Retro Summer BBQ Bash: Mid-Century Essentials

Posted on June 2, 2024 by Fan

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

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

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

Posted on May 21, 2024 by Fan

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

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

Posted on August 8, 2021 by Fan

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

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

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My Auction Item Arrived Broken

Posted on April 13, 2011 by Fan

I was on one of the well-known online charity auction websites recently and won this vintage 1958 Holt Howard Noel Elf Girls Pixieware Candle Holder set and I was sooooo thrilled! I was the high bidder and let me say that it was not an inexpensive win. This set is very rare and so fragile and I have won items in the past from this charity auction website that when arrived were not quite as described and had lots more damage and I vowed not to shop on the site anymore but, a few months later and bam – I got sucked into another auction. The little faces on these girls were simply irresistible; they have big eyes and long eyelashes. So I paid the fee and shipping too was so high on these girls but they were going to be for my private collection so no worries. Well, they were shipped quickly and arrived quickly and as I was unpacking them I could already tell they were not securely packaged so as I was un wrapping the girls the majority were wrapped in paper towels (I am serious and not joking that they were actually wrapped in paper towels) the “N” survived, the “O” survived, the “E” survived and the final one I unwrapped the “L” had her little head broken off….. I was sooooooooo heart broken! My husband looked at me and shook his head, he felt bad for me and when he found out how much I paid agreed with me to never ever ever buy from that charity auction website again.

Many of you already know that we are eBay Power Sellers and sell on many online places and we specialize in vintage and antique collectibles and hold ourselves to the highest standards when it comes to our items, item descriptions, item packaging and customer service and immediately handle fairly any customer issues that might arise as we do the right thing, but, I have sent emails and left messages for this charity auction website and no one is even getting back to me. One of the main differences of shopping online vs. buying in person is that you can see the item first hand, touch it and hold it and look it over really well to make a decision if you want to purchase it or not and when buying online it is super important for sellers to be honest about the items, the item description and to make sure the item arrives safely to the buyer but, it appears not all online sellers hold themselves to our standards. Now, I guess I will have to search for ‘L” figurine.

Feel Good Friday Finds

Posted on April 1, 2011 by Fan

It is a lovely Spring day here in North Texas and the sun is shining and a light breeze is blowing and it is Friday so, I was a little naughty and stopped by at an Estate sale on my way to work!

The Estate sale was in an older section of Fort Worth and it was early enough that dew was still on the street and the sun was just starting to poke out. Not too many people around….I had arrived just in time. The house was so dark and dilapidated inside that photos were not turning out. I don’t know why the curtains and blinds were not opened. I actually think the sale was put on by the relatives of the decedent and not a professional Estate sale company. Things were not well organized and or even setup.

There was a lot of furniture for sale and a lot of it was super nice; at least it looked nice in the dark old house. There was an entire dining room with a table that sat 8, gorgeous hutch and quite a few miscellaneous old wooden chairs, a couple needlepoint foot stools and oil paintings. The living room is where all the “good” stuff was or at least items that I am interested in. Prices were super duper high! I managed to sneak in between a pair of arguing boy friends and snatch up the goodies that were in their pile…they were arguing so loudly they didn’t seem to mind. I bought the two vintage 1950s anthropomorphic items (if you have been following my blog for a while then you know I am a SUCKER for anything anthropomorphic and will pay $$), considering the house was so darn dark I am feeling pretty good that I even spotted these anthro items and the fact that they were under a table in between arguing boyfriends. One is an anthropomorphic Green Apple Sting Holder made by PY of Japan and the other is also by PY of Japan and is a Celery man vase/planter.. wow! I also managed to spot some neat vintage salt and pepper shakers (I have never seen a pair of computer salt and pepper shakers, I am giving them to my husband) a pair of tropical fish salt and pepper shakers (there is a pretty big following for collecting vintage fish shakers) a couple Shumann Bavaria demitasse cups/saucers, and an adorable old windup toy of a knitting bear, an empty chintz Royal Albert box… I thought is was so pretty, and a little pixieware kitty cat creamer. I even found the old embroidered toaster cover with a rooster on it and I found it of all places in the bedroom closet mixed in with a bunch of old socks and stockings. It is in ok condition on the front but the back has a lot of issues…I still think it is adorable!