Ninja Olga

Yesterday I posted about Olga and The Beatles, look below this post for that one.

Pubs were involved.........



Check the Doodle Week blog for latest contest: Doodle Week

Treasure Box Wednesday: Valuable Knowledge Through Collector's Price Guides

What do you collect? And how do you know you're paying a decent price for the items you love? Well, while collector's guides don't offer definitive answers to value-- after all, something's only worth what a person will pay for it-- it helps to think about them a bit like the Pirate Code: they're more like "guidelines."

But who can't use a little bit of guidance now and then? And collector' guides do more than assess value. They help you know what was manufactured and when. A good guide will share pattern names. And best of all, it will let you plan, so you can collect intelligently, as well as for your enjoyment.

Today, I thought I would share with you a few of the books that guide me in my thrifting and antiquing plundering (yes, we are still hanging on to that pirate theme-- it is, after all, Treasure Box Wednesday)... And perhaps these books will either assist with your own collections-- or just give you an idea of the sort of specialized guides available to support you in amassing the, er, booty you love.

In terms of Depression Glass, I've found the following three books extremely helpful...


They are:

• The Collector's Encyclopedia of Depression Glass, Revised Tenth Edition, by Gene Florence, from Collector Books, 1992.
• Collectible Glassware from the '40s, '50s and '60s, by Gene Florence, from Collector Books, 1992.
• Kitchen Glassware of the Depression Years, Fourth Edition, by Gene Florence, from Collector Books, 1990.
  

There are more current versions of these books available through Collector Books, and purchasable through the Collector Books web site. I got mine at Half-Price Books.

To inform my Pyrexia (addiction to Pyrex), I'm finding this book quite helpful...

It is:

• Pyrex: The Unauthorized Collector's Guide, Revised 4th Edition, by Barbara E. Mauzy. Published by Schiffer Books for Collectors, 2008.

It's nice because it not only shows and names patterns and the colors they came in, but gives dates and also shows some lesser known types of Pyrex pieces-- such as coffee carafes, clear kitchenalia and other items.

Continuing on the vintage glass theme, this is my friend Scoobie's collector's guide to her Avon ruby glassware...

It is:

• Avon's 1876 Cape Cod Collection Glass Dinnerware, by Debbie and Randy Coe. Published by Schiffer Books for Collectors, 2003.

Moving on to slightly older china, we have a few of the Victorian whiteware books which have been infinitely helpful over the years...

They are:

• Decorative American Pottery & Whiteware, by Jeanie Klamm Wilby. Published by Collector Books, 2004.
• Warwick China, by John R. Rader, Sr. Published by Schiffer Books for Collectors, 2000.

Now, in terms of finding Maxfield Parrish-styled prints, this book has been a big help to identify them...

It's called:

• R. Atkinson Fox & William M. Thompson Identification and Price Guide, Second Edition, by Patricia L. Gibson. Published by Collectors Press, Inc., 2000.

And lastly, when I just want to get a little bit more information on a random, possibly-collectible item from the thrifts, I turn here:

• The Garage Sale & Flea Market Annual (Fifth and Sixth Editions pictured here), Sharon and Bob Huxford, Editors. Published by Collector Books.

And if you collect something not shown within the books here? Well, likely they have it either through Schiffer Books or Collector Books. Check out their web sites where their whole range of collecting books are listed.

Collecting is great, but collecting while armed with knowledge is even better. Wishing you bounty in your thrifting and junking adventures, as well as the information you need to find those treasures at a price you're comfortable with.

• If you have a moment and missed Sunday's post on some fun independent artists whose work really complements romantic decor, click here.

• And while I have a chance, I'd like to thank both Debbie of Cozy Cottage and Carrie of Oak Rise Cottage for the Brilliante Blog Award. Thank you ladies a bunch for thinking to include me. I'll choose someone to pass this great award along to in a future post.
  

As summer begins to wane, I hope you all are able to wring the last bit of beauty and fun out of it. Thanks for stopping by!

Treasure Box Wednesday: Valuable Knowledge Through Collector's Price Guides

What do you collect? And how do you know you're paying a decent price for the items you love? Well, while collector's guides don't offer definitive answers to value-- after all, something's only worth what a person will pay for it-- it helps to think about them a bit like the Pirate Code: they're more like "guidelines."

But who can't use a little bit of guidance now and then? And collector' guides do more than assess value. They help you know what was manufactured and when. A good guide will share pattern names. And best of all, it will let you plan, so you can collect intelligently, as well as for your enjoyment.

Today, I thought I would share with you a few of the books that guide me in my thrifting and antiquing plundering (yes, we are still hanging on to that pirate theme-- it is, after all, Treasure Box Wednesday)... And perhaps these books will either assist with your own collections-- or just give you an idea of the sort of specialized guides available to support you in amassing the, er, booty you love.

In terms of Depression Glass, I've found the following three books extremely helpful...


They are:

• The Collector's Encyclopedia of Depression Glass, Revised Tenth Edition, by Gene Florence, from Collector Books, 1992.
• Collectible Glassware from the '40s, '50s and '60s, by Gene Florence, from Collector Books, 1992.
• Kitchen Glassware of the Depression Years, Fourth Edition, by Gene Florence, from Collector Books, 1990.
  

There are more current versions of these books available through Collector Books, and purchasable through the Collector Books web site. I got mine at Half-Price Books.

To inform my Pyrexia (addiction to Pyrex), I'm finding this book quite helpful...

It is:

• Pyrex: The Unauthorized Collector's Guide, Revised 4th Edition, by Barbara E. Mauzy. Published by Schiffer Books for Collectors, 2008.

It's nice because it not only shows and names patterns and the colors they came in, but gives dates and also shows some lesser known types of Pyrex pieces-- such as coffee carafes, clear kitchenalia and other items.

Continuing on the vintage glass theme, this is my friend Scoobie's collector's guide to her Avon ruby glassware...

It is:

• Avon's 1876 Cape Cod Collection Glass Dinnerware, by Debbie and Randy Coe. Published by Schiffer Books for Collectors, 2003.

Moving on to slightly older china, we have a few of the Victorian whiteware books which have been infinitely helpful over the years...

They are:

• Decorative American Pottery & Whiteware, by Jeanie Klamm Wilby. Published by Collector Books, 2004.
• Warwick China, by John R. Rader, Sr. Published by Schiffer Books for Collectors, 2000.

Now, in terms of finding Maxfield Parrish-styled prints, this book has been a big help to identify them...

It's called:

• R. Atkinson Fox & William M. Thompson Identification and Price Guide, Second Edition, by Patricia L. Gibson. Published by Collectors Press, Inc., 2000.

And lastly, when I just want to get a little bit more information on a random, possibly-collectible item from the thrifts, I turn here:

• The Garage Sale & Flea Market Annual (Fifth and Sixth Editions pictured here), Sharon and Bob Huxford, Editors. Published by Collector Books.

And if you collect something not shown within the books here? Well, likely they have it either through Schiffer Books or Collector Books. Check out their web sites where their whole range of collecting books are listed.

Collecting is great, but collecting while armed with knowledge is even better. Wishing you bounty in your thrifting and junking adventures, as well as the information you need to find those treasures at a price you're comfortable with.

• If you have a moment and missed Sunday's post on some fun independent artists whose work really complements romantic decor, click here.

• And while I have a chance, I'd like to thank both Debbie of Cozy Cottage and Carrie of Oak Rise Cottage for the Brilliante Blog Award. Thank you ladies a bunch for thinking to include me. I'll choose someone to pass this great award along to in a future post.
  

As summer begins to wane, I hope you all are able to wring the last bit of beauty and fun out of it. Thanks for stopping by!

Bab(r)oeggs?

An upgrade from my broeggs salad! This time I've added half a packetful of bacon. So so yum! Sorry Cmate, if it wasn't for my appetite...I would have most probably sent you some.

You'll get what "bab(r)o" eggs mean if you understand what "babo" means in Korean. I've heard it one too many times thanks to an old friend.

Olga and The Beatles

After the trauma that Olga suffered I figured she needed and deserved a wonderful treat, but what? After interviewing her, I found out that she loves The Beatles and guess who lives right near Liverpool..... Me!
I must confess to not actually being much of a Beatles fan, so this whirlwind photographic adventure was a education for me too.
The areas that we took photographs were Strawberry Field, Penny Lane and Mathew Street.
The majority of photographs where taken in and around Mathew street, which is a veritable treasure trove of all things 'Beatles'.
If you want to see the photographs individually Click here: Olga does Liverpool.

Farewell post for Olga tomorrow!
She is finally leaving me.
(Hooray)

Which Willy lost it?

Olga is safe! But she is too traumatised to be interviewed at the moment.

Maybe tomorrow after she has had a few drinks.

This blog is currently recovering from.....

I am tired, I searched in too many pubs for Olga.

Did I manage to rescue her?

Update!

I am going head to head with DE and FB, they are making all sorts of crazy demands. This hostage negotiation stuff is hard work. What do I have in excess that they or at least FB could really want?

What would Olga suggest?

In the meantime read the hard hitting interview I did with the lovely Haley from The Beacon (she writes rude books!).

Read it here: Hard hitting interview.

More exciting stuff heading this way soon! (ish)

Coilour

Shopping can sometimes be so fun! These bottles of seasoning oil caught my attention while I was walking down the aisle at Auckland's Mount Eden Foodtown. My friend stared at me in disbelieve after I took this photo. I merely shrugged when she commented that taking photos in supermarkets were 'bad'. Bite me.

Finding Vintage Romance in Today's Independent Art

Folks well-familiar with this blog know I'm a big fan of art. Whether it's framed prints from the 30s in the Maxfield Parrish style, thrift store paintings where good intentions may outweigh skill, or talented artists and photographers working today to express themselves creatively. In fact, I fear my love of art is rapidly starting to exceed my wall space!

Like decorating, taste in art is incredibly subjective, of course. One man's prized collection can easily be another man's creative nightmare. But I thought you all might like to see just a few of the artists and photographers working today whose creative ideas I respect and enjoy. For a lover of things vintage and Victorian, I feel they echo that sense of romance, adventure, mystery and story-telling.

I just thought it might be fun to give them some props today!

Like British artist, Michael Thomas here...


He's a book jacket illustrator out of England and his work becomes cover art, notecards and prints. I have three of his original paintings, and have been absolutely wowed by his skill, as well as how effectively he has embraced the Pre-Raphaelite style for his subject matter and composition. His works are largely acryllic on board. The piece here is Rapunzel, and as I understand it, she is intended to be used in cards and as an illustration within a fairy tale edition.


This one below is called Pices...

I'm not actually a Pices, but I loved the delicate figure and her almost Rosetti-styled face.

The last of his works which I own is what he refers to as his Art Nouveau angel...

This, the artist indicated, was one of the more decorative pieces he'd done. The elaborate background detailing does remind me of some Burne-Jones pieces, while the figure complements the Pices painting well. I have these on either side of my Victorian pocket doors.

You can check out more of Michael Thomas' work-- I believe he currently has prints available of Pices and the art nouveau angel-- in his Ebay store Fresco Art by clicking here.

Another artist currently doing work which reflects his love of Pre-Raphaelite art is American artist Patrick Lynch out of Kentucky.


I met Patrick online a few years ago due to a mutual appreciation of the Pre-Raphaelites. Patrick balances his art career along with a full-time job-- no easy task-- but has been passionate about his painting for decades. His work uses paint as well as colored pencils to create the vivid shades you see above-- a feat made more remarkable as the artist works to find the right balance in spite of being color-blind.

His paintings typically incorporate Victorian or medieval-Gothic styled ladies with wistful expressions. Imagery tends to emphasize his love of the gramophone, river scenes, and statuary. The painting below is one of my personal favorites in Patrick's online gallery. It's called First Night of Autumn. The hats are based on the work of one of his friends, a Kentucky hat designer.

You can check out more of Patrick's work at his site The Lost and Beautiful Past.

My most recent art purchase was from a shop at Etsy, called Audrey Eclectic. Artist Heather Van Winkle uses the "whimsy folk art" style to create pretty, quirky portraits with a gentle storybook feel. Using mixed media collage, large eyed lasses stare demurely at the viewer, infused with layered details that sneak up a bit of the viewer the more he or she looks. What I appreciated in particular was her work involves more than pretty images of old-fashioned girls, but little tales to support each one.


This is "Elerey," a "Hallowed Hall girl"-- one of three sister portraits, each with a fun little history to accompany her. You can read about them on Heather's blog. Elerey was a toy maker-- and her creations tended to demonstrate some very mysterious and unusual behavior! I liked her Wednesday Addams style.

Another interesting feature is, Heather's work is done on scrap wood, cleaned up and repurposed. Talk about your trash to treasure!

In terms of less Gothic, more Shabby Chic art, I also became taken with an artist named Carole DeWald. She sells on Ebay, in her shop Carole's Cottage, and does still life floral work which puts a particular emphasis on roses, hydrangeas and lilacs. This particular painting is in my dining room.


Another Ebay artist of the genre is Mary Ann Mayer. Her lilac painting-- with its impressionist feel-- made an impression on me. I love that it looks like it has some real age to it.


While we were discussing artists, I'd also wanted to draw your attention to two photographers that capture the natural world in remarkable ways. It's patience and perseverance that make their work so awe-inspiring-- waiting for that perfect glow of a sunset, capturing the right angle of a Western mesa, or sitting in a boat on a Norwegian lake for the just-right shot of the Aurora Borealis.

If you're a fan of nature photography, I think you'll really enjoy the work here.

Rodney Lough is an American photographer whose work my friend Scoobie is addicted to. His love of nature shines through with every photograph, and honestly, once you've seen Rodney's treatment of a particular area, it never seems the same again. He makes our world truly magical. Check out his site, TheLoughRoad, and I believe you'll see what I mean.

Photographer Thomas Laupstad is a fellow I met online through blogging, and like Rodney Lough, he captures his own country-- Norway-- with a keen eye, a love of color and a lot of waiting around for the perfect moment. You can see Thomas' work on his blog here.

Well, I hope you all enjoyed this little dip into the world of independent art today. I know there are a lot of talented people out there, but I thought it would be nice to discuss just a few whose work has become a part of my life.

• If you missed Treasure Box Wednesday, where the mantle gets a new look, I get a few thrifted goodies and you all get some vintage tunes, click here.

• If you missed last Sunday's post on Giggles over Wiggling, Jiggling Jell-O recipes, click here.

And I hope to see you again soon! Thanks for your visit.

Finding Vintage Romance in Today's Independent Art

Folks well-familiar with this blog know I'm a big fan of art. Whether it's framed prints from the 30s in the Maxfield Parrish style, thrift store paintings where good intentions may outweigh skill, or talented artists and photographers working today to express themselves creatively. In fact, I fear my love of art is rapidly starting to exceed my wall space!

Like decorating, taste in art is incredibly subjective, of course. One man's prized collection can easily be another man's creative nightmare. But I thought you all might like to see just a few of the artists and photographers working today whose creative ideas I respect and enjoy. For a lover of things vintage and Victorian, I feel they echo that sense of romance, adventure, mystery and story-telling.

I just thought it might be fun to give them some props today!

Like British artist, Michael Thomas here...


He's a book jacket illustrator out of England and his work becomes cover art, notecards and prints. I have three of his original paintings, and have been absolutely wowed by his skill, as well as how effectively he has embraced the Pre-Raphaelite style for his subject matter and composition. His works are largely acryllic on board. The piece here is Rapunzel, and as I understand it, she is intended to be used in cards and as an illustration within a fairy tale edition.


This one below is called Pices...

I'm not actually a Pices, but I loved the delicate figure and her almost Rosetti-styled face.

The last of his works which I own is what he refers to as his Art Nouveau angel...

This, the artist indicated, was one of the more decorative pieces he'd done. The elaborate background detailing does remind me of some Burne-Jones pieces, while the figure complements the Pices painting well. I have these on either side of my Victorian pocket doors.

You can check out more of Michael Thomas' work-- I believe he currently has prints available of Pices and the art nouveau angel-- in his Ebay store Fresco Art by clicking here.

Another artist currently doing work which reflects his love of Pre-Raphaelite art is American artist Patrick Lynch out of Kentucky.


I met Patrick online a few years ago due to a mutual appreciation of the Pre-Raphaelites. Patrick balances his art career along with a full-time job-- no easy task-- but has been passionate about his painting for decades. His work uses paint as well as colored pencils to create the vivid shades you see above-- a feat made more remarkable as the artist works to find the right balance in spite of being color-blind.

His paintings typically incorporate Victorian or medieval-Gothic styled ladies with wistful expressions. Imagery tends to emphasize his love of the gramophone, river scenes, and statuary. The painting below is one of my personal favorites in Patrick's online gallery. It's called First Night of Autumn. The hats are based on the work of one of his friends, a Kentucky hat designer.

You can check out more of Patrick's work at his site The Lost and Beautiful Past.

My most recent art purchase was from a shop at Etsy, called Audrey Eclectic. Artist Heather Van Winkle uses the "whimsy folk art" style to create pretty, quirky portraits with a gentle storybook feel. Using mixed media collage, large eyed lasses stare demurely at the viewer, infused with layered details that sneak up a bit of the viewer the more he or she looks. What I appreciated in particular was her work involves more than pretty images of old-fashioned girls, but little tales to support each one.


This is "Elerey," a "Hallowed Hall girl"-- one of three sister portraits, each with a fun little history to accompany her. You can read about them on Heather's blog. Elerey was a toy maker-- and her creations tended to demonstrate some very mysterious and unusual behavior! I liked her Wednesday Addams style.

Another interesting feature is, Heather's work is done on scrap wood, cleaned up and repurposed. Talk about your trash to treasure!

In terms of less Gothic, more Shabby Chic art, I also became taken with an artist named Carole DeWald. She sells on Ebay, in her shop Carole's Cottage, and does still life floral work which puts a particular emphasis on roses, hydrangeas and lilacs. This particular painting is in my dining room.


Another Ebay artist of the genre is Mary Ann Mayer. Her lilac painting-- with its impressionist feel-- made an impression on me. I love that it looks like it has some real age to it.


While we were discussing artists, I'd also wanted to draw your attention to two photographers that capture the natural world in remarkable ways. It's patience and perseverance that make their work so awe-inspiring-- waiting for that perfect glow of a sunset, capturing the right angle of a Western mesa, or sitting in a boat on a Norwegian lake for the just-right shot of the Aurora Borealis.

If you're a fan of nature photography, I think you'll really enjoy the work here.

Rodney Lough is an American photographer whose work my friend Scoobie is addicted to. His love of nature shines through with every photograph, and honestly, once you've seen Rodney's treatment of a particular area, it never seems the same again. He makes our world truly magical. Check out his site, TheLoughRoad, and I believe you'll see what I mean.

Photographer Thomas Laupstad is a fellow I met online through blogging, and like Rodney Lough, he captures his own country-- Norway-- with a keen eye, a love of color and a lot of waiting around for the perfect moment. You can see Thomas' work on his blog here.

Well, I hope you all enjoyed this little dip into the world of independent art today. I know there are a lot of talented people out there, but I thought it would be nice to discuss just a few whose work has become a part of my life.

• If you missed Treasure Box Wednesday, where the mantle gets a new look, I get a few thrifted goodies and you all get some vintage tunes, click here.

• If you missed last Sunday's post on Giggles over Wiggling, Jiggling Jell-O recipes, click here.

And I hope to see you again soon! Thanks for your visit.

Corny crash

I would hate to be the owner of this front yard. There were little bits of glass scattered everywhere as well as chunks of bumper pieces and hard plastic on the floor. Question is, was it vandalism or a careless accident? I'll let you know if the answer appears in the local papers. You'll never find out if I don't.

Nail biting

You know that feeling when you haven't had enough sleep and you feel so tired you feel like spewing? I had that feeling while I was walking home after a meeting at uni the other day. It wouldn't have been the best idea after thinking about it now, but I thought I could get rid of that sick feeling by eating some Korean snackfood.






So here is me with my barbecue corn flavoured snack. And yep, thats how you're suppose to eat them. Place them on your fingers, give them a little wiggle and admire those overgrown nails before, well...biting them off.

Fembots are not a threat!

For some reason Dr Evil and Fat Bastard agreed to a phone interview.
Here is how it went.
(it gets rather disturbing so be warned!)

What on earth is going to happen next!
(No really, what is going to happen next?)

Bitesize cakelets

These are the Korean tiramisu cakelets I was obsessed about some time ago. I finished the whole box in a day. And as you can see, its not exactly false advertising. Cream oh cream!

Homeless comfort

Have you ever had to overnight at the Auckland airport before? Here is a snapshot of what its like to be homeless and cold for a night. I should know.

Frickin Evil captors revealed!

The cruel bastards have sent photographic evidence that they have Olga to Olga's Blog mistress, see here.

BRA-NAPPED

The two Willy's have managed to get some more video footage and photographs.

What now? Maybe these can help?

Fembots!

UPDATE

Forget the first puny fembots!

Look who is coming to Olgas aid!

MONSTER FEMBOT

Treasure Box Wednesday: The Gift of Music and Memories

I have something for you today. It's a surprise! So pick a hand...

Okay, no, sorry-- that sort of thing only works in person, doesn't it? So instead, I guess I'll just have to tell you.

In addition to a few thrifted finds, and a little bit of decorating I'd wanted to show you, I also pulled together a fun little feature for the blog.

If you happen to scroll down this web page and look in the right-hand sidebar in purple, you'll see The Thrift Shop Romantic's Swing Fling Playlist. And if you click Play, why, you'll get an earful of all sorts of swing music, new and old! There's Ella, Duke Ellington, The Squirrel Nut Zippers, Brian Setzer, and at least two different groups with the word "Daddies" in their monikers. (So you know they're embracing a tradition.) Plus a whole batch of others, and even a track off the Verve Remix. Anyway, I thought it would be a nice way to share with you some of the music I listen to, and sing loudly along with in the car. (Disturbing the locals.)

If you don't want to use the Player at the side, you can also click here to listen:

http://www.playlist.com/node/41877991

I hope you'll check it out, see how you feel, and maybe even discover something you like.

Now-- on to the thrifting. I found two goodies this week. For my fellow Pyrexics, I have...


...This bright green Pyrex bowl. I loved the color and it was still in really good shape.

I'd never planned to have a Pyrex collection, but then I guess that's how it nabs you. It sidles up all sneaky-like, until suddenly you realize your kitchen shelves are fit to burst. I found this at the Salvation Army off Carson Street.

At the Goodwill, however, I found this...


...A 50s aluminum pitcher in a berry color. Do you folks remember how I'd found those aluminum tumblers at the Regent Square Yard Sale this year? Well, now I have a matching pitcher. And between the $5 for the six tumblers, and the $5 for the pitcher-- why, at $10 for a whole set, I think that sounds pretty good.

Now in terms of decorating, you might have noticed from the picture above, I'd been noodling around with my mantle again...


I've moved the McCoy style vases to be displayed in the spare room, and am now bringing out the old family photos. The bathing beauty in the center is my father's mother, Elsie, along with some friends...

And the woman here in the oval frame is my father's father's mother, who came to the U.S. from Sweden...


The marcasite-looking frames were from K-Mart- TJ Maxx and one was a gift. The candlesticks and bottle were thrifted. The decorating plan going forward will be to use my clear crystal Depression glass and work on a table arrangement.

Anyway, I thought you all might enjoy seeing the project in the works. (I would have been done with it, only on Sunday I had storms and a power outage for most of the day, and it was too dark to see to finish it!)

Well, in case you missed last Sunday's post, pre-power outage, Giggling over Wiggling, Jiggling Jell-O, click here and maybe get a few chuckles.

I'm off to hear me some tunes!