Using A Vintage Tennis Racket To Create A Mixed Media Memory Craft Project

Did You Know An Old Tennis Racket Can Become A Work Of Art?

Retro Hang-Up Idea

Here is a wonderful idea for displaying your favorite
souvenir and photographs. Create a three dimensional collage or mixed media project using a vintage tennis racket as a support.

This clever idea was spotted at The Harwinton Antique Show You can use vintage images, old greeting cards, vintage medals, ribbons, ephemera, school pins, jewelry etc.

What a terrific idea for a gift for a sports collector of for father's Day!

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 I Antique Online 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.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Society of Professional Journalists

Kitschy Thrifty Retro Christmas Decorating

Christmas Decorating Ideas from A Nice Jewish Girl aka The Kitschy Collector
Here is a post about Kitschy Christmas decorating from a nice Jewish girl who was born in Brooklyn surrounded by Menorahs. As the Kitschy Collector I do get around to all the Antique Malls, Flea Markets and second hand stores....And as expected this time of the year, I'm finding plenty of thrifty nifty Christmas decor from generations past. The best part of buying older Christmas decorations is finding new ways to use these colorful attractive ornaments and tchotkes (a little Yiddish for Christmas).

Buying Christmas Decor At Flea Markets

Some of these treasures are really worth paying attention to. Last week at the indoor Flea Market in Plainville, Connecticut there was quite a stash of older boxed and bulk Christmas ornaments, lights and decor. In one booth I thought I was back in my favorite Five and Dime Store where much of these items would be sold in the first place.

You could decorate your entire house for pocket change.

Re-Cycling Christmas Ornaments & Bulbs

Now while it is pretty safe to buy older Tree ornaments, it gets a little tricky when buying older
lights, bulbs and plug in items. It might make sense to ask the vendor if you can try out anything requiring electricity! BUT here is something retro cool to consider......do you have to use light bulbs as bulbs? Consider filling a glass bowl or colorful ceramic bowl with colorful light bulbs or even old bulb ornaments. Or mix a variety of Christmas bulbs and ornaments of different sizes, shapes, colors and textures.

Kitschy Christmas Wreath

Another Christmas Cool Idea is to form a Christmas wreath from a collection of older Christmas ornaments and bulbs. And be daring...add some other Christmas kitsch to your design such as Elves and wooden cut outs. Go crazy.....have some fun.

Kitschy Floral Arrangement

Oh, did I fall in love with this idea I found on http://fleamarket.about.com/. You know how we all save the pretty package toppers and corsages from the holidays. Well how about making a "kitschy floral arrangement". Stuff those glitzy kitschy things into a retro vase and be totally hip this Christmas.

Other decor such as lighted candle sticks (which may or may not work now) ....could be re-cycled into a Christmas center piece. When I look at a great collection of older ornaments and decorative holiday accessories at a Flea Market, I wonder...how might I use these fabulous kitschy and cheap holiday decor in a new way.


Christmas Kitsch To Look For:

1. Stuffed toys (Reindeers, Santas, Elves, Snowmen).
2. Old ornaments
3. Plastic decorations.
4. Snow Domes
5. Tree huggers
6. Package and gift toppers.
7. Corsages
8. garland
9. Beads
10. Christmas light bulbs
11, Wood cut outs

Photos Courtesy of :

http://fleamarket.about.com/od/decoratelikeapro/ig/Christmas-Kitsch/Retro-Christmas-Glam.htm

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3254/3125815557_0d5e6da9a3.jpg

inds.org.uk/flickr/photos/tagged/as/kitsch

http://thevintagelist.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.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Authors Guild, Inc.

Transitional Style Is CLEAN, SIMPLE, RETRO: What Antique Dealers Should Know About This Decorating Trend

CLEAN, SIMPLE, RETRO

Baby Boomers Enjoy Downsizing To Transitional Style Decor And Furnishings

I have been here, there and everywhere this past week on a mission to find cool decorating stuff for my home. Now I know a lot of you think that if you stepped into my home that you would be back in the 1940s or 1950s...but that is not at all what you would discover. All the funky 1940s and 1950s collectibles and accessories are in my shop, "Kitsch n Stuff" at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford.

A Home In Transition

My home is in TRANSITION.......so I have what is now called "Transition Style". I love the word "Transition " (Passage from one form, state, style, or place to another)...this is totally me...always creating something new.

But forget about me...what about "Transition Style" ? What exactly does "Crate and Barrel" or "Pottery Barn" mean by "Transition Style" ? This trend blends the traditional furnishings with more contemporary designs. For many of us who have been avid collectors for years and adored "stuffed", packed in looks....think of "Transitional" as a Baby Boomer's answer to clearing out a lot of the old and going for a cleaner, slicker look.

"Transitional style is a marriage of traditional and contemporary furniture, finishes, materials and fabrics equating to a classic, timeless design. Furniture lines are simple yet sophisticated, featuring either straight lines or rounded profiles. Fabric is as diverse as graphic patterns on overstuffed sofas and textured chenilles on sleek wood frames." http://www.hgtv.com/decorating-basics/transitional-style-101/index.html

Characteristics of Transitional Style Decorating

As you visit major furniture stores today, you will see the following characteristics featured in room settings;

1. Colors of dark brown, taupe, tan, vanilla and lots of tone on tone or simply white! Also palettes borrowed from Mid-century.
2. Minimalist approach (less is better)..
3. Clean, straight lines. (less fuss)
4. Simple designs...less ornamentation and decoration.
5. Matte finishes on pottery.
6. Lots of crystal, Mercury glass, silver.
7. Textiles which re-interpret 50s, 60s and 70s palettes and designs.

What Antique Dealers Should Know About Transitional Style

Now is the time to feature your 1950s furnishings (wire stands, art glass, matte pottery, Mid-Century furniture, abstract barkcloth). Pull out your 60s and 70s textiles with large bold prints and lots of graphics. Flaunt your silver, chromes, crystals.

Guess what, the photos are NOT my home...they are from the current collection at Crate and Barrel


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.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Authors Guild, Inc.

Vintage Wallpaper Sample Books Are Popular Collectibles And Inspire Today's Designers

When You Find Vintage Wallpaper Sample Books Hang Onto To Them: They Are Very Popular

If you discover Vintage Wallpaper Books online or at a sale, grab them, they are very desirable. Lots of different buyers are after these sample books, decorators, collectors, artists etc.



1950's And 1960's Wallpaper Designs Are In Demand

As I discussed in my first book, Hot Kitchen And Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s (Collectorbooks.com), prices for 1950s and 1960s wallpaper books continue to climb in value. In fact I have seen some Mid-Century books go for over a hundred dollars or more on eBay in a bidding frenzy.

Textile & Fashion Designers Compete For Old Sample Wallpaper Books

My theory is that designers from the textile, home and fashion industries are after these books to help as a jumping off point for new interpretations of the retro and vintage styles.

Using Vintage Wallpaper In Art Projects

Others use vintage wallpaper in art projects and up-cycling projects such as lining an antique desk drawer with wallpaper from the 1930's. Of course the gals who enjoy scrap book design love vintage paper including wallpaper.

Getting Ideas About Retro Home Interiors

For me the Kitschy Collector, I adore the older sample books because I get to see how home interiors looked as many of the original wallpaper samples are accompanied by photos of room interiors. Take a look at these photos from the Sears Harmony House Collection of the 1950's. . These images are from a 88 page sample book featured at http://www.etsy.com/shop/WeirdeeGirlVintage.

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.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe 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.

Retro Rubbish: An Etsy Shop That Re-cycles Vintage Style

Re-Cycling Vintage Style

How could you not love a website called Retro Rubbish: Re-cycling Vintage Style? What a brilliant name, I wish I though of it. This Etsy shop is a goldmine for the vintage hip who love the excitement and playfulness of the Flower Power days.

Funky Finds of the 60's and 70's

Retro Rubbish is a shop on Etsy specializing in glorious funky finds from the sixties and seventies. Colorful Vera textiles, ceramics of mushrooms and owls, wild and colorful abstract housewares and textiles and so much more are for sale on the Retro Rubbish site.

No Longer Thrift Shop Bric- a-brac

Once considered thrift shop Bric- a -brac, 60's and 70's treasures are very desirable as younger collectors and major designers are re-discovering the patterns, colors and styles of the psychedelic and disco generations.
Department Stores Featuring 60's and 70's

Visit any major department store today and you will see dishes, cookware, housewares, storage containers, accessories, pottery, wall decor etc. in eye catching combinations of pink, orange, yellow, green or brown. Bold florals and colorful geometrics are back in style. Say goodbye to your neutrals and tone on tones.........groovy is here again.

Visit retro Rubbish at http://www.etsy.com/shop/retrorubbish

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.