Monday, February 25, 2013

5 Benefits of Buying Vintage



Buying vintage items may be second-nature to a lot of people, such as myself. I grew up with hand-me-down clothes and frequent visits to the thrift store. At the time my friends thought used clothing and other items meant you were too poor to afford new things, but that's not at all true. 

There are many reasons why people like to buy vintage items. 


Vintage items can be unique, inexpensive, great quality and comes with it's own history. Not to mention that vintage shopping is eco-friendly and a lot of fun!

So here is my list, in no particular order.

Top 5 Benefits of Buying Vintage

1. Unique

If you have ever taken the time to walk through a thrift store, attend an estate auction sale or even browse online vintage shops, you already know that vintage items have a uniqueness to them.

Unlike today’s mass produced items that everyone else is buying, it’s not likely you will run into someone who owns the exact same vintage piece you have. We’re talking about decades of clothes, furniture, home décor items and housewares to go through. Back in the day, items were produced in smaller quantities than they are now. Not to mention, that amazing dress or teapot you find might be the only surviving one of it's kind. Unique items also go well with a ton of different fashion styles and home decorating styles.

2. Quality

In our mass produced society, clothes and other items are typically made in third world countries in the fastest and cheapest way possible. Doesn't it just suck when you’re out wearing your brand new shirt, just to have the seams start to fray? Vintage clothes have been around for decades, and are still in good shape because they were made with better quality materials, and produced in better conditions. Same goes for housewares and home décor items.

3. Environment

A ton of stuff is thrown out and ends up in landfills polluting our planet Earth. By purchasing a vintage item you’re helping the environment by keeping it out of the trash. Essentially, you are reusing or recycling those items and giving them new life when they would otherwise have been thrown out.

The manufacturing of clothing, furniture and other household items has a huge impact on the environment. The more new stuff that is bought, the more they have to produce and the more toxins, dyes and water is used and pollution is created.

Little Shop of Treasures also uses recycled materials for shipping to help reduce our carbon footprint even more. All of our boxes and packaging paper is from recycled materials (so don’t be surprised if your item shows up in an Eggo box!). We like to reuse packaging peanuts when we can, too, either by scoring some at our local thrift shop of getting them from another business who would have otherwise thrown it out. Of course, making sure your item is properly and safely packaged is our top priority.

4. History

There’s a bit of history to every vintage piece you own. These items had a past life before entering yours. A beloved dress worn on a girl’s first date, a favourite teddy bear, Grandma’s much-loved soup pot. It’s kind of fun to think of the events and experiences your “new” vintage item has gone through. Chances are, almost everything you find will have it's own story.

5. Inexpensive

If you walk into a brand new store you’re most likely to find a vase for anywhere between $30 to hundreds of dollars. However, if you browse Etsy’s vintage section you can find the most stunning and rare vases for much lower prices. And not just on Etsy, at any store/website that sells vintage.

Yes, some vintage items are more expensive than brand new but that’s factoring in the quality, the brand name, the condition it’s in and how sought after it is. For example, Pyrex kitchenware can be expensive. Especially their mixing bowl sets (sometimes up to $100 or more), but that’s because of how desired they are for their well-known name and high quality. Which could be another good point, some vintage items are a good investment and increase in value.

Why do you like to shop vintage?

Thanks, 
Cole

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Retro Colours (Oranges and Yellows)


Welcome

Hi Vintage Lovers, welcome to our Little Shop of Treasures Blog. Follow me, I want to share a few of my favorite items in our shop.


Kitchens and Washrooms


Today, I am featuring vintage items which have flowers that are yellows and oranges. My daughter, Cole hand picked these items with you in mind. 


When I think kitchens, I see yellow and white - orange - red. 

Yellow in particular is bright, cheery and refreshing. It's the sunshine and bright spring flowers. It is warm and inviting - happiness and optimism. 

These drinking glasses would look fantastic with a subdued cool palette of blues and grays.

They could also be a wonderful feature mixed up with reds, blues, greens, browns, and other neutrals for an earthy, sophisticated, or psychedelic look.



Drinking Glasses


Here we have two sets of drinking glasses with the same colour scheme but two very different feels to them.

The above glasses are a very cool, retro set of four drinking glasses /tumblers. They have an awesome flower pattern on them.

They are 2 3/4 " across the top and 5 1/2 " tall.

The glasses to the right come as a set of six. They are a really adorable and fun set with red, orange and yellow flowers! 

These measure 2 3/4 " across the top and 4 1/2 " tall.

I am positive these glasses will be a wonderful addition to your home whether it blends in with your decor or is a unique contrasting item.



Soap & Toothbrush Set

And lastly, we have a vintage, 3 piece bathroom set. It includes the cup, toothbrush holder and soap dish - all with an adorable orange, yellow and brown flower pattern on a white background. 

The toothbrush holder still has a sticker on the bottom that says "McGregor Bath Fashions Made in Japan."The toothbrush holder is just over 4" tall and 3 1/2 " across the top. The cup measures just under 4" tall and 3" across the top and the soap dish is 5 1/2 " long, 4" wide and 1 1/2 " tall.



Retro Salt and Pepper Shakers

This is a pair of super cool retro salt and pepper shakers with an awesome flower design in orange, yellow and green.

They are in excellent vintage condition!

These shakers are 2" wide and 3" tall. Fill them up with salt and pepper and you won't run out any time soon.



Spoil yourself or gift any one of these items to a good friend. Either way it would be a welcome edition to a home.





What is you favorite kitchen colour scheme?




Thanks for stopping by. If you interested in any of these or other vintage items, stop by our Etsy Shop or check out this free printable calendar.

If you would like to receive our blog updates please join or subscribe via email.


Thanks again for visiting Little Shop of Treasures- for all things vintage, and have a fabulous day.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Tuesday Treasury - Hint of Green

'With a Lovely Hint of Green' by shemonster31



Crochet pillow cover mo...
$59.00

Pottery Citrus Juicer -...
$38.00

Dewy 8x10 Photograph
$20.00

Mid Century Bookshelf -...
$138.50

Limegreen Infinity Circ...
$30.90

Vintage 4 mint green gl...
$39.00

Cedar Sprig Air Plant T...
$25.00

25mm Round Wooden Beads...
$3.00

Mint Barefoot Sandals B...
$40.00

SALE - Buy 2 Get 1 FREE...
$3.00

Fenton Hobnail Milk Gla...
$44.00

vintage avocado green i...
$10.00

Aqua Silver and Black ...
$8.00

Green Gilmer or Alamo T...
$18.00

Vintage Storage Basket ...
$42.00

Cotton Hand Towels Set ...
$19.00

The Sparkle of Vintage Amber Glassware



Please Share the Love

Welcome

Hi Vintage Lovers, welcome to my little blog. Follow me so I can share a few of my favorite vintage glassware sets.

Today, I am featuring amber colored glassware. I absolutely love, love, love the colour. I can't help myself, I am drawn to it like bees to honey.  In fact I painted the walls in my home a very similar color.

The Sparkle of Vintage Amber Glassware
You know, there's something mystifying about vintage glassware. Just imagine, these items, which are made of glass, that have survived all these years. Sometimes glassware doesn't even last a week in my daughter's home so having items that are twenty or more years old is a miracle.

When you hold a piece of vintage glassware, you are holding a bit of our history and know just how solid and durable they are.


Vitrosax Italy Coffee Cups


I don't know why I get this feeling sweep over me when I hold a vintage item in my hands. 

As I picked up one of these smooth glass cups, I imagined holding it in both hands, blowing over my favorite steaming hot beverage. 

The color of course is uplifting and cheery. They would look wonderful displayed in a cabinet, the light adding sparkle to the glass. 

Franciscan Madeira Tiffin Goblets

Check out these unique goblets.

The manufacturer produced this pattern from approximately 1972 to 1978. 
scalloped glass base

They named the color cornsilk yellow. 

The solid molded scalloped base is absolutely gorgeous. Just feel the weight in that.

These are definitely a rare and awesome find.

Libbey Ripple Tumblers

amber ripple swirl drinking glass

Believe it not these tumblers enjoyed popularity in the 1950's to early 1960's. Hey, these are older than me!

The color is amber and it has an optical ripple swirl pattern that is wide at the top of the glass and narrower at the base. 

I picture these glasses filled with large ice cubes and condensation dripping down the sides. They are an excellent example of functional beauty. They also have Libbey's "Safe Edge" to help prevent chipping.To read more about Libbey Glassware visit this site.
http://www.justglass-online.com/collectibles/libbey-glass-collectibles.html

Amber Goblets 

Moving along here I have a handsome set of 6 Vintage Amber Goblets / Stemware.

You can feel the weight in them. The glass is thick and heavy - very durable.

Once again, the color is amber but this time the glass has a striated texture on the outside and smooth inside.

They are so tactile and a pleasure to hold.

We have estimated this pattern to have been produced around 1960.



Duralex France Amber Glasses

Duralex France Amber Glasses
Lastly, we have this elegant glass set bearing the Duralex France mark on the base. 

Made in the 1970's, the sleek design is simply sublime and would make a perfect addition to any kitchen or bar.









Thanks for stopping by. Have an awesome day. 

Please take the time to check out our other vintage items at our Etsy Shop.

If you would like to receive our blog updates please join or subscribe via email.