Why Vintage NOEL Sets Are Perfect for Christmas in July

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Summer sparkle meets holiday cheer — it’s Christmas in July, and what better time to revisit the joy of vintage NOEL sets? If you’re a fan of vintage kitschy Christmas charm, now’s the perfect moment to dive into the whimsical world of mid-century collectibles!

Holt Howard Noel Candleholder
Holt Howard Noel Candleholder

You don’t need snow on the ground to feel the magic of vintage Christmas—just a little mid-century sparkle and a shelf full of charming NOEL figurines! Whether you’re sipping iced tea in July or hot cocoa in December, these sweet collectibles bring cheer all year long.

Mid‑Century Magic

Vintage 1950s Lipper & Mann Noel Poodles in White and Pink Noel Sets
Vintage 1950s Lipper & Mann Noel Poodles in White and Pink Noel Sets

Straight from the fabulous 1950s–60s, NOEL sets capture the golden era of holiday kitsch! Think rosy-cheeked Santas, fluttery-eyed angels, candy cane cuties, goofy snowmen, and yes—even spaghetti-trimmed poodles. With their dreamy pastel hues and whimsical expressions, each piece is like a time capsule of Christmas joy.

Vintage Christmas Noel Collection
Vintage Christmas Noel Collection

Collectible Variety

1950s Grimco Japan NOEL Bells Vintage Christmas
1950s Grimco Japan NOEL Bells Vintage Christmas

There’s truly a NOEL set for every vintage Christmas lover! From the sparkly Grimco Japan Noel bell kids in their starburst gowns, to Holt-Howard’s jolly Santas with cheeky grins, and the ultra-fabulous M.G. Menschik Goldman snowmen whose round little bodies become the letters of NOEL—it’s a holiday dream lineup. And don’t forget the rare mid-century snowman family rocking their retro ski goggles—pure alpine kitsch! How irresistibly charming.

Holt Howard Noel Santa Figurine Set
Holt Howard Noel Santa Figurine Set
Menschik Goldman Noel Snowman
Menschik Goldman Noel Snowman

Year‑Round Joy

Why tuck them away after December? Display your NOEL sets proudly in July with twinkling fairy lights or a retro garland. They bring the same heartwarming charm whether nestled among pine boughs or perched beside a summer bouquet. Christmas cheer never goes out of season!

Vintage Christmas Noel Sets
Vintage Christmas Noel Sets

Craving more kitschy Christmas cuteness?  Pop over to the Crazy4Me Etsy shop to explore my latest vintage holiday finds—each one bursting with cheer and a big mid-century wink! And if you’re hungry for more retro Christmas magic, don’t miss my Insider Guide to the Best Holt-Howard Christmas Collectibles—it’s a must-read for every festive collector!

Holt-Howard Kitchen Cubs Polar Bears: A Collector’s Guide

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Discover the rare and whimsical world of Holt-Howard Kitchen Cubs Polar Bears—adorable 1950s collectibles that include salt and pepper shakers, butter dishes, pitchers, and more. Grab a hot cocoa, cuddle up in your coziest cardigan, and get ready to tumble down a frosty vintage rabbit hole! Today, I’m sharing one of the cutest, and rarest mid-century marvels ever to grace the kitchen scene, the elusive Holt-Howard Kitchen Cubs Polar Bear series.

Now if you’ve been collecting for a while, you already know Holt-Howard was the king of kitschy-cute, with starry-eyed Santas, Pixieware jars galore. But in 1958, Holt-Howard briefly tiptoed into Arctic territory, releasing a charming little line of polar bear-themed kitchen accessories that are now so rare, some collectors don’t even know they exist!

Let’s break the (thin) ice on these chilly cuties, and I’ll share the scoop on what they are, why they’re special, and what to look for if you’re lucky enough to spot one out in the vintage wild.

What Are the Kitchen Cubs?

The Kitchen Cubs were part of Holt-Howard’s last known animal-themed kitchen series, and rumor has it they were created to celebrate the buzz around Alaska becoming a U.S. state in 1959. Imagine: ceramic polar bears perched on icy icebergs, ready to serve up your sugar, butter, and salt with a wink and a scarf.

These frosty little treasures were as whimsical as they were functional—full of mid-century charm and clever design. But here’s the twist: the Kitchen Cubs Polar Bears were part of a limited test production, meaning many never made it beyond the prototype or salesman sample stage. I

t’s believed there are just 10 unique pieces in the series—or 14 if you count the pairs. The ones that did make it into the world? They’re about as rare as a sunny day at the North Pole—and twice as delightful to discover!

Meet the Cubs: Pieces in the Series

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Inside the Cabinets of Kitsch Queens!

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Where bluebirds gossip, flowers blush, and vegetables smile back.

There’s something magical that happens when you open the glass doors of a true kitsch queen’s cabinet. It’s not just a display—it’s a stage where bluebirds flirt, flower-faced cuties pose, and wide-eyed corn cuties are ready for their close-up.

Lately, “shelfies” (yes, selfies for your shelves) have become the must-see snapshots across vintage Instagram, and for good reason. These curated displays of mid-century Japan ceramics—especially the anthropomorphic kind—are joyful, whimsical, and pure serotonin in ceramic form.

Vintage Japan Bluebirds
Vintage Japan Bluebirds

🩵 🐦Lefton Bluebirds lead the charge, their sweet sky-colored wings and bashful smiles turning spice racks into scenes from a 1950s kitchen fairytale. Norcrest and Topline Imports also manufactured bluebirds in Japan in the 1950s along with Lefton. Whether perched on planters or peeking from sugar bowls, they bring the chirpiest charm.

Vintage Topline Lefton Bluebird Collection
Vintage Topline Lefton Bluebird Collection
PY Miyao Anthropomorphic Flower Wall Plaques Wall Pockets
PY Anthropomorphic Flower Wall Plaques Wall Pockets

🌸 Flower-faced cuties—like daffodil darlings, pansy pixies, and rosy-cheeked blooms—are in full bloom inside collectors’ cabinets. These pastel-hued petals with personality add the perfect pop of charm to spring and summer shelfies. Made by PY Miyao in 1950s Japan, these whimsical wall plaques and pockets are prime examples of anthropomorphic ceramics—where even flowers have faces (and fabulous attitudes).

Vintage PY Anthropomorphic Flower Planters and Wall PLaques Japan 1950s
Vintage PY Anthropomorphic Flower Planters and Wall PLaques Japan 1950s
PY Corn Anthropomorphic
PY Corn Anthropomorphic

🌽 And let’s not forget the anthropomorphic produce: corn with eyelashes, cabbage with sass, and all have those big eyes and long eyelashes. These pieces, mostly by PY and Napco, are little works of adorably wonderful ceramics from the 1950s that turn kitchens into retro dreamlands.

Py Miyao Cabbage Cuties
Py Miyao Cabbage Cuties

Peek inside vintage kitsch cabinets featuring Lefton bluebirds, flower-face cuties, and PY anthropomorphic ceramics in the ultimate “shelfie” showcase. These aren’t just shelves—they’re retro wonderlands where bluebirds gossip, blushing blossoms pose, and vegetables grin like they’re starring in a mid-century sitcom. If you’re into whimsical nostalgia, cabinet displays are where the magic lives (and winks right back at you). You can see more pictures and read about these amazing collections right here on the blog—and if you’re now itching to get your hands on some of these kitsch cuties, you can visit my Etsy shop for fabulous finds!

Most of the photos featured are from my personal collection, with a few sourced from Pinterest to show the full charm of these collectible cuties.

The Best Books and Guides for Vintage Mid-Century Collectors

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Ready to become an antiques aficionado? Look no further than the experts’ books available on antiques, vintage Christmas, kitschy mid-century modern artifacts and collectibles! So start exploring this fascinating world filled with nostalgia and tradition today! Here are a few titles worth checking out:

Vintage Robots and Tin Toys Collector Book Resources

Space age tin toys and robots captured the imagination of a mid-century generation enthralled by space exploration. These highly collectible toys are now prized by vintage toy collectors and Mid-Century Modern enthusiasts alike. If you’re interested in collecting space age tin toys and just starting out, here are some really good books to get you started that full of photos and information.

1000 Tin Toys by Teruhisa Kitahara

Robots. Spaceships and other Tin Toys by Teruhisa Kitahara

Robots: Tin Toy Dreams by T. Kitahara

Vintage Ceramic Christmas Trees
Vintage Ceramic Christmas Trees

Download your digital copy of “Vintage Kitschy Christmas: A Merry Introduction to Vintage Ceramic Christmas Trees” today

*Please note that if you purchase from clicking on one of the links, I will get a tiny bit of that sale to help keep this blog going.

The Best Spring Dresses for Curvy Girls

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Yasmina Greco Spring Easter Dress
Yasmina Greco

Spring has officially sprung, and with it comes the annual quest for the perfect dress to celebrate the season of blossoms and sunshine. For curvy girls, finding a flattering, comfortable, and stylish spring dress can sometimes feel like a challenge. Fear not, lovely ladies, because this year I’ve discovered two fabulous dresses that not only embrace our gorgeous curves but also exude the charm of vintage glamour. Get ready to say hello to a season of confidence and grace with these must-have.

Dresses are one my favorite pieces of clothing! I love how feminine and easy to wear dresses are and with a few accessories you have a complete outfit. Wrap dresses are my ultimate fave however and if you’ve been reading my blog for a while you know how much I appreciate a wrap dress because they really are a curvy girls best friend (you can see past wrap dresses here, here, here, and here). 

Yasmina Greco Spring Easter Dress
Yasmina Greco Spring Easter Dress
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Top 10 Tips for Boosting Sales at Your Antique Mall Booth

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Tips to boost sales at your antique mall booth
Tips to boost sales at your antique mall booth

Are you struggling to make consistent sales at your antique mall booth? Whether you’re a seasoned dealer or just getting started, there’s always room to improve your booth’s appeal and performance. As an avid antique mall shopper and dealer at three malls (and someone who knows what gets buyers excited), I’m sharing 10 smart, practical tips that can transform your space into a top-selling destination.

I live in an area rich with antique malls, and trust me—I’ve seen it all. From beautifully curated booths that feel like vintage wonderlands to chaotic spaces where I don’t even want to step inside. The difference often comes down to presentation, pricing, and how easy it is to shop your booth. Here’s what works—and what doesn’t.

1. Specialize in What You Know

Mid-Century Modern Atomic Room
Mid-Century Modern Atomic Room

Shoppers want to buy from an expert. When your booth reflects a clear theme or niche—vintage kitchenware, Mid-Century Modern glass and decor, vintage cameras, or retro Christmas—you build trust. Be present on busy days if possible, and keep display cases open while you’re there.

Just be mindful not to hover over customers in your booth space—most shoppers feel uncomfortable when a dealer is too close, and they’re likely to leave quickly without browsing. Instead, stay nearby so you’re available to offer assistance or answer questions if needed. A relaxed but attentive presence goes a long way. Share the backstory of your items; it makes the experience more personal and boosts buyer confidence.

2. Rotate Your Merchandise Often

Stuff San Francisco Mid-Century Modern 1950s Chrome Kitchen Table
Stuff San Francisco Mid-Century Modern 1950s Chrome Kitchen Table

Few things discourage repeat shoppers more than a booth that never changes. Even adding just a handful of new items or rearranging your existing inventory can breathe new life into your space.

Regularly moving items around, re-styling sections, and creating themed displays can make older merchandise feel fresh again. You’d be surprised how often a customer notices something they previously overlooked—just because it’s been staged differently. A dynamic, ever-evolving booth invites customers to return and discover something new every time.

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