Dear Internet,
Please excuse my absence.
I’ve had to set the vintage and collectible blogging aside for a bit as I’ve assumed my jewelry artisan persona and have been busy filling a lot of jewelry orders. Next, I’ll be shape shifting into bookclasp workshop teacher. Since the workshop is coming up very soon, I’ll have to do some prep for that, and pack my tools and equipment.
While having so many personae can certainly be interesting, it can also be counter productive, especially when there is an inconvenient intersection of demands on my time, and I have to be more than one person simultaneously. Inevitably, just when I begin to get engrossed in one thing, I have to shift to another mode which often prevents me from being able to devote enough time to do anything as well as I would like.
Now, more than ever, it's time to think seriously about eliminating something. Most likely it will be the thing which produces the least return for the amount of time I put into it. I'll be thinking about this while I am on my trip east.
Along the way I am hoping to stop to search random antique malls for bargains. If I find something good and if there is a free moment I may surprise you with a brief update or two.
When I get back I hope to post new entries in my collections series, which I began in March. In the meantime, I noticed someone else has picked up on my accidental collection thought in her post over here.
Meanwhile, you can always shop, live, in Chicago at the Edgewater Antique Mall. We are always adding new items to our booth as we find them.
I still have a lot more work to finish before I leave, so I'd better get on it before the next shape shift.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Fleas and Owls
This morning we went to a flea market at Robert Crown Center in Evanston. This one has been around for a while, and in the early days it was sometimes fairly interesting and fun because it was like a little conglomeration of small garage sales all gathered to together in one space. But as the years went by, it slowly deteriorated until it became a venue for mostly not-very-crafty types, Avon sales reps and bulk merchandise sellers, with only a few other sellers who had something interesting to offer.
This year for the first time they held it in the Spring instead of the Fall. Thinking that this change might attract some new people, we took a chance hoping to get lucky and hook up with some good merchandise.
We got there early and the line was not that long, not a good sign. Only one regular was there. We stood behind this guy, hoping the words on his jacket would be true, but knowing that it was probably going to be a waste of time.
And, as you can guess from looking at these photos it was pretty much a disappointment.
We saw three dealers we know and picked up a couple items from one of them, in addition to a few small items from some other legitimate vintage sellers.
On the way home, we happened across another rummage sale and stopped. It, too, was mostly disappointing.
Although we did not make wise choices this weekend, it turned out to be an owl-ly day for me.
I picked up a cute owl dish made by the Couroc company of Monterey, California back in the 60s. They produced items made in black phenolic resin, which is basically just a form of black Bakelite, think of those old pot handles, hand inlaid by artisans with various items like shells woods, coins and metals. This owl is wood and metal, and is surprisingly nicely done.
If you collect owl-ish things from the 60s it would make a great addition to a collection. It would be really handsome hanging on the wall, which would be a good place for it since it is apparently not dishwasher safe. Again, think of those old bakelite pot handles which develop a nasty matte finish after many times through the dishwasher.
The other owl I picked up is really kitchy. It’s one of those made from distressed copper coated tin, vintage, popular in the 70s. Turns out he is missing one of his eyes. So in an effort to sell him as is, I made him an eye patch and decided he’s going to have to hoot like a pirate.
I’ll let you know the outcome once we do the research.
This year for the first time they held it in the Spring instead of the Fall. Thinking that this change might attract some new people, we took a chance hoping to get lucky and hook up with some good merchandise.
We got there early and the line was not that long, not a good sign. Only one regular was there. We stood behind this guy, hoping the words on his jacket would be true, but knowing that it was probably going to be a waste of time.And, as you can guess from looking at these photos it was pretty much a disappointment.
On the way home, we happened across another rummage sale and stopped. It, too, was mostly disappointing.
Although we did not make wise choices this weekend, it turned out to be an owl-ly day for me.
I picked up a cute owl dish made by the Couroc company of Monterey, California back in the 60s. They produced items made in black phenolic resin, which is basically just a form of black Bakelite, think of those old pot handles, hand inlaid by artisans with various items like shells woods, coins and metals. This owl is wood and metal, and is surprisingly nicely done.
The other owl I picked up is really kitchy. It’s one of those made from distressed copper coated tin, vintage, popular in the 70s. Turns out he is missing one of his eyes. So in an effort to sell him as is, I made him an eye patch and decided he’s going to have to hoot like a pirate.
“Who, who, who, matey!” AAAR.
However the day wasn’t a total loss. A book purchased for 50 cents is worth $40.00. We will likely sell that on eBay. In addition, we may also have found a really old piece of Early American hand blown glass, or so says the resident glass collecting expert in our house. Here it is below and on Flickr.
I’ll let you know the outcome once we do the research.
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