Back Home Again

Amy Butler on Etsy: So Inspiring!

2012-02-17T20:11:00.001-08:00

'Amy Butler on Etsy' by backhomeagain

I still love Amy Butler style. The way she mixes the old with the new, masculine with feminine, mid century with industrial. So comfortable just like the Midwest...

dleerium $12.00	PlumfieldShop $88.00	OhSoRetroVinta... $5.00	DarlingAdell $75.00
MARSHAMOHR $39.95	OceanSwept $115.00	Poisonorchid $10.00	Vintiqued $55.00
HazelnutDesign... $30.00	AJewelsQuest $39.95	PondLilly $119.99	Mireio $18.50
dahlilafound $34.00	LaurelSusanStu... $24.00	sixcatsfunSTUF... $10.00	MARSHAMOHR $39.95

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

SALE SALE SALE

2012-01-23T11:46:00.000-08:00

New items added this week to the sale isle at Back Home Again. Come on over and find some fabulous vintage aprons, vintage plate and yes some Vera Neumann scarves all at great sale prices!

Nostalgia: G.C. Murphy's Dime Store

2012-01-21T13:42:00.000-08:00

If you were raised in Indiana during the 60s or 70s, you no doubt had a G. C. Murphy's in your town or in close proximity. We use to refer to it simply as "the dime store". My sister and I spent a fair amount of time at Murphy's,because our Aunt Carol worked there. Aunt Carol didn't have any kids or husband, she didn't even have a pet so she spoiled us rotten. We'd walk in the front door of Murphy's and go directly to the candy counter. The wood floors would creek under our steps and every person there knew us. The candy counter seemed huge to us. It was square and you could walk all around the display case admiring the yummy candy behind the glass case. It was sold by the pound or the piece. A clerk would walk in to the square candy counter, scoop up our order and serve it to us in a white paper bag. My favorite was the chocolate covered nuts. Then we'd head down to Aunt Carol's office (she was the bookkeeper) totally oblivious to the fact that someone needed to pay for the candy. We'd stop and admire the gold fish in the pet department, browse the toy department and then down we'd go to the basement to see Aunt Carol. It didn't occur to us until years later that Aunt Carol paid for our candy, no questions asked!

I was thrilled to discover that others had the same wonderful memories of Murphy's that I do. Jason Togyer`s book "For the Love of Murphy's: The Behind-The-Counter Story of a Great American Retailer" certainly pushes my nostalgia button. For more about the book and to see additional pictures of G.C. Murphy's stores check out the web site G.C. Murphy's Memories and enjoy a trip down memory lane!

Grandma's Apron

2012-01-08T14:33:00.000-08:00

Grandma’s Apron
by Tina Trivett

The strings were tied, it was freshly washed, and maybe even pressed.
For Grandma, it was everyday to choose one when she dressed.
The simple apron that it was, you would never think about;
the things she used it for, that made it look worn out.
She may have used it to hold some wildflowers that she’d found.
Or to hide a crying child’s face when a stranger came around.
Imagine all the little tears that were wiped with just that cloth.
Or it became a potholder to serve some chicken broth.
She probably carried kindling to stoke the kitchen fire.
To hold a load of laundry, or to wipe the clothesline wire.
When canning all her vegetables, it was used to wipe her brow.
You never know, she might have used it to shoo flies from the cow.
She might have carried eggs in from the chicken coop outside.
Whatever chore she used it for, she did them all with pride.
When Grandma went to heaven, God said she now could rest.
I’m sure the apron that she chose, was her Sunday best.

You can find more of Tina Trivett’s poetry on her amazing blog.

Back Home Again has a sale on Vintage Aprons! Check it out....

Stop Doing These 5 Things For Your Etsy Business in 2012!

2011-12-15T20:42:00.000-08:00

{photo brought to you by FreeFoto}

As you are getting ready for your holiday break and reorganizing for the upcoming new year, here's some ideas to think about.

#1 Stop with the comparisons. Your work or your store is unique to you and you only. Constantly comparing your work or your store to others will make you miserable and block creativity. There will always be a store that looks better and is better. There will always be a store that is worse than yours. Don't waste your time comparing yourself to others.

# 2 Stop networking. Yep that's right. Stop wasting your time on facebook, twitter and your online “friends”. I'm all for being friendly and meeting new people but the truth is I think it's kind of weird that you can know personal details about an individual you wouldn't recognize on the street. Kind of creepy...

#3 Stop over thinking everything. From where to place the button on a bag to picking out the perfect logo for your store, over thinking can paralyze you and keep you stuck in purgatory. Take a chance, go with your gut and stop over thinking every decision you make.

#4 Stop work that brings no satisfaction. Maybe it's a demanding customer or dead end project that's going no where fast. If a work task is creating anxiety and not satisfying any need you have, stop doing it. Life is too short...

#5 Stop jumping through hoops. Personally I refuse to change my store every time etsy says jump (which was a bunch in 2011). Change is not necessarily a bad thing but after awhile you can find yourself chasing your tail. When etsy says jump, take a breath and wait for the dust to settle before you make any changes to your store.

I've been on etsy for a few years now and I think 2012 is going to be a good one. Etsy made some great changes in 2011 (don't you love having those stats) and we are in a good position for 2012. Eliminating these activities will save you some serious time and put you in a position to have bigger profits. If you have an idea for something you can stop please be sure to leave a comment...

Shop Update: Antique Laundry Basket

2011-09-11T20:23:00.000-07:00

These antique wire laundry baskets are a great addition to your home décor. You're only limited by your imagination in using it: organize fabric, larger stuffed animals, blanket storage... Perfect addition to your laundry room!

If interested, head on over to Back Home Again the shop!

Shop Update: Vintage Fabric!

2011-09-10T21:43:00.000-07:00

I listed a BIG lot of fabulous vintage fabric pieces today. You'll find vintage aprons, chenille, barkcloth and pillow cases. Plenty to keep you busy for awhile...

Sunday Sewing: Place Mat Tutorial

2011-08-21T07:11:00.001-07:00

Simple Place Mat Tutorial

These simple place mats are a great way to use up your scraps and they make wonderful handmade gifts for that someone special. You're only limited by your imagination!

::Get Started::

Cut 8 - 2 1/2" x 5" (6.4 cm X 12.7 cm) pieces to create the patchwork piece.

Cut 1 - 17" x 9" (43.2 cm X 22.9 cm) piece for bottom of front.

Cut 1 - 17" x 13 1/2" (43.2 cm X 34.3 cm) interfacing.

Cut 1 - 17" x 13 1/2" (43.2cm X 34.3 cm) piece for the back side.

I recommend using muslin, vintage tablecloths or coordinating quilt fabric. I used a combination of quilt fabric scraps and linen. But you can really let your imagination go wild by recycling clothes that have seen better days!

:: Start Sewing::

First, create the patchwork piece for the top of your place mat. With right sides together and using 1/4" seam allowance sew the scrap pieces together. Iron your seams to the side not open and then iron the seams on the front of the piece.

Second, with right sides together sew the bottom piece to the top patchwork piece using a 1/4" seam allowance. Iron the seam on a hot, hot setting.

Now attach the interfacing to the back of the front, using the manufacturer instructions. Or cut a matching piece of flannel and use it for your interfacing. It will be less stiff and more absorbent.

Finally, with right sides together pin the front of the place mat to the back of the place mat, leaving a 3" - 4" opening so you can turn the place mat right side out. Stitch 1/2" around the place mat, paying special attention not to sew the opening closed. At the opening back stitch several times. This will keep the opening from ripping as you pull the place mat right side out.

::Finish::

Turn your place mat right side out and press. Top stitch 1/4" around the entire place mat and voila, your finished. Feel free to experiment with the top stitching!

::Notes::

:: These place mats were designed to work with vintage dinnerware so they may be a tad bit smaller than what your use to.

::Try this with your vintage tablecloth scraps or use some scraps from your grandmas scrap box for a special touch.

::Don't worry if you or your place mat aren't perfect. See the beauty in the imperfection and move on. Don't know how or why but one of mine seems crooked. I'm not worrying about it.

::For best results, use a rotary cutter instead of scissors. You'll have straighter edges to sew on.

::For a soft feel, use flannel instead of fusable interfacing. For more stability, use the fusable interfacing.

::To make a "pattern" I use muslin to cut out my pieces. I find that's easier than measuring each and every piece.

Please feel free to leave a comment. I'd love to hear from you...

Customer Service Tips : Take Care of Your Business!

2011-08-19T06:30:00.000-07:00

I pride myself on packing my items at Back Home Again to arrive in one piece. But this week I made a mistake and something arrived damaged. I immediately refunded my customer's money and apologized. When my customer offered to return the item, I said no thank you. I will never ask a customer to be inconvenienced by my mistake. Here's my best tips for great customer service

1) Make every effort up front to ensure that your customer has nothing to complain about. Dust off your items, pack well and be honest with descriptions, double check to see that the mail address is accurate. Sloppiness will lead to poor customer service quicker than anything!

2) Ask your customer what they want. Offer options in taking care of a problem. Tell your customer I can do choice A, B, or C which one works best for YOU.

3) Take responsibility. At Back Home Again, the buck stops with me. I'm the chef, cook and bottle washer, only I can make it right!

4) Have clear policies. If you haven't already, officially document your return policies and put them in your shop's policies. It will save you headaches and set the stage for good customer service. Here's mine...

5)Connect with your customer. For me personally, this is the biggest of all customer service concepts. I love to connect in a personal way with the person on the other end. Online we do this with the language we choose, returning e-mails as quickly as possible and expressing empathy. “I am disappointed and sorry that your item arrived damaged.”

There is no big mystery to great customer service and it doesn't take an MBA to figure it out. Treat others as you like to be treated and understand how customer service affects your bottom line. An unhappy customer will not only stop shopping with you {we all love return customers} but they are likely to tell their friends. In the online world, this could mean a posting in a forum or a blog posting that alerts others to your poor customer service. And, unlike a face to face conversation, the online written word lives on forever for all to see. Spend 15 minutes today thinking about ways to improve your customer service and feel free to leave your comments or tips!

If you like the above graphics, please be sure to check out Shabby Blogs!

Ode' to Antique Collecting!

2011-08-17T15:29:00.000-07:00

{Antique Thomas Furnival Plate, 1800s brought to you by Back Home Again}

It doesn't matter if you're a serious antique collector or someone who can't get enough of vintage collecting, you have an awareness of your nostalgia hot buttons. The treasured items that connect us to our past and our family. Those warm childhood memories that are tucked away in our minds that remind us of being free to chase fire flies, eat ice cream without worry or set on grandma's front porch and watch time go by. We like being surrounded by items that make us feel at home or, perhaps, bring us comfort. We like the thrill of the hunt and the excitement over discovering that rare hard to find piece. I don't have to tell you how great that feels. Yep, we are unique indeed. So here's to the collector both vintage and antique. May you be blessed in finding that rare gem that will make your collection complete!

Winding Down the Summer Days!

2011-08-15T09:46:00.000-07:00

It's that time of the year when summer is winding down and Back Home Again is winding up. I generally take the summer off from my online adventures to be with my kids and enjoy life off line. I also spend that time searching for new inventory to bring you. Today I listed this fabulous and rare flower pot from Vernonware of California!

Blog Feature: Torie Jayne

2011-05-29T06:43:00.000-07:00

A BIG thank you goes out to Torrie Jane for featuring one of my photos on her lovely blog this rainy Sunday. I am full of gratitude and I thank her...

P.S. I've tried to stay positive about the rain {we always need the moisture} but I'm getting a little sick of it!

Blog Tips: How Do You Do It!

2011-05-25T07:09:00.001-07:00

So you plan to write 3 blog articles a week and for awhile you are cruising right along. The creative ideas are flowing and you are on fire. All of a sudden, the kids need extra help with homework, work is stressful, pets are sick and before you know it it's been days since you've posted on your blog. So I'm wondering, how do others do it. How do you stay focused? How do you keep the creative blog juices flowing? How do keep from feeling somehow like you failed when you get side tracked?

Just wondering how other bloggers do it! I want to hear from you so leave a comment...

Serendipity: Handmade Jewelry Vintage Vibe!

2011-05-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

These days etsy is all about serendipity which suits me just fine {although I do wish I would be found more often}. The shear size of etsy can make being found and finding others a bit overwhelming and relying on circles, hearts and treasuries to promote your work can seem a little silly at times. But I have to say I had a serendipity moment the other day when {out of the blue} a designer included one of my items in her treasury. I clicked on to her shop to find an amazing collection of jewelry designed with a vintage vibe. Nancy Wallis Designs out of Canada has a beautiful collection of jewelry that makes my heart sing. I have a couple of things hearted for my next payday and I want to share her work with my readers!

These couldn't be more perfect for a wedding. Such an elegant...'something blue'.

Romantic flower necklace is perfect for your summer dates. I love the creative combo of black and the powerful pink.

For more of Nancy's amazing handmade jewelry head on over to her etsy shop.

History of Feed Sacks

2011-05-09T20:22:00.000-07:00

There is an excellent etsy blog post by Linzee McCray on the history of feed sacks that I wanted to tell you about. Not only is the content of the article so interesting but the inspirational writing will hook you in and get your creative juices flowing. Grab yourself a cup of coffee and enjoy an informative article on the history of feed sacks. Ironically, I've been cutting on feed sacks this week and am designing tote bags. I am so inspired I may be up all night!

Handmade Vintage Aprons: Fit for a Queen!

2011-05-06T05:42:00.000-07:00

I was browsing etsy last week {working on my Vintage Apron article} and stumbled upon this amazing store with handmade aprons. Created with vintage reproduction fabric and embellished with vintage jewelry and beaded buttons, these handmade aprons are sure to remind you of the joy and comfort of being Back Home Again {Royal Style}.

To see more aprons fit for a Queen, head on over to Queen Mother Design on etsy!

Make a Mistake Today!

2011-05-04T05:39:00.000-07:00

{Jen's Closet}

Mistakes happen. Yes indeed they do. I was watching an interview with Butler's basketball coach Brad Stevens once {yes I am a big college basketball junkie} and something he said really resonated with me. He tells his kids that they are going to make mistakes so don't try to play to perfection because that can be paralyzing {I'm paraphrasing here}. Seth Godin wrote on his blog the other day “ you can't have success unless you're prepared to have failure”. We get stuck in the “what ifs”. If you're stuck in the what ifs, consider this...

1) What if I just do nothing? I never open my etsy store, I never loose that extra 10 pounds I'm carrying around, I never set that booth up at the local antique mall. What if I just set here in front of this computer screen and let my fear of failing hold me back? Are you prepared to set on the sidelines the rest of your life?

2) What's the worse that could happen? Let's be honest about the this. I'm not a brain surgeon so really what's the worse that could happen? If I make a mistake, chances are no one is going to loose their life! Are you prepared to visualize the worse that could happen and let go it it?

3) What if people laugh at me? Often we get stuck in the “what will people think of me” mode. Is my mom going to think I'm crazy for thinking I can make money from my talents or how about a husband that “just doesn't get it”. Are you letting other peoples attitudes get in the way of your failing?

Go out there today and make a mistake. I don't care if it's sewing the zipper upside down or pricing an antique way low and taking it on the chin. Do something to fail today {success is right around the corner}.

A BIG thank you goes out to Jen @ Jen's Closet for permission to use her photo of broken china from her flickr stream. If you want to see an amazing collection of vintage glassware, check out Jen's Closet! You'll be glad you did...

Found: Vintage Quilt and Sunbeam Coffeemaster

2011-05-03T18:37:00.000-07:00

New this week at Back Home Again {the shop}

A tied quilt created from feed sack fabric. My hunch is that the fabric is from the 1930s but it wasn't put together until much later. The reason I say this is that the yarn looks very synthetic to me. Just my hunch. Either way, it really reminds me of the joy and comfort of being Back Home Again!

A fabulous Sunbeam coffeemaker with tray, sugar and creamer. It's the popular C30A model from the 1940s and is in excellent condition with all the bells and whistles. It's a wonderful addition to your art deco or mid century collection.

Collecting: Antique Ball Jars!

2011-05-02T06:06:00.000-07:00

{This Ball jar duo is brought to you by Paper Seeker on Etsy}

I'm fascinated with Ball Jars these days {especially the turquoise ones}. I was born and raised near Muncie, IN {the Ball brothers produced them there} so they hold a place near and dear to my heart. I imagine the stories of women canning their food, the heat in the kitchen {no air conditioning} and, at the end of the day, row after row of canned fruits and vegetables. I love the simplicity of them and their endless uses. I really need something to store my sewing notions in. I swore I wasn't going to start another collection but I'm not sure I can resist. I am simply fascinated....

My understanding is that the turquoise color, referred to as “Ball blue”, was created from a combo of the sand used in the glass batch and the oxygen in the furnace as the glass melted {I'm not a chemist}. Here is a lovely set of 3 Ball Jars {an instant collection} from the Vintage Wife on Etsy!

This wonderful photo really captures the beautiful simplicity of the Ball jar. Brought to you by the Sugar Bowl Art Company on Etsy!

Shop Update: Vintage Ever Wear Travel Bar! So fabulous...

2011-05-01T10:53:00.000-07:00

Found this fabulous travel bar today and had to list it right away! I love the possibilities and the retro vibe. Perfect for barware collectors or tailgating!

Salvation Army and the South Need our Help!

2011-04-29T06:19:00.000-07:00

I'm not always comfortable giving donations online but the Salvation Army is an organization I trust and admire. They are typically the first ones on the ground and historically have a high efficiency rating {meaning more money goes in to direct services vs. administrative cost}. The people in the southern states struck by these horrible tornadoes need our help. I made my donation today I hope you can to. If not please keep them in your thoughts and prayers...

Consider This Before You Change Your Look

2011-04-27T16:00:00.000-07:00

I've worked really hard over the years to create an online identity for Back Home Again. An identity that triggers a warmth and comfort when you see it. But recently I got a little bored with my shop banner and decided to make a change. I couldn't decide if I wanted to go in a completely different direction {get back to my country roots} or just spice it up a bit. I thought long and hard about it and decided on the latter so people could still “recognize” me. Here are some things to consider before making a change....

1) Be honest with yourself about why you want to make a change. If you're just bored {like me}, make a change but don't throw it all away. If you want to make a change in product line or completely change your business goals, it might be worth going in a completely different direction in terms of your banner and online identity. I've known some sellers to even change their name.

2) Keep in mind the cost of new business cards, banners and other business promotionals. You'd be surprised at how it adds up. For me, I felt the cost was minimal but if you have hundreds of business cards setting around unused you may not want to waste money on new ones.

3) Loyal followers. Do you have enough followers that it's worth worrying about your store's recognition. I decided in the end that I do have enough former customers and followers {closing in on 8,000 on twitter} that I want them to be able to find and “recognize” me.

Thanks to Rene at Fly Bird Fly Designs {I've used her for years} I'm very happy with my new look. It's different enough to get me jump started a bit but it has enough elements from my old look to keep my store identity consistent. It's cleaner and more modern. Just what I wanted....

{here's my old banner design}

{here's my new banner design}

I'd love to hear your thoughts and am always open to suggestions!

A Lesson in Apron History!

2011-04-26T05:24:00.000-07:00

This lesson in the history of aprons has been floating around the web for awhile without an author attached. If you know who wrote it, I'd love to hear from you. Enjoy....

HISTORY OF APRONS.

I don’t think our kids know what an apron is.

The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath because she only had a few, it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and they used less material, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.

From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.

And when the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms.

Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.

Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.

REMEMBER:

Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool.

Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw.

They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron.

I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron :-)

~Author Unknown

SALE Vintage aprons!

2011-04-25T04:55:00.000-07:00

Come on over to Back Home Again the shop and check out our vintage apron sale!

A charming vintage handmade {not by me} apron in blue gingham with black stitched smocking. Original price $21.00 NOW $17.00

"You Deserve to Make a Profit"

2011-04-21T04:53:00.000-07:00

I often see online sellers {especially etsy sellers} measure their success by the number of sales they have per month. I'm more concerned with the number of profitable sales I have per month. Fewer sales with higher profit margins is what I'm looking for. I'm not interested in running to the post office daily to ship off an item that I'm loosing money on. I don't have an MBA or an accounting degree but it just makes sense to me. Repeat after me “I deserve to make a profit”.

Vintage Educational Posters, 1960s and 1970s

2011-04-20T05:59:00.000-07:00

Estate sales of retired school teachers are always fun. I find tons of vintage handkerchiefs, great clothes and lots of books. But recently I found something kind of unique and interesting. Lots and lots of educational posters. Teachers would collect posters to decorate their class rooms and they are great for today's home décor or home school classroom. The posters I found were from the 1970s and were used to decorate a grade school class room. Everything from the food pyramid to dairy to transportation was found in the box!

This retro bus illustration would make a great wall art piece in a play room!

This retro food poster is perfect addition for you kitchen!

Vintage Wedding Dress

2011-04-03T16:49:00.000-07:00

If you are having a vintage wedding this spring, take a peak at this amazing dress brought to you by JC McCarins Cottage. It's vintage 1960s – 70s and is truly amazing. What a great inexpensive way to have an eco friendly {re-use} wedding gown that is totally unique. I think one of the biggest stumbling blocks to purchasing vintage clothing is the fitting. Lucky for you, JC is offering a refund minus shipping cost, if it doesn't fit. Check out the vintage goddess dress, you'll be glad you did!

Butler Bulldogs!

2011-04-03T07:29:00.000-07:00

'More Than a Game: Butler Bulldogs!' by backhomeagain

Where I come from, it's more than just a game...

Bedtime Prayers DogtownArtwork... $25.95	Goin' For a Rid... CreateLoveLaug... $10.00	Butler Bulldog Fina... oliviamoon $12.00
Angus - French Bull... siblingrivalri... $50.00	Vintage Picture Fra... elizabethwrenv... $12.00	Butler Bulldogs 20... GoneDoggie $20.00
Smiling Bully 8X10 ... dahlphotos $12.00	Size 11 Blue Conver... manstuff $26.00	Bulldog Wedding Cak... bittersweetz $99.99
Basketball Diaries ... freedomstudios $30.00	Basketball Butler B... CreativeClam $3.50	English Bulldog Pup... FatCats $15.00
BULLDOG on Chair H... MarieDolphin $35.00	French Bulldog Porc... kennedyhandmad... $34.00	Small Vintage Photo... brokenartmaker $1.75
vintage 1980s Nike ... vintageshoescl... $99.99

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

2011-03-27T20:24:00.001-07:00

'One foot in the kitchen' by subtleacts

Taste of Honey ... ... VeraVague $64.00	Derby Quadruple Sil... TheVintageParl... $46.00	Vintage Apron, 196... backhomeagain $13.00
Cooking 101- Handpr... rollandtumblep... $15.00	Summer Pie FIne Art... SweetFineDay $18.00	Eat Your Heart Out ... sushipot $185.00
Imaginary Stories (... LilyMoon $9.50	two floral plates sadieolive $21.00	30% OFF SALE Ends T... AmeliaKayPhoto... $21.00
Buy 1, get 1 - soli... zuppaartista $30.00	Vintage Antique Flo... birdie1 $58.00	silk peony shoe cli... eclu $32.00
simple vintage wood... restlessgenera... $8.00	Edible Sugar Vintag... andiespecialty... $56.25	Simple In Silver - ... oldcrowfarm $
Vintage Wooden Appl... DailyMemorandu... $38.00

Treasury tool is sponsored by Lazzia.com A/B image testing.

2011-03-23T15:23:00.003-07:00

'finding solace in a pale garden' by JCMcCairnsCottage

Vintage White Tail ... vintagepickins $21.00	Antique Weathered B... polkadotHOME $39.00	33% OFF SALE - On t... bomobob $20.00
Titania - Grey line... TheMeasure $72.00	V I N T A G E Glass... MaisonPaulette $28.00	cloud gazing - bout... whichgoose $15.00
Vintage Noritake Ch... backhomeagain $23.00	SPRING THAW Boutonn... pompandplumage $14.00	confetti - paper pe... SepiaSmiles $3.96
hutchinson aqua sod... thehouseofoliv... $22.00	The Royal Collectio... doodlebirdie $68.00	ID Embroidered deer... ImagoDRIFT $46.00
MINI Needle Case. s... KnitterBag $16.99	asymmetrical MOSS d... museglass $64.00	wire egg basket no2 simplyobjekts $48.00
tiny doves FreeRangeGoat $3.00

Treasury tool is sponsored by Lazzia.com A/B image testing.

Recycling Vintage Tablecloths

2011-03-19T08:33:00.000-07:00

I have always found inspiration in damaged vintage tablecloths but finding the perfect tablecloth cutter can be a real challenge. If a tablecloth has enough damage to qualify it as a cutter, chances are the entire piece may have weakened fibers, which can be a real disaster. This is why I never use vintage tablecloths to make handles on large bags. Trust me when I tell you, that handle is not going to hold up to use, over time. When looking for a cutter, there are 3 things I'm always looking for...

1) Holes that are bigger than just a little pin hole. Many collectors cringe at the thought of their beloved tablecloth being cut on but, if the holes are large enough that you wouldn't want to display it, I see no harm. On the other hand, I will not cut on a tablecloth that I feel is collectible.

2) So the holes must be at least dime size but not so large that there isn't enough fabric to work with. I'm really talking about the positioning of the holes and stains. If the damage is in the wrong spot, you may be purchasing a "cutter" that you're not really going to be able to use. I want to be able to use the scrap pieces that have the best graphics so I wont purchase a cloth if there is not enough salvageable fabric!

3) It must have minimal stains. This is just a personal preference as I am too busy and don't like to spend a lot of time removing stains. There are some great soaking solutions that you can use to remove stains but, if I can't remove them with a simple washing, I just cut around them. I bring my cloths home, throw them in the washing machine with Tide and Biz. I have been known to soak an item in Borax for a few days!

You can see in this picture that I have placed tape at the holes so I can visually see where I want to cut. This tablecloth had numerous holes but overall the fabric that was left was not faded and was very sturdy. A perfect cutter!

You can see in this picture how the hemming had come undone and the tablecloth was completely frayed around the edges. I'll show you the pieces that were cut out of this along with some of the handmade items I made tomorrow. Until then...

2011-03-19T06:02:00.000-07:00

'Spread the Goodness: Vintage Style!' by backhomeagain

Created to celebrate my new membership on the Etsy Vintage Team. I'm amazed at what I found when I searched the team. Great job people!

Vintage number 8 - ... moxiethrift $2.50	Vintage Robins Egg ... birdie1 $34.00	Vintage Toy Cement ... 1532vintage $8.50
Vintage New-Old-Sto... TheFancyLamb $12.00	Set of Suitcases, C... Nachokitty $125.00	1972 Four Seasons C... tippleandsnack $12.99
Olive green enamel ... reconstitution... $24.99	Vintage Schiaparell... dahlilafound $44.00	Charming Vintage Li... DimeStoreVinta... $14.99
Vintage Emerald Gre... calloohcallay $18.00	Vintage Way Rite Ho... marybethhale $38.00	Vintage Butterscotc... treasurehuntvi... $15.00
LISNER Baby Blue Rh... ChrysalisEShop $24.00	Pyrex Verde Oval Di... bitofbutter $15.00	Vintage Spring Gree... ArtfulVintage $11.00
Vintage Red Metal A... CheekyChicVint... $48.00

Treasury tool is sponsored by Lazzia.com A/B image testing.

Back Home Again: Back Home Again and the Etsy Vintage Team!

2011-03-18T12:47:00.000-07:00

Back Home Again: Back Home Again and the Etsy Vintage Team!: "I'm happy to announce that Back Home Again is now a member of the etsy vintage team. The Etsy Vintage Team is passionate about antiques, vi..."

2011-03-16T12:44:00.000-07:00

'No fancy Title!' by backhomeagain

I have no energy to give it a fancy title but here's a treasury full of things I love!

Large Vintage Red M... OldTimePickers $75.00	Vintage Yellow Scal... TheGoldenNest $16.00	Tender, a vintage f... grrlandog $50.00
Romantic Roses on V... outofdoha2010 $20.00	organic kids messen... SewnNatural $60.00	Vintage Factory Sho... amsuarezfl $38.00
Shabby Handmade Pur... RememberMeEmil... $22.00	Ready To Ship- 3 M... sarapaloma $150.00	C'mon get happy... irenesuchocki $30.00
6 pc Vintage Tea Co... MomWaldsPlace $19.95	Lemon and lime vint... pouch $40.00	White Milk Glass Be... waalaa $26.99
Handprinted Table R... peanutbutteran... $30.00	Blue topaz Fostoria... elmstreetmarke... $35.00	Vintage - Rare GE E... BDVintage $120.00
Set of 6 Boxed 4oz ... CottageGardenT... $23.00

Treasury tool is sponsored by Lazzia.com A/B image testing.

2011-03-15T20:15:00.000-07:00

'The Love Letter Never Arrived' by oldohiofarmfinds

enjoy ♥♥

Vintage Metal Porch Mai... TheCornerStore... $42.00	LAKE OF TEARS limited e... Dilkabear $24.00	Sweet Romance - Sterlin... MintyFreshFusi... $54.00
Message in A Bottle Vas... PegandAwl $50.00	FLOWN-- 16x20 GICLEE on... PalePreoccupat... $80.00	Love Letter Necklace SimonDesigns $38.00
White Snow Dress MagnolijaDRESS $110.00	Handwritten French Scri... OhPardonMyFren... $9.95	Silver Envelope and Rem... paperfacestudi... $28.00
Aegon 2 silk chiffon lo... idea2lifestyle $88.00	Crying is the same in e... LINDAZACKS $60.00	message in a bottle let... MiniatureRhino $18.00
Vintage Post Office Box... backhomeagain $22.00	Raindrops Pattern Print... jaimers $18.00	Sending My Love, I Love... MoxieMomo $23.00
Vintage Journal - Ship ... greentrikepres... $44.00

Treasury tool is sponsored by Lazzia.com A/B image testing.

5Tips for Managing Your Online Time

2010-11-03T18:19:00.000-07:00

{ a BIG thank you to The Vintage Bug for the use of this photo. Purchase here}

Today's topic is time. Yes that thing that we all complain we just don't have enough of {especially at this time of the year}. I'm challenging myself as I get ready to re-open Back Home Again to spend less time on the computer and more time at the sewing machine. To do this I've had to be honest with myself about how much time I actually spend on the computer: answering e-mails, blog comments, blog posting, twittering, facebooking etc.... Here's the way I see it!

1. Be honest! You don't need to “research” your competition on a daily basis and the etsy forums don't hold the magic answer. So often I convince myself that I must browse etsy and other online venues {all in the name of a better business}, when all I'm doing is wasting time. It is time to get real with the way you spend your computer time and shopping is not productive for your handmade business.

2. Set a schedule and create a routine. You would never accept employment without knowing what your schedule is going to be. Obviously, you have to spend time on the computer for your online business but a set schedule will alleviate some of the pitfalls of working online. Set schedule computer times on a regular basis and discipline yourself. Get on the computer, stay focused, get the job done and clock out.

3. Keep a log. Similar to a food log a work log will keep you honest, show you where you're wasting time and help you strategize interventions. On your log document the time you went on, time off, specifically what you did and how you made a difference for your online handmade business. At the end of the week, review your log and strategize a new way of doing business.

4. Simplify your online social networking. Be very picky about your social promoting. I know it's the “buzz word” of online marketing but I'm not convinced of its importance. You do need to promote but if you have nothing to promote, what's the point? You should NEVER spend more time networking than creating. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER {yes I meant to shout it out}

5. Use a timer. Jen @ Jen's closet clued me in to this idea some time ago {and she is a very successful seller}. Use your timer to keep you honest. Unless I'm listing or working on a blog article, I set the timer for 15 minutes. That is more than enough time to do what you need to do in terms of browsing or social networking. When the timer goes off, I get up.

There is so much to explore in terms of time management but for now I'm out of time. You know I had to say that....

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have a great day!

LuAnn

3 Reasons I Switched fromTypepad to Blogger

2010-11-01T05:17:00.000-07:00

The number one reason was cost. I don't blog on a regular basis so paying a monthly charge to keep my blog going was just silly. With blogger, I don't have to feel stressed out if I don't post on a regular basis because money isn't coming out of my pocket. Already, I feel less stress.
Birds of a feather. The reason I went with typepad to begin with is that several people I admire were using typepad. It just made sense to flock with the birds you admire. Over time, I realized there were many more handmade and vintage folks using blogger and started thinking it might be a better fit for me.
Ease of use. I find blogger much easier to navigate than typepad. It seems so much more intuitive and I was never happy with typepad's posting editor. I was always running in to little bugs, which made it very frustrating and time consuming {not what I want in a part-time hobby endeavor}.

I'm so happy to have Back Home Again {the blog} at it's new home. I had planned on making the change after the first of the year but what the heck {no time like the present}. Postings may be few and far in between until then but it doesn't matter {it's not costing me anything}. You may also notice that I have completely re-designed my look, going back to my rural Indiana roots. I loved my old look but it was time for a change and a reconnection to why I started all this in the first place!

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have a great day!

LuAnn

Hard at Work

2010-10-30T17:46:00.001-07:00

I've worked really hard on my new blog today and am ready to clock out. A big thanks to Judi for permission to use this amazing photo. I still have lots of work to do. More later....

New Blog Home

2010-10-28T04:54:00.001-07:00

I'm going to switch my blog from typepad to blogger. So far, I find it's so much easier to use!

44th Street Fabric: FUN!! FREE FABRIC GIVEAWAY!! WINNER ANNOUNCED 4/26/10!!

2010-04-15T15:01:00.000-07:00

44th Street Fabric: FUN!! FREE FABRIC GIVEAWAY!! WINNER ANNOUNCED 4/26/10!!