Meet The Vintage Laundress

Meet the Vintage Laundress-founder of The Vintage Laundry and Wishpot Expert!

I have been really excited about my first guest post on the Wishpot
Blog. Thanks so much gift girl for the lovely welcome and
opportunity.  To begin, I'd like to share a little bit about me.  As an
Austin-based vintage collector and textile enthusiast, I have a
passion for vintage textiles, furnishings and eclectic accessories.
Eventually this "passion" became a real storage issue. I have a great
appreciation for elegant, glamour-puss, screen diva items like glittery
chandeliers, tufted silk chairs and vintage couture.  My hoards of
vintage items now make up a collection for my website, 

The Vintage Laundry,

and my online store on Etsy
(http://www.thevintagelaundry.etsy.com).

I began my business in 2001, with my online shop opening in 2007. My
internet presence became a new way to market my collection of vintage
treasures, which includes re-worked vintage furniture, a vast array of
vintage textiles, chandeliers, vintage clothing, china, crystal, and
silver.

I'm also passionate about design - be it vintage or new. I write about
the vintage merchants, artists, interior designers, crafts people,
textile designers, and illustrators that exhibit exceptional skill in
their given fields on my blog, The Vintage Laundress,
(http://www.thevintagelaundress.blogspot.com)  and recently was given
the opportunity to contribute to Wishpot as an Indie Expert.

I take my coffee disguised as a Diet Dr. Pepper. And if I'm not
knee-deep in a project ... or 12 ... I can usually be found in one of a
few predictable places - perusing local thrift shops, at garage and
estate sales, or off painting, refinishing or repurposing something in
my studio.

Having been born in New Mexico, I grew up in west Texas and I now live
in Austin with my husband Scott and our children, Olivia and Noah.
Before opening The Vintage Laundry, I worked in the publishing world as
an illustrator and graphic designer.

The Vintage Laundry brings us Vintage Wedding: Karisa Winkel

 

"Vintage" has been enjoying a well earned popularity for several years
now, whether it is accessories, clothing, or a piece of furniture for
your home. Many brides are including vintage elements in their
ceremonies, which spurred an idea I’ve had about posting a series of
blogs on the topic. Lately, I have come across some really creative
ideas. One such idea came from Karisa Winkel at Pretty Handsome Paper

Karisa says she just finished a project that was a lot of fun. A bride
wanted something with old New York style that was totally unique and
meaningful. So, for her "Save the Date" cards, Karisa and the bride
decided to use vintage handkerchiefs instead by silkscreening the
message on center field of the hanky. To completely capture the
recipients' attention they were sent out held in place with a vintage
hat pin! She admits that although it wasn't easy finding 82
handkerchiefs they finally found them all and Karisa silkscreened them
herself. She jokes that she came very close to robbing a Grandmother.

I’m completely charmed by the novelty of this idea.  I can't imagine
any guest wanting to miss a ceremony that, from the start, set such a
romantic tone.

After 3 years of being an Art Director in NYC, Karisa gathered the
courage to pursue her lifelong dream of starting her own design
boutique. Though she markets herself as a wedding stationery designer,
she also does custom projects and loves taking on a challenge.

Karisa’s company, Pretty Handsome Paper, now offers custom designs for
every occasion. Is your project unique? Do you have a clever concept?
Do you want to do something original and creative? Go check things out
and see if you can’t collaborate with Karisa to make your wedding a
ceremony that people will be talking about for years to come! 

Many times vintage handkerchiefs are available in large lots online at
http://www.etsy.com, http://www.ebay.com. and I often carry many in my
store (http://www.thevintagelaundry.biz).  Stay tuned to my blog
(http://www.thevintagelaundress.blogspot.com) for more great ideas
about how to incorporate "vintage" into your ceremony.

Something old, something new Something borrowed, something blue And a little vintage too! 

Thanks so much LeAnn for sharing these great vintage ideas.

gift girl