Expert Guide to Collecting Yum-EE-Yum Ceramics From the 50s-60s

Vintage Yum-EE-Yums Cookie Jars Jam Jars
Vintage Yum-EE-Yum Cookie Jars Jam Jars

Dive into the captivating world of Yum-EE-Yums the 50s-60s ultimate collectibles, where you’ll find the most adorable and elusive collectibles of all – Yum-EE-Yums! These charming little guys and gals are rare gems, with only a handful on the market. Prepare yourself for an exhilarating adventure as we explore the ins and outs of collecting Yum-EE-Yum ceramics!

Yasmina’s Collection of Vintage Yum-Ee-Yum

These delightful vintage ceramics, featuring juice and milk glasses, pitchers, jam-n-jelly jars, salt and pepper shakers, cookie jars, and mugs, offer a fascinating and rewarding hobby for anyone passionate about retro kitchenware and collectibles. Crafted by the Japanese toy company Ray-Gee, these pieces were produced in the 1950s-1960s, which was also known for its popular Fujiya Candy line.

Continue reading
Share

Lefton Bluebirds Best Tips and Price Guide for Collectors

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.”

Continue reading

Share

Antique Harvest the Best Antique Shopping in Healdsburg, CA

Healdsburg, California is an idyllic paradise boasting a charming downtown shopping district and gorgeous vineyards. Nestled between two quaint hotels lies Antique Harvest – an incredible trove of treasures in the heart of Healdsburg Plaza and has the best antique shopping. Antique Harvest is sure to give you your nostalgia fix with its one-of-a kind antiques and collectibles. Let’s take a closer look at this one-of-a-kind store!

Antique Harvest Fabulous Booths
Pyrex and Mid-Century at Antique Harvest
Continue reading
Share

The Best Tips for Collecting Vintage 1950s Spaghetti Poodles

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

Continue reading

Share

4 Tips on How to Nail the Classic Curvy Christmas Outfit

Mid-Century Modern Christmas Outfit

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! ‘Tis the season for eggnog, gingerbread, and most importantly…Christmas parties and photos! If you’re anything like me, you love getting all dressed up for a festive soirée. But if you’re also like me, you struggle to find a flattering Christmas outfit that fits your curves just right. Never fear! I’m here to help you find the perfect ensemble that will have you feeling confident and fabulous all night long.

One of my favorite parts about the holidays is getting all decked out in my finest clothes and going to holiday parties. Unfortunately, finding a flattering and stylish outfit can be a bit of a challenge when you’re curvy. Too often, I find myself feeling self-conscious and uncomfortable in ill-fitting clothes that just don’t work with my body type. But this year, I’m determined to find the perfect Christmas outfit that makes me feel confident and beautiful. Here are a few tips that I’ve learned along the way:

Continue reading
Share

The Prettiest Time of Year: Leaf Peeping Season in California

It’s that time of year again! The leaves are changing color and the air is starting get cooler here in California. That can only mean one thing: leaf peeping season is here! For those who don’t know, leaf peeping is the term for admiring the changing leaves in autumn. Although New England is where leaf peeping really happens, we also have some changing colors here in Northern California too. Every year, thousands of people flock to the vineyards in our region to see the leaves in all their glory.

Why We Love Leaf Peeping Season

There’s just something about fall that makes us feel nostalgic. Maybe it’s the memories of going back to school or participating in fall sports. Or maybe it’s because fall is such a beautiful time of year. Whatever the reason, there’s no denying that leaf peeping season is a special time. Here are a few reasons why we love it so much:

The Colors:

Continue reading
Share