Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Please Visit My Squidoo Lens For Updates

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It has been a busy evening as I have been updating my Squidoo Lens tonight adding a polling and voting module to the page. If you are interested in antique & vintage textiles I hope you will stop by to vote for your favorite catagory. By clicking here it will take you to the page.

I have also updated the "Hats In Pictorial Review" module adding photos of two charming children's bonnets. The first one is a 1920's plush velvet in a wonderful shade of green. Such an adorable bonnet. The second one is a child's Easter bonnet dating from the later 1940's to mid 1950's. Oh how I remember bonnets such as this! How fun to view all the new & latest offerings for Easter & then to pick just the right bonnet to compliment that Easter dress! So be sure to take a look at these bonnets. Click here.

By the way, if you are interested in purchasing either of these bonnets they are available. For further details and purchase price visit my store The Gatherings. While you are there please view my other offerings.

Friday, November 23, 2007

A Make-Do Pincushion -~ A Useful Object Again

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Life for many of our ancestors was difficult with many of them living in very rural primitive settings . Living was sparse both in material items as well as friendship of other neighbors as many times neighbors would be quite distances apart. Even a small town may be a day's travel (or more) away. It is probably within this setting the make-do was born. Some out of necessity and other from "waste not".

What is a make-do? It is any object that had been broken, or unusable in its former usage, turned into a usable item again. Such as the broken trencher repaired by a metal strap to make it whole & usable again. The market basket with its broken handle repaired with wire, cloth or string . Other items might have been such as this make-do pincushion. The glass was once a goblet but broken. Selvaged for the base a handmade pincushion was added to make it into a usable object again.

I have seen other make-do pincushions made from lamp bases. Of course, each pincushion would be completely handmade making all of these objects one of a kind. Bits and pieces of fabric would be fashioned, stuffed & sewn. Embellished with embroidery or other needlework. Limited only to the imagination.

I doubt the meaning of the word "make-do" was an invention by our forefathers but a word creative by the antique collective world to encompass all those broken & discarded objects mended and made usable again. There are those collectors in the antique market that buy only make-do items still for other collectors it is a cross over. Regardless these items do take on their own charm not only for the way they are mended but the legacy they teach of generations past.

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Paper Mache Turkey Candy Container ~ A Thanksgiving Past

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This delightful turkey made of paper mache was a Thanksgiving decoration. He is also a candy container. Many of the containers had removable cardboard cylinder bottoms for inserting candy. Still, on others the head of the containers were removable. Although this guy is small in size measuring 4" tall ,he certainly would not have held more than a piece or two of candy. Turkeys, such as this one, were made in a variety of sizes with many imported for the American market from Germany in the early 20th C. In later years Japan also entered the market. The German containers are very detailed including good colorations. Usually the Japanese candy containers were not as detailed. Some of the early 20th C turkey containers also had feet of metal or springs at the neck for limited movement.

As you can see this guy is very colorfully painted and still sports his original price tag of 69 cents! This container dates later 1940-50's. Notice his metal feet.

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Lady's Edwardian Jeweled & Metal Dance or Coin Purse

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Here is a wonderful Edwardian - 1920's lady's openwork coin or dance purse in a gold-tone metal. Purse is oval in shape in a pleasing up and down scroll work. Large fauceted purple glass jewel is set in the center with two smaller lighter purple jewels on either side of the larger one. These three jewels appear on both sides of the purse. Clasp fastens the purse on the top. Chain handle that possible would have attached to a belt. Engaving work is revealed on the small center ovals on the inside of purse when opened. The engravings are a scroll & woven design. Nice hinge and nice clasp. This little purse measures 2-3/4" long x 2-1/4" wide not including the chain handle. Entire length including the chain would be 7" long. What a charming purse to have carried to a social function and how splendid it must have looked.

The holiday season is upon us and what better time to give a gift from a season past. The Gathering offers unique antique & vintage items with many of these lovely treasures one of a kind. Shop my store .

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Delineator Magazine - The Inside Story / Lingerie

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Oh, the delight of reading old magazines filled with fashion pages. The latest and greatest fashions, in this case, the December 1932 issue of Delineator magazine. The story line of this one particular article was presenting the newest of lingerie for the smart women. Talking about nightgowns from this time period "they are growing more and more like evening gowns". They touch the floor and are in shimmery silk satins, rayons or other luxurious fabrics. Many with spaghetti straps & plunging necklines. And yes, the article goes on to state a bed jacket to match the gown is most definitely a plus.

Negligees, according to the next paragraph are defined by uninhibited colors. The cherry-red velvet and the mandarin satin are two very sought after colors. Possibly if for traveling the colors could be more subdue with the shades to wine red & mulberry but would go no further.

Oh but these do make wonderful Christmas gifts. It is one gift every girl and woman is certain to like & be pleased to receive.

As I read this last statement even with the passing of decades since the article was written girls and women still appreciate receiving fine lingerie.

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Old Friends & Loyal Customers - California Collectors Doll Show

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The one and only show I participate in anymore is one held once a year. It is sponsored by the California Doll Club at the Community Center in Garden Grove, Ca. This year's event was held yesterday. True to form it was a beautiful and well attended show. Since it is so close to the up and coming holidays it always has a Christmas theme with many dealers offering for sale antique & vintage Christmas items as well as beautiful dolls & related items.

I have sold at this particular show about 15 years and it just seems to get finer with each passing year. This year no exception. Although I don't collect or sell dolls I find I always have had a nice business with a good customer base selling children's playthings, doll & children's clothing etc & Christmas.

It is always a social time for me, too, as it is a time to spend a few minutes with dear customers & friends. Many I only see this one time a year.

Thought I would share a few pictures with you.

Feather Christmas tree circ 1930's - 1940's. This particular 4 ft tree was found still in the original mailing box. Tree is decorated with paper scrap & tinsel ornaments from late Victorian / early 1900's. In the foreground are early paper covered Christmas gift boxes - many with holly motifs. Boxes such as these date from the 1920's to late 1940's. These boxes have been highly collectible in the last number of years.

Young lad's brown leather high top tie up shoes dating early 1900's. Very little wear to this pair. A group of early 1900's wooden building blocks & flag parade bunting.

Seated on bench and old handmade Raggedy Andy teamed with leather stuffed dog rattle c 1920's.

Friday, November 9, 2007

Washington India Turkey Red 19th C Fabric Yardage

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I had the good fortunate of being able to purchase this exquiste piece of 19th C fabric yardage still retaining two of its original paper labels. This piece measuring a whopping 9 yards long x 23" wide is rather uncommon today to see in this amount of yardage - in one piece. And unused I might add. Usually one finds scraps as well as small amounts of yardage left over from a sewing project so I consider it a real find to have 9 yards. Dating this piece to about 1880-1890's. Not only does the 23" width of the fabric but the design of the Washington India Turkey Red ...label indicates c1880-1890's era. Most standard widths of fabric during this time was 24" wide.

Another interesting fact to me was the complete label as it reads Washington India Turkey Red Robes. One might believe this yardage was intented for making & sewing dressing robes. However, I am sure there were many other purposes for such a beautiful piece of cloth.

During my research on dating this piece of fabric I also found "turkey reds" dating from the early 1800's. All photographed were made in France about 1810-1815. These reds were also known as Adrianople reds and were quite vibrant in design and color. It was quite breathtaking to view these exurbant patterns as they did want to leap from the pages of the book.

Although this piece of fabric is a little more subdued in coloration than the 1810-1815 pieces photographed in my book, it still is wildly attractive showing its own standard of boldness and exurbant pattern.

There is nothing on either label to indicate if the fabric was manufactured here in America or if it was imported. Again, I am guessing but I would say the fabric was made here in the United States. With further researching the label this determination could probably be made.

I have also written another article on this same subject but with a different approach. Please read here to gain a different insight on the usage of this type of fabric.

Monday, November 5, 2007

A Purchase ~ A Lovely Artisan Design Timepiece

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My recently purchase is so lovely I just wanted to share the beauty of this artisan watch by a friend who hand designs beaded jewelry. I think her work is so tastefully done with each piece different . Not only does she design watches but many other types of jewelry including bridal jewelry. Of course, I know you will want to view Jewelry-Collectibles offerings right away so I don't want to keep you waiting. But before you go and lose yourself in the wonderment of her creative pieces I want to show you my splendid & stylish watch.

It makes a beautiful statement and perfect blend to a jacket I have. I will wear it with a smile.

Saturday, November 3, 2007

Updating my Squidoo Lens ~ Collections

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I have been updating the "Collections" catagory of my Squidoo lens adding a few more photos & text of more interesting items that could be collected. The most recent photos are of children's ABC feeding dishes and Royal Doulton Bunnykins dishes.

A number of years ago while attending the Brimfield, Ma. flea market I was intriqued by a Bunnykin feeding dish of a bunny dressed as a Santa. I do care for those soft little critters with the wiggley nose, maybe partly inspired by childhood books of Mr. Wiggley, so I do collect. Mind you, not every bunny item as I am selective, however, this particular feeding dish did command my attention. Later in the week still shopping the market I found a dealer who was offering many Bunnykin dishes for almost half price of the going price I had been seeing. But I became very choosey buying only signed Barbara Vernon pieces. It is a small collection but a fun collection. One which was assembled in about 6 months time as I found it was fairly easy to obtain even though I was selective.

Visit the latest additions to the collections on my Squidoo lens.

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Mother's Little Sweetheart ~ A Child's Victorian Dress

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What a splendid dress to wear for that all important photograph ~ a memory in making. Or perhaps it was worn for a very special party. It's a dress that speaks of a fine occasion and certainly the wearer must have felt like a little princess. This young girl's dress dates c1880's - 1890's and is of a maroon silk taffeta. Trimmed in lace & large rosette ribbon bows the hand embroidery work finishes the detailing on the bodice and sleeves. It is a long dress measuring 28" and probably reached the tippy top of her shoes.

This little dress is a feature on my gift giving / dressing the child page of my Ebay store The Gatherings. Please visit the gift giving page to view through the years other children's clothing & their playthings.