Celebrating the Holidays With Vintage Accessories and Decor

Bringing a Warm Vintage Country Cottage Look Inside

Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holiday season, a time when many families like to bring a warm vintage country look into their homes.

While writing my second book, Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes, I was introduced to many talented collectors who turn ordinary vintage objects into charming
holiday decorations. Pam of http://www.vintagepastelle.itcstore.com/ keeps plenty of dried flowers on hand and makes lovely holiday arrangements using vintage tins, ceramic vases and wash bowl sets as her base. This is the time when a slightly cracked or chipped antique or vintage vase can be re-purposed into a charming holiday centerpiece.

Also consider adding other vintage touches to your table decor such as old picture frames, vintage clocks, old framed prints or postcards etc..

Holiday Decorating Using Architectural Salvage

Re-using salvaged materials is a lovely way to add attractive and inexpensive accessories to your holiday decor The candle sticks shown were made from old wooden railings.

Re-purposing older materials to evoke a vintage country look adds warmth, character and nostalgia to any home during the holidays.

Using Natural Materials for Holiday Decor

Country cottage collectibles mixed with natural materials such as leaves, twigs, tree branches, pine cones, berries etc. are lovely easy obtainable ingredients for a fresh and cozy holiday.

The key to country or cottage style is to be comfortable with what you own and to allow yourself free reign in experimenting with new ideas .



Photos courtesy of
http://www.pinkpigwestport.com/
http://www.vintagepastelle.itcstore.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.

Retro and Vintage Halloween Collectibles Featured at The Collinsviile Antiques Company of New Hartford CT

Retro and Vintage Halloween Collectibles Available at Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT Year Round

While most antique shops pull out their Halloween collectibles right before the holiday, The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, Connecticut is lucky to have a avid collector of holiday collectibles who keeps an outstanding collection of revolving holiday collectibles including Retro Halloween goodies all year round. A professional designer, this vendor at Collinsville, has one of the most attractive booths you will find in any antique mall. Many other dealers at Collinsville also feature Halloween and other antiques and collectibles.

Types of Halloween Collectibles

Vintage and antique Halloween collectibles are hot sellers and gaining momentum each day as we get closer to the holiday.

Beginning collectors will have a ball hunting for these quirky and nostalgic treats. When you start poking around antique shops, markets and thrift shops you will find a variety of treasures including postcards, greeting cards, party and paper goods, games ( board, fortune, stunts), Paper Mache, decorations noise makers, costumes, candy bags,candy containers, figurines and more.


Common Halloween Themes and Their History

Common themes and symbols associated with Halloween are ghosts,bats, Jack O Lanterns, fortunes, witches, devils, owls, black cats.

According to the website Vintage Halloween.com http://www.vintagehalloween.com/hallohistory.html

"Our modern Halloween and its customs have derived from both the ancient Celtic festival, the Roman festival, and the Christian holiday. The huge influx of Irish immigrants in the last two hundred years, led to much influence on traditions and customs of Halloween. Here are the possible roots of some of the more popular Halloween symbols:

Witches:
Witch, or "Wica" is derived from the Wiccas who performed rituals in ancient times among the Celts. Often portrayed on a broom or standing over a cauldron, these images derive from the wica rituals of potion making and divination. Superstitions abound, and black cats were often said to be a witch in disguise.

Devil:
In ancient societies, often the animal of choice for sacrifice was the goat. So images we often see of the devil portray him with horns, a pointed chin, hooves, and large eyes.

Owls & Bats:
Owls and bats were nocturnal animals and often owls were seen at harvest time, feeding on rodents and other animals in the fields. The lore of a bat being Dracula, has derived from a species of blood sucking bats. Since Halloween is celebrated mostly at night, these nocturnal animals came to be a portrayed often in stories and decorations.

Ghosts:
Since this time of year was considered to be the time when the veil between the living and dead was at the thinnest, it was a common belief that one could mingle with the dead and commune with dead relatives. Anything that seemed unnatural or odd would be blamed on "ghosts" having done it.

Fortunes:
It was at this time of year that fortunes were sought out, to see what fate had in store for people. It was seen as the time for the most accurate predictions. Through time this led to fortune games at parties and the Victorian custom of twirling apple parings over one's head. When the paring fell to the ground, it formed a shape of a letter, the first letter of the name of a future beau.

Trick or Treating:
It has been suggested that trick or treating derived from the poor begging for food or the poor begging for soul cakes in return for their prayers for the dead. In Scotland in the 1800's, kids would go out "guising" in costume for treats.

Jack o' Lanterns:
The legend of the most familiar Halloween symbol--a lighted pumpkin--comes from a tale of an old Irish miser named Jack. Jack made several pacts with the devil. He also tricked the devil. When he died, he could not get into Heaven for his sins and because he had tricked the devil, he could not get into Hell. The Devil gave him a coal and Jack placed it in a hollowed out turnip, which lit his way as he wandered the earth until Judgment Day.

These lit up turnips of ancient times were also said to help ward off evil. Pumpkins, native to America, were plentiful and took the place of turnips.

Halloween parties became a yearly tradition and were celebrated with much fanfare. Party decorations became widespread and were inexpensive to purchase. Overtime, trick or treating became more common and today is looked upon with relish as kids choose to be ghosts or witches or little devils--all in good fun. It is interesting, that for so many who deal with death or things that are scary in so many different ways, that as a society we face these things so informally and with relish for one fantasy filled evening. Unfortunately as with any aspect of life, there are people who do evil things and sometimes these things are done on Halloween, but these people are acting on their own and not in kind with the spirit and festival that is ancient or modern day Halloween. Thanks to http://www.vintagehalloween.com/


Learn More About Halloween Traditions

Some interesting lnks about the history and tradition of Halloween courtesy of the website:http://www.vintagehalloween.com

Halloween A Christian Name with Blended Christian & Folk Traditions by The Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel

From the Library of Congress website: Halloween The Fantasy and Folklore of All Hallows by Jack Santino

History of Halloween, Halloweenmagazine.com

The History Channel: Halloween History

UrbanLegends.Com Halloween History, Customs, Folklore

Be sure to visit http://www.vintagehalloween.com/ and http://www.collinsvilleantiques.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.

Design Your Vintage Kitchen Using Red and White Kitchen Collectibles

Creating the Warmth, Whimsy and Charm of a Vintage Kitchen

Decorating your vintage retro style kitchen with red and white collectible house-wares and accessories is a sure way to bring the warmth, whimsy and charm of the 1940s and early 1950s into your home. Popular patterns and images during these colorful eras were polka dots, cherries, stripes, roosters, fruit, florals, dutch symbols and kitchen symbols.

Common Kitchen Collectibles To Look For

Here are some common collectibles you may want to look for when you are dressing up your red and white kitchen: tin recipe boxes, ceramic roosters, coffee mugs, bowls, storage tins, red handled kitchen tools and gadgets, cake savers, match safes, range sets, juice glasses, enamelware, salt and pepper shakers, planters, novelty items, wall decor, decorative plates, dishes, tablecloths, potholders, curtains and more.

Introducing The Red and White Kitchen Company

Because vintage red and white kitchen-wares are so popular they are the first to go in any shop that sells retro and vintage kitchen collectibles. There are also many companies that now feature reproductive kitchen housewares. In fact there is even a company called
The Red and White Kitchen Company http://www.redandwhitekitchen.com/ that carries newly made vintage style items. The objects shown is this post however are all vintage.
Check my blog roll for friends who also carry lots of vintage red and white.

Since I adore red and white housewares and textiles I am always featuring these colors in my shop, "Kitsch N Stuff" (part of the Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT). I also keep track of other collectors and sellers of kitchen collectibles who are apt to stock lots of red and white. You will find lots of ideas in my book Hot Kitchen and Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s (Collectorbooks.com). Be on the look out for the second edtion of my book which has lots of great new stuff!

Photos shown are courtesy of Retro Revival.Etsy.com
Cherry textile is a reproduction .Other images are originals.

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.

Easy To Recognize Photo Backgrounds "Brand" Your Merchandise on Online Antique Auctions Or Websites

When photographing collectibles for online antique auctions such as eBay or Etsy or other popular sites, think about how your merchandise looks when photographed.

Branding Your Online Auction Photographs
Using easy to recognize photo backgrounds can be considered a form of "branding". When you use consistent colors and backgrounds, your viewers (buyers) will begin to associate the look of your photos with your merchandise. Placing a consistent background behind your objects when you photograph, brings continuity and recognizability to your presentation.

Photo Backgrounds You Can Use

You can choose from a variety of background ideas such as using vintage wallpaper, fabric, large sheets of art paper (ask for paper used for pastel drawing or something similar) , old tablecloths, wrapping paper, vintage magazine art etc. Computer savvy folks can also create backgrounds on their computer.

Create Your Own Style for Photo Backgrounds

Because the objects you are photographing may look better on one background versus another, select a few different palettes to use and repeat these backgrounds, but keep your "style' consistent. For example, if you sell mod items, choose funky backgrounds associated with the mod era. Or if you tend to sell 1940's kitchenwares, select backgrounds which evoke that era.

Take a look at these three different vendors who sell online. Each vendor has established a "style" for their photo backgrounds . When I am browsing through listings it is real easy to recognize these sellers.

Photos shown courtesy of :
http://www.cottagerags.com/about.asphttp:
www.Retro Revival.etsy.com
www.The Butter Cup.etsy.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.

Arranging Your Antiques and Collectibles to Look Like "Still Life" Paintings

I enjoy visiting antique shops and paying attention to how antiques and collectibles are showcased . I am particularly drawn to three dimensional displays which resemble "still life" paintings. Why do some set ups remind me of a painting and others do not? In my mind some displays seem to be vignettes which have an artsy quality about them, breaking the two dimensional barrier . These creative "works of art" take into consideration many elements of good design and seem to grab the viewer with delight.
Both Trade Winds Antiques, Forestville, CT and The Seymour Antiques Company of Seymour, CT are especially successful at setting up "still life" inspired arrangements. In these kind of mixed media antique displays, the carefully created composition seems to come to life. Inanimate everyday objects are arranged in a playful or unique way. Often there is a mixing of objects which may not necessarily go together such as grouping the ordinary with the peculiar or creating a whimsical blend of old with new or arranging similar objects with attention to form, shape or color.

These type of "still life" displays stand out among the rest. You tend to stop and look at these creative arrangements. Characteristically these set-ups are simple, uncluttered and consistent with minimalist style. Here is where simple is
your goal.
Photographs courtesy of Trade Winds Antiques, Forestville, 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 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.

Kess Cafe: A Retro Chic Eatery In Plantsville, CT A Haven for Antiquing

Yesterday I visited my friend Tim at his restaurant called Kess Cafe in the Village of Plantsville in Plantsville, CT. Tim was making crepes for dessert for a Wine Dinner Extravaganza which was on tap for the evening. Tim has come a long way in the two years he has taken over this charming spot. He not only is a favorite among the shoppers who adore the antique shops in town, but he has also established a following of hip young couples and business diners who appreciate his reasonably priced upscale menu.

Kess Café, the relatively “new kid on the block” offers an innovative menu inside a quirky café which has successfully mixed together two different generations. The front dining area is decorated in what some might call “hip hop California inspired retro chic ”. The rear dining room is bit of a departure from the front end and is very much a marriage of classic Victorian style with a cozy forties look. During lunch and dinner, Jazz music is heard throughout the restaurant and service is provided by experienced waitstaff, many who are musicians.

Open for both lunch and dinner, Kess cafe is a perfect setting for folks who enjoy a day out hunting for antiques, art, collectibles or vintage furnishings. As you will discover when you visit Plantsville, the town is a haven for antiquing.

Michele's Cottage (tucked behind Kess Cafe) is the newest shop to open and features the best of Vintage Shabby Chic. Also behind Kess cafe is Plantsville Station Antiques a large multi-dealer shop featuring a large showroom of quality antique furniture and unique smalls.

Paula's Antiques and Consignments, sits right next to Kess Cafe and is a treasure chest of goodies. Paula will soon be moving her shop around the corner to take over the Planstsville General Store Antique Center (yes, Elaine is finally retiring). Paula's neighbor is Viva la Vintage, a retro chic boutique.

The best part of antiquing in Plantsville is how easy it is to find just what you are after at prices which seem to be rolled back to earlier times. Plantsville is one of Connecticut’s best kept secrets. Many shoppers are pleased to discover that the shops in town offer lots of furniture, china, jewelry, pottery, textiles, cottage collectibles, ephemera, glassware, kitchenware, toys and more with fresh inventory all the time.

Now that Tim Kessler has opened the Kess Café, Plantsville is seeing lots of new faces and local store owners are delighted. Tim’s easy going personality and outstanding food has attracted a big contingency of café loyalists who keep coming back and are always introducing new patrons to this “excellent eatery”......these by the way are the very same words that have become Tim’s logo and are printed on his storefront window.

When Tim isn’t at the stove, he is in his Kayak, making his way down the river which is right out the back door of his café. In warmer weather, the café backdoors open and guests of the café can enjoy the view and fabulous meal in this relaxing, informal restaurant which is becoming Plantsville’s very own hotspot.

You can easily access The Kess Café at 11 West Main Street Plantsville, CT - 860-276-8551 by taking exit 30, Marion Avenue off 84. For more information visit them on-line at http://kesscafe.com/Home.html. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday- Lunch 11:30-2:00 Dinner 5:00-9:00. Sunday Breakfast/Lunch 11.00-2.00 Dinner 3:00-7:00.



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.

Mah Jongg and Martinis: Vintage Mah Jongg Sets are Popular Among Players and Collectors

Recently, I "played" my first game of Mah Jongg at a "Marathon Women's Night Out", billed as "Martinis and Mah Jongg" (I had apple juice). I brought along a vintage 1930's Bakelite set that miraculously was a totally complete set. A week before "game night", I ordered a primer on how to play Mah Jongg. (A Beginner's Guide to American Mah Jongg, Elaine Sandberg).

Thank G-d I had read some of this book before the big game. Mah Jongg, an ancient Chinese game adopted by suburban women everywhere (who once lived in Brooklyn, N.Y.) (I'm exaggerating) is a very complicated game to both explain and to play.

In fact I am certain that Mah Jongg is as complex as ordering dinner in a Chinese restaurant that you are visiting for the very first time.

It's hysterical watching seasoned players explain to newbies (me) how to distribute the Mah Jongg tiles. Let's just say there are "rules" and then there are " made up rules" that work their way into the tradition of the game.
i won't even touch upon the subject of how a beginner learns how to read the official card which offers "hands" that you have to match. Just when you think that you know what is going on, the national Mah Jong League (NMJL) releases a new card. http://www.nationalmahjonggleague.org/

As an antique dealer, I of course was interested in learning something about the age and value of the sets that were being used in this well attended "Mah Jongg Game Night".

History of Mah Jongg

Mah Jongg was brought to America in the 1920's by Joseph Babcock. Babcock sold the patent to Parker Brothers in 1923. In 1937, the national Mah Jongg Leagure established a standard set of rules. Over the years the tiles would change as newer products were being made, Tiles can be made of Boxwood, Bamboo, Bakelite, Catalin, Pyralin, Bone, Ivory and lastly Modern Plastic. For an excellent review of the different kinds of tiles, take a look online at http://www.mahjongmuseum.com/. Values for sets vary according to rarity, condition and materials.

--> --> Buying Mah Jongg Sets

While a few years back you could easily pick up vintage depression Era Mah Jongg sets at a tag sale for $25.00-45.00, the demand for Mah Jongg sets by collectors, players and crafter's ( using tiles for jewelry) has really increased. I have seen single tiles sell for $3.00-5.00 each). Now you will find that even common 1940's-1950's sets are being sold for handsome prices. I visited an antique store in Connecticut a few months back and noted two sets for sale(common variety) selling for $150.00 and more.

Mish Mosh Mah Jongg Games

As sets are used for many generations, it is often the case that you will find tiles from different sets are added to your set to make the set complete. This is not a big deal for the player who acquires a set at a reasonable price and is only interested in the game. Antique dealers and collectors however will want to examine the tiles and components more carefully.

Photos shown, courtesy of -->http://www.mahjongmuseum.com/matl_id.htm. First photo of tiles shown (yellow) are Bakelite. The white tiles are Bone.

Also see: http://cdiannezweig.blogspot.com/2010/05/project-mah-jongg-exhibit-at-museum-of.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.