October is Autumn Even in Florida

Hello dear readers.  I got caught up with too much work in September and the month got away from me but with October now here, there is no denying that even in North Florida, we have entered our own season of autumn.  Shorter days, less humidity, and temps with lots of breezes make this a lovely time of the year.  Of course, I'm knee deep in more tulle than a dance studio as I create Halloween costumes for my grandchildren.  This year the family is going as Beauty and The Beast so I am making costumes for all of them.   

In between costume making I have been prepping my booth space for the upcoming seasons.   I'm slowly bringing out the pieces that everyone wants for their holiday entertaining and decorating.

Dinner setting for four by Johnson Bros., England in their wildly popular pattern, Harvest Time.

Vintage hats are always in demand this time of the year as well and this pretty brushed wool hat with velveteen fruit around it is too cha cha for words.

Another lovely vintage hat of smoked velvet and brilliant rooster feathers around the brim.

I spent months searching for a small hutch as a display but couldn't find it anywhere.  A fantastic architectural salvage store called Junk Co. opened a few doors down from the Lyon's Head Antique Mall where I have booth space and this faboosh piece was in the front windows.   An antique store cabinet painted that sea foam green I just love. So much space and it was exactly what I needed as a display piece.

Large assortment of antique transferware platters abound along with dinner ware.

 Take a goodwill find server and add a pair of Art Deco pendant light shades and you have a one of a kind server for your holiday table.  If this doesn't sell, I will not be sad because each time I look at it I kinda dig it even more.

Did a little hunting at my favorite local haunts last weekend and came up with these treasures.

Stunning EAPG syrup with original lid.  This is a keeper for my personal stash and I will use it over the holidays.

I have a weakness for these vintage iridescent butterfly wing pieces from the 1950s.  Usually brought back as souvenirs from Mexico, these are brilliant in their shades of blues.

Lovely engraved Challah bread knife.

Lot of large antique and vintage serving spoons, a sauce ladle and teaspoons.

A beautiful pair of silverplate candelabra inserts.  I use these in antique oil lamps and they look stunning.

Not one, but two pairs of vintage silverplate candelabra inserts.

An amazing find, stunning vintage mink coat by renowned furriers, "Coopchik Forrest of New York" and designed by Donald Brooks.  Football great, Joe Namath wore Coopchik furs. 

Look at the handwork done in the lining.  Both sides have this stunning stump work along with the traditional hand embroidered initials of the owner.

and finally, place your bets ladies and gentlemen.  Round and round and round he goes, where she stops, nobody knows. A great piece of carnival history, this betting wheel or game of chance wheel is from the 1930s.  A truly unique decorative element over a mantle or on your wall space.  

Wish everyone a gentle week and blessings to you and those you love. Sea Witch

Costumes and cache

It's that time of year when my living area looks like the work room of Project Runway. I have costumes in various stages of creation all over the place.  Three of my grandchildren love this holiday and "place their orders" a month ahead of the date.  So I am working on a Mulan gown, a steam punk warrior lady and a Star Wars scout trooper.  Had to put the fabric and sewing down on Saturday to make a treasure hunt run and then I needed to finish up a few Halloween pieces as well as most of what I brought in to my spaces has long sold.  

I won a box lot, from a summer auction, of vintage Florentine pictures that had long faded away and I thought they would make a great backdrop for Halloween images.  Really like the way they turned out and they are now in my spaces at the Buford Queen of Hearts.

Black cats and tombstones are delightful Halloween decor.

Victorian gal on her broom.

I have a soft spot for lithophanes.  Love the idea of seeing a pretty Geisha at the bottom of the cup.

Dragonware saki cup and saucer lithophane. 

 I've been eyeing this lovely, antique gravy boat for a few months now and finally gave in and acquired it.  Can't wait to serve gravy this holiday.

Lovely pair of etched crystal salt and pepper shakers with weighted sterling bases.

 Haven't seen one of these in years, pretty late Victorian jewelry box.  This will be in my Victorian space next weekend.

Pretty, Antique Northwood Opalescent footed bowl. Twig and branch design. EAPG. Circa 1906

Antique Northwood Opalescent fluted scrolls, EAPG creamer.  Klondyke pattern.  Circa 1901-03

Acquired a pair of engraved fern and leaf EAPG pieces.  Nice spooner.

Then a large EAPG pedestal compote also engraved in the same fern and leaf pattern.

Be still my heart, I so adore antique transferware and this lovely piece is a keeper.

This vintage fez was a summer auction win but I had packed it away and forgot about it.  While digging around for fabric I found it.  Brilliant rhinestones and the original case.

Love, American Style --- the cocktail glass that was popular in the 1960-70s.  Glass on a rope allowed you to free up your drink hand to manage an Hors d'oeuvre plate.  The perfect accessory for your Mad Men costume.

Now, back to costume construction, grandma-ma has her marching orders.  Blessings to you and those you love.  Sea Witch

Spice and Treasure

I have been busy these past few weeks doing a kitchen renovation.  From chalk painting my cabinets to preparing for a new sink install.  Pleased with the results and once I have the new sink in I will post before and after images.  The whole process has taken a bit longer than I had hoped due to the cold, damp weather we have been having.  The curing time for the paint has taken days and I did not want to "rush" that process.  Had to get out and do a little treasure hunting, so Saturday, I was off to my favorite, local haunts.

 Uncommon advertising piece.  EAPG nappy in the "Sawtooth Honeycomb" pattern made by Steimer Glass Company, circa 1906. This is an advertising piece for Bernheimer Brothers which was established in 1884 as one of the first discount department stores in America. 

Pretty Spode Bread & Butter plate.  Pattern: Spode’s Byron.  Sweet pastoral scene with dog. Circa 1900s

 Terrific Staffordshire Brown Transfer Platter.  Pattern:  Palmyra.  Has chip on back.   Circa 1840s.        

Gorgeous, antique serving bowl with cabbage roses and violets transferware with hand painted detailing.  Circa 1900s

Close up of the lovely cabbage roses on this bowl.

Sweet, fine bone china creamer marked Bavaria.

Antique, Wm Rogers 1847 pie/cake server.  Pattern:  Silver (yes, Silver is the name of this pattern) Date issued: 1847. Pretty etched design on base.  I had a hard time giving this one up, almost kept it.

Vintage, Art Deco bride's basket.  Silverplate.

Bringing out the pretty flowered pieces now that spring will be upon us in a few months.

Brought in another Edwardian day dress. This one is fine, cotton batiste with machine embroidery on the bottom, the bodice and sleeve cuffs.  Very wearable size.

 Copper clad baby shoes delight me and I found several this weekend.  I have given these at baby showers filled with ear swabs or cotton balls.   

This delightful valentine baking dish is too cha cha for words.

Fell in love with this adorable print of a toddler and puppy gazing at the frog. Such a sweet theme for a child's room.

Lovely Pima, native American basket was found in a thrift store for a dollar.  This beauty is now in my personal collection. Was head over teakettle with this find. 

As I was passing through downtown Lawrenceville, I spotted a shop I had never been in before.  So I parked the vehicle and went in to see what I could find in Nancy's Candy and Spice Shop.

  Nested between two restaurants, Nancy's windows are warm and welcoming and when you cross the threshold into the store you are filled with marvelous scents of the spices offered there.

Open bags of fresh spices for food preparation, these are the freshest and moistest I have ever seen in a spice shop.  Nancy is knowledgeable about all of them and happily shares how each will enhance your cooking. I purchased a bag of "Green's Seasonings" and "Lime Pepper".  I can't wait to use the "Green's" on my steamed vegies and the Lime Pepper on a NY strip.

The opposite side of the shop contains bags of chocolate covered almonds and other nuts and dried fruits.  White, dark, milk and yogurt dipped.   Brought home a bag of giant almonds dipped in Lemon Citrus.  Amazing.  

As I checked out, there was a display of freshly made Baklava.  Something I have a weakness for, so I purchased two small squares for dessert with my coffee that evening.

Nancy's Candy and Spice is a lovely shop that truly is the "original aromatherapy" with all of the marvelous spices and candies contained within. 

The Arctic blast is still keeping us wrapped up in my layers of clothing that we care to admit.  Hope everyone stays warm and wishing all a gentle week.  Blessings to you and those you love, Sea Witch.