Infomation Overload, Time Shortage

If this seems like de ja vu, it is.  Too much time has passed much too quickly.  I feel like I am back in school (don't ask about how long ago that was!) putting off things I need to do, not getting the things I want to do done.  We have found so many things in the latest batch of boxes and trunks to be excited about. 

My photos don't do them any where close to justice and there are so many new finds.  I got overwhelmed by the possibilities. I got carried away by the research of the wonderful history of these things.  I lost track of time.  Isn't odd that people who are involved in vintage things seem to study about them as well?

I can appreciate the find for itself but it stokes my curiosity to know about it. The where, what, who and the why are all so important to me.  I can write reports about most of the things I have in my collections. Worse, I do not intend to stop, it is part of the joy of collecting.  Regrettably, when there are so many new finds it tends to over take my mind.  I guess I should find a obsessive research support group.  Then again I think of it as keeping my mind working, I am getting to THAT age group according to the calendar. 

People are beginning to collect antiques - read things - I grew up with.  Makes a body feel ...collectible - if you thoughI I was going to say old you are not over 40.  So I will continue to prepare the posts to share these wonderful items. I will work around the unending remodel of our mid century modern (not so much) house as we get our items put into their places to share photos with you. I am still celebrating getting the roof replaced! 

Balancing work, collecting, home and family & friends are too rewarding and much to dear to cut back on any of them. So I will continue to count my blessing of being overwhelmed and keep on learning but I will also get better about sharing. 

So on that note, because I know your life is most likely busy too, I have included a couple of teasers of "things" I am working on.  Have a great day and find a few moments to think about your memories and to make some new ones. 

Appreciating Art in Threads and Yarns

I have made an effort of learning crochet. I can make a heck of a chain. I just never got past the chain part. It is mostly due to the fact that I can not remember the starting steps to save me.  I know I'm a sad case. I do, however, love the results. I am currently attempting to learn bobbin lace, time permitting. Work has not been cooperating this summer but with any luck after the 1st of the year will allow for more dedication of time.

We recently listed on RetroVintiques some doilies that are so delicate and and I admit to being torn to see them go. They are not quite colors that are easily used in our home so they are offered.

The workmanship that go into these handmade doilies are so amazing. Delicate, precise, and perfectly even. My hats off to these artisans for their patience and for sharing their art with us. These works are made to last and to be shared with those who appreciate them; and especially for those of us that can't seem to manage the talent.

So here are a a couple of them to share their finery. Enjoy! If you do this type of work - Thank you! If not, join me in treasuring this ability's end results.

Vintage Valentines

While enjoying vintage cards is joy unto itself due the incredible art they provide. It means so much to hold in your hand a sentiment from a by-gone age. It seems to give you a connection and allows your mind to picture a romantic scene playing out when the intended received the card either by mail or by hand. Holding one that has a relatives name on it with a date opens not only the imagination but links you to a part of your relatives' life before you. Sometimes the names are sweetly endearing knowing that was from your uncle to your aunt or your grandmother from your grandfather; but occasionally there is a mystery. Who is this gentleman writing musings of love to your grandmother? Was she a heart breaker? Did your grandfather steal her heart from another? As we go through our found box of missives, we are enjoying the time travel to our families past romantic side.

Box of Sentiments

Rose unearthed this very nice box but inside is the FIND.  A box full of vintage Valentine and other holiday cards. We have not had a chance to go through them yet.  But stay tuned I will share some special ones later.  I know that the larger top one has a seemingly fine condition honeycomb....I am so excited!!!! They look near perfect, but did not want to take them out too much in the garage. 

The things we can find in garages!

So Rose’s dad was a Model T nut, expert restorer, avid collector. When he passed away a couple of years ago, she got the joy of rediscovering all his treasures. We have both learned more about antique car parts than we ever expected. Our gentlemen friends are impressed so that is plus. 

Would you believe this is a headlight lens?  It is lovely! The starburst pattern is etched and it is a slightly concave lens. Now I hate to be greedy and I am already confiscating a radiator that was not in usable condition for a fountain, but this is just too pretty.  I am thinking sun catcher wrapped in a brass frame? Or maybe something with candles?  I just can’t picture this on the front of a car traveling down dusty roads at the break neck speed of up to 30 MPH.

Five down only three garages full of 'stuff' left to go through - who knows what we will find next!!

 

Thrift Store Amberina Find - SCORE!

Okay glass is one of our guilty pleasures.  I am an Army Brat and proud of my Dad. It afforded me lots of opportunity to see the world and experience life in many of our regional areas as well.  A drawback of the Army gypsy style life is breakables break. Sad but true.  So what is my end result – I collect breakables.  It was not planned, it just seemed to happen - I go to find a book and find breakables. I will endure the torture though. I am partial to Vaseline glass and Amberina. Now for sharing a thrift store find….a daisy pattern fairy light in Amberina.  Finding a treasure like this at thrift stores is not an everyday occurrence. First, you need luck not once but twice lucky. The store did not realize the two pieces were part of a whole so they were marked separately and several feet apart.  Second, you need to know what a fairy light is and that these two pieces are partners.  Third, you have to recognize Amberina at thirty paces. Finally, purchase said items and add it to your collection. 

Fairy lights are small covered candle holders. The flickering light tinted by the glass covering giving a delicate glow to its immediate surroundings. I appreciate the added warmth of the color Amberina affords the glow during the holidays.  They make wonderful centerpieces or accent lighting from a corner.  Check out The Fairy Lamp Club at  http://www.fairy-lamp.com for more info. They have history, information and an incredible array of examples. 

Amberina glass began in the late 1800’s when patented by New England Glass Works employees.  Amberina is created by reheating the top layer of glass which contains colloidal gold.  The reheated portion becomes red merging with the golden un-reheated glass.  Red top/gold bottom is Amberina while gold top/red bottom is reverse Amberina. Later examples of Amberina replaced the gold for selenium and cadmium sulphide.  The selenium glass made the ‘pressed’ glass of the early to mid 1900’s easier to mold.  The line in the sand for some collectors are those who decline to accept the selenium based glass as Amberina. Other collectors refuse the glass with the thinly coated with a layer of red glass ‘flashing’ as Amberina (guiltily raising my hand at this point). In truth the term “amberina” is now accepted as describing red/orange/gold glass combinations.  Some Amberina will also be florescent under blacklight due to the minerals added to the glass (usually uranium oxide). 

So now proudly sitting atop my shelf is a lovely Amberina fairy lamp, saved from a devastating separation of their other half and destined to flicker merrily for years to come (thanks to the stickum protecting its position from the feline shelf marauders.)

Our 1st WHAT IS THIS....

We don't know what these are but we want to know.  Help us ID these beauties.  Regardless of the answer they are going to look great on the patio!!!!!!  LOVE THESE but sure are curious as to their purpose.  Description:  a single bulb so both arrows and dots on reverse side light up at once.  One side is red one side is green.  What the are they????