I'm Here. I know it is the End of March almost already. Birthdays first. Tilly. Then Vintage...

 

Tilly came to live at the Cottage 5 years ago today. She is from Wrigley Rescue, Long Beach, CA.

Her M.O. is sweetness and that is how she gets her message across and her needs met.

She is a mix but like so many Siamese, she has her quirks.  Does that apply to anyone reading this?

Tilly is young not vintage. She is 6 years old.

Speaking of quirky, that is what I am trying to find more of... quirky vintage items. I call this guy Coconut Head but he is made of regular wood. Not necessarily coconut wood.  Really a cute guy.

He has "setting appeal" rather than hanging down from something.

Original purpose: spoon rest. This shell resin type item was sold at many places but not always a spoon rest. Time frame was during the 1960s - 1970s approx. Many were souvenirs that had a sticker on them. Mine is practically mint condition with no issues.

Steering in another vintage direction. I was moonlighting at the Long Beach Convention Center a couple of decades ago. It must have been some type of sports show.  I got to meet Gary Weaver #52 and got this autographed card. He played in my home state for the Packers.

Back of card also interesting.

Vintage items (not the cat) are or will be in my Etsy shop. Link at top. Or inquire within.

Solvang Christmas Parade. Minus some Vintage.

Saturday was their annual Christmas Parade. I have been going to it for many years.  None last year, of course.  This time I found it very crowded. I want to put 'very and crowded' in caps but I won't. Maybe some subtle forms of visible security new this year but it still is small town which is the beauty of it all. Three Veterans marching with flags opened the parade.  Then the High School band. Why no French Horns? I played the French Horn in high school and was always in the marching band. 

Minus the Vintage part? The SPCA Thrift Store had closed. The consignment store had moved out-of-town. The smorgasbord was no more (due to Covid) but I did find pickled herring and Lefse to buy and take home.

Memory Lane:  

The SPCA Thrift had an orange cat that would be inside and very friendly. One year, I asked "where's the cat". Not allowed inside anymore. The next year it was more firmly planted inside than ever. A couple or so years later, I asked. The cat had moved with its owners. I had no idea it wasn't the shop cat. Volunteer did not sound happy about the move.

Ending with this. This is from Solvang Danish Days Parade (Sept). The Solvang Village Band is on the Carlsberg Beer Wagon. They dutifully have a nip from those green bottles in between numbers. Sometimes the joy is 'when people are just people'.
 

Garden Scene that De-stresses. Patio Dining Lots of Choices outside Antique Station, Orange & "My Window" Space #42

The angel and yellow rose are by my porch. It's like taking a deep relaxing breath just looking at it.

Lots of dining options and a street (Glassell) with tables 7 days a week. There are a number of cuisines to choose from. Starts at corner of Glassell and Almond and goes up to the Circle.

This is right out our favorite mall Antique Station. You can see my window $42 with new Sale Sign.

Orange, California...stop by.  Good area for walking. Masks required.

Displays, Vignettes, Props, Staging, Arrangement & More

In the Vintage Resale Business...Dealers like to search for their next treasure but  for me doing displays in my booth is my favorite part.   Sometimes, I practice at home.  I'm working on my photos to take better pictures for Etsy.  Trying to re-invent myself during this period of the pandemic.  Good to have multiple talents.

I started selling vintage in 1990, I learned from seasoned dealers that a space can be too perfect (esthetically) and it's a detriment to selling.  Customers just want to look, admire and not disturb.  You don't want a museum or a Macy's window.

Good product should always sell.  That is why some have white shelves lined with their wares that are viewable & reachable.  A colleague of mine had that style with all 1950s items.  Right place, right time.  It worked & he sold abundantly.  So timing and location are important too.  It's getting more complicated. Hmmm.

A space (talking in an antique mall) can be too empty or too full.  There is a fine balance.  Think of the jewelry in the window of a fine jewelry store.  There are just a few pieces arranged attractively.  Now think of racks of jewelry in a discount store.  Which looks better and which would demand a higher price?

Do you want the volume approach?  It works for McD. Then you have to buy appropriately before you can sell appropriately.  Do people make more small purchases or would a few large purchases get you through?  Amortize over the months.  One size does not fit all. Not for seller.  Not for buyer.

What spurred this post?  Monday, is June 1.  Antique Station (my booth #42) is re-opening.  It has been closed since early March.  Exciting?  Yes.  I hope you stop by.  I will post some more pictures of what is waiting for you there.

 Vignette at home.  Practice.

 Fun to do vignettes with your camera.

 Of all vintage, linens are my favorite.  I wash & sometimes, even iron before selling.

 Garden grouping.

 Look at the details.

 Patio.

 Tools & hardware.  I like the contrast between primitive & refined.

Curated.  Estate finds.

Orange, CA...Chetek, WI...St. Genevieve, MO

Antique Station REOPENING June 1 @ 9:30 am

I received a voicemail just a little bit ago.  Antique Station, Orange is reopening!  No details that I have to share right now.  As I know things, I will post them.

Big Yeh, Medium Yeh, Little Yeh we all have our thoughts.

Now taking you to Chetek, Wisconsin for those of  you who like freshwater fishing.  Northern Wisconsin is a great place for lakes, resorts & water sports.

Brother retired there.  Chetek is about 2,000 people. 

This week, my brother's gym reopened in  nearby Barron.  Very strict procedures in place. No water fountains, no bathroom usage, limited to 2 or 3 in the weight room with sanitizing  and distancing protocols in place.

Starting Memorial Day weekend, Chetek blossoms to 15,000 almost overnight. Finally, spring has arrived. I remember how exciting it was way before Covid19. We will be watching how their tourist weekend goes.  Certain states are in the news & will be of interest.

French explorers discovered that area.  The Native Americans lived there.  Most city names are either French or Native American. Immigrants who settled there originally were German, Scandinavian or Polish at least when I grew up.

Which takes me to St. Genevieve, MO (French explored), and a place I want to visit as soon as the pandemic lessens.  Has anybody been there?

Full circle back to Orange, CA .  I'm almost numb the Station is opening!!

Treasures in my space (#42) are there just waiting for us.  For me to dust and for you to visit.  I will be posting pictures so you can see some of the vintage goodies in store for you.

Inquire Within

Czech vintage necklaces. An idea for Mother's Day.  The pink necklace is listed on my ebay page "Monah". https://www.ebay.com/itm/274355628531
Fast, free shipping. Or Inquire Within.

https://www.etsy.com/your/shops/GraciousCottage/tools/listings/stats:true/804397193
Fast free shipping or Inquire Within

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