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

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The Joy of Collecting Vintage Napco Christmas Angels

There’s something magical about the holiday season, with its twinkling lights, festive music, and nostalgic decorations. Among the many vintage treasures that bring charm and warmth to the season. The joy of collecting vintage Napco Christmas angels holds a special place in the hearts of collectors.

One of the most sought-after and beloved Napco figurines are the enchanting Candy Cane Angels. In this blog post, we’ll explore the history of Napco, the art of collecting vintage Napco Christmas figurines, and the timeless appeal of Candy Cane Angels.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…for Napco devotees, that is! While many people associate the holiday season with Santa Claus, reindeer, and evergreen trees, for us, it’s all about collecting vintage Napco ceramics. From angelic figurines to jolly Santa mugs, there’s nothing that gets us into the Christmas spirit quite like a little bit of retro kitsch.

But what exactly is Napco ceramicware, and why is it so collectible? In short, Napco ceramics are beautiful examples of mid-century American craftsmanship. Produced by the National Potteries Corporation (or “Napco” for short), these pieces were designed in the 1950s and 1960s and were mass-produced for use in homes across the country.

Today, they’re highly sought-after by collectors for their clean lines, pastel colors, and Atomic Age imagery.

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Kitschy-Cute Collectibles: A Treasure Trove of the Best Tips

Vintage Lefton Bluebirds Collection
Vintage Lefton Bluebirds Collection

There’s something magical about uncovering a hidden gem from the past, and for collectors of kitschy-cute vintage collectibles, the thrill of the hunt is just as exciting as the prize itself. From vintage pixiware to Lefton pink poodle chef pieces, these delightful treasure troves of the past have a nostalgic charm that’s simply irresistible. In this blog post, In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the most sought-after kitschy-cute collectibles, their unique stories, and what you can expect to pay for these quirky, adorable items.

Vintage Pixieware Kitschy-Cute Menschik Goldman Dolly Girl Collection Set
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
Vintage Kitschy-Cute Enesco Lil Bear Collection Set

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Holt Howard Pixieware Haven: The Best Tips for Collectors

Yasmina Greco with her Holt-Howard Jam ‘n Jelly Pixieware Jar and matching T-Shirt

Nothing sparks my interest in vintage kitchenware from the 1950s and 1960s quite like Holt Howard Pixieware. These delightful items, such as jam ‘n jelly jars with tiny tongues savoring the sweetness, instant coffee pixie jars, relish pixie jars, and the cheerful girl set, epitomize imaginative design. Manufacturers like Holt-Howard, Davar, Lefton, Lipper & Mann, Norcrest, Napco, and Menschik Goldman, to mention a few, showcased unparalleled creativity with their vibrant, quirky creations. Continue reading for my best tips becasue the fervor for collecting Pixieware as it remains strong and shows no signs of waning!

1958 Holt Howard Relish Pixieware Jar
Holt-Howard Relish Jar with Spoofy Spoon 1958
Holt-Howard Pixieware Condiment Jars
Holt-Howard Pixieware Condiment Jars

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Collecting Vintage Christmas Year-Round: A Guide to Treasure Hunting Success

Yasmina Greco Crazy4Me Vintage Christmas
Yasmina Greco Vintage Christmas

In this blog post, we’ll explore the joys of collecting vintage Christmas year-round, a guide to treasure hunting success. In fact, searching for vintage Christmas can lead you to some incredible finds that might not be available during the traditional holiday season. Learn some tips on how to find the perfect pieces on popular social platforms, and collector groups and more! Continue reading to learn more.

Hello again my friends, I hope you all had a marvelous Christmas and that Santa was good to you all!! As I put the finishing touches on post number six, the final post of our Vintage Christmas Collecting series, it’s New Year’s Eve as I sit at my desk surrounded by my vintage treasures (vintage Santa’s, snowmen, shopper girls, bottle brush trees and my vintage candy cane holders) and want to thank you all for your lovely comments and questions along the way of the collecting series.

I have truly enjoyed putting the series together and hope you’ve benefited from some of my tips and enjoyed seeing pictures of my collections. I wish you all a Happy New Year and hope that 2021 is good to us all!!

Collecting Vintage Christmas Ornaments
Collecting Vintage Christmas Ornaments

I collect vintage Christmas all year round. As you know from my previous posts, I am obsessed with vintage Christmas items and the hunt is really part of the fun. As our digital worlds keep moving forward, it actually makes searching for vintage Christmas items a little easier and simpler as we have access to wonderful resources that are available 24/7 and 365 days a year and spans the entire globe!! 

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5 Expert Tips for Collecting Vintage Christmas Angels

Vintage Norcrest Christmas Angels
Vintage Norcrest Christmas Angels

Hello, angel enthusiasts! Welcome to our cozy corner of the internet, where we’ll embark on a heavenly journey with 5 expert tips for collecting vintage Christmas angels. These celestial beings have been a beloved part of holiday celebrations for centuries, symbolizing hope, joy, and the spirit of giving. With their timeless beauty and intricate details, vintage Christmas angels hold a special place in the hearts of collectors around the world.

Holt-Howard Ermine Angela Salt and Pepper Shakers
Holt-Howard Ermine Angels Salt and Pepper Shakers

Today’s blog post is for week four in our Vintage Christmas Collecting Series and today it is all about collecting vintage Christmas angels as Christmas and angels really go hand-in-hand. The majority of vintage angels in my collection date to the 1950s and were made in Japan by Napco, Norcrest, Ucago, Holt-Howard and Lefton when mid-century modern and kitsch were all the rage. Some angels have no markings and some are marked Japan or have a paper label that says Japan.

Vintage Christmas angels have a lot of the similar spaghetti trim detailing with sponged gold accents like the Christmas decorations made during the era. Some angels are in the form of bells, Noel sets, salt and pepper shakers, and others are figurines. So far, in all my years of collecting, I have only ever come across only a couple of brunette angels and all the others have been blondes so, the brunette haired ones are the rarer ones. 

Lefton Angel Babies
Lefton Angel Babies

Here is a super darling trio of baby angel boys made by Lefton and they each hold a holiday element like a present, candy cane and stocking and a wreath. 

Vintage Napco Brunette Angel Figurine
Vintage Napco Brunette Angel Figurine

This brunette beauty is made by Napco and she has her eyes lowered, holds a lovely Christmas greetings wreath and presents. This angel is quite fancy with so much spaghetti trim on her robe that has the lovely gold sponged details and her wings are one of the most ornate pair I have seen on an angel as they are highly detailed and so very intricate.

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