Jorpins Vintage on Etsy

Now that the renovation is finished (or as finished as these things ever are), and we're pretty well settled back in Australia, I've been turning my mind and my time to some new projects. One of which is Jorpins Vintage - my new store on Etsy where I sell retro goodness. 

Channelling my love of all things mid-century I'm focussing on the 1950s through to the 1970s. Each piece is selected for its good looks and excellent condition. I won't list anything with chips or cracks. I have a rigorous quality control team on board (ie. me).

Currently I'm selling kitchen and dining ware, plus a vase or two, but I will also be listing some amazing vintage frocks in the coming months. The number of items in stock right now is slowly growing, so make sure you add Jorpins Vintage to your favourites!

New! Flora Postcards! + Sale! Ends Soon!

Due to my blanket Twitter and Facebook coverage of these things you're probably already aware but just in case there's a few of you that have missed the news - above is the result of something I've been working on for a little while, and something I'm rather pleased with. Flora notecards are now available in my Jorpins Handmade shop on Etsy - only US $5.50 for a set of three (there's eight different sets to chose from). 

And to make room for more stock like this I'm having a one week only massive half price sale on a bunch of stuff! There are so many great bargains to be had (including moleskine notebooks at ridiculous prices!). 

Once the sale ends on Sunday evening, all this sale stock will dissappear from my store forever, never to return! So if you like the look of something grab it now while you still can! 

UPPERCASE : Stationery Around The World (Yay!)

Issue 17 of UPPERCASE came out recently which was rather exciting for two reasons: One, it's an entire issue dedicated to stationery (swoon!). And two, I contributed to it! I wrote a little piece on South Korean stationery for the 'around the world' feature, and took a bunch of photos of my (ever growing) stationery stash! Yay! 

UPPERCASE is one of my absolute favourite magazines. It's always full of ace things made by interesting and inspiring people, and it's beautifully produced - the paper stock (a magazine needs to feel good in your hands, don't you think?), the fonts, the layouts.  So I was kind of overjoyed to be asked to contribute something. It was also a good reminder that I should get involved more often - it really is a magazine that thrives on the input of their readers. Maybe you might want to participate too? 

I'm yet to get my hands on a copy but from all the previews I've seen it looks like a pretty amazing issue (there's a copy waiting for me when I head to Melbourne later this month, can't wait to see it!). You can read a bit more about the issue here. Oh, and if you're looking to subscribe or renew I have a code for $10 off - just get in touch and I'll pass it on.

(with thanks to Beci, aka sister of awesome aka proof reader extraordinaire!)

New listings + Discount (yay!) + North Korea (boo!)

I've finally found some time to list a few new goodies in the Jorpins Handmade shop - pom pom gift tags (these are so happy and bright) and the lovely sakura mini cards (featuring Japanese fabric sakura against a textured paper background). 

And in celebration of the new additions (and in a nod to current world events) I'm offering a 15% discount on the entire shop - just use the code  SEAOFFIRE at checkout. If shipping is disrupted by resumption of the Korean War I'll let you know. 

But seriously...I am a bit over all the hyped-up reporting on Korea right now. Everyday I see headlines shouting about Korea being on the 'brink of nuclear war', when often the article that follows is actually quite a measured, balanced assessment. It's unsettling for me, and it's especially unsettling for my family back in Australia. 

Seoul is very calm right now (apparently so is Pyongyang). But yes, people are concerned. They may have been through this all before but this time there's a few differences which are a little unnerving. But - people are going about their daily lives, and the vast majority of South Koreans don't believe a war is likely. 

I think Andrei Lankov nailed it in this op-ed when he says 'the farther one is from the Korean Peninsula, the more one will find people worried about the recent developments here'. That's not to say there isn't a risk that it's all going to go pear shaped, and that I'm perfectly relaxed about the whole thing. I'm not, but I still believe that an attack by North Korea is incredibly unlikely (all of their war rhetoric thus far is prefaced by 'if you attack us...then we will turn Seoul into a sea of fire etc'). And  anyway, this article reassuringly suggests that if they do attack statistically there'll only be about 200 non-Chinese foreigner casualties. (No mention of dachshund casualties though.) 

I could go on and on - I've been reading a LOT of news and opinion lately - but I won't bore you anymore than I already have. Right now we're all waiting for North Korea's 'imminent' missile test. I'm not sure what that's going to bring, but for now things are good. Well, aside from the Spring sleet/snow, that totally sucks!

So...back to the Etsy pretties!

Inside Out : Yay!

One of my absolute favourite magazines in the whole wide world is Inside Out. It's full of gorgeous interiors and arty crafty people, and it always manages to strike the perfect balance between inspiring and doable. I've been reading it for years and it was one of the few survivors when I was culling my (many) magazine subscriptions last year...

...So you can imagine how ridiculously excited I am to have Good Things* mentioned in the April issue, in the '6 blogs to bookmark' section! Hooray! Hurrah! Yippee! Thank you Inside Out! And thank you My Poppet for letting me know via Instagram!

ps. The husband nearly fell on the floor when he saw the 'busy' bit. This was not helped by the fact that he'd just popped home at midday (a quick breather in between a 7am and 7pm meeting) and found me still in my pyjamas. 

ps. Just to clarify - whilst I may have been in my pyjamas, I hadn't just got out of bed. I'd been terribly busy all morning, tweeting and Instagraming and figuring out how I could get to the ProBlogger Training Event this year. I think I may have paid a bill too...so...

ps. Also - doesn't the cover look gorgeous? That rug! Can't wait for my copy to make its way to Seoul!

There's lots of new stuff listed in The Great Good Things Garage Sale (and there's lots of new things still to come too!). There's this little piece of vintage happiness, these amazing patent leather sling backs, and lots of lovely Uniqlo x Orla Kiely scarfs (they are nice and light - perfect for between seasons). 

Don't forget shipping is just US $20 no matter how many items you spend (I may have to raise it to US $30 come January, so you might want to think about putting some goodies in your cart now). 

Go, buy all the things!

Photo gift tags + Polkadot notebooks : New in the shop!

I've been beavering away in the paper workshop (aka my dining room table) and as a result have two new products in the Etsy shop which I'm rather pleased with. Above is the new photo gift tags - my photos, blown up and turned into fun / abstract / pretty present toppers. Below is the new hand stamped polkadot notebooks. What do you think?

Attention all discerning shoppers! I have exciting news! I'm having a massive (and I mean massive!) wardrobe clean out, which means you get a chance to buy some awesome stuff at some awesome prices! And feel good about it all because you're not adding to land fill! Hurrah! 

There are designer finds, stuff from the local markets, Uniqlo gems. There are belts, heels, frocks, knits and even the odd item for your loyal hound. There are things I've never worn (like this dress and these shoes), and treasured items I've barely worn but have hung on to forever because I love them so very much (like these stunners). And this is only the beginning people, I'll be listing new stuff constantly over the next few months! I'll be doing monthly updates of what's new on here, but you might want to bookmark the shop so you can check back when you want.

A few things to know: I'm keeping shipping costs low - a flat rate of US $20 no matter how much you buy, and this is tracked shipping too! And because I'm listing so many items I am not including measurements, but if you want more information about fit, sizing or condition just shoot me an email (jorpins_blog [at] yahoo.com.au) and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. 

Go, shop away my friends!

What I Wore : Etsy About Page

If you're an Etsy seller you'll no doubt be aware that some time back they introduced a new feature - the 'About' page. Basically it's a space that lets you tell potential customers a little more about who you are, what you make, and how/where you make it. So a little while ago, before the crazy travel times really got started, I put together my about page. I'm quite pleased with how it all turned out (you can have a look here). 

In the shots of me (which were taken with a self timer whilst my camera was balanced precariously on the kitchen bench) I'm wearing one of my favourite dresses from Sydney shop of awesome made590 (alas, they no longer sell this one, but they do have lots of other great stuff...). The white belt is from Zara.

Good Things...

Kicking off another batch of good things with the heart-stoppingly awesome Uniqlo x mt collaboration. Uniqlo is a prolific collaborator, and they tend to find some pretty great companies and people to work with, but I think this kicks it to a whole new level. Look at those prints! Look at those colours! 

Unsurprisingly I've been a little swamped with t-shirt requests from my Australian friends and family, but I'm only too happy to oblige - got to make the most of Asian shopping while we're here! (Oh, and if you're buying these in Japan apparently each tee comes with a roll of tape!)

Next up is the fabulously inspiring book Street Photography Now. I've been increasingly obsessed with street photography over the past year or so, and have recently even plucked up the nerve to try my hand at it. Street Photography Now offers a great introduction to some of the best photographers working the streets right now, as well as a bit of an overview as to how the art has evolved over the years. Not only is it chock full of witty, poignant, beautiful street scenes but it also contains a number of essays which I'm loving reading. 

The first essay 'Stare, Pry, Listen, Eavesdrop' discusses the legal and moral issues of the art, and provides some insight in to the mind of a street photographer - it's reassuring to read that most practitioners feel some degree of nervousness about shooting strangers. I also liked that Nils Jorgensen often won't 'look at my street photographs for many months after taking them - years even - only coming back to them when I want to and feel its right'. Hey, if it works for him... 

(There has been some angst around how sources are cited in this book - it does have a list of further reading/blogs at the back but doesn't directly cite sources for quotes - but I get SO excited about all the creative possibilities every time I look at it, I'm kind of turning a blind eye to that...)

Then we have the artistic stylings of Lena Wolff - an 'interdisciplinary' artist whose influences include folk art, American craft traditions and the natural world. She works largely with paper, but often treats it in the manner of fabric, with references to textile art and quilt making in her work. All of which adds up to awesome. The work above ('Night Flowering Tree') is a paper collage, and the one below ('Mariner's Compass') is a piece of precisely drilled wood over a light box filled with hundreds of tiny light bulbs - amazing huh?

It's been out for awhile but Jon Klassen's kids book 'I want my hat back' is so very good it has to be a part of this post. It's not just his fabulous, personality packed illustrations - it's one of the funniest picture books I've ever seen (possibly even surpassing 'The Happy Hocky Family' in sly hilarity). And no, I do not have young children (and the dogs don't read), but this doesn't stop me from enjoying books for young children (or movies, for that matter). Also, in other Jon Klassen news, he's done the cover for the current issue of UPPERCASE. Nice one.

And lastly, a little dose of blatant self promotion - after a hiatus of several months Jorpins Handmade on etsy is re-open! Hurrah! The card above is one of the new range of photo note cards that I'll be listing over the coming days. I'm quite pleased with how they turned out - what do you think? There's also note books and gift / party favour tags (more tags in new colours coming next week!), and some push pins, magnets and more in the works... Exciting times!

New in the shop...

I have so many blog posts floating about in my head at the moment, but I just can't seem to find the time to actually put any of them together, which is rather frustrating.  But never mind, because what's not frustrating is that I finally figured out how to make my own banners and avatars and what not (thanks picnik!).  So you might have noticed I've been playing around a bit with this blog a bit, and with the graphics for Jorpins, my Etsy shop.  

Plus I finally got around to making and listing the stencil note cards that some of you saw a sneak preview of on Instagram an age ago.  At the moment I've got three sets in the shop 'Happy' (the one above), 'Hello' and 'Love'.  I'm pretty happy with how they turned out - they look even better in real life I think!

New in the shop! Plus, I need your help...

Hello!  How is everything going?  Are you enjoying the guest blog posts?  Found some new favourite blogs yet? Well, whilst I'm lying in the sun poolside neck deep in gelato and with some sort of fruity alcoholic drink in my hand rising at 5 each morning to do yoga and spending my days visiting culturally and historically significant sites across Europe, I thought I'd give you a little update on my Etsy shop!  Introducing the groovy new layered flower range!  The gift tags above are my favourite so far, I can't wait to make some more of those.  And I think the cards have turned out pretty sweet too.

But here's where I need your help!  I am not so good at describing my products and I'd really like to give this range/design a name but I have no idea what to call it or how to describe it without sounding like a total loon/loser.  So please!  Any suggestions, adjectives, names you might be able to throw at me would be so very helpful...brain storm away my friends!