When the Typewriter Does Make All the Difference

It was 1994. My husband and I had just arrived in Paris fresh out of college and I was looking for work – any work – at the height of the recession.

In my favor? Fluent english. Against me? Complete and utter lack of any typing prowess. Whatsoever.

I did explain to the lady at the temping office that each of my hands was equipped with 5 thumbs but she insisted that everybody had to take the test.

So I walked into the testing room expecting to use a word processor and found something like this:

(Image via  Mr Martin’s Typewriter Museum)

Needless to say it did my typing speed no good. Especially when the French keyboard was thrown into the equation…

On that day I am sure I would have been very relieved to have been offered the option of using one of these instead:

It still wouldn’t have gained me a job in the typing pool, but I am sure I would have delighted over its italic print and been soothed by its pretty light teal color…

It’s a 1960s semi-portable Olivetti-Underwood typewriter, for sale today on Century Finds.  Are you a fluent typist or a two-finger tapper? Is this a tool or a jewel? I think it’s both!!

New at Century Finds – Jen Renninger

I wanted to take a moment to spotlight one of the newer artists in our Contemporary section. I love the work of Jen Renninger (see her blog for some great inspiration) and I think her Modern Design Deck series fits in so well with the Century Finds vibe.

These stylish prints feature iconic modernist furnishings from the first half of the 20th Century. They are very sympathetically rendered and the style is so versatile, slotting in well with all kinds of decor.

We have a selection of these affordable 11.5″ by 8″ pictures in stock.

Eames RAR Print + Image from booiecanoe

.

Eames Lounger Print + Image from May61

.

Panton Chair Print + Image from Fran6co

.

Nelson Lamp Print + Image by tampatroy727

.

Le Corbusier Chair Print + Image by b_fantasti

.

You can find our current stock from Jen Renninger here, and if we don’t currently have the print you want,  most are also available by special order . These prints make great gifts – whether you are shopping for others or for yourself – and the best thing is, they will not break the bank .

Can’t decide? For the complete Modern Design Deck experience, we also stock a poster showing all 30 images in the series.

Teeny Tiny Giveaways 22 – Fabric for Repurposing

This is the last of our Teeny Tiny Giveaways!  Thank you for playing!

Winners will be drawn and notified over the next week. Remember, you still have time now to go back and comment on the last week of giveaways for your chance to win further teeny tiny things…

Today’s giveaway is fabric, three 50″ square panels cut from a sheet, and just perfect for small crafts or home decor projects. This very bright green butterfly design is printed on a 50/50 polyester /rayon mix, and I believe is a fairly close copy by JC Penney of a 1970s Vera pattern. It is in great condition and sure to turn heads!

One Person’s Junk… During the month of October, I have been giving away one teeny-tiny item every weekday. This was the last giveaway in the series. For more details, click here. To enter, just leave a comment below.

Teeny Tiny Giveaways 21 – Partial Playing Card Pack

This double pack is missing some crucial cards but it does have some very cool Jokers and the fronts aren’t bad either.

Surely someone can think of a project for these, whether it is wall art, scrapbooking or collage.

One set has a leering Jester, while the other has funky stringed instruments. Did I mention, they are free?

One Person’s Junk… During the month of October, I will be giving away one teeny-tiny item every weekday. For more details, click here. To enter, just leave a comment below.

Teeny Tiny Giveaways 20 – The Country Keeping Room

I know, I know, It looks dire, doesn’t it.

But wait! Picture these projects – tab curtains, chair cushions, a quilted picture, quilted table runners, napkins, casserole cozy, fabric covered lampshades, chandelier sleeve, and fabric covered wainscoting – in modern fabrics! I bet you can find a use for all of them!
OK, maybe not for the casserole cozy. Although stranger things have happened.
There are no patterns in this envelope, just some handy cards with instructions, formulae and measurements for creating the projects above.
(Simplicity, 1979). Today’s teeny tiny giveaway is brought to you courtesy of Fabpatterns.

One Person’s Junk… During the month of October, I will be giving away one teeny-tiny item every weekday. For more details, click here. To enter, just leave a comment below.

Teeny Tiny Giveaways 19 – KM Letter Jacket Cheer Patch

It’s a little grubby, a little old. It was pulled off a high school letter jacket, probably in the late 70s or early 80s.

You don’t get them like this anymore, at least not at this price.

Which, did I mention? Is free.

One Person’s Junk… During the month of October, I will be giving away one teeny-tiny item every weekday. For more details, click here. To enter, just leave a comment below.

Teeny Tiny Giveaways 18 – 1959 Scouting Magazine

We had one for the girls – now here’s one for the boys. Or for the girls again, if you have a thing for Boy Scout Leader legs.

Are you a scout or do you know someone involved in scouting? If so, this will make fascinating reading.

If not, you might just like this one for the occasional giggle and flashes of mid century illustration.

It’s 33 pages of Scouting Fun! And, more importantly, it’s free.

One Person’s Junk… During the month of October, I will be giving away one teeny-tiny item every weekday. For more details, click here. To enter, just leave a comment below.

Teeny Tiny Giveaways 17 – Lefton Heart Shaped Ring Dish

This little Lefton ring dish is heart-shaped, with butterflies and flowers. What could be more perfect as a gift for someone you love?

Do you have a daughter, grandmother, aunt or friend you could give this to?

Or maybe you will want to keep it all to yourself!

One Person’s Junk… During the month of October, I will be giving away one teeny-tiny item every weekday. For more details, click here. To enter, just leave a comment below.

Teeny Tiny Giveaways 16 – The Unhandywoman’s Guide to Home Repair

Dated 1973, this tiny little guide for women is full of handy advice such as “don’t mix electricity and water” and “if a lamp or other electrical gadget isn’t working, the plug’s probably been pulled out of the wall outlet”.

But to be fair, it will also teach you how to fix a squeaky door or unplug a drain.

Especially useful if you have a 1970s era house. Also, free.

One Person’s Junk… During the month of October, I will be giving away one teeny-tiny item every weekday. For more details, click here. To enter, just leave a comment below.

Teeny Tiny Giveaways 15 – Girl Scout Sash

It’s green, it’s handmade. Does it bring back memories for you?

Want to make a fashion statement? Crave those cool badges and pins for repurposing? Or just want to bury your face in it and pretend you are ten again?

However you play it, it’s free.

One Person’s Junk… During the month of October, I will be giving away one teeny-tiny item every weekday. For more details, click here. To enter, just leave a comment below.