Art and Craft Show Tips

Hello all!

It has been some time!

I've been busy with work, shows and life in general but have often thought about what my next blog post should be about. This year was the first year that I dove deep into the Arts & Crafts world in Toronto and the GTA and learned many things that I thought would be useful to share with anyone interested in being involved in these types of shows. So far, I have done four shows and none were overly successful for many reasons and I have about four more in the upcoming weeks and months and hope to fill some more vendor spots for shows in the winter time. Here is what I have learned thus far:

Ask A Lot of Questions

Whenever I have applied to be a vendor at a show, it's usually been through ads on Kijiji or Craigslist and some were referred to me. When I applied, I was so excited about the chance to participate and was also quite green in the field and really didn't ask any/the right questions. It is so important to know many things about the show before going in (and paying hefty table/booth rental fees) to see if it would be worth it for you and the items that you sell. I've heard that juried shows are good as they are extremely selective. Some questions that would be good practice to ask are:

• Is this the first show at this venue/in this area?
• Is this the first show that you have organized?
• In past, how much foot traffic was there at this show?
• What kind of advertising will be done to promote the show?
• Will there be other vendors there that are selling the same/similar products to mine?
• Is there an admission fee for attendees?

These are a few examples of questions that will give you an idea as to whether this type of show is for you. Another thing that I learned is that higher booth/table costs does not necessarily mean a more successful show. In fact, the less I paid for a table the better the show was!

Get to Know the Other Vendors

I have learned so much from other vendors that I have met through these shows. Many were so experienced and attended shows as vendors on pretty much a full time basis. Heed their sage advice, they really know their stuff. Another thing that is good practice is to message/email the vendors at shows you would like to apply to be a vendor at prior to applying to the show. Ask them if they have done the show before, or worked with that event organizer/planner and if they have any feedback. One thing I would be wary of is a show where every vendor is new and has not done the show in the past or if none of the vendors have worked with the organizer/planner before. This may mean that the organizer is new and may not be experienced or it could mean that they have done shows in the past that were unsuccessful and prior vendors are not willing to work with them again. Any vendor that I have met has been gracious, helpful and overall really nice. They understand what it takes to prepare for a show, go in with high hopes and have high expectations met or be dissapointed, so no one is really out to screw you over and there really feels like there is a great sense of community with vendors. You are all there for the same reason.

Join Vendor Social Media Pages/Communities

I have joined some vendor community pages on Facebook and they have been a really fantastic resource. An open forum to ask questions, get advice and read feedback on shows from vendors has proven to be a really useful tool in weeding out shows/organizers that have had a negative review. I have had a really positive experience with it and as I mentioned earlier, the vendor community is very supportive and I sense that everyone really wishes their fellow vendor success in their endeavours. Something to look out for however, is that many organizers/planners of shows are also members of those pages. If you post a question, check to see whether the person answering that question is coming from a vendor or a planner/organizer. Although both perspectives are good ro hear from, sometimes you want to get feedback from another vendor who wants the same end result from a show, to sell their products and make good connections. The planner has already made their money from you prior to the show commencing, so their objective may not be the right one for you when asking certain questions on the open forum. It is also good to give your feedback on positive/negative experiences so that other vendors can be aware of a great opportunity or know what to stay away from.

Help to Promote the Show You Will Be At

Post the shows on your social media, email your contacts and tell people. Maybe even have a 'show sale' to bring more of your contacts out. Don't just advertise that you will be there, promote your fellow vendors as well and mention them. If someone doesn't want to shop for your items, they may be interested in other vendors and drawing in a crowd is always good.

Don't Go For Broke

When I first started applying to shows, I was willing and ready to pay whatever just to participate. This has cost me since I wasn't asking the right questions when I applied and the shows were not successful for me and my items. Do your research before you send any money to any organizer/planner, see if it's the right fit for you, ask other vendors that are participating lots of questions and ensure that you are not getting ripped off. That unfortunately does happen, it's a sad reality for vendors and has happened to me. Do research on the organizer/planner. Do they have a website or social media page? Are there pictures of their past events on their website/social media? Do they have any testimonials? Etc. 

Don't Take It Personally

These shows can be hit or miss. Don't take it personally if you don't do well, it happens. It doesn't mean that your items suck, it just means this wasn't the right show for you. Although the shows I did were not a huge success, the best part about them was networking and meeting different vendors. This year was trial and error for me and I think I am still trying to find the niche market for my items. Keep trying and keep your head up, better days are ahead. 


I hope some of this was useful and I will update you all when I learn new things and experience more with the upcoming shows I have.

Happy summer everyone and thanks for reading!

-Netti, The Vintage Teacup Lady

Stress Less, How The Vintage Teacup Lady Tries to Chill Out

Hi all!

Since posting my new years resolutions and how I talked about trying to be more positive this year, I started doing some new things that have really helped me stress less and stay focused. As well as releasing stress, I wanted to make my bedtime routine more of a time to reflect on my day and go to bed with happy thoughts. From the time I can remember, the idea of going to bed always gave me anxiety. As a child, I was afraid of sleeping alone, was afraid of the dark and was also a light sleeper. I eventually got used to sleeping alone and I am not so much of a light sleeper these days, but I frequently get nightmares and the anxiety of going to bed sometimes shows it's ugly face to me today. I've started to create an almost ceremonial routine before bed and have found that I have slept better, had less nightmares and woke up happier.

More Baths

Now, I know we all do not have the time in our schedules to take a bath often, I certainly don't, but I've found that dedicating at least one day a week to opt for a bath instead of a shower is so beneficial for me when it comes to wanting to release some stress in my life. A friend of mine made some amazing scented epsom salt for me for Christmas and I've been using them when I bathe and they are incredibly relaxing. I also feel a little icky after baths and think "I've just been lying in my own warm filth for 20 minutes" and usually have a quick shower afterwards. Sometimes when I don't have time for a bath, I will start the shower, plug the drain and add some scented epsom salt to the bathtub. Just having your feet soak in that water as you shower and smelling the aroma of the scented salt is very soothing. Along with the bath itself being relaxing, I also try to meditate when I'm showering or in the bath. I got this idea from an episode of one of my most favourite podcasts called Psychic Teachers. They explained that you can pretty much meditate anywhere and at anytime and for many of us, the only time we are truly alone and not distracted by things is when we are in the shower. You can meditate when you are stopped at a red light, when you are washing the dishes, when you are folding laundry, when you're in the shower, etc. They explain that meditation is really just a time to quiet the mind. I've also always been the type of person that prefers to shower at night (mostly because I wake up too late in the mornings to shower and also the thought of feeling wet and cold coming out of the shower first thing in the morning makes me shudder). Psychic Teachers explain that showering at night is good for you energetically as it symbolically washes your day away. Throughout the day, our bodies, skin, hair, etc. absorb and trap all of the energy that was around us that day, good and bad. If you don't shower at night, you are essentially bringing that energy to bed with you. What I have found to be therapeutic is before I am done showering or bathing, I unplug the bath and watch the drain pull the water out. As it does that, I imagine all of the stresses from my day being pulled down the drain and away from me. Once the last bit of water is out, I turn the water off, come out and dry off, put clean pjs on and go to bed with a clear mind, clean body and without bringing anything from my day to bed with me. Kinda like the old saying "don't go to bed angry".

More Grateful

Each night before I go to sleep, I write in a journal one thing or many things that I am grateful for that day. It helps me to again release any burden from my day or any thought that is weighing on me and shifts my focus to a good thing. As we all know, the more we are grateful for, the more things that we will be grateful for will come into our lives. No matter how awful my day could be, I really try and find the one thing that was the light in the darkness and fall asleep to that thought. This is just a side note, and maybe it's just some quirky thing that I like but, I found that the prettier the journal is, the more I write in it. Here is a pic of my journal and yes, I know it looks like it should be owned by a seven year old girl, but it really does give me the warm fuzzies when I look at it and makes me want to write in it. I also love that it says, "may all your dreams come true" with the majestic unicorns on it. Makes me feel like I can sort of take a trip through a magical land where no idea, dream or wish is far fetched and these unicorns will carry my happy thoughts and wishes and make them come true. Again, this probably wouldn't resonate with everyone, pick a journal that truly speaks to you.

I've also created an altar (I know how that sounds), but it's actually really pretty and a nice place to put some meaningful items to draw your attention to when you walk in your room. Mine is more of a reminder to be grateful for the abundance in my life. Here is a pic of my altar.

Clean and Warm

As I mentioned in one of my new years resolutions, cleaning and purging was and is something that I have really tried to maintain. My room is nearly done (I've re-decorated it, just waiting to post pics with final touches complete) and I have been really trying to always have it neat and tidy. My room was always, always, ALWAYS  a mess. It was never a place that I would go to unless it was to sleep. Now my room is my own personal bubble that really feels like a sanctuary. I make my bed everyday (ok, my mom makes it most days...), and I try and devote time some time before my night shower to tidy it before bed. When our physical space is chaotic and messy, so is our frame of mind. Metaphysically speaking, messy, dusty or disorganized places is where negative energy usually chooses to stick to and gets trapped in. When you have a neat and tidy space, there is no room or areas where that negativity can get trapped in and your mind naturally begins to focus. To some, this is an innate way of living, but not for me. Trying to maintain a clean and organized space is something I really needed to practice so don't feel bad if you are looking at your messy space and begin to panic, because that was me for most of my life. Staying clean and organized was a learned trait for me and is starting to become habitual. I also purchased an essential oil diffuser and I absolutely love it. My favourite essential oil scent is bergamot and I turn my diffuser on every night before my shower and shut my bedroom door. When I walk into my room after the shower, I am greeted with this wonderful, sweet and clean aroma and it's totally relaxing. I got the diffuser on Amazon for about $30 and could not be happier with it, here is a pic of it.

I also have a Himalayan Sea Salt lamp which was gifted to me many years ago. I finally took it out and now use it every night. The lamp is said to have many healing properties such as reducing the yucky stuff (I don't know the proper terminology) that is emitted by electronics like cell phones and computers and is also known to boost your immune system. I really like the warm and softy glow that it radiates when you turn it on.

Crystals

I have recently started to learn more about crystals and their healing properties. When I first started making jewelry, I was always drawn to the natural stone beads and briefly read up on them and thought they were really cool. Now that I've started to do more research on them, I find them to be absolutely fascinating. Different crystals and stones have been used for centuries as good luck talismans, to ward off negative energy or worn for protection. There literally is a crystal for anything in your life. I bought a book called "The Crystal Bible" by Judy Hall and I found that it was a really great introduction to crystals. You can meditate with them, keep them in your car for safe travels, gift them, place on your window sills for protection and also create crystal grids. When I began reading up on them, I was mostly interested in the ones that helped to ward off nightmares. The crystal that was mostly recommended was citrine. Citrine is a beautiful clear and slightly orange stone that you can easily find in many metaphysical stores. There was a time where I was having nightmares very often with them being reoccuring for about four nights in a row. I went to a really amazing crystal store on Bathurst and Bloor and picked up many crystals but in particular, was in search of citrine. That night, I brought it home and placed it under my pillow before bed and I didn't have a nightmare that night. I now reach under my pillow every night before bed and make sure my crystal is there as it has not failed me since. I really cherish this crystal.

P.s. This crystal is also great to keep in your wallet as it is said to attract money into your life.

When I Wake up, In My Make Up

Well, now that I'm showering nightly, I don't wake up in yesterdays make up anymore and wanted to not only start the day clean and fresh as well as with positive affirmations. Yes, I've become one of those people that tapes or sticky notes positive affirmations in my room where they are most visible, but I love it and wish I had done it sooner. I also posted some positive affirmations and mantras inside the doors to my wardrobe so I'm always surrounded by words that are inspiring and that will manifest good things into my life. So when I need a sweater, BAM!.. mantra. It's actually exciting to read them in the morning because it makes every day special and makes you feel that as you walk out into the world that day, you are opening Pandora's Box, so to speak, and uncovering new and wonderful possibilities and opportunities. Here are some of the things that I have posted in my room that fill me with love, happiness, excitement for my day and a positive outlook. I also read them before bed and remind myself that tomorrow is a new day with a clean slate and that I better get to sleep soon so that my day ahead can come and provide me with whatever it is that I am seeking. Here is what I affirm to myself everyday.

Well folks, I think it's time for bed... I wish you all a wonderful sleep with beautiful dreams and that you wake up to a fabulous and soul enriching day tomorrow. I hope you all enjoyed today's post!

Thanks for reading!

-Netti, The Vintage Teacup Lady

Are They Cake Stands? Are They Jewelry Stands?

Hi all!

I wanted to share with you all a simple display table that I put together with some of my favourite vintage dinner/dessert ware pieces and some re-purposed saucer, dessert and dinner plates into cake/jewelry stands. I think that they are so delightful to look at and a wonderful way to utilize orphan saucers or remaining pieces of an old/unusable set. I will post some better pictures in my upcoming blogs but wanted to share with you some of my current pieces with the pictures I've got so far.

Thank you all for having a look! Please visit my website for prices :). www.vintageteacupcandles.com

- Netti, The Vintage Teacup Lady

Favourite Toronto Restaurants

Hi all!

I thought I would share with you all my favourite Toronto restaurants and dishes. I also wanted to share my friend Tara's food blog which is absolutely amazing. Tara is a total foodie and dines at the newest and trendiest restaurants and shares her honest opinion on her blog. Please check out her blog tarabites before you make a reservation, you won't be disappointed!

Caribbean Roti Palace

I have been going to this place for the last few years and love it! West Indian/Caribbean restaurants are sort of hit or miss in my experience in Toronto and I am so happy that I came across this hidden gem. The place isn't much to look at when you walk in but the food is fantastic and so authentic. My favourite dish from this place is the Chicken Roti and I usually get a double or two. For those of you who have never tried a double and plan to, I envy you. I wish I could go back in time to when I first tried one to experience it again. Doubles are these delicious, soft and warm flat breads about the size of your hand and sandwiched in between is a chickpea, curry and tamarind mixture. They are so flavourful and the tamarind sauce is slightly sweet which really balance out the other curry spices. It's my favourite Caribbean comfort food.

7 Numbers

I love, love, love 7 Numbers. First of all, I'm Italian (as I've mentioned in my other posts) and I'm quite particular when I'm choosing Italian restaurants to dine in and this place does not disappoint. The chef's name is Rosa and she is adorable and has always been at the Eglinton location cooking up a storm whenever I've been there. The place feels like you're in an Italian Nonna's basement. None of the cutlery or dishes really match but it's all part of the authentic feel. My favourite dishes are the calamari and the lasagna (which is Rosa's specialty). The kitchen is also open and exposed so you can see Rosa and her sous chef cooking away and it all adds to the homey and authentic feel of Italian comfort food.

Zaffron

Zaffron is my number one place in Toronto for Persian comfort food. Persian kebob is so delicious and I love the way they season their meat. Zaffron's portions are enormous, so I would definitely recommend this place if you have a huge appetite. I always start with the Zaffron bread, Maust Museer and pickles. Maust Museer is a delicious blend of creamy yogurt and shallots and their bread is flat and perfect for dipping. I always order the Vaziri for my main which is literally a platter of chicken and beef kebab, huge portion of Persian rice and a roasted tomato. Everything tastes so fresh and just off the grill and the service is great.

The Stockyards Smokehouse & Larder

I can't say enough about this place. The Stockyards Smokehouse & Larder is an amazing little nook serving up traditional southern dishes with a modern twist. The food is full fat, freaking delicious and leaves you totally satisfied. I love their Sunday brunch and always order the Fried Chicken and Waffles. That is basically one of my favourite dishes, ever. The batter on the fried chicken is crispy and soft in all the right places and they glaze the whole thing with this citrus, cayenne maple drizzle from heaven. If you want to go for brunch, I would suggest blocking off a good chunk of time in your day because the line up is really long to get in, but worth the wait. 

Dangerous Dan's

I've actually never stepped foot in this place and only ordered food for delivery but holy smokes, the menu is unlike any other place in the city. First of all, their portion sizes are on steroids. You can get the biggest burger you've ever laid eyes on and actually finish it because it tastes so good. I've had a number of things on their menu but my favourite is the The Big Cowboy which is an 8oz. burger with baked beans, a fried egg, bacon and Dan’s chipotle mayo. It's unreal. I usually order two sides, yup.. two sides, because clearly the 8 oz. burger isn't enough (haha) and I order the Poutine Perogies and Greek Fries. Salivating just thinking about this place!

Pizza e Pazzi

This place is fantastic for authentic Italian Neapolitan Pizza. The pizza I've had there totally took me back to when I was in Capri eating pizza on a beach side patio. Their calamari is also delicious, freshly fried rings piled high on a big plate and more than enough for two people to share. I was also really impressed with their dessert! I had the caramel panna cotta and it was so silky and the sweetness of the caramel paired with the richness from the panna cotta was just perfect. 

Bathurst Station Beef Patties

Ok, well this isn't an actual restaurant but, beef patties have pretty much been my favourite food from when I was like 4 and the beef patties at Bathurst Station are the best ones in the city. A lot of people have compared them to the Warden Station patties, but I haven't tried them so can't compare. The flaky and buttery outside and soft and flavorful minced meat on the inside are so good and immediately warm you up. You can also buy them by the box and freeze them at home. One tip, the ones marked with a pink or red dot are actually the mild ones! Don't make the mistake of getting the ones without the dot if you're not a fan of heat!

I hope you enjoyed this post and I hope you get to try some of my favourite meals! Comment below and share some of your favourite Toronto restaurants!

Thanks for reading!

- Netti, The Vintage Teacup Lady

The Vintage Force Was Strong With Me Today

Hi all!

Oh my, oh my, did I ever discover some treasures today! So excited to share them with you.

This 'Colclough Bone China - Made in England' teacup is just divine. When I look at it, I see a fine lady in a summer dress, sitting on the porch of a country house somewhere in a southern state, sipping Earl Grey Tea from this little gem. The bloomed yellow roses are almost bursting from this cup and saucer and the handle is slightly pointed which gives this cup a really dainty look. I love the classy and refined look of this set.

This 'Foley Bone China - Delphinium - Made in England' teacup really makes me feel like it came right out of an Alphonse Mucha poster. The hand painted scenery of a meadow of flowers also makes me feel like if the hippies that attended Woodstock drank tea there, they were probably drinking it from this cup. I just want to put on some Mamas and Papas and watch something psychedelic while drinking from this cup. The hand painted mint green handle really pulls the whole look of this set together. I've included an Aphonse Mucha poster below that I think closely resembles the vibe that this set gives off. Totally obsessed with this find.

This 'Gladstone - Bone China - Made in England' teacup is just so pleasant! It makes me feel like a favourite aunt has just surprised me with a knock on the door and picnic basket in hand. The flowers, were real, look as if they are begging you to pick them and place in your favourite vase. The stigma in these painted flowers is dolloped on with a magnificently bright orange paint and when you run your finger over the surface of the flowers, the stigma is textured which is such a unique touch. The cone shape of the cup is also almost flower like as if you could add a stem to it an plant it in your garden. I love the curved handle as it gives the blunt shape of the cup a bit of softness.

This 'Paragon' set is so delightfully spring it's unreal and the full pastel yellow in the cup and saucer is so vintage looking. This shape of this cup and the pattern on it reminds me of a vintage umbrella. Although the cup and saucer match and are both Paragon, this is not a true set but, work nicely displayed together. The detail in the painted lily pads on the saucer are just gorgeous and the contrast colours of the water lilies to the yellow saucer really make the water lilies pop and come to life. The floral pattern on the inside of the cup is actually tied with a ribbon which I thought was such a beautiful detail. Notice the painted gold leaf on the handle that just adds an extra delicate touch to pull this whole set together.

This 'Queen Anne - Made in England' revolving butter dish was such an amazing find today! The engraved detail on the dome lid is so intricate and I love that it's footed. I'm on the hunt for a matching butter knife!

This 'Leviton Milk Glass Hurricane Lamp' is so spectacular when you flick the switch to turn it on. I was so excited when I got home and put a light bulb in to see it transform into a glowing vintage treasure. The raised and dotted milk glass shade on this lamp is so pretty and the hurricane shape reminds me of an almost fully bloomed tulip. I love that the base of this lamp is slightly dipped and can be used to hold jewelry.

Thank you all for reading and I hope you enjoyed today's finds!

- Netti, The Vintage Teacup Lady

New Year and Resolutions

Hi all!

I thought since we've recently kicked off 2016, it would be good to let you know where I'm presently at in my life and how I've been trying to execute my resolutions and hopes for this new year.

For the past several years, I have worked in offices and have been greatful and for the most part happy with my jobs. All of my spare time outside of work however, was never organized properly. I hadn't found my niche in where I wanted to spend my off work time in the most productive and soul fulfilling way and to be honest, probably didn't think much about how wasteful I was with the precious time I had outside of my 9 to 5. I wanted to make a list of things that I have tried to change or improve in my life and felt like I needed to hit the ground running in the new year and take advantage of the clean slate ahead. Here's my list and hope that you can relate or can take some of my experiences away with you and hopefully make this a productive and positive year. The list is in no particular order, by the way...


Write Things Down

I was mostly the kind of person that took mental notes of things or had ongoing lists of tasks/responsibilities in my head and you know what, this method just doesn't work for me anymore so recently I've tried to change this. I now keep a notebook on hand at all times and write down almost everything. Whether it's an item I need to pick up at the grocery store, a new idea I have for re-decorating, gifts I need to buy, people I want to send positive energy to, etc - I write it down. At the end of the day, I go through what I've written and re-write them (yup, you read that right) and try and categorize them. I know this sounds tedious, but this process is great for staying organized and it also will help you to internalize and remember these things if you happen to forget your trusty notebook. And don't just write things down that you don't want to forget, write down your goals, no matter how big, small or unattainable you may think they are. Write down an inspiring quote you've come across online. Write down a beautiful moment you've happened to witness on the bus. When you write things down, it makes them more then just a hope, wish or thought, it makes them more real and will give you a sense of accountability for your goals. I'm starting to schedule time once a week for myself to review my notes and cross things off of my list, add additional items or to just read through the goals that I've written to reaffirm them to myself. This has been so therapuetic for me especially when I can actually cross things off and accomplish my tasks - personal or not, and it's amazing to watch your goals progress and become reality. Scheduling time to read through notes is also cool because you can see how far you've come from where you've started and that is really the ultimate motivation to keep striving for your goals.

Purge

Purging is something that I have really tried to get better at. I come from a long line of "collectors" and I've definitely inherited the hoarding gene. Don't get me wrong, I haven't turned into a minimalist by any means but I certainly have tried to de-clutter as much as I possibly can. Over the course of 2015 I spent some solid time doing some purging but with the amount of stuff that I've accumulated, the process seemed neverending but was so rewarding. This year, I'm continuing to de-clutter, purge and now I am re-decoreating so that I can organize my space in a way that will avoid cluttered areas. Purging is not only great for making room in your physical space, but it's so good for you emotionally. It's nice to hold onto nostalgic or sentimental items, but most other things can go. Find a local thrift store or charity that accepts donations and drop off anything that is still usable. It will help to de-clutter your space and you'll be doing a good deed for your community. A friend of mine recently sent me a link that I thought was a fabulous guide to purging: http://www.organisemyhouse.com/101-items-to-get-rid-of-without-regret/.

Find a Creative Outlet/Continue or Start a Hobby

I currently work full time and have little spare time on evenings and weekends for things that I would like to pursue creatively. I have really been trying to make solid time for my creative endeavours because it does wonders for my soul. We live in an age where everyone is on the go and schedules are filled with things that may not serve our souls purpose. By the time we realize how far we've come from who we are (and who we are is almost always based on what we like), we forget the things that ignited a spark in us and really make us happy. What you decide on what becomes your outlet is your choice and doesn't necessarily have to be creative. Reflect on things that made you happy as a child as those are usually the things that will still spark an interest in you today. Were you an avid reader? Join a book club! Were you athletic? Join a community league! Did your grandma like to knit or crochet with you as a child and you always wanted to pick it up again? Take a class! Of course, we all know that everything can be accessed online so you probably won't even need to leave the comfort of your home if you want to learn something new. There are ample tutorials on blogs and Youtube that show step by step instructions on how to do almost everything. A lot of us can use the line or excuse that we are "just too busy", or "don't have the time". Make time. Period. Clear out time in your schedule, skip that episode of Game of Thrones, turn your phone off and do something that makes you happy. For me, this excercise has been extremely important. When I'm doing something creative that I'm passionate about, I feel like it's a form of meditation. I just get in the zone and get totally zen.


Be More Positive

Everytime you let something negative out of your mouth and into the universe, it creates a ripple affect of negative energy. That negative energy builds up inside and around us and creates cloudiness that fill up spaces that should be filled with light and happy things. If all your energy spaces are full of darkness, there is no room to let in the light. I am making it my mission to be a lot more positive this year. Before I say something, I think about how and what I'm saying and just simply don't say it if it isn't positive (sometimes I forget, it's hard!). I know this is easier said than done, but it is so good for you. One of the best ways to stop this habit is to avoid or distance yourself from people that like to gossip with you. If some of these people are closest to you, then try and change topics when they start to gossip, refrain from responding and try to guide the conversation in a postive way. This also applies to how you speak to and about yourself. Many people (I think women are more guilty of this - I definitely am) speak about themselves internally and externally in a negative way and that is so bad for our self worth. We need to love ourselves more and stop putting ourselves down. Accept and embrace yourself and when you start the positivity and love from within, it spills out to the rest of the world.

Uplifting Things 

In this age of social media, we are flooded with news and information and a lot of it can be negative (which goes hand in hand with what I said above about your spaces being filled with cloudiness). When we are constantly reminded of tragedy or sadness, it wears us down. I don't think that we should become completely ignorant to what is going on in the world but we need to balance it out and make room to take in some uplifting things. What I have started to try and do is not let something negative, sad or tragic consume me and basically kill my spirits for the rest of the day. It's hard to not let your emotions get the better of you but, I've found that when I have the right balance of happy things that I'm reading or watching, it not only makes me feel better but also helps to decrease a slumber mood and increase my faith in humanity. Here are some links that I often rely on to uplift my mood:
http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/good-news/
http://www.slice.ca/breaktime/photos/35-heartwarming-photos-that-will-restore-your-faith-in-humanity/#!a9a7889997cb0dfe74fb2c0d635af38e

I think that's just the tip of the iceberg with the types of things that I want to do/improve on this year. Hope that some of this was beneficial or inspiring. I wish you all a wonderful, successful and happy 2016!

Thanks for reading!

- Netti, The Vintage Teacup Lady 

Today's Finds - German and French Teacups

Hi all!

Found myself a few German and French friends today!

The best part of finding these pieces is coming home and enjoying the detailed craftsmanship and articulate design of them. These teacups have such personality!


This 'Porcelaine Dure - Georges Boyer - Limoges France' teacup is just gorgeous. The embossed white on white detail on the cup and saucer reminds me of intricate piped icing on a cake. This cup sits quite shallow and wide and the earthy tones of the floral pattern give this set a very "French Country" vibe while the saucer's leaf pattern is quite whimsical and wispy. The look of this set shouts of rustic elegance.

This 'Exclusivite - R. Leclair - Limoges France' teacup is subtle in it's details and is the type of piece that you may just completely miss unless it's picked up and handled. The details in the scalloped petals on the cup and saucer feel and look as if they'd been applied with strokes of oil paint on canvas to create a delicate but prominent texture. The pastel floral pattern on the cup and saucer are so luscious, soft and feminine. I love the demitasse cup as it gives this set an approachable but tasteful look.

This 'Cassidys Ltd. - Original Bridal Roseff - Made in Western Germany' teacup is truly styled for royalty. The gentle and fine painted rose branches that cover the body of the cup and saucer remind me of finely stitched embroidery and the almost minuscule gold design around the rims are like thin lace trim on a Victorian gown. One sweet surprise that is almost missed on the cup is the raised pattern on the handle that you can see in more detail when the cup is upside down.

This 'Classic Rose Collection - Rosenthal Group - Germany' teacup is so detailed and the white on white embossing is incredibly intricate. The embossed rose branch design is so complex and doesn't follow the same pattern around the cup. The design looks as if it is dancing and floating, changing it's pattern as you turn the cup to see the whole pattern. While admiring this set, it transcends you into feeling petals along your skin and inhaling the sweet smell of a rose garden. The saucer actually has embossed designs of picket fences as you can see in the photos below, which just enhance the experience of feeling like you're in a garden and the saucer's rim looks as if pearls have been strung along it. The more you handle this piece, the more you want to just stare at it and take in everything it has to offer.

Thanks for reading and I hope that you enjoyed my finds!

- Netti, The Vintage Teacup Lady