Thursday, September 8, 2011

Member Interview & Giveaway: OliversForest




VKC: Tell us a bit about yourself and your shop.

Jennifer: I am a single mom to a beautiful red headed boy named Oliver. He is the love of my life and the inspiration for my shop. A lot of the boy items in my shop are clothes that he has worn that no longer fit. I keep some but have to force myself to pass some along because other little boys need cool vintage clothes too!

Photo of Oliver from Jennifer's Blog: www.oliverwilson.blogspot.com

VKC: Why are you drawn to vintage?

Jennifer: I was first introduced to antiques by my aunt and uncle who are antique dealers. I am mainly drawn to 'vintage' because of the quality and the charm. I rarely buy my son 'new' toys. New toys almost all require batteries and make loud horrific noise. Thank goodness vintage toys were made to last so my son has quality toys to play with! I also have a fondness for vintage kitchenware and holiday items. You should see my Christmas collection! Vintage cards are another weakness of mine.

VKC: Where do you find your treasures?

Jennifer: Estate sales are by far my favorite but sometimes a little expensive. Thrift stores and yard sales are great too but not nearly as fun.

VKC: What do you do when you are not creating/working?

Jennifer: The majority of my free time is spent with my son. He is a mover and a shaker and likes to be on the go. I also work part-time as a dental hygienist. I consider myself very fortunate to have a career that I not only love but allows me to work a flexible schedule so I still get plenty of time with my little guy.


VKC: What is your favorite item in your shop or that you have sold and why?

Jennifer: My favorite item so far that has sold is a darling sailor dress. I love the details in it, yet the simplicity of it. And I am a sucker for anything nautical! (link)

VKC: How do you juggle your business and your personal life/motherhood?

Jennifer: This is difficult! Being a single mom I have to work. I usually package up orders after Oliver has gone to bed and if it's a day that I'm working I go to the post office on my lunch break. Or, if it's a day that I'm off Oliver has grown quite fond of our local post office. He loves to ring the bell for help and he has discovered that there is an echo when he talks loudly. Oh what fun! I have boxes of stuff that need to be posted. If I ever find the time I plan to open up another etsy store to sell non-children vintage goodies.

VKC: What giveaway or discount would you like to offer our readers?

Jennifer: I would love to offer a $20 credit to use towards any purchase in my shop. Postage will need to be paid for by the winner. Enjoy!


Thanks so much, Jennifer!

If you'd like to enter to win a $20 credit to OliversForest, please leave a comment below.

There are a few other ways to enter - please leave a separate comment for each.

1. Favorite OliversForest on etsy!
2. Tell us which item is your favorite at OliversForest!
3. Tweet about this giveaway!
4. Blog about this giveaway! (Please include a link.)

This giveaway will be open until Friday, September 16, and a winner will be selected randomly.

Also, check out Jennifer's blog!

69 comments:

  1. Jennifer, your store has such a sweet variety of clothes, books and toys. I especially like the red Buster Brown overalls and the Fisher Price cooktop! Oliver is such a cutie! I can relate to the "mover and shaker" toddler time; my daughter is right there too!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I don't know if I've said this before Jennifer--but Oliver has ALWAYS been one of my favorite names! He is adorable and fits the name so well too...I always enjoy reading about your adventures together!!
    I don't have a girl but I really LOVE that cat dress...holy cow! I'm tempted to buy that and put it away just in case! xoxoxo!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I adore Jennifer's shop and blog! Oliver is such a little doll!

    ReplyDelete
  4. seriously, oliver is adorable!! and your shop is so great, jennifer! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Jennifer, I have always loved your shop name, and that photo of Oliver is the cutest I have ever seen!! What a perfect model he is :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Jamieadkins@mail.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great giveaway!

    unforgetable_dreamer_always (at) hotmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I like the baby romper by healthtex 0-6 mos.

    unforgetable_dreamer_always (at) hotmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I added to favorites under (mom2lolo)

    unforgetable_dreamer_always (at) hotmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi! What a nice shop, specially the books! Thanks for the giveaway! Marta martaplayita at gmail dot com http://www.abilingualbb.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  11. My favourite item from OliversForest is this book: Tom Thumb. Thank you! Marta martaplayita at gmail dot com http://www.abilingualbb.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  12. I’ve added OliversForest to my favourite shops on etsy. Thank you! Marta martaplayita at gmail dot com http://www.abilingualbb.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  13. Count me in ! I love giveaways and vintage things!
    yanuzo at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  14. i love the vintage baby overalls, sunbonnet sue (12 months)
    yanuzo at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I would love a chance to win!!! Fantastic!

    thecountryblossom at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I hearted the shop on etsy! katy010305

    thecountryblossom at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  17. from the shop, I love the vintage baby dress by Baby Togs (12 months)!

    thecountryblossom at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  18. tweeted! http://twitter.com/#!/KatyLMA/status/112141062180581376

    thecountryblossom at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  19. what cute vintage kid things!
    mrskmartin@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. I'd choose the vintage jon jon, baby boy romper (18 months).
    mrskmartin@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. I'm a thrift store treasure hunter myself so love your finds!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Oh, I l♥ve this vintage baby dress http://www.etsy.com/listing/78217899/vintage-baby-dress-12-months I have a new grandbaby due in a few months and would love to get this for her!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I'm kind of a book-a-holic: http://www.etsy.com/listing/75050659/childrens-book-vintage-muggins-becomes-a

    ReplyDelete
  24. i love the vintage pinafore!
    hialissa@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. great giveaway!
    jessicawedwards@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. wonderful!

    hancoci_s at msn dot com

    ReplyDelete
  27. fav'd her- staycelyne

    hancoci_s at msn dot com

    ReplyDelete
  28. loooooooove old books, so little lost kitten is one of my favs =)

    hancoci_s at msn dot com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Thanks for the lovely giveaway, so many sweet items to choose from!

    yumihamano@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Heart the lovely Etsy shop (jcloh), thank you.

    yumihamano@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I like the Red Polo Boys Shirt, boys look really swell in red!

    yumihamano@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. i LOVE those vintage circus hankies!!! ;)
    heather

    ReplyDelete
  33. I would love to win $20 credit to oliversforest. He has such a lovely name btw! :)

    Cassandra
    darkthra@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I fav'd oliversforest on etsy!

    Cassandra
    darkthra@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. my favorite item is vintage baby dress, handmade, 9 months!

    Cassandra
    darkthra@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. I RT from littlereader: twitter.com/darkthra

    Cassandra
    darkthra@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. I posted the giveaway to tumblr:
    http://darkthra.tumblr.com/post/10053324592

    Cassandra
    darkthra@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  38. love the little jon jons you have, always a fave with me

    ReplyDelete
  39. Very cute shop! Love all the vintage books :)

    sarahandmike@hellokitty.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. Etsy: SarahEC

    sarahandmike@hellokitty.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. My favorite item is the Tom Thumb book

    sarahandmike@hellokitty.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/sarahcrawford14/status/113113677938438144

    sarahandmike@hellokitty.com

    ReplyDelete
  43. On Etsy - the vintage baby shirt with embroidered train.
    coreybrennan26@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  44. At their site - my favourite was baby romper by Carter's. coreybrennan26@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  45. great interview! and of course, I adore your shop too! ;)

    -Kari @ LaDiDottie

    ReplyDelete
  46. I love your shop Jennifer - you have such sweet little vintage things! And your little Oliver is too cute! {Ah - I love, love his red hair}. You are amazing - all the stuff you do!!

    ReplyDelete
  47. I like the vintage jon jon romper.

    mrs.marcus2 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  48. Oh, that kitty cat dress is adorable!!
    appendageassemblage at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  49. great idea for a shop!! :) jmmccarr@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  50. the vintage baby dress by bryan is my favorite! jmmccarr@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  51. So many beautiful things! Hope I win!

    hrfarley at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  52. You have such sweet stuff in your shop! Thanks for the giveaway!

    sandy(dot)hardman(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  53. I had a hard time picking but I think I love http://www.etsy.com/listing/78861046/girls-jumper-by-osh-kosh-vintage-size-4

    They don't make the clothes like they used to.

    ReplyDelete
  54. What a great giveaway for an adorable shop!

    ReplyDelete
  55. Added as favorite on etsy

    ReplyDelete
  56. my favorite item is the jon jon romper. so cute!

    ReplyDelete
  57. great giveaway! adorable clothing!
    brianaduda at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  58. i added OliversForest to my favorite shops!
    brianaduda at gmail dot com
    etsy: simplybriana

    ReplyDelete
  59. i love nautical themes too, i love the vintage jon jon (and added it to my favorites!)
    brianaduda at gmail dot com
    etsy: simplyBriana

    ReplyDelete
  60. I'm posting this comment for my madre, Jamie. Jen is my auntie, and we all love her so much :)

    ReplyDelete

We'd love to hear what you think!