How To Carefully Price Vintage Cloth Children's Books: Tips For Antique Dealers

Using A Ribbon To Attach A Price Tag To Vintage Books

Have you wondered about how to carefully price vintage cloth children's books? You have to be very careful not to write on the cover or any of the inside pages. You also do not want to add any stickers or labels to any of the pages.  I am even cautious about writing on an old book with a pencil. 

Attach A Charming Ribbon With Your Price Tag

Many  sellers  have found that adding a cute ribbon  with an attached price tag is a good solution to pricing older paper goods. Another idea that is often used is placing a sticky note  with price information on the first inside page.  Remember sticky notes can come off. If you have the time, you can of course place your book in a cellophane or plastic bag. But I can tell you, that many buyers like to examine books carefully and will take the book right out of  your plastic packaging and leave the book and plastic separated. I like the ribbon idea very much! 

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.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Collecting Vintage Beauty And Salon Appliances, Accessories And Advertising

Beauty And Vanity Collectibles Are Hot

Vintage  beauty appliances, accessories and advertising are very collectible today. There are several different types of collectors who buy salon and vanity collectibles. Many gals (and guys) enjoy decorating their home bathrooms in Retro and vintage style. You will also meet many hair stylists who decorate their salons with vintage beauty items such as original packaging of with hair nets, Bobby pins, rollers, facial creams, magazine advertising and more.

Be on the look out for old hair blowers, talc tins, salon decor etc..

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.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

What A Good Junk Should Be: Not A Wannabee Antique Store

Hunting For Junk In All The Right Places

 When I go out junking, I  am always hoping that the junk shop that I visit is truly a Junk shop and not a wannabee Antique shop. For me, the best Junk stores mix together all their stuff in random combinations of goodies! When STUFF is too organized and too nicely displayed, the buyer begins to wonder if they are in a JUNK shop or a Vintage shop. There is a difference of course. 

Hunting For A Bargain

Those of us who live to go out junking for fabulous finds want to poke around in piles looking for our treasures.  Psychologically we feel that if we hunt for collectibles buried in dusty stacks of odds and ends then we deserve to get a bargain. If the owner of the shop has taken the time to clean and feature their items for sale in charming displays, you can generally assume that someone is going to have to pay for the "merchandising". 

Poking Through Piles of Junk 

Junk  shoppers are not interested in sweet vignettes. We want junk in the raw. A box of doll heads; a pile of cigar boxes; a drawer filled with old magazines. It doesn't bother us one bit, to walk into a back room loaded with everything jumbled together or unpacked boxes fresh off the truck.  Most of us  would be in junk heaven to be allowed to help a junk dealer sort through a new load. Oh...how I  can't wait to go picking in the morning!

Images courtesy of  Junk Shop Of Canton, Canton, CT

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.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

The Farmington Valley Arts Center Features The Reggio Magnet School Of The Arts Student Art Show April 5-14th, 2012, Fisher Gallery

Fisher Gallery Features Reggio Magnet School of Avon, CT

I strolled into the Fisher Gallery of The Farmington Valley Arts Center, Avon, CT and was wowed with excitement as faculty from The Reggio Magnet School of Avon were hanging their Student Art Show which opens Thursday. April 5th, 2012 from 5-6:30 pm. The show will be running from April 6-14.


About The  Reggio Magnet School, Avon, CT

This was my first time being introduced to The Reggio Magnet School of Avon, CT.  The Reggio school  embraces  an educational approach exported from the villages of Reggio Emilia Italy in the 1940s that has gained popularity all over the world, serving as a model for innovative learning systems.  The Reggio approach which shares some of the beliefs in how children learn  from noted schools such as Waldorf and Montessori is different in it's interpretation and execution of  "core values".



The Importance Of The Child's Environment

The child's "environment" is a key ingredient in the learning process. A core principle is that the child as was the case back in Italy, should be surrounded by natural and beautiful things. Classrooms include  a studio  or "ateler" filled with found objects, art materials, pain, writing instruments, clay, stones etc.

According to the Reggio Magnet School website:

At Reggio Magnet School children from Pre K to Grade 5 learn through their experiences including touching, moving, listening, seeing, hearing, and working with other children. The school itself plays a role in learning providing an environment that transforms, educates an d inspires the viewer".


Reggio Magnet School Student Art Show

The upcoming Student Art Show is a testament to the creative expression fostered at The Reggio School. The show is vibrant, multi-faceted, colorful, attractively presented. Your eyes wander from wall to wall, ceiling to floor,  corner to corner. You will be dazzled, excited, delighted and inspired by   works on paper, sculpture, assemblages and  lots more created by these young hands. I strongly urge my readers to visit this wonderful show.

Student Art Show

This exhibit features student works from The Reggio Magnet School of Avon, Ct

Gallery Hours: 

Wednesday-Saturday, Noon -4:00 pm or

by appointment 860-676-1867     

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.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

A Look At Inside Out Book Collages "Weekend Mixed Media Workshops At The Farmington Valley Arts Center

Making Art From Old Books

 Artist C. Dianne Zweig "doodles" on a book page

Collectors of old books, stay calm, I am about to tell you how I "de-constructed an old book" while attending a weekend art workshop at the Farmington Valley Arts Center, Avon by New York artist Lynn Gall. The two day workshop conducted at FVAC was titled "Inside Out Book Collages". I'm not sure exactly what I had in my mind when I considered taking this class, but by the end of the workshop, I had explored this topic not only "inside/out" but from every angle, perspective and medium one could work in.


Mixed Media Art And Old Books

Artist C. Dianne Zweig reconstructs an old book 

Book collectors will probably snarl at the idea of  pulling apart a lovely old book to re-purpose into a work of art, but mixed media enthusiasts operate like surgeons with precision and skill. o.k., let me   back up a bit.....skill?   O.k. maybe skill is not the key word. I would substitute enthusiasm for ripping things apart. By the way...in case "Mixed Media" is not a term you are familiar with, think collage, paints, inks, embellishments etc. In other words...mixed media is working with the kitsch n sink!

Armed With A Sharpie Pen

 Class participants during a critique session.

So back to the workshop at hand. No pun intended. We had a nice group of gals who  participated in Lynn's workshop. Each one of us working in our own unique style. For me, a doodler at heart, I approached this challenge armed with my Sharpie pen I brought along with me to the workshop, I began doodling on the pages of this old book at the very beginning of the class while I was listening to Lynn talk abut the various approaches to deconstructing books.

 Artist Candace Abbott

Using Painted Papers In Mixed Media

Other attending this weekend workshop, brought along hand painted papers they had made previously  or images that they cut out from other books . The idea was to pull apart the pages of  an old book and re-use the components of the book such as the pages, illustrations, book cover, book board etc.


Reconstructing Old Books Into Collage Art 

After the book was taken apart, the pages and parts are reassembled in a collage like style as a new piece of work. Lynn Gall is an accomplished Mixed Media artist who resides in Manhattan and comes to the Farmington Valley Arts Center several times a year to conduct wonderful Mixed Media classes and workshops.

About The Farmington Valley Arts Center

Bunny Milan busy at work 

The campus of the Farmington Valley Arts Center is in a park like setting right off Route 44 in Avon, CT. The center houses artist studios, two galleries and offers year round classes for adults, teens and children. In the artist studios which are on two levels, you will find a lovely collection of landscapes, abstracts. Mixed Media, photography, textiles, pottery, illustrations,  cartoons, paper cuttings, etchings,  printmaking,

Visit  http://artsfvac.org/

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.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

When You Clean Out Your Parent's House And No One Wants The Stuff

Tips About Cleaning Out Your Parent's House

I never thought I would get to the point during a "clean out" when I would call in The Salvation Army to retrieve the rest of my dad's furniture and STUFF....and even they wouldn't take it. Let me set the record  straight.....it's harder to donate goods than you think.  I mistakenly thought that I was being a good citizen and offering household items and furniture to a wonderful organization. Nope...they too like to "cherry pick"  the good stuff  from the  not such good stuff.


When You Are Not Allowed To Have  A Tag Sale

In case you are thinking why not just have a tag sale? That option was not available to me because dad's condo complex is in a gated community. Also, Craigslist was too cumbersome to try for the amount of items which remained.

After The Family Picks What They Want (Not Much)
Keeping you informed, I had  already gone through the regular steps most of us are familiar with when downsizing a loved one's home....offering things to family and friends; calling in Estate liquidators, consulting with antique dealers etc.  Now we were down to the STUFF which remained (soiled sofas, over sized silk trees, a rusty patio set, chipped chairs, wobbly kitchen table etc.) and all the loose  bric a brac. The Salvation Army (like other charities) wants all smalls packed. They also require beds, shelves etc. dismantled. The bottom line is that when they arrive they want to be  in and out and want the job to be seamless.

Did You Know The Salvation Army Is Picky?

The clincher is that The Salvation Army is picky. They do not want furnishings that are chipped, soiled, stained,  rusty etc. Nor do they want to spend too much time in your house shlepping out little things. Like any other business that deals in the re-sale of merchandise, The Salvation Army wants to buy what they can sell easily. They are not the Shabby Chic gals who see promise in everything they pick. The Salvation Army has a formula and they are first and foremost business oriented.


Calling In A Junk Dealer To Cart Away Your Parent's Stuff

What do you do when the salvation Army rejects your stuff? You call a JUNK dealer who you will have to pay to take your stuff.  Or you rent a truck and invite some friends to help you haul the stuff away.  To find a reputable junk dealer, ask the condo  association or management where your parents are vacating or look up junk dealers on-line. Many of these companies have names similar to 1-800 Got Junk. You need to do some homework before hiring anyone of course.

Be sure to visit my FREE site http://iantiqueonline.ning.com/  and join the group Estate Mavens (FREE).

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.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

1970s Collectibles Featured At Memory Too Antiques, Coventry, CT

Lots of Funky 70s Stuff At Memory Too Antiques

I love visiting a shop I have been too a dozen times or more and finding new dealers. That was the case yesterday when I ventured out to Coventry, Ct. to one of my favorite group shops, "Memory Too Antiques".  As a frequent  visitor to this shop, I know the aisles quite well. And I have a sense of comfort when I visit my favorite kitchen collector vendors. But yesterday...I had a big surprise, a new dealer who sells 1960s and 1970s STUFF Of so much fun to be had.  You couldn't miss this booth, the colors were popping out all over the place, especially ORANGE, Navy and Brown. The 1970s had colors that were slightly toned down from the Flower Power generation. Geometrics, abstracts, and bold colors were still present.


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.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Floppy Brim Vintage Hats Are Back In Style

Even Hip Gals Are Wearing Floppy Brim Hats

Floppy brim vintage hats are hot again! In fact, if you visit your favorite department store you will see that beachwear is now including a return to the wide brimmed hat. Oh my.....we can look foolish again and it's in style. The great thing about the floppy brim is that it really does cover your face from the sunlight. From what I can tell, the large brimmed hat is no longer just for grandma types.....the hipsters are wearing them.The times they are changing!  Hat spotted at http://www.kdmantiques.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 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.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Grouping Colorful Kitchen Collectibles Together : Displays That Get Attention

Red, Yellow, Green Kitchen Collectibles Look Fab Together

I was immediately drawn to this colorful display featuring a vintage plastic napkin holder sitting on top of  a pile of vintage Riviera Ware. You gotta love the combination of the red, yellow and green. These colors are so exciting and so VINTAGE! The lesson here is to create attractive combinations of collectibles so that you are showcasing your items for sale. You not only save space by creating vertical displays, you offer the buyer ideas of how to arrange vintage colors and objects at home. The idea is to suggest to the buyer how great this entire vignette looks. You'd be surprised at how often customers buy the whole grouping and "copy" what they see displayed in a shop.

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.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Prop Up Tiny Plates, Lids And Small Collectibles Using An Old Printer's Box

Displaying Smaller Collectibles In Your Antique Shop

Cute Display Idea For Orphaned Lids, Plates, Tops

I have seen  old printers boxes used in lots of different ways. But yesterday I spotted a new twist to an old theme. Anne Burke, owner of Coventry Arts and Antiques gathered up all her odds and ends and organized them in  large printer's box which is laying flat on a table. This idea  is a perfect way to display smaller collectibles as well as orphaned lids, coasters, plates etc. The tiny compartments are just the right size to hold tiny collectibles that would otherwise get lost in a large shop. What makes this display y unique is that the "lids" and tiny plates are propped up so that they can be easily viewed. What a practical and thrifty way to re-cycle vintage items.      

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.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Display Your Vintage Hats On A Handmade "Hat Tree"

More Ideas For Displaying Vintage Hats

Retro Hang-Up Series

 I have heard of a a "hat tree ...but this is a different kind of "hat tree". This is a REAL HAT TREE....I guess. Perhaps more accurately this is a giant  "Hat Tree Branch" ?  On closer examination, you will find that the "tree "  has been spray painted white. This altered  tree uses a main "pole" as the center   "trunk".  Smaller branches were then added to the main "pole" using  white tape. This unique display for vintage hats  appears to be a  ready made piece that was modified to shows off these lovely vintage hats. I think the total effect is quite lovely. I spotted this whimsical vintage "Hat Tree" display at Coventry Arts And Antiques in Coventry, CT


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.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Displaying Vintage Fiesta On A Boulangerie Cart

Tara Bradford's Fiesta Collection 

I bumped into photographs by photographer Tara Bradford  posted on her blog and thought my Retro readers would  absolutely adore them. Tara writes that she is mad about Fiestaware which she started collecting in 1996 when living in San Francisco. She has amassed quite a collection which now sits on vintage zinc boulangerie cart (baker's cart).

Photographing A Fiesta Vignette

Tara explains in her blog post that she was also a McCoy collector but lost her collection when moving from Paris. So now her joy is collecting and taking photographs of her  vintage Fiestaware  (her remaining American collectible) which she arranges  in different settings with a variety of light sources.

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.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Australiana Featured At "Down To Earth Vintage And Retro"

Hello, Vintage Australian Pottery

Today's post brings us to Australia where Liz who blogs under the name "Down to Earth Vintage Retro" shows off her collection of green themed Australian pottery and accessories. What I like about Liz's arrangement is the mixture of textured objects of different sizes and shapes. For sure this is a very eclectic collection with a whimsical flare.

The vintage collection shown sits on a Depression green painted chest. The lamp is described as a Barsony Flamingo dancer. You will notice that the colorful flowers are displayed in a 1930s Melrose ceramic vase. All in all this is a very delightful and practical vintage  ensemble.


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.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Painting Prada: Still Life Of Shoes Engage Students At The Farmington Valley Arts Center, Avon, CT

Paul Iezzi Teaches Painting At The Farmington Valley Arts Center, Avon, CT

I popped into a class held at The Farmington Valley Art's Center on Saturday to find a really exciting still life set up of SHOES. Actually it was a collection of all kinds of footwear including high heels and sneakers, new and old.


Not Your Usual Still Life

Now usually when you take a painting class, the instructor sets up a still life of a  vase with flowers,  or a bowl with fruit...the usual objects that we  associate. still life pictures with. But not this class and not this abstract inspired popular teacher, Paul Iezzi.


Meet Paul Iezzi, A Popular Connecticut Artist And Teacher

Paul, a very accomplished painter who works in all media and styles brings a funky edge to his classes. The students enjoy Paul's creative and laid back approach to learning about painting. Although a quiet presence in the classroom, Paul's coaching motivates student's to expand their skill level and experiment with new approaches to oil, acrylic and mixed media painting. After all, you  can learn about foreground and background with daffodils just as easy as with Prada shoes. And if color is the lesson of the day, why not try to compose a painting with red and white shoes instead of  lilac and pink carnations.

Painting Shoes Is A Fun Way To Learn About Color, Design And Composition

Using SHOES as the subject of a still  life painting also allows the painter  plenty of room to experiment with a variety of styles and designs. You can paint what you see or exaggerate the size, color and elements of the composition. I really enjoyed looking over the student's shoulder to see how each student made their painting their very own!

To take a class at The Farmington Valley Arts Center contact Jim Brunelle at http://artsfvac.org/

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.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Collecting 1930's Enamelware And Kitchenalia

Inside Sue's Kitchen: A 1930's Kitchenalia Collector

I just had to share with you this collection of 1930's kitchenalia. I was poking around the web and I spotted this wonder blog Kitty's Vintage And Kitsch. You know with a blog name like that, that I, "The Kitsch Collector" would immediately take notice. In the photo shown, Kitty is showing off a friend named Sue's kitchen. Look at all the enamelware in classic cream and green 1930's colors.  I adore the coffee pots with their traditional goose neck spouts. I wonder if Sue uses these kitchen tools and accessories? There is nothing like using old kitchen tools in the kitchen....look how long they have lasted!


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.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

1960s Mod Pop Kitchen

Bright, Colorful, 1960s Kitchen 

I need a little splash  today, so I thought I would re-visit the Mod Pop 1960's kitchen. The Flower Power  introduced colorful combinations of bright yellow, orange  and green.

Plastic kitchen-wares matched and giant flower designs accessorized kitchen wallpaper, place-mats, dish towels and tablecloths. 

Elements of the 1950s, such as wrought iron chair legs and vinyl seat cushions still remained. Check out the orange handled kitchen tools hanging on the wall and the egg cups on the shelf.

What a fun kitchen. Oh...how about the Flower Power oven mitt?
Image courtesy of  http://flickriver.com/photos/christianmontone/tags/kitchen/


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.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Flashback: 1970s Purple And Yellow Kitchen

What Architectural Digest Magazine Featured As A Stylish 1970's Kitchen  

It's hard for me to blog about vintage 1970's kitchens, even though I lived through those days and remember the color schemes quite well. My recollection of mom's kitchen was Harvest colors (gold olive green, brown). My next door neighbor was a bit more bold, she had a Kelly green and black kitchen . But here is a real wild color combination.....purple and yellow. This photo is referenced from a 1970s Architectural and Design Magazine, courtesy of  http://www.flickr.com/photos/sandiv999/4043506671/


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.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Stylish Red And White Retro Kitchen

When Is A Kitchen Retro ?  

What do  you think of when someone says "Retro kitchen" ? Are you thinking "pink and turquoise" ? What about "orange and yellow". Or even "lime green and black"?  Retro seems to mean different things to people depending on when they grew up. But is can also refer to a style which emphasizes whimsy, new interpretations of older looks and novel color combinations.

The Red And White Vintage Kitchen

As you already know if you have been following my blog or reading my books, I have a special place in my heart for "red and white" kitchens. I love the look of a red and white vintage kitchen.I just don't think of "red and white" as Retro. Now it's interesting, if you add a black and white or even large red and white tiled floor to a kitchen and accessorize with vintage red and white kitchen collectibles,  bingo...you are in the Retro zone.

Basically "Retro" is when the outcome is hip, cool, design conscious.  You can be stylish or
grandma-ish! It all depends on how you "put it together".

Image on top courtesy of http://manolohome.com/2009/10/22/ntb-loves-checkerboard-floors/
Image on bottom from  http://ths.gardenweb.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 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.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Sock It To Me: Discovering A Drawer Filled With Forgotten Socks

Do You Forget What Clothes you Have ?

Do you save clothes? For how long? Are you like me, stuffing away clothes in extra dressers  to get them out of sight and out of mind?  And one last question....do you forget what clothes or accessories you have and where you put them?

Secret Stash Of Socks  

Case in point, I just discovered a dresser drawer packed with plastic zip lock bags filled with knee high slack socks  sorted by color. I actually divided these socks into colors and weights. I have no idea when I did this, but I feel like I just hit the lottery finding this drawer stuffed with bags of knee high slack socks. The scary part is that I had no idea these socks were even missing from my  daily life.
My question to you is what have you found lately that you forgot about?


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.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Moving Mom Or Dad: Furnishing Their Smaller Apartment

What Elderly Parents Need When They Move 

What types of  accessories and housewares should you get when moving elderly parents into a smaller apartment or an Assisted Living facility? Many baby boomers are finding themselves re-locating parents  from cities quite a distance from where mom and or dad will be living. ( i.e. Floridians returning to live closer to adult  children up North).  It may not be practical to bring kitchen-wares,housewares and accessories from mom or dad's original apartment or house to  their new  residence.  Instead of moving up old stuff, BUY nice old stuff (nearby). 


Buy Vintage For Mom Or Dad

Elderly parents on a fixed income are usually on very small budgets. If you need to re-locate your parents to a smaller home or Assisted Living apartment you may not want to spend too much money for what may turn out to be a temporary or short term move. A prudent way to go is to to shop second hand.

What To Put On Your Shopping List For Elderly Parents

Let me suggest a few very good ideas about some great vintage items you should buy. When out shopping for mom and or dad think functional, safe and easy to handle.   Here are some items you can buy in a consignment store or Antique Mall or at a Flea Market

1.A nice older juice set from the 1940s or 1950s  (small pitcher and small glasses).
2. Formica table with chrome legs (nice and sturdy and easy to clean).
3. Vintage Tupperware....real easy to find in vintage thrift stores.
4. Older kitchen and bathroom appliances (visit Goodwill).
5. Small tin tip trays (great for putting a cup of tea on or near the bedside for eye glasses, watch etc).
6. Vintage tin serving trays great for serving meals on.
7. Smaller vanity lamps (reasonable and charming to light up dresser).
8. Floor lamps attached to a table.
9. Side tables with rounded corners.
10. Kitchen chairs with arms for support.


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.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists