Here is Some of the "Stuff" We Buy...

As antique and collectible dealers one question that we are frequently asked is "what kind of items do you buy and sell?"  Our answer is always... interesting or different "stuff"!

We just went on a mini visit to the Las Vegas, Nevada area and of course had to check out some of their antique malls, here is some of the "stuff" we brought home with us...

We are always looking for typography, of any kind....so when we spotted this bright red marquee channel letter "A" we added it to our pile of goodies....

I also love books, if they have wonderful color pictures I love them even more :),  this 1927 Nature Encyclopedia with 700 illustrations, 200 in full color, was also added to the pile!

A new interest of ours is anything Industrial that can be used as home decor....look at this huge Industrial light that was waiting for us :)  We love it!

An old interest of ours is architectural salvage items.....Mr. B believes these once added interest to the corners of buildings....I love them "just because"  they look awesome!  There must be something fun to do with them..

Pepper was with us on our treasure hunt, she found a large box of sewing items, but what she really wanted was the 3 bags of yoyo quilt pieces in it...(those little bits of round fabric were everywhere in that box!)  We split the cost of the box and I took the fabric pieces I found interesting...the rest will be donated...here is my "pile" of fabric and some packages of vintage seam binding I found in another mall booth....

 I also have a weakness for vintage Hartman suitcases, the more leather on them the harder I fall....so of course when I spotted this one, it had to come home with us...

We have bought and sold antique Indian Clubs (the exercise kind) for years but they are getting much more difficult to find....when I spotted these in a corner of a booth my heart almost stopped...when I showed them to Mr. B...so did his...LOL!

You have probably noticed my last find since he is in most of my photos...my little vintage man...how could I leave him?  Even if Mr. B is not as intrigued with him as I am.....He is my newest favorite photo prop...

Well, that is some of what we buy...how about you?  What tickles your fancy?

VE

Favorite Blogs!

Today, I thought I'd share some of my favorite blogs!  The ones I visit the most.   

Click on the logos to be taken directly to blogs!

First one is a friend of mine, I can't stay away from her blog and must know what she is up to!  She is one talented lady!

This next one was so much fun!  She blogged a collection a day for an entire year!  It ended now but still fun to go back through the days and see her collections!

Here is one that I can't figure out how she finds the time to blog!  Another talented and one busy lady!  Not only does she make her own beads, but now she has a line of fabrics and is opening her own B & M store!

Next is Valerie from Valerie's Gallery!  She is an amazing knitter and felter!  Another one I must see what she is up to!  Now, she got herself a spinning wheel!

Here is Marcy!  She makes the most amazing lampwork beads!

Michelle is a Vintage Junky!  Gotta love that!

Here is 1950's Atomic Ranch House!  *sigh* Can you say DROOL blog?  Wow.

Anyone ever watch those Flip This House shows and they come across the old houses from the 50's or 60's and say, EW, that tile has got to go or that kitchen needs to be totally destroyed?  It makes me cringe!  I would just love to have an entire house furnished with 50's and 60's items!  Take a look at this blog!

While at that blog, check out her Save the Pink Bathrooms blog!

http://savethepinkbathrooms.com/

Hope you've enjoyed some of the same blogs I do!  Now you know what I'm doing all day long

Have a great day!

RWS

Fabric Yo-Yo's

There's so many things you can do with yo-yo's!  I've seen quilts, vests, pins, table runners and center pieces.  In the lesson for today, I'm going to show you two of these, the runner and a center piece. 

 

This is the table runner I made especially to match the stained glass lamp.  

 

 I use calico fabrics for mine, they work up nicely.

 

Now for my masterpiece!  My star shaped center piece.

Here's how you make one yo-yo, see what you can do with them!

 

I use a cardboard circle, you can see the size of the circle I started with and how small it becomes when finished.

I'm using matching material in red, white and blue with small white stars on it.   Draw the circle on the wrong size of fabric and cut out.

 

Using thread that matches the fabric, fold a small rim on the wrong side of fabric and make a running stitch around the circle, starting your first stitch from the back going towards the front, leaving a tail that I prefer to knot so I can hold onto it later.  Continue folding and stitching until you are about 1/8" from the first stitch and end on the back side.

 

Yep, they look sort of messy but that will work out! 

 

Now, holding onto the two tails, gently pull the thread tight and you will see it start puckering up!  Continue to pull the thread until you can't get it any tighter and tie the ends together.  Tuck threads inside, work the circle to make it look nice and tight.

 

Just working it with your fingers will have it laying flat and nicely finished up.  With a bit of practice, you will be making them like a pro!

 

My red, white and blue ones will become a small flag mat someday! 

 

Have fun!

RWS

Upcycle with Cutter Fabric, Lace, and Linens

Those old stained and worn linens and fabrics can be upcycled into wonderful new items. So many times we see them at flea markets, thrift shops, and garage sales for just pennies, but we pass them by because they aren't perfect,

Look closely at the trim and needlework. Is it in good condition? If it is, these sections can be cut out and reused. The salvaged trim and needlework are beautiful on pillows, purses, clothing, and anything else your creative mind can imagine. Look closely at the fabric, are there large enough sections that can be cut out and reused?

Check out these shops to see just how wonderful the upcycled items can be.

I thought this blouse was so unique. I've never seen recycled fabric used this way.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/39905675/pink-lime-button-shirt-top-upcycled



Look at this tote made using salvaged fabric.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/56033592/animal-farm-cotton-tote?ref=v1_other_2


And look at the wonderful use of vintage doilies in this pillow.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/40503471/beach-shabby-chic-throw-pillow?ref=sr_list_4&ga_search_query=the+shabby+chic+pillows&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=2&order=&includes%5B0%5D=tags&includes%5B1%5D=title



The next time you run across a treasure trove of vintage linens, stop and take a closer look at them.  For just a little bit of money, you can make wonderful keepsakes by upcycling them.  Have fun and set your imagination free!

pepper

How Do You Know

What it is?

What is it worth?

Will anyone buy it?

These are questions a lot of people are asking about the stuff in Grandma's attic...or basement...or where ever!

So here are some links to resources for what you may have :)

Vintage Fashion Guild Label Resource
http://www.vintagefashionguild.org/labels_f.html

Links for pottery and stoneware
http://antiques.about.com/od/pottery/Pottery.htm

Vintage Costume Jewelry
http://www.illusionjewels.com/costumejewelrymarks.html

Antique or Vintage Lace Identification
http://lace.lacefairy.com/Lace/ID/laceID.htm

Identify your silver or china pattern
http://www.replacements.com/silver_dentify.htm

Buttons 
http://www.antiquebuttoncollecting.com/

http://www.buttonbuttononie.com/collectible-buttons-site-map.html
(scroll down on this last link to find clickable links to specific types of buttons)

Vintage BarkCloth
http://imageevent.com/vintagetresors/vintagebarkclothstylenames

Depression Glass Patterns, Elegant Depression Glass and 40s50s60s Glass
http://www.suziemax.com/

Fabric Identification
http://www.fabrics.net/fabricsr.asp

Books
http://www.abebooks.com/

 Good blog post about vintage
http://heatheralexander.blogspot.com/

Good blog for general information
http://cdiannezweig.blogspot.com/search/label/%22kitsch%20n%20collectibles%22


Hope these resources help some of you to identify your treasures :)

VE