“So here of course, is the image that forms the reason I contacted you in the first place …”

Life often has a way of showing up and taking you where you least expect. As I was writing a Blog update for my LandlockedCottage blog about how vintage finds often bring with them their stories from the past as they move through to the future, a wonderful story came my way via a shopper at one of my vintage shops. It seemed that the women was passionate about the suitcase, hat and dress she was searching for as they represented the story of her mother. We shared a few emails back and I came to hear of her story and to my delight she even shared a stunning black and white photo of her mother arriving on a transatlantic flight to her new Canadian home and sporting the very case she found in my shop. Well as stories go this is a great one and although it is long I promise you it is well worth the read. It will take you on a wonderful personal journey of one family and yet it shares the common theme of the importance of simple items and family treasures we hold dear. Whether they are passed down or we rediscovered them again in a great vintage find, these items remind us where we came from and who we are.
Please enjoy Manuela’s story of how her family came to be and why her great vintage find was so very dear to her memories …

“When I look at vintage photos of my young parents on their journey to Canada, what astounds me is how sophisticated and stylish they were. I could easily have been convinced that they were children of wealthy parent given how polished and elegant they appeared. In fact, my father was a machinist who later became an iron worker, and my mother had worked in a butcher shop in Berlin.
 Humble immigrants from humble beginnings.   

 They had met as teens on a rare hard-earned weekend ski expedition in the Bavarian alps. My mother lived in Berlin and my father in the outskirts of Munich, in the small town of Freising.

  He used to ride his bicycle up into the alps with his skis strapped on to his backpack of mountaineering supplies. My mother had saved every spare penny for her first ever ski excursion and had arrived with a girlfriend by train. In post war Germany, this distance both culturally and geographically would be akin to someone fro Labrador meeting someone from Texas at a rodeo in Houston at the tender age of 15. My father spotted my mother and purposely mowed her down on the slopes for the sole reason of meeting this gorgeous blonde. My parents fell so in love that weekend, corresponded by mail for the next three years while meeting up only a few times. Three years later, both only 18 (my mind boggles!), they made the momentous decision to immigrate to Canada to try and build a better life, make money and hoped to eventually  move back to Germany. In Canada not only did they have no family, friends or contacts, they also spoke not a single word of English between them and carried a sum total of $50 savings as they landed in Canada to start a new life. How unbelievably brave they seem to me.

And so it was, that just four months later my parents decided that they would not return to Germany but instead make Canada their permanent home and formalized their love in a humble wedding. There were only two guests, and the honeymoon consisted of a shared lake-side cabin for two nights.
Even on the rocky shores of a provincial lake, my mother still managed to look like a million bucks and capable of convincing the photo that she was lounging somewhere in the south of France rather than the middle of Manitoba! 

 My mom and Dad adopted me, their only child, eight years later and they remained the happiest, most loving and affectionate couple I have ever known.

So here of course, is the image that forms the reason I contacted you in the first place … 

This photo represents so much for me, it encapsulates so much of what both my parents stand for. Dignity, sacrifice, diligence, self-reliance, love, partnership, gusto, joie de vivre, confidence, hard work, more hard work, and then working just a little harder still … and the idea that presenting yourself in the most polished fashion possible represents a public declaration of self respect. They never had to verbalize these sentiments to me. It wasn’t necessary. It was evident in every single action they ever undertook.
As a little girl, long before any of this became a part of my understanding of my parents, I saw this picture and thought of my mother as a glamorous, world-class movie star. No matter that she worked as a cleaning woman for years. Regardless of what my mom did to make a living to my eyes Grace Kelly had nothing on my mom. Today, I feel this even more strongly now that I understand that not only did she now own so much as a tube of lipstick, but she put herself together on a budget of pennies and looked every inch the beautiful woman she was. This photo allows me to look at my mom through the eyes of my dad, who knew that she was the most beautiful women in the world. He always saw her that way, right up until the very moment she died last year, after 54 years of marriage, while my dad lovingly held her hands.”

Thank you to Manuela for the loving story of her parents Judy and George, and to others who share their wonderful stories of how my vintage finds become their treasures!
To read more on the simple vintage lifestyle and how great finds find me please visit my LandlockedCottage blog.

Thanks for visiting!
Michelle

top 5 of 10 VINTAGE Must-Finds ...

The Top Five MUST FIND’S for a THRIFTY LIFESTYLE …
(see previous entry below for #6 to #10 )

With Vintage-Thrifty-Upcycling trends being a HOT theme right now it doesn’t matter whether you are talking fashion, home decorating, upcycling, crafting, collecting or more the love of a great vintage find has worked its way into every aspect of our homes and lives.

The top trending vintage hot must-finds have a varied theme but there is no doubt the current mid-century retro theme is prime treasure hunting fare. 

link to Inktiques on Etsy

1. Vintage Books - It seems the more techno-paperless we become as a society the more drawn we are to the love of a vintage book. It is as if we are clinging to some part of our history being shredded from us as the literary world finds a new way to reach readers. From leather classic first editions to ragged pulp fiction with retro images and titles long past politically correct we are madly collecting all that documents the written word. 

link to DearNellieStationery on Etsy

2.  Vintage Stationery - From vintage cards to artisanal retro stationery there is nothing like sending or receiving a real letter in the mail. Retro hot paper appeals to many a collector of quirky social statements of the day in almost tacky like phrasing, classic traditional baby announcements, tiny little bridal occasion cards, classic get well greeting and so much more. This trend is beyond scrapbooking cool ephemera and post card collecting and now great finds are displayed and framed on the home office desk regardless of the style or era.

link to typeface at Inktiques

3. Vintage Printing Press - This icon to the industrial printing era gone by is getting harder and harder to find. As technology changed the entire print media world large presses went the way of the dinosaur and the lead typeface was shipped off for scrap. Today these little gems of print history are sought after by many mixed media artisans, scrap bookers and crafters but are equally loved by nostalgic collectors, industrial lovers and writers do all kinds the world over.

link to CndnPrairieAntiques on Etsy

4. Kitschy Kitchenalia - Mid to late century retro vintage kitchenalia has never been so loved! The simplicity of a household in the 50's to late 70's brings a draw to all things the current collector grew up with. From vintage aprons and linens, Pyrex colored mixing bowls, kitschy knick-knacks, melmac madness and more the vintage lover's home is a filled with all things retro simple and well loved.

Link to LandlockedCottage on Etsy

5. Vintage Weddings   - Here comes the Vintage Bride has never been a more popular theme for that special day. Whether the theme is regal elegance of an era long passed or the simplicity of simple home tradition, a vintage wedding is a hot ticket to a perfect day. The tradition of something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue strikes a nostalgic chord at a vintage wedding. An old aunt’s dress, a borrowed veil, a family treasured bride’s string of pearls are just the start as guest are greeted with historic treats and old fashioned favourites making a vintage wedding a day to remember.

TOP 10 VINTAGE HOT TRENDS …con't ...

six to ten

MUST FINDS
for a THRIFTY LIFESTYLE (the top 5 featured in above entry)

link to LandLockedCottage

6. Retro Clothing FashionEverything is in and nothing is out! Fashion has never been more fun and trend-dresser draw from both the finest and the thrift. Gently loved vintage is as at hot as its designer high priced opposites found on everyone rich, poor and in between!

link to ThriftyDiversions on Etsy

7. Mid-Century modern ceramics
 With the onslaught of endless off-shore home-dec possibilities in the big box world, the true vintage-lover is turning their nose up to mass produced cheap and happily spending even less on great thrift store finds to accent their home. From cookware to functional pottery to art glass, collectors are hot after the love of the hunt and collecting in a theme to accent their lifestyle.

link to Inktiques on Etsy

8. Industrial
Heavy metal has taken on a whole new life in the love of the industrial look and a drawback to simplicity and mid-century innovation. From industrial green metal desks the weight of a small elephant, to office mid-century grey metal filing boxes of all sizes the loft-style life-style is a perfect fit for this hot trend.

link to Inktiques on Etsy 

9. Past century Ephemera
The home office has now moved front and centre to the main hall, stairwell alcove, kitchen or even featured in the family room. The décor surrounding is all about framed maps, interesting paperwork of history, theatre tickets and one-off publications from back in the day that showcase the loved collections of the household.

link to LandlockedCottage on Etsy

10. Vintage Luggage & Carry Cases
These gems of the last century are hotter than ever! The sweet small train case was a ladies must-have back in the day and again has gained huge popularity not just as a novelty item but the perfect case for the retro road trip weekend over-nighter. Retro suitcases are finding their way into up-cyclers heaven becoming wall shelves, dog beds, stereo cabinets, and a crafter's storage solution dream.

See the entry above for the TOP 5 and if you have a favourite be sure and drop me a note!

Happy Thrifting,

Michelle

Interview with COLLECTORS QUEST CEO/Founder ...

 http://www.collectorsquest.com/

For all you History Channel and A+E fans – you may have noticed a tie in with an exciting new web site COLLECTORS QUEST. Created by collectors, for collectors, you can now upload and organize your own interesting collections, meet and talk with your fellow passionate collectors, and see different and unique collections from around the world. You can also find and sell treasures and get global news about the vast world of collecting.
“Our website is about making collecting easier and more fun!” says Elizabeth Kressel, Founder and CEO of Collectors Quest, a website that merges retail and interactive content for the collectors’ community. “We have a very different offering than other sites. We understand the antiques/collectible business as we are collector/sellers ourselves.”
Offering up everything from political buttons to breweriana to antique printing presses, Collectors Quest has a strategic marketing partnership with A+E Networks providing television exposure and online marketing support tied to A+E’s most popular properties, including Pawn Stars, American Pickers and Storage Wars. This partnership extends across all A+E properties to any programming with collector tie-ins and to commerce items directly related to the shows.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Liz Kressel on her exciting venture … I hope you enjoy the insights!

ThriftyDiversions: What made you want to come up with the concept for Collectors Quest?
ElizabethKressel: I grew up in a family of collectors so collecting was always in my blood. When I took a look at what was out there, the choices for collectors weren't great. It's a really visual hobby and most sites were lacking any photos whatsoever and video was nowhere to be seen. I also noticed that the websites that were out there only focused on one aspect of collecting - mostly the purchasing side. However, there is also a huge information side to it. There were sites that had the information but they were so dry - it was like reading the encyclopedia.
Given I came from a media background, I thought there was a better way to present this information. I wanted to combine the information and the purchase piece and add in missing visuals. Also, many of the sites out there had been started by hobbyists so there was little incentive to upgrade the technologies of the site. Given where the tech industry was - there were a lot more applications at my fingertips when I wanted to launch it. My thought was to bring the website experience for collectors into the 21st century.

TD: How long from the initial idea to the web launch this year?
EK: Our site has been around for 6 years but we embarked on a major relaunch in January of this year, premiering the new site in June. It was a major upgrade - new features and functionality and the premiere of fully transactional marketplace. We had done more of the matching of buyers and sellers in past. We had started with a blog, which is in the top 1% of all blogs, not just collecting blogs (as ranked by Technorati) and the aggregation of collecting information across the web and eventually added collector profiles and showcases. We still have all of that but the platform is cleaner, and we now have all of the HISTORY channel showcases like Pawn Stars, American Pickers, American Restoration and Picked Off.

TD: How did you manage to marry your idea to the popularity of History Channel / A+E programming of non-stop collecting theme shows?
EK: Funny enough, my idea originated as a cable network. There was nothing out there at the time, just a few scattered shows with Antiques Roadshow being the frontrunner. However, at the time the cable industry was changing making it harder to independents to be successful. The idea always had a web piece because a large amount of collectors online.
So, it is funny to be back in the cable space. Reality shows are a perfect format for collectors because they tend to have personality and are extremely passionate. It makes for great TV. I was lucky enough to know someone in programming and we were able to show how we could add value to their audience by showcasing relevant content. Many of HISTORY's shows tap into the collector consciousness - we just take them a step further by showcasing the items from the shows, giving them background and context. We also give their audience a platform in which to meet other collectors like themselves or to the more casual viewer - just to see cool items like the ones they have seen on the shows.

TD: What exciting things can we see coming up at Collectors Quest as you grow? 

Liz Kressel, CEO/Founder
Collectors Quest

EK: We are adding features weekly but some of the big rollouts you can expect are bringing collectors clubs on to our platform, as well as well know collecting brands (Coca Cola, Pez etc.) We are looking to build several mobile apps as well that will help collectors locate items of interest. We are also rolling out more tie-ins A+E Networks. This month will start our initiative with Bio Channel and we hope to have the A&E brand shows (Storage Wars, Hoarders) in early 2013.

TD: Personally what is your favorite thing to collect and how do you find it?
EK: That is so hard to pick given I have about 6 very active collections (toy trucks, stone eggs, political buttons, military miniatures among them) but if I had to pick one I would say it is 1930's and 1940's American furniture. I go to flea markets, antique malls and auctions. I also do the occasional garage sale but that is much harder since I live in NYC. I also have pulled stuff out of the garbage - one man's trash right? I was also very lucky to have inherited some of my grandmother's furniture to add to my collection.


TD: Recommendations for newbie collectors?
EK: Collect what you love. Most collectors don't do it for the investment aspect. They do it because there is something that intrigues them about the item. Prices come and go based on desirability but it shouldn't negate your appreciation of it. I give the example of 60's and 70's furniture - it's very hot right now so the prices are up. Is is valuable? Perhaps but it is more a question of supply and demand and the demand is strong. However, when Art Deco is the fad two years later, the prices would fall. So, I personally believe if you collect what you love, you'll avoid feeling taken.
Start with smaller items until you gain more of an expertise. I am a newer political button collectors (about 5 years now) and my price threshold is $50 because I know less about it. That said, I've been collecting furniture for about 20 years and I'm quite comfortable dropping substantially more because I have a better knowledge base. Also, don't be afraid to ask! Most dealers are happy to tell you what they know about an item if they can. I always ask about items I don't purchase as well. It's a great way to build knowledge on the types of items you collect.

TD: Thanks Liz!

visit the THRIFTY DIVERSIONS collections of Melmac Mania, Vintage Hats, Pulp Fiction and more featured on COLLECTORS QUEST at http://www.collectorsquest.com/collector/10477/thriftydiversions

The Man of My (Thrift Store) Dreams …

For those who follow my lifestyle blog, LandlockedCottage, you will already know the news that I married this summer in true thrifty-style. My love of vintage was never more fun than pulling together a short notice small town prairie family wedding. In the whirlwind of planning and excitement one thing I did manage to take time for was creating the most unique of bride’s bouquet to showcase my love of vintage jewelry (pictured here).

I must say it was a highlight of the occasion as were so many other little vintage touches, a simple cake with a vintage topper, wrist corsages made from fresh flowers, vintage linens, the town square gazebo we were married in, and so much more. Best of all was that the positive response, well wishes and fun comments on the day showed me that thrifty isn’t just a trend, it is a simple welcomed lifestyle that is here to stay.

Enjoy below the re-printing of the blog I wrote in anticipation of the event and pulling it off vintage-style.

The Man Of My (thrift store) Dreams

Is it just me or have you noticed a trend of late on the new man? For those who also follow my antique & collecting blog Thrifty Diversions you already know that thrifty is “IN” in a big way! But for those who get a more subtle message eventually and enjoy the slow dance you may have picked up on a gentle shift in all that is circling your history channel viewing pleasure of late.

It turns out the men of the much watched History Channel shows, the Pawn Stars, American Pickers, American Restoration, Cajun Pawn Stars, are the new sexy! Yes ladies you are not only looking for mister right – you are now hoping for mister into-great-junk! Women of a certain love-for-vintage age are wanting a man that will go picking and troll thrift stores and yard sales on a weekend. No elegant late Saturday morning yuppie coffee shop dates anymore, we just want a man who pulls up with two paper cups of no-name steaming coffees and an empty truck bed ready for some weekend action – auction action! A man who travels with a little be-prepared essentials rolling around under the seat of his pick-up next to his fishing gear – ropes, big garbage bags, gloves, multi-head screwdriver, hammer, crowbar, shrink wrap, an old-furniture blanket and the likes as you never know when you might come across an old abandoned barn door to liberate or have to dismantle a century old armoire at an auction to get it in the truck.

Yes ladies we want a man who loves long back road drives in the country at dawn’s first light … looking for good junk! How do I know that to be true? I’m marrying one of those guys this coming weekend! Not only did he come to love the thrifty collecting lifestyle I exposed him to early on he has become a great picker himself, even worked the front counter of my antique store to great success on his weekends off the day job, and an expert tie-down man who can make anything fit in the back of a truck. As I am writing this he just texted me pics of a typewriter he is standing in front of at a thrift store he popped into while he is on the road to see a client – “works $8?”- like sexting to a collector – we call it thrift-porn.

Our wedding is as simple as our love of a thrifty vintage lifestyle, all happening in a small prairie town at our shack of a cottage with no frills, but surrounded by family and fun.  Saturday afternoon ceremony in the town park gazebo, my minister brother marrying us, and a few blocks back at home we will be swinging open the old double carriage house doors to expose the tacky man-cave garage bar surrounded by vintage chrome stools.  The yard will be full of guest campers, reception on patio tables covered in vintage linens surrounded by lawn chairs on the dirt driveway. Food will be plentiful simple family fare off the grill, fresh cut garden flowers all around in mismatched vases and stuffed into cream can urns, wine and beer out of iced topped galvanized pails, vintage mismatched dishes, and even the traditional, almost tacky vintage bride & groom cake topper on a simple real get-eaten white cake. There will be fire pit sing-a-longs, crib tournaments, lawn croquet and best of all a celebration of a perfect match.

If these auction loving, junk-hunting, pickup truck driving, rugged haulers are the new man – can the up and coming round of Mountain Men, Shark Wranglers and Swamp People filling up airways be the next great man to snag? Move over American Pickers – trends don’t lie.

Thanks for all the wedding wishes everyone!

(originally run July 26/12 on LandlockedCottage blog)

VINTAGE HATS trending …

 I have always loved vintage hats!

 What was once a necessity to cover one’s head in church became a fashion era rage during the first half of the last century and by mid-century was in full bloom with the likes of head-turners such as Jackie O style spinning the hat fashion industry on its head. By the time the free-love long flowing hair rage of the sixties was full-on the fashion of a lady in a hat took a sad turn and by the seventies hats were relegated to hipsters and weddings.

The magic of time is that everything that was old is now new again and that has never been truer than right now for those lovers of all things vintage. Clothing, hats and accessories topping of the anything-goes fashion trends of today have brought back a love of all things lovely. Brits and those on the Continent have always known the charm of a hat and with the latest wedding of a Royal princess the fascinators came out in a big way and awakened the rest of the globe to once again fall in love with the must have fashion accessory. 

Click to link to more vintage hats

A fine hat now finds its way into any excuse of an occasion making a fashion statement as unique as the woman who wears it. Vintage fashion is classic, hot, trending and here to stay! 

Visit my entire collection of Vintage Hats for sale at   LandlockedCottage

PULP FICTION ….

click to link to more paperbacks

 Mass market mid-century paperback gems are a testament to a brazen social history. Political correctness aside, the titles alone are worth the price of admission but coupled with equally provocative images in wonderful retro cover art makes these one of the latest hottest must haves to any book collector. Genres range from westerns to mysteries and romance.  As for a sign of the times there is nothing like a title the likes of Bond of Flesh or Spinsters in Jeopardy to jump off the page, with images of wanton women, gun-slinging men and Dr. No or Flash Gordon, and were what sold the book purely on cover art and title alone in a highly competitive pulp fiction market.

Click to link to more paperbacks

The paperback era began in the late 1930’s and continues today but the collector higher value draw is to the early editions of this paperback revolution which took the well established refined book stores by a storm. Mass marketing and the concept of vendor returns on unsold inventory enabled inexpensive titles to be had in supermarkets, corner drug stores, commuter station shops and any sort of vendor who had space to offer the craze. 

Click to link to more paperbacks

 There are many things to consider when collecting beyond just price and condition. Established authors back in the day, with solid hard cover fame, also had a mass market appeal resulting in many editions to any given title. Others wrote under pen names for the pulp trade and discovering the who’s who of who wrote what under which name and then targeting your collection accordingly can be half the fun. The same is true for the artists of the day with many contributing to the desirable highly sought after cover art. Values can range from a couple of dollars to tens of thousands and although many can still be found at thrift stores and tag sales this hot market treasure is fast getting swept up with many titles now on the resale collector markets for strong values and climbing.

Click to link to more paperbacks 

Values can range from a couple of dollars to tens of thousands and although many can still be found at thrift stores and tag sales this hot market treasure is fast getting swept up with many titles now on the resale collector markets for strong values and climbing.   

If you were ever goingto simply judge a book by its cover – now is the time!