Designer bags, in Fun Colors

Came across a couple of very nice clutch bags new with tags the other day. They are offered on my  Poshmark account, but can be also purchased here.
First is a lovely Vince Camuto studded clutch in a fabulous color they call "Grapefruit". Maybe a Ruby Grapefruit... or better yet..."Blood Orange"! Lovely rich reddish orange, with large stylized studs middle front. It comes with a dust bag as well.

Inside this clutch is a zippered pocket. Very nice indeed. Measures about 11 1.2" x 6".
This bag can be found on my Ebay site Janastotesandbags or by this link which should take you directly to the listing...

The second bag I found is sure to put a gleam in the Vegans eye with this cobalt blue Urban Expressions Convervtible clutch bag with a long golden chain, that can be worn over the shoulder or tucked inside. Bag has a beautiful satiny floral interior with zippered pocket as well as two slip in pockets. Also comes with original tags. Peta Approved!

This bag may also be found on my Ebay site Janastotesandbags or by this link which should take you directly to the listing

I have been selling online for nearly 21 years! If you have any questions please email me at Gizmosetsy@gmail.com

Ventures in Vintage OOP Fabric

I have come across a lot of obscure, vintage and newer fabric which I will be adding to my Ebay and both by Etsy accounts at Janastotesandbags and Gizmos. I am placing it across all venues. There is cute quilting fabric such as Pansy Passions by Blank Textiles

which can be found here

or a cute Camping panel

which can be found at a buy it now price here, or at auction here

At any rate, there are many fabrics to choose from and I will be listing more!

Happy Ventures!

Vintage Eco Friendly Kitchen Glass

What is more fun that going retro in your kitchen! Besides the great graphics and colors, the vintage glass items are ...well... glass. Today's glass has a lot of plastic in it. You can feel the weight difference between a vintage glass mixing bowl and a new one, between a vintage glass measuring cup and a new one, etc. What could be more Eco friendly than reusing that which is vintage?

My shop has some new items that will fit the bill nicely for you! Come on by and check them out at Gizmos on Etsy

Here are a couple to get you started:

 Green Depression Glass Canister Set - You can purchase them on Etsy here  ( which incorporates many payment options including Paypal), or you can purchase them through Paypal using this button.

This is a great original set of Vintage Depression era Salt, Pepper, Flour and Sugar shakers by Mckee glass. These are a lovely custard color. They can be found here in my Etsy shop, or also can be purchased directly through Paypal using this button


Hope you have a great week ahead!

Gizmos

Who Doesn't Love Vera Neumann?

Ahhh, Vera Neumann, prolific designer, ahead of her time! There are lots of blogs on her history. I just want to talk about some of her more rare designs, her hard to find objects. Please feel free to to comment!

I attended a recent estate sale. This unusual woman had an eclectic collection, from shabby chic, Mid Century, to Asian influences to VERA. There were so many items that had never been opened or used.  I personally have a small collection of the early neck scarves / ties / headbands. I see them rarely mentioned. I'm not even sure what to call them.... lol. They are small, narrow and all are titled. At this estate sale I found a new one! What a find! and fun! This one is called Twinkle and I think in the photo below one can tell why....

These were made early on in her career. Fun little pieces of collectible art.

But it did not stop there.... found in an original Bullock's Wilshire box, still wrapped in hot pink tissue paper ( I at first thought it was Schiaparelli...) a pink scarf, but when I peeled back the tissue paper and found the tag it read VERA!! Of course, we all know her history with Bullock's. What a  pretty scarf in a bright hot carnation pink with white lining. Lovely. I thought, " what a pretty color",  nice long scarf  or better yet... a wrap. It was not until I got it home and removed it from the box that I realized it was not just a scarf or wrap, but it had a hood!! A hood? The first picture that came to my mind was a scene with Marilyn Monroe or Grace Kelly in a cute little sports car convertible with this pretty thing wrapped around them...  I started researching hooded scarves by Vera, but could not find a thing, just a couple pieces of clothing that had hoods. So again, another seemingly rare Vera Neumann piece. And as with a large variety of objects found at this estate sale...it was in unused condition. I have included some pictures but it was hard for me to photograph using Toni my mannequin, but I think you get the idea....

This hooded scarf can be found at my Etsy site here

Vintage Guardian Service

Great find this weekend in a grouping of vintage Guardian Service cast aluminum cookware.

All are in really nice condition, I have found these with a lot of staining on them before. One of the cleanest sets I have found. I think the 8" roaster appeals to me the most. Nice versatile size. Amazingly these all come with the original glass lids which are hard to find.

If you are interested in purchasing any of these sets, they can be found on my etsy site 


 

Original Sasquatch Books by John Green, 1968, 1970, 1973

What a great grouping of rare vintage softcover books by John Green. These are dated 1968, 1970, and 1973.

They are - On the Track of Sasquatch, The Year of the Sasquatch, and The Sasquatch File.

Great grouping, hard to find them all together.

These are on ebay and can be located here.

They can be purchased at ebay or you may email me for information or to purchase at
gizmosetsy@gmail.com

Hawaiian Carved Pikake Wedding Necklace

The fragrant pikake flower of Hawaii is represented in many pieces of jewelry from Hawaii. The pieces made in the 40's are especially beautiful. The little flower beads were carved of ivory, or bone and formed into a beaded necklace. Usually, with matching earrings and bracelets.

I have listed in my shop on Ebay  a pretty vintage set, choker style with hidden screw in clasp and sterling silver screw on earrings. Very lovely patina!

Here is a photo from the listing:

 

If you are interested in purchasing this item, the link is here.

Or you can email me at gizmosetsy@gmail.com

Fire King Apple Grease Jar and Shakers Set, Apples and Cherries

Newest addition to Gizmos on Etsy is this matching set of Fire King ( Fireking) glass Apple and Cherries pattern Grease jar with lid and Salt and Pepper shakers. Other than normal wear to the lids on the shakers, this set is in excellent condition.

The link to the listing is  here

 

I have other full sets I will be listing in the future as seen in my previous blog.

Fire King Splash Proof Bowls Mother Lode

Well.....it's not often in my neck of the woods to find a lot of Fire King..... but almost unheard of to find what I found. Lucky enough to be the first in the door at a "self run" estate sale. One where I just happened to see the sign after it had been put up.
Walking in I saw that there was very little at this sale. Not like a "real" esate sale.  Much ado about nothing....then I turned the corner into the kitchen.... Stacked in sets were Fire King splash proof mixing bowls, with matching shakers, and grease jars...Ivory tulip, Apple and Cherries, Red Dot, Black Dot and the holy grail ( for me at least, since I had never actually seen one  piece "live") the Kitchen Aids. I just could not believe it. Almost pinched myself.

I bought the lot. While packing them up, the owner brought out another box that had a complete set of the Modern Tulips, so bought those too. There was a couple misc. shakers and grease jars too.
Here are a couple pics after we laid them all out when I got home.

Six sets in all. I have not included a picture of the ivory tulips. And they are all in really nice condition. No chips, cracks. Very little if any wear. Just the shaker lids have some yellowing. I believe there are 3 replacement lids. There was one spot on the black dots, one on the modern tulip, thats it.
What a fun day that was...

Onward and Upward! Back to Business......

A New Year, A New House Almost settled into new house. Well, not so new house, but darn near with all the work that has been put into it. Basically top to bottom.

Refurbished pool

Remodeled two bathrooms

new garage door

new water heater

new laundry room

new paint

new doors

new floors

remodeled two fireplaces

added patio and other brick walkways, planters, features

and last but not least....remodeled kitchen

Now back to business and my EBay and Etsy shops! In both my shops you will find vintage items from all walks of life. From figurines like the pelican and whale here:

to vintage electronic paper ephemera, such as Ampex reel to reel:

and: vintage Apple computer merchandise:

or perhaps some vintage milk glass:

There are different genres as well from Mid Century to folk art:

Vintage shops where you never know what you will find....

Clearing Out Mom and Dad's Place

Well a tough year it has been. First my step dad passed followed by my Mom 2 months later. After all the fine print, i's dotted and t's crossed it is time to clear what is left. We were left with a lifetime of collectibles, memorabilia, art, and a house that needed to be just about completely rehabbed. Let's start with the fine art. They left many paintings, some by notable artists, some by unknown. As the rest has been cleared away I am now dealing with the art.

I have done a lot of research, but still nearly impossible to get values on paintings without paying hundreds of dollars. I've decided to wing it on some. Most of the paintings really are not worth that much…..we're not talking thousands here, but of course want to get their value if possible, while finding a good home for them. I have finally decided to list them on one of my ebay sites.

My Dad loved the composer Wagner. He loved Wagner's massive piece "The Ring" and went to Arizona to see the presentation. While there, he found a piece of art to bring home. It is by Amy Shock. Ms. Shock did a great many of the background art pieces for this particular presentation in Arizona. Some info on it here: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/497273/RING-TAKES-ON-A-SOUTHWESTERN-SPLENDOR.html?pg=all

This is a small piece of art, and because it is framed, I have not taken it out to examine it, but believe it to be a print. Lovely little piece. If interested, and for more info, it can be found here

More to follow soon…...

Looking For A Masculine Soap, But Gentle Enough For A Woman Too?

Vince Vile Soaps on Etsy has just the thing. This is a fresh shop on Etsy, and the first offering is a very nice. coffee and crushed walnuts exfoliating soap. Strong enough for a man, but gentle enough for a woman. I have personally used this soap and loved the exfoliating nature with the coffee grounds. Beautiful earthy colors. The soap lathered nicely, and rinsed easily without leaving a dry feeling. There is something about handmade soap, what you see is what you get, no added anything. Ingredients are shown in the listing on his site. Like he says, no gimmicks. Here is a pic of the soap

This shop will be offering a new blend as well, a soap made with oatmeal and a home brewed stout ale. Blended with oils, gives it a nice interesting aroma. Has a dark deep rich color, and looks good enough to eat! You won't come away smelling like beer! Same great lather, and rinses easily as well. Look for it in the near future.

You can click here to find VinceVileSoaps on Etsy

Just Because It Is Retired, Does NOT Make It Vintage

I am so tired of sellers stating that something is vintage and selling it on places like Etsy, claiming the item is vintage just because the fabric or pattern is retired! RETIRED DOES NOT MEAN IT IS VINTAGE. The perfect example is Vera Bradley bags. Nice bags, beautiful fabrics, well made, useful, love them........ but just because the fabric or pattern is retired, does not make them vintage. There are so many sellers on Etsy right now, that list these bags, and don't take the time to research them, (or don't care)to see if they qualify as vintage. Etsy says vintage must be 20 years or older. Personally, I think that should be at least 25 or more even. According to Etsy rules ( which of course do not seem to be enforced), you cannot list an item as vintage unless it is at least 20 years old. That means, that retired Vera Bradley bag you are trying to sell that was from 2010 IS NOT VINTAGE. Nor, will it qualify as handmade, because you, the seller did not make it. I get it, why not, why not list it, because as stated before, Etsy really isn't enforcing their rules. They have even redefined the word "handmade". Personally, I think if it is made in a factory, by hand or not, it is not considered handmade to me. It is factory made. Stepping off of soap box, but before I do, just in case there is anyone out there, that does sell these Vera Bradley bags, and would actually like to educate themselves, and follow the rules, you can click here for the retired Vera Bradley line.

Flint Knapped Arrowhead Necklace by Desertknapper

Newest arrivals from Desertknapper's shop on Etsy. The necklaces are all handmade, and are on leather cording. Some of the necklaces are adjustable, and some have clasps. All arrowheads and mini knives are handmade by Mark using traditional flint knapping methods. Stone used is found by him while hiking in the Mojave Desert and going to ancient quarry sites that were used by Native Americans. Some of the necklaces are mini knives made using purchased coyote foot bones, and some are hafted onto wood. Other necklaces are made with arrowheads that have been wire wrapped.

Very unique and one of a kind!

Please be sure to click the link to see a sample of one of the necklaces that can be found on his site Desertknapper on Etsy.

Have a great day!

Cute Hand Knapped Mini Arrowhead Knives

My husband is a flint knapper. He has taught himself the art of flint knapping and uses traditional methods. He makes arrowheads, and is now making little mini knives.

The knives are made with either a deer antler tip or coyote tooth or foot bone for the handle and the blades are made from various materials - Obsidian, Agate, Jasper, Knife River Flint, etc.

They can be as a display piece, or some can be made into jewelry as pendants. They measure from about 1 1/4" to 2".

You can check them out at his website Desertknapper with Etsy here.

Here is a sampling of some of the little knives you will find there:

Rare Vintage Alice in Wonderland Curtains

What a great piece of nostalgia these are. Bright vivid colors, perfect for a child's room are these vintage Alice in Wonderland pleated drapes/curtains. They are ready to go, just need pressing. All pleats are in place.

There are 10 pleats on each one. They measure 41" across the top and are 55" in length.

Price for the pair is $115.00 with free shipping within the USA. For more information, photos, or to purchase, you can click here

Or you can purchase them with Paypal.