Displaying Antiques And Collectibles In Your Booth Or Shop

How To Arrange And Display Antiques And Collectibles In Your Booth Or Antique Store

When you create displays for your antique and collectibles shop, it is important to keep in mind the importance of using  color, texture, shape, size in an engaging way. I always step back from my display and talk to myself. I ask myself questions like: "Is it exciting?", "Is it boring? "Is it eye catching?"

Organizing Your Antique Display Vignette  

I have written about this topic before and suggested that diplaying antiques and collectibles is like painting a picture. You look at the vignette as if it is a still like painting. In the picture shown above, the antique dealer has successfully mixed different shapes, sizes, colors and textures together. You don't always have to use objects that make sense either. While I prefer to keep the eras and styles similiar in the objects that I group together, April of "Queen Anne Antiques", is a master of combining all kinds of collectibles together. She can make great junk look AMAZING!

How To Arrange Antique And Collectible  Displays So They Look Like They Belong Together

In the top photo shown,  I love the way she added incense sticks to the blue pottery vase to help add height to her vignette. And notice how the color of  the sticks mirrors the colors in the Chinese game board which was a real eye catcher. Also do you see how the vintage orange tin is repeating the orange in the game borad cover as well. These deliberate display strategies help to organize the vignette and make the objects all look like they go together even whe they do not.

In the wooden box photos, April sticks to two main sets of colors, wood tones and silver. It's an interesting mix of color and textures.

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 Large Seashells In A Handmade Wooden Garden Or Tool Tote

Conch Seashells Look Great Displayed In A Wooden Tool Or Garden Tote

I am always looking for ideas on how to display large and small seashells. A few days ago, I visited "Queen Anne Antiques", Canton, CT and loved the way April displayed large seashells in a handmade wooden garden or tool   tote. I like to combination of naturual objects (wood and shells) together.


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 And Decorating Your Home With Flea Market Style Studio Pottery

Flea Market Pottery Is Fun To Collect

It's so much fun to collect and decorate your home with handmade studio pottery.

I enjoy visiting Flea markets, small Antique shops, tag sales etc. to find different kinds of artist made pottery bowls, vases, pitchers etc. The fun is putting together a collection of pieces made by a variety of   amateur and accomplished artists from different locations around the country and world.

Finding Studio Pottery At Queen Anne Antiques, Canton, CT

One of my favorite haunts for inexpensive studio made pottery is a tiny shop in Canton, Connecticut off Route 44, called "Queen Anne Antiques".  April who, owns this shop is always stopping at tag sales and flea markets to add new pottery collectibles to her inventory. She sells most of her small to medium sized  pieces for $8.00-18.00.  They are not alwlays vintage but they are attractive. I consider that a real bargain for all the work that goes into making a handmade clay piece.

When Artist Sign Their Pottery

I like to find examples of work that have the artist name scratched into the bottom of the piece, I find it very satisfying to know that someone made a piece that i brought home. While I do prefer handcrafted work, in my home I mix artist made pottery with vintage vases and planters from the 1930s and 40s. I enjoy blending different surface textures together from flat to glossy and varying the shapes, sizes and colors.

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

Being An Amateur Picker Of Ohio Art Tea Sets

 "Picking" Ohio Art Tea Sets

Many, many decades ago, I was enjoying my role as a amateur picker of Ohio Art Company tea sets for a nice couple who had a HUGE private collection of these lithographed toy play sets.  I can't even remember how I met this chap and his wife, but they lived in Ohio and I agreed to be their eyes and ears in New England, keeping tabs on these colorful lithographed tea sets at auctions, flea markets, shops.


Buying Full Sets For The Price Of A Few Cups And Saucers Today

Mind you, at the time, I had no idea what I was buying. I was a clueless mother of little ones, just beginning my immersion into the world of antiques and collectibles. It was so many years ago that I could  find a mint boxed set of  Ohio dishes for $30.00-45.00 and send it to my "penpal" collectors in Ohio.

Needless to say they were overjoyed to have my help.  You know how long ago I am refering to when you realize I was finding boxed sets  for under $50.00.


Collecting Vintage Ohio Art Tea sets Before Google 

Sometimes, my collector friends would send me a photo of a particular set they were looking for and ask me to keep a look out for these wished for tea sets. This was the time way before iPhone cameras (to send photos back and forth)  and Google searches (to hunt for comparative sets ), so my value as an amateur picker was really aprreciated.

Ohio Art Tea Sets Go To Auction

A few months ago, I was poking through some old papers and I found some of the letters that went back and forth from this couple. I tracked down the fella and called him. To my surprise he told me that he no longer had his collection, it was given to auction years ago. He sounded quite detached from the earlier energy of the collecting years. I didn't ask for  details, but I was truly disappointed. I guess I wanted to hear that he was still in love with Ohio Art children's tea sets and that all was well. 

Vintage Ohio Art Tin Tea Sets And Toys Today

Today, you will find unboxed partial sets of these charming tea sets selling for BIG BUCKS. I am always surprised to see a few cups and saucers fetch $25.00-45.00 dollars and often in rusty or scratched condition. Boxed sets  (if you can find them ) sell for hundredths of dollars depending on age, condition and rarity.

Where To Find Vintage Ohio Art Tea Sets

You may find  teas sets in a number of places from shows to shops.  Check with antique and vintage toy dealers, Disney collectors, vintage Teddy Bear dealers and collectors,  antique doll sellers and collectors, kitchen collectibles dealers. Also visit online auctions and my site I Antique Online.com
Pinterest.com.  is a great place to see many different Ohio Art tea sets. Be aware of  vintage toy, doll and and Teddy Bear shows. Visit my Pinterest board "Ohio Art Tea Sets" . You can also do a general search on Pinterest.com (and other sites)  using terms like "vintage tin toys", "Ohio Art tea sets", "lithograph toys" etc.

Readers, please add more inforamtion about this toic? Do you collect Ohio Art dishes and tea sets? What has your experience been?

Articles, Books And  Websites To Explore:  

There is an Ohio Art Collectors Club: http://ohioartcollectors.com

Ohio Art: The World of Toys (paperback)  http://www.schifferbooks.com/newschiffer/

http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/the-ohio-art-company-history/

http://www.ohioart.com/our_story.jsp

http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=799&dat=19741014&id=BMAwAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-VEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3144,1131567

http://www.collectorsquest.com/blog/2008/04/13/ohio-art-metal-lithography-experts/

http://www.hakes.com/item.asp?AuctionItemID=49721

http://pinterest.com/arleneshannon/vintage-tin-toys/


Photo credits:
Boxed sets are from http://ohioartcollectors.com/
Partial dishes are from http://pinterest.com/kitschnstuff/ohio-art-tea-sets/



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

Kitsch N Valentines On Pinterest.com: Collecting Vintage Foody Valentines

Pinning Your Favorite Vintage Valentine

While everyone on Pinterest.com is busy creating generic one size fits all vintage Valentine Boards, I decided that the pinning would be more fun to create boards with specific categories of vintage Valentine cards. Personally I kicked off the Valentine phase with a board that is true to my retro kitschy self. I named my board "Kitsch n Valentines" .

Kitsch N Valentines Vintage Food Valentines

Now as you might imagine, ""Kitsch n Valentines" showcases vintage Valentine cards which are whimsical and are kitchen or food themed. The play on the words  "kitsch" and "kitchen". So now when a suitable vintage Valentine appears on my main page of boards that I am "following" , I can repin a foody Valentine onto my board.

Here are some other possible vintage Valentine categories that you might start collecting or pinning.

1. cowboys, cowgirls, Indians
2. sports
3. patriotic
4. dogs
5. cats
6. birds
7. bunnies
8. children
9. artists, painters
10. angels
11. tea related
12. sailors
13. cars
14. couples
15. sports


Valentines shown came from http://pinterest.com/kitschnstuff/kitsch-n-valentines/


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 Mom And Dad Price Collectibles To Sell: What Not To Throw Out

Do You Know If Mom And Dad's "Junk" Are Really Collectibles?

If you are the adult child of  parents who are getting on in years, you may find yourself in the position of helping mom and dad sell collectibles. But do you know what is currently hot and what is not? This article is to help you think more carefully before you toss out some really great collectible items unintentionally.

Defining Collectibles

First I will start with a clarification of what is a collectible.
You will get a variety of answers to the question: what is a collectible?  The simpliest response for our purposes is that a collectible is an item of interest to others that has gained popularity. It can be 40, 60, 70, 80 years old or even five years old. While some experts in the field think of collectibles as items that are from the 50's and 60s up unitl the 80s, I am categorizing collectibles more broadly. To me a collectible is a item that has gained interest by others in the marketplace.

Beanie Babies: Collectibles That Are Collecting Dust

Remember when everyone was collecting Beanie Babies? At the time of the Beanie Baby madness these plush toys were hot in demand. Now they appear to be fur ball clutter in most closets. So "collectibles" have a time related significance. Collectibles can come into importance or become old news.

A collectible like an antique may have significant monetary value(or not), sentimental value or collecting interest to a specific group of loyal collectors. Many "collectibles" are buried in basements and attics and are ignored by owners who are not familiar with collecting trends.

Finding A Jar Of Swizzle Sticks    

For example, dad may have a jar filled with swizzle sticks in his basment that are of considerable interest to the many swizzle stick collectors out there. You may think of this collection as worthless junk but hold on...swizzle sticks are collectible.  Now let us suppose you discovered a cache of swizzle sticks, how would you know if you had common ones or a stash of goodies?

How To Evaluate Collectibles You Discover In The House

 You might visit online auction sites (ebay), selling venues (Etsy.com) , antique stores, markets and social networks such as my site I Antique Online.com to find out what particular collectibles are fetching and which ones seem popular.You can also search the internet for a particular collecting group such as "Emphemera society" for old paper items  or "swizzle stick collectors" for your barware.  Of course you can visit the library and read up so many different collectible topics.  Keep in mind that books get outdated very quickly, but you will still be able to learn quite a bit from expereinced collectors who have written about their collectibles.

What You May Find In The Basement, Attic, Garage, Closets, Drawers That Could Be Collectible  DONT THROW OUT

OLD   =  1960s and earlier  (for the list below)

1. old sewing buttons
2. old advertisng tins i.e. coffee, powder, talc
3. old wooden boxes
4. old wrapping paper (especially Christmas)
5. swizzle sticks

6. old children's books
7. old garden tools(even rusty ones)
8. decks of playing cards
9. corkscrews
10. post cards
11. old greeting cards especially Valentines
12. old letters and correspondance
13. old linens, tablecloths, curtains, aprons
14. old kitchen utensils
15. old razors, barber, beauty items
16. old 45 records with jackets
17. old games and toys

18. old books
19. old Christmas, Easter, Halloween and holiday decorations and ornaments
20. old school related items
21. old office supplies i.e. staplers, sharpeners...even pencils
22. typewriter ribbon tins
23. unused painting sets and coloring books and other art supplies
24. sequined fruit
25. war and military related  items
26. boy scout and girl scout memorabilia
27  souvenir glasses
28. political memorabilia
29. marbles
30. old recipe booklets
31. old catalogs
32. old birthday candles in orginal box

Readers please add to this list, it will be great to hear your experiences.

Photo Credits

Playing card image  http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/vintagejunque/3320985/golfing_scotty_scottie_dog_mini_deck_of_vintage_playing_cards/vintage/ephemera/cards

Birthday candles:http://pinterest.com/turtlelovebug/vintage-birthday/

For more information  

Read :
CARING FOR AGING PARENTS VINTAGE MOM AND DAD http://cdiannezweig.blogspot.com/search/label/older%20adults

If you need help regarding Senior Care Services and Eldercare contact my friend Sheri Morris MSW, ACSW, LCSW a very experienced Geriatric Social Worker. Her website is My Senior Care Connection. 

and http://iantiqueonline.ning.com/group/estatemavenshelpwithestateliquidation

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 Cake Carriers: Taking Your Cakes And Pies On The Road

The Origin Of Cake Carriers 

What is the difference between the term "cake carriers" and "cake savers" or "cake carriers"?
A  few years ago I wrote about this topic in an article called "Cake Savers Are Popular in Today's Kitchen". At that time I wrote in my post that I often see the names of these kitchen housewares used in a similar fashion, sometimes referred to as cake savers and at other times cake carriers.

Cake Carriers And Cake Savers


But. today I was looking through some materials in my files and discovered more information on the origin of "cake carriers".  Cake carriers are designed to take cakes from one place to another.

It is generally thought that women carried cakes to social functions such as church suppers or picnics etc.

Therefore "cake carriers" were different than cake holders (or savers) which were kept on the kitchen counter to keep cakes fresh.

Vintage Cake Carriers Have Wire To Hold Parts Together

Cake carriers have several parts: a metal bottom tray,  a metal cover with a knob and  an outer wire bracket with a handle which keeps the parts together and also allows for carrying the cake. Some cake carriers have more parts with additional trays to carry cakes and pies together at one time.

The Glass Knobs On Cake Carriers Are Glass Cabinet Pulls


Another tidbit I came across was that the glass knobs on the early cake carriers were from the  same companies that made kitchen cabinet pulls and were used to match the kitchen.

Cake carriers came in different sizes to hold more than one cake or pie.  One important point to rmember is that if you are buying these housewares, think about whether they have all the parts.

Readers if you can add to this discussion, please post yuor comments, thank you.

Green cake carrier combo was made by Carlton and was featured at http://www.etsy.com/shop/cynthiasattic

The other cake carriers were found on Pinterest.com

Refernce: "Bake And Take" by Cathy Cook, Collectibles Flea Market Finds Magazine.


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 Retro 1950s Wire Magazine Racks In Your Art Studio Or Gallery To Display Small Artwork

Atomic Era Magazine Stands Used To Display Small Works Of Art In A Studio Or Gallery

In my Mid Century styled art studio at the Farminton Valley Arts Center in Avon, CT,  smaller works of art  that are not on my gallery wall are displayed in  vintage metal wire magazine racks from the 1950s. These  Atomic era magazine racks  can be found at flea markets, junk stores and antique shops.  So far I own three of these Atomic era magazine racks wh ich have been converted to showcase artwork now.  


These vintage racks work well for smaller pieces of artwork and are lower to the ground that store bought newer versisons. You could however prop these older magazine stands up on a window sill or table.

Antique dealers could also use this idea in a shop to display small vintage artwork or even old magazines.

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

Downton Kitsch Cafe: A Tea Parlour For Downton Abbey Fans

Hooked On Downton Abbey...
          So I Want To Open A Tea Parlour

O.K. I'm hooked on "Downton Abbey" on PBS. I'm so preoccupied with the show that it has rejuvenated my not so secret desire to open a tea parlour.

The Brits had it so right...taking tea and nibbling on petite desserts, a lovely way to relax and slow down. We all seem to move so quickly, it is a blessing to be able to take the time and share a cup of tea with someone you you enjoy to have conversation with.

Kitsch n Tea

At times  I have envisioned a whimsical tea cafe decorated in a Mad Hatter style with everything mismatched and very colorful.  The shelves on the wall would be funky, the tables hand painted in playful designs, the serving pieces random and retro.

Kooky And Delightful Tea Time

Kooky and delightful was my imagined fantasy tea house.  I could name the place "Kitsch n Tea". Oooh...I still like the concept despite my present addiction to Downton Abbey

Downton Kitsch Cafe


I seem to  have a bloooming interest however in developing an English style tea cafe which might  resemble the interior of Downtown Abbey, the English castle that the Masterpiece drama takes place in.  Perhaps I might call the place "Downton Kitsch Cafe".

Shopping For Tea Antiques

Of course if I was serious about opening a fancy tea room,  I would need to go out antiquing for proper tea room basics which I really do not own at this time.  And lets not forget the staffing I would need.  I wonder if I could find few available footmen to help me in the tea room while I'm out antiquing?

Fancy Schmancy Tea Collectibles

There is a lot of work ahead of me. I  would really need to accumulate a lot of fancy schmancy collectible tea accesssories to keep up with a busy shop.  While I do have a few teacups in my shop Kitsch n Stuff, as well as a handful of decorative plates hiding behind the RETRO, I imagine a proper equipped tea room will need far more inventory than I have previousy held onto.


Kitsch n Bitch Tea House

Many dealers like myself have moved past the  Romantic cottage phase and  are now in the middle of a Mid Century obsession. Buyers are not looking for teacups they are looking for Eva Zeisel.  Now that's a thought, how does a Mid Century tea cafe sound? I could call it "Kitsch n Bitch Tea House".

Im hoping my readers will let me know which type of tea room appeals to them. Also add your experiences with tea rooms.

Choose your favorite concept and comment please:

Downton Kitsch Cafe
Kitsch n Tea
Kitsch n Bitch Tea House

Images courtesy of Antiques And Teacups http://antiquesandteacups.blogspot.com/

If you love tea collectibles visit http://iantiqueonline.ning.com/group/mycupofteateaantiquesandcollectibles

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 Find Vintage Men's Clothing: Look In Your Closet

Trends In Collecting Men's Clothing 2013:  What's Influencing Buyers ?


I just read a press release by Melissa Sands of Vintage Promotions  which discusses the 2013 buying trends in the antiques and collectibles biz. Vintage Promotions produces Vintage Garage Chicago and the Dallas Vintage Clothing and Jewelry Show.

Downton Abby Influencing Buying Trends 

According to Melissa, one of the popular collectibles people are now after is men's clothing. Melissa says that folks are watching shows like Mad Men, Downton Abbey and  Boardwalk Empire  and as a result of the popularity of these shows, men's vintage clothing is hotter than ever. Melissa also said that apparently men's vintage clothing is getting harder to find.

Who Exactly Is Buying Men's Vintage Clothing?

I thought about Melissa's  press release which states that men's clothing is scarce and getting expensive when you do find it.  Who exactly are the buyers of men's "vintage" clothing....are they chaps inspired by the T.V.  shows or T.V. prop types?  I must confess before I continue, that vintage clothing is not an area that I deal in so I am leaving it up to my readers to weigh in here. Do you agree with Melissa...is vintage men's clothing flying out the door?

What Is Your Hubby Wearing......Is It Vintage?


Now, lets get real, a lot of men already live in a VINTAGE world.  How many of my followers are married to men who  always dressed in clothes from yesteryear?

Retro, Vintage, Mod: Look In Your Closet

These types just have to open their closet and they can show you  RETRO sweaters, ties, shirts. And BTW, they did not recently acquire any of these items.....the clothes have been in their closet since the decade they bought them. I venture to say that in plenty of men's closets you will even find clothes from their own father's and sibs.

Now you know why the vintage men's clothes are getting hard to find. It is because the men are still wearing these dated costumes. If you want to know where to get your hands on some good old stuff....look in your house...the goods are aging as we speak.

Clothing shown courtesy of:
 http://www.neldasvintageclothing.com/arrow-vintage-60s-plaid-shirt-mcs1454-detail.htm

More about Vintage Promotions: http://www.vintagepromotionsllc.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

Vintage Cake Saver Made Into A Kitschy Lamp

Cake Saver Funky Lamp Retro Housewives Will Adore

This Cake Saver Lamp is right up the kitschy collector's retro alley. A lamp base from a thrift ssale at target was redone to become an adorable vintage desk lamp. I found this project on the blog Lilliedale  .  Lillliedale took the time to tell you step by step how she made this funky lamp.  The idea has been posted in so many places I had to track down the original genius who took the time to create this novel kitschy lamp.

You can find more Retro Re-Do's on my Pinterest.com board



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 Dish Rack To Organize Files, Records And More.

Retro Fab Vintage Dish Rack Used As A Desk Organizer

I love thie idea of using a vintage dish rack and converting it as a organizer for home files, records, loose papers.  But look how the utesil cup is being used as a  pencil holder. This idea is retro funky fab!
























Here is another clever idea spotted on http://www.houzz.com/. Posted by http://www.houzz.com/pro/brendakula/cozy-little-house

You will find more Retro Re-Do on my Pinterest.com board. Here  is the link  http://pinterest.com/kitschnstuff/retro-re-do/


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 Polks Dots: Retro Lovers Living In A Dotted World

 The Art Of Polka Dots

I am so delighted with my Pinterest.com board called "Retro Polka Dots" that I wanted to share with you some of the fab photos and images that I have pinned to the board. When I first started the board, I thought I would limit my polka dots to kitchen collectibles with "dots". But the board grew and grew to include dotted fashion, accessories, textiles, toys, cards, furniture and more.


Retro Polka Dots

My Retro Polks Dot board also expanded to show dots of all sizes and graphic styles which exploited polka dots in so many ways. I am particularly excited about the color combinations and compositions of many of the images collected.

Beyond Kitchen Collectibles With Polka Dots

While the original intent of  my  Retro Polka Dot Pinterest.com board was to follow the dots over the decades, I have also found the pinning of these images to help me think about the art of the polka dot.

Hope you enjoy a peak of my polka dots.  To see the entire gallery, please visit http://pinterest.com/kitschnstuff/retro-polka-dots/

Top photo http://coutureallure.blogspot.co.nz/2011/10/vintage-full-skirted-dresses-1957.html
Bottom photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/22864665@N06/6078801939/

Thewse photos were pinned to my  Pinterest board byother addicted pinners.You are welcome to follow the pinning teail by visiting http://pinterest.com/kitschnstuff/retro-polka-dots/

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 Dolls With Hand Crocheted Doll Clothes

Charming Vintage Dolls In Fashionable  "Lady Like Clothes" 

How adorable are these hand crocheted outfits for these vintage dolls?
I remember during the early Barbie doll craze, my grandmother would supplement the clothes that I bought for my Barbie dolls with handmade outfits.

Was My Barbie Doll Too Risque? 

I guess Grandma Sophie thought my Barbie dolls were getting to look to sexy for their age and she wanted them in more "lady like outifits".

Using Up Your Yarn For Doll Clothes

Dressing dolls in fashionable homemade clothes was an enjoyable pastime for homemakers in the 30s, 40s, 50s as women found a way to use up small amounts of leftover yarn.

Collecting Dolls With Croqueted Outfits

Today you will often  small bisque dolls with tiny hand croqueted outfits as a little bit larger but still   petit dolls with bonnets, dresses and coats. Often the charming clothing are covering a broken or loose arm ....but for a shelf  collection I'm not alarmed. Recently I came across a bounty of these dolls at Antiques on the Farminngton, Collinsville, CT

Tucked away on a book shelf I found these darlings which I though you might like to see. These dolls were priced for about $15.00 each as I recall. Now that is a fair price for all the detailed  work in their custom outfits.
 

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

Cleaning Out Your Refrigerator For The New Year: Becoming Reunited With The Foods In The Back Of Your Refrigerator

A New Year Refrigerator Intervention

Cleaning out the refrigerator for the New Year this morning seemed like a very practical and rewarding thing to do . There is nothing more satisfying that becoming reunited with the sauerkraut that you tucked away in a plastic container and pushed to the very back of your refrigerator. Now sauerkraut is one of the food categories that actually gets better with age. But for the most part, most of what I found in the very back of my refrigerator was no longer recognizable in its orginal form.

"Rejects' In Your Refrigerator

Towards the middle of my refrigerator was some "rejects", foods that sounded like a good idea when I first bought them, but didn't seem to attract any customers. Brueggers Honey Walnut Cream Cheese was passed over by out of town fans of  Phildaelphia Whipped  Cream Cheese with Chives.

Picky Pickers

Another  popular food group which had big support last year but ened up being ignored  over the holidays was my containers of Greek yogurt with fruit. Last year at this time, everyone was going ga ga over yogurt. This season my picky pickers were watching their "sugar".

Fuzzy Foods that Need To Go

But the biggest waste of food belongs to the fruit category. Of course everyone knows that the best way to buy fruit is in small amounts, ripe and daily. That works well when you live in Manhattan and you have an Asian grocery store under your apartment, but it doesn't work well when you live a few miles from your suburban supermarket and you are buying fruit that is either hard like a rock or looks good from the outside but is just waiting to keel over in your refrigerator.

And The Winner Is....Strawberries

Strawberries are the number one fruit I toss out regularly. But strawberries are not alone in the creepy fuzz department. The bigger your refrigerator is and the more kids you have out of the house....the more fuzzy foods you will discover buried in your refrigerator after the holidays.

Photo images from
http://www.creativepro.com/blog/scanning-around-gene-what-s-your-refrigerator

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