The Putz village idiot

On a recent trip, I spent some time at an antique mall where I attempted to purge the display case of a vintage Christmas collector who was downsizing.

There was entirely too much to choose from so I kept my looting limited to vintage glass bead garlands and little vintage cardboard (Putz or not) buildings, mainly because I had to ship it all back to Oregon.

Honestly, I don’t know a Putz house from a housecoat but this seller had so many of these little buildings so inexpensively priced that I bought them strictly for their curb appeal despite the missing church spires, sub-standard glitter application or other aesthetic disfigurements.

(Proving ignorance can be bliss.)

In the corner of the display case was a handwritten note taped to the wall suggesting a visit to this seller’s vintage Christmas website.  (If you head over there, I would suggest turning down the volume on your computer and perhaps investigating anti-seizure medication beforehand as there is a lot going on.)

photo courtesy of Papa Ted's Place

One of my favorite pages on this website is the one where this (very schooled) collector has compiled photos and prices paid on eBay for vintage Japanese-made miniature houses along with his colorful commentary regarding whether the buyer made a wise decision or not.

photo courtesy of Papa Ted's Place

I also love the page with glimpses of these vintage Butler Brothers Christmas catalogs and am now pining for a catalog of my very own.

Santa, are you reading this?



Vintage Christmas by the square foot

You may recall that last year’s hunt for vintage Christmas turned up little finds like these,

this,

and these.

And silly me, I assumed this year’s finds might be more of the same.

Imagine my surprise when 'they' turned out to be this.

He's six feet tall and made from printed paper applied to plywood pieces -- I was told he once was a holiday street decoration in Los Angeles.  Found at a local yard sale.

Hope you're having a wonderful, long weekend!

Two for two

In addition to my addiction to vintage Christmas and vintage dishes (and vintage fabric and vintage tablecloths…), I am now officially addicted to selling at vintage events.

It is So! Much! Fun!

This photo courtesy of Plucky Maidens

At least after all the hauling, unloading, sweating and setting up is done and even that’s pretty fun.

As I type this, I realize it’s possible I have a twisted vision of a good time. 

Last week was my second vintage event as a vendor, this time at Plucky Maidens Junk Fest in Portland, OR and it was as terrific as my first experience but in its own unique ways.

Yet another fabulous venue, throngs and throngs of shoppers (on a Thursday afternoon, no less) and even a celebrity brush with fame!

Here are some of the things I sold at this event:

Furniture of all sorts – a gray & white painted dresser, some Mid Century Modern side tables (wish I had a hundred of those), a vintage wood settee frame with rusty coils, vintage typewriter tables and an Adirondack chair.

Milk glass vases of all shapes & sizes.

Little bottles. These were voted ‘Most Popular’ by the other vintage items in my booth.

Vintage cameras. Far and away the winners of ‘Most Likely to be Picked Up, Examined & Used to Take a Pretend Photo.’

Vintage yearbooks – I sold several from the early 1960’s. I still wonder what the man in a suit & tie who bought them will use them for?

This photo courtesy of Plucky Maidens

Hand-painted vintage signs. I live in the Columbia River Gorge (aka The Gorge) and so do these buyers.

Vintage chalkware fruit and vegetables.

Vintage ice cube trays. As if on cue, every person who touched these said, “I grew up with these!” (So did I. Many memories of my fingers getting stuck to them…)

Laurie, Emily and yours truly. Thanks to Laurie for this photo!

Oh, and the brush with fame? Emily Henderson of Secrets From a Stylist and last year’s winner of one of my must-watch TV shows, HGTV’s Design Star, stopped by after I posted a comment on her blog letting her know about Plucky Maidens. 

She and Laurie/Ethel and I were just hanging out. J 

Such a fun day!

A public service announcement

We (and by 'we', I mean 'I') interrupt this vintage Christmas post with an important announcement.

It has been reported there is another severe outbreak of vintage dish-itis.

Please, do not panic.

While there is no known cure for this condition, the prognosis can remain favorable by following these simple instructions:

1.  Locate any vintage dishes you have that resemble the one pictured here.

2.  Carefully pack, insure and ship them to me immediately.

I will place all dishes in quarantine for as long as necessary.

Remember, I am a professional so do not try this in your own home.

The quarantine process may take months, if not years, so please feel confident that these dishes will be well cared for.

And now we return to our regularly scheduled vintage Christmas programming.

Notes and broad generalizations from a tired but happy first-time vintage vendor at A Vintage Gathering

The entire contents of a one-car garage fits perfectly into a 15 passenger van (minus the passenger seats) which, it turns out, is also excellent for a quick cat nap.

That's my space on the left with the white canopy

Me again

Everything is easier when done in sunny weather.

Despite my tossing and turning about it the night before, lots & lots of things sold. (whew)

Keeping the price tag for every item that’s sold with the  correct ‘sold for’ price written on it prevents a mental meltdown later.

Junque Soiree

Every single vendor I met was nice, helpful & encouraging.

Every single vendor has a slightly different pricing strategy.

My Shabby Passion

Anything with a horizontal surface being used for display will sell first.

Into Vintage

Things will end up on the ground.

Crowds of people will turn out to shop vintage on a Friday night in the country.

Hard work can be fun.

{ click to enlarge }

Four gold stars!! to A Vintage Gathering for such a wonderful vintage event this past weekend – it exceeded my expectations in every way!

Can’t wait for next time! And there is a next time …

Scenes from a garage. (And a driveway. And a living room.)

In preparation for this weekend as a seller at my first vintage event, A Vintage Gathering, vintage stuff has now officially spread throughout almost every room, the garage and onto the driveway.

Watch your step.

The good news is I’m feeling pretty organized which can only mean one of two things:

I’m forgetting something really important or I’m actually organized.

 

Mr. Into Vintage and I did a practice set-up of the giant canopy tent in order to get any necessary cursing out of the way.

Everything has a price tag on it.

Except for these white baskets because I don’t know what to ask for them. Do you?

Things have been cleaned, painted, pressed and packed.

And now just a few final details to take care of until the big day.

{ a little sneak peek -- click to enlarge }

I'd love to meet you if you plan to shop at A Vintage Gathering! (or if you'll be shopping at Barn House be sure to check out A Vintage Gathering as well -- these two vintage events are only 4 miles apart).

Here’s how you can recognize me this Saturday in case my previously posted blurry self-portrait is a little too vague.  (I'll be there for Friday evening shopping as well wearing who-knows-what)

Have a wonderful weekend! J

A Vintage Gathering

Friday, July 29   5 - 9 pm

Saturday, July 30  8 am - 4 pm

Free Admission

17414 NE 199th Street

Battle Ground, WA 98604