McKee Kitchen Glass of the Depression Years By Barbara E. Mauzy: Kitschy Collector Book Review

Kitchen Collectors Will Love This Reference Book On McKee Kitchen Glass By Barbara E. Mauzy

McKee Kitchen Glass of the Depression Years. is another invaluable kitchen price guide and resource book written by Barbara E. Mauzy and published by Schiffer Publishing. This 144 page hard cover guide shows extremely well photographed examples of these sought after kitchen collectibles. This book is an excellent contribution to the literature on McKee Kitchen Glass of the Depression Years and I thank the author for writing this book.

Bonus: I also was tickled pink to learn that Amazon had paired McKee Kitchen Glass of the Depression Years with my book Hot Kitchen Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s. I feel like I am in such good company.

Book Description

A popular theme of collecting is kitchen glass: bowls, reamers, measuring cups, shakers, and more. During the 1930s McKee Glass Company created some of today’s most interesting and sought-after designs. This new book offers historical insight into the McKee Glass Company and vivid photography to present its diverse, multi-colored products. Thousands of items are shown and identified, each with measurements and values given in the captions.

The book is organized by the company’s wide range of color and their variations, making it a useful tool for identification and evaluation, allowing readers to do both easily. In addition to the kitchen glass, two McKee dinnerware patterns are included. A bibliography and index complete this great reference book. http://www.schifferbooks.com/newschiffer/book_template.php?isbn=9780764330841

Book Details
ISBN: 9780764330841
Size: 8 1/2" x 11"
Illustrations: 327 color photos
Pages: 144
Availability: Now Available
Binding: Hard Cover

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 Wonderful World of Collecting Perfume Bottles Second Edition Kitschy Collector Book Review

The Wonderful World of Collecting Perfume Bottles Second Edition by Jane Flanagan

What can I say...there are reference books and price guides about Perfume bottles and then there are other books that the reader exclaims are simply joyful experience which you don't want to end ... The Wonderful World of Collecting Perfume Bottles is one of those delightful experiences or gifts in life that you remember.

Easy To Follow Reference Book

The Wonderful World of Collecting Perfume Bottles is an easy to follow guide of how the look of perfume bottles and advertising changed over time. Lisa Henderson , designer at Collector Books and author Jane Flanagan have developed an exquisite book. This book goes far beyond an exciting collection of perfumes..... it includes vivid well photographed images of Perfume Scent Cards, Perfume ephemera, vanity collectibles, original perfume advertisements and a lot more. Be prepared to read this book over time...I'm telling you there is so much to see and appreciate. This book has much to offer in several collecting areas (perfumes, ephemera, vanity etc.) .

Description:

The Wonderful World of Collecting Perfume Bottles, Second Edition, presents many surprises. In addition to updating important articles that were shown in the author's first volume, information about the W. & H. Walker Company has been added. The Bacorn bottles are shown again, with recent findings. 'The Ladies and Gentlemen of the Club' features nine wonderful articles from three prominent International Perfume Bottle Association (IPBA) members. The mystery of identifying the IRice bottles is explained. Russian bottles, never before shown in books, are also presented. Many of them are still easily found, but not easily identified. 'Hooray for Hollywood!' shows many magnificent Czechoslovakian bottles and tells of the influence perfume bottles had on Hollywood. 'Vintage Vanity Vignettes' gives decorating tips and showcases the up-and-coming popular collectible, the perfume scent card. This new volume presents approximately 100 new bottles from the author and over 200 bottles from IPBA members' articles.

Book Details:

10-digit ISBN #: 1-57432-612-0
13-digit ISBN #: 978-1-57432-612-3
Number of Pages: 288
Number of Illustrations: 763
Binding: Hardback
Dimensions: 11.00" x 8.50" x 1.00"
Weight: 2.60lbs
Published: November 04, 2008

http://www.collectorbooks.com/items/item_detail.php?item_num=7766

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.

Freshen Up Your Cottage Style With Aqua And Coral Color Combinations: Ideas From Michele's Cottage Gifts And Antiques, Plantsville, Connecticut

Fun, Funky, Whimsical Cottage Style: Mixing Aqua And Coral Colors In Furnishings And Accessories: Now Featured At Michele's Cottage Antiques In Plantsville, Connecticut

Freshen up your cottage style decor with aqua painted furniture and coral painted walls, This color combination is delicious and perfect for relaxed living. And you can find so many vintage accessories to compliment this whimsical palette. Many collectibles and textiles from the 1950s showcased these popular colors,often called "desert colors" .
Rich Pastels Colors Of Coral And Aqua

While you often find cottage style furnishing in softer pastel colors, Michele of Michele's Cottage Antiques in Plantsville, Connecticut likes her pastels rich and colorful. She also likes to paint vintage accessories in some of the same colors as her furniture so that customers can easily coordinate accents pieces with their dressers, vanity tables, chairs etc.
Her painted pieces are exceptional.


Retro Aqua Vintage Birdcage

My favorite find on my recent rip to Michele's was the aqua painted bird cage. I really would adore having this retro birdie condo. But then I would have to buy the dresser and the barkcloth lamp and all the other great re-cycled collectibles and furnishings. You know, I may just go back to Michel's tomorrow and buy the whole room...stay tuned.

Michele's Cottage Gifts And Antiques
53 Main Street
Plantsville, CT
860-329-0033

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.

Thrifty Decorating Ideas Using Turquoise And Cobalt Blue Glassware Featured At J.P. Finishing Touches Antiques, Unionville, Connecticut

You Don't Have To Spend A Lot Of Money To Decorate Your Home. Try Using Eye Catching And Colorful Turquoise And Cobalt Glassware,

J.P. Finishing Touches Antiques

Colorful glassware does not have to be expensive to look great in a collection. The trick is to combine a variety of shapes and sizes to form eye catching vignettes. Another tip is to experiment with different color combinations that at first may seem like unlikely pairings.

Experiment With Different Color Combinations And Textures

There are no right or wrong color combinations. Just experiment with a variety of colors until you love what you mix together. Often accidental pairings of colors works out quite effectively as is the case with pairing turquoise/greens and cobalt blue as shown in these photos. .

Fabulous Groupings of Turquoise And Cobalt Blue Glassware

Today I discovered some very exciting grouping of dark Turquoise/ Jade/Green and Cobalt blue at J.P.Finishing Touches, Unionville, CT. The sun was shining through the window of this shop, a former Railroad Depot. and I couldn't take my eyes off the shelves of glassware. You will always find plenty of glassware at this shop.

Decorating On Affordable Budgets With Vintage And Newer Glassware

The prices were amazingly fair. In fact, I called Jim, the owner over to ask him about the pieces. He said that they were newer pieces that just looked fabulous, so he decided to feature them in a collection.

I particularly liked the combinations of very dark turquoise/green and Cobalt blue. And look at these great textures, shapes and design features. This proves the point that you don't necessarily have to sink a lot of money into a collection to accessorize your home with attractive glassware.



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.

Kitchen Collectibles Galore At Barbara's Barn Antiques And Collectibles In Seymour, Connecticut

Kitchen Collectibles Galore At
Barbara's Barn Antiques And Collectibles
In Seymour, Connecticut

If you love kitchen collectibles you will enjoy visiting Barbara's Barn Antiques And Collectibles in Seymour, CT.

Barbara Fusses Over Her Kitchen Displays

Barbara fusses over her shop and likes to set up adorable displays featuring popular 1930''s, 1940's,1950's kitchen colors. Bring help...there is lots to carry home. I packed up a few boxes on my last trip to Seymour. And before I forget, around the corner from Barbara's is The Seymour Antiques Company, a large Antique Mall.

So Much To Buy..You'll Have A Ball

Barbara has something for everyone with a collection that will knock your socks off! You will see the biggest collection of striped beverage sets anywhere. In fact I took home the set shown in the picture. These glasses look great with Fiestaware.

Collectors Love Green And Yellow Kitchen-wares

One of my favorite sections in the shop was the green and yellow kitchen-wares. Green handled kitchen tools are still popular with collectors. "
Of course many buyers enjoy finding Jadeite and seek housewares to match. Terms like "Depression green" or "Jadeite green" are often used to describe products found during the Colorful Era. Green paired with yellow is a great combination.

Great Green Mix Master

Barbara was excited to show me a green Mix Master. I loved it and really wanted to bring it home. But I remembered the last time I tried using a very old mixer....sparks were flying and the poor mixer was about to keel over. I vowed to stick to newer appliances in the future and only use vintage ones for display!

Read About Old Mixers In Hot Kitchen And Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s

But there is nothing like the old mixers that could do everything. I have a terrific chapter on "Mixers, Choppers, Grinders And Juicers" in my book, Hot Kitchen And Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s (Collectorbooks.com).

Adorable Potholders In Red And White

While green and yellow are favorites among collectors, red and white potholders just fly out of my shop, along with other collectibles in these colors. Barbara had a nice collection of potholders on display. Many collectors especially like sweet little dresses or pants or other unusual patterns.

Visit:
Barbara's Barn
Antiques, Collectibles & Costume Jewerly
127 Main Street
Seymour, CT 06483
203-268-9805

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 American Pickers Clinging To Their Objects Of Desire: In Love With Antique Bicycles

Just Watched Another Grimy Episode of The American Pickers

O.k. Shabby Chic gals, cover your ears, I am about to talk dirty. Guess what show I just watched? Yep,I just watched another...shall we say.... "filthy" episode of American Pickers. Mouse nests, cobwebs, droppings, dirt, rust ...you know all the good stuff that The Pickers seem to love to play in.

Obsessed With Old Bikes, Signs, Car Parts, Cans Etc.

And this week was no different than the previous weeks, plenty of piles of junk to explore by two fellas who are obsessed with old bikes, advertising signs , car parts and cans. Up until today's show, I was satisfied to think of Mike and Frank as two buddies who are passionate about "guy stuff'.

Does Mike have A Bicycle Fetish?

But after watching the show this evening, I am beginning to sing a different tune. I am giving serious consideration to the idea that Mike has a bicycle fetish.

Madly In Love With Spokes and Chains

I mean there is no way, anyone could get so excited about a rusty broken bicycle skeleton unless they are in love with bicycles and their parts. We're talking the whole package here......Mike is in awe of vintage bicycles. He lights up when he sees a dilapidated Schwinn buried under rubble or finds a a squeaky old Springfield Roadster . Mike is either madly in love with spokes and chains or simply bonkers like the rest of us junksters who cling to the objects of our desire.

Want To See Mike's Antique Mike Collection: Click On This Link
http://www.antiquearcheology.com/antique_bikes_more.htm


Photos Courtesy of http://www.antiquearcheology.com/


For More on American Pickers read:
http://cdiannezweig.blogspot.com/2010/03/american-pickers-antiquing-underground.html
http://cdiannezweig.blogspot.com/2010/02/antiquing-with-american-pickers-no-sign.html

http://cdiannezweig.blogspot.com/2010/02/fetch-and-kvetch-what-does-it-take-to.html

http://cdiannezweig.blogspot.com/2010/02/junking-along-with-american-pickers.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.

How To Display Vintage And Collectible Jewelry In Your Antique Shop

Funky New Ways to Display Vintage And Costume Jewelry

Hang it up! Vintage Jewelry that is....There are so many ways to display vintage and costume jewelry that I bet you haven't thought of....Well here are some funky practical ideas I found on my trip to Patti's Treasures and Antiques in Windsor, CT. and Barbara's Barn Antiques, Seymour, CT.

Think About How Nice A White Peg Board Would Look With Lots of Necklaces:

Organized by color, Barbara of Barbara's Barn in Seymour, CT created an entire wall of necklaces using a white peg board. This idea is very striking and will really encourage the buyers to notice your treasures. Grouped by color, it is real easy for shoppers to browse through so many great vintage pieces.
Group All Your Pearl And White Beaded Necklaces Together
And Hang On The Side Of A Shelf

Pearl necklaces look quite nice when hung together. Select all your white, off white, cream colored pearls to group together. Then hang these lovely costume chic pearls and beads from the side of a display shelf. This is a great way to take advantage of extra space. Look how pretty these costume pearl necklaces look! Barbara Bush would be so proud of you.

Hang Costume And Vintage Necklaces From A Padded Hanger

Do you what to know what to do with your older padded hangers? You guessed it, hang your chunky necklaces on the hanger for all to see. This display idea is great because you can hang the necklaces in tight spots; over doors; from the side of a shelf etc. What an inexpensive way to organize your collection of necklaces. And it really looks nice to keep similar colors together. In this photo, the coral and orange colors are arranged together.

Hang Vintage Necklaces On A Window Screen
Are you running out of space? Well put your window screens to use as display space for costume and vintage necklaces. . With a little help from suction cup hooks. you can hang up your colorful necklaces . Be sure your necklaces can handle sunlight.
.
Using a CD Rack To Display Costume Earrings
Why spend money on fancy jewelry display racks. Here is a cute idea, I spotted at Patti's Treasure's and Antiques. Patti took a CD rack and turned it upright to form a great wire rack to hold earrings. She has several different kinds of CD racks throughout the store. Boy can you load up lots of earrings with all these rows of wire.

Photos Courtesy of

Patti's Treasures And Antiques
73 Poquonock Ave.
Windsor, CT
860-687-1682


Barbra's Barn
126 Main Street
Seymour, CT 06483
(203) 268-9805


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.

Country Collectibles At Michele's Vintage Antiques In Windsor, Connecticut

Hunting Through The Antique Shops Of Windsor, CT ...It's A Hard Job, But Someone Has To Do It!

Michele's Vintage Antiques on Poquonock Avenue,Windsor CT is another one of those Antique shops that you might not know about unless you make the rounds regularly. And as you know by now, I am a trooper in this department. I parole the towns of Connectiut keeping tract of all the Antique shops. I especially like the less pretentious ones.

Michele's Vintage Antiques Is A Simple, Small Group Shop

Michele's is what I would call a no frills multi-dealer shop. Simple, a little dusty and musty, but homey none the less. It's a laid back, older group antique shop with a mixture of country collectibles, furniture and some new stuff. But it all works together and there is more old than new.

Antique Hunting Is Always Hit Or Miss

I have visited this shop often and find that you just never know what is going to turn up here. Sometimes they are chock full of goodies and other times I get the sense that not a lot has changed since the time before.
Enjoying The Country Style Displays

But I do like this shop. The manager is very pleasant and I get the feeling that he appreciates my visit. I enjoy the displays in the shop. They really work very hard creating vignettes of their country collectibles, glassware, kitchenwares etc. I have often found some interesting re-puposed cottage style furnishings here as well. All in all, it's worth poking around at Michele's Vintage Antiques of Windsor, CT.

Michele's Vintage Antiques
28 Poquonock Avenue
Windsor, CT
860-683-2640

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.

Turn An Old Printer's Type Drawer Into A Display For Vintage Earrings In Your Antique Shop

Here Is Another Funky Way To Display Costume Jewelry Earrings: Use An Old Printer's Tray

Have you ever thought of using a giant Printers box to showcase your vintage and costume earrings? Well Patti of Patti's Treasures and Antiques in Windsor, CT has come up with yet another way to display her amazing selection of earrings.

From Movable Type To Earrings

Back in the day before computers, printers used movable type which were stored in compartmentalized drawers which fit flat into a cabinet.

Letter, numbers, symbols etc. were organized in these type drawers. Today many people mount these wooden type trays or drawers on the wall and use them as shadow boxes to display trinkets and memorabilia.
Mounting A Vintage Type Drawer On The Wall

But Patti, had discovered another way to up-cycle these great printer's drawers. Patti, the master at finding new ways to display jewelry has taken her old type drawer and hung it on the wall in her charming Antique shop. She places vintage and costume earrings in each of the small compartments. Because these trays are usually divided in spaces of different sizes, Patti is able to find "homes" for all of the different size costume jewelry she has acquired.

Altering The Finish On An Old Printers Type Drawer With Paint Or paper

You can leave the type tray in it's natural wood color or alter the finish by painting the drawer/tray a color or use vintage wallpaper as a background in the cubbies. White or pastel colored paint offers a Cottage look, which many Shabby Chic gals enjoy.

Patti's Treasures And Antiques
73 Poquonock Ave.
Windsor, CT
860-687-1682

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 About Buying And Selling Garden Collectibles And Vintage Pottery Planters And Vases

Hurry Up And Beat The Garden Rush: Scoop Up Pottery Vases And Planters Now

Hurry...if you are looking for pottery vases and planters, now is the time to buy them before the garden season is truly here. Always try to shop for items you really want in the opposite season.

Garden Collectibles Are Hot

For example chances are that you will get a much better deal on a vintage watering can in November than in June. The same theory holds true for planters and vases. Scoop these treasures up in the winter before the rest of the world in is garden mode.

Display Vintage Vases And Planters By Color In Your Shop

If you own an Antique shop, it makes sense to group the same color vases and planters together. Many shoppers have collections of pottery in the same color palette and may buy more that one piece of pottery if they see their favorite colors grouped together. Also you can blend several shades of a similar color together, such as aqua with darker jade colors. Sometimes using two contrasting colors together is very effective.

Pastel Colored Vintage Pottery Vases And Planters Are Popular

You can have collections of "pink", "white" "yellow", "aqua" etc. Try to keep the same era together. And remember, planters and vases can be used in so many areas of the home.


Retro Vintage Baby: Using Pottery in The Baby Nursery

I learned that new moms like to use pastel colors in their vintage nursery. So consider integrating pretty vintage pink, yellow, green, aqua vases and planters with your retro baby collectibles. It's always important to show your customers how they too can use collectibles in home decor.


Mix Up Shapes And Sizes Of Vintage Pottery Vases And Planters

Also mix up the sizes and shapes when displaying vases and planter. Once again, one way to encourage customers to buy more from you is to show them how nice a collection of pottery looks together. Ceramic bowls and Tea Pots also look great along with vases and planters. You can turn a pottery bowl over and use as a pedestal for other objects.

Visit The T-Cozy For Inspiration

If you really want to be inspired about creating a wonderful collection, visit
The T-Cozy and you will see some fabulous photos of aqua pottery.

Setting Up A Garden Collectibles Area In Your Shop

It really isn't too early to get the garden displays going in your shop. Consider taking a nice sunny spot in your shop and turning it into a garden collectibles area. you can have several dealers participate in this display if you are part of a group shop.

Photos Shown Are Courtesy of :

http://www.nanaluluslinensandhandkerchiefs.com/

http://thecoffeetrade.com/

http://www.enchantedmakeovers.org/

http://www.ticklemepinkboutique.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.

Decorating With Vintage And Antique Books

Using Vintage Books As Decorative Objects

Decorating with vintage books can be a darling way to bring color, warmth and charm into any room. While visiting Salmon Brook Shop Antiques in Granby, Connecticut today I was delighted to find many wonderful displays of vintage books.

Plant Stands Make Cute Book Shelves

First there was a sweet plant stand that was now home to a lovely collection of older books. This plant stand had four short shelves which held five books across making for a lovely petite display. For some rooms, like the kitchen or bathroom, a narrow plant stand is just perfect for a small book holder.

Look For Attractive Book Covers And Spines

Another delightful display at Salmon Brook was a collection of vintage books with interesting spines. Many people like to look for books with attractive covers and crisp and artsy details. Grouped together, older well designed books become lovely decorative objects. You may want to look for books in the same color family or choose a few selected colors to display. Another fun way to collect books is by series, such as poetry books or a particular author.

Displaying Vintage Books In A Variety Of Ways

Vintage books can be shelved upright, stacked or even placed on an easel. When shelving books upright you may want to use some wonderful older brass bookends or perhaps themed wooden bookends such as "dogs", "sail boats", "horses", etc.
Sometimes it is hard to find a pair of bookends, so consider using 'singles".

Mix And Match Book Ends

And bookends need not match either. Have fun using different bookends or a collection of similar bookends (all Scottie dogs). You can really save lots of money using "orphaned" bookends".

Vintage Books Can Be Used As A Riser Or Platform

I often used a few books stacked to serve as a riser or platform for other decorative objects. Books that are really too bruised for display can be used in places where you do not see them. Or other objects can be placed in front of them. Lamps may need a lift and books work well to add some height.

Break Up Book Displays With Other Collectibles

Having rows and rows of books can get boring. Vary your book displays by adding other collectibles and objects to the shelf. Also alternate standing books upright with books that are stacked. Some people like to display books by color. I recently did a display with only white or cream colored books.

Of course books need to be protected, so when using several books as a riser for plants, be sure to place a plastic or glass dish under the plant. And be careful!

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.

American Pickers Antiquing Underground: Is It Time For The Show To Be Buried?

Is American Pickers Headed for The Junk Pile?

I have a confession to make. I fell asleep during some of The American Pickers episode tonight. I mean after all how many times can you watch Mike and Frank haggle with old prunes about rusty cans and advertising signs?

Junk Guy In The Purple Hoody Goes Underground

Right before I dozed off, I watched the part when Mike and Frank are carefully making their way through some underground tunnels hand dug by a dude in a purple hoody. This was somewhat of a bright spot in an otherwise sleepy show.

Quirky Junkster Digs Tunnels To Stash His Antiques

As the story was told, this quirky junkster has been digging tunnels under his property since the age of fourteen and buried his stash down there. And yes, our purple picker is still digging holes, just like my Sheltie Jacob.

Antiquing In Tunnels

Here is my big question for this evening, how the heck do they film these guys underground? How did they get lighting, crews, cameras etc through these narrow unstable pathways? And more importatnly, what happened when it was lunchtime? Did they order in Pizza and have the delivery guy send down the Pizza on a pulley? You know what I think....I think the pickers entered the underground "stockroom" from a opening in the house and that the entire "tunnel" scene was totally staged.

Claustrophobic Pickers

Frank said he was claustrophobic down there and that he wondered if he could squeeze through the narrow passage ways? I think the pickers showed up in the underground junk haven from another route, like maybe a door in the basement of the house?

Hoarders Or Collectors

But lets get down to basics now. How many times can we watch these likeable pickers do their picking dance with bona fide hoarders? It is pretty clear that the old gizzards who open their junk rooms to the pickers are really certifiable hoarders who have no interest in parting with or selling off their collections.

Is The Show Headed Soon To Be Buried?

These "junk guests" were booked for the wrong show. They belong on A&E's "Hoarders".
And if the writers of American Pickers don't start coming up with some fresh story lines, I'm worried the show may end up in its own junk pile.

For More on American Pickers read:
http://cdiannezweig.blogspot.com/2010/02/antiquing-with-american-pickers-no-sign.html

http://cdiannezweig.blogspot.com/2010/02/fetch-and-kvetch-what-does-it-take-to.html

http://cdiannezweig.blogspot.com/2010/02/junking-along-with-american-pickers.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.

On A Mission To Down- Date My Updated Kitchen With 1940's Kitchen Collectibles

My Updated Kitchen Needs to Be Down Dated: I Am On A Mission

I'm back on a retro red and white mission again. But now, I am going to do some serious kitchen collectible buying. I have made up my mind, my updated kitchen needs to be "down dated". I want the cozy forties feel back in my very own kitchen and I am determined to achieve it.

Help I Need Some Kitchen Collectibles In My Own Kitchen

Many people think that because I wrote a book on kitchen collectibles and because my shop Kitsch n Stuff is loaded with vintage kitchenwares, that I have a kitchen a ad home filled with goodies.

All The Great Kitchen Collectible Goes Into My Shop

NOPE...that is simply not the case. All the great stuff goes into my shop. But NOW, I am going into change that. I already started the process and today I will return to the search o finding great red and white (and some yellow kitchen collectibles.

Red And White Vintage Kitchen Stuff Looks Great With Granite Counters

I discovered just by pure accident that red and white stuff looked sharp in my kitchen that has a creamy yellowish painted wall and black and cream granite counters. Our appliances are all stainless steel (like everyone else who updated).

Warming Up My Kitchen...One Collectible Baby Step At A Time

But I seriously need to take my own advice and warm up my kitchen. You have no idea how many times I have written about warming up a industrial chic kitchen. Well my kitchen is far from industrial, nor chic for that matter....but it does need some more charm.
Today's Kitchen Collectibles Wish List
1. a great vintage bread box (could be red and white...could be stainless)
2. red and white pot holders
3. vintage wooden ring holders
4. great vintage dish towels
5. a big tablecloth to put under the glass of my black table (its round)
6. red and white novelty items
7. large vintage flower pot (red/yell/white)
8. vintage watering can

I thank Becky of Sweet Cottage Dreams for letting me show you her wonderful salt and peeper shakers above. The rest of the photos are from my book, Hot Kitchen 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.