etsy – My Friend Staci

Tabletop Topics

My fifth anniversary is coming up this weekend, so weirdly I have been thinking about dishes. I’ve been getting really into browsing Etsy in every moment of spare time. If I were getting married today, I would set up an Etsy registry and sign up for a bunch of pretty vintage china.

When Doug and I got married we registered for Crate and Barrel Aspen dinnerware, and I am still so happy with it. No chips, breaks, or anything in the past five years (knock on wood). We use it for two to three meals daily and have used it when large groups come over instead of buying (and subsequently throwing out) paper partyware. If something were to break I like knowing that they still carry it. I didn’t register for “fancy” china because honestly I wasn’t, and still really am not, a “fine china” person. But I was so ill-informed. I didn’t know all the options out there! Still, I probably wouldn’t use it. But… my collector side begs to differ. Now, I just want to have an amazing, colorful, retro, collection to gaze at 24/7. The struggle!

The good thing is that my white set can mix and match with anything! Especially these patterns which I am totally crushing on.

Villeroy and Bosch, Acapulco (’83-’91)

This is it. This is the one. I am sure of it. Those prices, though! This would be an amazing thing to get pieces of here and there and build up a set over time. Hint, hint; family and friends. More drool worthy pieces here on Etsy.

Studio Nova, Hi-Fi (’85-’87)

I passed up a set of this at Goodwill a couple of years ago and to this day I regret it! (Stereo would be an OK one too but Hi-Fi has that special something!) Check out more pieces here. This similar pattern is cool too.

Figgjo Lotte

This set is not as bright and vivid as the two patterns above but the cute little people on them get me every time. They are so adorable and I love the Scandinavian flair! Shop Figgjo on Etsy.

Honorable mention: Fiestaware. Every time I dine somewhere that uses Fiestaware I want to go out and buy up a huge mix and match bunch and serve all my food on the bright and fresh colors.

Did you register for fine (or not so fine) china? Are you still in love with your pattern, or has your taste evolved over time? Do you know any patterns I need to check out? Let me know in the comments :)

Vintage in the Kitchen

Working at a cooking retailer, and selling vintage kitchen items on Etsy, I seem to have kitchen wares on the brain at all times (just ask any of my family members!), so I’ve decided to share a bit on the blog. I’m pulling together some kitchen-related gift registry tips for next week, but I don’t want to overlook the specialness of bringing something vintage or antique into the kitchen for a sweet and eclectic look.

Plus, this little project gave me an excuse to get out some of my Etsy shop items and try them out staged together in harmony… To be honest I love the look of all these pieces together!

Vintage in the Kitchen

Vintage lovers, did you know you can create a gift registry on Etsy, in addition to the old standard big-box stores? I highly recommend it–using vintage items is so eco-friendly! What’s the second “R,” after all? Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! While new things are always nice, like a brand new set of pots and pans, for example, you can register for some kitchen standards like a cast-iron dutch oven, which has not changed in design or manufacturing process for decades. Other things are fun, too like kitchen canisters or ice cream dishes.

Vintage in the Kitchen

The thing about iconic brands like Pyrex is that they have been around for ages for a reason–their glass is durable and high-quality! These canisters are up for sale in my Etsy shop but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t covet them for my own kitchen.

Vintage in the Kitchen

Le Creuset cast iron wares, or Pyrex and Corning casserole dishes are all-stars for a reason when it comes to pretty designs and functionality. Getting your paws on one can be as easy as raiding your mother’s kitchen (which is what I did), combing through the shelves at Goodwill, or let someone do the hunting and cleaning for you–grab it on Etsy. Remember that Etsy purchases directly affect someone’s income–a fact I know from experience! I am just a casual seller but when I get a little extra cash from one of my sales it can make my whole week! Some people spend all their time and energy on their shop and in fact make it a full-time job. What a dream! Small-business at its finest.

Vintage in the Kitchen

And just so this post doesn’t totally sound like an advertisement for my shop in particular, here are some amazing Etsy sellers I’ve been stalking for a while:

Object of Beauty – Mid-century/Danish items

Franc & Francis – Global vintage home items

YASTK – Global inspired pillows and textiles

Petite Copine

Sorry for the radio silence earlier this week! I have been busy, busy, busy taking product shots and accomplishing a goal I have had for quite some time now… setting up a little Etsy shop!

I had been racking my brain to come up with a cute name. Etsy shops have the reputation of being quirky and cute, and I wanted a name that would fit the bill. I’d been fixated on names like “Something & Something” since the ampersand is so hip right now, but when “Petite Copine” floated through my mind I knew it felt right. The phrase means “girlfriend” in French. It’s French without being too foreign, and fits the cute qualification. Plus, it makes me smile when I see it, and that is the important part.

I always knew that I would love to sell vintage goodies, but I never knew that taking product shots and writing descriptions would be so much… FUN! Yes, it is a lot of work, too, which is why I skipped a blog post on Wednesday. I have had a huge learning curve with taking super-up-close shots, using natural light (on a cloudy day), and telling the story of each item in a straight-forward but still creative and attractive way.

Check out some of my favorite listings…

I recently had the opportunity to photograph the pink depression glass that I’ve written about here before, and I am in the process of editing those photos right now. I do have some cool mid-century goodies up on the shop right now, and I invite you to take a look!

When it comes to vintage stuff, especially useful vintage stuff, I love the idea of someone buying to collect, but even moreseo someone buying it to use. Every piece in my shop right now still has been around for decades, and still has decades of use left in it! “They” always say “they don’t make ____ like they used to!” Well, this is how they used to make things–and these items are searching for their new kitchen home.

Additionally, I am offering all My Friend Staci readers 10% off in the store with coupon code MFSBLOG10. Go ahead and click over!

Nothing in my store speak to you? Well, poke your head in over at one of my besties’ store, Tree Cricket, and see if you have any luck there. :)

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