This Week’s Vintage Finds #53

Hi everyone! I had several appointments on Friday, but thankfully I passed a Good Will and a Habitat Restore on the way–oh happy day. Saturday I mapped a whole morning of garage and estate sales. All in all, the week-end developed into a super one for discovering vintage finds.

At my very last sale (sorry to start at the end), as I walked down the driveway, passed all the things I’d already pawed through, I spotted four packages of Christmas ornaments, all taped together. I could see they contained several vintage ones, so I paid the nice lady .75 and walked out with eighteen vintage lovelies.

I’ve not sold bulbs on-line yet, so I’m not sure how I’m going to do that–one a time? By the box? Filling large glass jars? When I had a space in an antique shop not too long ago, I would sell most common varieties of bulbs for $1-2 each.

I did a post this past summer about 1950s ornaments, but I never showed photos of the metal caps. I thought I’d do that today (and maybe update that post later). Here you see the cap marked “Shiny Bright, Made in USA.” In the late 1930s, Max Eckardt, an importer of German, hand-blown ornaments, recognized that supply would be interrupted if war broke out. Working with Corning Glass Company (NY), he developed glass ornaments that could then be hand-painted in his New Jersey factories.

Here’s an example of an unmarked cap, but it’s size and shape indicate that the ornament was likely manufactured in Poland. I know that because I’ve seen dozens of caps like this imprinted with “Poland.” Often Polish ornaments are elongated and or shimmery in pastel colors. This is an unusually bright one in jewel tones.

Though recently painted, I nonetheless snatched up this vintage Dietz lantern, because it was a steal. I’ll take the fake candle out of it soon. I will list it in my Etsy shop for about $35.

The back of the package contains useful information about how to use the frog (also called a “pin holder”) to make a beautiful flower arrangement–all for just $1.29.

A sweet elderly woman gave me this oak-framed Last Supper. I really bought it for the frame, but I may need to keep them together. I’m attracted to the rich, gold of the oak.

Tell me if I’m wrong, but I think this vintage shopping cart has wonderful shape and lines and presence. It looks (to me) so much like the laundry carts that you see all over the internet these days. If I were really ambitious, I’d plan to sew a nice muslin lining, but I’d be lying to myself. On Friday, as I was checking out at the ReStore, this cart caught my eye, leaning against the counter and wearing a $1 price tag. Oh yea, you’re coming home with me, I whispered (hopefully not too loudly).

Who can pass up a great looking bench? Well I sure can’t. For just a buck, he was mine. All mine.
You may have noticed that much of what I buy costs a buck. That’s because in many sense, it is a true limiting factor for me. I. Am. Cheap. Just so you know.

I found these two bush protectors at the same sale as the Last Supper and the bench. My Southern friends may never have seen anything like these before. They prevent your shrubs from splitting and breaking under the weight of snow. Last winter I wished a had some for a few of mine, but as long you brush the snow off fairly quickly, then they’re okay. Mine were. Anyway, I’m planning to use these nicely weathered boards for some kind of upcycling project–probably signs.

I thought this one would look good with different words on each slat–family, friends, faith–something like that, but hopefully more clever and original.

A few trinkets–an apothecary jar, a red-lidded shaker, and a tiny bunny creamer. All sitting on a lovely hunk of wood. I like wood.

I experienced a little blast from the past with these items–a linoleum block print, which I can’t wait to try out, and a potholder loom. How many remember using one of these? I love it–mint in the box with the instructions still inside–straight from the 1940s. I plan to list it for about $15.

I thought this 12″ x 12″ barn board frame would come in handy some day. It’s framing some metal odds and ends I purchased: scissors, the plate hanger, the brass medal thing, and the super interesting key thingy.

A closer look at some of the stuff. I’m so curious about the key thingy with the curvy mohawk. What is it?!

Paper cutters make me so happy! I have a couple of small ones and a portable one, but have always wanted a large 18″ one, and I finally found one. For $4. Yep, you read that right. Brand new it would cost over $100. And the best part? It cuts like a dream.

Some of you may remember that last winter I had some pretty serious back touble. I now believe it was due to the evil, back-wrenching lovely Home Goods chair I was using that had no lower back support. Since then I’ve puchased an office chair and a kneeling chair (remember them from the 70s and 80s?), neither of which were good for my back, or my knees. On Friday, I popped into Habitat’s ReStore and tried out some possibilities. I had settled on a nice gray, secretaries chair ($15), when my eye caught this one. As soon as I sat in it, I knew it had my name written all over it. Excellent back support, nice, longish seat cushion. While it certainly lacks in the beauty department, I’m sure I can improve upon its looks once I’m certain it’s a keeper. Price tag? $10.

I am an Amazon affiliate. Every time someone makes a purchase 

via one of the links below, then I receive a small payment 

that helps defray some of the costs associated with owning a blog. 

Thanks!

Schiffer Guides for Collectors: