A look back on some vintage favorites

I've found and sold some pretty great vintage items in the past three years through my etsy shop, Natural Home.  Here is a look back at some of my favorite vintage electronic finds.  See some of my current vintage offerings here.

#1: Westclock Baby Ben, circa 1960s.  Its classic styling and sturdy construction add to the overall charm.  Gotta love that vintage font!  This clock sold to a vintage enthusiast in Bozeman, Montana.

#2: Jade Pocket Transistor Radio, circa 1960s.  Another great example of midcentury industrial design, the little red knob sets it off nicely.  In a world of complicated technology, a small transistor radio stands as a great example of simplicity in design.  This one went to a lucky guy in Ft Lauderdale, Florida. Here is a more recent pocket sized model from GE.

#3: Kodak Instamatic Camera, circa 1960s.  Kodak revolutionized and easy film loading system with the Instamatic.  I love the white against the brushed metal.  The camera now resides in West Hollywood, California.  Here is a later version of the Instamatic I found.

#4: Panasonic R-159 Transistor Radio.  This was a great find, in mint condition.  The leather case is the finishing touch on this AM-only Panasonic radio.  Again, what beautiful design making a functional object stand out.  A lucky guy in Providence, Rhode Island received this radio for Christmas.

#5: Mercury Satellite Box Camera circa 1964 is heavily influenced by the space technology of the time.  With its sleek, shiny aluminum and grey bakelite, it makes for a great accessory on a bookshelf.  The Mercury camera shipped to Tuscon, Arizona.  See more vintage cameras here.

#6: Signature Typewriter in Robin's Egg Blue circa late 1960s.  Don't you love the color combination on this typewriter?  It was manufactured in Nagoya, Japan in the late 60s, and weighed a ton.  I shipped it off to Milford, Connecticut.

Hunting for vintage items is always exciting, I never know what I will find next.  Stay tuned for more exciting finds in the future!

The Island of Handmade Toys

Are you in the thick of shopping for the perfect holiday toys? I've been wading through the unfamiliar territory of boys toys for my four nephews, feeling very out of my element. Coming from a family of four girls, I am far more comfortable in the pink glow of the Barbie section, but am learning more about Wii accessories, Transformers, and Thomas the Train.

Walking through the aisles, everything starts to look the same. In the sea of licensed toys it's become a rare phenomenon to find unique gifts for children that exhibit true design and artistry. When I was little my grandmother made me a beautiful handmade doll which I treasured for years. The art of handmade children's toys may seem all but lost, but wait! Enter Rachel Linquist, creator of Hen and Chick. Rachel's handmade children's toys and soft sculptures range from cuddly to art sculpture, utilizing recycled materials in creative and unexpected ways. Here are some of my favorites from her Etsy shop:

Rachel's heirloom dolls stand out, each doll is unique, each face is hand-painted. This is her favorite part of the process, when the dolls really come to life!

Hen and Chick's robot collection is a long time favorite, each face is unique, and the zippers are a great touch!

For the animal lovers, these large plushies are made from vintage and recycled materials. They look great sitting on a bed or sofa:

Think dolls are just for kids? Hen and Chick specializes in Art Dolls, from Hansel and Gretel, to Amelie, and Edgar Allen Poe!

Are you inspired to find that perfect handmade gift for the kiddos in your life? A handcrafted doll or soft sculpture from artists like Hen and Chick will be a unique and unforgettable present for your little one to open on Christmas morning!

Ikea Love

I would be embarrassed to tell you how many trips I've made to Ikea since our location opened here in Denver this past July. For me, it is a magical land of affordable design (which is best enjoyed on weekday evenings to avoid the crazy crowds). Anyway, I have enjoyed their holiday decorations, and wanted to share them with you. Here are a few of my favorites:

These star pendants are so cozy and would be welcoming in a front window.

I am always a sucker for amaryllis, real or faux.

Leave it to the Swedes to come up with the perfect small Christmas tree:

And some lacy ornaments for the tree:

How about some bearded Santas?

What are some of your favorite Christmas decorations for this time of year?