... 'K' is for

 

KOKOPELLI.

What is the story of Kokopelli?

There is another story from the Hopi Culture that talks about Kokopele being a hunchbacked member of the village who tricks the village beauty into having sex with him. Many believe that Kokopelli was more than a trader, and more significantly, an important conveyor of information and trinkets from afar.

For my 'personal Alphabet of Collections', 'K' was a deep dig.  Not a lot going on with 'K'!

This 'conveyor of information and trinkets from afar' gets the honor.

Numerous years ago, during the first of many visits to Arizona, I was 'introduced' to the image of Kokopelli.  A couple of trinkets with his image came home with me as souvenirs, and since then I often find them at sales... 'abandoned souvenirs of other peoples travels'.  NOT one of my many active collections (but I do have at least 3, so that makes it an official collection)!! I'm seldom inspired enough to rescue them and give them a new home, but they do bring back sweet memories.

It has become a joke with travel companions...  I seldom buy souvenirs during the trip (unless it I REALLY like it!!), because I know that I will find stuff on 'the cheap' at sales - and I get the added 'thrill of the hunt'.

Sometimes this method of souvenir acquisition has some added benefits!!

ex: Last summer, in accordance to 'social distancing guidelines', we went camping in Old Forge, NY.  We avoided the MANY souvenir shoppes, which didn't bother me in the least. 

Since then I have picked up a mug, sweatshirt and this vintage ashtray - for a grand total of under $1.00 !!

~The mug was used a couple of times & redonated.

~The sweatshirt was 'pre-shrunk' and 'worn-in', fitting Perfectly, and is now a 'go to' piece of my wardrobe.

~The ashtray, I did some research, and was easily able to find him a new home via eBay!!

The truly GREAT thing is that I never would have given this ashtray a second look if I hadn't been attracted to the 'OLD FORGE' souvenir aspect!!

Am I alone in this practice of 'souveniring' ? I'm curious - let me know in the comments!!

enJOY!

& 

be well...

... 'H' is for...

 

Have you guessed??

Back by Popular Demand (LM!!), I'm picking up on the 'svelteSTUFF Alphabet of Collectibles' where we left off (a couple of years ago??!). THANK GOODNESS when I'm lacking for content, I have PLENTY of collections to fall back on !

For this series, I'm trying to uncover collections that I haven't mentioned EXCESSIVELY on here already (just click on underlined collection name for link to to previous ramblings!!)...  

So it's definitely NOT...

HAEGER Pottery

~or~

HATS

~or~

HATPINS

~or~

HAT BOXES

~or even~

HAIR RECEIVERS!

Today's 'honor' goes to...

The iconic HOLT HOWARD!

This is a VERY SMALL collection in our house !   I first fell for them in the 1990's, after reading an article about HH in COLLECTIBLES magazine (anyone else remember that short-lived, but AMAZING quarterly??)

PIXIEWARE (1958-1962)  These little whimsical Pixies are the first HH that stole my heart.  However they are extremely elusive.  In the past 30yrs, these are the only pieces that I have found (IN MY $range!!).  Most of them the Top/Spoon was found separately from the bowl.

I am also attracted to the 1960-70's patterns & designs they used, and I am a sucker for HH stray, lonesome mugs, and can't leave them behind

This cute kitty caught my eye, and her price was right & ripe for resale, but I am afraid she has found a forever home with me!

...and who can have a fondness for HH, without paying Homage to their early pieces - Red Apple and le Coq Rouge?

until next time ~

BE WELL

& 

enJOY !!

... 'B' is for BOSSON, brooches, Buddha and MORE!

**DISCLAIMER:  The items that I am presenting in this blog are not an advertisement or endorsements for their original intended use!  I am merely presenting bits of oddities, past cultures, and glances of eras-long-gone!**

With that said, 

"B" is for...

  BOSSON (and similar!)

BOSSON, MADE IN ENGLAND: produced by the W. H. Bossons Company of Congleton, England between 1948 and 1996

We first stumbled upon these 'wall masks' while scouring sales for 'Tacky Chalkware'.  These are of higher quality and detail than the general Wall Chalkware.  Bosson produced a wide variety of masks and figures, but their 'Nautical / Salty' pieces stole my heart! 

*NOT all of these are 'BOSSON', but have a similar feel*

...and they are the perfect accents to our Sea-Loving décor!
We have but only a few - but 
' three or more, a collection does make!'
THANKFULLY, these can be pricey for the 'serious collector', and are seldom found in my price-range (a couple of dollars!)
**Just realized I have done a post previously on BOSSON, I am linking it in case you would like to go check it out!

Of course, "B" is also for...
(But, as with many of our collections, these have been covered in Past Posts TOO!  I am linking to these in case you missed them!)

BROOCHES!

(which we could do an entire ABC's series on in itself!  Amethyst, Bling, Cats... - hmmm, Maybe?)

~AND~

BUDDAH! (PART I)

BUDDAH! (REVISITED)

~AND~

Of course there are MANY MORE, but I will spare you!!

Yesterday, I made a 'new-to-us' find that has been on my list for MANY years...

It was only $8 - so even as a faux-décor piece, I grabbed it in a heartbeat!  BUT it is HEAVY - made of mahogany with a brass center.  No markings.  We have been trying to research it, but are not having much success.  Anybody know how to tell a real vs. faux SHIPSWHEEL??

Regardless of the Shipswheel lineage, it is a sweet addition to our home!!

BE WELL

& 

en JOY!

... 'A' is for ASHTRAYS (pocket & purse)

**DISCLAIMER:  The items that I am presenting in this blog are not an advertisement or endorsements for their original intended use!  I am merely presenting bits of oddities, past cultures, and glances of eras-long-gone!**

With that said, 

"A" is for...

ASHTRAYS (pocket & purse).

'perfect' start for an Alphabet Series of the New Year?

probably not...

• One of the highest ranking New Years Resolutions is to 'Quit Smoking'
• Smoking is now tabu and Politically Incorrect

BUT here they are!  

A flashback to when the fashionable 'LADY' was always a LADY, and if her (or her husband!) needed a smoke in a place when they were out, she could just pull this little (average size about 1 1/2" x 1 1/2") beauty out of her purse, and VOILA! Thanks to the hinged cover, the ashes and butts were contained until you had a place to put them!

  I haven't been able to get a good 'dating' for them, but I'm figuring 1950's - 60's??

These little purse accessories had it all... 

• hinge cover (sometimes with mirror inside to check that your lipstick hadn't smudged while smoking!!)
• a 'rest' for your cigarette
• a small handle so as to 'daintily' hold - if there was no available space to set it down
• occasionally even 'crossed' with a PURSE HOLDER - to support your purse from the edge of the table and not subject it to the detriment of the floor!

 Oh. So. Stylish as well!!

FUN 'souvenirs' from a bygone-era...

(Search the bottom of junk-jewelry Lots, and they can still be found for a couple of dollars!!)

Be Well

and 

en JOY!!

...MY ABC's!

Step back. Observe. EnJOY. Repeat.

During these prolonged Winter Days in the NE USA, re-discovering my 'story' helps me to beat the Winter-Blues.

The next 26 posts of svelteSTUFF will be dedicated to The ABC's of our house.  Hope you will join in and let us know Your 'love' of each letter!!

BE WELL

and

en JOY!

...NO Broken Hangers!

Does anybody else have the affliction from which I suffer, and I refer to as WCL (Wall Chalkware LOVE)??

I have done my best to contain this collection, and although it is not an 'active pursuit', I still seem to cross paths with them on a regular basis!

In my attempt to deter this 'guilty' little pleasure, I have tried to maintain strict 'rules'...

1. FISH / NAUTICAL related!
2. $1-2 PRICE POINT
3. 'HANGERS INTACT'

I have been known to break Rule#1 on occasion ~ if it's cute enough!

Besides, they are a FUN(!) border in our first floor half-bath - and a great center of conversation with newbies in our home (LOL). 

Use your imagination and picture the 'quizzical~shocked' look on faces as they exit our bathroom for the first time... usually after a couple of Adult Beverages!!!)

I try to abide pretty tightly to Rule#2, and that has become a major limitation in today's market!

  Have you seen the SOLD prices on Ebay lately?! 

How dare these quirky & tacky pieces of 'junk' come back into Vogue!! Maybe we should 'hop on the train' while the market is HOT?? (.not.)

Rule#3 was ALWAYS a 'deal breaker' for me...

Until recently! 

 While putting away the Holiday Decorations, I came across a forlorned Fishy that USED to live on our wall with her 'mate' - until the dreaded day her wire hanger Broke! 

For about 9months I have deliberated her fate - what to do?  After her recent re-discovery, I decided a verdict had to be rendered!  J did a little web-surfing and came across a 'life-changing' article on INHERITED VALUES:

 REPAIRING BROKEN OR MISSING HANGERS ON VINTAGE CHALKWARE PLAQUES OR PLASTER WALL ART.

DISCLAIMER:  I am trying this for the FIRST time, and cannot guarantee the longevity of the fix - but right about now, ANYTHING is worth a try!!

and so this 'affliction' persists...

and

What would any good collection of 

Tacky-MidCentury-Kitsch-Bathroom-Décor

be without some Acrylic-resin pieces??

BE WELL

& 

enjoy!

...LOBSTERS? Yes, Please!

Never fear, my passion for SWEATER CLIPS - GUARDS is still going strong in 2019!

The most recent 'Love' was found and gifted to me by J!

To date this is The.Only. signed 'SPAIN' piece in my ever growing collection.

and 

my first DAMASCENE piece

and

they are LOBSTERS!!

For anybody just stopping by, and new to my Sweater Clip / Guard passion - if you have an interest in our 'BACKSTORY', you can find it here!!

For anybody who has been on this crazy ride with me for a while, here are the latest pictures of our displays - my how they have grown since the photos of 2008!

(collection is at around 700 now!?)

'RHINESTONES & BLING'

'SIGNED' and 'Gold-toned'

'BEACHY" ...shells, souvenir, etc..

'PLAIN JANES'

'SPESHULS'

BUT WAIT

There's more!

(just not photographed.)

How is ALL of this possible in just 25 years?!!

Be Well

&

enJOY!