Thursday, June 2, 2011

Member Interview & Giveaway: Sweet Shop Vintage

VKC: Tell us a bit about yourself and your shop.
Jeannie: I am 31 years old and I live in the Detroit, MI area.  I am married to a great guy and I have two children- Bobby,2 and Catherine, 10.  We just moved from the city to the country and the house we are in actually used to be a barn.  I love gardening, cooking, doing arts and crafts with my kids, children's books, art, movies, traveling and learning.  I have a degree in elementary ed. and I taught preschool and Kindergarten for a few years before becoming a stay at home mom.  I am really interested in Montessori education and I try to do Montessori inspired activities with my kids. 
VKC: Why are you drawn to vintage?  
Jeannie: I am not just drawn to vintage.  I am pretty well obsessed with vintage!  It began probably when I was in high school.  I would pick up a vintage purse or other accessory here and there.  I have always been into interior decorating and even as a teenager I liked to spend lots of time collecting, rearranging and decorating with found objects.  Over the past few years, I have been collecting vintage like crazy.  I am an avid thrift shopper and I can hardly pass up a great vintage find.  Starting my etsy shop allowed me to pick up vintage items I don't have a need for so I can admire them and pass them on to others who will love them.  I think I am drawn to vintage because I love to imagine the history of a piece based on it's use, where I found it, where it was made and what was going on in the world during that time period.  I also love the quality of vintage items relative to many of the mass-market items of today.  I also adore the fact that many vintage items, particularly garments are almost one of a kind!
 
VKC: Where do you find your treasures?  
Jeannie: I live in a great area for vintage.  I have a couple dozen resale shops within a 30 mile radius of where I live.  I am particularly fond of garage and rummage sales.  I occasionally stop by an estate sale if it's not too much out of the way.  I often find estate sales to be a little stressful though, with large crowds and high prices.  I often like to use my thrifting time as my relaxing "me" time and I love a bargain!  My husband and I like to take a weekend away when we can and take our time to reach our destination- taking secondary roads as often as possible, often discovering small towns with antiques for sale and interesting people to meet.
 
VKC: What is your process when working?  
Jeannie: I think that no matter what I am doing at any particular time, I always have an underlying awareness of the space and objects around me- the colors, shapes, textures and how things are working together.  Things in the environment really jump out at me if they are visually pleasing to me in some way.  For this reason, I really love digging for treasures in boxes of "junk" and sorting through racks and racks of clothing to find one or two amazing pieces of children's clothing.  When I uncover a vintage gem or two, it brings me joy!  I love to share my treasures with my husband, children and friends.  My son is my little vintage fashionista (see above photo).  Both my daughter and my son are my thrifting buddies and my husband is very supportive of my addiction!
 
VKC: How do you promote your business?  
Jeannie: Honestly, that is something I need to work on!
VKC: What do you do when you are not creating/working?  
Jeannie: When I am not working on the domestic end of my life, I love working on my etsy shop and vice versa!  I do also enjoy reading a good novel, watching old and new films, drinking microbrews, walking and bike riding.
VKC: What is your favorite item in your shop or that you have sold and why?  
Jeannie: I have so many favorite items that it's impossible to name just one.  A recent favorite that just sold are these amazing knit girl's bellbottoms by Healthtex.  I think they were in my shop for only a day before they sold.  They had the most spectacular 70s partridge print on them.  It is so hard to find vintage children's pants, especially ones like these so I was pretty elated when I found them.

 
VKC: How do you juggle your business and your personal life/motherhood?  
Jeannie: My children love thrifting like their mommy!  We tend to drop off a lot of old books and toys at the back door of resale shops and go around to the front door to buy replacements.  When I go out by myself to do grocery shopping and errands, I plan my thrifting route depending on where I'm headed.  I work on my shop when my two year old is napping and after both kids are in bed for the night.  It is the perfect job for a stay at home mom!
GIVEAWAY
Jeannie is so kind to offer a GIVEAWAY for a 
 $20 Gift Certificate to Sweet Shop Vintage
Enter to win by visiting Sweet Shop Vintage and leaving a comment on this post letting us know your favorite item.
OTHER WAYS TO ENTER:
(Leave a separate comment for each one!)
  1. Become a follower of the VKC blog (along the right sidebar).
  2. Blog about this giveaway and comment with the link. 
  3. Become a follower of the Sweet Shop Vintage Blog
  4. Follow VKC on Facebook.
  5. Subscribe to the VKC via RSS or email (along the right sidebar). 
  6. Visit another member shop and let us know your favorite item (one comment per shop visited).
Giveaway ends Sunday, June 5th at midnight (EST). 
GOOD LUCK!

147 comments:

  1. added to my blog roll! always love finding new vintage mama blogs! i am sad i missed those bellbottoms! they are aaaamazing!

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  2. One of my favorites is the vintage eight piece Humpty Dumpty toy dish set. So cute; reminds me of a set I had as a child.
    Snowflake Day Play at gmail dot com

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  3. email subscriber
    Snowflake Day Play at gmail dot com

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  4. I also visited Manatee's Toy Box and I like the yellow vintage handbag with the decoupaged daisies.

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  5. From Oliver's Forest, I like the vintage Farmer Says See N' Say. I had that exact one when I was little. I played with that SO much!

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  6. From Ivy Loves Jack's shop, I like the sunny yellow vintage cot sheet.

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  7. At Lullaby Rain Vintage, I like the "Have You Seen a Giraffe Hat" children's book.

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  8. At the Young Team, I like the brown vintage corduroy toddler jacket.

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  9. From Teeny Vintage, I like the red vintage handmade floral dress with the ruffle bottom.

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  10. LOVE the giraffe lamp!

    elizabethglassturner (at) gmail (dot) com

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  11. subscriber :)

    elizabethglassturner (at) gmail (dot) com

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  12. My favorite item is Vintage Framed Bird Illustration

    gogunia3(at)wp(dot)pl

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  13. GFC follower of this blog (Katarzyna)

    gogunia3(at)wp(dot)pl

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  14. GFC follower of the Sweet Shop Vintage Blog (Katarzyna)

    gogunia3(at)wp(dot)pl

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  15. I love the vintage seltzer bottle!! I have a penchant for all things metal.
    My hubby and I used to (b4 kiddos) just take off driving on weekends and stop at every roadside junk shop!!! That is so relaxing!!

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  16. Oh man, the giraffe nursery lamp is so cool!! I LOVE the Sweet Shop and I've been following the blog as you know...

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  17. I love the Vintage Metal Skirt Hanger.

    kiddomsg at gmail dot com

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  18. I follow this blog.

    kiddomsg at gmail dot com

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  19. http://www.etsy.com/listing/62036238/vintage-faux-bois-and-lace-metal-tray
    is a great item.
    jhbalvin at gmail dot com

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  20. I follow this blog as jhb
    jhbalvin at gmail dot com

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  21. I get your emails
    jhbalvin at gmail dot com

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  22. i love the little brown dresses you have in your shop right now! so cute.

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  23. I love the little size 4 trench,coat, and I think my daughter would, too!

    hrfarley at gmail dot com

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  24. The Dog Ballet Tray still brings a smile to my face!

    yumihamano@gmail.com

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  25. GFC follower, thanks for the lovely giveaway.

    yumihamano@gmail.com

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  26. Email subscriber, thank you.

    yumihamano@gmail.com

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  27. Check this out at 3 Ring Circus on Etsy, this so cheerful Hawaiian outfit is simply perfect for Summer!

    http://www.etsy.com/listing/74667686/vintage-childrens-3-piece-hawaiian

    yumihamano@gmail.com

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  28. My fave is the Vintage Black Metal rack
    fastkat at gmail dot com

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  29. What a great shop! I really love the Vintage Handmade Wooden Barn. How cool that some dad or grandpa made that for the little farmer in his life. :)

    sleepachu at hotmail dot com

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  30. I'm a VKC blog follower.

    sleepachu at hotmail dot com

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  31. I also visited WonderlandToys and loved the Masters of the Universe Record Tote. My brothers and I used to watch He-Man when we were kids. I can just imagine how cool we would have felt to have been able to carry our records around in that tote!

    sleepachu at hotmail dot com

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  32. I'm offically obsessed with the Vintage French Telephone Shaped Transistor Radio!!!
    lacquerlipstick[at]gmail[dot]com

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  33. Followed your blog!
    (Juliana*)
    lacquerlipstick[at]gmail[dot]com

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  34. Joined/Followed Sweet Shop Vintage Blog!!
    lacquerlipstick[at]gmail[dot]com

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  35. Following you on FB! (Juliana B.)
    lacquerlipstick[at]gmail[dot]com

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  36. I love the Child's Lap Blanket with the retro Moda fabric over at lillysmom07 (Where the Mermaids Murmur). :)

    sleepachu at hotmail dot com

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  37. Oh, and I LOVE the Vintage 50's Buster Brown Dress - 3T over at Eadie's Elephants. So cute! :)

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  38. I like the vintage Faux Bois Storage Box. Thanks for the chance into this giveaway.

    unforgetable_dreamer_always (at) hotmail (dot) com

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  41. 3 Ring Circus: <333 the vintage toddler girl floral short outfit!! How precious is that??

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  42. littlereadervintage: <333 the Vintage "Sun Tans" Little White Sandals!! I love little baby shoes, so cute!

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  43. mybabyvintage: <333 the Vintage 80s Hasbro MY LITTLE PONY, Cherries Jubilee!! I used to play with My Little Pony ALL the time, I even had a stable haha :D

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  46. MissShapes: Really digging the Vintage 80s Amber Frames Eyeglasses!!
    lacquerlipstick[at]gmail[dot]com

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  47. rachelchayes: loving the Vintage Collection of Verde Pyrex set! The colors would go perfectly in my house :)
    lacquerlipstick[at]gmail[dot]com

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  48. dotsandloopsvintage: adore the Vintage Polly Pigtails Lingerie for the Younger Set! Reminds me of better days :)
    lacquerlipstick[at]gmail[dot]com

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  49. clementine's handmade: this headband is beyond precious: Little Red Flower and Black Baby Headband!

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  50. fuzzymama: I have an obsession with owls and this (Vintage owl napkin/mail holder) would look PERFECT on my dining room table!
    lacquerlipstick[at]gmail[dot]com

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  51. OhSydney: LOVE this sweater (Vintage Cream Lace Victorian Sweater) It's so delicate and beautiful !
    lacquerlipstick[at]gmail[dot]com

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  52. WOnderful!!!One of my favourite items is Vintage 1940s World Traveler Suitcase but I love lot of things!!!!

    Thanks for the chance!!
    cal_rubies at yahoo dot es

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  53. I love the Vintage Girl's Plaid Jumper
    mframe00@gmail.com

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  54. GFC blog follower- mframe00
    mframe00@gmail.com

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  55. I Follow VKC on Facebook.- Michelle Frame
    mfrane00@gmail.com

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  56. I love the fish paper plate holders! Jeanette at splendidthings.etsy.com

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  57. I love the vintage patchwork crib quilt.

    emtaylor98 at yahoo dot com

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  58. I follow.

    emtaylor98 at yahoo dot com

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  59. I love these http://www.etsy.com/listing/62828837/vintage-set-of-three-red-and-white

    rebatink(at)gmail(dot)com

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  60. I follow through GFC!
    rebatink(at)gmail(dot)com

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  61. At Binspired I like the vintage nautical dress!
    rebatink at gmail dot com

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  62. At Sweet Shop Vintage I like the patchwork crib quilt
    rebatink at gmail dot com

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  63. At Found VIntage Treasures I like the stories that never grow old book
    rebatink at gmail dot com

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  64. At Three Ring Circus I like the white baby boy nautical suit!
    rebtink at gmail dot com

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  65. At the vintage nursery I like the baby deck shoes!
    rebatink at gmail dot com

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  66. At Ediths closet I like the red balloons dress!
    rebatink at gmail dot com

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  67. At Clementines handmade I like the sweet cream headband!
    rebatink at gmail dot com

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  68. At Kid Wonder I like the striped overalls!
    rebatink at gmail dot com

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  69. I love your shop, Jeannie! You have a real knack for finding some amazing treasures. I want that Vintage Aqua Mid Century Childs Car Desk. So cool.

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  70. I am completely in love with the telephone shaped radio! Great shop :)

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  71. I follow your blog and am loving it :)

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  72. I follow Sweet Shop now too!

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  73. Prepare yourself - I decided to check out ALL of the member shops. They are all so wonderful :)

    Favorite from B. Inspired is: Tom Thumb Cash Register

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  74. Favorite from Oopsee Daisies is: All Around Us, the '40s environmental science book.

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  75. Favorite from 3 Ring Circus: the 60s paisley dress.

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  76. Favorite from Little Reader: Polka Dot Duck Romper

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  77. Favorite from My Baby Vintage: Smurfs

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  78. Favorite from The Vintage Nursery: Detective Coat

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  79. Favorite from Fuzzymama: Vintage navy blue coat

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  80. Favorite from Kyssa: floral garden dress

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  81. Favorite from Toys of the Past: Fisher Price camera

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  82. Favorite from Lishyloo: Mushrooms hot cocoa mugs

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  83. Favorite from Oh! Sydney: Spanish handcarved stool

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  84. Favorite from June-bugs: Baby Chick tennis sweater

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  85. Favorite from Where the Mermaids: Playground lap blanket

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  86. Favorite from MissShapes: medallion necklace

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  87. Favorite from Pretty Little: Animal ABC flashcards

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  88. Favorite from OK Happy Home: Pinstripe dress shorts with suspenders

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  89. Favorite from Goo Goo: Are You My Mother

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  90. Favorite from Mooies: Maroon Smocked Dress

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  91. Favorite from Rachel Hayes: Replogle Globe

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  92. Favorite from Miskabelly: Short Sleeve Ethnic Print Maternity Sweater

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  93. Favorite from Ellie Met Eli: Snoopy

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  94. Favorite from Dots and Loops: Boy Scouts Shirt

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  95. Favorite from Wonderland: Warner Brothers glasses

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  96. Favorite from Modern Design: N is for Nelson

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  97. Favorite from Eadie's: Eyelet dress

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  98. Favorite from emmapanda: happy frog outfit

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  99. Favorite from Kid Wonder: Children's Dictionary

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  100. Clementine's: funky flower outfit

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  101. Awesomely Adorable: fruit summer top

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  102. Young Team: Plastic Tea Set

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  103. Lullaby Rain: Lucky sew it yourself book

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  104. Ivy Jones: sunny yellow cot sheet

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  105. Olivers Forest: angel mobile

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  106. Manatee's: Wooden Owl mail holder

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  107. I love the colors and the shape of the Vintage Reversible Toddler Trapeze Jumper. That is so cute! ambrerose at(aol) dot(com)

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  108. I like the Vintage Pinto Car Emblem - unique.
    coreybrennan26@hotmail.com

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  109. email subscriber here
    coreybrennan26@hotmail.com

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  110. I really like the vintage orange footstool
    deals4me85(at)gmail(dot)com

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  111. i love the vintage knit rocking horse outfit jmmccarr@gmail.com

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  112. love this: http://www.etsy.com/listing/59245143/vintage-reversible-toddler-trapeze
    taraz9 at excite dot com

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  113. follow VKC blog
    taraz9 at excite dot com

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  114. from MissShapes: the Vintage 80s Amber Frames Eyeglasses are cute
    taraz9 at excite dot com

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  115. from Ivy Jones: i really like the sunny yellow cot sheet
    taraz9 at excite dot com

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  116. from Little Reader: the Polka Dot Duck Romper is adorable!
    taraz9 at excite dot com

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  117. From Oliver's Forest: the vintage Farmer Says See N' Say
    taraz9 at excite dot com

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  118. from the Young Team: I like the brown vintage corduroy toddler jacket
    taraz9 at excite dot com

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  119. from Eadie's Elephants: the Vintage 50's Buster Brown Dress - 3T
    taraz9 at excite dot com

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  120. from rachelchayes: love the Vintage Collection of Verde Pyrex set
    taraz9 at excite dot com

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  121. follow FB - tara e
    taraz9 at excite dot com

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  122. Such great stuff! Love this item: Vintage Pair of Midcentury Stacking Tables
    goldiez at hotmail dot com

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  123. follow VKC blog
    goldiez at hotmail dot com

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  124. Following Sweet Shop Vintage blog.
    goldiez at hotmail dot com

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  125. follow VKC on Facebook
    diana z
    goldiez at hotmail dot com

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  126. follow VKC feeds via RSS
    goldiez at hotmail dot com

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  127. from BInspired I liked: Vintage Tom Thumb Cash Register Toy
    goldiez at hotmail dot com

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  128. from Oopseedaisies I love Fisher Price Play Family Farm with Silo 1967
    goldiez at hotmail dot com

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  129. I love the A Pair of Vintage Wooden Plaques
    skklemm at gmail dot com

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  130. I love the two gingham metal trays. I already have a place where I could put them in my house!
    jesage@asu.edu

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  131. follow vkc on facebook
    Jessica Sage
    jesage@asu.edu

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  132. Gfc follow the sweet shop vintage blog
    Jessica Sage
    jesage@asu.edu

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  133. GFc follow the vkc blog
    Jessica Sage
    jesage@asu.edu

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  134. email subscriber
    jesage@asu.edu

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  135. I adore Vintage Canadian Songbirds Souvenir Plate!!!

    Thank you for the chance!

    ksyshenka(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  136. Following your blog via GFC!(ksyshenka)

    ksyshenka(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  137. I became a follower of the Sweet Shop Vintage Blog! (ksyshenka)

    ksyshenka(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  138. I like VKC on Facebook!

    (oksana vladimirovna)

    ksyshenka(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  139. E-mail subscriber!

    ksyshenka(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  140. I adore HOMCO Animals on Carousel Wall Hanging 70s from OopseeDaisies' shop!

    ksyshenka(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  141. Lovely Vintage Fisher Price Castle Playset from toysofthepast's shop!

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  142. So sweet Vintage Enesco Circus Train Tin Box from BInspiredVintage's shop!

    ksyshenka(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  143. I love Vintage Schuco Mechanical Monkey Toy from jherrmann's shop!

    ksyshenka(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  144. So cute vintage handmade newborn baby sweater hat set from 3ringcircus' shop!

    ksyshenka(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  145. Adorable vintage 80s Hasbro MY LITTLE PONY baby pegasus, pink and yellow ducks from mybabyvintage's shop!

    ksyshenka(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  146. Cutie-Western Germany Pink and White Vintage Cardiagan from TheVintageNursery's shop!

    ksyshenka(at)yahoo(dot)com

    Thank you for the chance!

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  147. I like the Set 2 Match Flash Cards-great for my daughter's work with children.

    Elaine R
    emrosser@shaw.ca

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We'd love to hear what you think!