To Keep a Symbol of Love - Antique Velvet Ring Box

The little objects I find touch my heart when I think of where they've been, or why they are less than "perfect".

This beautiful old ring box is a dreamy Victorian purple. I can picture a young bride carefully opening the box each morning to put on the ring from her beloved. For decades the motion is repeated; the hands are wrinkled, the hair turns white and still she treasures his gift.

The velvet is worn nearly to the base. It's not as "pretty" as it once was...yet I find it beautiful.   When I see  elderly folks I think of the little ring box.  Perhaps they can't present themselves as they would like.  Life has shaped them into what they are today and we need to treasure what remains.

Christmas at Old World Wisconsin

It's easy for most of us to get so caught up in the busyness of the season that we forget to enjoy the season.  Yesterday we took time out to visit Old World Wisconsin for The Spirit of Christmas Past.

With loads of fresh snow, sunny skies, moderate temps and good friends along, the day could not have been more perfect.  We joined in the old-fashioned carol sing in the church, tasted gingerbread baked in a wood stove and strolled from building to building cherishing the beautiful scenery along the way.  Enjoy the photos!

Christmas Santa and Saint Nick Books

I've been trying to ignore the huge Santa and snowman on the neighbor's lawn.  They've been all lit up like, well...Christmas... for the past two weeks.  Until then I'd been feeling a little proud of myself for getting my autumnal decor up before Thanksgiving.  Fact is, it's time to face reality. 

Christmas IS coming.  Getting together with family and friends to celebrate the Savior's birth is a few weeks away, but in the world of retail, time is running out.  It's time to discover what little Christmas goodies came home from local estates this year.   Over the next few weeks we'll show you some of our fun finds.  Here are two for starters:

This little Santa was waiting at the door for me. He's about 5" tall and was made in Japan about 50-60 years ago. He's rather serious looking, don't you think?

Next came a box; Santa posed in front of it for me.  Old Christmas boxes make great platforms for displaying Santas, elves, angels or what-have-you.  This one piqued my interest when I read the label.  "Child's Saint Nick Boot".  I'd love to see the boots that came in this box...anyone know what they looked like?   

Etsy - Buy or Sell Vintage Items... You'll Love It!

A few months ago my friend Pam of Vintage Girl Stuff encouraged me to open a shop on etsy.com.I had known etsy as THE place to shop for unique and beautiful handcrafted items, but hadn't realized that vintage items were also eagerly sought and bought on the site.  In fact, it seems that many buyers and sellers of great old things have all but abandoned ebay.com in favor of the more friendly etsy.com

Selling under the name cobblecreek since 1998, eBay has been good to me and I have no plans to abandon it.  There have been massive changes there over the years, however, and ever-higher fees and more big-brotherish policies in place discourage many of us from making it our primary marketplace.   With Pam's prompting I soon opened Gracie's Cottage on etsy.  Immediately I felt welcomed into a community where my success is encouraged by management, where customers become friends and where other shop owners welcome newcomers with open arms.

If you've never been to etsy.com I encourage you to make a visit.  Allow yourself plenty of time. The artisans and vintage sellers of etsy have beautiful and amazing things for you to see.  It's easy to lose yourself among all the treasures to be found.   Here are links to a few of my favorites to get you started:

Mouth Watering Juicy Cherry Handmade Soap  by Naturalynn  Perfect stocking stuffer.

Photo Bracelet by new seller JMFDesign  So pretty and would make a great gift.


Vintage Art Deco Blue Beaded Flapper Necklace by Vintage Girl Stuff  Flapperfaboo!

Vintage French Fish Pictures by  Petite Brocante  The French make everything look romantic..


Vintage Mercury Glass Beaded Garland from 32 North Supplies  Dreamy colors

Victory Songs Vintage Paper Wreath by  Simple Joys Paperie  I love the way she uses old paper


Eco Felt Christmas Stocking  by RikRak Unexpected colors & fun flowers - a winner!

Cottage Rose Felted Wool Handbag (pictured below),  by Seaside Siren.  I'm drooling!

 

1966 Career Girl Game ... No Self-Esteem for YOU!

I recently picked up a game for girls from 1966.  Having grown up in that era, I was left wondering how I ever made it to adulthood with any self-worth!

 

What Shall I Be? The Exciting Game of Career Girls.  Players learn what it takes to become a teacher, ballerina, nurse, model, actress, and airline stewardess. 


The stereotypes and statements are hilarious and perfectly illustrate the options for young women in the sixties. You could go to Ballet School, Charm School, College, Nursing School, Drama School or Airline Training School.  The game cards tell it like it is without regard for self esteem:  "Your make-up is too sloppy. Bad for Airline Hostess and Model."  "Hair Styling, Good for Airline Hostess, Actress and Model."  "You are strong, good for Ballet Dancer and Nurse".  "You are overweight, Bad for Airline Hostess, Ballet Dancer and Model", "You are clumsy, Bad for Airline Hostess, Ballet Dancer, Model and Nurse". "You Have Patience, Good for Ballet Dancer, Nurse and Teacher".

Does anyone remember any other games that treated us all with such cruelty?

House In the Woods Auction Gallery - Closing Tonight

Tucked into a beautiful spot in the Kettle Moraine Forest, The House in the Woods Auction Gallery is closing tonight.  Fixtures and furnishings will be sold and the lights will be switched off.  For the past thirty years, Carl & Lynne Seitz have been in the auction business.  Scores of faithful buyers have attended the weekly auctions.  Specialty auctions have drawn customers from around the country. 

About twelve years ago I attended my first House In The Woods auction; it was one of their famous July 4th events.  The gallery was packed with buyers and I'd never seen so many fine antiques at one auction.  The seating was comfortable, there were overhead TV monitors to view the items as they were being sold, and the kitchen served up terrific homemade food.  I've been attending auctions there ever since, whenever my schedule permitted.  The scenic drive and the glorious bit of nature surrounding the facility never fail to inspire me.  Besides finding some great items to offer my customers, I've made friends among the regulars.  There are some that have been attending auctions there since the very beginning.

The time has come for Carl & Lynne to sit back, relax and enjoy their retirement.  In a week they'll be packed up and headed for Florida.  Their faithful staff will move on, and a host of people near Eagle, Wisconsin will be left wondering what to do with all those evenings.  

 

Enjoy your retirement Carl & Lynne, and goodbye to the House In The Woods... you'll be missed.

**This wonderful piece of real estate is available...any auctioneers out there looking for a venue?

 

 

Bloomington Third Sunday Market, Zap and FOUND

This past weekend I shared a booth with my friend Kathy, (of Heritage Antiques), at the Third Sunday Market in Bloomington, Illinois.  We'd never been there, but had heard good things about the market so decided to head down and give it a whirl.  It turned out to be a fun and successful show and we'd love to return next season.

While good sales are the primary goal for any show, it's always a hoot to meet the fun people that shop the shows. The "most interesting buyer" award this week is shared by my first and last customers of the market.

Doing some early buying, Bill of ZAP Antiques and Props in Chicago stopped at our booth on Saturday.  Bill's company provides design services for restaurants, rents props for stage & movie productions and sells antiques & collectibles.   With a high energy level and a creative mind it's easy to see that he's found the perfect line of work.  You can rent anything from a surfboard to a 1925 Rolls Royce from Bill.

Mary, the owner of FOUND in Ann Arbor, Michigan stopped by near the end of the show. After chatting with her and later viewing her blog, I know that if I ever opened a shop it would be much like FOUND.  The shop is stocked with what I call "schnibbles"...bits & pieces of interesting old things. Paper, game pieces, sewing items, architectural remnants and more are on display.  Art made with found objects is also sold in Mary's shop.  I have feeling that I'll have a great time getting lost in FOUND on my next trip to Michigan.

With the Third Sunday Market in the rear view mirror, we are now moving forward into the holiday season.  Great summer finds are surfacing from our storage area - stay tuned for more info!