April 22, 2013
2 mid-century Herman Miller fiberglass chairs, yard sale, $10 each This chair sat hidden in a corner, with a sliver of the vibrant stripes peeking out for under a pile of blankets. I was happy to buy just this chair, but as I was carrying it the door, the seller remembered he had another one in the basement. They were both a little dusty and smelled of years of cigarette smoke, so after a cleaning, they look much better. These chairs were designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. I think the fabric was designed by Alexander Girard, but I’m not 100% sure. I haven’t come across any chairs with the exact same colors, though the stripes are similar to the “Jacob’s Coat” pattern. You can still by this style of chair for $350 and up at sites like allmodern.com

2 mid-century Herman Miller fiberglass chairs, yard sale, $10 each

This chair sat hidden in a corner, with a sliver of the vibrant stripes peeking out for under a pile of blankets. I was happy to buy just this chair, but as I was carrying it the door, the seller remembered he had another one in the basement.

They were both a little dusty and smelled of years of cigarette smoke, so after a cleaning, they look much better.

These chairs were designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. I think the fabric was designed by Alexander Girard, but I’m not 100% sure. I haven’t come across any chairs with the exact same colors, though the stripes are similar to the “Jacob’s Coat” pattern.

You can still by this style of chair for $350 and up at sites like allmodern.com

November 21, 2012 • 5 notes
Last month, while walking my dog, I found hundreds of vintage Christmas ornaments in my neighbor’s trash. So far I’ve made two wreaths, with a shoebox full of ornaments left to spare!

Last month, while walking my dog, I found hundreds of vintage Christmas ornaments in my neighbor’s trash. So far I’ve made two wreaths, with a shoebox full of ornaments left to spare!

October 23, 2012 • 8 notes
Over 100 vintage Christmas ornaments, freeWe are having a bit of an Indian Summer here in Pennsylvania. I decided to take advantage and went for a long walk with my dog yesterday evening. One of neighbors had a rather large pile of trash in front of their home, including an old dog bed, so of course my dog paused to sniff furiously. As she sniffed, I noticed one of the trash bags seemed to be full of Christmas ornaments. I peered in the top of the bag and realized they were vintage! I’m sure I looked a bit odd carrying a garbage bag home with me, but it really paid off - over 100 perfectly good vintage Christmas ornaments! Some of them are really amazing. I’m not sure why someone would throw them away.

Over 100 vintage Christmas ornaments, free

We are having a bit of an Indian Summer here in Pennsylvania. I decided to take advantage and went for a long walk with my dog yesterday evening. One of neighbors had a rather large pile of trash in front of their home, including an old dog bed, so of course my dog paused to sniff furiously. As she sniffed, I noticed one of the trash bags seemed to be full of Christmas ornaments. I peered in the top of the bag and realized they were vintage! I’m sure I looked a bit odd carrying a garbage bag home with me, but it really paid off - over 100 perfectly good vintage Christmas ornaments! Some of them are really amazing. I’m not sure why someone would throw them away.

September 24, 2012 • 1 note
“Flowers of the Seasons” by Gloria Vanderbilt for the Franklin Mint, Goodwill $1.99 eachI recognized the name from jeans, but had no clue about the scope of her work. Gloria Vanderbilt is also an artist, author, actress, heiress, and socialite. Her artwork was featured on Hallmark cards in the late 60s; her jeans were tighter than anything else on the market in the 70s; she sold 8 different fragrances from 1982-2002; and she’s a is a regular contributor to The New York Times, Vanity Fair and Elle.And she’s Anderson Coopers’ mother! I had no idea.I spotted these brass and enamel flowers at a Goodwill over the weekend. When I picked them up, they were quite heavy for their size, so I knew $1.99 each was a steal. There were originally 4 in the set, one for each season. I am missing the “Summer Bouquet.”Gloria’s designs were were inspired by arrangements designed by Jane Hutcheson for Gorham. Jane Hutcheson apparently didn’t appreciate the similarities and got lawyers involved. Vanderbilt discontinued her flower arrangement line to avoid a lawsuit.Oddly enough, I was attracted to these 3 flower bouquets because of another bouquet I bought over the summer at a flea market for $2. I now realize that it is a Jane Hutcheson design. (Jane Hutcheson “Devine Vase”, Ruby Lane, $506.) I bought it because it was pretty and it was stamped “Italy” on the bottom. (I had been in Italy about 6 months prior). They are so pretty that I don’t want to sell them, but that $500 (which may be over-inflated), is making me reconsider. LinksHistory of Jane Hutcheson’s Fleurs des Siècles for Gorham’s “It Seemed Important at the Time” by Gloria Vanderbilt, on Amazon Gloria Vanderbilt Flowers of the Seasons Fall Bouquet, Etsy, $75

“Flowers of the Seasons” by Gloria Vanderbilt for the Franklin Mint, Goodwill $1.99 each

I recognized the name from jeans, but had no clue about the scope of her work. Gloria Vanderbilt is also an artist, author, actress, heiress, and socialite. Her artwork was featured on Hallmark cards in the late 60s; her jeans were tighter than anything else on the market in the 70s; she sold 8 different fragrances from 1982-2002; and she’s a is a regular contributor to The New York Times, Vanity Fair and Elle.

And she’s Anderson Coopers’ mother! I had no idea.

I spotted these brass and enamel flowers at a Goodwill over the weekend. When I picked them up, they were quite heavy for their size, so I knew $1.99 each was a steal. There were originally 4 in the set, one for each season. I am missing the “Summer Bouquet.”

Gloria’s designs were were inspired by arrangements designed by Jane Hutcheson for Gorham. Jane Hutcheson apparently didn’t appreciate the similarities and got lawyers involved. Vanderbilt discontinued her flower arrangement line to avoid a lawsuit.

Oddly enough, I was attracted to these 3 flower bouquets because of another bouquet I bought over the summer at a flea market for $2. I now realize that it is a Jane Hutcheson design. (Jane Hutcheson “Devine Vase”, Ruby Lane, $506.) I bought it because it was pretty and it was stamped “Italy” on the bottom. (I had been in Italy about 6 months prior).

They are so pretty that I don’t want to sell them, but that $500 (which may be over-inflated), is making me reconsider.

Links

History of Jane Hutcheson’s Fleurs des Siècles for Gorham’s

“It Seemed Important at the Time” by Gloria Vanderbilt, on Amazon

Gloria Vanderbilt Flowers of the Seasons Fall Bouquet, Etsy, $75

September 24, 2012 • 1 note
Aurora Monster Models, $8 for all, yard sale My husband and I were driving through the middle of nowhere when we came upon a yard sale. I noticed a large box of plastic movie monsters. They were unpainted and just screaming for me to take them home. Aurora Plastic Company began producing toys in the 1950s but did not start making movie monster models until the 60s. With the success of their first monster kit, Frankenstein, they produced 13 monster kits in 6 years. But soon the popularity of monster kits was overtaken by model cars, and The Aurora company closed in 1977. Pictured, from left: Dracula, Wolfman, Frankenstein, Salem’s Witch and Phantom of the Opera. A Links A Brief History of Aurora Monster Kits by Professor Plastic A blogger fondly recalls building some of the models, from Jeff’s 60s

Aurora Monster Models, $8 for all, yard sale

My husband and I were driving through the middle of nowhere when we came upon a yard sale. I noticed a large box of plastic movie monsters. They were unpainted and just screaming for me to take them home.

Aurora Plastic Company began producing toys in the 1950s but did not start making movie monster models until the 60s. With the success of their first monster kit, Frankenstein, they produced 13 monster kits in 6 years. But soon the popularity of monster kits was overtaken by model cars, and The Aurora company closed in 1977.

Pictured, from left: Dracula, Wolfman, Frankenstein, Salem’s Witch and Phantom of the Opera. A

Links

A Brief History of Aurora Monster Kits by Professor Plastic

A blogger fondly recalls building some of the models, from Jeff’s 60s

August 22, 2012
Mink stole, rummage sale, $1I went to a pretty amazing rummage sale at Zelienople Community Park over the weekend. It was huge - with stuff piled in boxes, on tables, everywhere. I love rummage sales where you have to dig for the goods. You have a better chance of finding good stuff even when you don’t get there at 8 am.I found this mink stole with the bedsheets and fabric scraps. It is in its original shipping box, post marked December 19, 1968. Perhaps it was an early Christmas gift. It is by Mademoiselle Furs, in New York, New York. it was sent by Air Mail to Zelienople, Pennsylvania for just $1.10.I can’t find much about Mademoiselle Furs. They trademarks brands such as “Mink Money” in the late 60s, and the trademarks have since expired. I have to assume they went out of business.

Mink stole, rummage sale, $1

I went to a pretty amazing rummage sale at Zelienople Community Park over the weekend. It was huge - with stuff piled in boxes, on tables, everywhere. I love rummage sales where you have to dig for the goods. You have a better chance of finding good stuff even when you don’t get there at 8 am.

I found this mink stole with the bedsheets and fabric scraps. It is in its original shipping box, post marked December 19, 1968. Perhaps it was an early Christmas gift. It is by Mademoiselle Furs, in New York, New York. it was sent by Air Mail to Zelienople, Pennsylvania for just $1.10.

I can’t find much about Mademoiselle Furs. They trademarks brands such as “Mink Money” in the late 60s, and the trademarks have since expired. I have to assume they went out of business.

August 17, 2012 • 2 notes
Elizabeth Zimmerman shawl, 50 cents, rummage sale I admit that I have the style of an elderly woman. I spied this at a “take what you want, pay what you want” rummage sale. Inside, it had a tag that read: “Hand knit and styled by Elizabeth G. Zimmerman.” I assumed someone’s grandmother had been a prolific knitter and had her own tags made.   Out of curisoity, I looked into the name, only to discover that Elizabeth Zimmerman was a famous knitter. I had unknowingly  purchased a piece of knitting history! About Elizabeth Zimmerman (from Wikipedia): “Elizabeth Zimmerman (August 9, 1910 – November 30, 1999) was a British-born knitter known for revolutionizing the modern practice of knitting through her books and instructional series on American public television. Her “EPS” (Elizabeth’s Percentage System) is still widely used by designers: it consists of a mathematical formula to determine how many stitches to cast on for a sweater, given that the sleeves and body are usually proportionate no matter what yarn or gauge is used.”

Elizabeth Zimmerman shawl, 50 cents, rummage sale

I admit that I have the style of an elderly woman. I spied this at a “take what you want, pay what you want” rummage sale. Inside, it had a tag that read: “Hand knit and styled by Elizabeth G. Zimmerman.” I assumed someone’s grandmother had been a prolific knitter and had her own tags made.  

Out of curisoity, I looked into the name, only to discover that Elizabeth Zimmerman was a famous knitter. I had unknowingly  purchased a piece of knitting history!

About Elizabeth Zimmerman (from Wikipedia): “Elizabeth Zimmerman (August 9, 1910 – November 30, 1999) was a British-born knitter known for revolutionizing the modern practice of knitting through her books and instructional series on American public television.

Her “EPS” (Elizabeth’s Percentage System) is still widely used by designers: it consists of a mathematical formula to determine how many stitches to cast on for a sweater, given that the sleeves and body are usually proportionate no matter what yarn or gauge is used.”

August 13, 2012 • 8 notes
Aldo Cipullo “Love” bracelet, 25 cents, yard sale I got the score of the summer at a yard sale on Saturday. I stopped at a sale while running some errands. The woman had a big box of jewelry, all tangled and disheveled, sitting on a table in her garage. Nothing looked too outstanding; it was the typical costume jewelry a 50-something woman may own. I rummaged around a bit, with nothing really catching my eye. Then I saw this bracelet. I knew it looked similar to a Cartier Love bracelet but figured it was a knock-off. It had a name and date inscribed on the inside, so I thought it was worth the 25 cent asking price. I immediately got into the car and Googled the name to learn more. In 1970, Aldo Cipullo (1935-1984) designed the Love Bracelet while working as Cartier’s in-house designer. Cartier offered the bracelet to famous couples such as Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. It quickly became (and still is) one of Cartier’s best sellers. That same year, Cartier permitted Cipullo to design a less expensive version for Charles Revson, Inc (Revson managed Revlon cosmetics company for 50 years). It is gold electroplate rather than solid gold like the original. It cost around $20. Unfortunately, the bracelet I purchased does not include the screw or screwdriver. Although I’d say it’s still a steal for 25 cents. Buy the real deal at Cartier for a mere $5,000. Buy the Revson version on E-Bay (between $200-$400)

Aldo Cipullo “Love” bracelet, 25 cents, yard sale

I got the score of the summer at a yard sale on Saturday.

I stopped at a sale while running some errands. The woman had a big box of jewelry, all tangled and disheveled, sitting on a table in her garage. Nothing looked too outstanding; it was the typical costume jewelry a 50-something woman may own. I rummaged around a bit, with nothing really catching my eye.

Then I saw this bracelet. I knew it looked similar to a Cartier Love bracelet but figured it was a knock-off. It had a name and date inscribed on the inside, so I thought it was worth the 25 cent asking price. I immediately got into the car and Googled the name to learn more.

In 1970, Aldo Cipullo (1935-1984) designed the Love Bracelet while working as Cartier’s in-house designer. Cartier offered the bracelet to famous couples such as Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. It quickly became (and still is) one of Cartier’s best sellers.

That same year, Cartier permitted Cipullo to design a less expensive version for Charles Revson, Inc (Revson managed Revlon cosmetics company for 50 years). It is gold electroplate rather than solid gold like the original. It cost around $20.

Unfortunately, the bracelet I purchased does not include the screw or screwdriver. Although I’d say it’s still a steal for 25 cents.

Buy the real deal at Cartier for a mere $5,000.

Buy the Revson version on E-Bay (between $200-$400)

July 24, 2012
Necklaces, about $1 each, various yard salesI have so much jewelry that it borders on ridiculous. I don’t often wear clothes without some sort of pattern, so wearing too much jewelry goes into tacky territory very quickly.Simple striped shirts just seem to be begging for piles of jewelry. I decided to pile on some of my yard sale finds, wearing 4 recent scores all at once. What do you think? Layered necklaces do the work for you: Vintage layered necklace, $32, Etsy Annoy your co-workers with a jingley necklace: Vintage charm necklace, $38, Etsy

Necklaces, about $1 each, various yard sales

I have so much jewelry that it borders on ridiculous. I don’t often wear clothes without some sort of pattern, so wearing too much jewelry goes into tacky territory very quickly.

Simple striped shirts just seem to be begging for piles of jewelry. I decided to pile on some of my yard sale finds, wearing 4 recent scores all at once. What do you think?

Layered necklaces do the work for you: Vintage layered necklace, $32, Etsy

Annoy your co-workers with a jingley necklace: Vintage charm necklace, $38, Etsy

July 24, 2012
Child’s jewelry box, $2.50, Rogers Flea Market, Rogers, OHI have an attraction to creepy-cute things. My husband has reluctantly gotten used to this and now points out all the odd things he spots at flea markets. I may have passed up this little gem if it wasn’t for him.This jewelry box plays “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” as the wide-eyed doll swings slowly back and forth. For now it sits on display in my bedroom, with plans to give it to a future child - as long as it doesn’t keep them awake at night.There are plenty similar versions to be found on Etsy, but none with a semi-creepy dolls swinging on the front lawn.Cottage with ballerina, $30, Etsy Rustic house jewelry box, $15, Etsy

Child’s jewelry box, $2.50, Rogers Flea Market, Rogers, OH

I have an attraction to creepy-cute things. My husband has reluctantly gotten used to this and now points out all the odd things he spots at flea markets. I may have passed up this little gem if it wasn’t for him.

This jewelry box plays “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” as the wide-eyed doll swings slowly back and forth. For now it sits on display in my bedroom, with plans to give it to a future child - as long as it doesn’t keep them awake at night.

There are plenty similar versions to be found on Etsy, but none with a semi-creepy dolls swinging on the front lawn.

Cottage with ballerina, $30, Etsy

Rustic house jewelry box, $15, Etsy