This year I'm changing things up a bit for Christmas. Instead of a giant pine scented tree I'm planning a bare branches charley brownish type display. I'm not ba hum bugging just want to do something a bit different. I'll be using all the lovely vintage ornaments that I have left over including these fabulous beauties from West Germany c1949 or so.

 Add to that these sweet vintage icicles and that's all the tree I need this year. 

Merry Christmas!

Of Clocks and pigs and cameras and things....

Time seems to be something lacking in my life these days. No matter how hard I try I can't seem to make a day last longer than 24 hours. Thankfully this beautiful German made clock only needs winding twice a year. The 400 day clock or Anniversary clock, or Torsion Pendulum clock as it is also known has been around since the 1880's. With its nearly silent running, smooth and hypnotic swinging of its pendulum and glittering gold, it's easy to see why people fall in love with them. This one barely sat in my booth for a day.

Here's a little puzzle for you. Can you identify the object below? Here is a hint, It's from the Victorian period.

I found this lovely Land Camera a few weeks ago, It's bellows are in perfect condition, its battery leads are pristine and it came with a hotshoe flash. It has a zeiss viewfinder, a close-up lens and a self timer unit. Sorry friends this one is mine but I do have other land cameras with similar attachments in my booth.

Last but not least, meet Smiley, This really is a "Smiley" pig, made in the USA circa 1950 by the Shawnee Pottery Co. He is a lovely, smooth, ceramic pitcher that will bring a smile to your face, every time you pour.

something old and something pretty

Ooh I have something wonderful to share this week. I stumbled on this odd looking box and originally thought it was some hand made indonesian or asian craft. But it wasn't until I let go of that idea that I found it was actually made in North America.

Now I didn't say it was pretty, but it is very unique and an interesting piece of history. This is what is known as Tramp Art in the form of a trinket box. 

Now there is some debate as to the origins of tramp art, some believe it is so named because it was actually made by tramps looking to make a quick buck on the road. Others (and I would tend to go with this explanation) believe the name comes from the German word Trampen. In medievil times those wanting to learn the craft of carving would have to move in order to do an apprenticeship. Whatever the origins, we do know that they are made mostly from old cigar boxes as they were plentiful at the time and mostly free. The earliest versions date back to the 1850's.

They are truly intriguing and owning one will spark many an interesting conversation I'm sure.

Now for some Pretty. This is a Nippon Moriage pinched spout pitcher, delicately hand painted and decorated with brick pattern amd beucolic country scenes. Along the sides of the handle are intricate scrolls and curls which continue in contrasting black down the centre of the handle. Sadly it has some minor damage in the form of paint? or something dotted over one side.  Hopefully, with a bit of luck,  I can find a way to remove it before I take it to market.

Research research research ......

 Today is one of those sleepy overcast days, the kind I like to reserve for doing research and inventory while drinking copious amounts of coffee.  First on the list is this gorgeous late Victorian/ early Edwardian frame.

Adorned on four sides with rosettes and posies, the edges were at one time gilt in silver. The image is not so important as it's only a page from a magazine but it does date the frame to 1905 or so. The glass has a destinct curvature along with all those wonderful imperfections that old glass manifests over the years. I've yet to establish value for this one, but as a beautiful reminder of our elegant past it's priceless.

My next item was the easiest to identify thanks to the loads of makers marks and registration numbers imprinted in its underside.

HA EA FA the initials of the Atkin Bros (Sheffield) silver smiths circa 1900 or so. I believe it's silver plate but there is no epns mark anywhere. If you don't yet recognize it, this lovey object is a knife rest. Though I am not a formal diner by any stretch of the imagination I do appreciate these little conveniences as I've ruined one too many tablecloths with butter or spaghetti sauce soaked knives.

I love the soft curves of this one and I'll leave it tarnished because I like that sort of thing.

Moving right along here is a simple but eyecatching Early American Pattern Glass or  EAPG kerosene lamp with glossy smooth curves and ribbed sides. The burner is a tad rusty and there are still remnants of kerosene in it. This would make a lovely addition to a cottage or a great design element for an office space. 

Last up, industrial chique. This is a swiss made enameled scale made in the 30's?? Can't seem to find anything but ebay adds for this one so the search continues. 

All are now available in my shop, stall 69 Vancouver Flea Market 

Saturdays and Sundays 9 am - 5 pm

Tiny Dancer

Oh my goodness! I am so charmed by this lovely laquered box. I saw it sitting in a display case and knew the moment I laid eyes on it it was something special. I love the angled three paneled mirror, the quirky hand painted dutch scene on the lid and the tacky but glittering gold lining.  When I opened the lid and saw the dancer lying there I thought at first it was broken. Then I placed her on the mirrored circle and watched her spin and dance to the music and I giggled out loud. This is a treasure that is sure to bring a smile to the face of any one who opens it.

Welcome

Hi and welcome to my new blog: Aunt Betty's, where I'll be sharing my latest vintage finds, my best flea market moments, and my humble thoughts and ideas about collecting, but first let me explain how I got here. 

It all began with my love of photography which led me to shooting with Polaroid. I fell in love so hard I began  finding polaroids everywhere, so I started my first collection. It ranged from the early 40's tank-like J66 roll film models to the 1990's plastic izone cameras, and it grew and grew and grew.  I could not stop until I had almost every polaroid ever made, and then some.

 I didn't stop at polaroids however, soon I began drooling over sparkling midcentury glass and swooning for garish fat lava pottery. After numerous discussions about whether I was in danger of becoming a hoarder (lol), it became clear that I would have to find an outlet for my new-found passion. I had truly fallen in love with the thrill of the hunt and once I found my first real treasure, a fabulously beautiful and elegant bohemian overlay vase (c1898), I knew there was no going back. 

Honestly, I was planning on selling said items, though I had no idea where I would do that. I have an etsy shop and I did sell a few cameras there, but truthfully mail order is just not my thing. I very much prefer the personal touch, which is why I now have a lovely little cubby of a shop at the

The Vancouver Flea Market
It is always a "work in progress" burgeoning with vintage bags, typewriters, polaroids and collectable chachkas.

and once a month you'll find me at
  the Croation Cultural Centre with 21st Century Promotions. 

Please stop by booth 69 on Saturday or Sunday from 9am til 5pm

703 Terminal Avenue near Main st

-or-

come see me 

July22

September23

November18

October21

December2

at the

Croation Cultural Centre

3250 Commercial Drive at East 16th Ave

Vancouver BC