Vintage Junkie + Book Lover

this past weekend was a busy blast. friday was spent prepping for Pop Shop Houston and in turn throwing out my back. yes, my back at the age of 22. such a pain but ive learned that being a maker involves getting hurt and pushing through – no matter what. Pop Shop Houston is a 2 day indie craft fair that features over 40+ houston makers from art, jewelry, leather goods, vintage treasures, food trucks + more. we were thankful + so excited to be apart of this great event with such a welcoming community. after the show, my twin and i headed over to El Rincon Social to view the collaborative works of 2 local artists known by Ack and Eyesore. we love and appreciate the fact that people appreciate our designs and support our growing local company by buying Abbie Drue Designs products, but i believe it is equally important to do the same for others. while at the Ack + Eyesore show, i purchased a rad tee and a limited edition print. mothers day was spent with a quiet dinner over sushi celebrating my mom and the lovely 3 sisters she has given me. everyone should be appreciated and loved no matter what day it is.

when i am not making things, i enjoy nature, reading, long walks on the beach, riding bikes, learning new trades, word search puzzles, getting lost in antique shops, wandering around town and observing the simple things in life. below are a few photos of some of the purchases i made from other vendors at PSP and also some new reads i splurged on following the successful 2 days of the event! treat yo self (yes, you read that right) and treat your brain. it needs fuel too.

Up!

just added some new listings + edited some old ones on our site! go peep! hand-picked vintage charms and other things that function. also, customize the classics silk + pearl even further! make it a single, or make it a double — all without the hangover :)

 

 

vintage stitches

went out on a vintage splurge yesterday at an antique shop that my friend Travis of ManReady Mercantile recommended. he sent me a photo of these little cross pocket knifes that he saw there, to which i responded by hopping (not literally – however that would be an interesting sight) into my car to go and buy them. while there, i purchased a few other hidden gems. a knit cape/sweater with a grey, white, and red print by VII (i feel a little like Hermione from Harry Potter. especially with my choppy-straight away hair cut that is just untamable in this weather, but i like the print and look), a small sterling silver canister, three cross pocket knifes (navy, red, and pink), and a book. i love old books. this one is called “Down with Everybody!” by George Mikes. my copy was published in 1958, printed in Great Britain. all of these finds were around $50.

why vintage? i have grown to appreciate the old and worn things that i find in antique shops. the digging/finding part is a time consuming journey but well worth it. i love the history and value that each item carries. i dont think in 50 years we will be antiquing for things made in the 21st century – there will be nothing to see.

EXPELLIARMUS!

yet to come

today i received news that a scheduled march FAB feature is no longer. yes, its bothersome and hurts but there will most likely be so many of these kinds of disappointments further down the road. this means only one thing. 1.keep going south. when the going gets tough and things happen that you do not understand – keep pushing on. one of my favorite authors is Ralph Parlette. i found one of his well known books “The University of Hard Knocks” at August Antiques some time ago and gave it to a friend to read. it was one of the most insightful books i have ever red. so naturally, i had to track down another copy + some. today, one of his books that i ordered came in the mail and it couldn’t have been timed any perfectly. the best is yet to come.

 

“We do not need to figure how far we have to go to some goal, nor how many supplies we will need along the way. Just make the right start and Go On South. We will find the resources all along the way. We grow as we flow, like the railway locomotive that makes steam faster running than standing at the station. And if we do not know the right way, if we follow the highest calls of our being and learn the lessons of our bumps we are sure to get in the right channel sooner or later. Success is not tomorrow nor next year. Success is going the right direction, not arriving some-where. Success is not at the end of the journey, for there is no end. The Mississippi is just as successful in Minnesota as in Louisiana.”

so, so good.

bits of today

 

i put a dent in it

well a minor one. while in denton (a small town outside of dallas) i hit the streets and found a few antique shops – and, of course, left with 6 vintage items for only $28! i picked up an old, concierge bell, a gum-ball machine (because everyone needs one of these), 3 glass jars of all shapes and sizes, and a new set of antlers. the concierge bell and jars were all under $6 which is why i had to pick them up. i’ve seen these items around houston marked way up. for example, i’ve seen the bell for $60-$75 and an old mason jar for $25+. i traveled to denton for my nieces 4th birthday party. we had lots of candy, homemade pizza’s, cake, and fun. i left early this morning because school is starting back up again tomorrow but came home with, and to, many surprises. new supplies in the mail for upcoming designs, a new typewriter ribbon, + all of these vintage goodies. now, off to work on the new web design (bike ride) with a friend. happy birthday sage!

roaming

scoped out a pretty awesome spot to shoot our photos for Fab with a friend today, stopped at an antique shop, and finished the noon with a grilled cheese and marachun noodles with my 6th grade best.

settled

the nomadic lifestyle has taken over this past few weeks and i am finally HOME. getting all settled into my new living arrangement and it feels goooooood. the add workspace is all organized and i’m ready to create – just waiting for a few things in the mail. so yesterday i told you i found this new typewriter for $20 at a 2nd hand store in the heights. well, along with this gem came a wooden box (old sewing machine drawer). the store owner threw it in for free – score! im using it as a holder for the hand-painted add necklace cards & paper envelopes. love it. life is good. God is good. that is all. have a lovely day.

t y p e w r i t e r

yesterday, i had a lovely bike ride around the heights houston with a friend who is updating the A.D.D. website. << soooo looking forward to this makeover. if you ever need a web designer, gibson hall is your go-to. he is great to work with and timely. he shared this great article about how important it is to have a mind detox, especially going into the new year (see here). steps to a clear mind: dedicate 30 minutes, 3 times a week to some type of exercise and write. this is a great start to getting out of this funk i am in. the past 2 weeks have been brutal (i will spare you the details) and i am ready to leave them in the past and move forward – with a fresh start.

i feel renewed and am going to make bike rides a daily thing. i really want to get out and enjoy this cool, not to mention rare, weather we are experiencing. another thing i enjoy doing is antique shopping. on the ride yesterday, we stopped in this tiny second hand shop…. duh duh duh. danger! i found a functional type writer for $20! you better believe i went back and got it. i am so excited! cant wait to put this baby to work. my new toy. sorry to be a little bouncy in this post. thats all for now.

1,000

one of my new favorite things is collecting old photographs and posters. they say a picture is worth a thousand words. what does this one say to you?

found at August Antiques – taken in 1966

bobbin.. . last time i had a “bob” i was in 2nd or 3rd grade. my mom made my sisters and i all get haircuts before my dads wedding. plotted or just a coincidence?

 

viv

special vintage find for someone dear. this is going to be accompanied with an old jar filled with vintage candies. love you viv.

winter wonderland photo stream

well, the holidays are rolling in. im not getting a tree this year so i have found an alternative way to celebrate the winter wonderland that is non existence in Houston, Texas. changing out the old, old photos and replacing them with the new, old winter ones. this is a wire photo line that hangs from the ceiling in the ADD factory and uses tiny magnets to hold each photo. very simple, cute way to spruce up a room/office. these photos were purchased at Arnold’s Antiques off yale st. in the heights area of Houston. collecting photos is one of my favorite things to do, as well as old books. the 2nd best purchase i have just recently bought is a book called “How to Win Friends and Influence People” written by Dale Carnegie in 1945. < i will most likely write about it soon after i finish. share what you know!

^ this is a special snowflake ornament a young fellow gave me last night. thank you Heston, i love it!

press me.

vintage discoveries. spent some time looking through a box of old metal/wood printing blocks and picked out these treasures. my favorite is the one that says “Copy Not Valid” & the one with the photo of Bambi. i’ve turned a few into necklaces! see them here >>  Steampunk Collection “7” & “Copy Not Valid” on brass chain.

bend & snap press & print

Un Lapiz

its been a while – well a week. things have been super busy here! Abbie Drue Designs launches on FAB.com in 3 days + a new creation has been made. >>The Steampunk Bullet Pencil Necklace. A fully functional mechanical pencil constructed using vintage hollow bullet casings and industrial mechanical pencil components.

“Knowledge is a weapon. I intend to be fully armed.” – Terry Goodwin

Check it out here — Steampunk Bullet Pencil 

Gucci Gucci Louis Louis

KREY KREY (oh yes, im listening to Kreayshawn right now): hidden vintage gems>> after digging through bags on bags and getting cat hair in my mouth (this vintage shop was a hoarders paradise  with cats climbing all over – however, these finds were worth it) i found this awesome dark brown + gold vintage gucci – i paid $25.00. i also found this navy doctor bag with satin inside – $12.00 at the same shop. the vintage louis Vuitton is from my lovely mimi. she got this when she was in her late 20’s – early 30’s in Paris. old is better than new. the jewelry is all vintage monet + avon purchased at an antique shop in Cape Cod, MA this summer. these are perfect statement necklaces to pair with your fall attire. see the Vintage Misfit Collection on our website.

meow.

Pretty in pink

they say a picture is worth a thousand words. what does this one say to you?

Eye of the tiger

lovely new vintage jewels that my grandmother Mimi gave to me this past week. vintage 14k gold, tigers eye, + diamond. love them so much.

for more vintage finds, check out The Vintage Misfit Collection.

Antique 1930’s pocketknives

if you are ever in the Montrose area, i strongly encourage you to go into BJ’s Antiques. it is filled with anything and everything you can imagine. books, lamps, furniture, jewelry, tins, pictures, coke bottles, metal roosters – and the list goes on. you want it, they have it. a few weeks ago, i stopped in and got lost in the amazingness of it all. after gazing in the jewelry cases for over an hour, slowly looking at each and every piece that was piled in, i found these little guys – miniature pocket knifes from the 1930’s. some dull, some sharp, but each so unique in their own way. – i couldn’t pass them up. what i love and appreciate the most about vintage is all the history behind the item. the hands it has been in, the things it has done, the places it has been. these are the things that make whatever it is you find, special.

Find these here, in the Brass Monkey Collection.