The Button Motherlode

I heard through the junkvine last week that Nina had some buttons for me so I hit Nina and Joe's in addition to the new The Bins on Saturday.  Boy howdy!  I never thought you would hear me utter these words but I think I might have too many buttons - lol!  I couldn't open that big tin in the back for these sneak-peek pictures because there are some sick and STINKY buttons in there.  They went straight from the tin in to a sink of soapy water.  Luckily only a few had to go to the big button box in the sky.

Some of the tins are (were) really pretty, too, but I made a HUGE mistake and put them in the dishwasher and ruined all but one.  They came out nice and clean with most of the paint gone down the drain.

I have been cleaning and sorting for days and my work table is still covered. Buttons in a fabric softener box are okay in my book.

Lots of carded buttons.  I will keep the ones with pretty cards as they are but I think I will be removing most of them from the plain cards so I can wash them.  They are very dusty.

A lot of the cards are marked with original prices of 7 cents and 10 cents.  Those were the days!

This chocolate tin was the sole survivor from the dishwasher.  BIG lesson learned.

Broke my heart, or at least put a dent in it, when I lost this tin with the pretty flowers.  Black and pink is my favorite color combination.

My favorites will be another post.  I need to get busy listing as soon as I have room on my table to take pictures because the junkvine says Nina already has some more.  If you can't find me, look under the buttons!

The New "The Bins"

Goodwill opened a new Outlet Store (aka The Bins) here in Portland just FOUR blocks from my office.  DANGER DANGER, WILL ROBINSON!!  I did not brave the grand opening on Thursday since I had to work and it did cause two traffic alerts about crashes on the morning commute.  Confirmation that we are not alone in our passion for junking!

Since it is new it cleaner than the other one but I'm sure that will change in time - LOL!  I didn't make a giant haul but pulled out 11 pounds.  The "mod" fabric in the back is an apron.  The Holiday thermos was my favorite find.  It has a few dents but the liner isn't broken and will make a neat display piece.  The pattern is modern but perfectly Steampunk style.

Sequin scrim and a plastic doily with gold accents.  I haven't seen that one before.

I liked the drawer liner paper for the floral pattern but the scent is nasty.  It has been my experience that ironing it removes the scent - IF I can survive the process.  By the pound, you can afford to take the gamble.

The poor little blind dolly has already lost her head.  You know I love the ones with the wonky eyes.  Speaking of wonky eyes...  I will be getting my other cataract removed this coming Thursday and can hardly wait!  2014 is going down in the books as the year of not being able to see and I am more than ready to have it behind me.

Sweet rick-rack detail on the apron.

Three wooden frames for the future booth.  All of the fabric I picked up is fodder for whatever I can come up with for the back wall behind the booth space.  I am thinking layers of curtains but nothing "jelling" in my mind yet so just gathering inspiration.
It is football day in America - Go Seahawks!

Hunting and Gathering and Wishing and Hoping

 A few recent finds...  The buttons and the yellow satin box are from the Monticello Antique Mall.  I stopped over there last Saturday and took the official plunge by signing up on the waiting list for a small space.  I love my little Etsy shop but I have to admit I am a little burned out on all the photographing and listing and STORING.  I don't intend to give it up altogether but I would like to ratchet it back to just the smalls, like I started with.  I don't know how long it will take or if I will even get a space but I have my fingers crossed!

 The rest of the treasures are from my old reliable VOA.  The bowl is Pyrex.  The crows are because it is Halloween - LOL!

 I found these awesome old skates pushed to the back in the sporting goods section and they had waited for me until they were on half price.  I grabbed them before I even knew that so it was a happy surprise at the checkout!

 I adore the old wooden hangers with words.  Did you see the one in the photo up above?  Magic and joy.  I'll taken 'em!

These are a few of the recent favorite buttons.

The Pyrex bowl was dirty, as vintage finds often are.  I figured I could just wash it and all would be well.  Well, not so much...  I have tried Magic Eraser, SOS, Goof Off and Bleach.  NOTHING is budging this mark.  Anyone have any ideas or I just donate it back??

Strange Notions

 NOT strange notions - awesome notions!  I stopped in at Nina and Joe's last week and Nina had a box she had bought at auction with me in mind.  Oh my goodness - yes!

 These vintage curtain tie-back tassels are glass and have a very high-end feel to them.  They might even be Flapper necklaces but I'm thinking curtain tie-backs.  They are currently hanging around Mona's neck so she can play dress up.

 Old cording and a stack of cute little table place cards.  They have a little flap to fold over on one end so they stand up.

 Here is a closer look at the silver tassels.  There are nine of these and they are tied together with a piece of vintage chenille.

 Some perfectly tarnished gold metal trims.  I adore the patina on these old trims.

 They remind me of the notions you see in articles about Tinsel Trading Company.  That little flower basket applique is marked Germany.

 These tassels with the big glass beads have a couple broken ones so I will probably take them apart or maybe keep them for myself.

 This metallic trim is pretty tattered but I will be able to salvage out some pieces that will be great for altered art or lace books.

Last of all, this adorable little "project".  Click it bigger so you can read the instructions.  You can use this card and one of Mother's empty thread spools to make your own little piggy pet!
If you know anything about any of these strange notions - please do tell!

Bloggy Love and Button Distraction

 Well, I don't even know where the past week went, besides behind me!  I'm going to blame it all on Suzan at Old Grey Mare.  She gifted me with an amazing goodie box this week and it included buttons and buttons and more buttons.  My button OCD means I have to pick up each and every one and turn it over twice and it takes some joyous time.  The were all clean and mostly free of strings so much easier to sort and admire that my usual routine.  There was no denture cleaner required.

 This big whistle button was one of my favorite finds.  It reminds me of Texas Ware marble.  I did a little looking on the Internet but was not able to find anything about Texas Ware making buttons.  This is a big 1" diameter button.  If anyone know more about it I would love to hear!

 These are glass buttons.  I adore the charm-string button on the far right and the painted green one on the far left.  Green buttons always seem to be few and far between.

 BIG red plastic buttons that I have never seen before.

 Dyed and carved mother-of-pearl.

 Interesting plastic and metal buttons plus painted wood buttons.

 Pierced plastic - love these! There were a lot of red buttons and some look to be Bakelite.  I don't know how she could part with them and so grateful that she did.

 These are beaded over glass and even prettier in person.

Tell me you couldn't lose a week in this amazing gift of goodness.  Thank you, Z, for all the goodies and especially all the smiles!

Saturday Loot and Some Guidance Needed

 Saturday was the much-anticipated re-opening of Division Street Antiques after their annual buying trip.  There was line outside, the store was jammed and I was more than a bit overwhelmed with the crowd.  Between the catching up and the crowd I wasn't able to make many decisions but I didn't come out empty-handed!  I didn't even get a picture of my favorite score of the day.  My older son has been looking for a vintage table-top microphone to re-purpose.  Joe told me he had one in the shop so the hunt was on.  Between several of us searching it was finally found and purchased.  My son came by a little later in the day, before I got a photo, and whisked it away.  He is happy so I am happy!

 I grabbed these two chairs for my imaginary mall booth.  Yes, I have put out the feelers for one and I am accumulating some inventory.  I introduced these two to Mr. Clean and his famous Magic Eraser and they are cleaning up to that chippy white patina that is so popular right now.  HERE IS WHERE I NEED SOME GUIDANCE...  I am sure I will get multiple opinions but I want to hear them all.  The paint is chippy and it is old enough that I'm sure it contains lead.  Do I seal them with a clear coat, which will make it harder for the buyer to strip off if they want to go in a different direction or do I leave as-is and let buyer beware?  Please do tell what you think.

 I grabbed a couple pieces of barkcloth for the wire basket project.  The glass doorknob has a chip but it is flat so stands up nicely to make a sign.  As soon as I learn how to do that.  The wooden bottles are interesting.  One is clearly a needle case.  The four shorter ones held split-shot for fishing and the two laying on their sides are pencil leads.  All have been emptied of their contents and will be re-purposed.  The picture of the BFFs will find a new home on an Altoids tin.

 Interesting odds and ends.  The things on the right are plastic window shade pulls in a design I haven't seen before.

 Be sure you click this one bigger.  These little fellows are a HOOT and I bet they were able to get into a little trouble together!

This old cabinet card has a great steampunk vibe I couldn't pass up.
I'm looking forward to getting back in there when it is a little less crowded and I can see the whole story.  Congratulations to Nina and Joe on a great re-opening!

I Received A Random Act Of Kindness

When I arrived at work yesterday morning I turned the corner and noticed the light was on in my office, which is odd.  I was delighted to find that a co-worker had heard I like buttons and had left a baggie of them on my desk. How lucky am I and what a great start to my day!  

The buttons above are the first Moonglows with rhinestones in my accumulation.

These are my other favorites.  The black and white buttons are glass and I haven't found any of those "pearly" ones in a square shape before.

This is the whole story.  I adore buttons and what an unexpected and delightful treat!