bluebird | Crazy4Me - The Modern Bombshell Lifestyle by: Yasmina Greco

Kitschy-Cute Vintage Collectibles

August 8, 2021 By: Fan

Find out what kitschy-cute vintage collectibles are and why they’re so popular and sell for so much money these days. Also, learn about the history of the merchandise and some tips for buying them!

My heart gets so happy looking at these adorable little faces with those big eyes, long eyelashes, and sweet expressions…… welcome to the kitschy-cute world of today’s vintage collectibles.

Vintage Pixieware Kitschy-Cute Menschik Goldman Dolly Girl Collection Set

Kitsch is a term that’s been around for quite some time. It can be described as art or items that are considered to be in poor taste, corny, or overly sentimental. For many people, kitsch has become an insult with negative connotations, and they avoid it at all costs. But there are some who enjoy the warmth and nostalgia of kitschy things from their childhoods. These vintage collectors know what they’re looking for when browsing through flea markets and antique malls. Kitschy collectibles and prices for these items has even spurred a new term in the market referred to as “kitschy-cute”!!

Vintage Kitschy-Cute Enesco Lil Bear Collection Set

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5 Tips for Collecting Lefton Vintage Bluebirds

May 1, 2021 By: Fan

Yasmina Greco Lefton Bluebirds Topline Import Bluebirds

Today on the blog I am sharing some of my very favorite vintage bluebird collectibles with you all. Back when eBay and Etsy were all the rage for antiques and collectibles I was a PowerSeller (a rating eBay had for their PowerSeller program where sellers needed to consistently sell a significant volume of items and provide a high level of service to their buyers to achieve this rating) and I sold many vintage bluebirds to collectors all over the world. It wasn’t until I came across a bluebird sugar jar from the Topline Imports company that I actually had an emotional reaction. I had listed the sugar jar and it sold within minutes and after a few days I found that I could not stop looking at the pictures I had of the item and that lil’ birdies cute face. I was so sad I sold her. I didn’t start collecting these adorable blue birds till years later and now they are the pride and joy of my collection.

NOTE: You can read about my collections here at Antique Trader Magazine

Topline Import Bluebirds Collection — Topline Imports Bluebirds Collection

Many collectors are drawn to vintage bluebirds because of the cheerfulness they exude. These adorable figurines and dining sets can really brighten your day. Although not much information exists about the Topline Imports company, we do know that they manufactured high quality items in Japan in the 1950s-1960s. My Topline Imports bluebird set is stamped with the numbers 50/154 and they retain their gold foil “Topline Imports, Inc. Japan” tags. It was this set’s sugar jar that stole my heart all those years ago. The set includes a cookie jar, teapot, sugar jar, creamer, salt and pepper shakers, snack plate, and set of 3 wall plaques (mama bird and two babies). I am now on the hunt for the teacup that fits the snack plate and my collection will be complete. The Topline Imports bluebird is my all time favorite.

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Sweetheart Style for Valentine’s Day

January 10, 2021 By: Fan

Crazy4MeStyle Valentine's Day T-Shirt Collection — Crazy4MeStyle Valentine’s Day T-Shirt Collection

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!!

Collecting Kitschy Cute Vintage Salt and Pepper Shakers

October 26, 2020 By: Fan

Do you love collecting kitschy-cute vintage salt and pepper shakers? I do too! Many people love to collect salt and pepper shakers and there are many different types that you can find at flea markets, antique shops, or online. This blog post is all about those irresistibly adorable salt and pepper shakers with tips on colleting different themes, buying and selling and how to find rare ones.

The fun thing about salt and pepper shakers is that they are usually small in size and can fit on your kitchen shelves, desk, windowsills, and right on your dining table so no matter how small of a space you live in, there is room for salt and pepper shakers and they not only fill the practical need of condiments but also provide decoration to your living space.

Salt and pepper shaker collecting took off in the 1940s-1950s with the creation of ceramics and were being made in a variety of designs, shapes, and themes. Souvenir shakers were especially popular during this time frame as folks started taking to the roads in their Airstreams and Shasta trailers and could pick them up on their road trips at gas stations and rest stops. Shakers from this era were affordably manufactured and therefore affordable to purchase. Today, shakers come in a variety of materials from glass, wood, to metal, plastic and anything imaginable.

My salt and pepper shaker collection is primarily made up of anthropomorphic, animals and vintage Christmas shakers. My requirement is that they have to be cute and make me smile. I enjoy the thrill of the hunt so much and scour internet sites, antique shops, thrift stores and estate sales for rare and hard to find sets. I also enjoy the stories from the collectors themselves and learning what got them interested in collecting and how they found particular shakers. Collecting is also such a fun social activity as most collectors I have met love talking about their collections and sharing knowledge and information.

Vintage PY Anthropomorphic Toothpaste Girls

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🍄Erstwilder Woodlands Collection🍄

August 3, 2020 By: Fan

Yasmina Greco in Erstwilder Cuddle Time Necklace

I am in awe of the talented Erstwilder artists and team. They release the most endearing collections that are so beautifully detailed and tell a story. The new Woodlands collection is exquisite and I am so excited to share it with you. My standout favorites are the Cuddle Time Necklace, Well Spotted brooch, and the Blue Jay Way brooch.

Erstwilder has turned me into an adoring fan of statement necklaces and theirs are adjustable and comfortable to wear. Just look at all the details in my Cuddle Time Necklace featuring a momma bear and her cub walking across the beautiful forest with green pine trees and snow capped mountains. I will definitely be wearing this piece all winter long. The Erstwilder artists are incredibly creative and talented, crafting such exquisite jewelry keepsake pieces.

Yasmina Greco in Erstwilder Woodlands Collection Well Spotted Brooch

I really am smitten with my Well Spotted brooch and it evokes feelings of being in a fairytale. This brooch is brilliant with it’s red dotted cap and it makes me want to spend a lovely day in a fairytale forest with some gnome friends. This brooch easily pairs with blouses, and cardigans, and even dresses. It is one of my go-to accessories!!

Yasmina Greco in Erstwilder Woodlands Collection The Blue Jay Way Brooch

This adorable little fellow won me over with his brilliant blue colors and proud stance. Being a natural forest dweller the Blue Jay Way brooch is perfection and such a wonderful addition to the Erstwilder Woodlands collection. The brooch is so lovely and easy to wear with sweaters, coats, and jumpers. Being the bluebird lover that I am, this adorable brooch was a must for my personal collection and I could not wait to scoop him up!!

This adorable range has been designed by Carmen and also includes matching Essential Earrings and scarves. I also love the new packaging that was specifically designed for this collection and features a woodlands theme on the boxes. As with all Erstwilder collections, they are made in Melbourne, Australia in limited quantities and they sell out very quickly so hurry on over and snap up your favorites while they are in stock as this adorable collection is already selling out!!

A big thank you to my husband Gary for all the wonderful photos.

Amazing Finds at the 2014 Petaluma Antique Fair

April 27, 2014 By: Fan

Today was the annual Spring antique fair in the wine country town of Petaluma. The event is all out doors and features around 180 dealer booths and over 8,000 shoppers!! The fair has something for everyone from estate jewelry, furniture, linens, art, kitchenware, vintage décor, tin toys, Mid-Century Modern, books and a variety of collectibles. The weather called for rain and it sprinkled a bit but all in all the weather was really great; partly sunny, breezy, mid 60s.

We arrived a little after 9:30am and the fair already had a steady flow of shoppers. This is one of my favorite fairs as the dealers usually are friendly, negotiable on their prices and they offer to package up your goodies too.

Below are some pictures of the fair and pictures of the treasures we found. I couldn’t believe when I came upon the antique Majolica oyster plate or the PY Ucagco bluebird wall plaques, the pretty little vintage Christmas headvase, the adorable little boy vintage egg timer, the vintage Bradley pink sea horse wall plaques and even the little Art Deco Golliwog perfume bottle… wow! I still can’t believe my good fortune to find all these treasures!! My husband too scored some mint condition vintage cameras from a collector that has over 500 vintage cameras in his personal collection. I am so thankful to have a husband that enjoys antique fairs and antiquing in general with me as it is a great way to spend time together and really enjoy each other’s company!!