Holding Onto Vintage Baby Stuff When The Kids Are Out Of The House

Closets Filled With Collections of Baby Stuff And Old Collections 

Why on earth do we save so many things? And why do so many of us offer free storage facilities to grown up kids who have their own apartments or homes? I am holding onto a very delightful collection of vintage monkey collectibles which were destined to go back to my daughter's home  when she had a big enough place.  She has moved several times and each place gets bigger and bigger, yet the monkeys are still hanging out in one of my upstair bedroom closets.

Saving Chewed Up Baby Pacifers 

In that same closet are boxes of baby clothes, baby blankets and baby trinkets such as chewed up baby pacifers and rattles. I remember telling myself that the kids may want these boxes of cute baby tee shirts and onesies when they finish college, marry and begin to have their own children.  This is where the
symbol LOL really applies. Who am I kidding?  There is no way, my kids will want to allow their babies to mingle with baby stuff that hasn't seen fresh air in three decades or more.

Ready To Junk The Junk....Maybe

I thought about unpacking these boxes of baby memories and perhaps creating a Mixed Media baby art project assemblage or wall decor something or another. Yeah...right. Those boxes of baby things aren't going anywhere until I am ready to let go of them. O.K. I'M READY!

Readers, what's in your closets?

Monkey image courtesy of  http://www.etsy.com/listing/70528175/vintage-knickerbocker-curious-george

Rattle photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/socal72girl/7117585807/

Stacking toy from  http://daydreamlabs.com/user/22021583@N03/collections

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

Sweet Doll's Dress Made From A Vintage Hankie

Projects Made From Vintage Hankies   

Recently I added a brand new group on I Antique Online.com  for collectors of  Vintage Hankies . This is a wonderful group for sharing images, stories and resources about collectble hankies and upcycled projects made from hankies.  While searching for photos to share with the members of the Vintage Hankies group, I came across a lovely post on making handdmade doll clothes from vintage hankies on one of my favorite blogs, 52 Flea. As discussed in the original blog, many of us remember how our grandmas would make orginal doll clothes for our Barbie dolls. My grandmother Sophie liked to crochet dresses and matching hats and coats. As shown here, this lovely Hankie dress was made from a charming colorful hanky.

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

Antiques And Collectibles On Scoop It: A Content Curation Platform

 What Is Scoop it?

Who misses toaster covers? I was thinking about toasters so I went snooping around online and discovered this adorable vintage pattern on http://www.scoop.it/ . Now I wonder how many of you reading this article have heard of scoop it? Scoop it is what is known as a content curation platform.

What is Content Curation?

"Content curation is the process of sorting through the vast amounts of content on the web and presenting it in a meaningful and organized way around a specific theme."
http://www.bethkanter.org/content-curation-101/

To learn more about scoop it, read Thirteen Things I Like About Scoop.it  

If you want to see what antiques and collectibles are on Scoop it
visit http://www.scoop.it/t/antiques-vintage-collectibles

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 an d 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

Kitschy Vintage Crocheted Toilet Paper Covers

Baby Boomers Remember Handmade Toilet Paper Covers

Baby boomers will remember how our kitschy moms kept an extra bathroom toilet paper roll on the back of the toilet or on a shelf in a disguised handmade crocheted "thing" a.k.a  "toilet tissue cover". The "thing" could be a "poodle", "doll", "duck", "hat", "clown", "flower",  etc.  I can even remember  not knowing exactly what "the thing" was, but knowing exactly what was underneath "the thing" ! Toilet paper roll covers might change according to the season or holiday.

Themed Vintage Toilet Paper Covers For Holidays

There were a lot of Santas sitting on top of toilets back in the 50s, 60s and even into the 70s. While Santa was welcomed at holiday time, I must confess, I think Santa had competition with "Humpty Dumpty". Look how cute Humpty is with his with legs dangling over the top of  a shelf or the tank? Now that is kitschy cute.

You Weren't Allowed To Use The Extra Toilet Paper Roll

And please correct me if I am wrong, but you weren't allowed to use the extra toilet paper roll that was being covered up and sitting pretty behind the toilet or on a nearby shelf. No, no, no.....the extra toilet paper roll wasn't really to be used. If you took the toilet paper out from underneath "the thing", than  "the thing" would collapse and you would have nothingto  hold "the thing" up with.

Santa image
courtesy of http://campcactus.blogspot.com/2012/11/its-time-to-celebrate.html

Humpty Dumpty image courtesy of http://www.etsy.com/listing/16162471/vintage-crochet-toilet-paper-cozy-cover

Doll image courtesy of  http://www.ioffer.com/i/crochet-fashion-doll-toilet-tissue-covers-pattern-book-199937170

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 Thrill Of Buying Collections Versus Acquiring Collectibles One At A Time

Buying Collections Can Be Fun

If you are lucky, every now and then you come across an already put together collection of this or that. I have bought collections of "cows", "poodles", "dolls", "head vases", "planters" etc.  While I  get a kick out of coming home with what in the antique industry is a referred to as a "lot" (a grouping of items) some people prefer to hunt for their treasures one item at a time. I have even heard people say that when they buy someone else's collection they don't feel the same thrill as when they acquire one collectible at a time. I'm wondering what my readers think? Are you a one at a time buyer or  do you get a kick out of finding a whole collection of similar goodies in one sweep?

Image courtesy of Special Joys Doll Shop, Coventy, 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

Pretty Pink Petunias Planted Into Vintage Baking Loaf Pans

Retro Petunias Planted In Baking Tins 

This is a sweet idea I spottted over the Mother's day weekend at The English Building Market, fabulous Retro store in New Haven, CT. Colorful pink Petunias were planted into vintage small baking loaf pans. These clever vintage planters were a darling gift item sold at this popular Chapel Street emporium this week.


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

Rescuing Treasured Pieces In Mixed Media Collages

 Adding Mixed Media Collage Remnants To Notecards

 What do you do when a Mixed Media collage you are working on just isn't hanging together, yet you fall in love with some of the sections in that same collage?
Let's say you have added several lalyers to the collage but still you just are not satisfied with the total picture?

When I am at my wits ends, I tear the collage up into pieces and save the pieces that I adore to use in a new way. Recently I started added these treasured torn remnants to note cards or to other collages that need some embellishment.

 I like the way you get rough and ragged edges to torn pieces that have had several layers before.

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

Home Goods Selling Fiesta-ish Ceramic Dishes

Liking My Retro Junk To Be Original     

Home Goods just opened a new store in my area and like all loyal bargain shoppers, I had to make a survey visit to see just what's new in discounted home decor and kitchenwares.  A very colorful ceramic dish display caught my attention as I strolled in the front door of our new Home Goods store. My first thought was, "my it looks so Fiesta-ish", as in vintage Fiestaware. The colors were so vintage, so retro, so me. BUT I draw the line on what I will buy NEW.  I might buy a placemat or pillow in Home Goods. But when it comes to my kitchen, the kitschy collector has to have the real McCoy or Fiesta is this case. What can I say, I like my Retro junk..authentic!

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

When Antique Dealers Buy From Each Other In A Group Shop

Antique Booth Buying Among Dealers In The Same Antique Mall 

How many of you are guilty of shopping in a friend's antique booth in the same store that you lease a booth   in and then after your purchase, turning around and adding what you just bought to your very own booth? Each Antique Mall I have leased space from has different rules on this topic. The more lenient store owners encourage lots of buying and selling and set no rules about buying from other dealers. Yet in other places I have leased space, inter-booth buying and selling was discouraged. I like the idea
of being able to buy from other booths in my group shop and building my favorite inventory. What do my readers think?

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 Striped Glassware: Reproduction Alert

You Can't Fool The Kitschy Collector When It Comes To Vintage Glassware: 

I recently visited a lovely kitchen shop in Essex CT. I was drawn to a pretty display of glassware which I originally thought was "vintage". Lo and behold, the owner of the shop told me that the striped glasses were "reproductions" of the older beverage glassware.

When I got up close to the glassware I could see that the version I was looking at was indeed newly made.  The clues that I was looking at reproductions are as follows: too many of the same kind of glasses in the store; the size of each each individual glass was taller than usual; there was no sign of age.

Hope this post will keep you on your toes.

These beverage glasses were spotted at Weekend Kitchen, Essex, 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

Yesterday's Stylish Vintage Maternity Clothing

Retro Flashback:Maternity Clothes For Mothers To Be 

My niece is about to have her first baby. With days before the delivery she is still working and looks simply lovely in a skin tight grey tee shirt and leggings. Well let's flashback 30, 40, 50 years ago.       Like my 1950s mom, I too carried my first child (1970s) wearing a TENT dress and oversized blouses and dresses that looked like tablecloths. I still have the dress that I wore  to the hospital four times for the delivery of each of my children. I keep this dress it in the "costume" box down in the basement.

Pretty Tops For Mother To Be

The dress, actually a loose fitting "shift" from India, was not really a Maternity outfit,  I just used it as such because it was capable of major expansion. The more typical Maternity attire was of course an A-line, pleated, tent style blouse or dress which gathered at the top and widened towards the bottom. And let's not forget the bows on the blouses, a true sign of a woman's entry into motherhood.

Vintage images from Etsy.com

 C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of 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 k 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 Ideas: Displaying Fine Vintage Glassware With A Whimsical Twist

How To Draw Attention To Glassware In Your Antique Shop

One of my favorite shops in Glastonbury, Connecticut, called Griswold Street Antiques is a delightful store carrying a mixture of fine antiques and collectibles often displayed  with a whimsical twist. On a recent visit, I was amused to find fine stemware sitting in a pristine glass display case with a very unexpected "filler" to draw attention to the glassware. Jared, the owner of the shop added brand new crayons to each glass to draw the eye to the stemware. In other glassware, Jared addded dice, game parts, shellsand other colorful objects. He did accomplish whatg he was after, getting visitors to pay attention to what was  insidse this showcase!

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

Flower Power Vinyl Tote: Fabulous Handbag For Retro Gals

Hip Colorful Plastic 1960's-1970's Handbag

It was one minute to closing time, and the staff at the Antique Mall where I rent a booth was beginning to shut the lights off. Just as I was approaching the finish line, I spotted a 1960's (or early 70s) vinyl Flower Power box shaped larger tote in a really groovy color combination in the far corner of one of the booths. With the kind of  glorious excitement that only obsessed collectors can explain, I reached for the handbag and tugged it quickly towards me. I gave this aqua and royal blue flower power handbag a look over and it was in great shape.

I  looked inside of the platic handbag and still the tote passed the "looky" test, no stains, no tears, no smell.  It was in wonderful condition. My next step would be to peak at the the price tag and see if  the seller and I were in the playing field. The tag read $28.00. The lights were quickly going off  in Mall and the cash register was closing. It was time to go.  Now all I have  is a photo of the suitcase/handbag. I'm serioulsy thinking of driving back today and claiming this funky treasure from the Mod years. What do my readers have to say....would you buy it? Do you remember what they were used for i.e. make up or pocketbook? 

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