Monday, November 30, 2015

Where to Find Vintage Chanukah Collectibles

Shopping For Retro and Vintage Hanukah

Where are all the Vintage and Retro Chanukah collectibles? I have been keeping my eye on this topic for a long time always excited to discover some l  exciting groovy to kvell over Jewish STUFF from the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s.


 I decided to do a little homework and go Antiquing Online in search of festive, colorful, Retro Chanukah memorabilia etc.  I started with my own site I Antique Online,com and asked our community of over 18,000 members to share photos of their Chanukah collectibles.

Other places to find Retro and Vintage Chanukah holiday collectibles:

https://www.etsy.com/market/vintage_hanukkah
http://www.ebay.com/bhp/hanukkah
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/lamps/menorahs
http://www.rubylane.com/collectibles/,q=menorah%2Bhanukkah,c=Vintage_Collectibles_Menorah_Hanukkah,ipp=30
https://www.etsy.com/listing/250560238/chanukah-is-here-by-robert-sol-pictures

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

Packing Up Mom (or Dad) For A Smaller Apartment: Describing Types of Parents

Helping Mom and Dad Live Safely in A Smaller Apartment  
The art of moving forward lies in understanding what to leave behind.-Seth Godin

I can really weigh in on the topic of packing up mom (or dad) for a smaller apartment because as they say, "been there, done that". My experience with family members and parents of friends is that
you can divide older parents into three categories: (1) Absolute Clutterbugs (2) Minimalists (3) Flexible Flyers (don't know too many in this group).  Those in the Clutterbug category of course present the most challenge because these folks generally have great difficulty with what I'll call spacial matters. These overzealous collectors want to take everything they have previously owned and cram their stuff into smaller quarters. They have no concept of SPACE. They stack tables on top of tables, have six lamps in a room, shove boxes under tables etc. No amount of reasoning is going to help to convince a borderline hoarder to give up their belongings.

So How Do You Help Convince A Parent to Downsize 

You can try to suggest to an older parent that they have too much stuff and that they need to thin out their load....but those words generally do not penetrate. Many parents in their eighties and nineties want to be surrounded by the objects and furnishings they built a lifetime around. You can try to liquidate items behind their back, but that will backfire if your parent(s) are still quite alert and engaged in the world around them.

Use SAFETY As A Way To Encourage De-Cluttering

What sometimes works is to frame the conversation around
SAFETY.  Try saying..."the doctor (nurse, social worker, aide) is worried that your living room has too many pieces of furniture and that your walker (wheel chair, cane, etc.) will not have an easy path to the bathroom, kitchen, bedroom etc." Or you might say... "many people trip over rugs, boxes, clutter and your doctor (nurse, aide etc) wants to be sure you do not break a hip, so lets clear this room out a bit. Rooms cluttered with lots small ineffective lights, fragile items, suitcases etc. can be all be viewed in terms of safety risks. You may have a little luck getting through to a stubborn parent by playing the catastrophe card. Good luc

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

Saturday, November 28, 2015

Connecticut Abstract Painter and Mixed Media Artist C. Dianne Zweig Introduces Art Schmooze Blog

Blogging About Art Matters at Art Schmooze

For many years I have been blogging about antiques and collectibles. I now introduce a new blog, titled "Art Schmooze" devoted to Contemporary Mixed Media and Abstract Painting. You will find timely posts of interest to those intersted in the psychology of creativity, art process, elements of design, art tools and materials, art inspiration, art workshops and classes, special art events, book reviews, art matters online and more. Followers of this blog are welcome to visit me at http://www.cdiannezweig.com/blog-native/ and share in the discussions. Feel free to say hello.


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

Black and White Wooden Kitchen Spice Shelf Needs A Forever Home

Decorating Your Black and White Vintage Kitchen with Charming Shelves

I've written about these adorable kitchen spice racks before see:
http://cdiannezweig.blogspot.com/2011/03/red-and-white-wooden-spice-cabinet-with.html . In fact this is the rack I found the same day I found it's mate in red and white.

Red and White Favored Colors By Collectors

The red and white shelf flew out of my shop. This poor black and white fella sits and sits in my booth Kitsch n Stuff at the Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford CT. They both were the same price.

Adopt this Shelf...please

If you know of someone who loves to decorate in black and white, please tell them to adopt this shelf!!!!!

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 Vinyl Records: Back to The Future for Cool Cats

Vinyl Records Are Coming Back

From out of the blue I received an email from a journalist asking about the renewed interest in "vinyl".  The baby boomer that I am....I wondered to myself  "why on earth is vinyl of interest again?". Vinyl, vinyl, vinyl......I thought about the subject for a few seconds and realized, the gal who wrote to me is probably talking about RECORDS....vinyl records, not plastic textiles.

And yes, there is a spike in interest in not only collecting vinyl records but also in recording and listening to music on vinyl. Vinyl records are having a comeback for several reasons: the quality of recordings, the design of record covers and the love of nostalgia.

P.S. I actually saved many of my album covers and threw out the records......dumb dumb dumb.


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

Should You Save Vintage Baby and Nursery Clothes, Playthings and Accessories

Downsizing Your Collection of Saved Vintage Baby Clothes and Toys

It was very difficult but I finally let go of many of the boxes of old nursery toys and clothes that I was saving for my grandchildren. It was a very nice fantasy, I would pass down newborn kimonos, Stretchy pajamas, bibs, toys etc. to my grandchildren when they were born.

Time to Let Go Of Crumbling Old Baby Gear and Acessories

Ha, ha, was I mistaken. First of all if you save some of these outfits and playthings things long enough you will find out that they dry up and become brittle. Yes, the elastic on outfits crumbles. Bibs lose their softness. Clothes yellow and take on a musty smell and stains you swear you never saw before suddenly appear. Even if these nursery items are packed away in a strong plastic tote, they generally will not pass inspection by todays new parents who are even fussier than you were.

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