News for the New Year!

First off, I must THANK all of my customers for making this year exceed my goals!  I am so thrilled to be able to find homes for so many awesome mid century items and look forward to sourcing more in 2016!  Things are still moving out the door and I have a bookcase on the bus now headed to Florida and a pair of end tables on hold for delivery this week!  I thought there would be a lull for a few months, but perhaps I was wrong!  Needless to say, people are thinking about their furniture and redecorating as we get ready to roll in to the new year! 

COME VISIT ME!     http://www.fleetwoodantiquemall.com

Fleetwood Antique Mall…..here we come!

I want to officially ANNOUNCE that Mad Mod World Vintage will now have a small space in FLEETWOOD, PA!  I am packing to move in to my space starting Jan 6th.  I am mainly using it as a place to store my finished inventory until it sells.  I will update all listings in which items are being stored there as I will need to fetch it before I can pack for shipping.  The shop is great and will mark my items sold for me when I call to notify so I do not expect much interruption in service but they are closed Mondays and Tuesdays, so I will have some shipping and packing delays.  The good news is, if you shop LIVE all items are cash and carry.  I will price them lower than online so if you stop by and pick up, you get a better deal.  I will still plan on offering shipping services at the shop for local peeps driving through (we tend to get a lot of NYC folks in our area) and will come up with a flat rate for packing, etc.  Please follow my instagram for pics as I move in!  I am super excited and have already started getting ready.  Most of the smalls I am taking there will NOT be cross listed as I feel it will just get to be to messy.  So I am removing items from the etsy shop that will be going over.  Since no vendors are currently selling nice pyrex sets, I am concentrating on filling my space with some great promo pieces and a few from my own collection.  I will feature some lamps and other items I just prefer not to ship.  I will be rotating stock over time and keeping things fresh.  Scroll through a few pics!  Santa is moving out and the best MCM will be moving in!  I look forward to coming up with a nice window treatment!  ;)

I do not take decisions like this lightly and have considered many area co ops.  First off, I am only about 5 miles away so can easily get there to swap out items, retrieve items I sold online, etc.  They have great hours-  Wed-Sun 10am- 6pm.  The staff is friendly!  I have been shopping here myself and there are a few other mid century dealers, but we all have a different style and that is what makes it so fun!  I will NOT be located in the midcentury rooms.  You will need to go to the 2nd floor and continue to the back part of the barn to find me.  This is an enjoyable mall to visit as they do not carry the USUAL, in fact, there are some very cool unique items in this mall.  My favorite thing to visit is a mortician table that is in the back of the barn, first floor.  I have a love of oddities and this is definitely a cool find.  There are also many unique old vehicles and other cool things scattered around.  If you find yourself traveling down rte 222, this is just south of rte 662 (Moselem Springs) and will be on the right as you head to Reading.  Just before, you will see our beloved Vanagon mechanic, MAS Imports.  

NEXT UP FOR RESTORE.

As soon as I get settled in the mall, I will be getting to work on the Heywood Wakefield upholstered chairs I have.  I am looking forward to tearing them apart.  I also decided that I would like to commission my mom to sew up some pillows and things so look for that in the future.  I have a great stash of mod vintage fabric I think I will start with.  I will offer these online as well once we get rolling.  I do have lots of bookkeeping to catch up on, so that might delay me just a little but I do not want to be slammed at tax time! 

SCIENCE EXPERIMENT FUN.

https://www.facebook.com/madformodmalissa/videos/654672161337205/  Pop over to the Facebook page and have a look at a video I made to test a rug I bought to verify it is wool!  

Thanks for reading and following along with my adventures!  I promise many more in 2016.  I have plans to attend a very large show this spring and once the planning gets rolling, I will have lots to report on!  Happy New Year!!!!  xo Malissa

Coming up for air, but still adding things to the inventory.

The Christmas rush has started!  My small items are moving out the door!  Pyrex sets, holiday decor....it's going!  This is very exciting and I am still trying to get everything out the door in 24 hours or less.  I will be stressing about last minute shipments and I can tell you UPS STANDARD will get things to NYC in one day.  But do not push your luck!  I would gladly upgrade your shipping but you need to reach out to me so I can quote it for you!  Anything going by bus really needs to get out this weekend to have a chance of making it.  I can tell you my NYC bus shipment usually arrive in Port Authority the next day after I ship, but with holiday travel, we cannot assume anything at this point. 

NEWS

If you have been to any of the shops or the web site this week, you may have noticed I have commissioned a new logo! 

Also on the move is the new Chairish shop!  I am up 6 listings, approved and live!  I am hoping to reach a new market of designers and collectors and am looking forward to my first sale and going through the process.  I will be cross listing pieces in the shops and prices will vary accordingly.     

I continue to tweak things on the web page and hope everyone finds it helpful and easy to use.  There are a few things that bother me and I will continue to tweak! I am all set up for commerce and am limited in what I can have listed, so will keep the web direct deals to items that do not fit etsy's strict criteria.  I have some new vintage themed items for sale!  They will make great stocking stuffers!  Also, I picked up a fabulous set of T-Vac chairs by Ron Arad for Vitra.  Only designed in 1999, these are too new for etsy. Ron Arad is a London based Architect and Designer who has been dubbed the hottest of our modern designers.  I thought these were definitely in line with my offerings and scooped them up! Buy direct for best price! 

Set of 4 Tom Vac Chairs by Ron Arad.....SEXY!  Click to visit the listing and BUY DIRECT!

Also new this week are a SUPER set of 7 Lane Perception dining chairs!  They are an awesome Danish inspired style, but with all the great construction of American made era furniture.  The seats are very large, everything is super sturdy and these lived their whole lives to date with one family who raised 11 children!  I have update with new vinyl seats, tended to some finish issues ending with some new lacquer and glued up some weak joints.  They are ready to ship and will look great around any walnut table.  Please check out the Perception line if you are unfamiliar.  Designed by Warren Church, this line incorporates a sleek Danish style and these seats and some of the tables incorporate a floating look.  Drawer faces feature woven cane.  It truly is a nice line and is very collectable as many of the era Lane pieces are.  They are fairly easy to find and pricing is reasonable. 

Super 7 piece set of Lane Perception dining chairs restored!

Next up.....freshly picked!  Check out these cuties!  The ever popular Carter Brothers Series 200 Scoop chair and a great sturdy slat bench!  They are both in great vintage condition with appropriate wear.  Both will make a great accent to any space. 

Carter Brothers Series 200 Scoop Chair features bent ply seat.  Very low and sexy!  Awesome avocado green vinyl upholstery!

Awesome sturdy mid century slat bench!  IDing these things is near impossible.  Not marked.  MUCH sturdier than the last one I had so definitely a better brand. 

Thanks for much for signing up for my mailing list!  I appreciate you guys following along with my endeavors!  Hope you all have a fabulous holiday and please reach out if you need a last minute gift!  Don't forget the Franciscan Starburst items I have for sale right on the web site!  I do have some exciting plans for this spring and I will wait to unveil them until official.  In the mean time, your support is helping me reach my goals of saving MCM!  Have a super holiday!!!!! xo Malissa

SAVE 10% OFF ALL ETSY SHOP INVENTORY NOW THROUGH DEC 24th AT MIDNIGHT!  Use code: MERRYKITSCHMAS at checkout!  I rarely put my furnishings on sale so NOW IS YOUR CHANCE TO SAVE!!!!

Holiday Updates plus coming attractions.

Hope you all are gearing up for a great holiday!  I am still working very hard to get some projects turned over and listed before the end of the year.  I have lots of things in the queue for the winter months so keep an eye on the listings and instagram!  At anytime, feel free to email me if you would like first dibs on something that I am working on!  I would be overjoyed to have a serious buyer lined up before I am done and would gladly send you personal updates on the project. 

Also, please note that to avoid being stressed out before the holidays, if you require Greyhound shipping for your purchase, please allow 2 weeks. It generally takes about one week but I do not think either one of us want to stress out about a shipment that close to the holidays.  If you are willing me meet me within an hour of 2 of where I live (eastern PA), I would gladly accommodate you right up until the holiday!  I also would gladly add a card or make any special accommodation for you, please reach out!  I am still feverishly trying to get all orders out the door in 24 hours or less, shipping quotes to you in about the same time. 

++++COUPON+++++  I have lots of great gift items for vintage lovers of all sorts besides my awesome furnishing finds so please pop in to the etsy shop and have a look around.  I do my best to keep my prices below other etsy sellers so know you are getting a FAIR PRICE...PLUS....I have a coupon code right now for 10% off ANY PURCHASE in my shop $25+ for use now through Dec 24th midnight.  Thanks for supporting a small business this holiday season! xo

In the SHOP.....

I am currently working on a set of 7 Lane Perception dining chairs in Walnut finish.  They are very sturdy and have generous seats....good for those of us who are not petite!  Quality American made mid century furniture is being sought after and Lane in particular has really spiked in popularity.  I have just put all brand new black vinyl coverings on the seats and will be working on any structural tightening and finish issues next.  I hope to have them ready to ship in the next week or 2.  If you are in need of some walnut chairs, please give them some consideration.  They have a great Danish style without the larger cost.  This large of a set is definitely not an easy find without hunting and pecking it together.  It was actually in the same family all of these years....with 11 children.  That should tell you how well made it is!  Here is a PEEK!

Naked chair...down to the foam!

Ready for wood work!

5 of the 7 looking great but hogging up my living room!

NEW!!!!!!!!!!! I am now on Chairish.com! I currently have 2 listings and neither are etsy appropriate. I may continue to list things over here but I am testing the waters for now. Just listed is a FABULOUS set of 4 Vitra Tom Vac chairs designed in 1999 by Ron Arad. He is a very influential designer and artist of our current time and these chairs are not only top of the line in construction, the design is totally rad and will be great with your MCM! They are also listed right here on this website at a reduced price, so please, now that you are in the know, shop direct for best price!

NEW RETRO THEMED GIFTS!!!!!!

I added a new page to the site, EXCLUSIVE ITEMS FOR SALE.  Here you can purchase direct from me!   The Tom Vac chairs are available here as well as the awesome Franciscan Starburst kitchen towels and pillows!  All prices include your shipping.  Please send friends!  First to purchase through my web site will get a thank you gift as I have no idea what to expect and may have to work out some kinks!  I will continue to offer things here that do not fit etsy's criteria but are things I feel fit well with my shop!  Hope you enjoy!  This will also eliminate me having to send out paypal invoices to handle these transactions like I have been. 

Sorry I am quite long winded in this update but things are really heating up around here and I plan to bring in the New Year with even higher sales goals than this year!  I have already beat my sales goal for this year, which over tripled what I sold my first year out!  Thank you so much to all of my customers for that and I hope to continue to source, restore and find homes for even more worthy mid century furnishings next year!  Your support allows me to keep saving this stuff and that makes me very happy!!!!

Have a great holiday season and just remember that I am here to help you so please reach out to me at any time!  xo Malissa

Hop on the bus, Gus. Value Shipping 101.

If you were not aware that buses are moving merchandise all over this country stowed below their passengers....you are not alone!  Yes, this is an economical way to move non fragile large items to your home from across the country!  I will attempt to give you a crash course in everything I learned shipping via this quirky method in this update.  

First off, i specialize in small items like chairs and side tables. I have not pushed the size limits and although i have had no damages to date, I personally do not source larger items because I do not sell much regionally to deliver and I pride myself on offering affordable shipping options.  100 lbs is max weight for a bus package.  I am not sure of the dimension restrictions, but I have heard small couches have been known to travel the country via the bus.  

I have a local bus company, Bieber Tourways, which takes my packages to Greyhound in Philadelphia.  I pay cash at the station.  The only time I have to drive a package to an actual Greyhound Station is when I use the ship to door service.  More on that in a bit. 

The first thing I do when I get a quote request or sale is find out what station they are picking up at.  Not every station listed on Greyhound's list will accept packages.  I found this out trying to ship to Branson, MO.  My buyer was in Arkansas and this was an hour drive.  The Branson station is apparently a ticket counter in a store and have no place to store parcels until picked up. After that experience, I will always call my station to verify if not in a major city.  I have shipped to smaller cities in Louisiana. Tennessee and California, so most are good.  It is just something to be aware of.   

Reading, PA INTER-city Bus Terminal

I need to pay cash when I ship so you may want to verify methods of payment accepted.  Also, my station will not accept prepaid Greyhound labels (required for ship to door service).   

Ship to door: this service is awesome but the recipient needs to be within 10 miles of the receiving station.  Best use?  NYC!  No one has a car up there and if they do, they only use it to leave town.  Getting to Port Authority to pick up is a cab adventure not all want to take!  I found that it was a reasonable option, saving my buyer $150 over USHIP and it was only a $20 upgrade.  Can't beat that!  Greyhound customer service has been great!  A call, credit card payment and email later, I print out the label.  I had to drop these in Norristown, PA, which is an hour one way, but in this case, I was happy to take as this was an expensive set of chairs!  The chairs arrived in NYC that evening and the courrier was calling to schedule delivery.  

INSURANCE.

I am purchasing via my local company so would start with them if I need a claim, but so far, no issues.  I insure for purchase price.  If sets are split in boxes, we guess each box value.  Apparently, the insurance maxes vary depending on zone.  I only had issues once.  I packed 2 chairs for California in separate boxes.  There was cane involved and I wanted to make sure they were safe.  They were $600 each.  I was told I could only insure each box for $300 because that was the zone max.  In my case, I figured any damage would result in repairs and not a total loss, but I did sweat it out but they arrived safely!  Another reason it is important to see buyers reviews!  Your reviews let sellers know you received your item with no issues and hopefully you are thrilled with your purchase and service you received! Please always take time to leave a shop review!  We are counting on you!  ✌️

Overall, this is a great, inexpensive way to ship or receive large items!  It takes some work to pack and I save larger boxes and pieces of cardboard to use creating my boxes.  I will wrap pieces to protect the wood areas. Use stretch wrap to reinforce the box, etc. It takes some time to get the box made and item packed but it is worth it for me to offer this service for my customers.  It also requires me to make some calls and do some legwork so if you attempt to arrange on your own, know that it does take some effort to pull off a successful shipment, but the savings you get make it worth it.  Most shipments arrive at their destination in a week or less and the recipient gets a phone call when it arrives.  Pick up should be made ASAP and please verify with your station their hours and policy as some may charge storage fees if not picked up promptly.

Hope you have enjoyed learning how to use the bus!  xo Malissa

All packed and headed to Rhode Island

Bear with me.....

Mailing list peeps....bear with me as I am running tests on the RSS feed!  I forced an 'email' out yesterday and I am aware that there was RSS code in the middle.  For some reason, my blog is supposed to auto send after I post it at a scheduled time.  So I am typing this new one to see if we all get it.  :)  I will delete after I confirm it works.   Let me know if you have an issued or complaints as things progress.  xo Malissagoing to try to inject some code here....I just set up a shop on Chairish and have a rocker (not vintage) from my nursery pending acceptance.  Trying out this site!