Tag Archives: lefton

4th of July Celebration: Mid-Century Outfits & Collectibles

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Curvy Nautical Patriotic Style - Yasmina Greco
Curvy Nautical Patriotic Style – Crazy4MeStyle

As we approach the 4th of July, let’s take a trip down memory lane and explore how you can bring the vintage 50’s era into your wardrobe and home for a 4th of July Celebration: Mid-Century Outfits & Collectibles with patriotic, nautical-themed Pinup and Rockabilly outfits and mid-century kitsch collectibles.

Nautical Outfits: Classic American Fashion with a 50’s Twist

Patriotic and nautical fashion has been a quintessential part of American style since its inception. These two themes beautifully blend during the 4th of July celebrations, offering an opportunity to showcase your creativity and love for vintage fashion. I am wearing vintage-inspired nautical themed dresses and skirts in the above photos.

The Vintage Nautical Look

Creating a vintage 50’s nautical outfit begins with understanding the basic elements: think sailor pants, wide collars, and navy-and-white or red-and-white stripes. The 1950s was also an era of full skirts and A-line dresses, so feel free to add a full, pleated, midi-length skirt in a navy blue or red to your outfit.

Top it off with a striped boat neck top for that truly nostalgic look. My t-shirt in the photo above is one of my favorites and one designed for my t-shirt brand that you can find here Seaside Sweetie Nautical Pinup Tee You can read more about the 50s era kitschy fun fashions here 1950s Kitsch at its Best: The Ultimate Poodle Purses, Skirts, and Dresses

Patriotic Color Schemes

The 4th of July is the perfect occasion to experiment with patriotic colors. Channeling the colors of the American flag – red, white, and blue – into your nautical ensemble will exude vintage charm and national pride all at once.

Complement your outfit with accessories like red scarves, blue sailor caps, or white retro sunglasses to add more authenticity and individuality.

Mid-Century 50’s Kitsch 4th of July Collectibles

The 1950s weren’t just a golden age for fashion, but for home décor too. This era saw the rise of kitsch, a style marked by the use of everyday, mass-produced objects as decoration. This quirky, whimsical style is a great way to add a touch of the 50’s to your 4th of July celebrations.

Patriotic Collectibles

Incorporate the stars and stripes into your décor through items like vintage ceramics by makers such as Napco, Lefton, Norcrest, Josef Originals, and Holt Howard. You can also incorporate 50’s era flags, or even mid-century style tablecloths featuring patriotic motifs. These small touches will contribute significantly to your 4th of July atmosphere.

Vintage Josef Originals Patriotic Liberty Bell

As we celebrate this 4th of July, let’s honor the past as well as the present. By donning vintage 50’s era patriotic nautical outfits and decorating with mid-century kitsch collectibles, you’ll not only look the part but also feel it. Here’s to a stylish, nostalgic Independence Day!

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Hopping into the World of Vintage Easter Kitsch

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Easter is a time for celebration, colorful eggs, and, of course, the beloved Easter bunny. Over the years, the whimsical charm of this holiday has inspired a delightful array of vintage Easter-themed kitsch, from bunny planters to 1950s made-in-Japan rabbit figurines. These nostalgic collectibles evoke memories of simpler times and bring a touch of enchantment to any home. In this blog post, we’ll explore the world of vintage Easter kitsch and offer tips for building your collection of adorable bunny treasures.

The Allure of Vintage Easter Kitsch:

Vintage Easter collectibles have a unique appeal that transcends generations. They capture the essence of the holiday with their vibrant colors, playful designs, and undeniable charm. Easter bunny planters and 1950s made-in-Japan rabbit figurines, in particular, are popular among collectors for their distinctive style and whimsy.

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The Best Tips for Collecting Vintage Mermaids and Fish

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Vintage mermaids and fish

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.

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Lefton Bluebirds Best Tips and Price Guide for Collectors

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Yasmina Greco Lefton Bluebirds Topline Import Bluebirds
Yasmina Greco Lefton Bluebirds Topline Import Bluebirds

Lefton bluebirds, there’s something undeniably captivating about their allure. With their delicate features and cheerful expressions, these charming little creatures have soared into the hearts of collectors worldwide. In this blog, we’ll explore bluebirds by manufacturers Norcrest, Napco Lefton, and Topline Imports, the origins of these delightful figurines, discover how they became a beloved symbol of happiness and hope, and share the best tips and price guide for collectors.

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

Norcrest bluebirds and Topline Imports bluebirds are often confused with Lefton bluebirds because they were also produced during the same era and have similar designs. Norcrest bluebirds were produced by the Norcrest China Company, which was founded in Japan in 1953. Norcrest bluebirds are typically marked with a “Norcrest” stamp and are known for their bright colors and playful designs.

Topline Imports bluebirds were produced by the Topline Imports Company, which was founded in Japan in the 1950s. Topline Imports bluebirds are known for their simple, elegant design and often feature a matte finish.

One reason why collectors confuse these three types of bluebirds is that they were all produced during the same era and share similar design features. Additionally, many of these bluebirds were not marked with identifying information, making it difficult to determine their origin.

However, there are some key differences between these three types of bluebirds that can help collectors identify them. For example, Lefton bluebirds are typically marked with a “Lefton” stamp, while Norcrest bluebirds are marked with a “Norcrest” stamp. Topline Imports bluebirds are often marked with a paper label or foil sticker that reads “Topline Imports.”

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The Best Tips for Collecting Vintage 1950s Spaghetti Poodles

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Yasmina Greco Spaghetti Poodle Collection 1950sToday 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

Norcrest Napco Lefton Spaghetti Poodle Collection 1950sTake 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.

Norcrest Napco Lefton Spaghetti Poodle Collection 1950s Yasmina Greco

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Proven Strategies for Finding Antiques at Bargain Prices

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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.

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