Navigating Peaks and Valleys

We are entering the 5th month of living with the COVID over our heads and the days all seem to roll into one very long month.  We are slowly reopening in North Florida with social distancing protocols in place and mask wearing.  With many of the outside activities limited we have found that at the Lyon's Head Antique Mall a resurgence of customers both new and those who visit often.  We have become the new entertainment and with that increased sales.  People long for conversation and dealers love talking about the history of the items that we sell.   This makes me happy for our dealers and others in the business.  Our neighbor, Junk Co. echoes the same experience that sales are doing well.  In fact, when the stimulus checks were received, many were used in our shops.  This is what I had done with my stimulus check.  I really wanted to put it back into the economy and use it at small, local businesses so on a June visit to "The Junk Co.," I saw a magnificent Irish cupboard without the doors on it and stopped dead in my tracks.  This was everything I needed for my kitchen and would free up the limited counter space that I had.  But what would this beauty cost me and I'm afraid I thought it would be way out of my budget range.  When I saw the price tag my heart went pitter patter and it would also allow me to use most of my stimulus check on a purchase from a small business.  

So what I came home with is a stunning, wormy pine, Irish cupboard circa 1840s.  The original owner was from Ireland and she had it shipped from Ireland to the US in the 1970s.  It was hers until she passed earlier this year.  Sadly, no one in the immediate family wanted it so it was sold to a dealer who brought it into the antique store I purchased it at.

 I can't swoon enough over this beautiful piece with lots of cupboard space.  I was able to empty my limited counter space of the antique mason jars filled with flours, grains, pastas, rices, and cereals and store them within.  I have to say that every time I open the doors I think of the kitchen in the movie, Practical Magic.  Truly, there is magic within this cupboard.

This cupboard is a rich golden color and I adore all of the wormy trails in the wood.  Now I'm going through my many antique keys to see if any will lock the drawers and the doors.

My usual haunts (those that are still open) wrought treasure these last few weeks.

A charming, late 1800s schoolhouse teachers desk bell.  Oh, it has the most delightful sound to it.

A really festive, vintage Christmas apron.

A terrific, mid century, "modernistic" gold filled wire with blue, plastic emerald cut plackets is post WW2.  

Love it when I come across musical instruments and this Bundy coronet even had the mouth piece with it.

A lovely assortment of vintage floral hankies.

Who doesn't love these vintage wedding cake toppers?

The biggest master knife rest I have ever come across. It is a massive piece and would look marvelous on a holiday table.

A terrific find, EAPG commemorative for the Shriners 1905. This also has images of Niagara falls on two sides along the cup as this is where the convention was held.  The struggle here is do I keep it or do I sell it.

It's been years since I've come across at a1920s long cigarette holder like this.  Vegetable ivory with a scrimshaw geisha at the top.

 Separates for cleaning. This is a great piece and something that Velma Kelley or Roxie Hart would use.

 Mad love for this Arts and Crafts influence, hand hammered copper candelabra.  Circa 1910-20s. This was almost a keeper but I brought it into the shop as quick as I could.  I had found one of these years ago and a colleague grabbed it up for their home.  So glad to find another one.

I have a sweet spot for linens and this crocheted piece and battenburg piece are great finds.

I've been lucky with finding nice, early carnival glass this year and this bowl is rich with iridescent lustre.

Pair of hand painted miniatures on wooden boards.  Very 1960.

 Sterling silver handles on these cake/pie servers. One is marked Kiwanis Club.

A set of six, antique, Clarice Cliff, mulberry transferware bowls.  Staffordshire, England, Pattern: Charlotte.  Circa 1900-1910.

A gorgeous, late Victorian book chain necklace with garnets and a seed pearl.  These are called book chains as each link looks like a small book. 

I've brought in most of these items into my spaces at the Lyon's Head Antique Mall and am always thankful for everyone's patronage.  

I hope everyone continues to live safely and we all get though this so we can return to lives that are free from the limitations we now live with.  Blessings to you and those you love.  SeaWitch

Summer junkin had me a blast

Summer junkin happened so fast.  It was a lovely Florida Saturday.  Lots of sunshine, heat and a later afternoon storm.  Oh how I love living here with nature constantly changing her mind.  Finally had the old, original carpet removed from the main living areas in my home.  I'm not a fan of wall to wall carpet and my little house still had the original white carpet from 1979.  I use the term "white carpet" loosely as the last owners had a pair of small dogs that used it as a personal toilet and there were gray circles everywhere.  Installed an indoor/outdoor vinyl planking that is gorgeous so it is perfect for my Florida lifestyle.  I wanted something for the main part of the family room but not a rug. Found this marvelous calligraphic script on bamboo mat that measures 6 x 9 and I love it.  

Everything about this is me.

I put a no slide rug pad under it and it has a nice cushion feel to its step.

 My "real" job keeps me busy these days so I look forward to Saturdays to do a little junkin in between my errands running.  Found a nice selection of eclectic pieces too.

 An assortment of lovely, hand made needlelace doilies.

Some nice carnival glass pieces have been popping up like crazy these last few weeks.  This brilliant, marigold carnival glass fruit bowl by Indiana is in fantastic condition.

A lovely pair of Fenton Marigold carnival glass, orange blossom tree mugs. Circa 1910.

The first piece in the 12 Days of Christmas plates by Imperial. The brilliant iridescence on this carnival glass plate, A Partridge in a Pear Tree is gorgeous.

This little sweetie is an early, small table lamp that emulates an oil lamp.  Heavy cast metal, I had to fight with myself not to keep it as I love that seafoam green color.

I've been coming across both small finger oil lamps and mini's these days.  This personal lamp is a charmer.

Who doesn't love the 1950-60s pop it beads that every young girl loves to wear and play with?  The largest necklace is a pale shade of blue.

The Flower Madonna and Baby Jesus Hummel figurine.  This is the second one I have found in the wild.  This one is the medium size figurine that measures approximately 10.5 inches.

Delightful pair of mid century modern, white tulip candlestick holders with gold brushed accents by Wales Pottery.  Made in Japan, 1960s.

 One of the coolest things that I have found in a long time...an antique porcelain spout (faucet). Circa 1900s.

A lovely antique 1870-80s ruffled nightgown.  Cotton with decorative French seams, tiny hand stitched button holes with tiny buttons and ruffles at the neck, wrist and down the bodice.  This is a nice, larger size with lots of room and very wearable.

And a piece I kept for myself.  A brilliant and heavy American Brilliant Cut Glass trumpet vase. This bad boy is huge and heavy and beautifully cut and throws fiery rainbows.  This was a Goodwill find and filthy along with mineral stains on the inside.  I was worried it may have become sick glass but it cleaned up beautifully.  

This was a great two weekends of finding treasure and between the cleaning of what I have found and the putting my home back together after the new flooring was laid has kept me busy but so worth it.  I'm crazy about the new floors, love the way my house remains cooler and cleaner.  

Most of all, I love the sound of my sweet baby girl click clacking across it.  Blessings to you and those you love, Sea Witch.

Doesn't seem like a year...

but it was one year ago Saturday that I closed on my home in Florida and began moving in.  I am so happy here that it feels like I've been here for years.  Additionally, I have made a home at the Lyon's Head Antique Mall and have grown from one space to two and will be moving into a display case as well next month.  The owners are lovely people and I so enjoy my association with them.  I'd like to say that my unpacking is completed but, alas, it is not. Still have some things to open and arrange or rearrange but that's okay.  I'll get to when I get to it. LOL   The double freeze we had killed off all of my flowering shrubs so I had everything removed this weekend and all of the flower beds raked.  Since the sides of the house are not accessible I decided to have a power wash and exterior painting done as it had been almost ten years since it was last painted and it was beginning to show wear and flaking of the paint.  Looking forward to seeing the transformation and the new planting.

I have been transforming my main space at the Lyon's Head Antique Mall as well. Found a stunning vintage free standing, fireplace mantle that is perfect for displaying pieces and doesn't take up a lot of space evening though it is a large mantle.  It opened up my booth and still allowed me to keep all of the furniture I had in the space.  Now everything looks so much more open and it is easier for customers to move around in it.

Finding interesting items at my favorite haunts but have noticed an uptick in Carnival Glass interest.    Every piece I have had in my spaces has sold and the new pieces I brought in last week are already gone.  Something is going on with Carnival Glass.  More folks are asking for it and it is also being purchased by millennials.  I suspect they remember seeing these pieces on their parents or grandparents tables and cabinets and they look well on the Ikea furniture they love so well.  

Found this lovely little Smith creamer with a rich iridescence at my local Goodwill.  

Found this marigold carnival basket in my unpacking of more inventory last week and is lovely to put an Easter egg or two in it.

Another weekend Goodwill find, a pretty vintage Carnival Glass blue iridescent pedestal covered candy dish by Indiana Glass (one of their most popular and sought after pieces). Beautiful ice blue iridescence in the open lace pattern. Circa 1970-80s 

Satin finish Fenton is another popular seller for me.  This sea blue is rich in color and the Jim Shore quilt egg looks happy in it.

Charming Depression glass juice pitcher in the open rose pattern.  Another thrift store find. 

Nice vintage mesh egg basket are always fun decorating pieces.

Saw the title of this book and had to have it for my space.  The Strange Woman, copyright 1941, reads like bodice ripper tales.

Sweet little creamer from the 1930s is too cha cha for words.  The little velveteen rabbit looks happy next to it.

Nice Candlewick twin server was a thrift store find along with the silverplate pieces.  

Brought in a lot of vintage 1950s faceted choker necklaces in poppy red and American blue.  These are fun to wear and are great colors.

My main space is packed with treasure so now it was time to see what my fellow dealers had to offer.

Be still my heart, I go weak in the knees for vintage and antique silverplate, especially when it is in this great condition.  Add in a low price and you can shout, "SOLD," because it is coming home with me.

Lovely set of Wallace, serving spoons with monogram W.

Set of Reed & Barton tablespoons are also in lovely condition but just need a little polishing.

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Nice set of Rogers monogrammed teaspoons. I really scored with this find and will use when I entertain.

On my way home and decided to stop in Treasure Trove, a sales and consignment shop in Port Richey/Hudson.  They advertise they sell antiques but only two dealers there really deal in such pieces with the other dealers selling a wide variety of pop culture, dolls, clothing and large pieces of furniture often consigned.  You never know what you are going to find there so it is always an interesting stop.  

Well look what I found there...

A stunning, antique wicker lamp that has been rewired.  OMG I practically cartwheeled to where it was sitting.  I have been looking for a lamp for my guest room and I wanted to keep the beach vibe without looking like a Home Goods.  (nothing against Home Goods, I shop there all of the time, just wanted an authentic piece)  Has layers of paint and will need to give it a good cleaning but oh, man, am I in love with this lamp.   

Always love when the time change kicks in as the days are so much longer and full of sunshine and wishing blessings to you and those you love.  Sea Witch