web stores and stories

Hoarders Haven

2011-12-24T14:26:00.000-08:00

For those who live in Halifax, I am liquidating my large collection of vintage paper, masks, pottery, china, dolls and various items I cannot hoard any longer. An enforced move has driven me to accept that the stuff I have been gathering for 20 years has no place in my leaner lifestyle.

I will feature items here daily, weekly or whenever I think to add them. These pages are from a 1930s Sear-Roebuck catalogue. I have a few pages salvaged from a house on the North Mountain, Kings Co. in the mid80s when I lived in the vicinity.

The purpleferret has expired

2011-08-01T02:12:00.000-07:00

Purpleferret, that irascible and insouciant purveyor of vintage cards and fine folk art has expired. 0range-crushed has stepped up to the plate and will continue the tradition of rad black cats tumbling all over the globe. See you soon.

NEW WEBSITES ARE GOING STRONG

2010-08-15T05:00:00.000-07:00

I confess, since discovering facebook, my blogs have suffered. Seems like I can do it all in one stop. However, I have launched two new websites that are a year old and going strong.

Both are vintage postcards...one exlusively Canadian. The other, topical in nature, with many international views. Check them out.

MAD HATTERS CRAFT MARKET, April 24

2010-03-07T01:25:00.000-08:00

If you're near Halifax and make handmade items to sell, you may be interested in selling at the Sambro Loop Crafters Circle sale april 24, 10-2:00PM. Please contact me for more information.

Link

New Additions to my etsy shop

2009-11-13T12:06:00.000-08:00

Found some more lovely old photos of women, girls, ladies. Some time ago I was building an altered house with ladies in the windows. These didn't make it there. But they are lovely. The image to the right has a flippant air to it. Once upon a time it was framed, it is stil a lovely oval albumen print, mounted on heavy stock. The first is a Cabinet Card, made popular in the 1870s. Both are available now

UPCYCLE

2009-03-15T12:41:00.000-07:00

Another awesome trend is the taking of worn out objects and making them even better. A second life, so to speak. These sellers do just that. Check out the items below, upcycled with flair.

TRASHION

2009-02-19T02:16:00.000-08:00

This week's word is Trashion. junqueTrunque went a-searchin' and returned with 4600 items using the word Trashion. Trashion is fashion with a Twist, usually parts or all is of recycled supplies.

Some of these are da bomb don't you think? All use recycled materials. See below in the mini gallery.

A GREENER DAY

2009-02-06T02:07:00.000-08:00

One of my two etsy shops features papers, ephemera and jewelry useful to those with imagination to make something new out of much-loved but discarded pieces. While I am searching for time and space to declutter my office and my mind, I did a search on 'upcycle'.

Here are some of my finds. The pictures are live links. Check them out, give them some green and feel good that the landfills were spared.

LOOKING FOR STUDIO SPACE

2009-02-04T01:20:00.000-08:00

If you live in the Halifax area of Nova Scotia and know of any studio spaces where I may rent some footage, please contact me here or through my facebook group. Link is above.

I desperately need room to play and space to store my maeterials. My 10 X 10 basement office is bursting.

IN SERIOUS NEED OF A CLONE

2009-01-14T15:20:00.000-08:00

I've stumbledUpon, wrote Tweets, blogs, board posts and sent business cards for online enterprises for nearly 5 years now....everyday! Must say I am seriously tired...so tired at the end of the day that I have no time to make new product, buy new artifacts nor scan/photograph the ones I have. Seriously folks, between facebook, bebo, twitter, StumbleUpon, IndiePublic, yahoo groups, ebay, etsy and artfire there's no time for original thought.

OMG MickeyD...y'all showed us that we could sell anything with good promotions....now its ALL about the MARKETING!

Clone wars, the new horizon?

ARTFIRE SHOPS, Con't

2009-01-05T14:58:00.000-08:00

Not one for sitting quietly, I couldn't help raving about the young site www.artfire.com on my facebook wall. Within a day, they netted another artist, Kathleen Ralph, hailing from western Canada. Totally exciting craft, she offers fresh perspective on ordinary people, places and visions in her shop calliopesmuse.artfire.com . In March Kath is off to New York to show some of her most recent paintings. Meanwhile, have a look here.

Store not available

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T16:21:00.000-08:00

Welcome 2009 and thanks for the snowstorm. In spite of it, 20 people showed up to share food, rum, sake and convo. I am truly blessed.

But not before I set up my newest venture. Always willing to support new endeavors, I ventured into Artfire today. And left after conceiving paper-peddler.artfire.com Here is the ultimate destash. My only resolution this year is to create spaces for creating art!

Oh and I do hope to stop by and love my blogs occasionally too.

FEEDBACK SLIPPERY SLOPE

2008-12-10T03:18:00.000-08:00

It's been some time since I gave my blog some love. Sorry to say this is not a happy, happy topic. For many of us who sell online, it is what encourages/discourages buyers to entrust us with their money. It is also an inbalance in power, for websites such as eBay, who have disabled the sellers' ability to be truthful about their trade experience.

I have always strived to give superb customer service so that they will return again and again. Generally as soon as I am contacted and paid for a shopping cart item from my websites or online-on-site stores, I ship the items followed by a note to state that. My audiences are targeted, as I sell original paintings or vintage paper and postcards. Some of the first are impulse shoppers, looking for that feel good purchase; the latter are usually collectors seeking specific items.

My listings are clean and uncluttered with graphics, except for a template and pleasing to the eye on ebay, in my opinion. Recently I had a previous buyer return to my store to purchase original art. The descriptions were clear. These were not auctions, but instant purchases. She paid, I shipped. She complained. Too expensive for the size! Now in my books less than $20.00 for any size original art is cheap...too cheap. Not only that, but nobody held a gun to her head to buy them! After numerous threatening and nasty emails, she left feedback...negative feedback, captured below. So be it, there are some folks you can't ever please, no matter how hard you try. This person has a history of doing this...let www.toolhaus.org show you quickly. The nasty emails, were forwarded on to eBay to deal with, as feedback extortion is against their policies. They will fix it or not, that isn't the point here.

I thought I would use the opportunity, to perhaps educate a few buyers and sellers, on dealing with online sales.

1. Writing emails from either perspective should be done courteously and professionally.
2. Typing in caps or highlighting in caps is akin to shouting, guaranteed to generate negative results.
3. Be clear about your wishes....what is it you want me do? Threatening feedback negatives or neutrals first is not the way to garner support.
4. This one is for the buyers: it is not the sellers responsibility to fix your mistakes at their expense.
5. Of course, if we sell items online, we are looking to recover expenses and make some profit. That IS the capitalist way! You think I do this out of the goodness of my heart?
6. Of course I make mistakes too, but I don't shirk the responsibility onto a complete stranger's head.
7. I learned to read and write. I don't part with my money unless I am certain I want the item. Mostly, I understand that if I want to try things on for size first, I shop at Sears.
8. Whether or not I am a good artist has nothing to do with whether or not I sell art to make money.
9. You don't know me nor do you own me when you buy my products.
10. I am not doing you a favor by selling to you, nor are you doing me a favor by buying. Online sales are strictly business.
11. Your remorse is not my guilt.
12. It is not for you to complain about my prices or the size of my paintings. It is for you to decide if you want to buy or not.
13. Make use of SOB...scroll on by.

COMING SOON POSTCARDS

2008-05-07T12:48:00.000-07:00

It was only a matter of time before the black cats and their friends motored over......watch for 6 pack specials and magnet combos coming to a screeching halt near you!

SHIPPING TIPS AND USEFUL SITES

2008-04-30T03:49:00.000-07:00

Last day of April already. I started think about how I could wrap up the month and realized that there are a couple of websites, many might find useful.

The first is primarily for ebay users, both buyers and sellers. The site is toolhaus Check a buyer or seller's negative feedback without having to scroll through pages of positives.

The second is a useful tool for anybody who spends time surfing the net. CCleaner Tidies up your registry of tempeorary internet files and generally cleans up cookies and such. It is a free program or share-ware.

And I'll leave April with the admonishment again to use your complete zip code when registering with Paypal. This is mostly for US buyers, many who are unaware of the 4-digit extension. Don't know yours? Look it up here.

Bring on May! And more sales.

APRIL 1, 2008 Merger? Ebay and Amazon

2008-04-01T15:18:00.000-07:00

From a an eBay PowerSeller:

As the fight for online dominance heats up with a recent buyout attempt of Yahoo by Microsoft, it comes as no surprise that Amazon has made a run for auction giant EBAY. As Ebay transitions to a new management team and a new way of doing business, the synergy between Amazon and Ebay has become more apparent. "I think this would be a great merger uniting more buyer and sellers in a single venue. What could be better for sellers than creating an even bigger monopoly for sellers to wrestle with", said a one ebay powerseller who wished to remain anonymous.

When changes were announced at Ebay earlier this year to not only include a new management team but also a new way of doing business, many sellers on Ebay joined an online boycott of Ebay in an attempt to show their disdain for the new direction ebay planned to take. The months ahead should prove to be interesting as Amazon plans to restructure its Seller Support system after the JD Powers award winning Ebay powerseller support system.

Bronze level Powerseller Selma Tings a single Mom in Muncie Indiana is excited about the possibilities. "It would make my life better to sell my things."

The takeover has been met with some resitance by the management team at Ebay. Bardeep Singh Daliwal a senior programmer at Ebay shared an internal memo stating, "We may not be headed down a river... More like up a creek."

Wishing you a happy April Fools Day. Now, get back to work.
(contributed, unknowingly)

MORE MOO? THE WHOLE HERD!

2008-03-22T15:24:00.000-07:00

Can't get enough of these little devils. I send them everywhere or drop them off wherever. Here is part of my newest order which won't even be shipped until Tuesday. They add so little weight to even a letter. If you haven't ordered any, why not? www.moo.com with up to 100 different designs per order.

BLOG CATALOGUING

2008-03-12T06:13:00.000-07:00

One Etsian has decided to critique any/all who ask on his blog. Not only is he featuring an Etsian a day, but he has begun an alphabetical listing of Etsy shops and their blogs. I strongly encourage you to visit critiques and reviews Leave a comment, visit a new shop, make a new friend. Namaste!

APOTHECARY LABEL MAGNETS

2008-03-04T05:29:00.001-08:00

Having just acquired a Xyron, I tried a few scans of these old apothecary labels. I am happy with the first attempts, now available in the junqueTrunque.

This machine laminates, makes stickers and magnets with the change of a cartridge. Next, a button-maker? If you can recommend one please post it here. I have a whole room full of copyright-free ephemera just waiting! Have a profitable day, blog-burg!

LOOKING FOR ONLINE STORES TO HIGHLIGHT

2008-02-28T03:26:00.000-08:00

Do you also maintain a web-store outside of eBay or etsy? I am interested in adding links to one of my webstores. If you offer a complimentary service or product to mine, I would be thrilled to put your logo on my additional links page.

Please visit www.vintagepostals.com and let me know. Smile, I am!

WHAT IS JUNQUE?

2008-02-23T03:29:00.000-08:00

In my opinion junque includes treasures that others view as trash. Junque is found roadside, on sidewalks, in yard sales, trunk sales, flea markets and cluttering our closets.

I love junque....have been collecting it for years. Recently my ACEO baybe friends on eBay started 2 destash parties. These involve a travelling envelope of destash items no longer needed or wanted. One envelope is on its way from the east coast. I believe 3 of us have taken/replaced out items. The second envelope is travelling eastward from the west coast, with the same intent.

This past week saw my 2 newest ventures launch. Anothe website, www.vintagepostals.com and etsy is one store richer with www.junqueTrunque.etsy.com

GOING POSTAL

2008-02-20T04:04:00.000-08:00

In response to ebay changes in feedback, I am feeling the need and urge to dissociate my vintage paper and post cards. Therefore watch for yet another website in the next month, www.vintagepostals.com. Purple Ferret of course still sells postcards both on eBay (purpleferret999) and through thepurpleferret.com. Products will eventually be totally different on all sites. Some days my job just gets in the way!

MOO CARDS

2008-01-22T02:35:00.000-08:00

Have you ordered yours yet? These are fabulous little enclosures to send your buyers a small reminder of who you are. Half the height of a regular business cards, you can choose up to 100 different images. There is room on the back for contacts and a personal thanks too.

Here are mine...

www.moo.com

NEW STOREFRONT

2008-01-09T17:07:00.000-08:00

I am thrilled to offer a beta version of Paypal's new storefront gizmo. Neat huh? Look to the right for a small ssample.

2008 Choices

2008-01-02T02:53:00.000-08:00

For those of you who wage the internal I can-I cannot debate, here is a little help from ChosonNinja.

May 2008 bless you with plenty of positive choices.

Holiday Greetings...

2007-12-26T04:02:00.000-08:00

I love Christmas.....the build-up to it, the presents, the tree, the food. Traditions all of them. But my favorite is the tradition around New Years that I started 8 years ago.

While single and with no family home at Christmas, I decided to do for myself a special season...after the gift-giving with family scattered around the continent. But the biggest and best gift of all arrived on New Years. Having a relatively large apartment at the time, I decided to host a New Year's levee. So I walked for 3 city blocks putting handmade invitations in everyone's mailboxes and delivering to all my friends. New Years Eve I cooked pots of chili, chowder, made dips, chopped veggies. The wine I had made months before.

For every guest/household invited I made an origami crane with their street number. Then I took all of the Christmas ornaments and lights from my tree and hung all of the cranes....250 of them on an 8 foot pine tree. 200 people came to my house for drinks, nibblies...many of whom I hadn't met yet. It was a wonderful feeling; I met my partner of 8 years that day...we now have a 7 year old son, who helps me make the cranes to cover the Christmas tree for this year.

Blessings to all for a special holiday season full of wonderful gifts from the heart.

Merry Christmas one and All

2007-12-24T15:16:00.000-08:00

May peace and joy find you this holiday season.

Hot off the Press! Cafepress, that is

2007-12-15T02:14:00.000-08:00

Spent last night setting up a shop on www.cafepress.com. I must say this was pretty easy and a fine way to get my art out there in prints. Useful merchandise that they drop-ship for you. You supply the art, images and prices. They do the rest.

Any of you use it?

Visit my shop by clicking on the logo above.

International Shipping, part 4, fees

2007-12-13T11:27:00.000-08:00

Well my purchases have nearly all reached me from far-flung parts of the globe. It's a handmade Christmas at my house, everything purchased, had to be made by hand, by somebody somewhere.

I must say that's an easy thing to do with websites like etsy.

However I am still dismayed at how sellers feel the need to overcharge for shipping prices, outside of their country.

I have no problem paying 1-2 dollars extra for the envelope and stamps, but $5.00?? Especially for a couple ot items tossed in an envelope with no wrapping and a business card.

Hello!!! Folks, if you want repeat business, learn about postage rates. Especially where most of us can check your postal service to see how much it will cost you. If you charge 5.00 extra on every international sale, then I say you might as well just be a courier and skip the crafting all together. Cuz 10 pakages sees you 50 dollars extra, just for going once to the post office!!

Do You Celebrate a Green Christmas or a White one?

2007-12-10T04:40:00.000-08:00

Christmas in Canada is supposed to be white. The past few years have seen the east coast without snow at Christmas time. Where I live, on the Atlantic...it is green. If I drive 10mi/16km there is snow covering the ground. If I go truly inland, say 20 miles there is a lot of snow. Temperature hovers around 0 degrees C/32 degrees F.

What is it like where you live, in December?

Packaging, Part 3

2007-12-09T02:36:00.000-08:00

Wrapping your lovely handmade or vintage widget is most important. Especially so if it is travelling internationally without you. Know that any time a border is crossed, the potential increases for your package to be opened and inspected.

Standards vary between countries. Well-wrapped parcels seem not to attract as much attention as sloppily packaged goods.

Well wrapped= what, you ask?

Packaging in boxes and envelopes which are sturdy and free from advertising of goods not contained within.

For example, Canada Post encourages the use of recycled boxes so long as previous uses have a line drawn across. US Homeland Security will not accept boxes with advertising on them, UNLESS they are advertising the products within.

So...liquour boxes are out....unless you turn then inside out.

Anything breakable should be double-boxed. Pottery I wrap in bubble wrap nestled in peanuts or air-bags inside a box. First box is then placed within a larger one, made of corrugated card. Gift boxes are not sturdy enough to withstand the tossing around by postal workers.

Remember, lettermail is electronically sorted; parcels are generally hand-sorted.

Tape should be packing tape, a clear cellophane tape. Save masking tape for your walls. Thin strips of tape too have to strength. And duct tape..the best but adds weight!

Make sure there are no dangling sticky bits...they get caught in the conveyor belts. So do loose envelope flaps.

Ensure you have documentation affixed. Even a packing slip, easily accessible to customs. I use labelopes...which are sticky envelopes which hold the paypal postage label and packing slips. They are free from my post office, IF I order them online. Saves a customs officer from opening the packet.

Also make sure there are airmail stickers on several box faces. USPS has packing tape marked with service. Very good tools.

And finally let your buyer know the package has left port.

Shipping outside your comfort zone, part 2

2007-12-05T17:12:00.000-08:00

Scales are a must for online selling and shipping. Even for lightweight, letter-mail type items. I quickly learned that only 3 postcards could ship for the price of one regular stamp.

Even if you are not ready to create online mailing labels through Paypal or the post office, many people want accurate quotes on postage before they buy. Accurate weights, dimensions and a quick look-up on your post office website will mean better customer service and more sales.

Finally, the first sale arrives!

What to do?? Well send an invoice if necessary (we'll talk about automating it later). Then await payment. Do...not...ship...until....payment....arrives or clears. Very important.

Tomorrw we'll talk about packaging. Part 3

Shipping outside of the US, or Canada, or your homeland, part 1.

2007-11-30T09:00:00.000-08:00

Unless you really want to limit your potential markets, at some point you will wish to ship internationally. A very useful website and your best bud will be your country's postal website. In the United States this is www.usps.com. In the UK, the Royal Mail lurks at www.royalmail.com and in Canada Canada Post may be found at www.canadapost.ca

1. First step is of course to learn how to properly package your items and address the shipping labels. Shipping internationally involves borders and customs officers. Not all packaging materials may be allowed. For example, mosses and fresh plant material may cradle more than your handcrafted items.

Addressing standards include postal codes and countries. It amazes me how many folks forget to put the recipient's country! For example in my case:

full name
street address
postal box number
town, city, etc...plus province, state, district AND postal code or zip code
country

In some countries such as the UK, the post code is written on a separate line. In Canada and the US, it precedes the country and is usually after the two-letter state or province abbreviation.

special note to American (US) buyers....if you want your parcel even faster, use your complete zip code when registering your address with Paypal or Etsy. You would be amazed at how much faster we can ship to you. after your 5 number codes is a -XXXX Use it!

more to follow....

Canadian Christmas Mailing standards. Nov. 29

2007-11-29T01:15:00.000-08:00

Just because you asked....

Still plenty of time to shop online for Christmas. Remember folks, we can't work miracles! The closer to Christmas it gets, the less likely you will receive your orders in time.

ExpressPost is an option for those who leave it late. For my paintings the most it will cost is $20.00. Price is based on zone in relation to east coast of Canada. December 18 is the latest you should wait to order.

Expedited is a ground service in Canada. To my US buyers, it is the least expensive but also the slowest service, up to 1 month. 6 weeks to Australia and Europe.

Small Packet Air will reach you in 10 days or less, if you are in a large center.

First Class (Letter Mail) will reach you in 7 business days. December 16 the latest.

Cyber Monday!

2007-11-26T04:03:00.000-08:00

Good Green Luck to all...Won't you consider buying handmade this year? There are hundreds of thousands of amazing handmade goods and art to be found at www.etsy.com Here are a few from my favorites.

Catty Art has found a Home!

2007-11-11T08:52:00.000-08:00

Finally, I found time to set up a dedicated cat art website. The gallery is up and all but one page is live, including a contact form: www.catty-art.com. Shopping cart and pay now buttons will follow. This an amazingly simple process using Google Apps. I highly recommend it for a first website. Contact me for more information.

The DARFUR auction is LIVE!

2007-11-05T04:46:00.000-08:00

Doctors Without Borders are the recipients of all proceeds from this auction. Please read the listing and place a bid. You too can own a fantastic piece of art and a small something from all parts of Canada.

New Month Brings Hurricane Noel

2007-11-03T16:58:00.000-07:00

Now that November has crashed into us, along comes the first hurricane of the season, fully 45 days after one would expect! Noel has been downgraded to a post-tropical storm, but the entire eastern seaboard has felt his ire. High winds, driving rain, 30 foot storm surges to be expected. But thunder and lightning! Wow...weird weather. Almost has me begging for snow....almost.

Small steps Do Make a Difference

2007-10-20T17:23:00.000-07:00

A small group on eBay Canada will join together to provide small gifts to the winner of a mystery auction on a box of fine art. The money raised from the auction is to support the efforts in Darfur of Doctors Without Borders. To take part in the bidding and to learn more please check this thread ..often.

Shameless Self-promotion

2007-09-20T00:46:00.000-07:00

My website is live, I have had 2 sales from it. Yayy. Please check it out for the crazy black cats of DM Laughlin and post cards from my personal collection. All available for sale! thepurpleferret.com

Damn those Black Cats!

2007-09-14T12:00:00.000-07:00

They're everywhere...even under the maples! This 8 X 10 canvas on board is a varnished acrylic. The colors are amazing. Of course it is available now.

A Sterner Time

2007-09-09T03:31:00.000-07:00

Think 1860 in an Ambrotype Studio...then think digital, 2007 in same studio....taken at Sherbrooke Village, Sept. 1 2007.

Crocs for Tots

2007-08-27T17:03:00.000-07:00

Hey folks, save the litter and help out those in need. Check out this thread for information. Basically an orphanage in Africa can make use of these brightly colored platic shoes as your children out grow them. Fab idea that could use support. Contact loopsdesign on etsy for more information.

Check out my website; it's my first time!

2007-08-26T15:45:00.000-07:00

It's the first time I have tried designing my own site...from scratch. Bear with me, I'll get it there. I have no training, just taking a tutorial for each task that I need. Oh what a steep learning curve!

I would like to introduce you to Silver Mo and Joe-Brown

2007-08-22T03:49:00.000-07:00

Our new adoptees joined us last week. Here are some photos. Silver Mo is a senior citizen, at 4 years of age. He does not like to be photographed. Jo-Brown won't keep his face out of the camera.

Masked Marauders

2007-08-15T14:56:00.001-07:00

The ferret-gods have delivered two dear little ones needing a home. so Silver Mo and Jo-Brown have come to stay with us. They have already weaselled their way into the hearts of da boys. I swear even the cat was smiling when they got caught in the tube together. Pictures later.

Please Welcome DebbieB

2007-07-10T11:09:00.000-07:00

A warm etsian welcome to DebbieB and her new shop! From buying to selling in one year. Looking at her jewelry I just know she will succeed. What wonderful gift ideas...plenty of time of Christmas giving. And pssst..I hear she does cats too!

July Madness

2007-07-05T17:05:00.000-07:00

Summer has arrived and with it the flurry of vacations, travel, family and friends' activities that our short summers bring. It is also the time that I like to stop and reflect on the past year's milestones while watching the sun slowly falling below the horizon. This year, my one and only dear son completed his first year of school. I reached my 10 years and counting...down to retirement and my 50th birthday passed with a whimper and a sigh.

Whatever summer/winter brings you think kindly on those you love or that which brings you joy.

Thanks and huggles to all of my web-friends.

Yayyy the Muse has arrived!

2007-06-23T17:25:00.000-07:00

The Muse has been added to my small family of favourite web stores. More to follow, time permitting.

The Purple Ferret.com is coming alive again!

2007-05-19T01:39:00.000-07:00

After several months in hibernation, the Purple Ferret has arisen! But please be patient and please be kind. Its first vision was professionally designed. The newest birthing is from mine own fingers. And I am no web designer. Nevertheless, it will always be service with a smile. Constructive criticism always welcome.

Altered Art is Not Just aBout pAPer!

2007-05-17T15:18:00.000-07:00

Oh wow, I am so thrilled to highlight a fellow etsian! Her clothing speaks to me in the same way that music folios and old journals sing. Please visit highlyAtomic's shop for altered threads and deconstructed clothing finds. You'll not be disappointed...but..only after my dress is finished, 'kay?

A special May wish for some very special people...

2007-05-13T01:55:00.000-07:00

I love cross-promoting!

2007-05-07T04:31:00.000-07:00

Got a request from a fellow Nova Scotian this morning to cross-promote blogs. No problem this is such fun! Please check out her blog, listed to the right under enthral. Our world is getting ever so small. 40 years ago I would not have believed that I could travel so far and talk to so many via a web!

Yaaay it's May !

2007-05-06T02:22:00.000-07:00

In my corner of the world, tucked away at the edge of this massive continent, spring is a tentative visitor. There are 3 seasons here..summer, autumn and winter. Spring is short, cool, wet and foggy. However, the soil is yielding its promise and the perennials are beginning to timidly poke out. The sunsets are glorious over the cove. I must post one shortly.

The Cats of DM Laughlin

2007-04-13T05:03:00.000-07:00

DM does cats, black cats big and small, in the country or in town; in Tuscany, San Francisco, Peggys Cove or New York City. This spring he has added tabbies and even frisbee-lovin' DOGS. Yachts and grapes and all kinds of primitive fantasy. Check out these kitties!

Says DM "I have a 17 year old black cat missy who is a close personal friend of mine and makes me like to draw cats and she doesn't care at all if I never had lessons either!"

I so don't like winter especially in April

2007-04-07T15:28:00.000-07:00

Well, well, well, the Easter Bunny, if he is like all other hares in my neighbourhood will have turned the beautiful chestnut brown of summer. So, what does it do? It snows, big fluffy virginal white flakes of ever-loving snow! And it is still coming down! With a total of 10 inches expected, at Easter! I hate snow.

I want to buy a grandmother!

2007-04-04T12:09:00.000-07:00

What was I thinking? To have a child at my age, I mean. Not to mention I live in a rural 'burb which a generation ago was not even part of a city. Where everyone is related to each other and some in more than one generation if you know what I mean! They are so insular!

My grandparents are all gone...have been for more than 20 years. My mother always said, don't bring them home for me to look after! Next decade, OMG I have no grandkids! Next decade: what were you thinking?? You are 45 and not even married!

So I wanna buy a grandmother. Or even rent a grandmother. Someone that my son can call and ask if there's any cookies in the jar that he'll be right over.

There are not enough women in my life!

Altered Art tags

2007-03-31T10:06:00.000-07:00

Made these this week and listed them on eBay. Also started putting together kits; I have sooooo much vintage paper.

ATCs and ACEOs

2007-03-23T01:25:00.000-07:00

For decades artists have been creating miniature works of art, 2 1/2 X 3 1/2 inches and trading them with other artists. They were never sold. With the advent of online trading and selling, a new style of trading card became popular. These are sold and some for pretty fair prices. Known as ACEOs or Art Cards Editions and Originals. The only rule is the size...2 1/2 X 3 1/2 inches, the same size as a sports card or playing card.

Both of these are embellished cards with various torn papers vintage and new. And both are ACEOs.

Deltiology, Post Card collecting and study

2007-03-16T12:09:00.000-07:00

As some people collect postage stamps (philately) others find joy in collecting post cards, usually old ones. Post cards have been mailed since 1870s and until 1920, were the major form of communication between family members from near towns and far.

Some folks collect different categories of post cards: Real Photos, linens, artist-signed, holiday, comic and view cards are a few categories.

They may loosely be divided into broad categories: pioneer post cards, undivided-back post cards, early divided backs, white-border cards, linens and chromes. These roughly correspond to different decades. Over the next few weeks I will post some information on collecting cards and grouping them. With some very good references too.

Pioneer Cards
Supposedly the picture post card was born about 1893, with the Chicago's Columbian Exposition. They will have undivided backs (no space for anything but the address). Often there will be multiple views. The title will show as Souvenir Card or Mail card. Postage rate in US was 2 cents.

This period lasted until 1898 when the US Congress allowed private printers to produce cards. Called Private Mailing Cards, many earlier cards were reprinted to show this title.

Undivided back cards

Until 1907 cards still had only addresses printed on the backs. Many publishers put images in vignettes allowing space for message on the face. Not only were views of particular places popular, but the Post Card celebrated holidays and humor.

The golden age of post cards really begins about 1905. Paper quality and printing were superb. Embossed lithographs were phenomenal, with many of the best produced in Germany, Austria, France. The image

Vintage and Ephemera

2007-03-14T13:23:00.000-07:00

What a neat way to promote my businesses but also to meet new folks! Please visit often! I am especially interested in linking with other etsians and ebayers. My interests lie in vintage paper, ephemera and things that can be created from the bits that no one wants to collect any more.

What is vintage? Everything made or built has vintage, ie the date it was made. Think of wine. As for collectible/collectable items, vintage has come to mean things older than 40 years. Different categories have different limits. I'm thinking autos here. Antiques are generally 100 years or older. Retro items are generally 20-40 years old. Me I am past vintage but not yet antique!

eBay Hall of Fame Award

2007-03-12T17:01:00.000-07:00

I must admit I was totally in shock to win this Award. The call came about 1 year ago from San Jose, that I had been selected with 5 other people to accept the award at eBay Live in Las Vegas. Could I go? Ahhhhh duh...YES! Then I remembered all the logistics...time off work, passport, baby sitters, etc.

I was the first Canadian to be so honored....more to follow...

Welcome to my blog!

2007-03-12T16:13:00.000-07:00

Thanks for stopping by and do visit my two shops, orange*crushed and my eBay store at

http://stores.ebay.com/Purple-Ferret-Post-Cards-and-Paper Over the next few days I will be adding some topics of interest in collecting old paper items, particularly deltiology, post cards.

Have a cheery day!

marian