Treasure Box Wednesday: Queenly Treasures at the Regent Square Neighborhood Yardsale

I do believe I have the weather to thank. Because this past Saturday was the first one in many years I can think of where the day of the Regent Square Neighborhood yard sale had no threat of rain.

As a result, everyone thinking about selling their unneeded items, and making a few bucks, DID. And everyone looking for goodies-- and there were a ton of us-- were walking around the sun-dappled streets carrying armfuls of treasures.

Seriously-- every person I saw walking down the street appeared to be carrying bags of purchases. And I find it amazing because I, too, found so many good things at great prices it seems impossible there was enough to go around.

One of my favorite items was this ten inch tall McCoy butterfly pattern vase. I had seen it in my McCoy book a while back and I loved the shape. It was one I definitely thought if I ran across, I would be interested in having. And there it was, unpriced, on a long table.

 I enquired, imagining it would be at least $20, considering its size and great shape. And do you know what the response was?

"Oh... a dollar."

ACK! I had my money out in a flash.

At another house, I found this (somewhat blurry, sorry) pink swan McCoy vase. It was at a somewhat pricier (snicker) $3.

 And at yet another stop, I got this cute USA pottery wallpocket for $3, as well.

I got two stained glass heart suncatchers I want to use in my kitchen windows... Here's the purple one...

 And the red, blue and purple...

 I snagged this tapestry of the Tower of London for $3, too. I think it might make a nice pillow.

 I nabbed this Victorian transferware bowl with nymphs on it in a far corner of the sale area. They actually seemed surprised I even wanted it...

 I got this pretty vintage floral tablecloth for $1, and aside from being wrinkled, it's in great condition...

 This vintage teacup with gold leafing was fifty cents. It was the lady's grandmother's, she said.

 And I couldn't go to a sale like this without coming away with a weird vintage lamp. This one is in harlequin colors that look terrific in my sort of bohemian bedroom. It works and has all its crystals. I paid $5 for it.

So that's what I got up to this past weekend. I don't know how many miles I walked in total. Someday I'll have to do the sale while wearing a pedometer and find out for sure. The legs certainly knew it had shopped for distance the next day, but with treasures like these, it felt all worthwhile.

Hope you all have a bountiful, joyous Memorial Day weekend.

Treasure Box Wednesday: The Vase with No Name

"I've been through the thrift store for a vase with no name
It was good to get out of the rain
In the thrift store, you'll be glad that ya came
'Cause there ain't but one vase, yup, no two's the same"

--With huge apologies to the band America's "Horse with No Name"

Yesssir, on Treasure Box Wednesday here at the Thrift Shop Romantic, you not only get to see thrifted goodies, you get really bad takeoffs on popular 70s music, too!

Aren't you glad you stopped by? :)

Actually, I was really glad I stopped by the Salvation Army Superstore in West Mifflin over the weekend-- a brief trip between errands-- because I came across this pretty, old, art nouveau influenced pottery vase...

(The one on the left.)

With its celadon color and matte finish, I had a sneaking suspicion it was unmarked McCoy...

And a check of my McCoy collecting book proved that was true! A piece from around 1935.

While I was taking photos this morning, I thought I'd also show you the other side of the top of that same tall, built-in cabinet. Two more McCoy styled pieces live there. The red one on the left is also unmarked, and it came originally from the Goodwill in Irwin, PA. The green piece on right is marked McCoy, and it came from the L&L Fleatique just down the road from Irwin, in Adamsburg...
I didn't get them at the same time, though. :)

Anyway, it just goes to show, if you like something and it's at the right price, you don't necessarily have to worry about the manufacturer... Make sure you have the right resource books and consider taking a chance.

You might just find you have an even bigger treasure than you expected!

Treasure Box Wednesday: Brushing Up on Brush McCoy Pottery

There were just two things in the Treasure Box for this week-- one of which I shared with you good folks on Sunday.

The other was a vase that had caught my eye several weeks ago, in a McCoy display at the We Miss Back When antique mall in Apollo, PA. The color and shape were absolutely my taste. Regular readers probably know by now my love of these organic-looking art pottery pieces in cool pastels. And this one seemed so finely-done.

The mark on the bottom of the vase said "Brush Company." And because I had already selected a more inexpensive, small McCoy piece from the mall, I ended up passing on the vase. Budget just wouldn't allow.

It was this week, I was in the area and finally made the purchase for my collection. (And on sale, no less!)
Interestingly, the vase does seem to be a part of the McCoy company's lengthy history. The company had many names, many mergers and many smaller companies branching from it since the turn-of-the-1900s, and the Brush Company was one of those early iterations.

If the vase is truly from the Brush Company itself-- and not a part of the later merger called "Brush-McCoy"-- then the vase had a very small window of opportunity for production.

According to my Collector's Encyclopedia of McCoy Pottery, the Brush Pottery company was a one-kiln operation in the Putman section of Zanesville, Ohio in 1907, started by one of the later general managers of McCoy pottery, George S. Brush. Due to a fire, the Brush Pottery only existed from 1907-1908.

Brush-McCoy began in 1911.
So I still need to verify the mark on the bottom of the vase to determine if it's really just Brush Pottery or not, but either way, it's probably a pretty old piece.

No matter-- the point, as with anything a person collects-- is that I love it. The smooth, creamy matte finish... The leafy, feathery shape... It sits with McCoy cousins in its color palette as a central focal point like it's always lived there.

And I was wondering-- do you folks collect anything that you've had to do some research on?

Treasure Box Wednesday: Easy Being Green

Sometimes friends and I hit the thrifts and antique malls and come away with a trunkload of treasures. And other times-- like recently-- the goodies are few and far between. But that doesn't mean the finds we did uncover were any less appreciated... Or, in the case of this week, green.

Not "green" as in environmental either (though buying resale isn't a bad idea for that). Just green.

Like my favorite item of the day, this terrific chenille bedspread...
As you can see, it's already washed up and on the bed in my spare room. No rips or holes, chenille spreads like this always remind me a bit of a fondant cake with icing. Just makes me happy to look at it!

Then there was this cute little green McCoy planter from the Fleatique in Ligonier...
I hadn't seen this particular style before, and as the price was right, I snapped it up. These are a great way to both display a collection and showcase some true greenery.

I found this interesting aqua pottery candlestick holder at the Good Samaritan Thrift Store, keeping the green-toned theme....

But, then I kinda blew it with this wholly non-green transferware shaving mug and brush...
But at just $2.99 for the both of them, I didn't end up shelling out a lot of green for it, anyway. (Ha, see how we tied that green theme in there?...

Hey, it's 5am for me, and I'm just caffeinated, so I'm grateful for what minor brainpower I get... )

So, that's our Treasure Box for this week!

• If you missed Sunday's post where readers have kindly shared their tales of collecting and thrifting, click here.

There are some fascinating folks who visit, and I think we can learn a lot from each other. Once again, I'd like to thank everyone for their time and their personal stories! I've really enjoyed reading what you're interested in.

Treasure Box Wednesday: Adventure! Excitement! Thrills!

"Well, Mistah Allnut, what shall we thrift today?"

Okay, so, maybe Kate and Bogie weren't loading up the African Queen, about to go on their most exciting thrifting adventure, but of the three of us, at least one of us did this week. A three-day weekend was a prime time for antiquey-thrifty fun, so one of my shopping buds and I hit Route 250 to New Philadelphia, Ohio and uncovered some treasure.

One of my very favorite pieces was from the Route 250 Antique Mall-- this excellent McCoy teapot.
As you can see (or may remember) I found the matching creamer at the Salvation Army just a few weeks ago, and hadn't had a lot of hope to find one of the other pieces so soon. Usually these items are found as a part of a set. So finding the teapot solo was amazing.

It was filthy and tucked on a bench partially under a table, but it still called to me. A little soap and water and it's good as new.

At the same place, I also found this unmarked McCoy pink butterfly planter...

It never hurts to look through collectible books and note items you wouldn't mind finding someday. They stick in your brain so when you come across and unmarked version-- voila!-- a great piece at a good price!

At the Riverfront Antique Mall in New Philadelphia, I got these terrific framed African Queen movie promo cards...
I'm not sure how old they are, but I chose two of about seven that were there depicting stills of the movie...Longtime readers may recall, I've gotten a chance to see the actual African Queen boat down in the Florida Keys, and have decorated my office at work with photos and some artwork related to this theme, so these cards will add to that grouping.

The only other item I picked up at the Riverfront Antique Mall was this Homer Laughlin tree-printed mixing bowl...

I'd thrifted a much smaller one of these about six months ago, and loved the Arts & Crafts style to it. I may fill it with fruit and display it in my livingroom along with my more green and leafy McCoy pottery.

And last, this came from the Salvation Army a week or two back, but I forgot to take photos...
My friend Scoobie spotted these moonstone Anchor Hocking sherbet dishes. I'm lucky to have a shopping bud who actually remembers some of the stuff I'm interested in-- because these totally would have escaped my sight.

So that about docks this voyage of Treasure Box Wednesday. And happy sailing to you through this week! May your metaphorical waters be calm and clear. (And without leeches.)

Treasure Box Wednesday: Playing it a Little Bit McCoy

As regular readers know, I've been largely in the midst of various interiors projects at my home, Waterhouse, lately. But over the weeks I have taken a moment at lunch or on the weekend to pop by the occasional thrift store or antique mall. (All work and no play makes Jenn a dull blogger, donchaknow.)

And today, I thought I'd share my couple of accumulated finds. The most surprising was this $0.69 carnival glass marked Fenton candle holder....

The flowers on the side are handpainted, and we even know the artist, as he signed it on the inside rim!...
"Hand Painted by Corbin Wind." Thanks, Corbin! Marvelous job you did. I'll cherish it!

Another find was this McCoyesque planter. It's not marked and I can't find it in my McCoy book...
But doesn't it sure as heck look like this REAL McCoy planter my friend Josette had gotten me for Christmas one year?...
Anyway, I love them both. And the cream planter was just a few bucks. So, McCoy or no, I'm happy.

And lastly, I found another McCoy planter-- this one completely irresistible to me given its color palette and smooth design....
And at $5, I think it's a lovely addition to the collection. (Also, it looks like it's just always been in my spare room.)

So, that closes the lid on this Treasure Box Wednesday. Join me again Sunday, will you, when we (weather permitting) take a little surprise field trip?

In the meantime, enjoy that spring sunshine!

Treasure Box Wednesday: The Vase Unknown

Anyone who thrifts regularly knows that thrifting for something specific is typically as futile as trying to herd cats. Or to use a metaphor, the Gods of Thrift are generous, yes, but they have quite the little sense of humor. And they seem to believe that their followers should be grateful for what the gods have deemed they can have-- above what they might actually have hoped to find.

It's a bit like discovering things washed upon a sandy shoreline. The stranded pirate might want a case of rum. What he gets might very well be a ladies' bonnet and a message from the stranded pirate two islands over asking someone with a ship for help.

Over the weekend, I went thrifting hoping I might run across some Fiestaware.

Now, you might be saying, "What? C'mon. You can't find Fiestaware at thrift stores!"

Only I have before. I live not far away from the land o' Fiesta's birthplace. So it's not quite as common as Pyrex, but it does lurk among our household items occasionally.

But, ah... the Gods of Thrift were on their game that day-- so it was not to be. No, instead I found myself with two Mystery Vases.

This intricate red jobbie had McCoy written all over it to me...
...Only not literally, or it wouldn't be an unknown vase. But the finish, the color, the organic lines with a bit of art deco to it... All the stylistic qualities of McCoy.

Yet my McCoy book doesn't show it. That's mystery number one.

Mystery number two is this little blue pottery vase....

Also organic lines, also the matte finish associated with some McCoy, and also with no mark on the bottom, I couldn't find this one in my book, either.

I love both of the vases just as much for their own innate qualities. But it would be nice to know who made them. Alas, that may take more time!

What won't take time is this--
My little vintage sheep planter from Japan which I found at the Goodwill. Folks who are long-time readers know I use these at Easter as part of a display. And this happy little sheep will be a nice addition to the collection.

I also happen to know where this tumbler and cereal bowl came from...
This is part of a Hazel Atlas Platonite dish set I've been pulling together, from the Depression era. I think I only have one other bowl, and the cup represents my first tumbler. At $1.25 each at the L&L Fleatique, I felt I did pretty darned well.

So that represents this week's Treasure Box!

Have you all had any interesting finds at the thrifts, and other resale venues? I'd love to hear about what makes you happy.

Have a great week, and I'll see you Sunday with a brand-new post!

Treasure Box Wednesday: the Road Less Traveled

In Sunday's post, we talked about how the Victorian look isn't particularly popular right now, so those of us who love romantic decorating can find some pretty amazing things at thrift stores.

This post will explain where some of that idea came from.

Saturday's thrifting was a late start for me, as I'd met my buddy Scoobie in the Strip District of Pittsburgh (no stripping involved!) for lunch and some wholesale food shopping.

I had thought, given I was hitting the stores in the late afternoon instead of mid-morning, that the thrifts would be as picked clean as road kill in vulture territory.

I have no problem admitting I was wrong.

The first thing I spied at the Red White and Blue thrift store was this small, deep Victorian pickle dish...
Made in Austria and partially handpainted, I had a hard time believing this was just sitting on the shelf with the bakeware and serving bowls, and not nestled somewhere safe on the shelves behind the counter.

Guess our scantily clad nymph was a bit much for the locals...

Anyway, it was a surprise find, and needed to be rescued.

Heading down to the second level of the store, that's when I came across this large alabaster table lamp...

Ones at 2/3s the size of this go for around $100 at antique malls, and here I found this much larger one-- in pearlescently beautiful condition-- in a thrift store. It was the second find to blow the mind just a bit. It was 3:30 in the afternoon. How could it still be there waiting for me?

And then was my "inkling" find at the Goodwill. By now it was about 5:30 in the evening and I was heading home. A shelf of planters revealed this pretty leaf planter which I had a very good feeling about...
It reminded me strongly of two McCoy pieces I have-- taller ones, but a similar glaze, similar style and color. It wasn't marked on the bottom, but at $1.99 I didn't really care whether it was or wasn't McCoy, because I thought it would look terrific with the other two.

I had a sneaking suspicion, though...
Here you can see it with its buddies.

Upon going home, I sat in my favorite chair and reveled in my good fortune. And then I pulled out my McCoy collector's book. Boy, it never hurts to have good reference books for the things you collect!-- And I was rewarded. The unmarked vase was, absolutely, the real McCoy.

Right now it sits on my mantle, looking very much at home with its cousins. Yee-haw!

Oh, and lastly-- just because I'm finally feeling happy about it (largely because the hard work is done), I wanted to show you all the finished mantle in my one spare room...
All the bits of plaster and grouting and the newspapers and painter's tape (and frustrations) have been wiped away, leaving me with a lovely, calm and quite French sitting room. The cute little blue lamps on the mantle came from the L&L Fleatique in Adamsburg/Jeannette, and the mantle mirror was an Ebay find-- it's a new piece, not an antique, but I think it tops everything off pretty nicely. I'd wanted something that was already painted so I wasn't defacing any antique pieces.

Well, that wraps it up for this Treasure Box! So, here's hoping as you choose your path in your treasure hunting travels, you uncover the things no one else wants-- but which you absolutely love.

Sometimes being eccentric has its benefits!

• Oh-- if you missed Sunday's post on how the Victorians would have loved thrift shopping, click here.

And maybe I'll see you folks on Sunday. That is, if you aren't out scouting for buried treasure.

Treasure Box Wednesday: Tops at the Shops

Well, there's simply nothing to top off a sunny spring weekend like some fine vintage shopping! Apollo and Indiana, PA were our destinations this time. And it was at Denise's Antique Mall in Indiana that I found something I never, ever anticipated...

The top half of a Victorian Eastlake mantle!


Now if you've been reading a while, you've probably noticed that my dining room mantle-- while Victorian-- is missing one of these babies.

Yes, indeed, within its oaken top, there are telltale holes for where a mirror or shelf unit like this used to sit. But it was lost to time during some previous ownership. Instead, a vintage dresser mirror has been hung, to curb the sense of emptiness.

But I never really expected to find something this elaborate for a good price!


It's got plenty of places for Victorian knicknacks... And while you see it here, terribly dirty, it's got all its knobs and curlicues. So I think it should clean up nicely.

So, you'd think this was quite enough for one day, wouldn't you? I mean, really, how lucky can one gal be on a single day?

Ah, but we also hit the "We Miss Back When" Antique Mall in Apollo, PA! And there, I found this excellent McCoy pottery vase in the Wheat pattern...


A fun piece of Judy Garland sheet music ($1!)...


And this super-heavy pink sandwich glass bowl with carnival luster!


Oh, and earlier in the week, the Salvation Army Superstore yielded treasures, too. Like these five brilliantly-bright 50s aluminum bowls for just $0.99 a piece. (I laughed because they were $5 a piece in the antique stores!)


And some gorgeous shell pink milk glass made by the Jeanette Glassworks. This was done in the late 50s to early 60s, and it's not very easy to find pieces in this color.


Oh, and before I go, I thought you all might get a chuckle from this... Every time I go to Indiana, I go past the old Indiana Courthouse and try to get a photo of the Jimmy Stewart statue there. Jimmy was born in Indiana, his museum is there-- sometime I'll take you all virtually with me-- but in all the times my troop of folks sped past on our journeys, I never once got a good shot of the statue.

Well...

You all have no idea how very far away this was, from a moving vehicle and over the top of a minivan, too. He's a tad blurry, but the fact that Mr. Stewart showed up to greet us at all was shocking...

So I got a good snicker when I cropped in and discovered our "Elwood P. Dowd" of Harvey was just standing there as pleased as Punch.

And with that, I leave you with a quote from Harvey I always liked:

"My mother, she used to say Elwood-- she called me Elwood-- she said, 'In life, you can be oh-so-smart or oh-so-pleasant.' I recommend pleasant."

I hope you all have a pleasant week ahead of you!

• Oh, and if you missed last Sunday's post on the winners of the Nancy Drew journals, click here.

Take care, friends! I hope to see you this coming Sunday.