Retro Housewives Are Popular Collectible Images On Pinterest.com

Are You A Retro Housewife?

You would be surprised  to learn just how many young people enjoy posting images of Retro Housewives on their Pinterest.com boards. If you are wondering how I know that the gals are young, I will tell you my clue. Just take a look at some of their boards that are titled something similar to "Childhood Memories" or "Remember When"  or "Yesterday's Stuff"  and you will see toys, clothing and objects that were not in a any baby boomer's closet.

Anne Taintor Popularized The Retro Housewife For Younger Generations

Never the less, the humorous image of the 50's housewife is very popular.  I'm sure graphic   designers such as Anne Taintor  helped bring the Retro housewife back into the limelight. Now many other designers, collectors, photographers   have captured the image of the iconic housewife who wore  high heels and pearls while doing the dishes for her adoring hubby.


Remember The Cobbler Apron?

 If you want to be accurate, my mom was a Retro housewife, but I don't remember the heels and jewelry. I remember the cobbler apron and milk glass centerpiece with fake fruit. Yet my mom was indeed a 50's homemaker. She didn't learn how to drive a car  until much later in life and thought gourmet food was opening up a can of Campbell's Mushroom soup to give taste to a Tuna casserole.

I suppose  we all have different images in our mind of what a Retro housewife looks like. The biting sarcasm of the captioned pictures that Anne Taintor is famous for is what many Pinterest pinners like about pinning similiar Retro housewives to their boards. It's as if on some deeper level, the younger gals are  thinking, that was then and this is now and thank God we can now wear our flip flops while we watch hubby making dinner.

Please visit my "Kitschy Thrifty Housewife" board on Pinterest.com

 My Retro Mom

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

Bee And Honey Themed Collectibles

 Collectible Bees: "Bee Retro"

O.K. I was feeling a little silly the other day and decided to create a Pinterest.com board called "Bee Retro". I thought it was a cute way of labeling a collection of "bee themed collectibles". Now the interesting thing about bee collectibles is that they can be adorable with charming graphics and characteristics or scary and insect looking in a creepy way. I set up my Pinterest.com board with cute bees. 

What Kinds Of Bee Collectibles Will You Find ?

I decided to buzz around the Pinterest.com site to see what type of "bees" were out there on cyber space. You will find bee jewelry, bee hive glassware, silver and ceramics, bee toys, bee greeting cards, prints, artwork,  bee puzzles, bee dishes etc. But if you think about bee related keepsakes even further, you can branch out into honey themed collectibles which will bring you into the world of honey pots or jars.BTW, there are also farm related collectibles for bee keepers which I am  not focusing on at this time.

Jewish New Year Apple And Honey Dishes

With the  Jewish New Years approaching (Rosh Hashanah), you will begin to see Apple and Honey  pots and dishes sold for the High Holy days. At each holiday table, it is the tradition to dip a slice of apple into sweet honey to trust that G-d will grant us a sweet year.

Bees and honey have powerful meanings and symbolism and are frequently discussed in dream theory, mythology, religion, psychology and more. Bees are viewed as organized, tireless, disciplined, industrious, teamwork,  perseverance,  charity, regal themes etc. The honey, manufactured by bees is frequently mentioned in poetry and writings as a symbolism for richness and sweetness. 

Visit my  Pinterest Board  "Be Retro"

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

Where Is The Best Place To Sell Mom's Antiques And Collectibles Online?

Selling What You Have Inherited Online

Many of my friends  and friends of friends ask me to advise them on  where is the best place ONLINE to sell antiques and collectibles that they have inherited.  My answer usually depends on what goods they are trying to sell. Since none of my friends had parents who dined with the Rockefellers, most of what I hear about is garden variety nice old things such as teacups and vintage tools. Even then, some stuff is good stuff and let's say other stuff is small potatoes.

Do You Have A Treasure Trove? 

Occasionally, I will get wind of a box of Russel Wright pottery which was left in mom's basement.  But the rush I experience is shortly dampened when I learn that the box of potential treasures actually has more broken pieces  than good ones. And...the colors and shapes of the dishes are as plain as vanilla ice cream.

Where Do You Sell Household Collectibles Online

O.K., enough beating around the bush, where do you sell the household collectibles and decorative items that many people acquire after a loved one has  passed on or moved into a Nursing home?  Once you have  sorted through your cache of  nice old stuff, you may decide to sell what you have to a local antiques dealer, auction house or to sell things online.

Selling Antiques And Collectibles Online

Most people have heard of eBay and Craigslist.com, but there are actually many more options available today such as  Etsy.com, Tias.com,  Ruby Lane, Ruby Plaza, eCrater, Go Antiques, Bonanza and more. To help people decide  which site is for them, I added a number of group forums on my site I Antique Online.com to help newbies learn the ins and outs of these popular online selling venues.

In these group forums, real people discuss the pros and cons of each site and compare their selling  experiences across multiple sites.These groups are independent of the actual online site being discussed, so you are not  getting marketing hype but neighborly advice from sellers who have been there done that and happy to share info.

List Of Group Forums On I Antique Online.com For Selling Online

eBay Connection

Etsy Connection

Craigslist Connection

Bonanza Collection

Ruby Lane

Ruby Plaza Connection

eCRATER Connection

Go Antiques.com

Tias.com Connection

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

Where To Sell Antiques And Collectibles On I Antique Online.com

Selling Antiques And Collectibles:Try I Antique Online.com

Can I sell my antiques and collectibles on I Antique Online.com? This is a frequent question I get as Editor of the largest free social network for buyers, sellers and collectors of antiques and  collectibles. The answer is yes. However, I need to add that "buying" and "selling" takes place individually as members  of the site make  arrangements with others.

You Can Sell Your Antiques In Over 200 Group Forums On I Antique Online.com

I Antique Online.com offers members many different ways to buy and sell antiques and  collectibles.     If you are looking to find folks who deal in a particular collectible you will like the GROUPS FORUMS.

We have  over 200 group forums on every important collectible topic   For  example, if you like antique silver, you could join the Antique and Collectible Silver group and poke around to see if there are items of interest to you. You could also post images directly in that group of collectibles that you want to sell .

Check Out "Sell My Antiques"

Or another option on I Antique Online.com is to post in  several general featured groups geared for buying and selling antiques and collectibles. You will find that these groups are more general and showcase  all types of antiques and collectibles discussed.  Be sure to check out "Sell My Antiques", "I Wanna Buy Buy Antiques, Collectibles, Art", "Whadja Find".

Show Your Antiques In A Ongoing Photo Slideshow On The Main Page

And another feature that helps to promote antiques and collectibles is our Main page photo slide show. When a member posts pictures on their "My Page' , the  Editor has the option to feature these photos on a slideshow on the main page. This is a great way for you to spot something you may want or  would like to sell. And when you click on the photos tab on the top of the main page, you can actually see every photo posted and search by topic or category.

I Antique Online.com is FREE

In any of the great places  on the site to look for items or sell items, all you need to do is post a comment or use the in house email system and begin a discussion with a  potential buyer or seller. It is very easy and very convenient. The best part is that it is FREE.

To join I Antique Online.com visit http://iantiqueonline.ning.com/

Photos shown were taken at Quaboag Valley Antiques Center in Palmer, Ma (near Brimfield).

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" Kitchen Collectibles On Pinterest.com

Addicted To Pinterest.com

It's time for me to confide with my followers, I'm addicted to Pinterest.comhttp://pinterest.com/kitschnstuff/. I have discovered so many new websites, blogs, businesses, ideas, tips etc. There is nothing like the power of the image to hook you in. It's taken me awhile, but I think I now have the hang of these virtual pinning boards.

Meeting Kitchen Collectible Collectors On Pinterest.com

I'm getting to "meet" a lot of other obsessed Retro and vintage collectors and  am having a lot of fun sharing  pictures of vintage kitsch and kitchen collectibles with like minded friends. Pinterest.com is a great social media tool for antique dealers. In my case, I concentrate on kitchen  and home collectibles and decor and have themed my Pinterest.com board accordingly. Additionally, I am sharing a sneak preview of my Pinterest.com boards on my blog sending traffic back and forth.

Truthfully, I am having more fun on Pinterest.com than going antiquing. I get to "collect" in cyberspace without the cost, fuss and time that driving around junking entails. I'm becoming real fond of my "collections" and am getting the same buzz after spotting something on Pinterest.com that I used to get when out antiquing.

I'm addicted!

Please visit my board at
http://pinterest.com/kitschnstuff/

Pyrex image (top) Etsy.com

Collage image of tablecloth courtesy of http://sointovintage.blogspot.com/2010/01/thrifting-gods-just-say-no.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 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

Helping Aging Parents Move :Setting Up A New Residence

Tips For Setting Up A New Home For Aging Parents

If you are the "chosen" adult child who gets to supervise or manage the move of your older parent(s), I want to share some wisdom on the subject while it's still early in the game. You may find yourself moving your mom or dad into a smaller apartment, Assisted Living facility or Congregate Housing etc. .

Set The Apartment Up BEFORE Parent(s) Move In

There is a plus to being able to set the apartment  BEFORE mom or dad arrives. You get to sort through years of accumulation and weed out what is essential and what is not. Not everything needs to come to the new residence. This is the time to set priorities and  take into consideration  critical factors such as safety, practicality and organization.

Suggestions To Help You Move in Mom And Dad 

1. Set the apartment up completely before mom or dad arrives. Many frugal older adults will balk at seeing you bring in NEW things once they have moved in. Buy stuff before.

2. Donate excess dishes, pots, housewares.

3. If pictures, linens, clothing, household items are musty, moldy, soiled, torn, broken ...don't bring them with you unless they are cleaned first. If they do not clean up....toss or thrift them.

4. Make a list of what drugstore and household items are frequently used and buy them ahead of time and store in closet. Example....paper towels, napkins, baby wipes (yes they come in handy), bathroom essentials etc.Buy a few of each so you are not running to the store all the time.

5. Consider bringing some of the clothing to a dry cleaners or laundry before you hang up in new apartment. Many aging adults have not been able to keep cloths fresh.

6. Keep a list in your home of what your parents genera;;y buy for household, groceries, drugstore. Believe me, when their memory gets fuzzy they won't be able to tell you the brands they use.

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

Judge Judy Likes Antiquing And Bargain Shopping

Have You Seen Judge Judy At A Garage Sale?

Radio gossip  personality Mike Evans reports that "Judge Judy makes 45 million dollar a year and her hobby is going to Garage sales". You gotta be kidding. So I did some of my own homework and went onto to Judy Judy's website and confirmed that the Judge likes to spend time with her 11 grandchildren, go snorkeling, antiquing and bargain shopping.

Judge Judy has "the gene"......she likes hunting for STUFF like me and you.  I wonder if she has found my site I Antique Online.com or  this blog. Perhaps I need to send her an email, surely she would read an email with the subject line "TAG SALE". Well maybe I ought to put "GARAGE SA:E" since she lives in New York.

Mike Evans wondered what it must be like to try to sell what you have to Judge Judy. Can you picture her haggling over the price....ouch ?  

Readers, tell me if you have ever spotted her at the Brooklyn Flea?

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

Using A Vintage Putty Knife In Mixed Media Artwork

Applying Acrylic Paint With An Old Putty Knife

Mixed media collage artists like to paint papers with acrylic paint and then tear up the papers to reassemble them in other works of art.  One way to apply the paint is to use a palette knife or putty knife instead of  multiple  brushes.My dream tool is the putty knife.  An old putty knife is cheap, very easy to use and much easier than brushes to clean.  Even artists who do not work in a collage style, enjoy using a putty knife or palette knife directly onto a canvas.  

 I especially like the way you can smear on paint in layers with a putty knife wiping the older color with a new color and getting all kinds of terrific patterns. As you fool around with the putty knife you will see that you form  ridges with each application. You can of course smooth out these ridges or keep them in your work for added interest and texture. 

So the next time you are at a tag sale or flea market keep your eye open for old putty knifes. And be sure to keep on hand a collection of different sizes.  

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

Mixed Media Artists Painting Papers With Your Old Junk

Sometimes you just have to move away from junking for antiques and collectibles and concentrate on junking with art. In my art studio junk is what I use to make art! Nothing gets thrown out and everything that is hanging around can be grabbed and converted as an art tool.

Saving Junk In Plastic Boxes

For example I have plastic boxes filled with bubble wrap, old game parts, broken toys, sewing notions, vintage kitchen tools, expired plastic credit cards, candy box inserts and more. These objects can be used to draw with or create fabulous designs and textures.

Making Marks On Paper

Recently, I offered a small workshop in my studio at The Farmington Valley Arts Center, Avon, CT on how to loosen up with mixed media techniques. Our group started off by making marks on papers with all kinds of  tools and media and than added acrylic paints and inks.

Tearing Up Papers For Mixed Media Art Collages

Later these papers will be torn up and re-assembled as  abstract mixed media art work . The images shown are the painted papers before they get torn up. As you can see, some of these "raw" papers look good just the way they are.

Participants  arrived to my studio with drawing paper, inks, acrylic paints, oil pastels, chalks, dry media, brushes and  JUNK.

Unconventional Art Materials And Tools

It is the junk part that is what I am focusing on in this post. While traditional art materials are key supplies for making collages and mixed media art, it is the unconventional tools that really add something special to abstract mixed media. One fella I  know uses pastry knives and window squeegees to smear his paint. My friend folds pieces of heavy cardboard and prefers to paint with the edge of the cardboard instead of using a brush. I love my sacred putty knife.

Don't Throw Out Broken Dishes

For those of you who like to make art, you can find lots of great art stuff in local junk stores and thrift shops. Also be sure to check your garage and basement . And for antique dealers reading this article, don't be so quick to throw out broken objects. Many artists are interested in your broken tiles, dishes and even glassware.And old kitchen tools may be in lousy condition to sell for very much as a collectible, but they may make a mixed media artist very happy.  

For more information about The Farmington Valley Arts Center see http://www.artsfvac.org/.

 Also visit my Pinterest,com board on this topic http://pinterest.com/kitschnstuff/art-classes-at-fvac/

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

Printing With Vintage Potato Mashers At The Farmington Valley Arts Center, Avon, CT

Joan Shackford Demo's The Art Of The Potato Masher At FVAC

I was so excited yesterday to visit a children's summer program class at The Farmington Valley Arts Center, Avon, CT  and find the instructor Joan Shackford  teaching her students how to print with old kitchen tools including whisks, potato mashers, handled sponges and more.


 Printing With Vintage Potato Mashers

As the kitschy collector who loves vintage kitchen utensils, I adored the retro potato mashers. My, my I had no idea that they made so many different kinds of potato mashers and that each one was capable of creating a unique pattern when dipped in acrylic paint.

Old Kitchen Whisks Make Cool Designs

But the potato mashers had some competition. The old kitchen whisks were also very cool.  Joan showed the kids how to dip the utensils into acrylic paint and experiment with overlapping patterns, thickened textures and watered down backgrounds. Leave it to school age children to come up with some very engaging artwork.

Thrifty Kitschy Art

 I have visited many of Joan's classes and she really is the master of kitchen art. There is nothing that Joan doesn't recycle for art projects. You'd be amazed  at how thrifty and kitschy Joan's projects are!


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

Introducing Corelle Corner.com A Fabulous Website For Collectors Of Corelle, Pyrex And Corning Ware

A Site Just For Pyrex, Corelle, Corning Ware Collectors  

I just discovered a wonderful website for all of you who love collecting Corelle, Pyrex and Corning. The site is called Corelle Corner and is loaded with discussions about product history, patterns, reference information, images of products and articles about care and wear etc.


 


You will find some of the best images of products from the 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s. The site is run by a dedicated collector who has used company catalogues, brochures,magazine advertisements and retail trade journals for her research.

Thanks to Nicole Souders who brought this information to my attention on her Pyrex Ads/Charts board on Pinterest.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

Collecting Vintage School Day Collectibles

Back To School In The 1940s And 1950s

Vintage school day collectibles are gaining in interest as baby boomers seem to want to recreate the look and feel of  their 1950s or 1940s experiences.

  

From retro photographs and images to school lunch boxes  and more..... school stuff is hotter than ever. Some collectors  like to get their hands on all kinds of  retro school supplies including those iconic black and white composition books, pencil cases, rulers, book straps, flashcards, bells, crayons etc.

Old school desks and chairs  are also  sought after, along with wall decor such as calendars and pictures featuring school related images. On Pinterest.com I have a newer board called "Vintage School Days"  .

Pencil box image courtesy of http://www.etsy.com/listing/22140193/vintage-tv-time-popcorn-plastic-pencil

Tablet and lunch box images from http://www.etsy.com/shop/kelleystreetvintage

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

Vintage Advertising For Kitschy Kitchens On Pinterest.com

Exploring Old Kitchen Advertisements 

One of the best ways to date  vintage kitchenwares and housewares is to refer to old kitchen advertisements and catalog booklets. Recently I have discovered a treasure trove of old ads on Pinterest.com.   I am seeing many of these ads for the very first time and it is very exciting to me. I surely would have included some of these new discoveries in my earlier books had they been available at the time.

Vintage Ads on Pinterest.com

So I decided to create a board on Pinterest.com called  "Advertising For Kitchen Kitchens" . I am really developing quite a nice library of old magazine ads and other promotional materials which collectors are sharing through their Pinterest.com boards.

I especially enjoy the vintage ads that show sets of housewares or dishes. You really get a chance to see what a complete set would look like and how much the values have changed over the years. It is actually quite amusing to see Pyrex bowl sets for pocket change or  Riviera Dinnerware advertised for 95 cents!

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 Tulip Themed Kitchen Collectibles

 Retro Tulip

I just added a new board to Pinterest.com called Retro Tulips . Tulips and Dutch  related symbols such as wind mills, wooden shoes, boys and girls in traditional dress etc. were popular additions to the kitchenwares and textiles of the colorful eras, especially in the 1940s.For more information on this topic be sure to see "Dutch Treat" in my book "Hot Kitchen and Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s".

  http://myvintagemending.blogspot.com/  n

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

"Chick- fil -A": A Brand Pretending To Have Old Fashioned Family Values

The Scoop From The Chicken Coop 


Need Some Fix-in  in The Chick fil A Kitsch-en

I love vintage roosters, chickens, cows and all the tschotskes that go with good old fashioned country living, hard working farm families and back home hospitality. Like many baby boomers, I have decorated my kitchen with retro roosters and have wished that Aunt Bea would be joining me for a slice of apple pie and a cup of tea. We all yearn for good neighbors and kind words.

Collecting Friends

When I can't get out antiquing and hunting for more kitschy country kitchen collectibles I'm on Pinterest.com happily "playing" in my virtual collecting world rejoicing in every new follower who is as obsessed as I am about vintage kitchen collectibles. It feels  good to have friends even in cyberspace.  But every now and then, the crazy real world seeps into my brain and I am forced to focus!


So What's All The Fuss About Chick-Fil-A ?

So what in the world is all the fuss about "Chick-fil-A" ?, a  good food eatery that's getting a lot of attention in the news .Up until a week ago, I'm not even sure I ever heard of "Chick- Fil -A",  a  successful Atlanta based fast food franchise with 1,608 outlets. But now I'm tuned into the food fight. Here's what all the clucking is about for those of you who like me can go days and weeks living in the retro past or out shopping for more kitschy kitchen companions.



Chicken Pride Versus Gay Pride

Chick- fil- A headed by president Dan Cathy is currently involved in a corporate nightmare because it appears that  Dan might indeed care more about chicken and cow pride than gay pride and basic human rights.  Dan Cathy, a religious man supports the "biblical definition of a family" . According to Bloomberg  Businessweek, Dan believes Americans have a "prideful arrogant attitude"  about gay marriage that risks "inviting God's judgment on our nation".

The Huffington Post.com reports that Chick-fil-A gives money to The Family Research Council, designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Another cause that receives contributions is a Christian Ministry that endorses ex-gay therapy, a practice disavowed by most mental health organizations.

Also reported in the Huffington Post is that  gay employees are coming forward and telling stories of a  culture of gay discrimination and hurtful banter at some of the Chick fil A outlets. Gay employees have kept quiet for fear of losing their jobs and have been told to keep neutral when  a custom blatantly makes a homophobic remark.

Somethings Not Kosher About Chick fil A

Whoa....this does not appear to be a kosher situation. Where are the good ole family values that Chick fil A cherishes according to their website? The scoop out of the chicken coop is that Dan Cathy is running a company that is not  encouraging good family values for ALL Americans, only some Americans.

Dan needs to stop giving money to  groups that discriminate against gays. He also needs to revamp his company brand  and create a climate from the very top down to each franchise that promotes tolerance, respect and equality for ALL. !


What We Can Learn From Bill Marriot

 Dan Cathy could learn a lot from Bill Marriott (Morman controlled hotel chain) who separates his  personal religious views from company practices. He does not donate to causes which are anti gay.equality. And in fact, according to Bloomberg Businessweek, Bill Marriott "is publicly reinforcing his company's commitment to gay rights through domestic partners benefits and services aimed at gay couples". Better.....but not quite equal yet.

Inspiration Versus Alienation

Diana Brady (Bloomberg Businessweek July 25th, 2012) wrote  "The problem is that he (Dan Cathy) crossed the line in letting his faith become less about inspiration than alienation". Brady reports that Chic fil A  rings up $4 billion in sales each year. While Dan Cathy is entitled to his religious beliefs, his story goes beyond his personal myopia. Chic- fil- A is branded as a kid-family- friendly, community centered business with a corporate  purpose "to have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A. O.K. now we need some some fix-in in the Chic-fil-A kitsch-en.


Should You Boycott Chick- fil- A?

I do see a justification for the current wave of outrage and calls to boycott  Chick- fil- A.  Sometimes it takes a kick in the money belt to knock sense into the heart.

Read More:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/26/us/gay-rights-uproar-over-chick-fil-a-widens.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/01/chick-fil-a-anti-gay-controversy-employees-speak-out_n_1729968.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-07-26/god-and-gay-marriage-what-chick-fil-a-could-learn-from-marriott

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-08-01/why-chick-fil-a-and-other-brands-arent-being-bullied

If you wold like to have your voice heard  please read http://www.change.org/petitions/new-york-university-stop-serving-anti-gay-chick-fil-a-on-campus and see what you can do in your region.

For more information  on gay and lesbian advocacy visit  http://www.glad.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