Monday, January 30, 2017

Happy Year of the Rooster, Goodbye Monkey! The Destiny of Things, Story 432-434

Happy Lunar Year of the Rooster, Goodbye Monkey!  The Destiny of Things, Story 432-434

Goodbye monkey!  Hello rooster!

12 or 20 monkey drink or cake toppers, available here
photo via VintageToGoEasy

I wish they made these monkey toppers representing all 12 of the Chinese New Year zodiac animals!  The Lunar New Year zodiac signs are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. It is calculated according to Chinese lunar calendar. 

 20 Shirley Temple cocktail drink or cupcake toppers, available here

I've been collecting the animals they do make and I can find without burning my wallet and so far have several to many of these in varying colors:  giraffe, camel, bull, donkey, elephant, monkey and mermaids.  Many vintage and some not.

I did find a mouse, unicorn, and dog once, at different times, but they all cost an arm and leg, so I passed them up.  Now I don't really collect them, unless I happen to see one by chance.  I still stock them for the shops though.

However, finding all the different colors and shades are becoming more and difficult these days!  Lately, I can only find them in true red, orange, green and blue.  Finding them in the old fashioned neon colors is like finding a needle in a haystack or maybe I just spend less time shopping now that I don't collect so much hoard?

Need less?  6 party animals for cocktails, drink or cake toppers, here
photo via VintageToGoEasy

Even though, the monkey was last year's animal symbol for Chinese New Year, they are still fun for other types of celebrations and here are some ideas from Etsy buyers!

They are so cute, cant wait to decorate with them for my daughter's birthday party.

Items arrived promptly and in perfect condition. I bought these as a birthday gift for a friend who loves monkeys. They were a big hit. I appreciate the little goodie bag that came with my order. You're so kind. Thank you!  

This was a cocktail addition for rum punch and people loved them!

 So the colors you see here are running low and will be substituted with a monkey of a more true red or green color, yellow with orange and dark blue with a more aqua blue color monkeys, available here 
photo via Hoarder Rehab

What could be more fun than a barrel full of monkeys for your daughter's birthday?  

If you love or collect monkeys, these are perfect because they hang or stand on almost everything!  I have mine standing on my art to add a pop of color, hanging in plants as fun plant jewelry and of course as a drink or cake topper for any time of the year!

If you are having a pirate party, could you resist a playful monkey topper on your cup of rum punch?

Saying Goodbye:  I have my own stash of these, mostly vintage in varying colors and the harder ones to find are the gray, pink, light blue and brown ones.  Some of the vintage ones do have the year 1961 on them, if you look closely on their tails.

 The above colors are going to be the new stock colors:  a more true red and true green color, yellow will be substituted with orange and the dark blue with a more aqua blue color monkeys.  
20 or 24 mixed monkey new stock color mix or all one color, available here

What I Learned:

1.  I've been learning that my time as a recovering hoarder and Etsy shop owner is becoming more and more valuable to me, so I'm not sure how much longer I'll be using them as my Hoarder Rehab.  

I'm "thinking" of donating my hoard, if I can, as much as I can, so I can move on to other things.  Other things?  like what? I'm not sure either, but I have the desire to do so and putting it out there!

2.  Right now, I just have a lot of thoughts, like can I donate?  I've tried that before and hoarded it all back, so how can I make this time different?  If I can donate, how much should I let go at a time without having drama trauma!  These are only little thoughts right now, but these thoughts are going to turn into something better!  I just know it!

3.  One baby step has led to another and those baby steps, no matter how small have been adding up!  I've come a long ways, baby!  My years of conscious hoarder rehab would seem to be turning into something else, still unknown, but closer now!

If you are having a pirate and mermaid themed party, you might want to include some of these mermaids with your monkeys and rum!  Available here
photo via VintageToGoEasy 

Thank you Etsy buyers from VintageToGoEasy and Hoarder Rehab for taking the time to share your stories to give me and others inspirations and fun ideas!
 
Also very motivating for me to continue on my Hoarder Rehab journey and to keep trying different things and other ways to solve my challenges until I find alternatives to my hoarding.
 
Thank you Etsy for the best Hoarder Rehab ever!  And for all the kind people I'm meeting who are helping me indirectly and directly in so many ways with my Hoarder Rehab!  I've been gleaning so much insight about my hoarding ways.
 
 Vintage Honeycomb Asian lanterns with tassel for any Asian celebration, like Red Egg and Ginger parties.  These are eco friendly because they fold up flat for easy storage and can be used over and over again!  available here
photo via Hoarder Rehab

I hope you are enjoying the Lunar New Year celebrations that started on January 28, 2017 and will end on February 11, 2017.  There are all kinds of different ways to celebrate and many fun cultural things to learn to enjoy.  The one I'm trying this year is learning some Mandarin and Cantonese to greet others during this special time!

During the Lunar New Year period Chinese people greet one another with unique sayings when they meet, where ordinarily they would not greet people with whom they do not have a personal relationship.

So from me to you, 恭喜发财 (gong xǐ fa cái)  “Wish you wealth and prosperity.”

I am diligently new listing and relisting daily!  With a lot more coming soon!
Click on the shop names to visit new hoard listed daily and/or weekly: HoarderRehab with 176 items, The Destiny of Things- 181 items, VintageToGoEasy - 184 items and JunkDrawerAndMore - 181 items.  
 
Maybe you'll find something to adopt and share your story too!  Thanks for looking!
 
 True vintage (each one is marked 1961 on it's tail) monkey cocktail drink or cake toppers or even tiaras! available here
photo via VintageToGoEasy 
 
Related Stories:
 
 
2.  Made into a tiara for last year's monkey baby shower:  True Vintage Monkey Baby Shower Tiara:  The Destiny of Things, Story 354   
 
 
 
 I bought these for the Lunar New Year and Valentine's day, but they are one size too big for me, so I upcycled them with beads and sequins for the fun of it!  They are brand new and so cute with red satin brocade with cherry blossoms!
Available here.
photo via JunkDrawerAndMore
 
Xīnnián hǎo - Happy New Year!  If you'd like to hear the pronunciation of many Lunar greetings, try this site here!

Friday, January 20, 2017

Flamingo Party & DIY Pineapple Favors: The Destiny of Things, Story 431

Flamingo Party & DIY Pineapple Favors:  The Destiny of Things, Story 431

Etsy buyers are so creative!  Here is another example......  BEFORE:

 20, 25, or 30 ALL YELLOW or mixed color empty gumball vending machine capsules, available here

Here is the fun creative note I received and photo:

She is having a flamingo pool party & I thought these little pineapple things are too cute to have in the party favor bags! Will probably fill them with yellow skittles!!!!


How inspirational are those cute little pineapples? and I love all the details, like the tiny Thank You tag added on to it!  Is it a sticker?  Also love the little "x" details on them too!  The one sitting in the very front looks like it's so happy!

The pink and yellow make such a cool color themed flamingo pool party, as seen with the skittles.  One would need the pink skittles around the pineapple party favors to make them stand up as they are shown for table confetti. 

All one color in amounts of 10 or 20, red for Valentine's, pink for Easter and pinch proof green for St Patrick's day, available here
Let us know if you need a different color option.  Right now, we have 9 different color options: blue, white, black, yellow, red, pink, green, purple and orange.

Saying Goodbye:  More of my favorite hoard that has become one of our popular items.  I've been collecting different colors since college and used to use them for storing my jewelry by color, all earrings in blue capsules, rings in red, etc.

However, since I am now allergic to most metal jewelry I started to let them go and others have found many different creative ways to use them too! 

If you need larger amounts in mixed color of 50 or 100, they are available here.  If you need a large "all one color" amount of over 30, please email us and see if we have it available, right now we do, but these sell out fast, so it's best to check with us first.  Right now, we have 9 different color options: blue, white, black, yellow, red, pink, green, purple and orange.
photo via Hoarder Rehab

What I Learned:

1.  I am so grateful that some of my hoard have become our top selling items!  And many of them are my favorite things, like these gumball capsules.

2.  These could be turned into all kinds of fruits, besides pineapples, another Etsy buyer turned them into little apples for her Back to School bento lunches.  Another painted them into Pokemon balls and one used blue capsules for her son's Batman themed birthday party.

3.  Since I've been collecting all different colors and shades since college, I have my own stash and have been using them to hold much of my childhood jewelry that I can't let go or actually no one would want, like my champion hop scotch throwing bracelet!

One day I'll remember to take a photo of them in my gumball machine.

4.  I use these all the time at all 4 of our  Etsy shops, mostly to ship out jewelry because these seem to be indestructible while in the care of USPS!  And most people find it fun to open while it bring back nostalgic memories and makes new ones!

  St Patrick's day colors of "Kiss me I'm Irish" green and orange or Mardi Gras colors of purple green and orange or purple green and yellow, available here
photo via JunkDrawerAndMore 

Thank you Etsy buyer from The Destiny of Things for taking the time to share your story with an inspirational photo for others to get ideas from.  Happy Birthday to your daughter, sounds like this will be one to remembered forever.
 
Also very motivating for me to continue on my Hoarder Rehab journey and to keep trying different things until I find alternatives to my hoarding.
 
Thank you Etsy for the best Hoarder Rehab ever!  And for all the kind people I'm meeting who are helping me indirectly and directly in so many ways with my Hoarder Rehab!  I've been gleaning so much insight about my hoarding ways.
 
 10+ Ninja Turtle color emtpy gumball vending machine capsules, available here
photo via VintageToGoEasy

We just got some pastel color gumball vending machine capsules in today!  We have capsules listed at all our shops but the pastels are listed at Hoarder Rehab and JunkDrawerAndMore.  Just click on the shop names and do a search for pastel capsules or whatever color theme available or email us and we will do our best to make your color theme come true.
 
They also are perfect for wedding exit containers for confetti, rice or seeds, pinata fillers, table confetti, the middle prize for surprise balls, cracker snap filler toys, fairy lights, to hold your cupcake sprinkle toppers for parties with those with different food needs, like nut topping for those that can't have sugar sprinkles, gluten free cupcake sprinkles, etc.

I am diligently new listing and relisting daily!  With a lot more coming soon!
Click on the shop names to visit new hoard listed daily and/or weekly: HoarderRehab with 173 items, The Destiny of Things- 179 items, VintageToGoEasy - 179 items and JunkDrawerAndMore - 174 items.  
 
Maybe you'll find something to adopt and share your story too!  Thanks for looking!
 
 Dr Seuss: Cat in the Hat, One Fish Two Fish, patriotic, carnival, circus, Thomas the Train themed colors, available here

Related Stories:  Other creative uses and ideas with update photos!

1.    Gumball Capsules into Kawaii Cute Bento Box Accessory:  The Destiny of Things, Story 240 See an update photos of these made into little apples!








4+ chenille Easter chicks in gumball capsules, available here
photo via Hoarder Rehab 

Thank you readers from all over the world who continue to support my Hoarder Rehab and The Destiny of Things by taking part with your visits! 

Happy Friday!

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Loteria Card Art Mexican Folklore Ancestor Nicho: The Destiny of Things, Story 430

Loteria Card Art Mexican Folklore Ancestor Nicho:  The Destiny of Things, Story 430

An Etsy buyer is building a small nicho for her ancestors with my loteria art!

Loteria art cards, one or more or all, available here
photo via VintageToGoEasy

Here is the kind note I received:

Hello,
I just wanted to thank you again for the package! I want to build my own small nicho for my abuela and my dad. I am spanish but have always been fascinated with mexican folklore. Thank you again.
Best,
S

I've made another loteria art card set and they come with a box,
in case you want to make your own shrine or store them, available here
photo via VintageToGoEasy

Here is what I wrote back:

Hi S!

Thank you so much for sharing your story! I am so happy to hear that my art might be included with your nicho for your abuela and dad. What a great way to honor your ancestor

Best to you too!
Kennedy
 

PS. I'd love to see your nicho when it's done. I've made many in the past too, incorporating all the religions in my family. 

Of course, I wish to be a fly on her wall to see her nicho completed for her abuela and dad, but I understand some things are private.

Back in the 80s to 90s, I made Day of the Dead nichos and ofrendas for many years to honor and remember my ancestors.  We have many different religions in our family, at least 5 off the top of my head and used their artifacts to make nichos, ofrendas, shrines and alters to honor my ancestors and events.

I've made another loteria art card set and they come with a box,
in case you want to make your own shrine or store them, available here
photo via VintageToGoEasy

Saying Goodbye:  I hope to find my handmade ofrendas again one day, but most of the copper ones I bought back then have sold, however I have not found my handmade nichos (shrines) and ofrendas (like a shadow box to hold a collection of objects and photos of your ancestors things).

Copper nicho ofrenda with glass door with interchangeable loteria card art and loteria gift box, available here
photo via Hoarder Rehab

What I Learned:

1.  I wanted to explain how to use a nicho or ofrenda and their differences, but I am not feeling well and will have to do it for a later blog post.

2.  I used to make shrines and alters all the time back in the 80s and 90s, especially for Veteran's and Memorial Day because I had so many relatives who fought during World War II and would place their photos with special objects I had from them.  

3.  I still make little impromptu alters and shrines, but they are more like little temporary mixed media art collections or vignettes.  Right now, I have one for my favorite and happiest pet, Spidey.  It has a framed photo of him, his leash, some cute dog erasers, mini bone bead, an angel card and burning candles.

4.  These little shrines and alters help me work through my grief and remind me of happy memories.  They are fun to make and beautiful to look at with all the special meaningful photos and keepsakes.

How do you honor your ancestors?  I honor mine with shrines and alters I make and whatever religion they were, I honor that too with a prayer, affirmation, burning incense, a lit candle and what ever else I can remember and honor them with.

Perhaps you'd like to make your own loteria nichos, garlands, gift tags, boxes cupcake toppers and more, here is an entire set of 54 loteria cards with the traditional riddles on the back and 10 game boards, available here

Thank you Etsy buyer from VintageToGoEasy for sharing your story and leaving me inspired to start making nichos and ofrendas again.
 
Also very motivating for me to continue on my Hoarder Rehab journey and to keep trying different things until I find alternatives to my hoarding
 
Thank you Etsy for the best Hoarder Rehab ever!  And for all the kind people I'm meeting who are helping me indirectly and directly in so many ways with my Hoarder Rehab!  I've been gleaning so much insight about my hoarding ways.
 
 Here is a slightly different loteria set because they don't have the riddles on the back of them, they just have plain plaid background, available here

Most of the ofrendas (decorative copper wall art shadow boxes with glass doors and interchangeable art cards) with my loteria art cards in them are at VintageToGoEasy here, in the category of religious artifacts or here in the category, handmade by me for you or at HoarderRehab in the category of Mexico to you, here.

All of my loteria art cards and mini art can be found at all 4 shops in every "Handmade by me for you," categories.

I am still new listing and relisting daily!  With a lot more coming soon!
Click on the shop names to visit new hoard listed daily and/or weekly: HoarderRehab with 173 items, The Destiny of Things- 178 items, VintageToGoEasy - 177 items and JunkDrawerAndMore - 173 items.  
 
Maybe you'll find something to adopt and share your story too!  Thanks for looking!
 
 I call this my deluxe loteria heart card art with loteria box for storage or to make into a DIY shrine or alter, available here
 
Related Stories:
 
See examples of Day of the Dead table centerpieces, cupcake toppers, wedding garland for place card seating and more here:  Day of the Dead Wedding Loteria Box Centerpiece Idea:  The Destiny of Things, Story 409
 
 
2.  Loteria Mexican Bingo Game Wedding Crafts:  The Destiny of Things, Story 188, here
3.  Day of the Dead skull beads cake topper:   The Destiny of Things:  Day of the Dead Calavera Skull Beads, Story V

 
Thank you readers from all over the world who continue to support my Hoarder Rehab and The Destiny of Things by taking part with your visits! 
 
 Happy and Healthy Wednesday!

Friday, January 13, 2017

Vintage 70s Mustard Yellow Cameo Choker: The Destiny of Things, Story 429

Vintage 70s Mustard Yellow Cameo Choker:  The Destiny of Things, Story 429

Some people can visualize so well!  GNO?

The cameo choker above has sold out, but here are some DIY jewelry parts with a different cameo, so you can make one yourself, available here.
photo via VintageToGoEasy

Here is the imaginative note I received:

Thank you so much for my necklace I absolutely love it! I was looking for something unusual to go with a burgundy velvet dress I was planning to wear for our girls night out next month. This will be perfect!

The cameo choker above has sold out, but here are some DIY jewelry parts with a different cameo, so you can make one yourself, available here.
photo via VintageToGoEasy

If I remember correctly, I think this went to the UK and she made a short internet visit all the way to the US to find something unusual for her "Girls Night Out!"  The first time someone told me they were going to use one of my purchases for a GNO, I had no idea what it meant!  How fun it must be to make special purchases just for your "Girl's Night Out!"

And I would have never guessed that a mustard yellow choker would go so well with a burgundy velvet dress!  but ever since she mentioned it, I can imagine the most perfect unusual match ever!

The cameo choker above has sold out, but here are some DIY jewelry parts with a different cameo, so you can make one yourself, available here.
photo via VintageToGoEasy

Saying Goodbye:  I've never been a fan of cameo jewelry and were given these pieces.  Now if someone made personalized cameos of my mom or my grandmother's or even Frida Kahlo (or other women I admire) I might find them more interesting, but until then, I think these are the last of the cameo jewelry and/or findings I have left in my hoard.

I think the pink sisterly love cameo fits perfectly on top of the white filigree metal piece and then that can be sewn on to a length of velvet ribbon, however I forgot to take a pix of them like that.
 DIY jewelry parts with a different cameo, so you can make one yourself, available here.
photo via VintageToGoEasy

What I Learned:

1.  Some people have such a good imagination for matching things.  I do not, until I see them together, so that might be why I have so much hoard.  I think pieces are going to go well together in my mind and then when I go to try it, they don't go well at all!

I'm usually just slightly off when matching different color shades or it just doesn't feel right once I have the items together.  I'm a trial by error type, but I have been practicing visualization techniques, especially since I've been spending more time meditating, so there is hope for me! 

2.  I have a never ending supply of jewelry and jewelry parts in my hoard of hoards!  I was trying to match pieces with others in sets, but I think I'll have to save time and just start listing them in bulk!

3.  I'd love to make jewelry with all the parts I have, but since I can't wear jewelry due to allergies, nor do I wear jewelry that's not metal, even though I've tried ( wearing jewelry just makes me feel heavy or in the way ) so I'm caught up in a never ending conundrum with jewelry making and myself.

Large 2 inch sisterly love cameo locket, available here

Thank you Etsy buyer from VintageToGoEasy for sharing your story and leaving me inspired with your matching unusual items together in perfect harmony!  I'm going to give up with being able to do that one day too!

Also very motivating for me to continue on my Hoarder Rehab journey and to focus on my conundrum about jewelry, jewelry parts and how to use my own accumulated jewelry for art, or bulk listings, as an alternative for my hoarding ways!

Thank you Etsy for the best Hoarder Rehab ever!  And for all the kind people I'm meeting who are helping me indirectly and directly in so many ways with my Hoarder Rehab!  I've been gleaning so much insight about my hoarding ways.

More vintage bone jewelry parts waiting for a new life, available here

I have been new listings and relisting daily!  So check out the shops now for new items, ideas and inspiration!

Click on the shop names to visit new hoard listed daily and/or weekly: HoarderRehab with 171 items, The Destiny of Things- 176 items, VintageToGoEasy - 181 items and JunkDrawerAndMore - 170 items.  
 
Maybe you'll find something to adopt and share your story too!  Thanks for looking!

5 mix matched vintage lingerie or vintage diaper pins, available here
photo via Hoarder Rehab

Related Stories:

1.  I had this real hand carved cameo since college.  It was from my dear college buddy's Mom.  Ever wonder why some cameos face to the left or right?  I did.  Find out why here: Left Facing Cameo Pendant Brooch:  The Destiny of Things, Story #136 

The story above also has a Louis Vuitton steamer trunk, that I had found thrifting for 10 dollars, during college and used as a coffee table as a starving student!

Now that I think about I'm kinda surprised that I don't miss my Louis Vuitton collection, however I should have never given my Louis trunk away!


3.  My Louis Vuitton Collection Update from May 3, 2013:  2nd to the Last of Piece of my LV Collection Good-Bye 

More vintage mix matched jewelry parts waiting for a new life, available here

Happy Friday the 13th!  How superstitious are you?  I am not superstitious.  Some interesting trivia, the fear of the number 13 has been given a scientific name: "triskaidekaphobia"

Thank you readers from all over the world who continue to support my Hoarder Rehab and The Destiny of Things by taking part with your visits!  

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

St Therese Lisieux Holy Card for Mini Altoids Tin Art: The Destiny of Things, Story 428

St Therese Lisieux Holy Card for Mini Altoids Tin Art:  The Destiny of Things, Story 428

I wonder what her shrine looks like as a finished product......

1+ NEW vintage St Therese of Lisieux Holy Card, available here

Here is her note:

Great item and seller - fun extras too! I'm using the holy card(s) in miniature shrines made from Altoids tins. The extras (Love the fortune especially) have joined my collection of treasures that show up in cards, tags, etc. what a fun transaction! Thanks much.

I wonder which fortune items, she loved because there are several I put in each "thank you" packaging, but I'm so happy that they joined her collection of treasures!  I wish I could see her other creations also, like her cards and tags!

I've always wanted to make religious shrines and other pocket travel mixed media art boxes from Altoids tins, but I've never really liked Altoids, so I don't have any of their tins.  I wonder what else I could use instead of an Altoid tin!  Any suggestions out there?

I've added St Therese Altoids tin shrines to my 2017 New Year project list!  So fun!

1+ NEW vintage St Therese of Lisieux Holy Card, available here
photo via JunkDrawerAndMore

Saying Goodbye:  I had a whole box of these, but I'm not sure how many I have left because I give these away often, but I'm sure I stashed some for myself!  I've always loved St Therese Lisieux, ever since I found her book in my chiropractor's library or waiting area, titled, "Saint Therese of Lisieux, The Little Flower"

I've always wanted to read her book of poems too.  Where's my reading list?

What I Learned:

1.  Most of religious items have found new homes and lives, but my religious collection seems to go on and on with a never ending stack of boxes!  I don't buy any religious items anymore, even though I still love the way they look and I haven't made any religious art in decades!

2.  I do seem to be hoarding bed sheet sets lately.  Our microwave conked out and we ended up at Target and they were having a sheet sale and I bought 3 sets (and one microwave)!  Yikes!  I just couldn't pass up some flannel denim colored sheets, flannel snowflake sheets and organic summer floral design ones!

I forgot to take pix of them last weekend and will do so this weekend and blog about it.  

3.  I have forgotten how much I LOVE Target, but I guess I should only go there once a year! until I learn how to control my love such good deals!

I have or had a huge collection of religious cards, but I'm not sure if they are lost in my hoard or I ended up giving them all away, but here are some I have a lot of, available here
Vintage Holy Mary, St Patrick and St Therese one or one of each
photo via VintageToGoEasy

Thank you Etsy buyer from JunkDrawerAndMore for sharing how you will be using your religious cards and for inspiring me to try the same!  I bet the Altoids tin is the perfect size for a Saint card. Maybe I'll make an interactive one, where the cards can be changed out for holidays and Saint day and such.

Also very motivating for me to continue on my Hoarder Rehab journey and to use my own accumulated things for art in finding alternatives for my hoarding ways!

Thank you Etsy for the best Hoarder Rehab ever!  And for all the kind people I'm meeting who are helping me indirectly and directly in so many ways with my Hoarder Rehab!  I've been gleaning so much insight about my hoarding ways.

Here is another one of my favorite Saints.  St Cecilia Eusepi, who I call the "The Little Clown" or "The Saintly Clown", which is named after her book, "The Story of a Clown"
Mini mixed media art, handmade by me in the 80s - 90s, available here

I have been relisting daily and started new listing almost daily too!  So check out the shops now for new items, ideas and inspiration!

Click on the shop names to visit new hoard listed daily and/or weekly: HoarderRehab with 173 items, The Destiny of Things- 175 items, VintageToGoEasy - 181 items and JunkDrawerAndMore - 169 items.  
 
Maybe you'll find something to adopt and share your story too!  Thanks for looking!

Here is a little DIY St Therese Lisieux kit to make your own shrine or alter, available here
photo via Hoarder Rehab

Related Stories:






Another DIY little shrine kit of St Therese Lisieux or DIYjewelry assemblage with gift tag, available here
photo via VintageToGoEasy






“Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love.” St Therese Lisieux

Thank you readers from all over the world who continue to support my Hoarder Rehab and The Destiny of Things by taking part with your visits!