Vintage Thursday

While in Mansfield Ohio the other day, I did a little shopping. Okay, I did a lot of shopping. Revise again: I did a LOT of shopping! not the usual mall, tourist stuff though--you know that's not my thing. My friends and I share a passion for the old, the quirky, the unwanted and the vintage. Since I've been selling on eBay my taste, and my searches, have broadened considerably.

This is good and bad. It means my brain is stuffed with a random assortment of odd facts about useless things. It means I buy all sorts of weird things and think I can sell them (I usually do). It means my home office is a total disaster, filled to overflowing with stuff I have not had time to get listed for sale yet. It means I dig into dark corners of doubtful shops seeking those odd things at low prices that I might be able to sell--or better (or worse, depending on your point of view), that I might want to keep.

I came home with literally boxes and bags full, enough to fill my friend's trunk and half of her back seat. I should feel ashamed and I would if it were not that my friend Donna knows me well and is willing to humor this strange passion I have.

Here are a few of the things I dragged home (but only a very few, trust me--there's lots more. I need a store!):

This is a gilt-edged lipstick tray. See the holders for the lipstick tubes? I had never seen one of these before.

I love these plates! The photo doesn't do the pattern justice. Marked "Betty Pepper for AMC" these are so retro and classic with their red and white design and stylized flower print. I have found only a few examples of this pattern online.

This is an unusual item--a pressed glass plate with a reticulated border (the things you learn on eBay!) with an image of Little Miss Muffet in the center. These seem to be fairly rare, and this find is in good condition.

This beautiful piece is ceramic with Mary and Joseph depicted in decoupage. The crazed surface makes me think this might have some age on it; gold felt on the back is quite worn. I think it's lovely, even aged as it is.

A vanity trinket box or powder dish with flowers in perfect condition on top. The base is a very light blue. So often the china flowers on these pieces are broken or chipped but this one has survived intact.

Linking to Colorado Lady's Vintage Thingie's Thursday again today. Stop by her blog and check out the neat things other bloggers have to show.