Red Wing Stoneware Encyclopedia: New Book Released by Collectorbooks.com

Description:

Dan DePasquale and Larry Peterson provide a history of the Red Wing companies and identify the many unique stoneware items produced by them. Photographs include hundreds of items, many of which have never been seen in any book. For example, blue/white kitchen ware, churns, advertising pieces, and the Big Boy jugs. Additionally there are special sections of salt glaze water coolers, pitchers, and double stamp pieces. Particular emphasis has been given to unique items that have been found at the annual Red Wing Convention in Red Wing, Minnesota. Red Wing Stoneware Encyclopedia is a special book that will serve as an indispensable guide for identification and dating information. Both beginning and experienced collectors will find this book a valuable resource and a must-have addition to their library.

Collectors will also enjoy The Red Wing Pottery and Dinnerware Collectors Group at http://iantiqueonline.ning.com/group/redwingpotteryanddinnerwarecollectors

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 Iantiqueonline.com 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 Authors Guild, Inc.

The Curious Collector : A Book Review by Iantiqueonline.com Editor

I must confess, I seldom come home from the mall with books these days, preferring to order my books on-line. But when I picked up The Curious Collector by Jessie Walker at Barnes and Noble , I knew that book was coming home with me. This indeed is one of my my favorite antiques and collectibles book.

Jessie Walker Award Winning Photographer

Jessie Walker’s award winning photography captured my attention immediately. For all my friends who are passionate about their collections and love vintage decor wait till you see over 100 popular fabulous collectibles featured in this exquisitely designed 240 page , clearly written book.

The book is what I would describe as “simple elegance”, providing an easy to follow introduction about each collectible shown accompanied by gorgeous photographs.

My favorite sections in The Curious Collector are “French Tole”, “celluloid”, “Pickard”, “Bakelite”, :Advertising Tins”, “Tip Trays”, “Flow Blue” , “Perfume Bottles”. Other areas include, ceramics, textiles, glassware, metals, fashion and beauty, paper, plastics, metal toys, Folk Art and everyday objects.

Red Lips 4 Courage Co-Publisher

The Curious Collector is , published by Lark Books in association with www.redlips4courage.com. This quirky named creative communications company was started by Eileen Paulin who served as editor and associate publisher of Romantic Homes magazine and associate publisher of Victorian Homes.
I thought this book was very reasonably price......which is why I walked out of Barnes and Noble with book in hand!

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 Iantiqueonline.com 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 Authors Guild, Inc.

Hazel-Atlas Glass Identification Value Guide Second Edition by Gene Florence, Cathy Florence: Book Review

Hazel-Atlas Glass Identification and Value Guide Second Edition by Gene Florence, Cathy Florence
Another wonderful book by Gene and Cathy Florence.. Kitchen collectibles enthusiasts... you will love this book! Wait to you find out how many kitchenwares, dishes, glassware you adore were made by Hazel Atlas. This 256 page hard cover book is exciting, colorful, packed and extremely well organized . A real treat......loved it.

Description: http://www.collectorbooks.com/
The Hazel-Atlas Company was established in Washington, Pennsylvania, in 1902 as a result of the merger of the Hazel Glass Company and the neighboring Atlas Glass and Metal Company. Though its corporate offices were located in Wheeling, West Virginia, Hazel-Atlas factories produced machine-made pressed glass throughout the U.S., including Oakland, California; Buffalo, New York; and Ada, Oklahoma. Cathy and Gene Florence, America s leading glassware authorities, have produced a second edition of their popular title devoted to Hazel-Atlas glass. Loaded with hundreds of new pieces and color photographs, the book still retains its organization by categories (children's dishes, tumblers, food containers, patterns, mugs, bowls, plates, syrups), making it easy for readers to locate items. A handy index is a nice new addition to the book.
Book Details:

10-digit ISBN #: 1-57432-605-8
13-digit ISBN #: 978-1-57432-605-5
Number of Pages: 256
Number of Illustrations: 1107

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 Iantiqueonline.com 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 Authors Guild, Inc.

Displaying and Using Colorful Vintage Glassware For the Holidays

When you visit my antique shop "Kitsch N Stuff" at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT you will notice that I live for COLOR! (Except in my home which is NEUTRAL).

But in my shop I just love buying kitchen collectibles and textiles in vibrant colors that were popular during the colorful eras of the postwar years.

As you can imagine, when I am out shopping (something I will be doing as soon as I finish this post), I am attracted to shops and booths that display their items for sale in elaborate and colorful arrangements. At this time of the year
I pay attention to how other dealers bring in the holiday razzle dazzle.

While my main focus has always been the buying and selling of everyday vintage housewares and kitchen accessories, I still am very much attracted to beautiful displays of decorative and practical glassware.

Mixing the Old With The New at The Holidays

The holidays is a wonderful time to bring out all your colorful vintage glassware or start looking for some additional pieces for your holiday entertaining.

Many people have inherited odds and ends as well as special decorative pieces from family members and are now stuck on what to do with such items from grandma or a favorite aunt.

Well as you have noticed, "vintage" is hotter than ever and now is the time to blend the old with the new. The nice part about using a family heirloom is that there usually is a colorful or nostalgic story that goes with the acquired piece.

In fact, I was heart broken to discover a few days ago, that my favorite glass depression era mixing bowl from Aunt Dotty was chipped. The chip was on the "foot" of the bowl, so I suppose I can still hold onto to it. So many holidays were spent with Aunt Dotty and the bowl is just so special to me.

If you own some colorful pieces, take them out of storage and use them. You can also shop for other pieces and use these vintage gems in your holiday displays and for entertaining. You will find many wonderful antique dealers in Connecticut. I am delighted to share with you some great places to find vintage glassware for the holidays.

Meet Linda at Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford

In my own antique mall, opposite my shop (booth) is Linda, who is a wizard at showing customers just how lovely older glassware can look when a table is set.

Linda's prices are very fair and she moves items in and out very quickly. Her booth displays are always changing and it is so much fun to visit her shop and see what she has come up with for each holiday.

Visiting Salmon Brook Shops of Granby, CT and Coffee Trade Antiques of Avon, CT

Salmon Brook Shops of Granby, Ct is another multi-dealer shop where you will find a huge selection of colorful glassware arranged in very tasteful and inviting displays. Owner Sharon and others (Joan) are pros at exhibiting vintage finds. Joan also owns Coffee Trade Antiques in Avon, Ct a coffee emporium with a huge collection of fine and everyday glassware and ceramics.

Patti's Treasure and Antiques of Windsor. CT

Patti's Treasure and Antiques of Windsor. CT is a frequent stop for me when I am out antiquing (which is all the time). At Patti's store, every nook and cranny of her shop (a former home) is packed with goodies and yet there is no evidence of dust anywhere. The same can be said of Linda's shop at The Collinsville Antiques Company and Sharon's glassware displays at Salmon Brook.

Linda, Patti and Sharon while in three different stores are three gals who have been selling collectibles for years and are serious about how their shops look. These gals fuss all the time and you can see the terrific results.

When you visit Patti's Treasures you will first be introduced to a main room filled from floor to ceiling with costume jewelry. In several additional rooms on the first floor you will find kitchen collectibles, decorative glassware and ceramics, doll accessories, old prints and wall decor. Upstairs is Patti's collection of vintage clothing, textiles and sewing collectibles.

Mixing Colorful Glassware Together

In my last visit to Patti's treasures I was delighted to photograph her collection of colored glassware and ceramics. As you can see in these photos, Patti (like Linda and also Sharon) has a knack for creating colorfulorful galssware displays.

Treat yourself to a trip to these wonderful shops and enjoy browsing and shopping for the holidays.

Shops to Visit for Colorful Glassware

Collinsville Antiques Company, New Hartford, CT

Salmon Brook Shops, Granby CT

Patti's Treasures & Antiques, Windsor. CT

Coffee Trade Antiques, Avon, CT

The Old Carriage Shop, Litchfield, CT

Photos courtesy of the shops mentioned above.


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 Iantiqueonline.com 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 Authors Guild, Inc.

Serve Your Holiday Appetizers and Desserts On Hand Painted Vintage Tole Trays

Tole Trays Add Color During the Holidays

This holiday season ,consider serving your guests delicious appetizers and desserts on colorful hand painted vintage tole trays. Or use these attractive works of art as lovely festive wall decor.

To preserve the artist painted surface, it would be wise to cover the surface with clear plastic wrap or a piece of plexi glass.

History of Tole Trays
Tole is a French word referring to the decorative art of painting on metal-ware. Early trays (18th and 19th centuries) were called Tea boards or tea trays and were painted by a “paintress” using a “one stroke method”. These trays were painted black, often with a floral decoration hand painted or stenciled on. This form of decorative art was revived during Colonial times in New England as people often “dressed up” tin ware.

The Nashco Products Company
From the 1920’s -1950’s, The Nashco Products Co. of New York City produced numerous hand-painted tea trays in a variety of colors. You will often see colors of Chinese red, black, Wedgewood blue, sage green, cream, pink etc in a variety of shapes.

Nashco also produced bowls and vanity trays. Often the artist who painted the tray signed the piece. Nashco has an oval, silver and black paper label with block lettering. Tole trays are favorite collectible for Romantic cottage collectibles. Some collectors use their trays and others love to hang them up on a wall creating interesting wall décor.

The Value of Tole Trays
Prices continue to climb and you will see a full range of values on these items when you are out and about shopping. Condition is everything. Note scratches, paint missing, worn spots, rusting, warped trays. Most trays I have seen in New England are priced between $28.00 – 75.00.

You will find more about tole trays in my book, Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes

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 Iantiqueonline.com 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 Authors Guild, Inc.

Retro Rubbish: An Etsy Shop That Re-cycles Vintage Style

Re-Cycling Vintage Style

How could you not love a website called Retro Rubbish: Re-cycling Vintage Style? What a brilliant name, I wish I though of it. This Etsy shop is a goldmine for the vintage hip who love the excitement and playfulness of the Flower Power days.

Funky Finds of the 60's and 70's

Retro Rubbish is a shop on Etsy specializing in glorious funky finds from the sixties and seventies. Colorful Vera textiles, ceramics of mushrooms and owls, wild and colorful abstract housewares and textiles and so much more are for sale on the Retro Rubbish site.

No Longer Thrift Shop Bric- a-brac

Once considered thrift shop Bric- a -brac, 60's and 70's treasures are very desirable as younger collectors and major designers are re-discovering the patterns, colors and styles of the psychedelic and disco generations.
Department Stores Featuring 60's and 70's

Visit any major department store today and you will see dishes, cookware, housewares, storage containers, accessories, pottery, wall decor etc. in eye catching combinations of pink, orange, yellow, green or brown. Bold florals and colorful geometrics are back in style. Say goodbye to your neutrals and tone on tones.........groovy is here again.

Visit retro Rubbish at http://www.etsy.com/shop/retrorubbish

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 Iantiqueonline.com 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 Authors Guild, Inc.

Celebrating the Holidays With Vintage Accessories and Decor

Bringing a Warm Vintage Country Cottage Look Inside

Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holiday season, a time when many families like to bring a warm vintage country look into their homes.

While writing my second book, Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes, I was introduced to many talented collectors who turn ordinary vintage objects into charming
holiday decorations. Pam of http://www.vintagepastelle.itcstore.com/ keeps plenty of dried flowers on hand and makes lovely holiday arrangements using vintage tins, ceramic vases and wash bowl sets as her base. This is the time when a slightly cracked or chipped antique or vintage vase can be re-purposed into a charming holiday centerpiece.

Also consider adding other vintage touches to your table decor such as old picture frames, vintage clocks, old framed prints or postcards etc..

Holiday Decorating Using Architectural Salvage

Re-using salvaged materials is a lovely way to add attractive and inexpensive accessories to your holiday decor The candle sticks shown were made from old wooden railings.

Re-purposing older materials to evoke a vintage country look adds warmth, character and nostalgia to any home during the holidays.

Using Natural Materials for Holiday Decor

Country cottage collectibles mixed with natural materials such as leaves, twigs, tree branches, pine cones, berries etc. are lovely easy obtainable ingredients for a fresh and cozy holiday.

The key to country or cottage style is to be comfortable with what you own and to allow yourself free reign in experimenting with new ideas .



Photos courtesy of
http://www.pinkpigwestport.com/
http://www.vintagepastelle.itcstore.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 Iantiqueonline.com 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 Authors Guild, Inc.

Retro and Vintage Halloween Collectibles Featured at The Collinsviile Antiques Company of New Hartford CT

Retro and Vintage Halloween Collectibles Available at Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT Year Round

While most antique shops pull out their Halloween collectibles right before the holiday, The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, Connecticut is lucky to have a avid collector of holiday collectibles who keeps an outstanding collection of revolving holiday collectibles including Retro Halloween goodies all year round. A professional designer, this vendor at Collinsville, has one of the most attractive booths you will find in any antique mall. Many other dealers at Collinsville also feature Halloween and other antiques and collectibles.

Types of Halloween Collectibles

Vintage and antique Halloween collectibles are hot sellers and gaining momentum each day as we get closer to the holiday.

Beginning collectors will have a ball hunting for these quirky and nostalgic treats. When you start poking around antique shops, markets and thrift shops you will find a variety of treasures including postcards, greeting cards, party and paper goods, games ( board, fortune, stunts), Paper Mache, decorations noise makers, costumes, candy bags,candy containers, figurines and more.


Common Halloween Themes and Their History

Common themes and symbols associated with Halloween are ghosts,bats, Jack O Lanterns, fortunes, witches, devils, owls, black cats.

According to the website Vintage Halloween.com http://www.vintagehalloween.com/hallohistory.html

"Our modern Halloween and its customs have derived from both the ancient Celtic festival, the Roman festival, and the Christian holiday. The huge influx of Irish immigrants in the last two hundred years, led to much influence on traditions and customs of Halloween. Here are the possible roots of some of the more popular Halloween symbols:

Witches:
Witch, or "Wica" is derived from the Wiccas who performed rituals in ancient times among the Celts. Often portrayed on a broom or standing over a cauldron, these images derive from the wica rituals of potion making and divination. Superstitions abound, and black cats were often said to be a witch in disguise.

Devil:
In ancient societies, often the animal of choice for sacrifice was the goat. So images we often see of the devil portray him with horns, a pointed chin, hooves, and large eyes.

Owls & Bats:
Owls and bats were nocturnal animals and often owls were seen at harvest time, feeding on rodents and other animals in the fields. The lore of a bat being Dracula, has derived from a species of blood sucking bats. Since Halloween is celebrated mostly at night, these nocturnal animals came to be a portrayed often in stories and decorations.

Ghosts:
Since this time of year was considered to be the time when the veil between the living and dead was at the thinnest, it was a common belief that one could mingle with the dead and commune with dead relatives. Anything that seemed unnatural or odd would be blamed on "ghosts" having done it.

Fortunes:
It was at this time of year that fortunes were sought out, to see what fate had in store for people. It was seen as the time for the most accurate predictions. Through time this led to fortune games at parties and the Victorian custom of twirling apple parings over one's head. When the paring fell to the ground, it formed a shape of a letter, the first letter of the name of a future beau.

Trick or Treating:
It has been suggested that trick or treating derived from the poor begging for food or the poor begging for soul cakes in return for their prayers for the dead. In Scotland in the 1800's, kids would go out "guising" in costume for treats.

Jack o' Lanterns:
The legend of the most familiar Halloween symbol--a lighted pumpkin--comes from a tale of an old Irish miser named Jack. Jack made several pacts with the devil. He also tricked the devil. When he died, he could not get into Heaven for his sins and because he had tricked the devil, he could not get into Hell. The Devil gave him a coal and Jack placed it in a hollowed out turnip, which lit his way as he wandered the earth until Judgment Day.

These lit up turnips of ancient times were also said to help ward off evil. Pumpkins, native to America, were plentiful and took the place of turnips.

Halloween parties became a yearly tradition and were celebrated with much fanfare. Party decorations became widespread and were inexpensive to purchase. Overtime, trick or treating became more common and today is looked upon with relish as kids choose to be ghosts or witches or little devils--all in good fun. It is interesting, that for so many who deal with death or things that are scary in so many different ways, that as a society we face these things so informally and with relish for one fantasy filled evening. Unfortunately as with any aspect of life, there are people who do evil things and sometimes these things are done on Halloween, but these people are acting on their own and not in kind with the spirit and festival that is ancient or modern day Halloween. Thanks to http://www.vintagehalloween.com/


Learn More About Halloween Traditions

Some interesting lnks about the history and tradition of Halloween courtesy of the website:http://www.vintagehalloween.com

Halloween A Christian Name with Blended Christian & Folk Traditions by The Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel

From the Library of Congress website: Halloween The Fantasy and Folklore of All Hallows by Jack Santino

History of Halloween, Halloweenmagazine.com

The History Channel: Halloween History

UrbanLegends.Com Halloween History, Customs, Folklore

Be sure to visit http://www.vintagehalloween.com/ and http://www.collinsvilleantiques.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 Iantiqueonline.com 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 Authors Guild, Inc.

Design Your Vintage Kitchen Using Red and White Kitchen Collectibles

Creating the Warmth, Whimsy and Charm of a Vintage Kitchen

Decorating your vintage retro style kitchen with red and white collectible house-wares and accessories is a sure way to bring the warmth, whimsy and charm of the 1940s and early 1950s into your home. Popular patterns and images during these colorful eras were polka dots, cherries, stripes, roosters, fruit, florals, dutch symbols and kitchen symbols.

Common Kitchen Collectibles To Look For

Here are some common collectibles you may want to look for when you are dressing up your red and white kitchen: tin recipe boxes, ceramic roosters, coffee mugs, bowls, storage tins, red handled kitchen tools and gadgets, cake savers, match safes, range sets, juice glasses, enamelware, salt and pepper shakers, planters, novelty items, wall decor, decorative plates, dishes, tablecloths, potholders, curtains and more.

Introducing The Red and White Kitchen Company

Because vintage red and white kitchen-wares are so popular they are the first to go in any shop that sells retro and vintage kitchen collectibles. There are also many companies that now feature reproductive kitchen housewares. In fact there is even a company called
The Red and White Kitchen Company http://www.redandwhitekitchen.com/ that carries newly made vintage style items. The objects shown is this post however are all vintage.
Check my blog roll for friends who also carry lots of vintage red and white.

Since I adore red and white housewares and textiles I am always featuring these colors in my shop, "Kitsch N Stuff" (part of the Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT). I also keep track of other collectors and sellers of kitchen collectibles who are apt to stock lots of red and white. You will find lots of ideas in my book Hot Kitchen and Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s (Collectorbooks.com). Be on the look out for the second edtion of my book which has lots of great new stuff!

Photos shown are courtesy of Retro Revival.Etsy.com
Cherry textile is a reproduction .Other images are originals.

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 Iantiqueonline.com 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 Authors Guild, Inc.

Easy To Recognize Photo Backgrounds "Brand" Your Merchandise on Online Antique Auctions Or Websites

When photographing collectibles for online antique auctions such as eBay or Etsy or other popular sites, think about how your merchandise looks when photographed.

Branding Your Online Auction Photographs
Using easy to recognize photo backgrounds can be considered a form of "branding". When you use consistent colors and backgrounds, your viewers (buyers) will begin to associate the look of your photos with your merchandise. Placing a consistent background behind your objects when you photograph, brings continuity and recognizability to your presentation.

Photo Backgrounds You Can Use

You can choose from a variety of background ideas such as using vintage wallpaper, fabric, large sheets of art paper (ask for paper used for pastel drawing or something similar) , old tablecloths, wrapping paper, vintage magazine art etc. Computer savvy folks can also create backgrounds on their computer.

Create Your Own Style for Photo Backgrounds

Because the objects you are photographing may look better on one background versus another, select a few different palettes to use and repeat these backgrounds, but keep your "style' consistent. For example, if you sell mod items, choose funky backgrounds associated with the mod era. Or if you tend to sell 1940's kitchenwares, select backgrounds which evoke that era.

Take a look at these three different vendors who sell online. Each vendor has established a "style" for their photo backgrounds . When I am browsing through listings it is real easy to recognize these sellers.

Photos shown courtesy of :
http://www.cottagerags.com/about.asphttp:
www.Retro Revival.etsy.com
www.The Butter Cup.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 Iantiqueonline.com 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 Authors Guild, Inc.

Arranging Your Antiques and Collectibles to Look Like "Still Life" Paintings

I enjoy visiting antique shops and paying attention to how antiques and collectibles are showcased . I am particularly drawn to three dimensional displays which resemble "still life" paintings. Why do some set ups remind me of a painting and others do not? In my mind some displays seem to be vignettes which have an artsy quality about them, breaking the two dimensional barrier . These creative "works of art" take into consideration many elements of good design and seem to grab the viewer with delight.
Both Trade Winds Antiques, Forestville, CT and The Seymour Antiques Company of Seymour, CT are especially successful at setting up "still life" inspired arrangements. In these kind of mixed media antique displays, the carefully created composition seems to come to life. Inanimate everyday objects are arranged in a playful or unique way. Often there is a mixing of objects which may not necessarily go together such as grouping the ordinary with the peculiar or creating a whimsical blend of old with new or arranging similar objects with attention to form, shape or color.

These type of "still life" displays stand out among the rest. You tend to stop and look at these creative arrangements. Characteristically these set-ups are simple, uncluttered and consistent with minimalist style. Here is where simple is
your goal.
Photographs courtesy of Trade Winds Antiques, Forestville, 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 Iantiqueonline.com 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 Authors Guild, Inc.

Kess Cafe: A Retro Chic Eatery In Plantsville, CT A Haven for Antiquing

Yesterday I visited my friend Tim at his restaurant called Kess Cafe in the Village of Plantsville in Plantsville, CT. Tim was making crepes for dessert for a Wine Dinner Extravaganza which was on tap for the evening. Tim has come a long way in the two years he has taken over this charming spot. He not only is a favorite among the shoppers who adore the antique shops in town, but he has also established a following of hip young couples and business diners who appreciate his reasonably priced upscale menu.

Kess Café, the relatively “new kid on the block” offers an innovative menu inside a quirky café which has successfully mixed together two different generations. The front dining area is decorated in what some might call “hip hop California inspired retro chic ”. The rear dining room is bit of a departure from the front end and is very much a marriage of classic Victorian style with a cozy forties look. During lunch and dinner, Jazz music is heard throughout the restaurant and service is provided by experienced waitstaff, many who are musicians.

Open for both lunch and dinner, Kess cafe is a perfect setting for folks who enjoy a day out hunting for antiques, art, collectibles or vintage furnishings. As you will discover when you visit Plantsville, the town is a haven for antiquing.

Michele's Cottage (tucked behind Kess Cafe) is the newest shop to open and features the best of Vintage Shabby Chic. Also behind Kess cafe is Plantsville Station Antiques a large multi-dealer shop featuring a large showroom of quality antique furniture and unique smalls.

Paula's Antiques and Consignments, sits right next to Kess Cafe and is a treasure chest of goodies. Paula will soon be moving her shop around the corner to take over the Planstsville General Store Antique Center (yes, Elaine is finally retiring). Paula's neighbor is Viva la Vintage, a retro chic boutique.

The best part of antiquing in Plantsville is how easy it is to find just what you are after at prices which seem to be rolled back to earlier times. Plantsville is one of Connecticut’s best kept secrets. Many shoppers are pleased to discover that the shops in town offer lots of furniture, china, jewelry, pottery, textiles, cottage collectibles, ephemera, glassware, kitchenware, toys and more with fresh inventory all the time.

Now that Tim Kessler has opened the Kess Café, Plantsville is seeing lots of new faces and local store owners are delighted. Tim’s easy going personality and outstanding food has attracted a big contingency of café loyalists who keep coming back and are always introducing new patrons to this “excellent eatery”......these by the way are the very same words that have become Tim’s logo and are printed on his storefront window.

When Tim isn’t at the stove, he is in his Kayak, making his way down the river which is right out the back door of his café. In warmer weather, the café backdoors open and guests of the café can enjoy the view and fabulous meal in this relaxing, informal restaurant which is becoming Plantsville’s very own hotspot.

You can easily access The Kess Café at 11 West Main Street Plantsville, CT - 860-276-8551 by taking exit 30, Marion Avenue off 84. For more information visit them on-line at http://kesscafe.com/Home.html. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday- Lunch 11:30-2:00 Dinner 5:00-9:00. Sunday Breakfast/Lunch 11.00-2.00 Dinner 3:00-7:00.



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 Iantiqueonline.com 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 Authors Guild, Inc.