Retro Country Kitchen Collectibles At J.P. Finishing Touches in Unionville, Connecticut

Located in An Old Railroad Depot in Unionville, CT You Will Find J.P. Finishing Touches Antiques

J.P. Finish Touches Antiques (Unionville, CT) is another one of my secret antique haunts for retro-vintage kitchen stuff in Connecticut. Tucked away off Route 177 in Unionville, CT (part of Farmington) is a very interesting shop located in an old railroad depot. For some time now, this petit but packed multi-dealer shop has been home to some wonderful local antique dealers.

Country Kitchen Meets Metro Retro

Owner, James Palin worked magic over this place (you should have seen it before ) ......creating a very inviting and well organized mini-antique mall, carrying kitchen-wares, furniture, glassware, pottery, collectibles, ephemera, art, decorative accessories etc. What you will notice about this adorable shop is just how much time is spent on "finishing touches". And what I find quite amusing actually, is how well country kitchen is mixed with retro.


Always Fresh Finds AT J.P> Finishing Touches

I'm usually out and about hunting for kitchen collectibles, so I like this off the beaten path shop because I always find some interesting finds, fresh out of a estate sale or house clean outs. Besides kitchen kitsch, I have bumped into some really neat stuff here. I'm still kicking myself for not buying the collection of boxed vintage (old stock) Crayola crayons (64 count from the 50's). I passed up several mint boxes . I am still upset over that silly day. Boy do I remember camping out on the living room floor coloring with my "Crayolas".

Anyway, you will find lot's of goodies in this shop....so check it out when antiquing in the region.

J.P. Finishing Touches Antiques
1 Depot Place
Unionville, CT

860- 798-2198

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.

Antiquing in Coventry, Connecticut a Charming New England Day Trip

Coventry, Connecticut is Charming

The hunting bug hit me yesterday and I was off to Coventry, CT (home of Nathan Hale) for an afternoon out antiquing and lunching with a friend visiting from Bristol, England. We started our day at Memory Too Antique Center (Route 44) and Memory Lanes Countryside Antique Center (next door). I bought several wonderful prints, a doll size China Cupboard and kitchen textiles.

Lunching at The Bidwell Tavern and Cafe

Next stop was lunch....we drove down to the Village of Coventry and ate at The Bidwell Tavern and Cafe (built in 1822). The Bidwell is a popular evening and weekend hang out for nearby UCONN students who come for some good ale and wings. During the day you will find plenty of antique hunters like "moi" who come in from the cold for some good hot soup and sandwich. I had a delicious "French Dip" (Roast Beef on a roll). My antique hunting partner, Lynn had some mighty fine Chili. We took the table by the fireplace stove ...... so we could de-frost!

Next Stop The Coventry Country Store

After a hearty lunch it was down the road to the Coventry Country Store (1140 Main Street) originally named the W.L Wellwood General Store (built in 1787). Word has it that the General Store is one of the oldest of its kind in America. The Country Store under new ownership is now a combination multi-dealer antiques shop and good ole fashioned Country Store carrying penny candy, soda, handmade quilts, scarves,jams, jellies and more.

I took plenty of photos of the wonderful painted Victorian buildings. There are over 100 buildings registered as historic properties.

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.

Even Martha Stewart Would Like My Homemade Vintage Chicken Soup

Home Made Retro Chicken Soup Vintage Style

While the current Martha Stewart's Living magazine is featuring an article about how to prepare some of the best recipes for Chicken Soup, I had discovered how to make the best "Vintage Chicken Soup" ! My soup was made in a 1950's yellow enamelware pot and stuffed with a hand made stuffed chicken.

This Chick Has Cute Dangling Legs

I am big on props so a few weeks ago I picked up this cute hand sewn chicken and figured I would sit this "chick" on a shelf somewhere...with it's cute legs dangling off the shelf. But my shop (actually a small booth) at The Collinsvillle Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT is so packed with junk (I mean kitchen collectibles) that I literally had no room to stick this stuffed chicken anywhere, no less have room enough to have this Calico dressed bird take up valuable shelf space.

The Soup Is Ready

So in a totally frustrated mood, one afternoon, I plopped the chicken in an empty sauce pot, temporarily while I began moving around some other items to make room for the dangling chicken. Lo and behold, I got distracted and forgot all about the fact that I placed the chicken in the pot. Well today I returned to my shop (after the holiday break) and there awaiting me was a lovely pot of "Vintage Soup for The Soul".


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.

Don't Throw It Out: Advice From Frugal Forties Housewives

A Vintage Guide To Thrifty Living
This is another installment of sage advice from the 1940's housewife on how to run a thrifty household.

DON'T THROW IT OUT

1. Old Flannel Pajamas: when they are ready to toss....cut them up into squares, bind several squares together and use as potholders.

2. Odds and ends from old dresses while really old , look new when made into hats, purses, scarves, etc.

3. Old plastic shower curtains can be converted to aprons. Or use them to cover porch pillows.

4. Old cotton stockings can be ripped down the seem and used as dust cloths.

5. Worn out blankets...try taking two or three worn out blankets and stitch them together covered with a cotton print. Now you have a warm comforter.

6.Old linoleum can be cut into small pieces and made into placemats.

7. A Retired curtain rod makes a handy shoe rack. Just tack it on the closet door, and hang the shoes by their heels on it.

8. Old but laundered socks, pulled over shoes not in use, or when they are packed for travel will keep them like new and separated from other packed items.

9. Old paint brushes become pliable when soaked in hot vinegar.

10. Leaky vases can be stopped by melting paraffin over the leaky spot and let it harden.

Source "1003 Household Hints", 1947 Edited by Michael Gore

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.

How to Be a Thrifty Retro Housewife: Practical Tips For Caring, Wearing and Mending Clothing

Thrifty Clothing Tips From The Fabulous Forties
I thought it might be fun to share with my Retro readers some fabulous forties practical tips about caring, wearing and storing clothing.

Saving Money on Clothing

1. Storing wool gloves, scarves and cashmere sweaters: put them in perfectly clean fruit jars, along with moth crystals, then seal the jar tight.

2, Torn gloves: when the fingertip of a torn glove presents a difficult darning job, use this trick. Drop one of junior's marbles in the finger and you'll have a perfect fitting darning egg to make the job easy.

3. Shoe polish: when you run out of shoe polish, a handy substitute is paste floor was. Its neutral color makes it fine for dark or light shoes.

4. Rubber boots will last much longer and keep their original shape if the insides are propped up with cardboard when the boots are not in use.

5. Straw hats can be damaged easily. When putting them away, place them flat down on the brim side-one to a box, the crowns stuffed with tissue paper.

6. Wearing scarfs: a scarf will save wear on the neckline, besides helping to keep it free of creams, powders and "collar smudge".

7. Dry your coat, when soaked in rain or snow, in a well-ventilated room: never near heat. Brush before drying.

8. To fluff the nap of your coat, shake it briskly by the hem.

9. To judge the quality of woolen material, squeeze it in your hand. It should feel smooth, rubbery, springy when you open your hand. if it has a rough feeling, the grade is inferior.

10. Avoid wrinkling hosiery at the knees or ankles by adjusting your garters, if necessary, to a lower position in the welt, but not below the welt.

Source "1003 Household Hints", 1947 Edited by Michael Gore

Photos courtesy of http://www.100megspop3.com/adira/1940s/1940s2.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 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.

Using Children's Doll Cupboards To Display A Variety of Small Antiques And Collectibles

Showcase Your Small Collectibles in Vintage Children's Doll Cupboards

Children's doll cupboards are wonderful to use for creating interesting displays of your smaller collectibles. And you don't necessarily have to fill them with nursery or toy related treasures. I use them for showcasing small kitchen collectibles, vanity items, tea cups etc.

Packing a Lot of Stuff Into Doll Size Cabinets

These junior size china closets usually have a few upper shelves, lower cabinets, drawers and doors. All these features make these mini display units perfect for stuffing in a lot of smalls. You can hang doilies or jewelry the doors (use small nails or push pins) , use the drawers for hankies or additional stock and of course arrange adorable grouping of collectibles on the shelves. Bottom drawers can be turned upside down and used as shelves when on a table top. (see aluminum spice set in the photo).

Organizing a Variety of Collections

Sometimes I organize a particular collection of similar items in one of these cupboards, such as all my spice tins or tea cups. At other times, I mix up a variety of collectibles which "look well" together.

Stacking Small Cabinets And Dressers

The beauty of these charming cabinets is that they stack well on top of shelves, or tables and provide additional height, interest and organization to your antique booth or shop. Sometimes I stack a doll cupboard on top of a doll size dresser. Larger cabinets can also be used to stand on the floor.There is no end to how clever you can be. you can also hang a charming doll dresser on the wall and use as a "shelf".

Re-Painting Cabinets
Remember, you can always take an old chippy cabinet and re-paint it. Or don't worry too much about blemishes because, you are going to cover most of the surfaces.
Dark wood cabinets are a bit more challenging to use because they do not show off collectibles as well. For stained wood dark cabinets, you make want to lighten the color, so that your objects will stand out. You can also add older decals to cabinets to make them charming..


How Much Do Cabinets Cost

When I am looking for doll size cupboards or dressed, I am
happy to find one from the 40's or 50's which I can pick up from $25.00-125.00 depending on the size, condition and
decorations. Table top sizes can be found for $25.00-45.00. Larger standing types sell for $85.00-125.00. I will also use a more recent cabinet if it appeals to me. Once you start getting into Victorian era pieces, you are looking at values much higher. (The yellow bureau with mirror was selling for well over $200.00). For my display purposes, I stick with furnishing on the lower end of the scale. I bought a sweet doll cabinet last week at a show for $25.00 (see the kitchenware photo).

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.

Clever Ways For Antique Dealers To Display and Organize Vintage Tablecloths And Linens

Clever ways For Antique dealers to Hang Linens

Retro collectors who love colorful vintage tablecloths and dish towels are some of my most loyal customers. In fact linens sell quite well in my shop, Kitsch n Stuff (Collinsville Antiques Center).

Customers Like to Examine Tablecloths

But as any dealer will tell you, customers like to examine linens carefully (for holes and stains) and linens become messy all the time.

How to Keep Linens Orderly

So what can you do if you are in an antique mall or shop and you are looking for the best way to keep your linens orderly? If you have a large enough space you could hang your linens on a rack, clipping them to skirt hangers.

I have also seen dealers use portable racks (metal wardrobes). These are the type of racks you see at a party rental store.


Built-In Poles Between Two Shelving Units

For handy dealers, you can custom build a "built-in" rack using a pole between two wooden display shelving units. Think of this as building a little" closet" between two of your display shelves. A free standing old fashioned Wardrobe cabinet or Amoire can also be used.

Using a Wooden Ladder to Hang Linens

But you still need room for furnishings or built-in poles. So here is an idea for stuffed spaces. Consider using a painted ladder to hang linens on. This idea is great for tight spaces. Similar to the ladder concept is the portable cloths dryer method, a simple way to hang tablecloths and towels. This idea also works well at both indoor and outdoor shows because the rack is easy to set up.

Hanging and Mounting Doilies

At one outdoor show I attended this past summer, the exhibitor mounted her doilies on fabric and hung them on hangers on a metal rack. It was a great way to see her stock without handling and soiling these delicate items.

Compartmentalized Cabinets

For the neat freaks among us.....one of the most organized systems to try for keeping linens nice and tidy is a large cubbied cabinet. You can make your own cabinet or re-purpose an existing cabinet that is partitioned. While this idea works well to keep folded linens compartmentalized, you still will need to keep after your stacks. But it's a start in the right direction.

On this note I will tell you that one thing I have learned is to fold my linens on Mondays, after the weekend. I used to tidy up my booth before the weekend, but now I wait till after.......I still sell plenty of tablecloths!

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:

. 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.

How To Be a Frugal Housewife: Cooking and Baking Tips For Retro Living

Learning From Frugal Housewives Part I

I thought it might be fun to share with my Retro readers some handy dandy 1947 "Household Hints'

Saving Money in The Kitchen

1. Get More juice out of lemons : Quickly heat the lemons in hot water for several minutes before squeezing, Or roll to soften.

2. Don't waste flour, you won't waste flour if you dust it from a large salt shaker onto meats, fish, or patties instead of dipping hte food into the flour. It's easier too.

3. Save your orange and lemon rinds: a clever woman also saves some of her orange and lemon rinds, boils them in water for a short time and uses the liquid in iced tea, lemonade, fruit drinks. Costs nothing and helps make a fine thirst quencher.

4. Leftover coffee need not be poured down the drain. Freeze it into coffee ice-cubes for your iced coffee or other iced drinks. The same goes for your tea.

5. Eliminate molasses waste when measuring molasses by greasing the cups lightly.

6. Use cereal to stretch meat. Add crushed cereal flakes to a meat loaf. Or toss cereal flakes with melted margarine and grated cheese for a caserole toppping.

7. Save the water in which you boil rice. It's good to use to make gravy. It thickens itself!

8. To make fruit go farther, add cubes of bright-flavored gelatin dessert (lime, strawberry, etc). Pretty to serve in sherbets.

9. If only a little lemon juice is needed, make a cut in the end of hte lemon and squeeze out exactly the amount desired. The rest will keep better.

10. Place a piece of apple in your brown sugar and it will keep the sugar from drying out and lumping. Try the same cure for too-dry cookies.

Source "1003 Household Hints", 1947 Edited by Michael Gore


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.

Collecting Poodle Collectibles For Your Kitchen and Home

American Housewives Love Poodles

Ooh la la, poodle collectibles are popular and if you look real carefully you will find oodles of poodles to collect from vintage housewares to clothing to jewelry.

It seems, American housewives were very enamored with French poodles after WWII. According to Elaine Butler, author of "Poodle Collectibles of the 50s and 60s" poodles and Parisienne themes were popular in the USA as servicemen were returning from France.

Poodles Were The Top Dog

Starting in the 1950s and carrying over into the 1960s, the poodle was the top dog! Poodle and Parisienne designs were everywhere... such as textiles, decor, ceramics, kitchen-wares, bathroom accessories, vanity, wallpaper. clothing, jewelry, lamps, planters and more.

Buying Spaghetti Poodles

Today poodle collectibles are scooped up quickly, especially Spaghetti Poodles. These popular ceramic figurines and planters have jumped in price in recent years. Expect to pay between $20.00 -40.00 and more for these delightful collectibles.

Tips About Buying Spaghetti Poodles

Be sure however, to check that your pooches are intact. If it is a set, are the pups included and what about the chain which link them together?
Also, many of these figurines had parasols, look carefully if there is any indication that something might be missing. It is o.k. to buy incomplete
figurines...just make sure the price is adjusted.

What Kind of Poodle Collectibles Are Out There?

tea towels....tablecloths.... canisters.... figurines.... aprons.... prints.... jewelry.... bookends....trays.... ....waste paper pails....wallpaper....shower curtains....plush oys....pocketbooks....hankies dresser sets....dinnerware greeting cards....playing cards...plush toys

Photos Courtesy of

http://www.dowahdiddy.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/angelnina


Books About Poodle Collectibles

Poodle Collectibles of the 50s& 60s by Elaine Butler (L-W Book Sales)
Spaghetti Art Ware by Wanda Gessner ( Schiffer Books)


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.

What's in Your Junk Drawer?: You May Have Hidden Treasures

Odds and Ends with Value

What's in your junk drawer? You may think you have a bunch of odds and ends but you may actually be sitting with a treasure trove of collectible junk which has value. Yes...the trinkets you are saving in old cigar boxes or vintage tins, may be worth more that the containers they are stored in.

And we all have "collections" in all areas of our homes.
So it's time for you to take a visit around your house and evaluate your "junk deposits".

A Buyer For all Kinds of Small Junk

Today many dealers are discovering that there are buyers for all kinds of "tiny" junk collections. Some dealers throw the whole kit and kaboodle into a glass jar and sell the "lot" for one price while other dealers sort through their junk and pull out the older pieces such as a special charm or vintage toy prize and sell it individually.

How To Buy Or Sell Your "Lots" of Junk

If you go on Etsy.com, you will find many sellers of "collections" of "goodies", some of it vintage and some of it new, but also lots of stuff which is fun and useful for crafting.

Looking For Old Junk

But if you are after older junk, you may need to go out hunting the old fashioned way. . be sure to poke around in Thrift shops, Flea Markets and especially garage sales, Church sales etc. Always check out the basement and garage when you are at a yard sale. Often "junk" is hidden in old coffee cans, shoe boxes, drawers and containers. Go to tag slaes in older neighborhoods where the residents have "old" junk!

It is not surprising to find that an entire drawer of "junk" that has been thrown into a box and ignored. You have to go digging and hope that you got there first.


Types of Junk Drawers Collections

1. kitchen junk
2. sewing notions
3. old game parts
4. vintage charms
5. miniature toys
6. toy prizes
7. jewelry parts
8. old paper
9. hardware
10. drugstore/pharmacy

Photos shown are the courtesy of http://www.etsy.com/shop/christaburton

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.

Sometimes You Have a Loose Nut and You Have to Tighten It with A Wrench

Living With Vintage Toilets

My husband called me on my cell phone to tell me that we had a tiny leak under the bathroom sink and asked if I would call "Walter" (our plumber). "Tell him, it's not an emergency", my hubby said.

It Get's Funnier.....
Than my husband followed with this statement:





"Sometimes you have a loose nut and you have to tighten it with a wrench".

I cracked up laughing....loose nut.....I could think of several "loose nuts" that I want to "tighten up" this week.
After I said I would call "Walter" ..... my husband tried to change his mind about calling a professional and suggested that maybe he (hubby) could fix the problem himself. NO NO NO.... "that could be a disaster"...I thought to myself. I promptly nixed that idea...... Walter is on the schedule for a visit!

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.

Tips For Arranging and Displaying Small Paintings and Collectibles

Displaying Miniature Paintings and Collectibles

I'm on a miniature kick now....setting up little arrangements of small paintings (some of them mine and some from other artists) with the small size collectibles I have been buying.

Easy to Carry In a Small Shopping Bag

There are advantages to this type of "cute" collecting...you can carry home a lot of stuff in a little shopping bag. That is exactly what I did all weekend...I went from shop to shop buying adorable mini collectibles. From small pitchers to 1940s figurines, I had a ball at my favorite flea markets and junk shops.

Postwar "Little People"

When I got home, I unpacked my "little people' and my baseball card size paintings and I started to plan my strategy for grouping objects.

Basically if this had been a chess game, I would have moved around the pieces one billion times. I am NOT exaggerating.

Patience When Working With Tchotkes

When you are working with tchotkes you have to take your time......My heavy thoughts today were ....would I place my newly acquired objects by color, theme, pattern, texture, size, shape etc? For such a "small" job (no pun intended...these were monumental decisions for me to make.
Here is a list of tips so you will have a head start if you find yourself playing with mini art and collectibles.


Tips For Arranging and Displaying Small Paintings and Collectibles



1. earthy look (group stone, wood, natural objects together)
2. combine similar colors
3. mix large and small.
4. place three objects together with varying sizes.
5. use a small wooden box with shelves to help you organize objects.
6. display small paintings on an easel.
7. group similar shape objects together or mix up shapes..
8. keep the same era together.
9. combine similar materials or textures.
10. potluck.... experiment...don't 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 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.

Plan a Retro Room Around Colorful Kitschy Textiles

Retro Cool Colors To Build a Room Around

Spice up your Retro home with some funky kitchen textiles. Say good bye to boring beige...add some colorful kitschy towels and tablecloths for the New Year.

Go Quirky This Year

Use the colors and patterns in vintage textiles to help you plan a color scheme for your room. Get quirky.....do something you would never of dreamed of doing...add purple...add orange....
add sunflower yellow.

Change Your
Boring Kitchen

Wake up...it's time for some real Retro and Kitsch! Add some fun accessories such as a retro bowl with plastic fruit. Or buy some odd ball salt and pepper shakers and amuse your guests with some real Retro crazy entertaining.

Off The Wall Ideas

1. Paint your kitchen walls a bright color.

2. Change the color fo your kitchen table.

3 Paint the chairs in your kitchen in different Retro wild colors.

4. Paint an an old bookcase a vibrant color and hang it on the wall.

5.Add polka dots to your furnishings

Photos Courtesy of

RandomRetro.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.

Collecting, Decorating and Using Kitchen Collectibles In Retro and Vintage Style Homes: Antiques and Collectibles That Are Practical and Affordable

Why Buy Brand New Kitchen Housewares
When You Can Buy Vintage ?

Why buy brand new kitchen bowls, utensils, housewares etc. when you can buy outstanding kitchen collectibles from the 1930s, 1940s. 1950s and beyond and have attractive, colorful, durable and affordable kitchenwares to display and use.
Popular colors of the "Colorful Era" were reds, yellows, blues and greens. These vibrant colors were found not only in kitchen wares but were the colors used for cabinets, flooring, furnishing d textiles.

Hand Me Down Bowls Are Still Useful

Some of my favorite mixing bowls and serving pieces are hand me downs from my grandmother Sophie and Aunt Dotty. Both lived in Brooklyn, New York and were "housewives" of their day, cooking, baking and serving delicious meals. Consider buying, mixers, bowls, platters, utensils, glassware, canisters, pot holders, serving pieces, sifters etc.

Nothing Like Fire King

I think my secret hope was that if I used grandma's Tulip bowl in my kitchen, my blintzes would turn out just like hers. Not exactly.......but the warm memories associated with that bowl, made the whole process of making blintzes (crepes) filled with just the right amount of Farmer Cheese and Cottage Cheese a success. The Tulip Bowls shown in this article are Anchor Hocking's Fire King. They were advertised as "Deep Non-Splash Bowls for New mixing Pleasures". A four piece Tulip Set sold for $2.95. Recently I saw the bowls with the matching Grease Jar for $125.00.

Old Utensils and Gagdets Better Than New

Have you ever wondered how terrific many of the housewares from past generations have held up so well today? I know professional chefs who actually prefer to use vintage utensils in their kitchens because these gadgets do the job so much better thatn the cheap imports you can find today.

Tips About Buying Kitchen Collectibles

1. Glass Tumblers usually came in sets of 6 or 8 glasses (not odd numbers). Adjust your purchase price if you are buying an incomplete set.

2. Be sure the images on glassware or bowls etc. is not faded or scratched off.

3. Check for rough edges or chips on glass bowls, beverage glasses, refrigerator dishes. Old plastics teend to be brittle be careful.

4. Inspect all items that you buy.

5. If the price is too good to be true, wonder about whether you have a repro in your hand.

6. There are plenty of fine gadgets around, avoid rusted metal or splintered handles. (Unless you are hanging these gadgets on the wall and you don't mind the rough look.

7. Refer to price guides on kitchenwares if you need further help with identification and value.

8. Many kithenwares came is coordinated sets, so that you might find canisters, trays and waste paper basskets in the same pattern.

9. Inspect the inside of all canister carefully.Many tin cannisters have rust nside.

10. Most tin canister sets came in four graduated sizes. Be sure you can fit one into the other and that you do not have two of the same size.

For more information about kitchen collectibles, read my book:

Hot Kitchen and Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s (Collectorbooks.com)

These fabulous photos are the courtesy of Wanita Paolino Antiques of Johnston , Rhode Island
404-949-0659


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.