Sometimes its easy!

Sometimes its easy!

I snapped the original picture at Oma’s on Canandaigua Lake in Naples, NY with my smart phone.

As mentioned earlier, I picked the frame up for $6.50 at the Community Thrift store in Herndon, VA.

Worked a little bit of “Insta-gram” magic on the lake photo then printed it out cheaply using Shutterfly free online photo storage.

And viola, an art piece that has family meaning displayed in a unique frame fitting its rustic image!

Ask the story- it makes yours better

Ask the story- it makes yours better

Having a good story to go along with your (hobby, purchase, decision, political view…) is something almost everyone should know.  This idea was reinforced during a recent visit with my dear Aunt Lisa.  While closing out the day at her local Buffalo pub, Essex Street, she enlightened my friends and I on some of the bar décor. Nailed to a wooden panel was a single, tiny, black heeled shoe. 

The shoe ended up there well over a decade ago after a very long, and what sounded like, fun, evening where Lisa found herself at home one-shoe-short.  In respect for this being her story, I am withholding details.  Since the owner himself appreciates a good story behind his décor the shoe has remained upon the wall since that night.

Never having an interest in banks, within the last year I’ve decided to collect still banks- with, of course, a background story as to why….

While window shopping in Leesburg, VA I spotted a small metal bank in the shape of a buffalo. Being from Buffalo, NY I had to inquire about the little guy.  Learning from the shop owner that the bank is referred to as a still bank and seeing the $300 price tag I left without the bank; however, my boyfriend said he thought he had a few from his Oma (grandmother in German). 

When he was growing up his Oma would always give the grandchildren antiques or other fun vintage finds for holiday gifts.  Evan always appreciated these and saved them growing up.  And sure enough, two of the banks he received as childhood gifts were original still banks.  After a little bit of research I learned these would be of similar value to the Buffalo spotted in Leesburg months ago.  Since that first discovery of still banks the rabbit and lion became permanent apartment décor items and the decision to hunt more banks was made.

This past week I finally made my first purchase as a collector of still banks at an antique shop in Leesburg (where it all began!). One great thing about antique “malls” is multiple smaller venues.  This provides a constant change of pieces.  One bad thing, there’s often no opportunity to contact a vendor while you’re there to negotiate, check authenticity or learn the story.  A new display caught my eye at the familiar store and sure enough, I saw a bulldog, still bank in full paint and a leather collar reading “Mack”.  Full paint for anything old is rare- very rare, so I was skeptical.  Fortunately I was able to call the vendor.  “Mack” was recently acquired from another collector who had multiple pieces behind a glass case in their home.  Unlike other banks of this time, it wasn’t played with or used to keep loose change- it was treasured.  While it wasn’t an original from the 1880s like my lion or rabbit it was a reproduction from between the 1930s and 1950s; hence, the much less than usual cost.  After a little praise and appreciation provided from me, I got a little bit of a break and purchased my first piece to add to the gifted collection.  The best part, I know the story behind every piece in my collection. 

Brief overview of antique mechanical and still banks: http://www.waybacktimes.com/antiquedetectivebanks.html

Vintage takes patience

Vintage takes patience

Once upon a hot spring day in Virginia I managed to drag my unassuming partner to a familiar antique store.  Much to my excitement, his dismay, a festival was flooding the fields.  Multiple vendors, intense parking situations, dogs barking, small children with dirty hands, hot sun beating down…oh the excitement.  It was this situation that caused me to walk right by the perfect crystal lamps for our bedroom. One,  knowing that negotiating the $75 price would not be an option that day, and, two, my fiancé was getting that look in his eyes (wide, kinda panicked, burning with, “get me outta here!!!!”).

Once upon another time…. I walked past what looked to be the most amazing thrift store within ten miles of my home.  Windows lined with unique DIY art projects, floral dresses and under $25 price tags.  I race to the door- it’s locked! Sadly, the damn store is open six hours a week! I sulked by the shop to my beauty parlor reciting the store hours promising to make it back.

Present day: On a day where beauty was the priority and hunting vintage was on the back burner I arrived early for my glamor appointment.  As I walk into the salon I spot my style guru walking through the shop with a strange owl painting adorned with a hand-written price tag.  The store, it’s open for another hour that day!!!!  “Go!” she tells me, and go I do.  Nearly skipping down the sidewalk I reach the store, open the front door and am greeted by multiple vendors, dogs barking, small children with dirty hands…but I’m here! Within ten minutes I have found:

1.       1.  wooden 10x14 picture frame fitting with my farm-house-vintage-industrial-theme-of-the-

moment, $6.50

2.       2. A milk glass vase, $1.00

3.       3. TWO CRYSTAL LAMPS, perfectly mismatched, at $2.50 and $3.00

Angels shined down on me this week and a valuable lesson in vintage was learned.  It takes patience.  The hunt is one of the best parts and it makes it that much sweeter when the universe aligns and you find what you want, at the price you wanted it. Anyone can buy the first thing they like, hang it up and smile.  Great for some, but doesn't have the best story or reward for many.  

Next up, learning to repair the lamps and find the right shades….Oh, and find a picture for that frame.