Wednesday 28 September 2011

Christmas Stocking Fillers


Christmas Stocking Fillers.
Secret Santa Presents.

Clear Magic Anti Wrinkle and Firming Cream. With vitiamins A & E. 113 gm.
Lovely thick set cream.
Avon old favourite perfumes with a roller ball perfume bottle.
Perfume roller ball bottle holds 9 ml.
Very easy to fill with perfume, if you wish to change the perfume then just rinse out the bottle!
Avon Rare Rubies 3 x 3.5 bottles and roller ball bottle.
Very handy for your handbag, office drawer or gym bag
Avon Prowl.
3 x 3.5 ml bottles with perfume roller ball bottle.

A selection of old favourite Avon perfumes to choose from. If your old favourite perfume is not listed then please let me know, I may be able to help.
Ideal Christmas stocking fillers or Secret santa presents.
Visit my new store nova 555z at Freedabble.com

So You Want To Be A Collector


Squirrels collect and store during the summer when food is plentiful, to help them through the long winter when food is more difficult to find. Similarly with collectors, they look for pieces in times of plenty, so they can admire and enjoy their collection during the difficult times when time, money, space and suitable pieces are hard to find.

Collecting anything, antique or modern, is limited by three factors: 

the space available
the time available
the money available

Having determined these basic essentials, it is then a personal matter. The taste of the collector may lead to watches or clocks, china teapots, or innumerable other things. The lucky acquisition of an admired piece may lead to a determination to get more of the same, or at least to start a quest to find out what the admiration is all about.

The Rarity4u website has many helpful guides and tips to help the beginner and seasoned collector alike. The information we publish is intended to help the collector in a number of different ways, including, dating the piece, clues to the original maker, and where possible some background history of the maker.

It is not possible in a single website to give detailed information about every aspect of antiques and collectables along with the practicality of the time needed for research, writing and publishing the information. However we do publish articles regularly, so bookmark Rarity4u and remember to check back frequently.

Happy and rewarding collecting.

Vintage table runner dressing table mat and chair back covers

A trio of items suitable for gifts

A table runner  with a floral theme ready to embroider.

http://uk.ebid.net/for-sale/vintage-table-runner-ready-to-be-embroidered-gift-51432808.htm

A dressing table mat or traycloth with machine embroidery detail
http://uk.ebid.net/for-sale/vintage-embroidered-dressing-table-mat-or-traycloth-51432731.htm
And 2 hand embroidered chair back covers
http://uk.ebid.net/for-sale/vintage-hand-embroidered-chair-back-covers-51432752.htm

Sunday 25 September 2011

Lunique by Lucy

Hello everyone,
This is my first post on the V&M blog and I'm very happy to be here! Thank you to Julie of LoveButtons for telling me about it :-)
Well, I'm Lucy and my Etsy shop is http://www.etsy.com/shop/luniquejewellery. I started off with just jewellery but now I also sell cushions, trinket boxes and Stamp Lamps.
I work with both new and vintage materials and like to 'upcycle' to create something new and unusual.
Oh and 'Lunique' (pronounced loo-neek) means handmade by me and one-of-a-kind, unusual and/or special.
I am hoping to add new items to my shop over the next couple of weeks, including brand new designs for cushions and trinket boxes. For now here is a small selection of items that you can find in my shop-
Upcycled jar candle holder featuring stamps from around the world- http://www.etsy.com/listing/67260552/stamp-lamp-upcycled-glass-jar-tealight
I hope you like my shop and please get in touch if you have any questions. Enjoy the rest of the weekend!
Lucy

Latest Vintage Buttons From Love Buttons

Hello Everyone! Hope you are enjoying a good weekend!

Here are a few of the latest buttons added to Love Buttons:-

These unused vintage plastic buttons are thought to date to the 1960s, and feature a raised image of Nefertiti. Perfect for adding an Egyptian touch to your handmade project! They cost 20p each.

 
This pretty assortment of vintage glass buttons in shades of amber, bronze and caramel are available from Love Buttons on Etsy. They cost £8.00 for ten buttons.

 
Last, but not least, are these smart, unused vintage plastic buttons. They are quite chunky with a dark navy blue and white colour combination.  They cost 25p each. They are also available in black and white at 25p each.

 

Posted by Julia of * Love Buttons HQ * Love Buttons on Etsy * Love Buttons on Folksy * Love Buttons on Misi *

All of the Love Buttons shops will be closed during the first week of October - apologies for any inconvenience - but it's business as usual before and after that week!

Vintage buttons buckles haberdashery and more at Ebid

Henriettas Buttons and Patterns store at ebid

Come and browse and buy all at affordable prices - buy now for Christmas Gifts.


The Pink Teapot

The Pink Teapot
Otley
Yorkshire

A couple of weeks ago i  visited a  delightful 1940's retro cafe in West Yorkshire i had a jacket potato filled with tuna and my other half had a bacon sandwich (Yorkshire bacon of course). While eating my meal i noticed the couple next to me eating an enormous homemade cream meringue topped with fresh raspberries. I thought to myself i shall have one of those after but i was good and resisted!


As its name suggests the owners like pink! pink polka dot tablecloths and aprons, pink fridge, pink teapots and lots of   posters and plaques giving the place a real 40's feel.


Leaving the shop we noticed this shop, cupcake shops seem to have sprung up all over the place don't they look yummie.



Tuesday 20 September 2011

Maudi Darrell Edwardian Actress

Maudi Darrel was born in 1882 in London, her father was Hugh J Didcott an agent  remembered by Chance-Newton and Harry Randell in their books.


Click to view and buy this vintage postcard

She married Scottish Laird Ian Bullough on the 24th March, 1909 but sadly died in 1910 after complications following an operation for an appendicitis.
The Edwardian actress starred as Victoria Siddons in The Gay Gordons, at the Aldwych Theatre, London, on 11 September 1907.  Darrell also played Victoria Siddons during the London run and again on the UK tour during 1908.  Maudi also starred in The Beauty of Bath, The things you never learn at school and The frolic of the breeze.

Thursday 15 September 2011

British Button Society member on Youtube

Thought you might like to watch this youtube video of Jenny Swindells, the mother of pearl buttons below are from my collection.





Monday 12 September 2011

Will Antiques Be "Chipped" In Future

Necessity is the mother of invention or so it is said, and in times of war technological advances are made. This is no less true for the antiques market because as prices rise the market becomes lucrative to the unscrupulous, so it is all out war against fakes and fakers. Forensic analysis and investigation techniques are being applied to antique pieces to prove provenance and originality.
On 23.05.2011 Bonhams announce a partnership with Cranfield University to help identify fakes
Bonhams are to work with Cranfield University in Bedfordshire, UK with the aim of making new technological advancements for authenticating porcelain more accessible for use in the art market.
It is widely recognised that, with the rising prices for Chinese art in particular, fakes have become more accomplished. However, so far, the scientific methods that have emerged over the last six years have yet to be widely adopted in the commercial sphere.

Cranfield have made significant investments in new laboratories and staff and are now working on ways to identify the 'trace elements' of porcelain from ever-smaller and non-invasive samples.

Antiques Trade Gazette reported on this technique of extracting and identifying 'fingerprints' from the chemical components in a ceramic object in 2005 after two teams of Australian scientists developed ways of analysing the glazes, pigments and 'paste' of antique porcelain which could indicate the date, geographic location and even the specific kiln where it was fired.

Last September, it emerged that Chinese specialist Guan Haisen had begun using a bespoke laser and spectrometer designed by the Florida-based company Ocean Optics to determine the age of works of art in the state-owned superstore Beijing Antique City.

The Bonhams/Cranfield project aims to further develop and adopt the techniques systematically for the art market by making the process less abrasive to the object and the databases for the trace elements more detailed and specific.

Chairman of Bonhams Asia Colin Sheaf said: "For decades we have sought a forensic technology which will easily and reliably address the authenticity problems generated by 30 years of relentless faking of expensive Chinese ceramics.

"Cranfield's team will now provide the specialist technology and experienced forensic scientists to carry out the analysis, and Bonhams will define the practical issues and provide access to the core data material. We will work together to establish the methodology that will give us all confidence to make robust deductions from tiny quantities of core sample. This project will be of immense benefit to both participants, and to the wider academic and commercial art market."

While some senior members of the trade remain sceptical as to whether any technological 'breakthroughs' can ever be watertight, most remain open to the possibility that these developments in forensic analysis will have a place in the market in the future.

Dogs have a chip inserted under their skin containing all their relevant details, so perhaps this will be extended to antiques pieces.

Who was it who said the life of an antique dealer is an easy cushy number.

For more great tips and information follow this link: Rarity4u


Sunday 11 September 2011

Silver Heart Buttons, Glass Buttons and Corozo Buttons

Hello Folks!

Here are some more lovely buttons for your perusal:-

First up, a new metal button in the shape of a love heart, with decorative border and 'antique silver' finish. The buttons come in four sizes:- 12mm at 30p each; 18mm at 42p each (these are currently on hold for a customer); 20mm at 56p each; and 23mm at 68p each.

Next, are these pretty corozo buttons in various shades of violet and pink. They have a charming, incised pattern of leafy sprigs on them. This set of nine buttons costs £3.50.

Finally, this set of five vintage, clear glass buttons with a floral pattern. They retain much of their original reverse painting in coral and yellow. Perfect for a decorative project! This set of five buttons costs £5.00.


Happy crafting!

Posted by Julia of * Love Buttons HQ * Love Buttons on Etsy * Love Buttons on Folksy * Love Buttons on Misi * Love Buttons HQ on Ebay *


Sunday 4 September 2011

Vintage Metal Buttons

Morning all! Here is a small sample of the latest buttons from Love Buttons HQ.

First is a set of six vintage metal buttons. They are dark purple in colour with a snowflake-like decoration made to imitate cut steel. These buttons cost £6.00 for the set of six buttons.

Next is this charming set of four antique metal buttons. They have a decorative outer border featuring leaves and foliage, a cut, mother-of-pearl centre with a central cut steel. Sorry this set has now sold.

Finally, a set of ten vintage metal buttons featuring a three-cornered Celtic knot style design. The design is raised/in relief. The buttons are a very dark purple - almost black. This set of ten buttons costs £3.25 from Love Buttons on Etsy.



Don't forget that there are 100s of buttons to browse across all of my shops, including bargain buttons on Ebay: * Love Buttons HQ * Love Buttons on Etsy * Love Buttons on Folksy * Love Buttons on MISI * Love Buttons on Ebay *

Thursday 1 September 2011

Repelling The Water

Renaissance wax is one of the most versatile products we have used and only our fantasy and imagination limits its use. One of the most common questions we are asked is can Renaissance wax be used on teak and mahogany garden furniture? The short answer is a most definite yes.

When you use teak oil or other furniture oil, the oil layer is thick – known technically as a thick film layer. Most people believe that the more oil you put on the better the protection. This could not be farther from the truth. When the oil film is thick, only the outer layer dries leaving the inner layer as a thick sticky liquid. When you sit or use the furniture, this thick sticky liquid moves under pressure and stress and can cause the outer skin to rupture. Apart from a sticky oozy mess, the protective coating is no longer intact thus allowing moisture to enter into the grain of the wood. Worse still, the thick sticky liquid attracts dust which in turn attracts moisture and the oil no longer gives protection.


Most hardwoods are naturally acidic, so it is important to make sure that the substance used to protect these surfaces does not contain acid. Acid has a deleterious effect on most materials, so the wax used to protect may very well attack the item you are trying to preserve.

Renaissance wax is a pH neutral wax so it is safe to use on almost all surfaces. Its micro crystalline structure repelled the water or moisture because the space between its molecules is smaller than the water molecule thus preventing the passage of water and moisture through the wax layer into the grain of the wood. The photographs show a mahogany table that was caught by a passing summer shower of rain. The water does not lie flat but is very curved almost into a ball like shape. This clearly shows the wax in action and a closer examination shows that the wood has not soaked any moisture.


This table had only been treated with two very thin layers of Renaissance wax. Because the layers were thin, the wax dried hard all the way through the film. However we would recommend at least six layers of wax to ensure the wood is completely covered and to allow for the usual wear and tear that external furniture will receive.


Renaissance wax can be used on a diverse range of surfaces from paper, wood, leather. brass, copper, steel wrought iron and many more materials too numerous to mention.

Originally developed by the British Museum, Renaissance wax is the professional restorers first choice. Whilst you may not be a professional restorer, you can still benefit from using the worlds best wax.

We would be interested to know about any unusual application for Renaissance wax.

For more information about Rarity4u or Renaissance wax follow this link: Rarity4u