Featured Etsy Designer -- Mandy of MandolinGoose PLUS a giveaway!

Mandolin Goose is one of our favorite shops for our home on Etsy. Filled with upcycled goods we just love - from mirrors to frames - the designer loves to re-vamp her vintage finds and we love her for doing it. 

Meet Mandy of Mandolin Goose & fall in love with her Etsy shop!

{Mandolin Goose on Etsy}

{We paired this blue mirror with our collection of milk glass vases}

{1} What made you begin your shop?

Initially, my Etsy shop was a way to whittle down some of the many, many vintage items I've collected over the last 20 years. Then I found myself collecting more (it's an addiction!), and would often spot an item that could use some sprucing up, with some paint, or another alteration, and ta-da! It was new all over again, but still with some of the original character. I certainly can't keep every item I work with, so I sell them, and it helps support my collecting habit.

{2} What is your favorite item to upcycle? 

The frames are probably my favorite, because there are so many different styles and shapes, and once they've been dressed up, or painted and distressed, they're so versatile. They look great in a grouping with similar items, or mismatched for a more eclectic feel. I like to place them on the mantle with an assortment of candles for a look that can easily be changed... seasonally or for a particular theme.

{English Tin, $10}

{3} What are some of your other favorite Etsy shops? 

Wow, there are so many! I really like waterpath, vintagespecial, yystudio, sushipot, WearableArtz, and poordogfarm... and 1000 more! I bought a great netbook case from freemoment. There are so many talented Etsians. Personally, I love textiles, knit items, original art, vintage anything, and so many sellers will do custom work, which makes the Etsy experience even more amazing.

{Vintage Faux Wicker Mirror in a super-FAB pink, $14}

{4} What inspires your work? 

My inspiration depends on what I'm working on, really. It may be the shape of the item, if it's to be upcycled, and pairing that with a modern color will really make it pop. I'm often inspired by textures, color, character, or the "personality" of the piece. When I work with paper, I tend to choose vintage illustrations, and unusual text, often in a foreign language. I love mathematical text, too, as I'm a bit of a math geek. I've been a casual artist all my life, and always have at least a few projects going on at once, and there's still so many crafts I want to try, and media I'd like to work with. I've also got The Sillymobile, my car, that's an ongoing project that I hope is never finished. In addition to my many hobbies/crafts, I'm fortunate to have a profession (chef) where I'm able to express my creativity.

{Mandy's car, otherwise known as Sillymobile}

{5} What is up next for you?

I've started making jewelry, and have an Etsy shop for that at SplendidLulu.Etsy.com. It's a small collection so far, but I'm having fun! I'm also getting into doing more work with vintage ephemera, another passion of mine... Etsy shop for that soon to follow. I have too many hobbies!

{We also added in a set of Mandolin Goose vintage scones for  a slash of color}

Lovin' Madolin Goose? Check out their shop on Etsy and make them a favorite. In the meantime, check out the FABulous giveaway below. We are giving one cupcakeMAG reader a chance to win our current favorite in the shop! 

{WIN THESE BELOW!} currently our fave in the shop!


{THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED. CONGRATS TO KAITLYN M. FOR WINNING. 
YOU HAVE BEEN EMAILED!}

Featured Etsy Designer -- Ashley, The Vntage Queen -- Plus a giveaway!

Coming across this Etsy shop changed our life. Okay, maybe it didn't really change our life but it certainly made it just a little bit more amazing! Ashley, the super-sweet Queen of Vintage is one of the nicest people we have ever worked with and we just can't stress that enough. She adores her customers and wants everyone to be happy when they shop at the Vntage Queen. We are so excited to share this shop with you and the beyond FABulous lady behind it! Read on to get all the details on the shop we have fallen in love with -- plus, win $50 to get your shop on! 

{1} Tell us a little about yourself, the true Vntage Queen. 

My name is Ashley!  I am a mother, full time college student, girlfriend and Etsian. I am a US Navy Veteran!  I served 4 years and was aboard two Destroyers, USS Stout and USS Gonzalez.  And yes did the whole 6-month out to sea bit! I am back in school for a second time!  It is quite a bit different being older (and yes wiser) and being a mother!  I originally planned to become an Earth Science teacher.  With all of the nation wide cuts lately, I have decided to follow my dream and become an Interior Designer.  Thanks to my Etsy shop, I now have the confidence to know I can do it and be great! 

I have always loved Interior Design.  I used to play Sims just so I could create and decorate the house!

I am a mother to Brianna (who I call Boopy), a cute and sassy little 4 year old!  She is amazing and a genius, literally.  My favorite part of the day is taking her with me on errands and she asks the most random person if they want to talk about dinosaurs.  She then will go on about every detail she knows (which is quite a bit).  She amazes me!

I am a girlfriend to my soul mate, Jeffrey.  He is so amazing!  He too is a veteran, Marine Corp.  Which I think helps us click better. We just get one another!  He is also a full-time college student and is Civil Service for the Air Force.

Jeffrey is super supportive and expects nothing from me.  He puts no pressure overhead just gives me room to grow.  I couldn’t ask for a better partner! 

{2} Where do you find the items in your shop? Flea markets, yard sales? We are dying to know where you score such awesome vintage treasures? 

I travel all over the state to find my goodies (as I call them).  I have three favorite places that I frequent each week.  Two are thrift stores and another is an antique shop.  The key to finding great vintage is staying away from big name and over browsed thrift stores.   It’s the hole in the wall, maybe in a not so great part of town places that have the treasures! 

I also love flea markets.  The flea markets in the country are the best!  You usually have the sweetest little lady that call you sugah, or honey! 

{Ashley's own wall of art collection}

{3} What made you decide to start a vintage shop on Etsy? 

I stumbled upon Etsy one day when I was researching an item I purchased.  Checked out a few stores and said, wow I can do this!  I have a collection of vintage items at home that all of friends have asked, “where in the world did you find this?” So I knew I could find great vintage pieces for a shop.  It was perfect timing too with being in school.  I didn’t want to work, but wanted a little extra spending money and voila, there you have Vntage Queen. 

{4} Do you have any personal faves in the shop currently? We do! All of them! 

Oh goodness, where do I begin?  Hold on, let me browse….

I absolutely love my goddess cocktail glasses.  I just think they are so different and amazing!  And my Moschino Cheap and Chic velvet skirt!  The pictures just do not do that piece justice.  It is amazing!

My two all time favorite pieces have sold though, the Lucite Pyramids and the Mid Century Horse lamp. Those are the two that I second-guess myself about selling. 

{cupcakeMAG fave: Fabulously Ornate Brass Candle Sticks, $38}

{5} What are your favorite Etsy shops?

I just recently ordered a bracelet from monpetitchouboutique.  It is super cute, nicely made and was packaged in the cutest box.  I also have a dinosaur necklace (thanks to my daughter and boyfriend) from ANORIGINALJEWELRY.  It is super cute!

My favorite vintage shops would be AMradio, fabulousmess, experimentalvintage, shavingkitsuppplies, and littlebyrdvintage.  And many more!  There are some really great Vintage shops on Etsy. 

{You may notice this Milk Glass Vase from our Birthday Feature on Pizzazzerie.com, $12}

{6} How would you describe your own personal decorating style at home? 

I like a neutral background with pops of uniqueness.  I want to be able to change with the seasons, with my mood or if I find a piece that is so amazing I need to redecorate to build around it. And I love pops of color!  I lean more towards Hollywood Regency and Oriental pieces for myself.

{All Things Vntage Queen}

Etsy Shop

Twitter

Now, it is your lucky day! cupcakeMAG readers have a chance to win $50 to the Vntage Queen. Read on to enter and start marking your favorites now!