Creating Painted Papers For Mixed Media Collage Using Cheap Brushes And Old Coated Postcards

Funky Ways To Apply Paint When Making Painted Papers For Mixed Media Collage

On on a roll, making painted papers for my Mixed media collages. Recently I moved around the supplies and materials in my art studio to bring my tools and paints in closer range when I'm have a delightful art frenzy.

Painting Papers

I thought it might be useful to describe more about how I work, sharing some of  my art making process with you. What follows is a discussion about some ways to apply paint when you are creating your own painted papers.

Vary Your Brush Stokes When Painting Mixed Media Papers For Collage



When you are making painted papers, you will want to vary your brush strokes and mark making strategies to  allow your painted papers to show depth, interest and layers of paint. To begin with I am very lazy, and do not like washing brushes.

More Freedom With Cheap Paint Brushes

I do however keep on hand some cheap brushes that I buy in Job Lot (discount store) for adding dry brush strokes onto the paper. The nastier the brushes get, the better they work because they  create funky and unpredicatble strokes. If I do want more of a wash look on the papers, I simply wet these same brushes and apply the paint causually, sometimes placing a dry piece of paper on top of the wet painted paper. I'm not concerned about caring for these brushes in the same way as I would pamper my brushes that can cost  $25.00  or more.

Applying Paint With Folded Coated Postcards

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Back to the way I like to work. When I get coated postcards in the mail anouncing an art show or exhibit, I save these cards to use at a later time when I am painting papers.   I fold the postcard  several times and dip into paint and  swipe the card across the paper. I also work on several different painted papers at the same time. Sometimes I add marks first to the paper and cover portions with paint and other times I scribble over dried paint with a Sharpie pen.
I may use paint brushes, swiped cards or a putty knife to apply paint. I let the paint mingle from one sheet of paper to another and encourage strange color combinations at times.

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 Collage: Building On Layers To Create A Successful Well Composed Piece

The Joy Of Tearing Up Painted Papers In Mixed Media Collage

In the mixed media collage world, many of us paint our own papers and then tear those papers up  to create our collaged work. Yesterday while in my art studio, I was thinking about how much fun it is to paint the papers and how grueling it can be to form those papers into a cohesive, exciting and well composed  piece of artwork. Of course the beauty in this method of working is that you add layer upon layer onto your support, essentially starting over again and again.

In Mixed Media Collage: Don't Fall In Love With Your First Layer

During my first layer yesterday I was in soft cream colors, only to leave the studio with an incomplete piece that ended with shades of aquamarine and dark blues.  When I return today to rework my collage, I maybe in an entirely different palette. One thing is for sure, never fall in love with your first layer. And if there are papers that you really are keen on, don't use them in the early phases of your piece, because if you work like most of us, these pieces will eventually become buried with newer layers.

Loosening Up To The Creative Frenzy Phase Of Mixed Media Collages

I also have noticed  that I work in predictble  phases when collaging mixed media pieces. I start off careful and deliberate and by the late afternoon, my frustration level is converted into a wonderful "I don't care about this piece anymore" so whatever happens can happen. This realization that I may have just "ruined" the piece is followed by a wonderful creative frenzy which is loose, experimental and daring. At this stage, surprises appear, color combination I wasn't planning emerge and the mixed media collage starts saying "look at me, I'm developing into something engaging".

Readers are welcome toleave a comment and tell us about your experiences.

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

Are You Taking Care Of Parents Who Have Memory Problems ?

When Not All Memory Issues Are From Dementia: Older Parents Who Selectively Forget 

"Memories, what's to painful to remember we simply choose to forget"..... The Way We Were...Barbra Streisand

O.K., how many of my readers are taking care of elderly  parents who behave at times as if their batteries are not fully charged? I don't mean to be rude or crass, but sometimes having a sense of humor is helpful when you are dealing with older adults who appear at times to be turning their dementia on and off. I'm sure a few Gerontology professionals would chime in here and point out that  "a mind is a terrible thing to lose" and a matter that is nothing to  jest about.   

Memory Loss Is Not A Rock Solid Condition

But, I have noticed that when memory loss and other signs  of early dementia show up in a family member ...the picture that you see is not always as it appears on first glance. There is you see, a psychological component. 

 For years, my sister has been telling me that dad has "selective dementia" . She has been trying to convince me that dad's memory loss varies with what's  he wants to remember and more importantly, what he want to  accomplish (or not sccomplish). In essence, our dad she says,  is much more capable of  remembering and functioning normally at times than he leads others to believe.  My sister says dad is a character...and I AGREE !

         

Turning Memory Loss On And Off

The retired therapist  in me,  used to believe that my sister who cared for dad before me,  was in denial and that surely someone like dad, would not be able to turn on and off their memory symptoms. Well, attention readers...dad is now living near me  and I can tell you that dad willfully chooses to forget plenty, especially when it comes to eating whatever he feels like and whatever he is told he should not eat. I shall demonstrate what I have in mind.

Pickles And Pastrami

When I asked  my father why he continues to eat potato chips, pickles and Pastrami when he has  hypertension and he has been told over and over to lose the deli habit, he replies  "oh I forgot".  

Chocolate Donuts And Diabetes 


 When I ask my 86 year old dad who has Diabetes why he has bought yet  another box of chocolate donuts,  he responds innocently "no one ever told me I have Diabetes" (he takes 11 different medications for all sorts of conditions).  When I ask dad why he isn't using the $80.00 T.V. ears I bought him to help him hear better and keep the sound in the apartment down to a quieter roar he ignores me.
    
Eating Steak With No Teeth

Every so often dad  tells his aide that he would sure love a nice juicy steak for dinner. He convinces her each time to fix him one, giving her a series of  sad sack stories he rotates as to why he needs a steak. Mind you, dad has no teeth to chew the steak, complains of jaw pain, has a lousy history of heart disease and has a limited budget for steak. The last time he pulled the steak ploy he told his aide that he  hasn't had a steak in 10 years so she bought him a steak and he somehow ate it. A week later, I was out food shopping and I called dad and asked him if he needs anything at the butcher?  Dad says, "yeah , bring me home a steak, I haven't had one in years"!

Yes....... not all forgetting is dementia!

To read more on taking care of older adults visit: 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. 
 Readers please share your stories.....we all need a good laugh.

  Pastrami image from  http://newyork.seriouseats.com/2009/10/joseph-leonard-gastropub-review-manhattan-west-greenwich-village-nyc.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

Has The Popular Drama Series Downton Abbey Influenced Your Antiques And Collectibles Business ?

Are Downton Abbey Fans Looking For Victorian  And Edwardian Style Antiques And Collectibles?

Some say, that the popular English drama series "Downton Abbey" has influenced the antique business and that buyers are showing a renewed interest in Edwardian and Victorian era treasures.  Pause.....I don't know about that.....I can't remember the last time I sold  a teacup or a fancy schmancy dessert plate in my Antique booth, so I'm not personally seeing any Downton trends ?

Mid Century Era Collectibles Upstaging Edwardian Antiques

If you want to know what is really happening with sales in my shop, I might say that my beautiful Victorian Era collectibles have been upstaged by my Mid Century "Hip" kitsch. I come across more and more young couples who are enamored with "Retro" than Edwardian. Which is fine with me, because I never really did get the hang of classifying the various type of spoons one could acquire. I mean there is a lot to learn when it comes to spoons...."Bouilllon" ...."Caviar".....etc.
 I 'm so much more  involved with 1950s plastics than  schmaltzy tableware.

Stocking More Aluminum Than Silver


And it's not just my shop that stocks more aluminum than silver. I travel around to many Antique Malls,  and I dare to say I'm not seeing a lot of silver tea sets or gilt mirrors being carried out the door.  Nor have I heard a great deal of chatter about people searching for opulent chandeliers or upholstered furniture in striking brocades. I do hear customers asking about turquoise vinyl chairs and Formica and chrome dinette sets, however.

 Decorating Your Drawing Room

In conclusion, I 'm just not hearing much buzz from customers hoping to furnish their formal dining room, drawing room or music rooms.

But, I spend most of my time in Connecticut, so it is possible that my readers are having a much different experience in other parts of the country. I would love to hear from you.... has the series "Downton Abbey" influenced  your antique business in any way? Let's meet back at 4:00pm for a cup of tea and some biscuits and discuss this issue.


Photo credits:

http://www.gardenclubbackbay.org 
http://www.etsy.com/listing/107345111/countess-dowager-doll-inspired-by
http://www.lucecannon.co.uk/blog/index.php/2011/10/10/down-at-downton-abbey/

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

I Antique Online.com: A SOCIAL Network For Collectors

Having A Ball On A Social Network For Collectors  

I have been writing a series of posts this week about I Antique Online.com,  the largest social netork for collectors of antiques and collectibles. While there are many very successful websites and social networks that cater to specific areas of collecting, I Antique Online.com is the Grand Central Station, if you will, of the antiques and collectibles world.


Name It, You'll Find Everything For  Collectors On I Antique Online.com

Starting with just a few members and a handful of groups and features,when the site debuted in 2008,  the site now has expanded to 12,000 members and over two hundred group forums  for collectors of glassware, China, toys, vintage clothing, jewelry, tools, dolls, kitchenwares, Mid Century, paper, holiday, tea collectibles, ceramics, art, cookie jars, lighting, Pyrex, textiles, linens, buttons, games, Disney, records,  silver, barware, aprons, primitives, Victorian, cottage, furniture, decoys, model trains, marbles, cookbooks and on and on. As they say in the social media biz....the site is maturing.

Bantering About The Good Old Days 

 Recently, I have noticed a trend on the site where members in many of the groups are forming social groups within groups and having a ball. Key to this lighter socializing is when you are fortuunate to have a moderator who keeps all the balls in the air. One of our groups on I Antique Online.com is called "The Good Old Days". The moderator, Tom Nichol, needed to leave the community for a extended personal absence last year and his group went flat as can be. When he returned to I Antique Online.com and to his groupp "The Good Old Days"  the bantering returned and the group is back to being a real favorite on the site.

"Let's Guess What This Is?" Takes You On A Wild Ride: Hold On

Another fun group on I Antique Online com is named "Let's Guess What This Is ?" In this group a member posts a collectible object that is unique and perhaps not too familiar to many to most people  and the group has to figure out what it is with a series of probing questions. questions.

The posts can be hilarious and the tension  to solve the puzzle palpable. While this group has had a few leaders here and there, I am the overall moderator to this group until I can find just the right person who wants to go along on a wild ride.

Come join Us, You Are Missing Out On So Much Fun

If you haven't made the leap yet to take a visit to I Antique Online.com, I oficially invite you to do so today. Here is the link to this wonderful  Social network for collectors and buyers and sellers of antiques and collectibles: http://iantiqueonline.ning.com/ 

Vintage costume spotted at Griswold Street Antiques, Glaastonbury, CT

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Social Networking For The Antiques Industry

I Antique Online.com A Place To Learn About Social Media For Your Antique Business

I Antique Online.com is a perfect community for social networking for the Antiques industry.  While many people join social networks to schmooze with other folks who enjoy collecting antiques and collectibles or are simply passionnate or addicted to  JUNK collecitng, others are industry leaders who promote their businesses on our site I Antique Online.com.

Join Leaders In The Antiques Industry on I Antique Online.com

There are actually many savvy members of I Antique Online.com who are serious about networking with others to promote Antique shows, Auction houses, Flea markets,  Antique Malls and other antique industry businesses.  As co-founder of I Antique Online.com, I approve memberships everyday from staff members  of some of the largest businesses and media in the antique world.

To Succeed Today In The Antique World You Need To Know About Social Media And Social Networking

Today any thriving business knows that social networking is a key ingredient to suceeding in the world today. Even if you are a small business owner, you really do need to be covering the social media yourself or hiring someone to do the job for you.

I Antique Online.com Can Help You With Blogging, Facebook,Twitter And Other Industry Ideas 

On I Antique Online.com we make the job of entering the world of social media much easier for the newbie. We have dozens of groups that are geared to surviving in a digital and virtual world. We can  help you understand how social media and social networking can help you. We do a great job on I Antique Online discussing issues concerning blogging , Pinterest.com, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, On-line selling sites, Antique exchanges and popular web communities that can help you in promoting your Antique business.

Swim With The Antique Sharks: We'll Protect You

With over 200 Group forums on I Antique Online.com and dozens on the business of the antique industry, we are really in the forefront of antique social media. We are a friendly and helpful community.  Many of us on I Antique Online.com are baby boomers and at one time were clueless about computers and social networking.  Now we are still cluless but good actors. With the help of  the I antique Online,com community you will learn so  much, so come aboard, swim with the antique business sharks .......there are plenty of us to protect you on this great social network.

Please feel free to leave comments, what has been your experience with social media? 


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

I Antique Online.com Announces The Antique JOB Connection For People Who Love The Antique World

I Antique Online.com: A Social Network For The Antique World That Connects People To Jobs

I am not sure what took me so long,  but this week I decided to add a brand new group to I Antique Online.com called "Antique JOB Connection".  I guess sitting on my  couch listening to the news day in and day talk about how hard it is to get a job, I decided I needed to help people find jobs in the Antiquew world. With almost 12,000 members on I Antique Online.com, a JOB bank on the site could really be a helpful forum.

Antique JOB Connection: A New Group On The Largest Social Network About Antiques And Collectibles  

 "Antique JOB Connection" will be a place where people in the antique business, including auction houses, show promoters, museum managers, cultural and art programs etc. can share information about job postings. And it of courase works the other way around, a person who is looking for a particular JOB can use this group as a way to  let others know in our community what antique related job that they are looking for.

Read Articles And Posts About Jobs In The Antique World 
On The Largest Antique Social Network

As I always do whenever  I add  a new group, I also start off the groups with lots of  relevant articles on the subject posted in the Forum section of the new group.  In the   "Antique JOB Connection" group you will see numerous  fresh posts on jobs in the Antique world. If you are looking for a job or know someone who is looking for help, please tell them about our group "Antique JOB Connection".

Do You Have A  College Kid Looking For A Great Internship Or Part Time Job?

Interestingly, I discoverred that Sothebys and Christies have Internship programs. You will find that many businesses in the museum, art and Antique world have introductory programs for young people or recent graduates. So if you know a young person or newbie looking for a summer internship or part time positon "Antique job Connection"   is a great place to find out about internships and temporary jobs as well.

READERS COMMENTS WELCOME:
Please feel free to add your comments, suggestions and ideas to this article.

Photo Credits:
Top photo: http://www.azcentral.com/
Second photo:  http://thefarmchicks.typepad.com/
Third Photo: http://frenchlarkspur.blogspot.com/
Fourth Photo: http://cdiannezweig.blogspot.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

I Antique Online.com: A Social Network For The Antique World

I Antique Online.com A Social Network For The Antique World

I Antique Online.com is a social network for the antique world, yet each day people from all over the globe not interested in antiques and collectibles try ot wiggle their way onto the site. Not long ago we instituted a screening process which cuts down on spammers,  commercially driven individuals  and others who are really not interested in the SOCIAL part of social network.

 Keeping I Antique Online Free Of  Pesky People

As Editor in Chief of this very popular social network, I work very hard to watch carefully  who is trying  to join our site. So far I have really helped our friendly community stay free of folks who are sellling knock off pocketbooks or trying to hawk goods from a pirate ship. Not to mention ladies of the night and other "beauties" who are looking for love in all the wrong places.But even with all my hard work, every now and then a wolf in sheeps clothing sneaks onto the site and I have to click the zap button.

Did You Know That I Antique Online.com Is The Largest Social Network For  The Antique World With Lots Of Baby Boomers And Plenty Of Newbies?

Afer many years of consistent hard work, I Antique Online.com is currently the largest and most popular social work for the antique world. We attract members in all age ranges and to my surprise we have almost as many maen as we do women. While we have our share of young peole who are working their way through the antique world. We also have a large group of baby boomers and retired members who are having a delightful time on the site.

Which Groups Do You Like OnI Antique Online.com? 

For those of my readers who have already found  I Antique Online.com with almost 12,000 members, I officially welcome you and glad you took the time to visit us and join.  Please leave a comment below and let us know which groups you have joined and are enjoying? Are there any hnew groups you would like me to add?

Hey....We Could Use Some Bizz....Can You Help?

If you are having a good time on I Antique Online.com, please share information about us on your blogs and websites. We are trying to keep building a strong and exciting social network and we appreciate all the help of our  loyal bloggers and  friends

When you join, be sure to say hello to me.....I love to hear from my blog friends and I'll look asfter you in our community cause you are special!


C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Displaying Vintage Tablecloths In Stacked Vertical Wooden Soda Boxes In Your Antique Booth Or Shop

Displaying Colorful Vintage Tablecloths In Your Antique Booth

If you vintage linens you know how hard it is to  display 1940s and 1950s coloroful tablecloths in your shop or antique booth.

Limited Space In Your Antique Booth

When you have limited space you may not have the luxury of being able to hang textiles and tablecloths on a rack. Over the years I have tired many different ways to store and display tablecloths.

Wooden Boxes Form Cubbies For Linens

Recently, I decided to try displaying my tablecloths in several vertically stacked old wooden soda boxes which form cubbies which wortk well for folded linens. I'm not saying that this idea is perfect, because I still have to routinely fold and tidy up my tabelcloths for  sale. But, I do have to tell you, that the system of narrow snacked wooden boxes is working better than other previously tried displays.    

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

The Retro Kitchen: Are You A Pink Plastics Collector Or A Cute Red Pyrex Person?

The Retro Kitchen: What Category Do Your Fall Into As A Collector?

I thought it was about time to discuss "The Retro Kitchen".  If you are passionate about vintage kitchens you know that what is "retro" to one person is not "retro" to another. Some of my collector friends who adore the 1950s, not only use kitchen collectibles as decorative  accessories, but they actually use the  stuff in their kitchen.

Kitchen Houseware Collectors Fall Into Two Main Categories

I  divide "Retro kitchen" people into two main categories ...."Retro pink aqua yellow" and "Retro yellow red white green" collectors.  Both types are "Retro" but they decorate their kitchens very differently and they seem to approach the whole retro life style very differently as well.

PINK PLASTIC PEOPLE Versus RED YELLOW GREEN COLLECTORS

The plastic people like AQUA-PINK-YELLOW . They love aluminum, stainless steel, glassware and  PLASTICS.

Poodles, bomerangs, starbursts and abstract textiles tickle their fancy.  While I do not have any hard research, it appears to me that the PINK/AQUA boomerang-ish collectors are more likely to also have Retro style bathrooms and cool barware. In fact I would take this one step further and say that for many of these passionate pink people are very artsy, quirky, creative types living in Metropolitan areas for the most part.

RED YELLOW GREEN WHITE RETRO KITCHEN COLLECTORS


In the red-yellow-white-green group,  CUTE is the operative theme. Embroidered pot holders, vintage aprons, roosters, florals, Pyrex and  ceramic bowls are their comfort zone. This is not to say that you will not

find some collectors who buy a little bit of everything, but my expereince is that the majority of collectors  are either in the PINK PLASTICS  group or the RED CUTE group.

Red Plastics A Sub-Category Of Retro Kitchen Collectors

I should mention that some RED YELLOW GREEN WHITE collectors do indeed buy plastics, but their taste in plastics is still CUTE, generally having floral decals or being paired with cute shelving paper or vintage textiles.



Does Age Or Gender Play A Role In What You Collect In YOur Retro Kitchen? 


So I ask my readers....what group are you in? Does age play a role in what colors you collect? What about men and women? I have a lot of kitchen collectibles customers who are are men who love the pink/aqua/yellow collectibles. I'd love to hear more about what got you started in your collections and if the retro life style expands beyond your kitchen?

P.S. Mid-Century collectors are  in a different category.

As most of you already know.....Mid-Century is the hot era right now. However, the PINK PLASTIC collectors are not the same as the Mid Century collectors who are after   higher end designer ceramics and kitchenwares.

Egg cup photo courtesy of http://pinkpiccadillypastries.blogspot.com/

 Red Formica table from http://www.facebook.com/pages/Georgia-Mountain-Market/

Beverage glasses from http://kibster.wordpress.com/page/13/

Dish rack from http://www.salvagechicantiques.com/home.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

Antique Booth Intervention: Mixing Up The Color Combinations Of Collectibles

Drastic Measure For Kitsch n Stuff Antique Booth

The time had come to go to my shop "Kitsch n Stuff" at The Colllinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT and take some drastic measures to make the booth look different. For me a radical change is mixing up two unlikely or interesting color combination of kitchen collectibles or creating a vignette with objects that are are little quirky.

Trying A New Color Combination In Your Antique Booth

Of course many of us who sell kitchen collectibles  we have tried lots of different common color pairings such as red and white, blue and yellow, orange and blue, black and red etc. Sometimes it is helpful to use a piece of fabric or a vintage textile to help you decide on what colors to combine or to highlight. When I get sick of the tablecloths or textiles I use as props in my booth, I usually stroll the others booths at Collinsville Antiques Company and buy as new runner or tablecloth to get my creative juices going.

Start Off With A New Textile Or Tablecloth Color Pattern

On Sunday, I found a colorful piece of barkcloth that was just what the antique booth design doctor ordered. It did the trick. I draped it over a chippy painted narrow table and completely changed the look of this Shabby Chic country console to a funky retro 1950s look. Wow, the power of imagaination.

My advice to my readers who are suffering from winter doldrums and cabin fever is to think COLOR. Come up with some new color combinations in your booth. Let me know how you do?
Tell us what you paired together and how it looked. You can even email me photos of your booth at Dianne@cDiannezweig.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