Thrift Finds: A first one for me

December 8, 2013, 7:56 am

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Hello friends of the vintage find,

I am happy to report that I have found my first C. Jere wall sculpture! and I like it! Many of his designs are not that appealing to me, but this one is really nice. I like the lone butterfly hiding amongst the golden leaves. This thing is large! It measures about 58" long. I have to either sell it fast or hang it on a wall for good :)

Image borrowed from here

That was the extent of my thrift finds for the week, that is until Friday afternoon when I found myself near a little consignment store that I visit sporadically. These smalls came home with me:

A C. Alan Johnson Inuit Figurine. This little one is called Silook and it reminds me a little of Lisa Larson's Children of the World figurines. This cutie is already listed in the store.

My first Royal Copenhagen Aluminia mug! I didn't know these were so large! This one was designed by Anne Marie Trolle and it has a sterling silver round disk on the bottom where it was inscribed. 

A couple of mod Takahashi ashtrays. Breaking my no ashtray rule once again. But these are just too good to pass up.

If you are interested in any of my finds, do not hesitate to contact me with your questions. I offer discounted prices to my blog readers!

Our latest Taste Setters sale Into the Woods begins tonight at 6PM PST. Bring your blanket and your hot cocoa.

Sharing this week with A Living Space, Remnant, We Call it Junkin and Sir Thrift a Lot.

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Thrif Finds: Long Beach keeps on giving

December 15, 2013, 5:03 pm

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Hello friends of the vintage find,

I did not go thrifting this week as I was busy celebrating my birthday and finishing the backyard makeover. I will share pictures of the before and after soon (I hope). My mother in law arrives tonight from Colombia and I have been running around in circles trying to organize my office - guest bedroom. It is going to be interesting to try and clear all my inventory. Sigh!

I had no time to go to the Long Beach flea market today, but I knew I couldn't miss it! I left late and arrived to a very crowded market, yet the goods were still there and the sellers were all willing to negotiate! What a difference from my last visit to the Irvine flea a couple of weeks ago.

Let's see what I found today!

Stunning Copco pepper mill designed by Michael Lax. More a sculpture than a mill at 12 1/4" tall. Stainless grinder, made in Italy.

Two beautiful Upsala Ekeby serving dishes designed by Mari Simmulson. Fingerprint pattern applied over a matte brown glaze. Very pretty.

It was all about the browns today. This sweet Porsgrund teapot reminds me of Arabia's Ruska pattern. This is called Lava. Gorgeous textural glaze.

The smalls for the day: A tiny Annemarie Davidson enamel plate, a darling William the Hippo figurine replica made for the British Museum, and a fab brass hippo to keep William company.

Bertil Vallien horse figurine - paper weight for Kosta Boda. These are so beautiful! I would have quite the collection if I had decided to keep them all. I guess it is too late now.

Absolutely gorgeous mixed metals modernist plaque. Made by Emaus in Mexico. I might have to keep this one!

Last but not least the ever popular puffer fish - toothpick holder. So cute!

If you are interested in any of my finds, do not hesitate to contact me with your questions. I offer discounted prices to my blog readers!

Taste Setters  latest sale Solstice starts in an hour! Check it out. It is a beauty! Sale ends Monday December 16, 6PM PST.

Sharing this week with A Living Space, Remnant, We Call it Junkin and Sir Thrift a Lot.

Thrift Finds: Last finds of the year

December 29, 2013, 11:12 pm

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Hello friends of the vintage find,

I am back after a much deserved hiatus. I have been able to take a break and enjoy all the good things that come with having family in town. It is a wonderful thing to have a full house! My mother in law and cousin indulge my thrifting habit, so I take them with me to my usual hunting grounds! My cousin picks for me!!! Isn't she great?

A few finds from this week include a stop at my local Goodwill and another stop at an antique mall on the way to Julian (a nice little historic town near us)

These two bottles are nothing like the other figural bottles I have found before. These are larger, they are hand blown with pontil, and the stopper has been ground on the bottom. I thought they could be Hoglund for Neiman Marcus, but it seems like they are Blenko. I am still researching, so let me know if you have more information about them.

A sweet little bear cub wood carving. Signed Smith. So beautiful and stylized! It will be listed soon.

Arabia Fructus blue platter. Stunning hand painted decor! A great find.

A large wood carving signed "M.D. Rumbaugh" The only reference I have found so far to the artist is a beautiful Rosa Parks wood carving that is part of the National Portrait Gallery's permanent collection. I need to research some more to be sure that this beauty is by the same artist.

Lastly a couple of bird decorated low bowls. Sascha Brastoff whimsical style can be seen clearly on these pieces.

Sharing this week with A Living Space, Remnant, We Call it Junkin and Sir Thrift a Lot.

Thrift Finds: First finds of 2014

January 4, 2014, 8:24 pm

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Hello seekers of beauty!

It is a brand new year and I am feeling optimistic about what it is to come! 2014 promises to be good!

I have been busy and I have neglected my store. My thrifting finds are few but they are good. I love to go thrifting in January, it has always been a good month for me. Let's take a look at my finds for the week.

It is the first time that I find a set of iittala arkipelago candle holders. I really like how these look together. Tall one is so beautiful!

My first Glidden pottery find. A square bowl with a very interesting glaze treatment.

Salt and pepper set made by Takahashi, Japan. Simple and ergonomic. Great color combination.

Sweet hand painted pitcher. I have yet to decipher the mark on the bottom. It might be German or Scandinavian.

A couple of Wilmot figurines. These whimsical fish are going to be listed soon. I am pretty sure they will fly out of the store.

If you are interested in any of my finds, do not hesitate to contact me with your questions. I offer discounted prices to my blog readers!

Sharing this week with A Living Space, Remnant, We Call it Junkin and Sir Thrift a Lot.

Thrift Finds: A little bit of everything

January 12, 2014, 11:24 am

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Hello vintage fans,

I am slowly getting back to my routine of thrifting, photographing, listing, and selling (always the optimist!) and it is a good thing. I love having guests at home, and I really enjoyed all the time off, but this business doesn't run on its own, so I am eagerly back.

I went to my first estate sale of the year on Thursday and I am happy to report that I found some good stuff! I am going to show you my lone keeper first:

A beautiful teak Nissen salt and pepper. The small cylinder at the top comes out and it is the salt shaker, the bottom unit is the pepper grinder (peugeot mechanism). I love the simplicity of design. I have only been able to find one other example in my research. I am over the moon about this find. It will soon join all the other mills in my collection.

Other finds this week include a sweet Wiinblad angel for Rosenthal. I do not have to explain my Wiinblad weakness again, right?

A couple of Arabia Kosmos dinner plates. Designed by Gunvor Olin Gronqkvist in the 1970s. Lovely earth tones and understated graphic decoration. Must list them soon before I fall in love with them.

Talking about Wiinblad, here is a unique decanter set designed in the 1970s for Rosenthal. I was surprised to find out that these were Wiinblad's. I am a fan of his whimsical designs and these are a bit too serious. What do you think?

A couple of Roseville Raymor cups and saucers in the beautiful and luscious Autumn Brown. Designed by Ben Seibel. Listed here.

A very mod set of glasses in a striking orange red color. I have no attribution for these but they are very nice.

My second cryptomeria wood frog carving. These are quite interesting and have a following. Slow sellers though.

Lovely sunny yellow teapot that flew out of the store. In the style of other mid century kettles like Copco, Dansk and Cousances. No attribution as to the maker of this one, but I suspect it could be Japanese.

I love finding these little birds. I had four at one time in the store and they got a lot of love. These will be listed soon.

Two tomte figures handcrafted in Denmark by Anne Beate. Original tags still attached. Lovely.

Not pictured are a very nice tile top side table by Gangso Mobler of Denmark and a Lauffer of Norway flatware bundle. You can see them here, and while you are at it you can follow me on Instagram :)

As usual, if you would like more information on any of my finds you can always contact me.

Sharing this week with A Living Space, Remnant, and Sir Thrift a Lot.

Thrift Finds: Thrifting while traveling

January 19, 2014, 12:30 pm

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Hello friends of the vintage find,

How was your week? Did you find lots of treasures? I am in Atlanta right now, as our cousin is turning 50 and we had a surprise party for him last night. It was A LOT of fun and we danced until the wee hours of the morning. I am slightly tired. Forgive me if I don't make much sense.

Long story short, I did not have much time to thrift, but the two times I went out I found something worth my time. One is a mystery, a beautiful one.

A patinated bronze or brass pendant. No signature. Brutalist in style and a shape that recalls primitive symbols. Measures 4" long.

Then yesterday while we were killing time while our cousin left the house, we stopped at a local consignment store. I found a framed set of four tiles, two of which I recognized as Royal Copenhagen Aluminia. The other two were beautiful but they did not look like they were Royal Copenhagen. I took apart the frame and discovered that the other two tiles are Gladding McBean Hermosa tiles.

I really like these two tiles, I wonder if there was an artist behind these designs. Most of the GMcB tile designs I have found are less refined aesthetically.

The remaining two tiles feature birds as well. These were painted by Beth Breyen for Aluminia, Royal Copenhagen. The photos are a bit overexposed and they don't show the true deep colors of these wonderful pieces. I only have my trustworthy iPhone with me on the trip, and I am doing the best I can.

Aren't these lovely? You all know of my love of all things fajance, Royal Copenhagen. Maybe it is time to start a collection...

I am off to visit an antique mall nearby. I might find some more to blog about. Wish me luck!

As usual, if you would like more information on any of my finds you can always contact me.

Sharing this week with A Living Space, and Sir Thrift a Lot.

Thrift Finds: Some first time finds and some repeats

January 25, 2014, 11:42 pm

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Hello lovers of vintage,

I am back from my trip to my little routine of thrift and estate sale hunting. I did not find anything extraordinary this week, but I love every single one of my finds.

My fourth set of Takahashi teardrop salt and pepper shakers. This time in a beautiful red-orange lacquer. These are so mod and fun.

There is always a first time for every thing. These wonderful Braun alarm clocks have been in my thrifting list for a long time. My mom used to have a similar one on her beside table for as long as I can remember. Simple and beautiful pieces. Found the two at the same estate sale. There were many more alarm clocks where these two came from.

I believe both clocks were designed by Dieter Rams, one of the greatest designers of the 20th Century.

Another item that has been in my thrifting list is this lovely Pantalcraft wooden tray. Designed by Arthur Umanoff and made out of Taverneau wood with rattan wrapped handles.

I usually pass on most Couroc trays and dishes that I find, but I couldn't pass on one of my favorite designs. Isn't it great? In fabulous vintage condition!

Pair of salt and pepper shakers made out of what seems to be teak. Unmarked.

Enamel is a weakness of mine. I pick up evert single piece of enamel that I find, unless there is damage to it of course. This little dish was made by Bovano. Great colors.

Another regular of this blog. A Blenko water bottle. I could have a large collection if I had kept them all. I believe I have found a different color each time! This might be Amethyst.

As usual, if you would like more information on any of my finds you can always contact me.

Sharing this week with A Living Space, Sir Thrift a Lot and Thrifter Maker Fixer Farm.

Thrift Finds: Working hard for my finds

February 1, 2014, 11:37 pm

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Hello vintage fans,

Remember last week when I mentioned that I was going to the flea market on Sunday? I am glad I did! I didn't find much but I am really happy with my few finds. 

This beautiful woven tapestry was made by 10 year old Badr Ali Selim at the Wissa Wassef School in Giza, Egypt. The art center was the brainchild of architect Ramses Wissa Wassef who believed that the innate creativity of young children should be encouraged without the restrictions of formal education. Check their website for more information.

Later in the week I thought about hitting a couple of estate sales in the area. One looked promising with lots of art, books and a couple of interesting pieces of furniture. I decided against going because I couldn't be there early and this was going to be a crowded sale for sure. Itching for some finds I went to check a circuit of thrift stores north. I visited 5 or 6 stores with no luck! Frustrated I decided to go cherry picking at a nearby antiques mall. This Dansk pepper mill was priced low and I couldn't resist adding it to my collection.

This gorgeous plaque by Bjorn Wiinblad was my other lucky find from Sunday's flea market. I have a couple more in my inventory, I am thinking I have enough for a beautiful display. Decisions, decisions.

This difficult to find Tempron Taste Tempers designed by Ben Seibel was another find at the antique mall. Sold as a vintage glass set. Knowledge is a beautiful thing! Listed here.

Isn't this a cute bird? A Thomas Hellstrom design for Nittsjo of Sweden. Beautiful craftsmanship. Found while thrifting from the couch :)

Thrift stores might be full of disappointment most of the time, but once in a blue moon one can find jewels like this. Another Braun find! A KMM 1 Coffee grinder designed by Reinhold Weiss in 1965. Very good Braun reference site here.

Late Friday afternoon I stopped by a nearby estate sale before they closed. I had not seen anything worth waiting in line for on the preview pictures, yet this gorgeous Bitossi covered jar was waiting for me! Lucky me!

Thrift stores were more generous on Friday (I had to get out of the house to avoid packing a couple of large orders). I found this sweet piece of Arabia, designed by Hikka-Liisa Ahola.

And another thrift store find was this very cool record/magazine teak cart designed by Rolf Hesland. I wish I had an awesome record collection to justify keeping this!

Image Credit

Last find of the week is this cute Arabia walrus figurine designed by Taisto Kaasinen. This is not your average little figurine, it is a big one! Another antique mall find. Listed here.

As usual, if you would like more information on any of my finds you can always contact me. I give discounted prices to my blog readers.

Sharing this week with A Living Space, Sir Thrift a Lot and Thrifter Maker Fixer Farm.

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Thrift Finds: February looks good

February 9, 2014, 3:41 pm

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 Hello friends of the vintage find,

This first week of February has been a good one for my Etsy and eBay stores. I  can't complaint about finds either. It is always a good week when the thrift gods decide to show up at the thrift store! You have to understand that there are many days when I leave empty handed and frustrated, but February is looking good! (Perhaps all of the end of the year donations are finally seeing the light of day?). Let's see what I found this week:

Four different C. Alan Smith figurines join my previous lone find from a while back. I had the first one listed on Etsy, but decided to list all five on eBay. Four out of the five sold immediately. Only cute little Benny remains.

Very nice Nissen staved teak ice bucket. Love the simplicity of design. For someone that rarely uses ice, I seem to have a weakness for ice buckets!

Lovely West German Pottery vase by Scheurich. This is a large one, and the glaze treatment is wonderful.

Extral large Native American wood carving figurine, acquired by the original owner in Arizona. I have yet to find anything like it. The closest I have come to an ID is Black Jack's pottery pieces. The style is similar. This carving is signed Carlee (?) 1968. Any information on it is appreciated.

Two St. Andrews Abbey wall plaques. Saint George with a very cute dragon and the Last Supper.

And my favorite find of the week: A bullet telescoping lamp by Hamilton Industries. Such a cool design and a great color combo!

As usual, if you would like more information on any of my finds you can always contact me. I give discounted prices to my blog readers.

Sharing this week with A Living Space, Sir Thrift a Lot and Thrifter Maker Fixer Farm.

Thrift Finds: Love at first sight

February 16, 2014, 1:37 pm

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Welcome vintage seekers,

Have you ever seen something for the first time, and even though you have lived your whole life without it, it seems impossible to not have it in your life? I exaggerate  a little. BUT, the first time I found out about this gorgeous scarf designed by one of my favorite designers, Bjorn Wiinblad, for Neiman Marcus, I had to have it!

My friend Mid Mod Man (we are not related, and no, I am not his mom) found one scarf like this at a recent estate sale and I tried to force convince him to trade with me. We were emailing back and forth when I discovered that an identical scarf was up for auction. I registered on-line and I was ready to bid. As luck would have it, my friend Karen from The Papers was going to be at the auction bidding live, and she kindly offered to bid on the scarf for me. We agreed on a maximum bid and she WON it for me!!! Isn't that an amazing story?

I spent more money on this scarf than I am willing to admit, let's just say it wasn't thrifty. I love it so! Now to frame it and hang it! 

Today's visit to the Long Beach Flea Market was disappointing. I only found a couple of things worth bringing home. One was this gorgeous apricot crackle glass Blenko decanter. I have another one in blue in the store, we will see how this one does.

This week's estate sale was an interesting one with lots of original art and books. I didn't get there early enough, so I missed on some great prints. I managed to get this signed oil painting. I have yet to find anything on the artist, but I like the piece nonetheless.

Another find from the estate sale, a large wood carving of an owl. I was convinced it was a Witco piece, but now I know that Witco never made owls (Thanks Marci!) Another lesson learned.

My second find from today's visit to Long Beach is this beautiful Japanese decanter. I picked it up because it reminds me of the work of Kenji Fujita, but more research is needed to establish provenance.

My lone Thrift Store find is this pair of Rosenthal Studio Linie Idyll Gold, Loewy shape and decoration by non other than Wiinblad.

And lastly another ashtray. I know, I know, I am breaking my laughable rule again. But how could I pass on this beauty? I mean, it doesn't even look like an ashtray! This is the Ultima 15 ashtray by Holger Bäckström & Bo Ljungberg for Beck and Jung. I am tempted to keep it as I love how sculptural it is.

As usual, if you would like more information on any of my finds you can always contact me. I give discounted prices to my blog readers.

Sharing this week with A Living Space, Sir Thrift a Lot and Thrifter Maker Fixer Farm.

Thrift Finds: Keepers

February 23, 2014, 2:59 pm

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Hello friends of the vintage find,

This week has been a fantastic week of finds! Imagine my delight when I spotted this lot of Dansk kobenstyle pieces on the preview pictures of a nearby estate sale. I knew there and then that I had to get them for myself! Even my husband understood the call of the Dansk. Luckily for me, the estate sale company gave out numbers the day before and I was able to get #3. #1 was there for the jewelry and #2 was there for the clothes, which meant that the kitchen was all mine! There was a Cathrineholm bowl in the pictures that they pulled out of the sale, but all the kobenstyle came home with me! I left behind the paella pan because it had a big chip on the inside enamel. I am already using my new pots and pans and I am happy to report that they are not only beautiful but very practical. Love them.

If you were paying attention, then you might have noticed that one of the items pictured above is not a Dansk piece. It is a large Heath Ceramics lidded container (Cookie jar? Soup tureen?) It is a rare find in immaculate shape. Listed here.

The lady of the house had very good taste and she kept everything clean and organized. I picked five Kosta Boda snowball votive holders still in their original boxes. These have been copied and one can never be sure if they are the real thing unless they are marked.

Saturday I went to an estate company's warehouse sale and scored my fourth kinetic sculpture. These always do well for me. I had an orange-red-yellow one at home when I was a child. So whimsical and fun!

Another cool ashtray that I was unable to leave behind. I believe this might be a Jaru piece. Isn't it wonderful?

A brass wishing tree. I am not sure if I like this. Never mind, I like it.

A Peggy Junque Original brooch. Pardon the quality of the picture. It is a very cool little piece.

The non-white kobenstyle from the estate sale, the only piece that will make it to the store. In pristine condition as well.

An italian tray in the style of Desimone. It is not signed, it could be a Nino Parruca piece as well.

So, a very good week! How was your week? If you would like more information on any of my finds you can always contact me. I give discounted prices to my blog readers.

Sharing this week with A Living Space, Sir Thrift a Lot and Thrifter Maker Fixer Farm.

Thrift Finds: A not so good week

March 2, 2014, 5:37 pm

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Hello friends of the vintage find,

I come to you with a lot of complaints. I haven't had the best week, and I am a bit frustrated by it. I know I shouldn't complaint as I have so many good weeks, but it is discouraging to spend so much time looking and find nothing.

See, it is even harder when you go to very good sales with lots of mid-century items, and you wake up early, and you get in line, but dealers with deep pockets are in front of you and they buy everything! All the furniture and all the smalls! That was the case on Tuesday. Thursday when I went to sign up on the list for another excellent sale (the night before) I was disappointed to see that the same dealers were ahead of me. I didn't even go to the sale!

Then there were many trips to thrift stores (too many) where there was not a thing worth my time. I even went to my local flea market in the rain, and a few finds made the cut. Nothing extraordinary though. I hope next week is better!

I apologize for my tantrum. Let's see what came home with me.

I know what you are thinking: these are beautiful, and they are. But it is a sad day when you are number 9 at a sale with a Nelson bubble lamp, a lightolier lamp, lots of beautiful furniture and you leave the house with a Mikasa platter and an Otagiri teapot. It is worth mentioning that I was the first one to get to the Nelson bubble lamp, but it was priced too high! Too bad, because I wanted it for my dining room.

Brass mask on the left was my only find on my LONG thrift store round. It might be something... I still have to research some more. I think I am going to polish it before I list it. A small glass sun catcher that needs to be researched. Two mixed metal footed dishes from Mexico. Pardon the horrible picture - It has been cloudy and dark as of late.

These three ceramic items were found at the flea market today. Ashtray on the left might be Bitossi. A nice looking fish dish that had me thinking it was Tackett for a split second. And a sweet figural vase, likely from Japan.

This is it! I hope your week was better than mine.  If you would like more information on any of my finds you can always contact me. I give discounted prices to my blog readers.

Sharing this week with A Living Space, Sir Thrift a Lot and Thrifter Maker Fixer Farm.

Thrift Finds: Back in business

March 10, 2014, 12:45 pm

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Hello seekers of vintage,

After all my complaining last week, the thrift gods decided to shower me with lots of little creatures. I am a happy thrifter!

Found the larger Zoo-line mama hippo on Saturday. She has adopted the little hippo I found a while ago. I will list them together in the store soon.

This cute labrador designed by Bertil Vallien for Kosta glass Zoo series was found at the thrift store. It never ceases to amaze me that something so delicate can survive the TS shelves intact.

Cute Victoria Littlejohn trivet. I usually pass on her pieces because they are slow sellers. But this bear was too cute to leave behind.

A pipe stand made in Israel. I have found similar ones made of brass, this one is too yellow and too clean to be brass. I wonder what it is made of.

Two Royal Copenhagen candle holders. What kind of animal would you say these are? I love how whimsical they are. I have yet to find a designer behind these. Do you know anything about these?

Not one but two Pompadour vases designed by Nanny Still for Riihimaen Lasi Oy in 1968. Lovely elegant shape.

A deep purple modern Ikebana vase made by Clemimson of California. I have seen it several times at the same store but priced higher than I was willing to pay. It was finally reduced and it came home with me. Yay for patience!

Finally, my best find of the week: a Los Castillo plateado tray duck with abalone inlay. It lasted all of a day in the store! I wish this was my typical find-list-sell turnaround time!

So that is all for this week's menagerie. What did you find? If you would like more information on any of my finds you can always contact me. I give discounted prices to my blog readers.

Sharing this week with A Living Space, Sir Thrift a Lot and Thrifter Maker Fixer Farm.

Thrift Finds: Is it or is it not?

March 16, 2014, 6:55 pm

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Hello seekers of vintage,

Have you ever found yourself in front of a piece and wondered what it is? You recall seeing it before, everything about it seems right, but you have never seen this piece in real life -books and websites can't tell you everything about an object. Do you take it or do you leave it behind?

I have been faced with this predicament more times than I am willing to admit. I have left behind great scores because I didn't know and I have taken home some mistakes as well.

We learn everyday on this business, don't we? Let me share with you some of my recent finds, so you can learn as well. Let's start with my mistake of the week

This long necked vase looks a lot like a Homelgaard Gulvase, doesn't it? I was fooled! To be fair, I have never seen the real thing before, and this was close enough and cheap enough to pick. Only when I got home and researched the piece did I learn that this is a copy. For starters, this is not a color used by Homelgaard, the proportions are wrong, and this piece has a pontil. The real Gulvase is blown into a wood mold and it doesn't have a pontil. Bottom in the real thing is flat. Oh well.

Now for a wonderful find that I almost left behind. Eva Zeisel silhouette glassware for Bryce. Ten goblets and eight sherbets. The shape of these glasses is so sensuous and unique! I am surprised (now) that I doubted myself. I came to my senses thanks to my friends Jen, Antay, and Steve (all fans of and experts on Zeisel's work). Thank you!

It was a glass day at the flea market! Lovely Gunnar Ander for Ystad Metall bird candle holders. There is no mistaking these (as they are thankfully marked). iittala festivo candle holder and ultima thule dessert bowl made the cut as well.

Other finds include a nice Tammis Keefe hankie and a large Bitossi bowl with seta decor.

Now for the keepers: a beautiful, must have, wish list find, not thrifty Laurids Lonborg teak pepper mill. Isn't it a beauty?

And another wish list find, at a thrifty price, a Shuzo Ikeda print!!! A favorite one at that! So excited!

A very good week of near misses and great finds. Tell me how your week went. If you would like more information on any of my finds you can always contact me. I give discounted prices to my blog readers.

Sharing this week with A Living Space, Sir Thrift a Lot and Thrifter Maker Fixer Farm.

Thrift Finds: Some color, some glass, some beauty.

March 23, 2014, 5:04 pm

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Hello seekers of vintage,

Some good finds this week, even though I didn't try so hard. I wish I could always say that. I did not go to any estate sales, and most of my finds came from thrift stores. Finally!

A quick recap of my week, as I have little time today for the blog. First for the bright and colorful finds. A Marimekko school bus mug, and an extra large Cathrineholm striped bowl. So lovely!

Then for the beautiful Scandinavian glass. Large iittala Flora divided plate in the background. 

My FIRST thrifted iittala Savoy vase! I am thrilled to have found it! It has been on my wish list for ever as my parents had a larger version of it on our coffee table in my childhood home. My father was a big fan of Alvar Aalto.

Two iittala Festivo candle holders, I usually find the smaller size, so I was happy to have found a four ring one! 

Lastly, another Kosta glass figurine, this time a lovely german sheperd.

My best find of the week, a large Lotte lamp with original shade. So beautiful!

How was your week? What did you find? If you would like more information on any of my finds you can always contact me. I give discounted prices to my blog readers.

Sharing this week with A Living Space, Sir Thrift a Lot and Thrifter Maker Fixer Farm.

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Thrift Finds: An amazing week!

April 6, 2014, 4:54 pm

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 Hello friends of the vintage find,

I had a really good week! First a dream of an estate sale where I was surprised to find a lot of ceramics waiting for me. I got there late as it was an appointment only estate sale and I only called the day before to make mine. There was a beautiful Evelyn Ackerman tapestry at this sale, but it was gone (obviously) when I got there. I got this beautiful teak cart designed by Poul Hundevad instead.

Image from here

My next find has been on my thrift wish list for a while. This Bitossi Rimini Blu bull figurine is larger than what I expected! I found it while thrifting from the couch.

A beautiful mystery piece of studio pottery from the estate sale (listed here). I love ceramics so much!

More ceramics for your viewing pleasure. A limited edition plate made by Heath ceramics designed by Susan Jacobs Lockhart, resident fellow at Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin for 45 years. Just gorgeous! Listed here.

From the same sale a lot of Marshall Studios pieces. The owner of this estate had the best taste!

A small but fun find from the local antique mall. A pair of Howard Pierce bunnies. Aren't they precious? Listed here.

And even more ceramics from the same estate sale: A set of Arabia of Finland Ruska dishes. Listed here.

Now for the keepers (I can't help myself!) An item from my wish list. A beautiful glass bird designed by Oiva Toikka for Nuutajarvi - iittala. This could be the beginning of another collection! (Don't tell my husband.)

More prints for my ever growing collection! Two small Kaoru Kawano prints. Found these at my second estate sale on Thursday, minutes before they closed for the day. Sweet depiction of girls. Both need to be reframed, the matt might not be acid free and I see some deterioration on the paper.

So, what do you think? A great week, right? What did you find? If you would like more information on any of my finds you can always contact me. I give discounted prices to my blog readers.

Sharing this week with A Living Space, Sir Thrift a Lot and Thrifter Maker Fixer Farm.

Thrift Finds: From Germany with love

April 13, 2014, 8:32 pm

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Hello vintage fans,

Another busy week has come and gone. We had visitors and I didn't have much time to go thrifting, but I was lucky to go to an estate sale preview on Thursday. The owner of the estate had worked for Rosenthal Germany and there were lots of great smalls to be had.

First, a small dish beautifully illustrated by Cuno Fischer.  I have seen some of these designs attributed to a collaboration between Fischer and Wiinblad.

This is the "Sieben Gesichter Vase" (vase with seven faces), designed around 1950 by Fritz Heidenreich for Rosenthal, Germany.

There were several Per Lutken for Holmegaard vases and dishes. It took me but two seconds to miss them to the woman in front of me. I managed to get this beautiful dish. Listed here.

Another Rosenthal piece, an awesome porcelain monkey figurine. Still trying to find out the designer.

Rosenthal glasses from the Pirate line. Glass appliqué features different sea theme motifs.

Lovely Thomas Germany serving bowl from the same estate. A fabulous one stop for all things Germany.

A Kosta Boda glass floating hippo paper weight found at the thrift store. Love the Kosta glass figurines, they usually go unnoticed because they are not marked.

Now to my husband's favorite. A vintage and very cool hygrometer (I was told this is what the official name is) found at the thrift store as well.

And now for my favorite find of the week. Salt and pepper boxes by Lagardo Tackett for Freeman Lederman! Finally I get some Tackett in my life!!! So excited.

What did you find this week? Come share with us at A Living Space, Sir Thrift a Lot and Thrifter Maker Fixer Farm.

If you would like more information on any of my finds you can always contact me. I give discounted prices to my blog readers.

Thrift Finds: Two weeks worth

April 26, 2014, 11:31 pm

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Hello friends of the vintage find,

I missed last Sunday's post, but I am pretty sure you didn't miss me as we were all busy celebrating Easter with family and friends, right?

The good thing about missing one regular post is that I have double the finds to show! I have been a bit selective to avoid a long post. I have also grouped things that look well together. Lets start with the show, shall we?

A lovely grouping of some of my favorite things! The small orange Cathrineholm is staying with me but all the others will be in the store soon. Flower Finel enamel bowl, Porsgrund salt and pepper shakers (my first!), Arabia egg cup, and an Otagiri bird pick holder.

I have been keeping my eye out for Alfarez ceramics for a while. I like their modernist rustic look. Well this week I found TWO pieces during two different outings!!! I am a happy thrifter. This zoomorphic bowl has me wondering what animal it depicts. It looks like a horse, but it has horns like a bull. I do not mind the fantastic liberties taken in the creation of this piece, do you?

Last week was my son's spring break, and we did what the majority of families do when their child is a junior in high school. We went to visit colleges all over California! It was a beautiful road trip. California looks best during the spring time. I fell in love with my home state all over again. 

I managed to do some thrifting along the way and I found a couple of wonderful prints by Iku Nagai. the one above is called Kappa beauty. Listed here.

I found the large Soleri bell at the flea market last Sunday, it will hang with the small one in my backyard once I get fins for both of them and a chain for the little one.

This large and wonderful ceramic bull is the other Alferez piece. A good one!

Other finds include a large studio pottery vase, danish candle sticks, and one of my favorite finds -A Delft vase from the experimental period designed by Ben Nadorp.

The cat and the planter are the fruits of a thriftbreak exchange. I found something that a friend wanted and these cuties came my way. I found the frog a couple weeks ago.

What did you find this week? Come share with us at A Living Space, Sir Thrift a Lot and Thrifter Maker Fixer Farm.

If you would like more information on any of my finds you can always contact me. I give discounted prices to my blog readers.

Thrift Finds: Animals galore!

May 4, 2014, 11:28 pm

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 Hello,

If you follow this blog you know that I have trouble leaving vintage critters behind. There is a special place in my collector's heart for the wooden toys of the 1950s. Take a look at this NFS post for some fabulous collections! Some of my favorite designs are those made by Zoo-line.

As luck would have it I found four wonderful Zoo-line creatures last Sunday. I adore the donkey, and I think I will regret selling it. But truly, I sell what I like, so every sale hurts a little. Listed here.

I complained on Friday about not finding anything on my thrift rounds, and sometimes complaining works! I found this C. Jere sculpture on my Saturday morning garage sale rounds. Hurray!

Another jack bookend! I love the patina on this one. It will be listed in the store soon.

A fun graphic Couroc tray depicting San Francisco. I usually pass on these trays because of condition, this one looks pristine.

More little animals! Austrian brass miniatures, possibly Bosse. Only one of them has a "Made in Austria" sticker. So cute!

Jonah and the Whale Kosta Boda crystal figurine by Vicke Lyndstrand. Can you see the etched Jonah inside the whale?

A pair of iittala Festivo candle holders with original candles. Such a fun design. One has to wonder what the designer was thinking when he toped the somewhat cold candleholders with these organic candles.

Henning style wood carving marked "Norway-Form Carved by Hand." My first skiing viking!

What did you find this week? Come share with us at A Living Space, Sir Thrift a Lot and Thrifter Maker Fixer Farm.

If you would like more information on any of my finds you can always contact me. I give discounted prices to my blog readers.

Thrift Finds: Celebrating 1,000 sales

May 10, 2014, 8:09 pm

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Hello vintage lovers,

I am a happy store owner this week. My MidModMom store just reached a fabulous milestone: 1,000 sales! It has been an amazing couple of years! Thank you to all my supporters and followers. You are the best!

To celebrate I went on a short road trip to an area I rarely visit and I did some Saturday garage sale and thrift store rounds. It was a great mini-celebration filled with fun finds. 

Let's start with the glass. All Blenko glass, all gorgeous. My first Winslow Anderson fish in a beautiful chartreuse color, water bottle in a golden clear yellow, and a puzzle piece vase by Hank Adams. Whimsical collection, don't you think?

A very lovely Romanze Continental tea set designed by Born Wiinblad for Rosenthal Studio Linie. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the set at the "fancy" side of the thrift store.

This Maurice Ascalon for Pal Bell of Israel snail ashtray has been on my things to thrift wish list for a while. It will be listed in the store soon.

Other finds include a small flora bowl with the old nuutajarvi sticker, Eva Zeisel Fantasy salt and pepper shakers for Hallcraft, and Wiinblad March wall plaque for Nymolle.

My favorite "find" of the week, a Bennington Potters lion bank. I am thinking he will hang around for a while. It is a short term keeper!

This is it for today. I am posting a day earlier as I am going to have a relaxed mother's day with my boy tomorrow. Happy day to all mothers out there.

BTW, Mid Mod Mom's mother's day sale ends tomorrow. Sharing this week with A Living Space, Sir Thrift a Lot and Thrifter Maker Fixer Farm.

If you would like more information on any of my finds you can always contact me. I give discounted prices to my blog readers.