Seriously, Can You Help Me?

All of the previous posts have been informative or instructional, this one is neither.

Several years ago I read an article about these unique little ceramic pieces and their popularity.   Then one day while treasure hunting, I found this one. However, now I can't find the article, which has to be the only one I don't have, and I find very little helpful information.

The original sticker on the bottom says "OriginalArnartCreation", "Japan". It also has the two crossed feathers and the numbers 33/156 (no letters).

The PM&M (Porcelain Marks & More) website discusses the authenticity (or not) of arrows with three or more feathers, however, mine has only two feathers on each arrow. I cannot find a makers mark that matches what I have, or mention of this mark as being fake.

This is a small piece which measures 3 1/2" high X 4" across, is round, and has fruit, leaves, and tiny flowers on the top.

Can someone help me, or lead me to a website that gives more specific information for Arnart?

Thank you!

pepper

Where do you find your “stuff”????

As sellers of vintage and antique items one of the most frequently asked questions is this one…

So I am going to do a show and tell…show you an item and tell you where we found it…sort of!

The leather bound books with marbled covers  and the hand painted fruit plates were found at an Estate Sale….

Wondering how to find an Estate Sale in your area?  Try this link…
http://estatesales.org/
 
An Estate Sale tip… prices are frequently slashed by 30 to 50% on the last day of the sale, of course if you had your eye on something special it may well have sold!

 

The old wood spools with silk thread and the fabulous silverplate trophy urn were purchased at a swap meet/flea market…

Do I have a link for swap meets?  Yes, 2 links in fact!

http://www.fleamarkets.org/content/MarketSearch.asp?list=all 

http://find.mapmuse.com/directory/flea-markets-and-swap-meets

The vintage bowls and the galvanized metal tool carrier were garage sale finds…you can find garage sales listed in your local papers or local Craigs List.

Another question we are frequently asked is “How much did you pay for that”?  

The answer to that is….I give out that information on a need to know basis and You Don’t Need to Know!

Happy Hunting….

Check out http://www.acollectivejournal.blogspot.com/  for our own treasure hunt….Sept. 19 - Sept.25!

Our first giveaway!

In honor of us hitting 50 followers, we are holding our first blog giveaway!  The host of this one is Julie from DoodleVintagePlus and she has decided on having a Scavenger Hunt.

In each of the following shops you will find a listing with this photo somewhere in it:

Visit these shops by clicking on the links below and find the hidden photo in each one:

DoodleVintagePlus

GoodGosh

JustJanesThings

Peppercorns2

VintageEmbellishment

VintageStation

The contest is simple!  Find the photo in each shop and email the listing from each shop to artistandpickers@aol.com, include your contact information with your answers.  Contest ends Saturday, Sept. 25th. at midnight EST.

Please do NOT post answers to this blog, they will be removed and you don't want others copying your answers!  All correct answers that have been emailed to us will be put into a hat and one winner will drawn.

The prize is a $20 gift certificate to shop at DoodleVintagePlus.  Julie will be in contact with the winner on Sunday, Sept. 26th to make arrangements with the winner to claim their prize.  You do not have to be a member of Etsy to enter.  Anything purchased over the $20 is to be paid by winner (this would include shipping costs if it applies)

Have Fun and Good Luck!

ACJ

Vintage Suitcase Makeover

 I'm never sure if I should wash an item or leave it in its original state.  Glassware is never a doubt, warm soapy water and it sparkles.  I love washing glassware and dishes.

Recently, I purchased a vintage suitcase.  I fell in love with the style of it, it's not really square but flares at the bottom and the inside fascinated me.  Although it was higher priced than I usually spend, I had a coupon, so I'll take a chance on this one.  I did notice scuff marks on it, tiny nicks and someone priced it with about 6 price tags.  But I thought the two toned piping and the darker matching handle was really neat and I loved the insides, so it was decided I'd purchase it.

When I got it home and inspected it further, I realized the handle is NOT a darker brown, just super filthy dirty from hands.  It was so bad, I decided I could not sell it this way.  So I cleaned it.  While cleaning it, I realized the piping is really dirty, too.  Now, what's the best way to go about cleaning this?

I went with the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.  It worked like a gem!  If you are not familiar with these things, they are like a sponge but as you use them, they disappear until you need a new one!  Pretty cool.  And I do suggest if you use them, to test them in a spot that won't be seen to make sure it's okay to use.

Not only did it clean the handle and piping, but it removed the scuff marks!   I am just thrilled with how it worked out.  I'm not going to show you just how bad the sponge looked by the time I was finished!  Pretty gross!

 

All cleaned up and ready to go!

I have learned a lesson regarding plastics.  I had a hard plastic container that I couldn't get the price tag off of it, I tried one of those products like Goop Off or Oops and it took the price tag off but left a horrible cloudy spot and I ended up throwing the whole thing away.  Since I love acrylics and Lucite items, I had to find something that worked.  Guess what?  The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser works on that, too! 

What about you?  Do you clean things up before you sell them or leave them as you find them?

**The duck**

Christmas In September

I hope it’s not too early to share some Christmas memories.  Since last week’s post and my wonderful finds while de-cluttering, I have been thinking more and more about the holidays.  I have these memories of Christmas growing up.  My house was always decorated.  Once we moved from our house with a fireplace, we even bought one of those “fake fireplaces” just so we could get more into the spirit of decorating.

When my sister moved in with us, I think she loved decorating more than anyone else in the house.  She had so many ideas and items, and then got into the spirit of “buying” more decorations.  (Remember my clutter photos – mostly her stuff)

She would even take pictures off the wall and wrap them up like presents.  Seriously, presents hanging on the walls?   Only in my house!  But I loved her.  Every inch of available space was decorated:  shelves, tables, desktops.  And even on the floor by the tree. 

She also had this shadow box.  It had a few little shelves with a mirror behind it.  During the year she had all kinds of stuff on display in it.  But come holiday time, those items were packed away and Christmas was now on display.  Now, my memory is not as good as it used to be, but I remembered lots of cool stuff.  Then, it all disappeared.  For the life of me, over the past few years, I have not been able to find those boxes of Christmas decorations. 

Until de-clutter time began.  YES!  I found them.  Shadow box items – small, cute, and festive!  I struck gold.  Imagine the look on my face when I opened this one box.  Here are samples of what I found.

You'll find some of these things listed in my Etsy shop, and some are yet to be listed.  I still have to downsize and get rid of many of those items but I will ALWAYS have those memories.  I wonder if Avon will ever make these things again!

"duuuuuude"

My dad and I and a Mural

trompe l'oeils (loi').

1. A style of painting that gives an illusion of photographic reality.
2. A painting or effect created in this style.

Recently my dad was called back to a local McDonald's to add on to the mural he had done years ago. They had remodeled and had to tear down part of what he had already done which meant more work to do. I had helped him the first time (minimally) and this time he needed my help more then ever because of his ill health.

The theme was right up my alley. Hollywood movies~ They had asked that we include Toy Story and Shrek.  I was hesitant at first ~ you know how it is as an artist....you look at the big empty canvas and start to doubt yourself. Well, this was a big ass canvas that included an audience and freezing cold air blowing in my face for hours, but for my dad, I'd do anything.

Before:

After

 

     I have done murals before in my own home and others which include the side of the building at our previous gallery, the side of a shed at a horse breeders farm, the wall of the Public library in the children area,  and twice for a client in her dining room. I'm hoping to start learning more from my dad and eventually....who knows?

  A few notes: 

• My dad is more experienced and quicker
• Parts of what you see here were already done years ago 
• It was freezing cold in there 
• Painting Woody made my head hurt at times 
• Getting used to stares and questions was difficult
• I was proud of my dad and myself
• McDonald's is ALWAYS busy
• The Strawberry Banana smoothies are pretty darn good.

Beam me up Scotty ~ Peggy, GG, horse face

 

Chalkware from Vintage Chocolate Molds

vintage chocolate molds

My interest in chocolate molds and chalkware started several years ago when my girlfriend gave me an old mold for Christmas.  After receiving my first mold I became fascinated with using it to make chalkware.

From there my collection grew and I snapped up all molds that I could find. (within my budget, I might add)  I mostly acquired Santas, but then that expanded to Easter and Halloween.

The process of making chalkware is very simple. I use plaster of paris.  Some people use different mediums and even use dental plaster.

I decided that I would use plain old plaster, kind of in keeping with how they were made years ago.

I lightly coat the inside of the mold with cooking spray,(I use Pam) Once the inside is coated I put the mold together and use masking tape to seal the edges, then I use the mold clamps for a nice tight fit and less leakage of the plaster.

The plaster is then mixed and poured into the mold, as I pour, I try to tap out any air bubbles. The filled mold is then set aside until the plaster cures anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour. When it is ready to be removed I take off all the clamps and tape then gently separate the 2 sides. I trim the bottom immediately while the plaster is still a little soft. Sometimes I trim the seams and smooth out the rough edges at the same time.

Once this is all done I set them aside to let them dry completely. (at least 24 hours, maybe longer depending on the size)

Finally when they are all dry I begin to paint them. For some reason I start with the faces. I think I just like having the faces done so their personality comes out at the beginning. I use old postcards and old images for some of my ideas on decorating my Santas. I love the old fashioned Santas partly for all the different colors, not just the usual red coats. To finish, I coat my chalkware with a matte finish.

Sometimes they are holding a little pine sprig or feather tree, some of them get a sprinkling of mica or glitter.  You can decorate however you would like, as little or as much as strikes your fancy.

The following sites are a couple of my favorites and have molds and painted chalkware;

http://bayberryfolkart.com/historyofchalkware.aspx

http://www.victorianchocolatemolds.com/

finished chalkware

( jj )