Join me to learn the best tips for collecting vintage mermaids and fish and even what to look out for from top manufacturers like Norcrest, Lefton, Bradley, and Freeman McFarlin and the history behind them! Let’s dive into the magical depths of yesteryear and discover the irresistible appeal of these delightful figurines.
A Brief History of Vintage Mermaids and their Makers:
The 1940s-1950s marked the golden age for the production of vintage mermaids and fish. During this time, countless families across the US adorned their bathrooms and vanities with these enchanting wall plaques, available at local five-and-dime stores and souvenir shops.
Today I am thrilled to share one of my passions with you all – collecting vintage Spaghetti Poodles! These little guys are positively precious, and they add a wonderful sense of cuteness while perfectly fitting into my mid-century modern aesthetic.
My favorite pieces from the collection have got to be the 1950’s Norcrest poodle trio in glasses & bows on the tray plus Lipper & Mann’s ‘NOEL’ set for Christmas time. Also included in this beloved assortment is an array of delightful lipstick holders, planters, vases – it just can’t get any better than that!
UPDATE: You can ready about my collections on a recently published piece in the Antique Trader
Take a step back in time and revel in the kitschy cuteness of 1950s poodles! Back then, these furry four-legged friends were everywhere – from classic Poodle skirts to intricate spaghetti art ware figurines. Ceramic artists crafted unique pieces using a special technique that mimicked the pup’s fur and sparked an excitement for all things “spaghetti” poodle!
Spaghetti art wear is made from clay, porcelain, and ceramic which is applied as “fur” to form various textures of a poodle’s hairdo. To accomplish the spaghetti look, ceramicists and designers would have different techniques like using tea strainers to push the material through to form strands that were then attached to the poodle giving it a pom-pom look or they would swirl it onto to the poodle for a curly look. The spaghetti is very fragile and tends to break or chip over the years.
For vintage buffs, antique malls, flea markets, and thrift stores are like Disneyland. It’s a place where dreams of finding hidden gems come true. While it may seem overwhelming at first, with a little know-how you can score some serious treasures without breaking the bank. So follow along and learn how to master the hunt with my expert tips for scoring antiques at bargain prices at antique malls, thrift stores, and vintage festivals. Happy hunting!
Buyers and sellers are all looking for the same thing in the end and that is a “bargain”. The buyer is looking for a bargain item to add to their collection and the seller is looking for a bargain item that they can re-sell for a profit. Many people today still ask “Are there any bargains out there left to be had”? My answer is YES, you just need to know how to spot the bargain and have patience.
Shopping Antique Malls
Treasure Hunting – as I like to call it requires lots of careful hunting, seeking, and searching to locate that bargain item. Also, you have a lot of competition as you are not the only one out treasure hunting. With the popularity of online auction sites, antique & collectibles shops, more and more flea markets popping up regularly and shows like Antiques Roadshow, there are a lot of treasure hunters indeed. But, with that being said, all these venues for seeking treasure may actually make it easier to find a bargain…..that’s right, I said easier.
Yasmina Greco with her Holt-Howard Jam ‘n Jelly Pixieware Jar and matching T-Shirt
Nothing sparks my interest in vintage kitchenware from the 1950s and 1960s quite like Holt Howard Pixieware. These delightful items, such as jam ‘n jelly jars with tiny tongues savoring the sweetness, instant coffee pixie jars, relish pixie jars, and the cheerful girl set, epitomize imaginative design. Manufacturers like Holt-Howard, Davar, Lefton, Lipper & Mann, Norcrest, Napco, and Menschik Goldman, to mention a few, showcased unparalleled creativity with their vibrant, quirky creations. Continue reading for my best tips becasue the fervor for collecting Pixieware as it remains strong and shows no signs of waning!
1958 Holt Howard Relish Pixieware JarHolt-Howard Relish Jar with Spoofy Spoon 1958Holt-Howard Pixieware Condiment Jars
Yasmina Greco in Collectif Clothing Roberta Gingham Swing Dress
When I wear gingham, I feel like sunshine and picnics. Nothing says hello summer more than a pretty gingham dress. In fact, gingham is the biggest trend of the season and it never goes out of style. It’s the first weekend of June, and the weather couldn’t be more perfect for a day out with my sweet hubby Gary, so I am wearing my new 50s inspired Roberta Gingham Swing Dress from Collectif Clothing.
Yasmina Greco in Collectif Clothing Roberta Gingham Swing Dress
Slipping into this beautiful dress I feel so feminine and dainty. The dress has a lovely sweetheart neckline and pretty white-collar detail, and the sleeves are short and also have the pretty white detail. I love how the bodice nips my waist in and the flared swing skirt is so flowy and breezy. The dress also has pockets and a belt. I love how the dress fits and how comfortable it is and that it fits my full bust without any problem. I styled the dress simply (it does not need anything) I am wearing a petticoat underneath as I enjoy a full skirt and then added some basic heels and my little pink summery purse and that is it. A 1950s silhouette is my favorite as it accentuates my curves in all the right places and has so much vintage style and Collectif Clothing is a size inclusive UK brand too with their vintage inspired clothing offered in sizes XS-22.
Yasmina Greco in Collectif Clothing Roberta Gingham Swing Dress
We drove up north for a lovely day in wine country and wandered around the little town of Healdsburg alongside the tourists that come up from San Francisco. I had so many ladies stop to compliment me and tell me how pretty my dress is and how much they liked it. Everyone loves a pretty gingham dress and this one is a showstopper!! Hurry on over to Collectif Clothing and snap yours up before they are all sold out. I have some more pretty dresses coming and can’t wait to share them with you all. Hope you all are having a great start to your summer.
Yasmina Greco in Collectif Clothing Roberta Gingham Swing Dress
We can all use some sweet love these days and I am really excited to share with you our new Valentine’s Day sweet heart designs. My favorite is the bluebird or lovebirds as they are reminiscent of a 1950s vintage valentine card and has the words “Be My Tweet Heart” that is perfect for the vintage collector or Pinup Girl. We also have our pretty lady with her “Love Letters” and she has her cute little puppy dog (my Luna) sitting next to her with a stamp so she can mail that letter to her love. Our Love Letters tee is available in pink or white and our Be My Tweet Heart tee comes in candy pink. We remain size inclusive and our designs are available in Small-4XL and ready to ship, just in time for Valentine’s Day!!
