Beauty and the Beast and a packed suitcase

I am one month away from my first year as a Florida resident.  Still can't believe it will be a year as it seems like I'm still unpacking.  My day job has me overwhelmed but living here makes it all worth it.  Spent Halloween visiting my son and his family and I got to bring up costumes for them all as they went as a family dressed like Beauty and the Beast.  I had such a marvelous time creating the costumes and so grateful that only hem adjustments were needed for the dresses as everything else fit like it should.

The family that Disney's together has fun together.

Beauty and her Beast!

 Lumiere lights the way.

Plumette loves her Lumiere.

And the Enchantress who was the architect of all this fun.

  I traveled with all of these costumes in a checked back and I did not want to check an empty bag when I returned home so my lovely daughter in law took me junkin at her favorite thrift shop where I found some great treasure.  

Gorgeous vintage, cut crystal nappy.  This one throws beautiful rainbows.

 Stunning pair of Hobster and Feather tumblers by Millersburg glass.  Circa 1909.

Lovely set of 5, cut crystal brandy snifters (two were still in the dish drain drying).   

Lovely quadruple plate urn and a group of  vintage miniature billiard balls. I'll be keeping the quad plate and adding it to my personal collection but the "balls" are going in my space this weekend.

Fantastic and what looks like it was never used Ronson "Nordic" table lighter.  

Produced 1955.

Nice Imperial Glass mushroom candlestick in the Candlewick pattern.  Has the slightest hint of sun purple.  Circa 1950s

Upon returning home, I still had two days of my day job to perform and then the weekend arrived and I was off to a few local haunts to see what was out there.

Sometimes the best place to shop is where you sell and these pretty cut crystal salts were at the front desk at the Lyon's Head Antique Mall.  They always have "impulse items" for those checking out to see and I was drawn to these when I saw them.

Marvelous marriage of two EAPG pieces.  The top is a Gillinder, round frosted lion head and the bottom is ... well I haven't discovered this pattern yet so I'm still looking and will report back when I find it.  Still, it was a great marriage of two pieces that did not start out together but ended up a perfect match.

A Goodwill find, a pair of gorgeous Wedgwood serving platters.  

 A nice, vintage gravy boat and pretty little butter pat.

Finally, a terrific store display mannequin.  Heavy duty and linen cover,  am crazy mad for this.  Especially since it was priced at $38.00.  I use them in so many different displays and when sewing that I couldn't wait to wheel this sweetie out of the vehicle and into my home.

All in all, it was a lovely two weeks, we turned the clocks back last Sunday and the days are still getting shorter.  Is it wrong to say I can't wait for next spring to change the clocks again?  I miss the long sun filled days.  Wishing everyone a gentle fall season and blessings to you and those you love.  SeaWitch

Belle, Glass and Booth

My youngest granddaughter, Kels, texted grandma-ma to tell her she wanted to be Belle for Halloween this year and that she would need the "exact" yellow gown that Emma Watson wore in the movie.   So it was off to the fabric store to purchase sun yellow fabric dye and begin dying 20 yards of beaded tulle from a wedding train. This will be a fun gown to make for her as I love to replicate these pieces.

While the fabric was undergoing several dye baths, I made a run to my local Goodwill and it was raining glass.  I was in the market for vintage, 2 quart canning jars to store pastas, rice and cereals.  There on the shelf were three and they had the zinc lids with the white glass inside.  SCORE!!!!  

These three look so good and now I'm on the hunt for more.

Milk bottles!!! Oh yea, a quart, two pints and a creamer and I am in glass heaven. I will repurpose these into Christmas display pieces. 

A marvelous Early American Pattern Glass (EAPG) buttermilk pitcher.  Perfect condition.

A charming, big glass boot says Christmas to me.  I may fill with vintage glass ornaments or vintage elves or pretty holiday picks.  

 Lovely sterling and etched crystal bud vase was black with patina.  Marked Webb Sterling, this is such a pretty piece.

Finally, three beautiful EAPG goblets.  All are in perfect condition.  I love using EAPG pieces, there is something marvelous about drinking from a glass that is 120 years old.

A pair of Wedgwood plates were a Salvation Army find.

Also from the Salvation Army, a terrific vintage turkey platter with that coveted salmon pink border.  This will move quickly come Thanksgiving.

Still unpacking inventory and found a few pieces to bring in to my booth space.

Antique shaving mirror with scalloped edges and folding stand.

Corn cob pipe is a perfect touch to leave next to the empty plate of cookies that Santa receives from children.  "The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, and the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath."

Stunning, late 18th century, earthenware milk pitcher.  These soft paste pieces didn't often survive. Circa 1780s-1830s.

 Stunning, early 20th century, hand woven splint gathering basket.  Lovely carved and shaped handle with ash splints and vegetable red dyed pattern.

Ahh, the type of piece that makes the Sea Witch weak in the knees, a lovely sea urchin about the size of a small grapefruit was sitting on a self at the Goodwill.  $1.98 later and I carefully hand carried this home and it now sits next to my corals.  

Labor Day will be upon us so wishing everyone a gentle holiday and blessings to you and those you love.  Sea Witch

Holiday Treasure

The busiest time of the year for antique dealers and this year is no exception.  A late Thanksgiving in November and only three weekend of shopping for Christmas in December has had me running amuck trying to get as much in to my spaces at the Queen of Hearts.  Lots of unique items found at local Holiday Open Houses this year.

 

First time I ever came across a pair of turn of the century medical stirrups.  If you are a "Knick" fan, then these are the perfect gift.

 

These 1900s canvas high top shoes were dyed red and have taken on a lovely, faded color.  I'm sure Mrs. Claus would be wearing these as she danced with Nick.

 

Clothesline reel or kite reel, either way, this vintage piece even looks sweet with garland around it.

 

I adhered vintage santa's to vintage Florentine plaques, added mica glitter.  

 

A local thrift store find, gorgeous Lenox Sedar Plate.

Whiteware is so pretty on a holiday table.

Not a creature was stirring, not even a "mica dusted" mouse.

Beleek, Lenox, and Wedgwood make lovely gifts.

 

Very wearable, Elf Slippers. Be your own, elf on a shelf.

 

Antique bells ring in your guests.

Pair of Sterling, weighted candlestick holders.

Mid century, mercury glass ornaments are always pretty decorative elements.

 

My Victorian booth is packed with goodness.

 

A visited my sister in Florida over Thanksgiving and found this marvelous pair of  Roseville bookends.  Pink Zepher Lily on the famous matt green bookend base.  These will be in my display case at the Buford Queen of Hearts.

It was a great trip and I so enjoyed spending time with baby sis.  We always have the best time and so busy laughing until it hurts.  I hope everyone had a gentle Thanksgiving as well.  Blessings to you and those you love.  Sea Witch

Last weekend before Christmas

So hard to believe that this year is almost over and this is the last weekend before Christmas.  It will be 2015 before we know it.

Got in one last weekend of treasure hunting before the year ends and found some nifty pieces at my favorite haunts.

I picked this, late Victorian shaving mirror, up about 5 years ago at a local thrift store and it hung in my entryway for years.  It's now time to move it on so it is in my Victorian booth at the Buford Queen of Hearts.

Beautiful, French steel engraving, depicting a woman deciding on what jewelry to purchase, drawn by E. J. Parris,and engraved by J. Thomson. Date 1844.  Hand colored with original matting.  Elegant reframe, 1940s.

 Beautiful, French steel engraving, "The Bridal Eve," drawn by E. J. Parris,and engraved by J. Thomson. Date 1844.  Hand colored with original matting.  Elegant reframe, 1940s.

Beautiful. Art Nouveau period, iridescent green, “snake skin” Kralik, art glass vase. (Bohemia) Czechoslovakia.  Small chips along lip and bottom edge from use.   Circa 1900s.

Circa 1900s, fraternity paddle.  Xi Psi Phi Fraternity, was created in 1888, by five freshman dental students who were attending the University of Michigan to create a club among freshman dental students for intellectual and social interaction.  This is a fun piece and would be a nifty gift for a dentist to put in their office.

Lovely, late Victorian oval cameo print.  Gorgeous detail of an elegant French lady.  Original tin frame.  Circa 1890s.  This is such a pretty little print.

Should have taken a pic of the easel without the book on it.  Pretty, Italian Florentine frame is a neat find and it is in my Victorian booth. 

A Goodwill find, beautiful Wedgwood trinket plate in original box.

Smashing, large Imperial serving bowl of rich marigold that is on fire with orange brilliance. Tri pressed.   Pattern:  Grapes.  Circa 1970s    I have a matching smaller bowl as well.  

Everybody loves Fenton glass and the brilliant iridescence on this piece is amazing.  Cobalt blue, carnival glass bowl with basketweave and ruffled edge. Circa 1970s

Gorgeous and heavy, brass serving tray in the Colonial Chippendale design with heavy engraving.  Peerage, England.  Peerage is known for its high quality, colonial reproduction pieces.  Mark dates this piece to late 1940s.  Most likely a souvenir brought home by an 

American GI during the war.

 Pretty Nippon, hand painted vanity tray.  Unusual edge with lip.  This will be in my space for Valentines Day.

 My Victorian booth space got a refill this weekend.  Lots to still find for your Christmas giving.

 My main space is also refilled.  

I have sold lots of Christmas decorative pieces so I will have very little to "pack up" when the holiday ends.  I always like it when that happens.  I'm already planning my post holiday displays, you have to stay ahead of the season.  

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah and always, blessings to you and those you love. Sea Witch