Crazy4Me - The Modern Bombshell Lifestyle by: Yasmina Greco

Vintage Fashion, Mid-Century Modern, Collectibles, and Everything in Between

The Best Books and Guides for Vintage Mid-Century Collectors

By:

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:

[Read more…]
Share

Christmas Traditions to Make the Season Merry and Bright

By:

Vintage Aluminum Christmas Tree
Vintage Aluminum Christmas Tree and Holt Howard Cozy Kittens Sweater

It’s that special time of year again! The time when families all over the world come together to celebrate the holidays. For many, that means decorating the tree, stringing up lights, and spending time with loved ones. There are so many wonderful Christmas traditions that have been enjoyed for generations. While some traditions have fallen by the wayside, others have endured and remain popular today. What matters most is spending time with loved ones and creating new memories that will last a lifetime. Merry Christmas!

Why Traditions Matter

There’s something special about the holiday season. The air is crisp, the leaves are falling, and everyone is in a good mood. Part of what makes the holidays so magical is all of the traditions that come along with them. From decorating the Christmas tree, shopping for vintage Christmas decorations, baking cookies, to attending holiday parties, these traditions are what make the holidays so unique. But why are traditions so important? Keep reading to find out!

Traditions Bring Families Together

One of the best things about traditions is that they bring families together. I especially enjoy going with my husband, nieces, moms, sister, and brother-in-law out searching for the perfect vintage Christmas decorations at local antique malls. It fills me with nostalgia because I always think about who the person and family were that had these treasures before me, did they also look for these decorations as a family, what were they like and if they passed them down each generation like we do now.

[Read more…]
Share

Are my Vintage Christmas Santa’s Worth any Money?

By:

Holt-Howard Starry Eyed Santa Collection
Holt-Howard Starry Eyed Santa Collection

Don’t miss out on the chance to snag a piece of vintage Holt-Howard Christmas decor this year! Prices for some of the most sought-after pieces are expected to rise in the coming months, so now is definitely the time to start planning your holiday shopping. Our updated Christmas Price Guide can help you get started. Today we’re taking a look at one of our favorite Holt Howard pieces: Starry Eyed Santa. This adorable Santa comes complete with his signature atomic Starry Eyes and is sure to add some extra magic to your holiday decorations. Keep reading for more information on pricing and availability. Happy holidays!

Welcome to the vintage Christmas collecting series. If you’d like to review our multi-part guide you can find that here and learn about vintage Christmas collectibles from the 1950s-1960s.

Holt-Howard Starry Eyed Santa Collection
Holt-Howard Starry Eyed Santa Collection

You can’t have Christmas without Santa Claus and there is no Santa as whimsical and charming as the Holt-Howard Starry Eyed Santa line of Christmas ceramics. It’s easy to see why, with his amusing charm, Mid-Century atomic starburst eyes, merry whiskers, and gold flecks, Santa Claus exudes wonderful kitschy cuteness, and many can’t wait to grow their collections with this range. The Starry-Eyed Santa has always been incredibly collectible and highly desired by collectors but this year his popularity has dramatically increased, and prices have skyrocketed.

[Read more…]
Share

A Very Merry Napco Christmas!

By:

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…for Napco devotees, that is! While many people associate the holiday season with Santa Claus, reindeer, and evergreen trees, for us, it’s all about collecting vintage Napco ceramics. From angelic figurines to jolly Santa mugs, there’s nothing that gets us into the Christmas spirit quite like a little bit of retro kitsch.

But what exactly is Napco ceramicware, and why is it so collectible? In short, Napco ceramics are beautiful examples of mid-century American craftsmanship. Produced by the National Potteries Corporation (or “Napco” for short), these pieces were designed in the 1950s and 1960s and were mass-produced for use in homes across the country. Today, they’re highly sought-after by collectors for their clean lines, pastel colors, and Atomic Age imagery.

[Read more…]
Share

Kitschmas 101: A Guide to Collecting Mid-Century Christmas

By:

Kitschmas 101 Collecting
Kitschmas 101 Collecting

Learn how your passion for mid-century modern can be turned into a hobby with the right knowledge and tools. This guide will teach you how to get started collecting vintage, kitschy holiday decor.

It’s that time of year again! The holidays are upon us and you know what that means… it’s time to dust off your collection of kitschmas figurines! For the uninitiated, kitschmas figurines are those adorable little statues or trinkets that depict festive scenes or characters. They’re often made of ceramic or plastic, and they’re just begging to be collected! If you’re new to the world of collecting kitschmas figurines, don’t worry – this guide will teach you everything you need to know.

Kitschmas Figurines

Yasmina Greco and her Kitschmas Collectibles
Yasmina Greco and her Kitschmas Collectibles

The first thing you need to know about collecting vintage kitschmas figurines is that there is no wrong way to do it. Items from the 1950s-1960s typically fall into the vintage kitschmas category. Whether you collect a specific type of figurine (e.g. only snowmen, shiny brite ornaments, tinsel trees, shopper girls, Santa’s, pixie elves, or angels), or you just buy whatever catches your eye, it’s all up to you! There are, however, a few tips and tricks that all collectors should keep in mind.

[Read more…]
Share

This will Shock you! Collecting Starbucks City Coffee Mugs for a Major Jolt

By:

The hot collectible these days are the Starbucks City Coffee Mugs. The first City collection was introduced in 1995 and was the ‘Icon Series’ followed by the ‘Collage Series’ and then the ‘Skyline Series’. Now there is the jumbo-sized ‘City Mugs Series’.

My research as of the writing of this article discovered a auction back in 2010 where a rare 1994 Starbucks City Mug Minneapolis St. Paul, sold for $1,500. It is also rumored that one sold prior for $2,000. In 2004 a woman paid upwards of $1,000 for one of the Starbucks City mugs. In 2009 eBay auction a 1994 New Orleans 20 oz. mug that displayed a Bourbon Street sign sold for over $528.00 and in another auction another mug of the same city sold for over $800! As of the writing of this article, there is a 1994 New Orleans Starbucks City Mug on eBay for $645.00.

Shop Coffee Time Collection

Shop Coffee Time Collection

The first version of the Starbucks Coffee Istanbul mug is pretty rare and hard to find and is really neat as it has a depiction of the Evil Eye on the mug and the Evil Eye is a common symbol amongst the countries in the Middle East and Mediterranean. There is an Istanbul mug on eBay right now for $499.00! Starbucks Barcelona 1994 Series Prototype City Mug on eBay for $499.00. This particular Barcelona mug is rare and collectible because it was a prototype at only 14oz. rather than the typical 16oz. and the bottom of this mug is blank.

Another collectible mug right now is the Starbucks City Mug – Lisboa/Lisbon Portugal and on eBay it is currently $499 and has bids, wonder how high it will go!

Starbucks Coffee T-shirt

Shop Coffee Time Collection

If you have been collecting the Starbucks City Mugs your collection at auction can net you some amazingly high dollars! Right now on eBay there is a listing for ‘48 Starbucks Skyline Series City Mugs Made in 2000’ and the current price is $10,000 and includes all these mugs: Alaska, Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Calgary w/ inscription, Canada, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Headquarters, Honolulu, Houston, Indianapolis, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, Montreal, Napa Valley, New Orleans, New York w/ large logo, Niagara Falls, Palm Springs, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pike Place Market w/ inscription, Pittsburgh, Portland, Raleigh, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco w/ large logo, Seattle w/ sea plane, St. Louis, St. Paul, Tampa, Toronto w/ & w/out inscription, Vancouver w/ inscription, Victoria w/ inscription, Washington D.C.

Starbucks Coffee Shirt

Shop Coffee Shop Collection

In short, your Starbucks mugs can worth a lot of money so don’t throw them out or get rid of them. Do a little research to determine the value and keep them safe from damage and stains. You could be collecting your way to Big Bucks!!

 

Pics from:

http://purplehazenz.tripod.com/
http://www.mymetrophoto.com/archives/3806
http://custommugs.pro/starbucks-city-mug-collection/
http://starbuckscitymugs.wordpress.com/
http://chickyjava.blogspot.com/2011/01/starbucks-mugs-from-around-world.html

Crazy4MeStyle Coffee Collection

Share