Sheepshead, Alexis in Newburgh and Historic Village Diner in Red Hook to name a few. I’ve become a diner friggin connoisseur.

The diner list I posted here back in March still makes sense, although I wasn’t all that impressed with El Greco this time around. We both made the mistake of ordering falafel plates because we were exicited to see them on the menu. They were dry as fart and when I asked for tahini I got tsatsiki instead.

I’m sad to report on the passing of our much loved Sea Garden restaurant on Neptune Avenue in Brighton Beach. Rumor has it the place was shut down for violations PLUS non payment of rent or taxes. It was a pit, but it was OUR pit.

Also, in non diner related news, Mrs. Stahls on Coney Island and Brighton Beach Aves is gone! Apparently, it’s been gone for a few years now, but I just found out when we went looking for it. It’s a Subway now. And Brighton Beach Avenue has Starbucks and many, many new facades. Oh Brighton, what happened to you?

Reclaimed Duplex Available August!

Reclaimed Duplex Available August! published on

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Our duplex roommates are moving out! They are parting ways with each other so they’ll be looking for smaller apartments. The beautiful thing is that we weren’t going to renew their lease anyway. They are just too YOUNG! The first year was fine, but they had one too many loud, late parties this year. We’re old and kvetchy. We don’t go for that.

Anyway, they’re leaving early August and we’ll be in a mad rush to get some new blood in there by the middle of the month. I’m sure there will be some things to take care of after four 20 somethings lived there for 2 years, but two weeks oughta do it.

I gave “The Duplex” it’s own page. I tried to do it as a “listing” but I’ve been neglecting that for so long I forgot how to do it. Please feel free to send the link on to friends, friends of friends, post it on your blog, etc….

3BR/Bed Stuy/Pets welcome/$2600

Preferably NO MORE ROOMMATES!

Reclaimed Home: So,What’s the Plan,Man?

Reclaimed Home: So,What’s the Plan,Man? published on 5 Comments on Reclaimed Home: So,What’s the Plan,Man?

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Things have been sort of half-ass here for the last month or two due to family meshugas. No sooner did I get back from Florida than the Irish invaded my house. Don’t ask how that’s going. At least I have a few days to myself as they took a side trip to Niagara.

It’s been tough getting any work done while entertaining the in-laws, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. They leave at the end of June. Yes, it will have been a month since the first of them arrived! I’m only going to do once a month Brooklyn Flea for July and August. You know what that means? More time to work on the houses! Some DIY posts, salvage, materials, etc! I’ll be reclaiming my home!

Not participating in the flea every weekend also means I’ll have time to develop some new items and work on my online shop presence. But there I go again taking on too much. I have to remember two time consuming things coming up in August: My mom is coming to visit for 2 weeks and my tenants are leaving. And I don’t think mom will be much help getting the apartment ready to rent again.

Oy. It’s always something.

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