The Thrft Store Shopper: Addicted To Cheap Thrills and Retro Couture

Stylish Retro Cool Clothing Shoppers
Do you have any friends who dress retro cool and secretly shop regularly at Thrift Stores? You know these artsy types.....they are always wearing funky sweaters, groovy coats, great skirts, colorful scarves, hip pocketbooks, chunky jewelry etc. and yet they never tell you where they found their retro dynamite looking stuff.

Addicted to Thrift Shops

Then one day you are passing by a Thrift Store and they practically leap out of the car and ask if you could stop for just a few minutes and let them take a quick look around inside. You kindly agree to their request. Then once inside the store.... they confide in you that they are addicted to second hand shopping and have been to this very same store just a few days ago. Oops you have been snookered.

Confessions of a Thrifty Shopper

When your girl friend is certain that she can divulge more to you about her passion for cheap Thrift Shop thrills and that you (a close friend) won't act judgmental...she suddenly spills the mother load and tells you that in fact...the sweater that she is wearing right now is indeed from "Goodwill".

Catching your breath...you have two immediate thoughts...(1) OMG...."I can't believe _____is wearing something from a Thrift Shop" and (2) WOW she looks great...can you help me find a cool sweater like that......And with that idea...a new recruit is suckered in to the world of Thrift Store Couture.

What's "in" and What's "not"

But as I mentioned before......seasoned Thrift store shoppers are regulars. These gals know the difference between shock, shlock and "in" stock. The successful Thrift Shop dresser has "style"......they know what is "in" and what is "not". They are skilled at hunting through racks and scooping up the goodies before you or I ever get there.

Master Shoppers

Obsessed shoppers are master buyers ...they are friends with the Thrift Store staff, they know when the sales are...they know when the best days to shop are...etc. I know of several shoppers who could be considered "apparel stalkers" ...they can tell you when a particular treasure arrived, how long it has been at full price and when it will be moved to the 50% section.

Sneaky Tactics

And on that very day...when the blue tags are pinned to the half priced items... your Thrifty lady is outside the shop door an hour before opening hoping to find the sacred half priced scarf that they buried under a pile the day before (a strategy employed to be sure it is there in the morning).

Keeping Secrets

The next time you are out shopping with your friend you will be dying to know where they bought the scarf they are wearing...but you have a pretty good idea...and you dare not ask.

Other Names For Thrift Stores
Second Hand Clothing Store
Consignment Shop
Vintage Shop
Resources

The Style Blogger
http://www.thestyleblogger.com/2009/10/how-to-shop-vintage.html

Directory of Thrift Shops:
http://www.thethriftshopper.com/

Locate a Goodwill Store
http://locator.goodwill.org/?gclid=CMSNkoSPgp8CFZAN5Qod-zvRMQ

Salvation Army Website
http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf/vw-local/Home


C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff

Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com

Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.

Retro Flashback: Swanson T.V. Dinners A 1950's Favorite Are Back in The Kitchen

Re-Launching Swanson T.V. Dinners

Did you know that Swanson T.V. Dinners were brought back in January 2007. Let's be clear...its not that Swanson just found back stock of their 1950's dinners and took them out of the deep freeze....no...what I mean is that the company re-launched their classic dinners.

Swanson T.V. Dinner Introduced in 1953

Let me re-fresh your memory. Swanson T.V. Dinners came out in 1953 at the same time as Americans were watching T.V.in technicolor. My three favorite dinners were (1) Fried chicken (2) Roast turkey (3) Macaroni and Cheese. I was also a big fan of the Chicken Pot Pies.

To this day whenever I serve frozen mixed vegetables to my family I automatically have a flashback to the Turkey Swanson T.V. dinner's unique aluminum foil package. I remember as if it was yesterday.... carefully peeling back the tin foil cover and exposing the vegetables, turkey and mash potatoes which were organized so nicely in that iconic aluminum tray. Those mash potatoes were pretty good as I remember.
Swanson Classic T.V. Dinners included:

Boneless Fried Chicken
Boneless Pork
Breaded Fish Fillet
Fried Chicken Strips
Macaroni and cheese
Meat Loaf
Macaroni Style Fiesta
Roasted Carved turkey
Salisbury Steak


C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff

Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com

Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.

Hazel Atlas Glass "Gay Rainbow" Milk and Cream Pitcher Was A Kix Cereal Premium

Gay Rainbow Milk and Cream Pitcher

Who hasn't seen the Hazel Atlas Glass milk and cream pitcher which comes in blue, yellow, orange and green? A day doesn't go by that I don't spot several of these common kitchen collectibles in an antique mall or shop.

Popular Kitchen Premiums

There are so many of these Hazel Atlas milk pitchers around because they were premiums (free promotional items) from Kix cereal.

The advertisement (also a collector's item) read:

"FREE At Your Grocer's While They Last: This Lovely, Genuine Gay Rainbow Milk and Cream Pitcher" .

Value: Pitchers $6.00-8.00.
Advertisement $15.00-20.00.

For more info read: "The Hazel Atlas Glass Identification and Value Guide by Cathy and Gene Florence (Collectorbooks.com).

Also visit: http://iantiqueonline.ning.com/group/kitschncollectibleskitchencollectibles

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff

Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com

Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.

Old "Poppytrail" and "Vernon" Dinnerware Advertising Brochures Provide Helpful Information

Finding Advertising Brochures on Poppytrail and Vernon Dinnerware

Poking through a box of old papers at a local antique show, a few years back, I came across a stack of advertising brochures for "Poppytrail" and "Vernon" Dinnerware. I put together a collection of the various brochures I wanted and asked the dealer how much he wanted for this lot of paper. He was asking a bit more than I had imagined, but something told me that I had found something special so I agreed to his price.

Vintage Catalogs Provie Important Information to Collectors

What I heard learned over the years is that old catalogs or advertising materials are precious commodities. So if you come across vintage catalogs or promotional materials at a decent price, jump on them, especially if they are about collectibles that you are interested in. Remember that there are collectors for everything.

You can keep them for your own reference or sell them to other collectors who like you are after background information and photos.

Old catalogs provide collectors with valuable information which help to date, identify and value collectibles today. For more information on dinnerware check out :

http://www.hillhousewares.com/category0maker2.html

Metlox Pottery began in 1927 in Manhattan Beach, California and grew to become one of California's premier pottery companies. There were two divisions within Metlox, the Poppytrail Division and the Vernonware Division (due to Metlox's purchase of Vernon Kilns in 1942). I carry over 70 patterns/color variations of Metlox. The Vernonware Division is listed separately (another sixty-five patterns). Metlox closed in 1989.

To learn more about identifying patterns from both the "Poppytrail" and "Vernon"
divisions go to: http://www.hillhousewares.com/category0maker2.html

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff

Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com

Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.

Using Vintage Childrens Book Pages As Wall Decor In A Nursery Or Child's Room

Framing Vintage Childrens Book Pages

Vintage childrens books are a great place to look for attractive and colorful illustrations for wall decor for a baby or child's room. Often large size cloth or paper books have very darling pictures which can be isolated from the book and framed under glass.

Searching Books With Loose Pages or Blemishes

It's not unusual to find slightly damaged books that are selling for a lot less because they have pages missing, scribbles or torn pages. These are just the perfect books to look for when you are in search of cute illustrations. And dealers take note...this is also a good way for you to salvage a book that you have that has lost it's value. Pull it apart and trim rough edges with a paper cutter and insert into a plastic sleeve with a cardboard backing for sale.


Common Children's Themes
1.alphabet
2.trucks
3.dolls
4.jungle animals
5.dogs and cats
6.farm animals
7.Nursery Rhymes
8.Disney
9.trains
10.toys
11.Beatrix Potter, Raggedy Ann etc.
12.clowns

Inexpensive Themed Artwork For Your Retro Vintage Baby Or Child

The beauty of this idea is that you can find numerous themes to choose from which work well in a nursery or young child's room Alphabet books are wonderful to use as you can find the letter that goes with the child's name. Or select several pictures which go with "transportation", or "baby animals" or "playthings". You can even take this idea one step further and look for other vintage items such as quilt covers and furnishings.

Where to Find Childrens Books

You can find childrens books on online auctions such as Ebay or the vintage section on Etsy.com. Also hunt at flea markets, shows, auctions . etc.

Photo shown here are from
http://www.binspiredvintage.etsy.com
http://www.binspiredmama.com


C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff

Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com

Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.


C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff

Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com

Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.

The Thrill of The Hunt: Bargain Shopping in Flea Markets Looking For "The Big One"

Collectibles on My Dining Room table

Right now, my dining room table is covered in kitchen collectibles which need to be priced for my shop. The shelves in my garage are filled with stuff that I just recently bought that are too dusty to make it into my house yet. Besides it is too freakin' cold to stand in the garage and go through the bags and boxes of junk (collectibles) that I just acquired.'

Did I Actually Buy This?

When I do get a chance to sort through the piles in the garage, I usually have two responses..."Wow....I forgot I bought this" or "I can't believe I actually bought this". With so much "back up stuff', why on earth do I want to go out and buy more today?

After "The Big One"
The answer is very simple....I am a 'hunter" and I am after "the big one" (the surprise gem that everyone else passed over" and that is offered for pocket change or a few bucks or at a very good deal! What satisfaction we feel when we believe we have snookered a helpless seller! Enough to keep the thin skinned among us up all night?

Clueless Shoppers Before We Came Along

This logic assumes that the five people who owned "the big one" before we found it, didn't know that they had "the big one". Further, this reasoning also suggests that the forty two people who handled this object before we got there, had no clue what they were looking at a treasure. Only we know what is going on in the antique and collectibles world, ( we are thinking) . We know a deal when we see it.

The Bargain

Yes...you are correct in your thinking...what I am talking about is "THE BARGAIN". hunters are after bargains! Generations of shoppers thrive on this concept of "the bargain". Look at the success of stores such as Loehmanns, which is a chain of off price department stores in the United States known for their "Back Room" where women can find designer clothes for less than popular retailers.

Remember Loehmann's

Loehmann's was opened in 1921 in Brooklyn, New York in a former automobile showroom by Frieda Loehmann, who was a former department store buyer. Her formula was to buy seasonal overstocks from top New York designers and sell them at bargain prices.

Discount Shopping Stores

Today many of us are familiar with stores similar stores like Loehmanns such as Marshalls, T.J. Maxx, Filene's Basement and others. On line, this bargain concept is carried on by sites such as WWW. Overstock.com. or Amazon.com. But ask anyone who is familiar with Loehmanns back in the day, and you will learn that Loehmanns was in a class of its own. The kinds of evening gowns and women's suits that showed up at Loehmanns didn't show up anywhere else at those prices.

Climbing The Flea Market Steps

But what about our business of antiques and collectibles? What are the Loehmann's in our trade? Can you really find a bargain anymore? In a few hours I will leave my semi-toasty warm home and venture out to the nearby flea market. I will climb three flights of steps to the upper level of this building and begin hunting for today's treasure(s). As I go in and out of each and every booth I will find myself thinking once again "you gotta be kidding.......he's asking top dollar for that......is this a flea market or an antique show?"

Haggling is An Art

But then just as I am ready to leave the market in despair, I will pause as I find something interesting that I want. Next I will haggle the guy or gal on the price and if successful I will feel like I just found "the big one". That is until I return home and stuff the bag with all the others on the shelf and wonder in a few weeks when I'm ready to unpack some bags "what in the world was I thinking when I bought this thing?".

If You Love Flea Markets: Go To http://iantiqueonline.ning.com/group/favoritefleamarketdestinationsandtips
C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff

Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com

Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.

Fifites Pink and Black Colors Back In The Kitchen

Flashback to the Fifties

Did you ever notice that when you are out antiquing that certain color combinations will trigger a sudden flashback.

This is what happens to me when I see the colors pink and black together. I first starting start smelling tuna fish and then my childhood appears. Why does this happen you ask? Because I am a child of the fifties..... and pink and black were hot colors back then! But why the tuna fish connection? Hang in there...this will make sense in just a moment.

Triggering Memories

My tuna fish salad sandwich on Wonder bread was stuffed into a brown paper bag and then packed into the lunch compartment of my black and pink school brief case. That brief case smelled of tuna fish no matter whay my mother packed each day.

I can picture this school bag as clear as day. Oh, how proud I was to carry a brief case. It was back in the 1950s when young gals wore navy skirts, white blouses and red ties on Fridays, the Assembly Day. These were the days when we played house or school, helped mom in the kitchen and imagined our own dream house some day.

Pink and Black is Black in The Kitchen

Today, many collectors are charmed by pink and black kitchen-wares. Interesting enough, younger collectors as well as baby boomers like pink. And major houseware manufacturers are also showcasing pink and black housewares, textiles and accessories. Because there is a trend to return pink and black back into the kitchen, be extra careful that when buying original 1950's kitchen-wares that you are actually buying authentic and not vintage style. Many small and large appliances are also being reproduced in these pastel colors...so buyer beware.

Where to Buy Original l Vintage Pink and Black Kitchen Collectibles and Textiles

http://www.picnicbyellie.com/

http://www.rickrack.com/tc3.html

http://www.cdiannezweig.com/

http://www.jazzejunque.com/

http://www.preservecottage.com/home.html


C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff

Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com

Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.

Who's In The Dog House ? Vintage 'Tails" About Pampering Your Pet

Doggie Condos

A few days before the first snow storm this season, I was out shopping for a dog house for my Sheltie, "Jacob". I of course brought "Jacob" along for his opinion on the matter.
I ruminated about what size to get, small, medium, large or extra large? I threw a dog biscuit inside each house to see how "Jacob" looked and acted inside the various sizes. You have to picture me on my knees with my head poked into the dog house, trying to see if "Jacob" would like his new doggie condo.

Pennsylvania Dutch Dog House

The very patient fella who took me around the outdoor "showroom", explained that these were very well made dog houses from Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Shivering in my boots...I asked my salesman how the dog would keep warm in these houses that did not have doors or covered windows?

"Body heat he explained....the dog's body heat will do the trick". He also said not to buy a house that was too big.

Do Dogs Like Dog Houses?

We talked for awhile and i finally made my choice on which dog house would work for my precious "Jacob". But then just as I was ready to take out my credit card and buy this dog house.... my candid sales person shared the following with me: "you know he may never go inside it...my dog wouldn't use his". Yep...that was enough to change my mind right then and there .....I was not about to smack down $129.00 dollars for the fun of it.

Advice From Doggie Shrinks

So on the way home, I stopped at my dog groomer (also a doggie shrink type) and asked her about dog houses. She said she had a plastic one (think the Little Tyke type) sitting out in the back which I could try.

So, I shlepped home the dog house, washed the outside and inside with detergent and put a nice warm blanket inside of it. A few days later it snowed and the blanket got wet. Several more days later, it snowed again and the house was buried in the snow.

I asked "Jacob" if he wanted me to shovel out his house and he said that he preferred to go inside with me and lay on the couch!


C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff

Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com

Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.

Decorating a Retro Cozy Kitchen With Vintage and Hip Kitchen Collectibles

Retro Cozy Kitchen
Is it possible to have both an updated home and kitchen and also bring that special element called "cozy" back into the mix?

Adding Hip Tchotchkes

Basically, the question is.... can stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops co-exist with vintage Tchotchkes* ?

How do you bring warmth into the trendy industrial style kitchen? Is there really such a thing as "new age cottage" or "vintage modern kitsch" ? You betcha your Fire King there is.

As you know, stainless steel is a "cold" and "colorless" look. It works well in restaurant or commercial kitchens because it is practical and easy to maintain.

But in a residential kitchen, most homeowners need to depend on other decorating elements to soften the look of linear shapes, sharp angles and reflective surfaces.

While many of today's homes do bring in other materials into the kitchen such as natural wood (floors) , ceramic or mosaic (backsplash) and granite ( counters) , the charm only comes into the room when color, texture and accessories are added.

Many young couples like to keep the "modern" theme going and look to designs and kitchen-wares of the sixties and seventies or even earlier (atomic era). To help you think about possible collecting ideas to consider I have created this quick tip list.

Looking for Hip and Cozy Collectibles :

1 colorful .hard plastic kitchenwares (see Heller plastics)
2. teak or wood housewares
3. vintage barkcloth pillows, textiles, drapes
4. vintage fabric stretched over canvas
5. collections of similar objects (1.e. Fiestaware)
6. objects that are different but have complimentary design patterns or colors.
7. objects associated with an era i.e. mushrooms, owls, butterflies (sixties and seventies).
8. mobiles
9. vintage dinnerware, mugs, flatware
10. Kitchen tables and chairs with a retro flare.

Photos courtesy of Cassie Edmonds

What is a Tchotchke?* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tchotchke


C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff

Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com

Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.

Hip Retro Chicks Flock to Vintage Shops for Their Frocks and Vintage Accessories

Young Gals Returning to Vintage Shops

The buzz out there in the vintage world is that young gals are returning to making their own clothes, buying vintage clothing, accessorizing with with older costume jewelry and decorating their apartments with hand me downs, thrift shop specials and flea market finds.

Antique Malls Making Room For Clothing

Vintage is hotter than ever and you will see this trend blossoming in many established antique malls. At Old Carriage Shop Antiques in Litchfield, CT , there has been a "take-over" of booths
by vintage clothing dealers catering to young retro chic chicks .

Hello Platform Shoes

Some of my favorite booths are gone in this terrific multi-dealer shop, replaced with fur coats, platform shoes, cocktail dresses, pocketbooks, scarves, belts, robes, hats, jewelry and more.

Remember Old Fashioned Rummage Sales

I do remember once upon a time that "vintage" clothing (aka old stuff) was the kind of item you would find at grandma's holiday bazaar or annual rummage sale. Now the piles and piles of unwanted clothing that I would help grandma "bag" at the fair are carefully sorted and displayed
at antique and collectible shops everywhere.

Suburban School Gals Dressing For The Prom in Vintage

While free standing "Vintage Clothing Shops" have always been around, they tended to be found in offbeat sections of cities and towns catering to yesterday's hippies or artsy types. Today,
suburban school gals and their moms flock to shops for their prom frocks. The twenty or thirty something crowd can be found picking out formal wear in vintage shops, while baby boomers walk out with coats, chunky bracelets, handbags, accessories etc.

Many antique shop owners have caught on and know to even promote their beads and bangles at holiday time or showcase their formals during the weeks before proms.

In many group shops, owners are renting to vintage clothing dealers with a lot less reservation than they did in past years. And one clothing dealer attracts others forming "mini-malls" within a multi-dealer shop.

So if you are holding onto boxes of "stuff" from mom, grandma or your Aunt Sadie, now is the time to unpack these garments, air them out and get them ready for the hip chicks.

Tips for Sellers

1. Old racks of all kinds, as well as a variety of glass jewelry cabinets are of interest to vintage clothing dealers. So are vintage jewelry boxes. (Used for display).

2. Don't throw out old wooden hangars and closet accessories, vintage gals and dealers want them.

3. Everything sells, so don't be afraid to display your old scarves, belts etc. Group them together.
Stuff may seem weird to you, but buyers come in all types.

4. Set up attractive vignettes or groupings of clothing from the same period. (fifties belt, pocketbook, gloves). Keep plastic with plastic, flower power with flower power etc.

5. Don't over stuff your booth so you can't rummage through areas.

6. Try to keep vintage clothing and accessories in their own section, so you have a vintage area.

7. Clothing makes great window displays, but watch out for fading. Don't put your precious stuff in the window.

8. Mannequins of all types are HOT.

7. Vintage remnants, torn clothing, embellishments sell to crafters and those who like to sew.


C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff

Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com

Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.

Beautiful Collectible and Antique Dolls on Display at The Burlington Inn Antique Center, Burlington, CT

Beautiful Dolls On Display at The Burlington Inn Antique Center

This time of the year, many antique dealers showcase their collectible dolls, perhaps moving them from a hidden corner in their booth space to a new upfront position for the holidays. Dolls sell at this time of the year. At the Burlington Antique Center in Burlington, CT there are several doll dealers who sell amazing dolls all year round> Presently these sellers have some very elaborate displays which are worth visiting even if you are not a doll collector.

Fifth Avenue in Burlington, CT

On a recent visit to The Burlington Antique Center, I was reminded of the special holiday windows that you will see on Fifth Avenue in New York City at Christmas time. . Very large glass showcases were installed at this new Antique Multi-Dealer Shop on Route 4 in Burlington Center for the dolls. You will see vignettes set up of exquisitely displayed dolls in gorgeous costumes. There are also other sections in the store with baby dolls.

How Do You Classify Dolls?

But it is the larger dolls at The Burlington Antique Center which stopped me in my tracks. In fact, I actually considered, bringing home one of these glorious dolls and beginning a doll collection. But first, before any impulsive purchases I knew that I would need to do a bit more homework on the subject. I consulted an older copy of "Antique Roadshow Collectibles" by Carol Prisant (Workman Publishing) and began my homework assignment to learn more about doll collecting.

Classifying Dolls

Dolls are divided into categories, collectible 1918-1975. Antique dolls would be those classified earlier or manufactured by Bru or Jumeau (France). Dolls by these companies would be considered "antique" even if they were not 100 years old. The there is what we might call "Modern" dolls which are the last twenty five years and "Contemporary" dolls which are being manufactured currently.

Dolls From France and Germany

Early dolls (eighteenth and nineteenth century) were made of wood, leather, china, paper mache or bisque. France led the way in doll making before World War I (Jumeau and Bru) as well as Germnay (Kammer & Reinhardt and Simon & Habig) .


American Doll Manufacturers

After World War I, American companies started to replace bisque with newer materials such as composition and better rubbers (Effanbee, Ideal, Horsman, Mattel, Madame Alexander). As companies continued to perfect new materials, dolls would follow these trends. Baby boomers will remember dolls of the 1950s made from hard plastic. This generation (1950s) also had favorites such as Tiny Tears, Ginny's, Sweet Sue and of course Barbie.

What is Meant by "Mint"

Many collectors look for dolls in their original packaging and in "mint" condition. Most time baby dolls are not found in their box or packaging because they have been played with in baby carriages and cradles . Like people and pets , dolls are evaluated according to" condition" (hair, eyes, skin, clothing, condition").

Major Doll Manufacturers:
Cameo 1922-1970
Effanmee (started in 1910)
Horsman (starated 1865)
Ideal (introduced dolls in 1930's )
Madame Alexander (founded in 1923)
Mattel(Barbie born in 1959)
Nancy Ann Storybook (first dolls 1936)
Steiff (founded 1894)
Vogue dolls (Ginny) 1948-1960's

Photos courtesy of:

Burlington Inn Antiques
304 Spielman Highway
Route 4
Burlington, CT
860-404-1780

Visit Antique and Collectible Dolls at
http://iantiqueonline.ning.com/group/antiqueandcollectibledolls

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff

Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com

Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.

Displaying Your Depression Glass Cups With Window Shelves and Cup Hooks

Cup Hooks Are An Antique Dealer's Friend

Cup hooks are an antique shop owners best friend. For pocket change , you can but a multi-pack of cup hooks and organize your entire antique shop in a few hours.

Depression Glass Cups Can Be Hung on Hooks


Bob, a vendor who has a very impressive collection of Depression Glass and kitchen-wares at The Crossing Flea market in Plainville, CT is a master cup hook user.

A custom cabinet maker by trade, Bob knows his way around cupboards and shelves. So it is no surprise that Bob has figured out many clever ways to ddisplay his amazing collection of colored glasss.
Sorting Glass By Color

Bob sorts his glassware by color and then adds a particular colored piece to its proper "window" display.

Attaching Cup Hooks Under Wooden Shelves

When visiting Bob's booths at The Crossing Flea Market, you will see how he as constructed window shelves to showcase his bounty of Depression glass. But here is the icing on the cake....Bob uses lots of cup hooks along the bottom edge of each shelf to both store and exhibit the glass cups he sells.

Natural Light Shows Off The Depression Glass

As you can see in these photos, the Depression Glass looks so beautiful sitting in the windows are custom made wood shleves that support Bob's collection of colorful Depression Glass and colored glass. He has windows of green, pink, red, blue, purple and yellow glasswares.

The divided window panes and snow covered sceanary in the background frame each collection of glass beautifully. It is as if you are looking at a still lie painting. The varied shapes and sizes of the glass are artfully arranged inviting customers to do the same in their homes.

Visit The Flea Market at The Crossing, Plainville, CT
http://home.att.net/~handmedown/fleamarket.html

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff

Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com

Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.