From kitsch to collectable

From kitsch to collectable:

I enjoyed reading this article and went straight away to check out my Australiana and Aboriginal ceramic collection.

Here's hoping one day ...

Furniture - Cute Little Side Tables

My Nan had a few of these tables. One was a more complete hall-stand with a mirror and hat hooks.

This one that I was given used to be home to our telephone.

Now it is in the foyer of our new home.

The silk protector on the top was brought back by my Uncle during WW2.

On top, the plates are pink and amber glass.

Nifty Kitchen Canisters - Collecting since my Teens (2)

These are the plastic ones I buy, even though I don't use them.  I love the little cook face on the white set at the back.

Those were the days when nutmeg and cloves were important enough to be put in separate little containers on your kitchen bench.

These sets always appear in the same colour combinations.

Ornate Crockery Sets - Pretty but not so Practical (1)

This is a very cute Made in Japan set. The pattern is elaborate and old world.  No so pratical but attractive.

Bowls of all Colours (1)

This is yet another:
"You can never have too many ..." story.

I find it hard to pass up nice retro mixing bowls.

I have parted with many as gifts for my family.

The pyrex patterned and coloured bowls are quite hard to come by now.

I sometimes use them for serving.  This is about half of the collection.

Glassware Galore - Good Price for Waterford Quality

These four glasses, 2 brandy and 2 tumblers, I found at Blacktown Markets. 

They were very dirty and wrapped in paper straight out of someone's kitchen cupboard.

I was so lucky to get them for $2.00 each.  Another shopper was hovering behind me hoping I would put them down.

No such luck!

I saw the etched Waterford label on the base through the grime.

Australian-Made (2): A Theme that Unites my Collections

This is a shot of one of my drawer collections.

I can't fit much more into this one.

Space is truly at a premium!

Most of this crockery is Westminster.

There is a little Snugglepot book there too.

The clothes-brush was a real find.

Water Jugs and Glassware Sets

I have lots of water jugs of all shapes, sizes and colours.  Several have matching glasses.

I have posted on my amber ones previously.

These two are particular nice.  I love all things frosted.

These two are displayed with a few plain glass, patterned ones.

I like to use them at the occasional function we have.

Oroton and Glomesh-Is there anything better? (2)

Here are three more of my many bags in black and gold.

I like the ones I have with long metal, over the shoulder straps.

I like to rotate them on the door handles of my display room wardrobe.

These three are in very good condition.

Retro Dress - Blast from the 70s

My sister brought me this great long dress from one of her Prosperpine or Airlie Beach Opp Shops.

It is made from a soft stretchy fabric and has no changes.

So 702, the combination of white, chocolate brown and orange.

I have taken this shot showing one of my furs. A little Cornelius collar shrug.  So easy to wear with any coat.

Is Anything Happening?

Well yeeees! Do I ever stop shopping for treasures?

Today, as usual,  I visited, my two favourite stores in Penrith.  Smith Family Boutique and Anglicare.

Well, I found a couple of nifty scarves - French and Italian made and a nice black top with sequin tie.

Not retro.

No piccies this week.

Best Intentions: Shoot after I Shop (9)

From this last week of fab. purchases,  a dress and more stockings.

This dress is jersey, 70s, front pleats.

Will wear it this week, a $4.00 bargain.

Mocha coffee, ribbed brown and bright blue stockings.

One can never have enough stockings, methinks.

Best Intentions: Shoot after I Shop (8)

Wow, my Pambula trip was successful!

Three items here.

The set of coasters is an original with label, Australia made at $2.00.

This little girl, prayer ornament is Made in Japan with brand imprinted not a sticker and ...

the clear glass bowl adds to my collection of pastel colour plates in the same style.

Best Intentions: Shoot after I Shop (7)

Also at Pambula/Merimbula I found these lovely Jenny Key pillow cases.

I always snap up items by Aussie icons when I find them.

So bright, I should put them on a wall ...

Best Intentions: Shoot after I Shop (6)

Continuing on from number 5 in this series and more from my trip to Pambula.

These two pairs of shoes are laying on a nifty type of hound's tooth patterned skirt, in a lovely fine wool.

The pair on the left are black, patent leather, stiletto, metal heel tip, Jane Debsters with an interesting bow on the back of the heel.

Those on the left are MAB, Italian made, suede with a medium high heel.

I have plans to wear these soon.

Best Intentions: Shoot after I Shop (5)

This week I visited my mum in Pambula on the far South Coast. 

We always take the time to check out the local opportunity [I love that word] shop, Vinnies and Salvos. It is very rare that I would come home without any new treasures.

There are five new items here.

The belt at the front is a rare find for $1.00.

The label says "Pellini"and it is leather, of course. The eyes and nose are sequinned.

It has a little stud to link it up for a person much slimmer than I, unfortunately.
It is just gorgeous!

The gloves are also very unique with the label "Linalon" still attached and the price tag ten shillings from Buckleys, Melbourne.

Then, there are three scarves. I am such a sucker for scarves.  Although, I must say I have started giving them to friends.
The one on the left in green and brown, is Made in Japan. It is square and with a swirly design. 
The checked one is Oroton and long.
The bottom one, you can just see the spotted cheetah, is quite large.  It is another fab find, white, black, brown and olive. 

Can't wait to wear them all!

Accessories - you can never have too many scarves ...

I have a lot of scarves.  These are my "pashmina" collection.

Purple is one of my favourite colours.

The white one is more a 50s-60s shawl.

They are draped over a 70s bucket chair. 

I have quite a lot of woollen and silk scarves.
I also have some men's fringed scarves and interesting cravates.  On the right, you can see another one of my Japanese scarves.

The belt is silver lurex and the handbag is my latest in raffia.

Trinket boxes of all kinds

These boxes are a tiny part of my trinket box collection.

I can't resist buying boxes.  Three of these are jewel boxes.

The piano, top right was my parents.  It is quite delicate.

The box front right says, handkerchiefs.  I had to touch up the gold lettering.

Back left, is an Italian heavy ceramic box, not really my style but well made.

Front left is a very nice Japanese trinket  bowl.  I love the simplicity of this one in green and gold.

Glassware in all colours-yellow is nice [4]

This posts continues a glassware theme.

I don't have a lot of yellow, but these pieces are quite stunning. They are Italian glass and the curved design is very interesting.

I bought these two many years apart.  They were a great find.

I have  a pale green-blue one also.
In the background, there are two black and yellow heavy glass ashtrays.

Headware-brave enough to wear it?

I do love buying old hats.

I am ready to do  bit a organising with my hats.  Some of them will have to be put away.

I wear some of these hats to special functions.

I also have a few pill-box and other felt hats that I wear in winter.

My husband has a big hat collection too.

Retro tables and Pouffes

I love these cute little nests of tables. Especially, this set with the fake marble effect.

I have one other set in darker, laminate timber.

The white, glass cake-stand is also a nice piece. I have a few cake-stands in this room on display.

I like the old style irons as door stops.

For a while in the 80s-90s, I bought every retro pouffe I saw.  Now they are too rare and then too pricey.

Luggage, beauty cases and more

I have pictured some of my luggage, suitcases, bags and purses previously.

This shot shows some of the smaller luggage I use for storage.  These ones have various old cosmetics in them.

You can see a purple, chenille bedspread we found at a garage sale.

A nice piece of Japanese fabric, it is actually a scarf.
I always snap up Japanese fabric when I see it.

Finally, a three level lacquer-ware storage box. I do like lacquer-ware and have lots of different items.

Clothes Crush [2]

This is my second post on clothes in a cupboard.

This is a double wardrobe packed full of retro and regular clothing.

One day, I'll do better job of sorting and colour-coding.

It is great having so much extra room to store my treasures.

Our walk-in wardrobe has all the things I am wearing in season.

The other hanging space I share [almost] with my husband. 

Ornaments - Animal Focus (2)

These a just a small part of my animal ornament collection. [with a few ring-ins]

Again, nothing more than kitsch here. But, they are small and cute.

I have a few animal vases that hang on the wall. 

These little ornaments are in a  glass cabinet that backs onto the kitchen sink. So, it is quite nice to look at the small treasures from the dining room table.

Ornaments - Old World Charm on the Cheap.

Nothing very valuable, but they make an interesting display.

This style of ornament is really just "junk". Everyone had them in the 60s.  Some of these are Made in Japan.

I do like the pastel colour combinations.  The funny lacy effect on the dress of the one at the front is also interesting.

I hope my grandchildren will like them in the future.

Tiny Vases in Multi-Colours

These tiny vases are not so easy to come by now.

You can see my blue ones in the previous post.

I don't usually collect this style of vase, but the teeny ones fit neatly into small spaces.

I have given away quite a few of these too.

Bottles in Blue and Green

Blue bottles are a favourite.

A colleague from work has kindly given me a couple of bottles over the last weeks.  The three green ones at the back and the larger blue one in the centre are prized additions to my collection.

The blue of these bottles is so spectacularly rich.

I also look out for these teeny little vases.  I have about ten now, in green purple, amber and blue.

Glassware Galore - Colour the Key (3)

Red is a favourite colour for glassware. 

These are cute little liqueur glasses with a gold base.
The small tumblers have a gold rim.

I have recently put my 30 bottles of collected liqueurs into storage. Many unopened.

Nevertheless, I can never resist sets of coloured liqueur glasses when I see them.

Powder Compacts - It's all Cosmetic (2)

I do love my compact and makeup collection.

Here are some of my goodies displayed on a mirrored tray.

One of my earlier posts showed these treasures.

They deserve a reprise.

Steamship Trunk: Nifty Drawers and Hanging Space-Old World Charm

This trunk stands about 1m high.  It has 4 drawers and hanging space.

It is dark blue. Here you can see

• some old coat-hangers.
• an old toy
• a 60s hat
• a manicure set
• a nice cake stand and of course some pearls ...

Aboriginal Themed Pottery

Best Intentions: Shoot after I Shop (5)

Last Saturday, we did not find a great deal.  These finds came from our favourite Vinnies. Each item $1.00.

I have about five glass vases like this but not this blue one.

The little crockery vase has a cute "strawberry shortcake" look-a-like and is Japan made.

The jewel box is quite delicate and made by Mikasa.

The stockings are nifty because of the box.

Perfume Bottles - Old and New

These bottles are so beautiful.  The green and pale pink ones belonged to my aunty. She had them in her bathroom, I always loved them.

I have been on the look out for black ones and have about six. They are sleek, matte black china.

I would love to have a bigger space suitable to display them

They seem very old world.

The picture to the left is some of my crystal dressing-table glass.

There is a black set there too.  I have an amber, blue and pink glass sets too.

Glassware Galore - Colour the Key (2)

As I have previously shown, I have a lot of glasses.

When collecting glassware, I have looked for coloured glasses.

My green, brown and blue glass collections are largest.

The set at the back has a range of different size  stemmed glasses. Those at the front are frosted and quite small.

This photo to the right is a little hard to look at since my cabinet has a mirrored back.

I have a number of amber glass jugs too.  The glasses on the right with the red frosted base are particularly nice.

Plates-Practical and Pretty. You can never have too many plates. [3]

These two display plates are Westminster china, an Australian brand.

Not sure what era they are and I don't know if Westminster china is till being produced.

I am always on the look out for this brand. Pretty rare nowadays at markets.

I have a lot of Westminster china. From bowls to ash trays and any number of different designs.

I'll will do a Westminster china post in the future.

Plates-Practical and Pretty. You can never have too many plates. [4]

Diana Ware - fabulous Australian pottery.

This beautiful plate is labeled "Guaranteed Ovenware".

I just love the bright red prawns and the scalloped edge.

I gave a set of plates like this to my daughter.

I think she understands how nifty they are ...

Plates-Practical and Pretty. You can never have too many plates. [2]

This set are all Noritake.

Once, a queen of Japanese crockery.

I am not sure of its status now, although I know it is still being produced.

Again an Australiana, kookaburra theme and more roses of course.

I have a carnation plate too.

The one on the top right is a more recent design and the bottom left is cute Japanese. 

I have a lot of Noritake crockery.

Plates-Practical and Pretty. You can never have too many plates. [1]

These plates are Saji design plates, Made in Japan.

They are great for serving and usually arouse interest.

The bird set is very cool!

I have gathered these over decades.  It always amazed me at markets that no-one else seemed to like them.

The one on the top right, is an Australian wildflower spray. It is interesting having Australiana items Made in Japan.
What were our producers doing at the time?

Pearl Jewellery - Fake but Lovely.

I do like pearls! I have a small Mikimoto necklace, the real thing.

At the same time, I love my fake, paste collection.

I wear these strands regularly.

White, blue, pink, fancy clasps, multi-strand, bracelets, brooches and so on ...

Bring on the garage sales, many more finds to come!

Oroton and Glomesh-Is there anything better?

This is a snapshot of my collection of this type of handbag and purse.

Gold, maroon, silver and white. There were so many colours produced.

I have a navy one too, it is very cool.

I have quite a few others in boxes. All from garage sales and markets.

I have this little set, in an old make-up bag.

There are a couple of ring-ins, you will see.

Shops and Blogs to Check Out

This is my second post on vintage and retro blogs. I am mostly interested in those that deal with fashion.
These ones were referenced in the style, section the SMH recently.

Gary Pepper vintage

wild hearts vintage

Studded Rose Vintage

This one, not Australian may also be worth a look. LA Vintage

I am still to check them out fully.  A cursory glace, suggests some very interesting clothing.

Movie Posters - Memories of Great Movies

"Gone with the Wind", my all time favourite movie.

Might have to get out the "Easy Rider" one too ...

None of these are very old or worth anything, but I have had them for decades.

In a previous post, I pictured other types of movie poster prints.

Old Bottles and Lanterns

This setting is not the most attractive. 

I am still sorting my glass bottle collection and have it a bit scattered across various locations.

I have a number of clear glass bottles, milk and cream bottles in various sizes and styles.

I like those little squat storage jars also and have them with various lids, metal and heavy plastic.

In the house, I still have old soft drink bottles and a few interesting shaped old bottles with glass stoppers.

The lanterns are my husbands. We have two of the nice, black rail ones.

Metalware - Old Style Canisters

Since, we used to have cake tins like these in the 50s, I always look out for them.

I particularly like the multi-storey ones with nifty coloured labels or plastic lettering, here green, that was often used.

At the back, is an old coke scoop and we have quite a few nice buckets and metal watering cans.

Baskets and Suitcases - Nifty for Storage

I am attracted to old leather or heavy cardboard luggage. It used to be easy to come across large leather bags and suitcases with wooden struts at markets. Not so now.

We used to use a nice one with wooden struts as a coffee table. I now have 60s clothing in it.

I like to store all the smaller suitcases inside the others. In the past, I used to carry my things to school in a mid-size one of these.  They can be quite heavy.

I have a couple of old style school bags as well, no Globite, mine is Duro. Nice to store my stockings in.

These cane and wicker baskets are older style washing baskets. I also have a butcher's basket that is much heavier than these.

Aboriginal Wood Prints - Kitsch, but Interesting

As I have reported in previous posts, I look out for anything with an Aboriginal theme.

I plan to have wall of paintings, prints etc. like this.

These are very cute small prints, in good condition.

Interesting I checked, that these were made in New Zealand!

Real Estate Posters from the Early 1900s

My Dad was also a keen collector of other people's throw-outs. 

He worked in the 50s and 60s on Sydney centre buildings, at the time when everything old was being ripped down! Not much foresight there!

He evidently gave a home to many interesting items, just thrown out when companies moved on to make way for a new high-rise building.

This 1912 poster, of a Cronulla Estate is one of his posters in better condition.

To store paper like this for 50 years takes a lot of skill.  The hungry insects will usually find a way to make it food.  There are about 15 of these posters many of the North Coast, Hunter and one of Woollahra.

They are very beautiful.

In a future post, I will write about the scrips that he had stored away.

Movie Posters - Just Relocated in our Move

I have about 20 of these movie poster prints. Pity, they aren't the real thing. That being said I have had them tucked away for about 20 years.

They are so bright and cheerful.

They also remind me of Saturday afternoons watching early runs of black and white, B Grade movies in the 60s.

I think I should look into pricing a framing of several in a very long picture for a hall way.

 

Made in Japan is another label I seek out (2)

Made in Japan.

As I have already said, this is a label that I treasure as a close second to Made in Australia.

This pic, is a little taster of my crockery, vase, trinket box, book, fan, wooden doll collections.

I have an interesting collection of iris flower crockery.

The little book is a recent purchase about Japanese fans. 

Linen Kitchen Ware: Tablecloths of Old.

My Australiana collection!

Is this nifty or what?

Not everyone's taste but, this nice unhemmed tablecloth, is a real gem of a bygone era.

Not even my state and I like it ...

Glass Bowls: A Multicolour Delight!

We found this lovely at  ... yes, a garage sale!

In fact, my husband actually told me about it.

Now, that was a unique experience, since he usually leads me out if there are treasures I might find.

Any way, I will add this to my considerable collection of this type and shape of bowl.

I have blue, pink, yellow, apricot, clear and green.

They are beautiful bowls. You can never have too many, I say.