The Vintage Treasure Hunter

Mix And Match Your Pfaltzgraff!

2012-02-02T07:19:00.000-08:00

In the 1980's, Pfaltzgraff introduced a simple patterned dinnerware with bands of color circling the base and/or edge of each piece. There are many variations on this theme. Some of the more popular patterns are Ocean Breeze (blue, green and teal bands; 1995 - present day), Aura (blue/gray and pink bands; 1986 - 2007), Sky (blue bands; 1987 - 1994), Northwinds (green and blue bands; 1992 - 1999), and Juniper (green and mauve bands; 1990 - ??). Single pieces can often be found at thrift stores, and I'm always on the lookout for the less common pieces. Cups, mugs and saucers are easy to find, but there are also salt and pepper shakers, soup bowls, larger serving pieces, sugar bowls, creamers, pitchers, the list goes on and on. The great thing about these patterns is that you really don't have to get all your pieces in the same color theme! They all look great together, and it actually gives a nice variety to a place setting.

Ocean Breeze

Northwinds

Aura

Sky

More Vintage Cookbooks

2012-01-25T18:08:00.000-08:00

I picked up a few very interesting vintage cookbooks this week. The first is called A Good Cook .... Ten Talents Natural Foods Cookbook, copyright 1968. The cover doesn't reflect the delicious recipes inside, but shows a very plain woman reading her Bible! It's a natural foods cookbook and complete health manual of vegetarian recipes. In the introduction, the author refers to various bible quotes to suggest a natural diet offered us by our creator.

There is a statement on the title page suggesting the book be read 3 times. First, to have something to talk about; second, to find out what the author is trying to say; third, because you really want to learn something.

Next we have Bayou Cuisine, It's Tradition and Transition. This is an exceptionally large, 415 page, community cookbook from 1979 published by St. Stephens's Episcopal Church in Indianola, Mississippi. It contains hundreds of regional recipes. The chapters include recipes sorted according to eras: Indian, Spain, France, England, Mississippi Territory, Ante Bellum, War Between the States, Post Bellum, Delta Chefs, Art, International Origin, and Space Age. It's plastic coil bound, but has a clear plastic page protecting the cover. Looks as if it is a wonderful book for bayou cooking; this was the sixth printing of a 1970 copyright.

The Millard County Utah Centennial Cookbook from 1979 is another unusual community recipe book. This large book is hardcover with over 400 pages, and was compiled by Millard County Residents and The Millard County Centennial Committee. It's nicely illustrated with reproductions of vintage kitchen advertisements and contains hundreds of recipes for main dishes, side dishes, breads, sweets, beverages, wild game and outdoor cooking. There's also a section on kitchen basics.

Still Loved After All These Years!

2012-01-23T16:34:00.000-08:00

Curly... Larry.. Moe... Shemp ... Joe

For 40 years the Stooges slapsticked their way into the hearts of multiple generations! Their memorabilia remains as popular today as ever!

How Do I Know This is Vintage?

2012-01-17T03:19:00.000-08:00

For those of you who missed this post previously, I'm repeating this info for the newbie!

The identification of vintage items is not a science. Oh, it's easy if a manufacturers mark, copyright or item name is found on a piece, but what if there's no information to be found? That's when the research begins - on the internet, in books, and through experts or appraisers. Research is the key to all successful vintage collecting or selling. Often, however, there IS NO information to be found on a particular item. Examining style, wear, patina, quality of workmanship, composition, etc usually give an accurate picture of age. As one becomes more familiar with vintage items, it becomes easier to recognize these characteristics. Reputable vintage dealers will do the best they can to honestly describe all pieces in detail.

Sometimes it takes a considerable amount of time and effort to research a new found treasure. This journey could lead to new knowledge or to a dead end, but either way, it's always one wonderful trip!

Community Cookbooks

2012-01-17T02:42:00.000-08:00

Community cookbooks are cookbooks compiled by members of a community, church, school or other organization as a fund raiser. The recipes are submitted by members of the group and often consist of favorite family or regional recipes. As such, they can be a wealth of information about local cuisine, ethnic recipes and regional favorites. They will often contain ingredients not usually found throughout the country, but specific to the community represented. They can be found very easily at most thrift stores and garage sales for a minimal amount of cash!

More Mugs!

2012-01-16T08:04:00.000-08:00

Here are some of my new favorites I recently acquired....

Check out these and more at my Bonanza booth!

MAD about the 60's

2011-12-29T05:26:00.000-08:00

Who doesn't recognize this face? When I found this 1996 book it brought back memories of seeing MAD magazine as a child, not really understanding the unconventional satirical humor.

Happy Holiday Hunting

2011-12-20T09:34:00.000-08:00

This month has been very good for me at my local stores. It seems whenever I go out lately, I come home with a boxful of treasures! This is just an example of the numerous glassware and pottery pieces I've picked up for a minimal amount of cash. Unfortunately, my office is presently filled with so much stuff I have to be careful where I walk! I keep buying but when it comes to wrapping and storing, I'm definitely a procrastinator!

I have a small collection of research books for collectibles, but I had to make a special trip to the library yesterday to pick up a few more that I needed! I've also ordered a couple more.. I hate keeping or selling anything without knowing it's background.

Here's wishing each of you a happy holiday season... and happy hunting!

Collectible Milk Glass

2011-12-15T00:11:00.000-08:00

I am starting to pick up some pieces of collectible milk glass. I never really had much of an interest in this glassware, but I see more and more pieces showing up, and some are truly beautiful. I research every piece that I find, and am learning more and more every day.

Milk glass is opaque or translucent white pressed glass that was popular from the 1890's through the mid 20th century. It is very popular today as a collectors' item. Some of the more well know manufacturers were Anchor Hocking, Akro Agate, Westmoreland, Fenton and Fosteria. A large number of patterns were produced, the most popular being Hobnail, numerous raised dots covering the item. There were elaborate as well as plain utilitarian designs. Dinnerware, decorator pieces, vases and bowls were all popular items. For more information, visit Collector's Weekly.

Anchor Hocking Hobnail

Fenton Hobnail

Anchor Hocking Teardrops and Pearls

Pre-Christmas House Cleaning???

2011-12-09T00:45:00.000-08:00

This past week has been an exciting week at the thrift stores. I've found so many wonderful items, people must be cleaning out before the holidays arrive! New items seem to arrive daily. My inventory keeps growing, but I keep buying... just can't miss out on a great deal.

I picked up this Westbend bean pot about a week ago. Perfect condition with a metal lid and bakelite handle. Two days ago I found the hot plate that goes with it! This is staying with me.. at least for the time being!

This set of porcelain Beautiful Boxers mugs is from the Danbury Mint. The were originally sold in a set of six, but these particular portraits are extremely difficult to find. Appear to be new, and each mug has a small picture of the accompanying dog inside the mug!

And speaking of mugs, how about this 6 piece collection of new Pfaltzgraff Rio patterned mugs!

I also found Pfaltzgraff saucers that I've been looking for to match my Yorktowne and Village patterned teacups, Firestone mugs and handled peach luster bowls, a Julie Child autobiography, an Anchor Hocking milk glass vase, Monmouth brown drip pottery, miscellaneous collectible mugs, and my best find - a 50th anniversary Fiesta Ware water pitcher and four cups in mint condition! And lets not forget the fun stuff - a 1991 Campbell's Soup can tree ornament! I could go on and on, but I'll leave that for another day.

So put your Christmas shopping on hold and visit your local thrift stores! Better yet, do your shopping there.. you can find some fantastic bargains at this time of the year.

Pop-Up Christmas Grinch!

2011-11-26T08:46:00.000-08:00

I've never seen this version of the classic Dr Seuss Christmas story about the not-so-lovable Grinch! It's a small book with 6 pop-ups. I found this in great condition at a local thrift store.

Garfield Coffee Mugs

2011-11-17T15:39:00.000-08:00

Aren't these the cutest mugs you've ever seen? I found the full mug at a church garage sale, not realizing it was part of an interlocking set. When I spotted the match, I was suprised 'cause I had never seen anything like it before.

Here's a few more of my recent Garfield finds...

Unusual OOAK? Pottery Mugs

2011-09-27T09:56:00.000-07:00

I recently stumbled upon these two highly unusual mugs. Both are very large, with no manufacturers mark, only a potter's mark. The first is blue glazed stoneware with an applied twisted handle. The lizard depicted on the front is unglazed. A really lovely piece.

The second mug depicts a shark with a tail that wraps around the mug.

Both mugs are truly a work of art. Just wish I knew who created them!

This Week's Treasures

2011-09-10T15:10:00.000-07:00

What a great week at the thrift stores:

A Book Bizarre

2011-09-06T10:28:00.000-07:00

You can usually find me in the book section of my local thrift stores at least once a week. Cookbooks, my favorite finds, are difficult to come by in my area right now. To get my book fix, I also search out unusual and out of print books that are not easily found. I've been adding them slowly to A Book Bizarre, my sorely neglected book site on Bonanza. My cookbooks have all been moved to VintageIntent's Cookbooks and Collectibles and my book site will concentrate on used books that are fun, unusual, and sometimes bizarre! I purchased a new database for my IPad that is designed specifially for books, and it works great! Now I have my work cut out for me. I have boxes of books that have to be catalogued and then listed. But as a collector, I keep on buying! Here's a sample of my new listings:

For Fabulous Fun Kitchens.....

2011-08-30T13:21:00.000-07:00

Mom always said “Don’t play with your food!” But what can be more fun than finding new recipes, using unusual gadgets for food prep, or setting a uniquely decorated table! Playing with your food becomes fun and affordable when using my pre-owned cookbooks and kitchen utensils, or decorate economically with my unique kitchen tableware and embellishments. Make your kitchen a fun and friendly place to cook, eat and entertain with exciting culinary inspiration from my new site, the Playful Pantry.

Campbell's Soup Collectibles

2011-08-08T13:32:00.000-07:00

M'mm M'mm Good! These are so much fun to collect! Every year Campbell's comes out with limited edition soup related collectibles. Soup bowls and mugs are the most common, and easiest to find, but there are also salt and pepper shakers, soup toureens, watches, dolls, tins and more. The Campbell's Kids have become a favorite of advertising collectors. They were introduced in 1904 and gradually changed their image to keep up with the times. There are identification and price guides available for the serious collector. I'm finally going through my personal collection and have just listed some duplicates on Bonanza.

Here Come the Ducks!

2011-07-30T11:02:00.000-07:00

I'm not an avid salt and pepper shaker collector, but when I see really cute or different, I have to pick it up! These are a few duckling shakers that I recently acquired. It took some hunting to find the pairs in a disorganized thrift store, but I was successful and happy to purchase these little guys. They'll probably stay with me. Years ago I used to collect all types of kitchen chicks and ducks, but other things took over and I sold them all. Maybe it's time to start all over again!

A True Treasure Hunt

2011-07-19T11:29:00.000-07:00

What fun we had yesterday digging through boxes at one of our thrift store haunts! When we arrived, the proprietor said he was trying to clear things out, so he'd give us a good deal on anything we found. This particular not for profit store always has lots of merchandise - much of it is common, broken, or just not very interesting. With a little effort, however, we always seem to find some hidden treasures. Just as I was beginning to get discouraged, I came across a lovely Hull brown drip handled casserole dish with lid, in pristine condition. I wanted it for my personal collection no matter what the cost! Then we proceeded to the yard area, where nothing is organized. There are boxes upon boxes of items that are filled with everything from clothing to tools to kitchen items. JACKPOT! Four or five large boxed were filled with vintage kitchen items. We were lucky enough to find a Griswold cast iron griddle, two cast iron cornbread pans, some aluminum bowls, some old dinosaur ice cube trays, vintage aluminum pots with lids, old nutcrackers, loads of baking supplies, and a few interesting cookbooks! We had to leave before we finished searching, 'cause it was just getting too hot! When we checked out, we were given such a great deal that I felt bad and had to give a little more for these wonderful finds.

Vintage Biographies Make a Great Read

2011-06-28T08:17:00.000-07:00

You'll always find me checking out the books at any thrift store or garage sale. Some of my favorites books are vintage biographies. Here are a few that I've picked up, as well as some fascinating personalities I found on ArtFire.

From VintageIntent

From ManateeDreams

From ProsperosBookshelf

Find of the Week

2011-05-05T14:55:00.000-07:00

I just have to share with you my latest thrift store finds. Wednesday is senior day at the Goodwill, but when I ventured over to my local store, it was empty with some construction work going on! So I tripped on over to Deseret Industries and on the way home I debated whether I should stop at a different Goodwill where I never find anything! As long as I was out I figured I should stop. When I saw these Pfaltzgraff canister crocks in perfect condition, I couldn't grab them fast enough! I'm not sure what I'm going to do with them, since I don't usually sell these heavy items on line, but I just couldn't pass them up! I always pick up these Village pattern pieces, so they just might become part of my collection.

Earth Day is a Great Day for Vintage!

2011-04-22T09:38:00.000-07:00

Today is Earth Day. What could be more earth friendly than using vintage items instead of purchasing new? Vintage items were made to last and have withstood the test of time. Many pieces were manufactured with superior workmanship and quality, unlike some of the mass produced pieces made today. Pick up a piece of vintage pottery and notice it's weight. Look at the detail and craftsmanship found in vintage clothing. Play with a toy that won't break in a child's hand. Read a book with beautiful illustrations instead of reading a digital version.

In today's economy, the number of customers frequenting thrift and second hand shops continues to increase. Garage sales are becoming more numerous. People are buying clothes and household items at a fraction of what they would pay for new. Even worn or broken items can be repurposed, refinished, or upcycled into something new. Garage sales often start on Friday, so if you have some free time today, take a walk around your neighborhood and do some recyling of your own!

A Little Piece of American History

2011-04-20T04:34:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you just have to buy something that's a little different. When I saw this Statue of Liberty plaque I had no idea what it was, but for $0.75 I had to have it! A brass plate of Miss Liberty is mounted on a wooden base. Researching was easy. It was offered by Avon in 1985 to celebrate the centennial of the dedication of the statue on October 28, 1886. The image is that of a 1922 US postage stamp. This piece is a little scratched and needs some cleaning, but I think it's a great display item. It can be used as a wall plaque since there is a recessed area on the back for hanging, or as a paperweight.

It Started in a Chevy

2011-04-12T07:03:00.000-07:00

"When I was a girl, my father use to take me out "junking". We had this old beat up classic Chevy pick up that we drove around looking for old stuff and laughing until we cried. Sometimes we rode out to the desert with our metal detectors. Other times, we pulled up to garage sales in that old beat up pick up. We never had anything in mind of what to look for, just something old. Sometimes we just found junk, but every once in a while, we would find a diamond in the rough. When I was older, I purchased a box of junk jewelry. In the box I found a treasure trove of costume jewelry with names like Weiss and Coro. I had no idea what lay before me, but I did know it sparkled and shone like nothing I had ever owned before. The pieces were heavy and well made and there was no way I was going to resell it until I researched it. That research brought me a wealth of information and a new found love for collecting jewelry."

Childhood experiences sparked this collector's vintage passion. Trudy now loves the thrill of the hunt more than anything else. She sells most of what she finds, but sometimes keeps unusual or beautiful pieces of vintage jewelry for her personal collection. Her ArtFire studio, AlianaVintage, is filled with vintage jewelry, clothing and accessories.

Trudy's foremost suggestion for anyone collecting vintage is to be patient. "Too many people know what to look for and you are competing with them every day." She also suggests you stay calm and focused, examine everything closely, and offer fair prices at garage sales.

AlianaVintage is a member of the ArtFire Vintage Guild.

Vintage Style from After Dark Vintage

2011-04-04T06:19:00.000-07:00

What happens when your collections become too large for your space constraints? Often a new business is born! Chris from AfterDarkVintage always loved playing dress up as a child. She especially loved evening gowns and started shopping for vintage in her early 20's. She and her sister would shop auction and estate sales, bringing home whatever they loved. Eventually, as with many collectors, her house started overflowing with her treasures so she began selling on Ebay. After Chris sold most of her glassware, she turned to her vintage clothing collection, realizing that others would appreciate what she had to offer. She now enjoys shopping, photographing and selling her vintage apparel. She loves the feminine styles of the 1940's through the 1960's.

AfterDark's suggestions for new vintage fashion collectors?

Familiarize yourself with the proper method of storing and caring for these items. Each item and fabric needs special care and treatment. Don't hang if an item is not being worn consistently, and NO WIRE HANGERS!
Chris is happy to assist anyone with questions they may have.
You can find AfterDarkVintage on ArtFire, Etsy, Ruby Lane and Ruby Plaza.

AfterDarkVintage is a member of the ArtFire Vintage Guild.

Mad Hatter's Tea Party

2011-03-28T13:37:00.000-07:00

Just thought I'd share this new collection I just made on ArtFire. Vintage teapots are one of my favorite things!

Mad Hatters Tea P...

Curated By: VintageIntent

ArtFire.com

Jewelry Supplies

Going.. Going... Gone !!!

2011-03-23T15:55:00.000-07:00

No, this isn't a post about an auction! It's about this beautiful Bauer mixing bowl that is now in a hundred or more pieces! The bowl and the cute little monkey cookie jar were taking a trip to a sale. When I opened the back door on my jeep, the box fell out and... well you know the rest.
Moral of the story.. be extra careful when transporting breakables. Make sure they're securely in place and not balancing on anything else. Lesson learned.

Southern Heritage Cookbooks

2011-03-22T05:22:00.000-07:00

I found one lonely Southern Heritage Cookbook at the Salvation Army thrift store. Then another.. and another! All together, there were 11 of the 19 cookbooks in the Southern Heritage Cooking Library! I even found the index! These are some wonderful classic southern recipe books from the 1980's.

You can check the others out at my ArtFire studio.

Salt and Pepper Shakers

2011-03-21T02:48:00.000-07:00

Vintage salt and pepper shakers make a fun addition to any meal and a great conversation piece. There are thousands of sets available, with a vast price range. Collectors should concentrate on a specific theme or it is too easy to become overwhelmed with the selection process. Even single shakers should not be overlooked. You can always mix and match! You could even use them for other finely ground spices.

Here are some of my favorite sets. Many vintage shakers were purchased as a souvenir from travel destination gift stores. Some are still recognizable, but often the vacation location has worn off.

Mugs - A Reasonably Priced Fun Collectible!

2011-03-15T16:29:00.000-07:00

Shop any thrift store or visit any garage sale and you're sure to find coffee mugs! On an outing to my local thrift stores yesterday, there were so many mugs for sale that there was no way I could look at all of them. My shopping method is to quickly scan the shelves, looking for heavier pottery mugs (these are often vintage), unique colors and pictures, and anything that looks promotional (especially cartoon characters). Just holding one will often give a clue as to it's age. Newer mugs are usually not as heavy as the older ones. I usually stay away from any that are made in China or Taiwan. And I'm not too interested in those souvenir mugs that can be purchased at any vacation gift shop. Here's some of my recent purchases, all in great condition.

Vintage Clothing for the Modern Man or Woman

2011-03-14T01:32:00.000-07:00

If you're interested in vintage clothing, Nelda's Vintage Clothing probably has something you're looking for. Nelda opened a brick and mortar store over 25 years ago, focusing on vintage jewelry, collectibles and furniture, but soon her customers started asking for clothing! One rack of clothing led the way to a successful new direction for Nelda who has now been selling vintage clothing on line for 10 years. Her shop is filled with men's and women's apparel. shoes, purses, accessories, etc. As a collector, Nelda's passions include bakelite jewelry, vintage handbags and shoes, and 1940's clothing.

Nelda's suggestions for those interested in collecting vintage clothing? - buy items that can be incorporated into something you already own. Try mixing one item of clothing, such as a blouse or skirt, with some modern accessories. - look for reputable sellers who know their merchandise and are able to answer your questions. Nelda can be found at Nelda's Vintage Clothing website and ArtFire. Nelda's Vintage Clothing is a member of the ArtFire Vintage Guild.

Just a Hole in the Wall!

2011-03-03T09:43:00.000-08:00

I love finding small second hand shops and charitable thrift stores. The big chains are great, but discovering places off the beaten paths is one of my favorite thrifting things to do. About a year ago, on the way to a large local store, a thrifting friend and I found a church run shop in a poorer section of town. Figuring we had each other for support, we decided to explore. The small store held lots of surprises: small vintage items, some furniture, creaky stairs leading to a second floor with clothing and linens, a trailer full of books, and a small outside yard filled with boxes of items that hadn't even been examined yet by the proprietors! The two fellows who ran the place were very friendly and helpful. We filled our baskets and were pleasantly surprised when we cashed out, as the gentleman behind the counter simply looked at each item and then gave us a very reasonable price for the whole lot. This little local thrift store that looked like nothing on the outside, has become a routine stop on our treasure hunts.

This sugar and creamer set is one of the unusual items found here!

Refined Vintage

2011-03-01T07:59:00.000-08:00

Bridget of RefinedVintage has always loved antiques, especially old furniture, linens, glassware and jewelry. A decorator and floral designer, she and her husband designed, remodeled, and furnished their home using everything they love. Bridget's collections include old glassware and serving items, jewelry, and Norman Rockwell plates. As her collections grew, there was a natural evolution into sales. She buys and sells what she likes, making her studio, like her home, an eclectic mix of vintage everything. Bridget has chosen the perfect name for her Artfire studio where you can find refined home decor, glassware, jewelry and more.

Bridget's advice for anyone interested in collecting vintage?

Buy what you love! Try to learn as much as you can about one area of collecting. Check out your neighborhood garage sales, especially in older neighbohoods, to find the best deals.

RefinedVintage is a member of the ArtFire Vintage Guild.

Wear Your Vintage!

2011-02-21T06:02:00.000-08:00

BettesBargains is a wonderful example of how a passion for vintage clothing has developed into a full time business. Suzanne started wearing vintage 1949 and 1950 clothing in the 1970's because of remarkable workmanship, quality, and the unique look it presented. In 1994 she started her own business and now operates four online shops and a retail vintage clothing store. Her favorite additions to her personal collection as well as her shop inventory include 1930's and 1940's hats, suits and platform shoes. Her vintage passion doesn't stop there! She's decorated her kitchen in retro 50's and her entire house in retro and antique furniture.

Suzanne's Artfire studio was named after her little dog, Miss Bette, her constant companion. Visit her shops for antique clothing, vintage clothing, and accessories with prices for every budget: dresses, lingerie, coats, glove, hats, and jewelry. You can also visit her on etsy at Another Time Vintage Apparel.

Miss Bette's advice for those interested in vintage clothing?

"Buy what you like and buy quality if you can."

She suggests that one of the best parts of collecting is learning the history of an item and connecting with previous owners. Enjoy your treasures until passing them on to another owner to keep and enjoy.

BettesBargains is a member of the ArtFire Vintage Guild.

Vintage Medicinal Almanacs

2011-02-20T17:36:00.000-08:00

I've worked in the medical field for 40 years and have a small collection of old medical ephemera. I love reading the old medical almanacs from the 1920's to 1950's. The almanacs were actually printed by companies in an effort to sell their medicines, and distributed by drugstores and pharmacies. And what medicines they were! My favorite is the 1939 Jaynes's Almanac. The entire booklet educated the reader on the symptoms and horrors of roundworms! I have no idea whether the medicine worked, but found the reading quite amusing.

Some other popular almanacs include Doans' Directory of the United States, advertising Doan's Little Liver Pills.

Dodd's Medical Almanac Dodd's Almanac published by the Dodds Medicine Company of the US in Buffalo NY

Dr Miles New Weather Almanac and Handbook of Valuable Information

These and many other almanacs contained calendars, medical information, testimonials, product ads, patient photos and cute graphics. They were given away free as an advertising promotion.

History Comes Alive with ManateeDreams

2011-02-15T06:26:00.000-08:00

History comes alive in ManateeDreams' studio, which is filled with an eclectic array of vintage items that were once found in every almost every home. Books, kitchen items, toys, sewing items, household decor, and even souvenirs of long forgetten voyages fill this shop with memories of times past. ManateeDreams has been discovering vintage treasures since a child, when family excursions always included side trips to antique and junk markets. She eventually began collection her own specialties of children's books, natural history books, and kitchen utensils. She enjoys refurbishing items and finding every item a new home.

ManateeDreams suggestions for those interested in collecting?

"Read, read, read and touch, touch, touch" Explore estate sales, auctions, garage sales, brick and mortar shops. Don't be afraid to get dirty exploring grungy storage rooms. They often hide long lost treasures. Use libraries and online sites for researching your items.

ManateeDreams is a member of the ArtFire Vintage Guild

Tea Time at the Thrift Store

2011-02-11T11:00:00.000-08:00

My grandmother drank tea. My mother drank tea. I drink tea. For me, tea drinking becomes a lot more fun when I use a teapot from my collection. I enjoy a cup or two of green or herbal tea, brewed in a vintage teapot, and sipped from a vintage cup. I collect brown pottery teapots, and was really excited this week when I spotted this mint Japanese teapot and cup. Tea drinking in Japan is taken very seriously. The Japanese tea ceremony began in the 15th century and is still continued today. Tea and a light meal are served in a complex and beautiful ritual, incorporating the Zen Buddaism ideas of harmony, respect, purity and tranquility.

This is another of my favorite teapots I found on a thrifting excursion. It's a beautiful art deco piece and I'm hoping someday I'll find the lid!

Vintage Clothing and Accessories from VintageCostumes

2011-02-07T04:44:00.000-08:00

Love of theater and opera that started at age 12 was the beginning of a lifelong passion for the vintage clothing collected and sold by VintageCostumes. After performing as a teen, Kelly designed her first show at age 18 and subsequently went on to design drama, opera, dance and some musical theater. She designed, shopped, and collected, and her knowledge of vintage fashion grew. She has even turned some of her vintage finds into sewing patterns to reproduce a particular piece. Some favorite items in her personal collection are Victorian 18 button boots with green suede trim, a Knights Templar uniform overcoat from 1881, and a 1950's women's suit with hundreds of tiny hand sewn pleats. Kelly offers a variety of vintage clothing and accessories in her Artfire studio. You'll find men's and women's apparel, gloves ties, scarves, hats, even sunglasses! You'd think Kelly's passion would keep her busy enough, but no, she also runs a bradcast network consisting of live webcast video of concerts, festivals, sporting events, and training seminars!

Kelly's advice to anyone interested in collecting vintage?

"Know your stuff" "Enjoy what you do" and "Do take a risk - sometimes"!

Kelly warns that there are many modern knockoffs of vintage pieces, so research is vital. Shows such as Antiques Roadshow or Pawn Stars are interesting and generally informative, but viewers shouldn't think they can buy things to flip and make quick cash. If you do your research and know your stuff, you have to be prepared to sit on an item until the right buyer comes along.

VintageCostumes is a member of the Artfire Vintage Guild.

Thrift Store Vegas Video

2011-01-31T15:03:00.001-08:00

Decorate Your Home with Vintage

2011-01-18T06:47:00.000-08:00

This week's featured studio offers an eclectic vintage inventory for the home. AnyOldTime is the direct result of Robin Zebley's love of decorating with vintage treasures. She began decorating her 1920's bungalow with vintage figurative planters, and progressed to vintage art, lamps, housewares and linens. Her studio is filled with vintage art, fashion, housewares, photos, ephemera and more, all waiting to enhance your home!

Robin's advice to anyone collecting vintage?

"Buy what you like, research it and find the interesting story behind it!"

AnyOldTime is a member of the ArtFire Vintage Guild . You can find AnyOldTime at her ArtFire Studio for vintage, Etsy and RobinZebley.com for pet portraits.

European Thrift Shopping

2011-01-16T13:22:00.000-08:00

This is a fun book I found while searching throught the thrift store "libraries". It's a 1973 softcover all about where, what and how to buy at street markets in Europe. It's filled with hand drawn illustrations and lots of tips. If you're a flea market, garage sale or thrift store junkie planning a European trip, you'll love this book! Granted, some of this information on local shopping is bound to be outdated, but it's still a fun read with lots of information on collecting in Europe. It's up for sale at my Bonanza shop.

Collecting Brown Drip Pottery

2011-01-11T10:50:00.000-08:00

I love brown drip. I don't know why. It's not elegant, dainty or colorful. I guess it just reminds me of a time long ago when things were simpler. Brown drip is a heavy solid brown pottery with white or cream colored edges that appear to flow down the sides of the piece. It was made by numerous manufacturers such as Hull, McCoy, Monmouth and Pfaltzgraff. As with most collectibles, you have to be careful when purchasing because there are still cheap reproductions being made today. Almost all vintage brown drip is marked. Ovenproof - USA refers to Hull. Monmouth is marked USA usually accompanied by a maple leaf. Some manufacturers, such as McCoy are often easily recognizable by their name. Unmarked pieces can be recognized as vintage from their wear and weight.

Collecting brown drip is fun because common pieces can often be found at thrift stores and garage sales. It's not too difficult to assemble a fairly large collection for table use or display. Bean pots, platters, bowls, serving dishes and mugs are as useful today as they were 50 years ago.

Classy Vintage from Junkbox Treasures

2011-01-10T12:14:00.000-08:00

Don't let the name of this vintage site fool you! The treasures are definitely there, but don't look for any junk in this classy collection of jewelry, glassware, pottery and porcelain. Daye and Mark Salander have always been fascinated with old things and formed Junkbox Treasures to share their vintage finds. Every item they sell is thoroughly examined and researched to assure a buyer gets exactly what they expect. Their items can be found online at their ArtFire studio or JunkboxTreasures.com.

As they search out vintage treasures, Daye and Mark often find pieces to add to their own collections of Wedgewood and Candlewick. Their pieces are displayed and enjoyed for their intrinsic beauty and fascinating history.

Their advice to novice vintage collectors? Buy what you like! Then enjoy it.

JunkboxTreasures is a member of the ArtFire Vintage Guild.

To Your Health!

2010-12-20T05:41:00.001-08:00

To Your Health!

Curated By: VintageIntent

ArtFire.com

Indie Design

Antique Christmas Ornaments

2010-12-18T06:44:00.000-08:00

It seems I'm the only one in my family that was interested in saving my Mom's vintage Christmas ornaments. She passed them on to me one Christmas and it was one of the most precious gifts I ever received. They are German hand painted glass. It's funny, I won't let anyone place these on the tree but me. I'd be heartbroken to lose the few that are left. Hope you enjoy!

Now here is the ugliest, scariest Christmas ornament you've ever seen. It's made of thin glass, and the two halves were somehow fused together. I received it from my Italian inlaws. It may be a variation of the Christmas Devil, a persona used to scare little children into behaving. If anyone has any information on this item, I would greatly appreciate it.

2010-12-12T06:22:00.001-08:00

Here's a collection of wonderful vintage kitchen items I've put together:

Dinner Time Vintage

Curated By: VintageIntent

ArtFire.com

Craft Tutorials

Is It Really Vintage?

2010-12-11T16:15:00.000-08:00

I decided to write this post after taking part in a forum discussion on ArtFire about the listing of vintage items for sale with little or no information to verify authenticity. The identification of vintage items is not a science. Oh, it's easy if a manufacturers mark, copyright or item name is found on a piece, but what if there's no information to be found? That's when the research begins - on the internet, in books, and through experts or appraisers. Often, however, there IS NO information to be found on a particular item. In that case, we just have to go by our gut instinct and other comparable items that are up for sale. Examining style, wear, patina, quality of workmanship, what substance a piece is made of, etc usually give an accurate picture of age. But even appraisers can be fooled and sometimes don't agree on things. As for vintage pricing, an item is only worth what someone is willing to pay. So if we have something without much factual information, it should be offered it at a price we think is reasonable and comparable to similar items. It often happens that we sell an item for much less than it is worth (just happened to me!) but that's all part of the business. Vintage is a variable market. Prices change all the time. We just do the best we can.

Tom and Jerry Christmas Eggnog

2010-12-08T06:31:00.000-08:00

When I first came across the name of this Christmas eggnog drink, I immediately thought of the animated cat and mouse I watched as a child. Was I suprised when I found out there was no relationship to the lovable cartoon characters! Tom and Jerry is a Christmas drink that originated in Europe in the 1820's. A sports writer named Pierce Egan wrote a book entitled Life in London, or The Day and Night Scenes of Jerry Hawthorn Esq. and his Elegant Friend Corinthian Tom. To promote his book, he developed a variation on eggnog, giving it a bigger kick with the additon of rum. He called his drink the Tom and Jerry. There are other theories on the drink's origin, but this is the most accepted.

Many glass manufacturers have produced sets specifically for Tom and Jerry's consisting of a large punchbowl and matching mugs. You'll often find the cups, but it's much more difficult to find the bowl. Here's a recipe from About.com if you'd like to try it yourself.

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus

2010-11-03T14:01:00.000-07:00

Do you know the real life story of Santa Claus? I never even knew this story existed. Found it at a local thrift shop. L Frank Baum lived from 1856 - 1919 and this is the 1983 printing of his story about the famous fat man. I think this edition is true to the original illustrations.

Wink! Wink!

2010-10-17T14:35:00.001-07:00

Aren't these winking ladies and gentleman adorable? They're just a few of the many advertising pieces from Bailey's Irish Cream. The winking ladies cups are found most often, but occasionally a winking man is discovered! This winking man is the sugar from a set. Now if I could just find the matching lady creamer.

Collecting Vintage Cookbooks

2010-10-11T22:25:00.000-07:00

Do you remember fondue parties… or really good fruitcake… or Mom’s dinners before the advent of fast food and frozen dinners? You can find delicious classic recipes and discover long forgotten family recipes in vintage cookbooks. Whenever I shop a thrift store I always browse the book department specifically looking for vintage recipe books and pamphlets. I may be looking for specific recipes or just looking for interesting information about cooking the way it used to be. I skim over newer titles and look for the well used cookbooks of the past, preferably from the 1960's or earlier.

Much of the food we eat as well as the cooking methods we use have changed over the years. Light heart healthy meals were definitely not the norm. You'll find lots of meats and casserole dishes in these early books. There's no mention of low-fat, either, as butter, lard, heavy cream, cheeses and full fat milk are common ingredients. With a few substitutions, many old recipes can easily be converted into healthier fare, but even if you don't want to recreate recipes, vintage cookbooks are just fun to read.

Libraries for Vintage Books? Sure!

2010-10-05T13:18:00.000-07:00

Public libraries don't stock junk. But when books get old or are so highly specialized that they don't get any action, they have to go! Libraries can't keep books forever, there's always new ones coming in, so they have to make room. Most public libraries, at least in my area, run discarded book sales. They may have a special area always kept stocked with books for sale, or they may run special sale days. Libraries in the Las Vegas area run "bag sales" about once a month at different branches. These are by far my favorite - you pay only $1.oo for as many books as you can stuff in a plastic grocery bag! Most of them are vintage, just waiting to be scooped up by collectors. I've found classic children's books, collectible reference books and great old science books, to name a few. These books will usually have library stamps and other marks identifying them as discards, but they are basically in great shape. I've also found near mint newer books by Paula Dean and Wolfgang Puck that had been donated to the library, but which were never stocked. Check your local libraries for sale dates and locations.

Amazing Walking Treasures

2010-08-25T13:26:00.000-07:00

On my last thrift store expedition I found a couple of items amidst all the junk scattered on the shelves. It was really a mess, and the employees were bringing in more donations and stuffing them wherever they could find room. Lots of new merchandise was sitting in a cart blocking the isle, so I parked my cart a few feet away and continued searching for goodies. I was only away from the cart a minute or two, and when I returned it was empty! I quickly asked the store employee if she had emptied my cart and was answered with a definite "NO, I didn't touch it!" So I glanced around into the nearest carts, thinking maybe someone had picked them up, but I guess no one else had my taste! Resigned to the fact that I lost my treasures, I started looking at what new items the employee was stocking, and what did I see but my priceless treasures back on the shelf! I guess they must have jumped out of the cart by themselves since she didn't move them! Anyway, the moral of the story is this: Don't ever leave your finds unattended. They may walk away never to be seen again!

Is This Crazy or Just Plain Fun?

2010-08-10T09:33:00.000-07:00

It's great fun to go on a thrift store shopping spree. No, I don't mean locally.. I mean taking off for a full day (or more) to new shopping cities. Last summer I went on a 3 day thrift store marathon with a good friend of mine who also happens to be a thrift store junkie. We started out from her home just outside of Provo, Utah, and covered about 300 miles and 10 thrift shops on our adventure. Most of the shops were run by Deseret Industries, a non profit organization of the Church of Latter Day Saints. Our journey took us through Provo, American Fork, Sandy, West Jordan and St. George. We had a great time, ate lots of junk food (disguised as healthy food), and bought lots of "junque". It was a little sampling of what it must be like to attend the 600 mile yard sale on the east coast. Here's some of my great finds. We have more trips planned, so I'll keep you updated on our progress!

2010-07-05T06:23:00.000-07:00

I had a slow week for treasure hunting, but I did pass by a garage sale and I couldn't resist this soft plastic M & M bank. What an appropriate find for this July 4th celebration!

While we're on the holiday theme, check out this retro barbeque plate:

Here's a great treasury on Etsy with lots more retro picnic treasures:

Picnic Retro by Joevintage

Can You ID this Vintage Mug?

2010-07-01T14:46:00.000-07:00

I picked up this coffee mug a few months ago. It appears to be vintage - the base is worn, but there is no mark. About a month ago I found another one in pale yellow. Does anyone have any ideas about the maker?

The Week in Review

2010-06-14T06:40:00.000-07:00

This week's finds were few and far between. Garage sales were practically non-existant so it was another thrift store weekend. Althought the shelves were filled, there wasn't too much that interested me. I did pick up these few items - Haeger Gold Tweed Astray, Circa 1960, Made in Japan Egg Cup. This could actually be the beginning of a new collection! Fireking Refrigerator Dish, no cover, Noah's Ark Collectible Plate. I never buy the collector plates, but this was SO cute.... and lastly, An Elvis Book, filled with nothing but pictures. Who could leave that behind! Hopefully, this week will be filled with an abundance of new purchases. I'm happy with my finds, but it's a little discouraging not to be able to find more! After all, the thrill is always in the hunt!

Garage Sales - My Pet Peeves!

2010-06-08T07:01:00.000-07:00

Pet Peeve #1: Signs
Ok - so I'm out driving on a beautiful Saturday morning ready to do some garage sale buying. I see a sign with an arrow, so I make a quick turn and start following the directives. After about 6 turns I realize - NO SALE TODAY - the inconsiderate sellers never took their signs down from a previous sale. There should be a law! I've learned not to believe signs. I stop at unadvertised sales only if I can see them from the road I'm traveling. More than not, it's just a waste of time and gas to follow the arrows!

Pet Peeve #2: Ads

HUGE SALE
YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

Sales with this type of advertising often turn out to be a single table with junk and lots of used clothing. I just want to know what's for sale. Then I'll decide if there might be something I want!

Pet Peeve #3: No Prices
I'll be more inclined to buy stuff when I don't have to ask the price of every single item. No prices = no sales from me unless it's something I'm really interested in. On the other hand, when everything is priced, I'll often grab something just because it's a good deal.

Pet Peeve #4: Pushy Sellers
I know what I want. Sellers don't. So I don't like a tour. I don't want to hear about how wonderful everything is and how I'd be getting a great bargain.

So now I want to know - what are some of your pet peeves?

Unicorns and Birds

2010-06-06T10:06:00.000-07:00

I didn't spend too much time outside at the sales this weekend. It's just getting too hot here in Vegas for both the sellers and the buyers. But I did pick up a few things at the local thrift store. The shopping there was pretty lean as well, and it took me 3 times around to find these beauties:

The vintage brass unicorn bookends stand about 7 1/2 in. tall and are in great condition.

The little vintage ashtry is part of a series of the 48 mainland states handpainted by Annie Laura. I'd love to find more, but this is the first I've every seen, so I guess they're pretty hard to come by.

Weekend Thrifting

2010-05-31T09:09:00.000-07:00

Hope everyone is celebrating Memorial Day today. Let's give thanks to all those who have in the past or are presently serving our country. THANK YOU!

I'm going to try to get out to the 25% off sale at the Goodwill today, but since I knew I'd be busy I did some thrifting on Saturday. Suprisingly, the thrift stores were not very busy, I guess due to the holiday weekend, so I got some great stuff. Did you know there was an Iron Chef board game? I found one in mint condition! Also picked up some vintage ties, a Hawaiian purse, cookbooks and some pottery. Not a bad day at all!

Look What I Found - Fitz and Floyd Fat Ladies!

2010-05-28T17:03:00.001-07:00

I picked up these adorable plates at Deseret Industries just because they looked really cool. Upon further investigation, it turns out these are discontinued dessert or snack plates by Fitz and Floyd called Fat is Beautiful - Variations. They are marked 1979 and sell for no less than $10 to $25 each. They were part of a dessert set that also included 4 coffee mugs with the same ladies. Too bad I couldn't find them as well. I've seen the complete set selling for over $200!

Map Out Your Garage Sale Strategy

2010-05-27T13:40:00.000-07:00

Want to find out what garage sales are happening in your neighborhood on any particular day? There's a great tool available that maps out your treasure hunting route called The Yard Sale Treasure Map. Just type in your address and the application will pull all the advertised garage sales from Craig's list for the day you select and map them out for you. It seems Craig's list is the newest rage in advertising sales, since it's free and easily accessed. But the Treasure Map will also allow you to input your own addresses from any other source. You can also delete those sales you want to pass up. If you don't have a GPS to map a route, The Yard Sale Treasure Map is the next best thing.

Look What I Found - the Three Little Kittens!

2010-05-26T16:14:00.000-07:00

Three vintage pencil sharpeners, made in China by Lark. These are in like new condition and are made of some type of glazed ceramic or clay material. They stand about 2 1/4" tall. There's a plastic sharpener in the base of the shoe. I've seen these selling on line for about $15.00 each! Found them at a local thrift store.