Thanks and a SALE

Today I'd like to take the opportunity to thank my valued customers. To all who share my love of all things old, I thank you for your continued support, whether it be purchases, comments, or just encouragement in general, I do appreciate it immensely.

And to show my appreciation I'm having a winter sale.

Beat The Winter Blues Sale! 

Until December 9th, purchase any item/s over $25 in my Etsy shop and receive a 15% discount. 

 Just enter the coupon code "auntbetty25" at checkout. 

Thanks for making this a memorable year.

All the best this holiday season.

Antiques in the Garden

This morning, after a restless, tossy turny, sleepless night,  I awoke in a thick fog, eyes swollen and puffy, head pounding. That's a sure sign to me that I need some time in the garden. The Garden is my refuge, my solace, my cure for all ails. It is the place I run to when the world seems to be falling apart around me or when (like today) I just can't seem to get started. It is especially appealing to me in winter when decay has set in and little pockets of colour and texture seem to stand out so much more. Today whilst I was meandering I noticed something else in the garden that gave me the idea for this post, Antiques in the Garden.

  Just a block away from my home is a fabulous guerilla garden (a garden started on derelict property without permission). It has become a beautiful hub of summer activity and community. A place where people who have no outdoor space to call their own can stretch out and awaken their creativity. What I noticed today is how many objects, usually old and often collectable, there were in the garden. I know it's not a new idea, but today I want look at the the garden as an extended room in which to display ones collectables. NO, not the precious thousands of dollars collectables, just the ones sitting around taking up valuable space and collecting dust.

Like this old Trike

And this old stove plate

Together they create a nice little vignette.

Old Pots, vintage furniture, pepsi crates and like items seem to fit right in especially in the winter months. They provide a sculptural element as well as adding texture and form.

 In this garden even the existing railroad tracks are part of the design.

Add a few broken old pots, a plinth or two and, voila! Gorgeous garden rooms ready for quiet evening strolls, daily dog walks or just old fashioned family gatherings.

From Paris with Love

New in my kiosk at the Flea Market this week. We are travelling Europe and Asia.

Ah, 1930, summer in Paris, romantic couples strolling along the Champs Elysees...

That's what these postcards say to me, their backs filled with love and longing and adventure. 

These beautiful set of 4 demi-tasse cups and saucers are from post war Japan.

Noritake Porcelain, Nippon Toki Kaisha. The mark dates them to 

between 1947 and 1949

I found this lovely piece on a fellow vendors table. It's a dress applique from the twenties,

the rhinestones are perfect, not even a hint of darkening.

and finally we land in Jolly old England with this precious teacup and saucer from Paragon.

I for one would love to sip tea from this lovely cup.

The Post cards you'll find at the Vancouver FleaMarket Stall 69 the rest can be found on my ebay site, just follow the AuntBetty's link in the sidebar.

Play On

Not sure if there is something to it other than coincidence but I keep finding old card games lately. Last week I stumbled on an old game of Bezique. It's a french card game I'm assuming is a bit like bridge? I am typically not much of a cards player although I'd keep this one handy just because of the box. The decks appear to be unused, it likely sat in someones closet for the last 75 years.

Yesterday I stumbled onto a game of Flinch. This one is an American card game made in Michigan in which players try to get rid of their own cards while trying to keep from taking on new ones.

This box was made in 1913 which makes it 100 years old, cool!

Favourites

I'm beginning a a new feature today, I've decided to start promoting friends and fellow collectors wherever they may be. I'm so happy to introduce you this week to Magpie! The newest jewel on Main Street in the hip and happening neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant.

 Darren Marshall has an eye for the sparkly, a true talent for design, and a love of all precious and wonderful objets d'art from our past and present. Together with partner Lloyd the go to guy, the man who holds it all together, they opened Magpie only two short weeks ago. 

Walking into Magpie is like walking into a giant Treasure Chest. Everywhere you look there is colour and sparkle enveloped in deep aubergine walls, lit by more sparkle. It is truly a feast for the eyes. Whether its First Nations art,  Mid-Century Hand Blown Glass,  Antique Chintz Porcelain, or  Stunning 19th Century,Vintage or Modern Jewelry, you'll find something for every taste, fancy or whim. 

Darren's Picks: 

This glowing golden mixed metal monkey sculpture, made in the fifties by celebrated Mexican artist Sergio Bustamente

This beautiful Black Opera Coat made circa 1890 is all hand sewn silk with beaded fringe. It was made locally and the beads are made of jet. 

You owe it to yourself to go and see these and the other wonderful treasures at Magpie, 3633 Main Street, Vancouver.

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.

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