Treasure Box Wednesday: Lustrous Lovelies

While there hasn't been a ton of time available for thrifting lately, I did hit upon some little treasures in the past couple of weeks. One of my favorites is this figurine from Franklin Porcelain called Sophia, which I found at the Red, White and Blue in Bellevue.

You can see a close up on this dramatic lady here:
I love the matte finish, and the soft colors that work so well with my lusterware rose-printed china. For those curious, this is the mark on the bottom...
At the Goodwill Outlet on Route 30, I got a couple of pieces of lusterware, too. Like this little souvenir plate showing Niagara Square in Buffalo, NY...
It seems to have been a giveaway piece from a store there, sort of a promo item.

And lastly, I fund this nice luster Japanese teacup in orange and purple...
There was an extra saucer that came with it.

So that pours the last drop of this particular Treasure Box Wednesday. I'll be spending the rest of this week prepping the last few things for my novel's release. If you're interested in knowing more about that, you can check out my website here: http://www.theregoesthegalaxy.com

It should be available next week-- woo-hoo!

Treasure Box Wednesday: Lustrous Lovelies

While there hasn't been a ton of time available for thrifting lately, I did hit upon some little treasures in the past couple of weeks. One of my favorites is this figurine from Franklin Porcelain called Sophia, which I found at the Red, White and Blue in Bellevue.

You can see a close up on this dramatic lady here:
I love the matte finish, and the soft colors that work so well with my lusterware rose-printed china. For those curious, this is the mark on the bottom...
At the Goodwill Outlet on Route 30, I got a couple of pieces of lusterware, too. Like this little souvenir plate showing Niagara Square in Buffalo, NY...
It seems to have been a giveaway piece from a store there, sort of a promo item.

And lastly, I fund this nice luster Japanese teacup in orange and purple...
There was an extra saucer that came with it.

So that pours the last drop of this particular Treasure Box Wednesday. I'll be spending the rest of this week prepping the last few things for my novel's release. If you're interested in knowing more about that, you can check out my website here: http://www.theregoesthegalaxy.com

It should be available next week-- woo-hoo!

Treasure Box Wednesday: Mixed Bag o' Goodness

Been a busy couple of weeks, between finalizing the stuff that needs to get done before I can publish my novel, and helping my buddy Scoobie remove some very stubborn wallpaper from her livingroom (more on that in a future post-- the difference so far is AMAZING!). Anyway, I did manage to collect a small amount of secondhand goodies to share with you.

My favorite of which was this little green art nouveau-ish vase I found at the Goodwill in Irwin for $0.99...

I have no idea how old it is-- if it's actually from the early 1900s, if it's from the 60s or 70s, or if it's modern. But I thought the style went well with the rest of my stuff. It reminds me of tiles I've seen from around 1900.

I also snagged this hobnail jadite vase at that Goodwill for, as you can see $8...

I actually have one like this already, but in the past I've wanted to put one on my dining table and one on my mantle, so now I have a matched set.

Lastly, I uncovered this cute lusterware tea set from a local garage sale...

The owner said it was originally her mother's and it was handmade. It's got a mark from the late 60s, early 70s (I apologize, I don't recall exactly).

So that's the treasures for this week. Next week I should be able to share with you the transformation of my friend Scoobie's livingroom, from stifled with date wallpaper, to liberated and given its dignity back.

Take care and happy junkin'!

Treasure Box Wednesday: Mixed Bag o' Goodness

Been a busy couple of weeks, between finalizing the stuff that needs to get done before I can publish my novel, and helping my buddy Scoobie remove some very stubborn wallpaper from her livingroom (more on that in a future post-- the difference so far is AMAZING!). Anyway, I did manage to collect a small amount of secondhand goodies to share with you.

My favorite of which was this little green art nouveau-ish vase I found at the Goodwill in Irwin for $0.99...

I have no idea how old it is-- if it's actually from the early 1900s, if it's from the 60s or 70s, or if it's modern. But I thought the style went well with the rest of my stuff. It reminds me of tiles I've seen from around 1900.

I also snagged this hobnail jadite vase at that Goodwill for, as you can see $8...

I actually have one like this already, but in the past I've wanted to put one on my dining table and one on my mantle, so now I have a matched set.

Lastly, I uncovered this cute lusterware tea set from a local garage sale...

The owner said it was originally her mother's and it was handmade. It's got a mark from the late 60s, early 70s (I apologize, I don't recall exactly).

So that's the treasures for this week. Next week I should be able to share with you the transformation of my friend Scoobie's livingroom, from stifled with date wallpaper, to liberated and given its dignity back.

Take care and happy junkin'!

Treasure Box Thursday: Luster, Lamps and Other Lovelies

This past week or so has been a happy time... for my curio cabinet. See, it has received the bulk of my thrifted treasures lately, in some scores that have brought both shine and good cheer.

One of my favorite items from last Saturday was this remarkable little teacup from the Monroeville Goodwill Thrift Store...
It's a hand-painted porcelain piece which isn't old, but certainly harkens back to Art Nouveau pieces. It was new with a tag, and the designer is Kathy Ireland. I knew Kathy did home furnishings-- English-inspired rugs and sofas-- but I didn't know she'd included porcelain in her line.

Here's a closeup on the saucer. I'm really happy with the quality and detail...
Another fave find was this hand-painted vintage lamp from the Salvation Army thrift store...
I know regular readers will be wondering why on earth I, of all people, need another lamp. The answer to that is, 1.) Lamp addition does not yet have a 12-step program. And 2.) I'm actually downsizing some lamps, and have given a few away to my friend Scoobie's home, so I will no longer be tripping over the, um, lights fantastic.

Here you can see a closer view on those lovely handpainted roses.
Yum!

What I also found to be "yum," was this little lusterware creamer with cherubs on it which I got for $0.99 at the Salvation Army Superstore...
This shiny type of porcelain always makes me happy because it reflects light in what would otherwise be a rather dark house.

And lastly, I netted myself two sparkly souvenir sandcastles, treating my Inner Child to some playful magic...
I wasn't allowed to buy these as souvenirs growing up-- my mother thought it was a waste of money-- so as an adult, I'm really defiantly enjoying picking them up for pennies now. I think they work pretty well with the lusterware and Victoriana...
The Victorians, after all, were all for decorating with interesting souvenir items.

So, that about washes away the contents of this Treasure Box. I hope you all are enjoying a week of the things that lift your spirits.

Treasure Box Thursday: Luster, Lamps and Other Lovelies

This past week or so has been a happy time... for my curio cabinet. See, it has received the bulk of my thrifted treasures lately, in some scores that have brought both shine and good cheer.

One of my favorite items from last Saturday was this remarkable little teacup from the Monroeville Goodwill Thrift Store...
It's a hand-painted porcelain piece which isn't old, but certainly harkens back to Art Nouveau pieces. It was new with a tag, and the designer is Kathy Ireland. I knew Kathy did home furnishings-- English-inspired rugs and sofas-- but I didn't know she'd included porcelain in her line.

Here's a closeup on the saucer. I'm really happy with the quality and detail...
Another fave find was this hand-painted vintage lamp from the Salvation Army thrift store...
I know regular readers will be wondering why on earth I, of all people, need another lamp. The answer to that is, 1.) Lamp addition does not yet have a 12-step program. And 2.) I'm actually downsizing some lamps, and have given a few away to my friend Scoobie's home, so I will no longer be tripping over the, um, lights fantastic.

Here you can see a closer view on those lovely handpainted roses.
Yum!

What I also found to be "yum," was this little lusterware creamer with cherubs on it which I got for $0.99 at the Salvation Army Superstore...
This shiny type of porcelain always makes me happy because it reflects light in what would otherwise be a rather dark house.

And lastly, I netted myself two sparkly souvenir sandcastles, treating my Inner Child to some playful magic...
I wasn't allowed to buy these as souvenirs growing up-- my mother thought it was a waste of money-- so as an adult, I'm really defiantly enjoying picking them up for pennies now. I think they work pretty well with the lusterware and Victoriana...
The Victorians, after all, were all for decorating with interesting souvenir items.

So, that about washes away the contents of this Treasure Box. I hope you all are enjoying a week of the things that lift your spirits.

In the Pink for a Post-Holiday Vintage Tablescape

This past weekend's bitter and snowy weather found me inside tackling all those little things I had been putting off: taking down the tree, packing up all the garland and cardboard village homes, and encouraging my very zealous kitten, Harry-- who wanted to be a part of it all-- to find himself some other more kitten-appropriate hobbies. 

I even spackled some long-lingering cracks in my diningroom walls. It's almost embarrassing when I think about how long this project had gone undone! 

But my favorite activity of the weekend was definitely transforming the diningroom decor from Christmas Lite to springy pink good cheer.
The pink, burgundy, blue and green tablecloth was a long-ago thrift store find, as was the marble and crystal candelabra which I'd painted a pearl pink.

The pinkish purple goblets were purchased years ago from either TJ Maxx or Marshalls. And as you can see I'm using the beautiful opalescent "American Sweetheart" pattern depression glass plates I got via a friend and thrifting...

On the mantle, I coordinated with a rose-printed lace mantle scarf and some of my favorite lusterware plates.

I think these all came from the Red White and Blue Thrift Store, though not necessarily at the same time.

In particular, I love the shape and pattern on this one...

This little pink luster plate is one of my most recent finds.
And I figured I'd add in this nice luster bowl I'd gotten at the Goodwill in Indiana, PA a while back. It had been so dirty when I got it, you really couldn't appreciate its pattern and shine...
A little color goes a long way to soothe the winter blues-- particularly if it's got some winter pinks and winter greens along with it!

Do you folks do any decorating post-winter-holidays, or are you pretty well sick to death of the thought of decor after all the Fa-La-La-ing Festivities?

In the Pink for a Post-Holiday Vintage Tablescape

This past weekend's bitter and snowy weather found me inside tackling all those little things I had been putting off: taking down the tree, packing up all the garland and cardboard village homes, and encouraging my very zealous kitten, Harry-- who wanted to be a part of it all-- to find himself some other more kitten-appropriate hobbies. 

I even spackled some long-lingering cracks in my diningroom walls. It's almost embarrassing when I think about how long this project had gone undone! 

But my favorite activity of the weekend was definitely transforming the diningroom decor from Christmas Lite to springy pink good cheer.
The pink, burgundy, blue and green tablecloth was a long-ago thrift store find, as was the marble and crystal candelabra which I'd painted a pearl pink.

The pinkish purple goblets were purchased years ago from either TJ Maxx or Marshalls. And as you can see I'm using the beautiful opalescent "American Sweetheart" pattern depression glass plates I got via a friend and thrifting...

On the mantle, I coordinated with a rose-printed lace mantle scarf and some of my favorite lusterware plates.

I think these all came from the Red White and Blue Thrift Store, though not necessarily at the same time.

In particular, I love the shape and pattern on this one...

This little pink luster plate is one of my most recent finds.
And I figured I'd add in this nice luster bowl I'd gotten at the Goodwill in Indiana, PA a while back. It had been so dirty when I got it, you really couldn't appreciate its pattern and shine...
A little color goes a long way to soothe the winter blues-- particularly if it's got some winter pinks and winter greens along with it!

Do you folks do any decorating post-winter-holidays, or are you pretty well sick to death of the thought of decor after all the Fa-La-La-ing Festivities?