I have always loved mermaids, and the 1950s were a time of great fascination with the mythical creatures. This blog post will discuss how to collect vintage mermaids from this era to decorate your home. My favorite mermaids are from the early 50s made by Norcrest, Napco, and Lefton. I love how whimsical they look on my bathroom walls. I’ll also share more of my favorite finds with you all in this post.
Vintage spaghetti poodle dogs have so much charm and character. They come in a variety of colors and styles and can be found highly decorated with rhinestones, bows, glasses, hats, playing sports, chain leash with puppies, depicted as fireman, graduating students, band musicians, reading the daily newspaper, snooty, high fashion, smoking, brides and more!
Spaghetti Poodles are vintage ceramic, porcelain and clay figurines whose signature hairdo was created through an intricate process. Craftspeople would use tea strainers to push material like clays or glazes through the holes to form delicate strands that could be affixed for a pom-pom look, swirled onto the figure for bouncy curls, or incorporated into other creative designs. These one-of-a kind decorations were often also spruced up with rhinestones as eyes or sparkly accessories on their hats and collars; pearls and floral motifs added further charm! Despite being incredibly fragile though years of handling can cause them breakage in some areas – making these collectibles even more special.
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Here is a full report from my annual trip to America’s Largest Antiques and Collectibles Show that is held each July in Portland, Oregon with over 1,000 booths. The past few years have been more bust than bang but, this year was great. There is usually a lot of chaos getting attendees parked and the lines had been terrible in the past. This year they had it better managed and we got parked within 15mins of the show starting. We try to arrive early as doors open at 9:00 am and you usually need to wait in the ticket line for your tickets then join another line to get inside. The show is held in-doors and outdoors at the Portland Expo Center. Bathrooms are clean and plentiful. Lots of food courts too with seating so never worry about being thirsty or hungry!!
My twin sister and I have been attending America’s Largest Antiques and Collectibles Show for the past few years so we have our strategy down pretty good. But, she was not able to join me this year due to illness so my niece was joining me. It wasn’t quite the same without my sister and we missed her terribly. The weather was gorgeous for Portland and super warm. July in Portland tends to be a scorcher!! Attendees were excited and in good spirits, folks were eager to get started with their treasure hunting. There were also lots and lots of outdoor booths!!
Once inside, it was full steam ahead!! After going through a few booths it was apparent that Dealers this year were in very good spirits and super friendly. The past few shows Dealers were really grumpy but this year was different. It is so much more pleasant to shop in a booth with a cheerful Dealer who also engages and interacts with you. Learning about an item is so much fun and if the Dealer shares background information on a piece it makes it that much more special. Prices were super good too!! At past shows prices seemed really high and no one was interested in negotiating. This year prices were very reasonable and many Dealers even commented they would give up to 50% off!! Wow!!
This show really has something for everyone; young and old. You can find vintage clothing, lots of vintage jewelry and accessories, vintage neon signs, lots of kitchen collectibles and Pyrex, Fireking, Jadeite and so much more, even lots and lots of ephemera, lightening, Mid-Century Modern, items from the 1920s-1980s. Vintage Disney, tin toys, Hawaiiana, vintage Christmas, salvage, furniture, cameras, and so many more items!! Over 1,000 dealer booths. You can literally spend all day treasure hunting.
I filled up two large tote bags with treasures!! I especially love kitschy cute items that are anthropomorphic, vintage kitchen goodies from the 50s-60s, vintage Mermaids by Norcrest, Napco, Joty, Lefton, and Holt Howard too. Vintage 50s Poodles, clothing and lucite purses, Bakelite jewelry and I also love fine porcelains from Herend, Majolica, and Meissen. Mid-Century Modern lamps, dinnerware, and furniture too. Also, vintage Gucci, Chanel, Hermes and Christian Dior…… sometimes you can find a treasure!
The next show is in October and it is the vintage Christmas show….. hmmmm, making plans for that one!!
I have always been drawn to the vintage 1950 – 1960 poodle dog figurines and collectibles. The spaghetti poodles ALWAYS catch my eye when I am at flea markets, antique malls, and junk shops. I am amazed at the wide variety of poodle collectibles on the market today and we of course have the fabulous 1950s to thank for all the poodles on the market today. I am a Bichon Frise dog lover and proud owner of Luna – our 3-year-old Bichon but those cute poodles, I can’t stay away from them!
Poodle dogs have been portrayed and modeled into figurines and paintings since the early 1920s and in the 1950s poodles were at their peek of popularity. Nearly all poodles figurines and collectibles were made in Japan (as was nearly everything else) and manufacturers such as Lefton, Napco, Napcoware, Replo, Kreiss, Thames Company, Reubens, Shafford, Holt Howard, Vcagco, Ucagco, Arnart, Bradley, Artmark, Ries, Lipper and Mann, Commodor, Relco, Inarco, and Tilso to name a few, were all producing some type of Poodle collectible and Poodle ware from vanity items, to chained figures featuring mamma dog and puppies to parasol ladies with their poodle pooches. Poodles were depicted to look like mans best friend, silly poses, goofy faces, wearing sunglasses, and in playful poses and even with bees and flies on their noses. CUTE!
Spaghetti Poodles were made from clay, porcelain, and ceramic and their “hair” was applied in various ways to form various textures to mimic an actual poodle’s hair do. To accomplish the spaghetti look decorators and designers would have different techniques like using tea strainers and pushing the material through it to form strands that were then affixed to the poodle giving it a pom-pom look or swirled onto to the poodle for a curly look. Spaghetti is very fragile and tends to break or chip during the years and I am AMAZED at the many spaghetti poodles I come across that after 50 or 60 years old and still retain nearly all their spaghetti! These poodles were certainly loved and preserved to keep them in this type of fabulous condition. Many poodles also have applied on them sparkly rhinestones for the poodle’s eyes and rhinestones were also applied to the poodle’s dog collar. Pearls and ceramic/porcelain florals were also added to many poodles for decorations on their heads, hats and various parts of body to mimic pom-poms.
Vintage Napco Pink Spaghetti Poodles
Today’s Poodle Market
Poodles are highly sought after and collectible today. Seems everywhere one looks we are returning to the nostalgia of yester year in some ways. Prices for poodles will vary depending on the region you are located but average pricing for figurines and such are around $29.00 – $75.00 and go up from their depending on the rarity and maker of the item along with size and condition.
I think that currently eBay is the best place to buy your poodle collectibles right now as you will find a vast selection and prices are unbeatable when you can pick up rare poodles for $8.99 and at prices this low it makes starting or adding to a collection possible even in this tough economy.
When you are out searching for your poodle collectibles be sure to give the item(s) a thorough once-over by making sure rhinestones are all intact, spaghetti is intact, paint is not too worn, chained groups are still chained together with their original chains and items that have parasols still retain their parasols.
Oodles of Poodles to Collect:
Poodle dog figurines, poodle dog salt and pepper shakers, poodle dog themed dinnerware and coffee mugs, poodle dog planters, poodle dog candle holders, poodle dog coin banks, poodle dog brooches and pins and jewelry, poodle dog ashtrays, poodle dog scarf, poodle dog embroidered linens like tablecloths and tea towels, poodle dog bells, poodle dog lamps, poodle skirts, poodle dog pincushions, poodle dog greeting cards, poodle dog vanity trash cans, poodle dog lipstick holders, poodle dog wrapping paper, poodle dog aprons, poodle dog plush toys and more as there are also a slew of Christmas Holiday themed Poodle Dog Figurines and Collectibles too!
The perfect tees for the Poodle collector and lover byCrazy4MeStyle.com
Head vases were made in a variety of designs in the 1950s -1960s. But it was the elegant, fashion-model look AKA – ‘Glamour Girl’ that quickly became among the most popular. These head vases have hand-painted features, 3-dimensional thick black eyelashes, ruby red lips, fancy hats, pearl necklaces and matching earrings, painted fingernails, or gloved hands, and hands that would frame one side of the face. Sizes can range from approx. 3 ¾” inches to 8” inches tall.
Glamorous movie stars and fashion models inspired many of the designs of the era; Jackie O, Lucile Ball, and Marilyn Monroe all had head vases modeled after their likeness. There are also Christmas themed vases that feature pretty ladies and girls in holiday splendor with lots of red and green colors and decorated with poinsettias and holly berries.
Prices: Currently head vases can be purchased for $50-$300+ and they can be found on Ebay, Etsy, Rubylane, at antique shops and markets.
5 Tips for Collecting Head Vases
You can see all out vintage head vases and items here: Cray4Me Ebay Store, Crazy4Me Etsy Store, Rubylane Store
I wanted to share some vintage Easter collectibles from the 1950s-1960s. No, these items you see pictured here are not part of my collection…yet, but they are so cute and charming that I am seriously considering starting a collection of these vintage cuties. Many of the items pictured are made by the ceramic manufacturers of the time like Holt Howard, Napco, Lefton, Relpo, Relco, Inarco, Norcrest, Reubens and more. Vintage collectibles like these can be found today online on eBay, Etsy, and Rubylane as well as antique and collectible shops for $25+ and the Holt Howard, Napco and Lefton items will be priced between $35-$125+. Do you have a vintage Easter collection? I would love to hear about your collection and see your pics too. Hope you all have a happy and safe Easter!!