Treasure Box Wednesday: Days Shiny and Brite

Any good treasure hunter knows, it's never too early or late in a season to pick up seasonal items-- particularly when they have a little age and interest to them. And this last week was a shiny taste of Christmas.

A visit to the Salvation Army Superstore rewarded me with a bag of vintage Shiny Brite ornaments-- those gleaming, uniquely shaped decorations of the 50s. I have a few that came from my parents' house. My dad recalls them from when he was a young'n...


In fact, the bell above is very similar to ones handed down to me. Of course, with the years also comes some unpleasant ornament casualties, and so I'm happy to find ones similar to the originals to supplement my collection. With a bag at just a little over $1, it's easy to splurge...


I love how some of them are shaped like whimsical toys, while others have shimmering starbursts at their heart, like these bulbs...


To further bring on the shiny, I discovered these two luster candlesticks. I'm not sure the age on these, but their style is very much like the pressed glass from the Depression era. I think I need to do a bit of research...

They certainly do work well, though, with all my Carnival glass!

Another find-- while not necessarily shiny-- did have a very sparkly price. At $0.79, I couldn't pass up these two pink sherbet dishes in my Hazel Atlas Moderntone Platonite pattern...


And before we close the lid on today's Treasure Box, I thought I'd show you shiny of a more natural sort. I'm definitely seeing the value of bringing my camera just everywhere with me. Because one breathtaking morning commute, the sky exploded in color...


It was so vibrant, so awestriking to me, I actually deviated from my route to work, went around the block, and parked, just so I could get a few of these shots out my car window...


It's hard not to believe you'll have a decent day at work when your world is filled with brilliant colors like these...


Wishing you beautiful, colorful days ahead. The kind that warm the heart, and bring a bit of optimism into your view.

See you again soon!

20 comments:

Carrie said...

Those sky photos are outstanding. Your treasure finds are all very desireable. I am especially drawn to the pink footed dishes.

Anonymous said...

Carrie- Oh it was SUCH a beautiful morning that day. I haven't seen color like that in a long time. Just amazing.

Jennifer said...

I LOVE the things you found! All of them are treasures I would have picked up for sure!

Da Old Man said...

Jenn, those ornamnets are spectacular. Just like the ones from our family tree, before we went with the Yule a GoGo model in the later years.
:)

Anonymous said...

Jennifer- Timing really is everything when it comes to thrift stores, yard sales, etc. Makes it a fun part of the challenge.

Da Old Man- I bet Yule A-Go-Go involved a metallic foil tree, a spinning base, and strobe lights. AmIright, amIright? :)

Anonymous said...

Love the ornaments!! I have several old ornaments that my mother saved (she's 94 and lives with us)and I hang them on a special tree every year.
Great find.

Anonymous said...

Actually, I'm not anonymous....I'm nostalgic nana

Anonymous said...

lovely items...I love those ornaments..Pam

Miss Shirl said...

That sky is gorgeous! One day when my kids aren't dangerous my grandmothers ornaments will make a grand entrance.

Anonymous said...

I picked up some very similar to the santa and reindeer bulb you had there at a garage sale. The description written on the box? Dan's Balls. That alone made it worth while to buy. LOL

What a beautiful sky, something like that would have me hanging on a ladder trying to recreate on the ceiling. You know me and paint. ;)

Unknown said...

NostaglicNana/Anonynous- By any name, still sweet! I love the story about the special tree. I think those kinds of traditions are what make the holidays so special.

Pam- Heya! Hope you've been well!

Shirley- "When my kids aren't dangerous"... that made me laugh out loud, because I KNOW how that can be. Heck, I'M still dangerous sometimes.

Chyna- That's hysterical. I bet everyone through the yard sale got a good laugh at that one. And yes, I know just a LITTLE about you and the painting. :) It's a wonder you have any paint-free surfaces yet.

Da Old Man said...

I know I borrowed Yule a GoGO from Jean Shepherd. Pretty sure it was from In God We Trust though may have been in Wanda Hickey. It's a small tabletop spinning tree, that played music.
BTW, my sister has become a regular reader and covets those Christmas ornaments. We are searching thrifts on weekends, I think. :)

Anonymous said...

DaOldMan- Aw, how nifty is that?! Good luck to your sister with her search. It's a bit hit-or-miss with the ShinyBrites at thrifts, but if she looks early enough in the season, she may hit it.

I wish her a lot of luck! I'd be interested to hear if she finds anything she's happy with.

Anonymous said...

Hello.
I really enjoy your blog. Your pictures are lovely (I love the ephemera stuff) and I like the stories you write. Thank you for sharing.

Anonymous said...

I love the old stenciled Shiny Brite- they are getting harder and harder to find. So delicate.

Anonymous said...

That's a cracking sunrise, absolutely amazing colours! We had decorations like those on the tree when I was a kid, they were already pretty old and every year saw less and less of them packed away, they were so delicate, and every time one broke it was so sad. I think I have to go thrifting for some now you've reminded me of them!

Anonymous said...

Minna- So glad you're enjoying it-- thank you for visiting!

Michelle- They really are delicate, too. Lots of extra care to make sure they don't get bashed. They are not what we'd call resilient. But perhaps that's what makes them so special.

Bird- I wish you much luck in thrifting something that brings back good memories.

Anonymous said...

Hi,

I've been enjoying reading your blog for a while after stumbling upon it one day. Just wanted to let you know that those candlestick holders look like depression glass, "Iris and Herringbone" pattern in the iridescent colour. According to my research book they're worth about $25! Good find!

Anonymous said...

Anonymous- Thank you for the info-- that's lovely of you to take the time and share that with me.

It's remarkable to me how much Depression glass lurks in thrift stores, but because it's not in the more recognizable pink or green, it ends up overlooked.

I see quite a bit of crystal, iridized, and even blue Depression glass.

Anonymous said...

You're quite welcome - hope you enjoy. You typically see these pattern in the clear colour, not as often in the iridized. And you're right - it looks quite pretty with Carnival Glass. Enjoy!

Lisa