Stamp Collecting Repurposing Floral Platters

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stamp collecting

In my early podcast episodes on Living a Vintage Life, I decided to cover a plethora of topics in one episode, which made it interesting, but one reader asked, “What does floral platters pair with stamp collecting ? ” I thought about that, and it was too jumpy. Future episodes are streamlined so as not to be so confusing. In the below episode I talk about the wonders of Stamp Collecting, and I learned a lot of things. For one, stamp collecting isn’t dead.

Stamp collecting can be an inexpensive, fun and enjoyable hobby for the masses and keep the kiddos busy for hours. I repeat, keep the kids occupied! There’s no shortage of collecting old stamps, US stamps or even worldwide stamps and most starter collections can be obtained for minimal investment.

Additionally, I’m so tired of seeing vintage ceramic platters go to the thrift store, which are larger turkey style platters or serving platters that don’t pair with anything per se. Now you can find out what to do with them by listening to this episode!

Vintage Postcards from Paris

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Postcards from Paris, how romantic. These are mostly of French origin and I purchased them from a French antiques dealer. A whole bunch of them. I was using them in my scrapbooking and art, and now my need for more room is your gain. I’m offering 30 piece lots with lovely handwriting and images for you in shabby original used condition.
Postcards from Paris 30 pc Lot at RetroChalet

Poscards can be so romantic. I wonder what they say. Are some professing love and missing to that special someone? Most of the cards were sent to France, from abroad, or from around France. Most of the post cards are made in France, and often the French would stop in souvenir shops to send post cards back home to their loved ones.   Here you get a lot of 30  with  French writing . These are great for scrapbooking , paper crafts or collage backgrounds. Carte Postale! Most are circa 1900-1939, some may be 1950.

This lot contains those that have been sent and postmarked, some have stamps on the FRONT of the post card where the pictures are. You get 30 random pieces shipped first class in shabby vintage condition, only $28 at RetroChalet. 

French Post Cards Galore

Blue Shabby Books for Decorating Vintage Books on Etsy

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Shabby Books Etsy RetroChaletI just love using old books to decorate with.  In this lot I have five old books, four are truly vintage and antiques, from the 1950’s and 1960’s.  These are simply stunning additions to the home, in original shabby condition, dents, dings, water stains, sticker stains, writing inside, everything a LOVED book should be!  Displayable, and readable! I’m throwing in the 5th to complete the display….total of five books, 4 are vintage books.

The Vows of the Peacock – Alice

Walworth Graham 1955

Anne Boleyn – by Evelyn Anthony 1957

The Darkness and the Dawn – Thomas B. Costain 1959

On Call – Daily Devotional Readings for Nurses – Lois Rowe RN 4th Printing 1961

bonus: The Second Opinion by Michael Palmer , 2009, not vintage, but part of this group The largest, and lovely.

Blue Books Etsy

Buy them now for $18 here.  Note, they are shipping Media Mail to USA.

eat for the vintage lover. Displayable, and readable! I’m throwing in the 5th to complete the display….total of five books, 4 are vintage books.

Retro Chalet Etsy Coupon Code

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Here is a coupon code good until the end of September.  It is GUITAR10 and will give you 10 percent off your purchase!

 

retro chalet coupon code
Retro Chalet Coupon Code, add in at the checkout! GUITAR10 gets you 10 percent off

Thought for today, enjoy life it’s the only one you’ve got !

Daschund Love
Wein Schnitzel, is enjoying life today.

Skyway Vintage Luggage Travel Suitcase {sold}

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1960's Vintage Luggage Suitcase
For the vintage traveler who needs a Nice Big piece of Luggage. This has nice bold colors that will make you stand out!

For the Vintage traveler here is an awesome piece of luggage you need for your next scheduled vacation.  A great piece of luggage dated back to the 1960’s is still in Great shape. It is made of a plaid tweedy. This suitcase can fit all your belongings in it. It has plenty of space for your heavier winter clothes. No trips planned? Get ready for next spring it’ll be here before you know it. You can find this on and much more at Retro Chalet on Etsy.

Vintage Circus Sign 1930s

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Vintage Circus Sign
Mills Brothers Circus Sign

Quite possibly from the 1930s is a vintage cardboard Mills Brothers Circus Sign, known for traveling all over the USA in the 40s and 50s. Little is known about them prior to the 1943 era due to the lack of information out there.  This sign is a cardboard stand up and super cool find!  Elephant and super rare!

Find it in RetroChalet on Etsy!

Vintage Plastic Google Eyes Dollmaking {sold}

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retro Chalet
Eye see you. Vintage plastic google eyes!

 THIS ITEM HAS SOLD!  Check RetroChalet for more great items!

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Recently added to Retro Chalet etsy shop are these vintage plastic google eyes. Discolored from ages of sitting in a sewing stash, they were acquired from an estate in Maine. Originally made to make dolls, teddy bears and scary crafts oh my! Now you can own them, all 21 pairs mint in  the package for just $8.

New at Retro Chalet Vintage Rubber Print Blocks

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Vintage letterpress blocks
Vintage Linoleum or rubber print blocks. circa 50s to 70s based on material and feel.

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While in Maine I stumbled upon an estate who was cleaning out the craft and sewing room. I happened across a bunch of old and great items, including these wee letterpress print blocks. Most are the size of a key on your keyboard, and hard rubber or linoleum material. They would be best used individually or glued and mounted to small wood blocks to make pressing them easier. I think they were from a kid’s set circa 1950s to 1960s.They look like they were cut out of a larger sheet at one point in time, and the No (number) block in the numbers make me think they are old as the dirt on them.

I have animals, a full alphabet set and a numeral set for sale in my Etsy shop, in the industrial/supplies section.

I was going to keep them to add to my ever growing collection of old stampers and letterpress, but I have not much time for mixed media or scrapbooking anymore. These would be used by an artist  who could appreciate them and love them as much as someone used to.  Found in Houlton, Maine.

rare letterpress letters 1950s
Alphabet, full $12.95 at Retro Chalet. Lobster not included.

Little animal stampers! What is the last animal? I think he’s a squatting dog!

animal letterpress
Adorable wee animal stamps
Hey! follow me on pinterest! 

Doll Clothes Bulk Buy Retro Chalet on Etsy Get Crafty

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Doll clothing

I have no idea what you could do with these little doll’s clothes. They come in 20 pc lots and are so darned cute. Almost as if they were miniature. The dolls they came off of were only about 4″ tall so these could be wee little clothespin doll art. I was thinking if someone was super crafty, they could use them to dress up a little fake mice or something. I bought a bunch of dolls to (eegads) disassemble to use in my assemblage artwork. Yeah, I pretty much break up dolls for a side job, you can read all about that on my Art Studio blog.  Work with dolls would be in my Ira Mency art gallery if you want a look see. These little clothes aren’t vintage but they are a super good deal. I just couldn’t bear to toss them out.  You can find them here in my Art Supplies section.  At least for now you can, I’m always changing sections in my shop, so if you can’t find them, do a search for doll clothes.