Retro Summer BBQ Bash: Mid-Century Essentials

Summer’s here, and it’s time to fire for a retro barbecue and up the grill, slip into our favorite vintage summer outfits, and let the good times roll! If you’re like me, you can’t wait to dust off your mid-century treasures and infuse your backyard gatherings with a healthy dose of nostalgia. Let’s dive into some kitschy must-haves that will make your summer BBQ the talk of the neighborhood.

Hot Diggity Dog!

Vintage Lefton Hotdog Head and Hamburger Head Pixieare Condiment Jars
Vintage Lefton Hotdog Head and Hamburger Head Pixieare Condiment Jars

No backyard BBQ is complete without hot dogs and hamburgers, and what better way to serve up your favorite condiments than in those darling Lefton Pixieware mustard jars? These adorable anthropomorphic ceramics, shaped like hot dogs and hamburgers with whimsical expressions, will bring a smile to everyone’s face and add a touch of kitschy charm to your table setting.

Holt Howard Mustard Jar MCM Starburst Franciscan Plate
Holt Howard Mustard Jar MCM Starburst Franciscan Plate

Shake It Up, Baby!

Salt and pepper shakers are a must-have for any BBQ, but why settle for ordinary when you can have extraordinary? Anthropomorphic salt and pepper shakers are where it’s at! Think cute corn cob couples, smiling strawberries, and even cute corn cob plates with matching skewers! These quirky characters will bring a smile to your guests’ faces and add a touch of kitsch to your table.

Retro Fashion and Summer Memories:

And let’s not forget about backyard BBQ fashion! A fun 1950s novelty border print dress adorned with cheerful oranges perfectly complements the summery vibe, while a stylish harlequin print circle skirt makes a statement as you arrive in your classic 1956 Nash Metropolitan. More summer fashion here.

Let’s Get This Party Started!

With your retro treasures in place, you’re ready to host a summer BBQ that will transport your guests back in time. So put on some swingin’ tunes, break out the hula hoops, and let the good times roll! Remember, it’s not just about the food – it’s about creating an experience that’s fun, festive, and full of vintage charm.

Bonus Tip: Of course, no retro gathering is complete without a vintage Polaroid camera to capture those picture-perfect moments of laughter, delicious food, and unforgettable memories. Don’t forget to snap some photos of your kitschy BBQ spread! Share them on social media with the hash tag #retrobbq and let’s spread the mid-century love!

Let’s Get Kitsch-y Together!

Do you have any favorite mid-century collectibles that you love to showcase at your summer BBQs? Share your tips and tricks in the comments below! Let’s inspire each other to create unforgettable retro gatherings.

Happy Summer, Kitsch-Lovers!

Guide to Holt-Howard Pixieware: Prices and the est tips

Holt-Howard Pixieware Collection Mid-Century Modern
Holt-Howard Pixieware Collection

There are remarkable individuals with a golden touch, turning everything they touch into treasure, and Holt-Howard was one such person. He didn’t just dabble in pixieware; he made it famous. Pixieware is a unique ceramic pottery that has enchanted collectors and vintage enthusiasts worldwide. Owning such pieces, you’ll appreciate their immense value. Holt-Howard’s creations remain sought-after today, with soaring prices. What makes pixieware so appealing, and how can you begin collecting Holt Howard’s masterpieces? Explore our price guide and collector tips to learn more!

Collecting vintage Mid-Century modern kitsch ceramics offers unmatched enjoyment. At Crazy4Me, we’re passionate about vintage and kitsch and have curated exceptional Holt-Howard and pixieware pieces from the past six decades. For both experienced collectors and beginners, these items add delight and whimsy to any collection. Dive in and experience the magic—we promise you won’t be disappointed.

Vintage Napco Onion and Ketchup Pixieware Condiment Jars
Vintage Napco Onion and Ketchup Pixieware Condiment Jars
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Anthropomorphic PY Japan: The Madness That Shook the Collector World!

Hey Crazy4Me fam! Remember the vintage anthropomorphic PY Miyao craze we dove into earlier? Buckle up, because things just got wilder than a sumo wrestler on a pogo stick!

PY Anthropomorphic Frying Pans, Wedding Elephants, Penguin Shakers and Corn Skewers 1950s Japan
PY Anthropomorphic Frying Pans, Wedding Elephants, Penguin Shakers and Corn Skewers 1950s Japan
Vintage Anthropomorphic PY Japan 1950s Pig Wall Plaques and Lefton/Norcrest Cookie Jars
Vintage Anthropomorphic PY Japan 1950s Pig Wall Plaques and Lefton/Norcrest Cookie Jars

March 2024 was a whirlwind for vintage kitschy cute anthropomorphic PY Japan, Norcrest, Lefton, ESD and more collectors. Prices for these quirky Japanese ceramics literally skyrocketed on platforms like eBay. We’re talking mind-blowing figures for some of the rarest PY Japan pieces the collector market has ever seen!

Vintage PY Anthropomorphic Flower Planters and Wall PLaques Japan 1950s
Vintage PY Anthropomorphic Flower Planters and Wall PLaques Japan 1950s
Vintage Anthropomorphic Norcrest/PY Fish Sugar and Creamers
Vintage Anthropomorphic Norcrest/PY Fish Sugar and Creamers
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The PY Miyao Craze: Japan’s Best Novelty Ceramics in America

Hello, pottery enthusiasts and history buffs! Today, we’re diving into the company of PY Miyao Craze: Japan’s Best Novelty Ceramics in America, an iconic ceramics company that captured the hearts of Americans in the post-World War II era.

From whimsical figurines to elegant tableware, PY Miyao’s novelty ceramics have become highly sought-after collector’s items. Join us as we explore the company’s history, its introduction to American audiences, and the lasting impact of its unique designs.

The Birth of PY Miyao Japan Pottery

Established in the early 20th century, the PY Miyao Japan pottery company has its roots in the Aichi Prefecture, home to many renowned Japanese pottery centers. The company was named after its founder, Miyao Yoshida, whose initials PY stood for “Pottery Yoshida.” Miyao’s goal was to bring the artistry and craftsmanship of Japanese ceramics to a broader audience, both in Japan and abroad.

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Mid-Century Modern Valentine’s Day

Anthropomorphic Bluebirds

Love is in the air with our latest vintage-inspired Valentine’s Day collection at Crazy4ME Style. We’ve taken our love for 1950s and 1960s Pyrex and Catherineholm enamelware and created one-of-a-kind designs that you will love and can wear all year round!! We also have our customer favorite anthropomorphic bluebirds Be My Tweet Heart back in stock. Our designs are available in sizes Small-4XL at Crazy4MeStyle.com

Collecting Kitschy Cute Vintage Salt and Pepper Shakers

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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