And so now...I have my very own shop! With a door and a key.

Well, not quite yet...but soon!

Sometimes things change quickly. Less than a year ago I set up my own business and started promoting my ventures online. In January I set up an Etsy account, in May I started selling at Yeadon's bookshop in Elgin and I've done a number of craft/vintage fairs since last Christmas.

(Oh yeah, I also had a baby)

It is August now and I have just got the keys to my very own studio & shop space. Eeek! What's going on?! Am I scared? Yes, I am!

It is out in the sticks and not on a busy high street, so I am going to have to shout loudly to draw attention! Nevertheless, it is hugely exciting and I will be part of a lovely old building housing other creative people who make furniture - and even complete handmade kitchens (the woodworking workshops there would make any joiner drool!). Oh yes, and it has lots of parking space (try to find that in a city!).

It will be my own little work space where I can let my creative juices flow, paint, sew, design, make and also show off and sell my furniture, vintage, unique and handmade homeware and other nice things. I hope to make it a fun, inspiring and welcoming place to be, where people can come and spend some time, find inspiration, join me in creating things - or just catch up over a cup of coffee.

But first things first: redecorating! An opening party will follow. Promise.

x

Nina's Apartment will soon be located at:
 
Lethenty Mill
Inverurie
Aberdeenshire
AB51 0HQ

Turning a page... Nina's Apartment will soon be selling at Yeadons Bookshop

 

I am so excited to share this news with you all... Not just a little bit... but UBER excited! I will be partnering up very soon with one of the best booksellers in the UK; Yeadons Booksellers in Elgin, north Scotland. This shop, one of the oldest continuously trading bookshops in Scotland - already established in 1887 - will be the perfect environment for my eclectic mix of vintage, handmade and upcycled homeware. It is a beautiful 1930s building, tastefully decorated with custom made shelving and vintage furniture and stocked with a carefully chosen, eclectic selection of books.

Recently Yeadons started selling vintage homeware alongside their books, which went down a treat with the customers, complimenting the great mix of books and stationary and the friendly shopping atmosphere. From next month Nina's Apartment will be 'moving in' with them adding to the selection of wares with vintage treasures, handmade cushions and revamped furniture. I can't wait!

In the meantime, have a look at this Vintage Inspiration board on Pinterest, to get you in the mood for for what's to come...

Where East meets West...vintage kimonos and upcycled jeans

Today I had the luxury of a whole afternoon to myself, as hubby took baby out shopping, leaving the house in peace and quiet. Bliss! I took the opportunity to get the sewing machine out and decided to start a new series of patchwork pillows, as I needed to produce some more for my online shop. I have now created some with unusual fabric combinations; how about vintage kimono fabric and an old pair of jeans? Or denim, retro fabric and velvet? I even managed to include the back pocket of the jeans, making it a handy pillow to store your remote control ;-)

They're all for sale in my Etsy shop. 
Have a look! x

 

My new passion: sewing patchwork pillows

 

 

This post is a shameful plug of my recent sewing bonanza, which has resulted in a wonderfully eclectic collection of patchwork cushion covers which I am now selling online as well as at the Christmas fair I am taking part in soon. I have turned into a right pillow making factory since I got my new sewing machine and I love it! Finally knowing what to do with my scrap pieces of fabric that I don't want to throw out, I just sew them all together into unique combinations. I also use vintage linens and all kinds of upholstery and dress making fabrics I come across on my travels. If anything, they will provide excellent insulation for our home in the coming winter months! ;-)

Which one do you like best?

 

 

I am selling them for £25 ($40) each excl insert, with free shipping to the UK. Happy to ship internationally as well - just drop me an email on ninasapartment at gmail.com. Makes a perfect handmade Christmas present! I am open to make custom pillow covers, so if you're looking for a specific colour scheme just let me know.

GO TO THE SHOP

Nina's Apartment - my online shop is now open!

Guess what? After years of blogging, hunting for treasures and getting an overdose of inspiration and ideas, I thought it was high time to open up my own online shop! After all, there's no way I have space in my own home for all those vintage purchases and revamped pieces of furniture I have collected by now. So what is nicer than to share it with my loyal readers? I have just accessories in stock for now, but soon I will add more items, including revamped furntiture and handmade items. All of it carefully selected and created with love!

I ship UK-wide, but if you live abroad and see something you fancy, please drop me an email and I will give you a shipping quote based on your location.

Happy shopping everyone!

TAKE ME TO THE SHOP