Making Christmas Ornaments From Upcycled Sterling Plate Flatware Silverware

Have A Merry Merry Upcycled Christmas

Here is a great gift for those of you who love a vintage holiday look. Artisans at Twisted Metal  creative beautiful Christmas tree ornaments upcycled from Sterling Plate Flatware Silverware. You will so find so many unique holiday gifts and functional art  made by artist Neva Starr. Here is the link http://www.spoon.fish/shop

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Buying Collectible Vintage Christmas Wrapping Paper

Vintage Christmas Wrapping Paper At Antique Center Of Northampton, Northampton, Mass

I have to be honest, even though I actually wrote back in 2010 a very popular post called "Where to Buy Nostalgic Vintage Christmas Wrapping Paper" (which gets a zillion readers ), I rarely come across good looking wrapping paper myself when I'm out hunting for STUFF.

Yes, you can find  individual sheets of vintage Christmas wrapping paper here and there online, but it's not that easily to find in shops.

Retro 1950s Christmas Wrapping Paper

Well imagine my surprise when I bumped into a box of retro Christmas wrapping paper (1950s-1960s) while visiting the Antique Center of Northampton, Mass. Of course I rummaged through the boxed set and then like any hunter I looked at the price tag. Now that was not easily to figure out. In  one corner was the number 65 and in the other corner was the number10.  There were 13 sheets inside the box. The box cover said that it was a set of 20 sheets with tags (when complete). So I had a partial box of nice condition  Christmas wrapping paper with a torn box cover .There were no dollar signs on the tag by the way.

How Much Would You Pay For Vintage Christmas Wrapping Paper? 

I nervously brought the box to the cashier, deciding that if the seller was asking $10.00 for this box, It was a slam dunk and  the vintage Christmas wrapping paper was going home with me. If on the other hand the price was $65.00 I had to ruminate a bit more.

So I ask my readers......what do you believe the price was and why? Let's see what other think. And would you have bought this box and for what price?


C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Deck The Halls With Vintage Christmas Aprons: Decorating With Holiday Aprons

Ho Ho Ho, It's Time To Decorate For The Holidays Using Vintage Aprons As Garland 

Charming And Colorful Vintage Aprons

A quick and easy way to add holiday spirit to  your antique booth or home is to hang vintage Christmas aprons for color and charm. Use red and white or  green and white ginghams as well as vintage Christmas  holiday themed half aprons. 

Easy To Hang: Vintage Aprons

What I like about this idea is that you can hand aprons in all sorts of places. At home you might hang vintage aprons from an existing curtain rods or across a shelf or fireplace mantle (not in use).  In an antique shop you might hang vintage aprons across a clothes line or around a column. The possibilites are many.

Thrifty Kitschy Christmas Holiday Ideas

And once again, this is a thrifty kitschy idea for families who want to add holiday spirit on a budget. You can find old aprons prices from $4.00-18.00.

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Mid-Century Christmas: Retro Memories

A Very Merry Retro Christmas 

The Mid-Century look is everywhere, in current clothing styles, home furnishings, kitchenwares and more.  Retailers are re-mixing designs, patterns and palettes from the Postwar period offering buyers a fresh interpretation of the Atomic era. But can stores really capture the nostalgia of the the 1950s.

Baby Boomers Remember1950s Christmas  

Baby boomers have clear memories of what it was like growing up in the 1950s. Thanks to sites like Pinterest,com you can capture those times in images from old magazine advertisements, vintage photographs, newspaper clippings,  store catalogs and books.


Pinterest.com Saving Christmas Memories

I poked around Pinterest.com this morning and put terms such as "Vintage Christmas", "Retro Christmas", "Christmas ads" in the search bar. Thanks to the wonderful gals and guys on Pinterest, I put together this post with shared images.

Enjoy a journey back to the 1950s during Christmas.

I wondered what a Mid Century Christmas might look like?  So I did some homework to offer you a glimpse of the styles and pictures that were indeed part of the holidays in the 1950s. 


We colored pictures in Christmas coloring books, now our kids draw on iPads and other devices.

Women were housewives who stayed home and served coffee and home baked cake and cookies in their kitchens.(I'm not sure if that is a good or bad memory). 


It was a very different time before the digital age, children played with Tinker toys and Tiny Tears dolls.

Families watched T.V. together as a family. Now we text at each other in the living room. Remember Ed Sullivan on Sunday evenings? 

Ed brought us new talent, now Simon Cowell is our source for an evening of 
song and dance.

Leave It To Beaver, Lassie and of course
I Love Lucy were our favorites.      

Homemakers sent out beautiful Christmas and holiday cards. Now families send out fancy animated  E Cards.  

Hallmark and Christmas went together
like candy canes and eggnog.The graphics were colorful, bold and saturated in primary colors of red, blue, yellow.   

Children picked out toys from mail order catalogs that they wanted for the holidays. Now our kids travel to The Apple Store for the latest tech device. 

The techy among us played with chemistry sets, Lionel trains and Erector sets. Our generation predated Legos, but we were builders of Lincoln Logs and blocks.     

The 1950s were a magical time, when children were children and they  believed in an enchanted holiday. 

I remember visiting sick children in the hospital  with my childhood friend Sharon. We made  a giant homemade Christmas holiday book. Remember trying to draw a Christmas tree. Trying to get the branches even?
I adored going to Woolworths with my mom or grandmother. I liked to look at the parakeets and bring home a cute pet toy for my poodle or more potholder loops. We usually stayed for lunch.   



Going to Radio City Music Hall for the annual Christmas show was a special treat. Dad worked in the city and I spent many holidays going to shows and iconic department stores. 
all


I would love to hear what you remember about your 1950s Christmas holidays.  Please share your memories or comments.


C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen &ome Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

What To Do With Antique And Vintage Christmas Cookie Cutters

Creative Christmas Holiday Ideas With Vintage Cookie Cutters

Tis Christmas eve and by now any Thrifty Nifty Retro 1950s inspired homemaker has already baked her holiday cookies . In fact, plenty of hip guys have also finished their batch of sugar cookies by now.

And let's agree, there is nothing like using the old style cookie cutters. Now that you have finished baking your cookies, here are some ideas of what do do with vintage cookie cutters.

What To Do With Vintage Holiday Cookie Cutters

1. Make holiday garland out of cookie cutters.
2. Altered vintage cookie cutter ornaments
3. Cookie cutter wreath.
4. Cookie cutter tree.
5. Cookie cutter cakes.
6. Cookie cutter photo ornaments.
7, Shabby Chic cookie cutters.
8. Jeweled cookie cutter ornaments.
9. Snow Day ornaments.
10. Colorful glitter ornaments.
11. Cookie cutter tree garland.
12, Tree ornaments with colorful cookie cutters.

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Society of Professional Journalists

Hip Christmas Holiday Serving Ideas For Retro Moms

Bring Some Retro Holiday Pizazz Into Your Home This Christmas

This year bring some RETRO Holiday pizazz into your home by setting your holiday table with colorful hip vintage kitchen-wares from the 1940s,1950s and 1960s.. Re-set your holiday clock and take the express bus right back to your favorite kitschy eras.

Serving Holiday Snacks In A Vintage Lazy Susan

How much fun will your holiday snacks look displayed in a ceramic dish Lazy Susan ?
Or what about picking out some quirky polka dotted salt and peppers shaker roosters to add to your holiday table? Forget about the crystal, the silver, the red and green.......mix it up...get retro...have fun.

Think RETRO When Out Shopping

It's easier than you think to decorate for the holidays. Take a visit to your nearby Antique Mall or Antique Group shop and think RETRO. As you walk up and down the aisles, look for colorful bowls, vases, serving pieces, trays, accessories etc. that seem to work well together.

Organize your selections in some way. Objects with a pattern such as polka dots. Or perhaps you want a black, white and red theme. You may decide to keep the traditional holiday colors of red and green but this year kick up your "green" a notch with a retro green color such as chartreuse.

Create Your Own Holiday Color Palette

And don't be afraid to create your own holiday color scheme. Who said you can't use a wonderful 1960's orange vase with green snack dishes. You can...you can invent your own interpretation of a Retro Christmas or Chanukah. I'd love to see pictures of your Retro holiday. Send them to me at Dianne@cdiannezweig.com.

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Society of Professional Journalists

Finding Santa Snoring At The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT

Santa is Snug In His Bed At The Collinsville Antiques Company Of New Harford, CT

I was walking up and down the aisles at The Collinsville Antiques Company in New Hartford, CT and I heard snoring. Well to be perfectly honest, at first I just heard a NOISE and I wasn't quite sure what the noise was. But I have heard that noise before (every night) and I knew it was a noise I was familiar with.

A Santa Doll That Snores

But as I walked through this 20,000 square feet Antique emporium, the NOISE got louder and clearer. It was the sound of SNORING. But where was it coming from? Then I walked into one of the dealer's booth and lo and behold, a mechanized Santa doll, was sound asleep in his toy bed snoring. His chest actually moved up and down as he took a deep breath. I suppose this dealer thought having a snoring Santa was a cute idea. Well after awhile, another dealer did a big service to everyone and pulled the plug on Santa! Peace and quiet at last....one needs a certain degree of peace when out antiquing.

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Society of Professional Journalists

Making Handmade Vintage Christmas Gifts And Decorations

Have Fun Making Retro Christmas Gifts And Holiday Decor from Old Sewing Notions And Craft Supplies

If you love the retro vintage look in your home, now is the time to whip up some nostalgic Christmas decorations and holiday decor.

Hanging Around On Etsy You Find Lots Of Homemade Christmas Decoration And Gift Ideas

And by now you know that I hand around Etsy.com a lot and am always hunting for great retro stuff as well as old Christmas craft ideas and supplies. Its really is nice to be able to use up old things and add your own personal touch to your holiday gifts and decor. As you will soon discover in this post there are so many great ways to utilize vintage craft and older sewing notions in holiday projects.

Embellish Your Gifts With Vintage Sewing Notions And Millinery Supplies

Even if you are not the creative type, or you have little time for starting from scratch, you can still add some vintage sewing notions or craft supplies to your cards, wrapping paper and retro or vintage inspired gift to make them more interesting.

There is nothing like having a thrifty kitschy Christmas and recruiting your family members to help you up-cycle (create new uses for old things).

Introducing Pink Grapefruit Style For Christmas Trim, Notions, Vintage

One of the best sites online to find vintage Christmas sewing notions and craft supplies is Pink Grapefruit Style on Etsy.com.

Here you will find all types of odds and ends that you can use for vintage holiday sewing projects, handmade Christmas gifts, retro wrapping ideas and more.

What is so much fun on Pink Grapefruit Style is that this gal packages her notions in adorable collections which might include vintage ribbons, sewing bells, jewelry pieces, trim, decals, millinery supplies, corsage pieces and more.

Oh, my grandmother Esther would have done so well on Etsy. This women had drawers filled with old wrapping paper, ribbons and odds and ends from every party, shower, special event she attended. Beyond Etsy, you can find plenty of old sewing notions at flea markets, junk shops, consignment stores, thrift shops etc.

Lots Of Creativity At Pink Grapefruit Style on Etsy

You can just feel the creativity juices flowing as Pink Grapefruit Style always has a fresh supply for you to tinker with.

Vintage Christmas Craft Supply List

1. Old buttons
2. Old red, white, green yarn (or take apart an old torn sweater).
3. Vintage jingle bells,
4. Red, green, white ribbons
5. red or green thumb tacks
6. Red berries (from an old hat)
8. Red, green, silver, gold sequins
9. Red and green beads
10. Old Christmas cards
11. Vintage Christmas tissue paper
12. Vintage Christmas cards
13. Millinery supplies
14. Old floral supplies
15. Red and green rick rack
16. Old advertising from holiday packages.
17. Old feathers and flowers (can take off from vintage hat).
18. Old stickers, labels, cut-outs. (new old stock).
19. Fabric remnants.
20. Vintage tablecloth cutters.
21. Vintage lace, material, textiles.

What Can You Make With Vintage Christmas Sewing Notions , Craft Supplies, Old Paper

1. Add old sewing notions to your wrapped presents and gift bags.

2. Attach a vintage Christmas card to a gift.

3. Create your own gift tags using old images, vintage notions.
4, Make your own vintage inspired Christmas ornament.

5. Recycle old cards into a greeting card bowl

6. Add vintage millinery trim to a knitted or croqueted hat.

7. Use sewing notions, buttons and trim in making a Christmas wreath.
8. Decorate a Christmas stocking with vintage ribbons, trim etc.
9. Create a Christmas garland or pendant or banner.

10. Add embellishments to a hand decorated picture frame.

11. Make a Christmas bulletin board and add vintage trim.

12. Decorate holiday note cards or ornaments with jingle bells.

13. Make hanging collage art on a vintage plate.

14. Add red and green and holiday novelty vintage buttons to scarves, hats.

15. Create A red and green vintage button bracelet.

16. Make a pincushion and embellish with vintage sewing notions.

17. Paint a basket red and add vintage millinery trim such as berries the handles. and sides. Line the inside of the basket with an old Christmas hanky or vintage tea towel.

18. Make handmade Christmas window decorations.

19. Jazz up an old apron with vintage sewing notions, buttons, etc.

20. Cover an older glass jar cover with fabric and vintage notions.

21. Make a Shabby Chic holiday ornament.

22. Create your own Christmas stocking out of a vintage tablecloth.

23. Enjoy making a glittered snowflake ornament.

24. Try a homemade holiday favor cup.

25. Make vintage ornaments with old Christmas images.
All photo shown are the courtesy of http://www.etsy.com/shop/pinkgrapefruitstyle

More Handmade Holiday Ideas

http://www.squidoo.com/best-handmade-christmas-decorations-2010

http://rubyglen.com/articles/handmadechristmas.htm

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Authors Guild, Inc.

Vintage Decorating And Entertaining Ideas For Christmas

Tis The Season To Decorate With Red, Green, White Kitchen Collectibles

Retro Kitsch in The Kitchen For The Holidays
Tis the season to decorate the kitchen and home for the holidays. One easy way to bring a cozy Vintage look into your house is to look for kitchen collectibles that are red and white or
red, white and green.

Grouping Similar Colors Together For A Festive Vintage Holiday

I have selected some of my favorite photos to show you how delicious red, green and white kitchen collectible look when grouped together. Now only the first photo is actually Christmas themed, but you can see how festive the other items look in the holiday colors. And you could of course use these collectibles throughout the year or save them for the holidays.

1940s And 1950s Colors Of Red, Green, White

During the 1940s and 1950s,colors of red, green, white was a very common color palette and so there a plenty of housewares and kitchen-wares in these colors. When you combine these colors you get a very warm feeling.

Traditional Holiday Decorating

The nice part about collecting vintage housewares and kitchen items is that these collectibles are both
practical and decorative. this is a nice way to bring the holiday colors into your kitchen or dining area.
Festive Kitchen Ideas From The Kitschy Collector
Here are some kitchenwares to look for :
1. Tea towels
2. Tablecloths
3. Kitchen Canisters
4. Bread box
5. Tumblers
6. Red and white scale
7. Planters
8. Bowls

And for the most part, you will find that the prices for kitchen collectibles are quite reasonable so that you will really be able to freshen up your kitchen for the holidays on a budget.

Photos Courtesy of:

http://www.retro-redheads.com/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Holliezhobbiez

http://www.etsy.com/shop/AntiquesGaloreGal?ref=seller_info

http://www.etsy.com/shop/RetroRevival


C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Authors Guild, Inc.

Decorating Your Vintage Kitchen For The Holidays

Using Lots of Red Vintage Kitchen Collectibles To Warm Up Kitchen For The Holidays

A lovely way to dress up your kitchen and home for the holidays is to add some red vintage kitchen accessories which are both practical and decorative. You will find some lovely vintage kitchen items at http://www.etsy.com/shop/kelleystreetvintage

Buying Older Kitchen-wares

When selecting older kitchen wares to use, be sure that the inside surfaces of tin items are free of rust and that pottery and glass housewares such as kitchen bowls, jars or vases are not cracked or chipped.

Using Elegant Vintage Red Tole Trays To Serve Your holiday Guests Or To Display As Wall Decor

Older kitchen-wares such as, Tole trays, bowls, plates, scales, jars, tins, baskets and more are easy to find and can warm up any style kitchen, especially during the holidays.

Decorating Versus Using Vintage Kitchen-wares

It is a different story if you are only using a vintage kitchenware as a shelf piece or for decoration, but if you intend to use these objects for food or liquid you need to be sure they can safely handle the job.

Vintage Red Toile Transfer Plates Look Beautiful During The Holidays

Red toile transfer plates look great hung on the wall or used on a holiday table. Tole trays can also be used as wall decor or taken down at this time and used for serving holiday guests.

Holiday Cookies In Vintage Jars

Vintage glass jars will look so lovely with holiday cookies inside or sitting on your kitchen counter with flour, sugar and other dry goods.

Adding Vintage Tablecloths And Linens To Your Holiday Table

And don't forget to include vintage linens, especially tablecloths which will help to organize your color palette . Yo can chose a colorful floral or even decorate with older holiday themed linens. This time of year you will find plenty of textiles to buy. But don't wait too long....a lot of people are after vintage Christmas tablecloths.

Don't be afraid to mix several color of "red" together along with different textures in your vintage kitchen. Today there are no rules. So go ahead and start creating a charming Country Cottage holiday look or even a kitschy Retro Holiday!

Resources For Vintage Kitchen Collectibles

http://www.decorativedishes.net/
http://www.collinsvilleantiques.com/
http://www.preservecottage.com/home.html
http://www.etsy.com/shop/kelleystreetvintage
http://www.retro-redheads.com/

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Authors Guild, Inc.

"Designed To Order": A Floral Designer Inspired By Antique Feather Christmas Trees

Introducing "Designed To Order" A Magical Floral Designer

Today I visited Donna at "Designed To Order" a spectacular floral designer who took me around her magical shoppe on Main Street in Manchester, CT. While Donna produces both contemporary and traditional arrangements she is often inspired by vintage looks.

Antique Feather Trees

Her colorful, dazzling store has many Feather Trees and arrangements embellished with feathers, berries and ornaments reminiscent of an antique Christmas.
Just like the original Feather Christmas Trees, Donna creates sparkling trees in colors of white, red, silver, blue, gold, lavender etc.

The Golden Glow Collector Club
According to the website "The Golden Glow", a club for collectors of antique Christmas
items the Feather Tree was America's first introduction to artificial trees.

Dime Store Imports

Sold in dime stores during the 1920s and 30's, The Feather Tree was developed in Germany and brought to America by German immigrants in the late 1800's.

"These trees were made of dyed goose and turkey feathers which were attached to wires which became the branches for the first artificial trees. Both round and square wooden bases were used. These bases replicated the wooden buckets that were used for bases of live evergreen trees in Germany.

Some trees had composition berries on the tips while others had holders for candles.

Feather Trees Came in Lots of Colors

The trees came in various colors: white, green, blue, light green, and gold. The importing of these trees stopped during WWII. Following the war, some trees were reintroduced to the American market but by that time Americans had already started producing their own version of the artificial tree, the "visca tree."

A Return of Feather Trees in the 1980's

It wasn't until the 1980s that "feather trees" were reintroduced to the American market. This time the trees were being produced by American craftsmen." http://www.goldenglow.org/antique-feather-trees.htm

Using Vintage and Antique Vases, Planters , Art Glass for Bases

At "Designed To Order" you will find beautiful trees and arrangements with very fair prices.
Many clients bring in antique and vintage planters, baskets, tins or art glass and Donna makes works of floral art using the customer's unique bases and containers. She also has plenty of prepared arrangements as well as lots of gorgeous bases in ceramic, glass etc. Donna uses both silk and fresh flowers.

For more information contact:

"Designed To Order

857 Main St.
Manchester, CT 06040
860-432-9015

Read More About Antique Christmas at:

The Golden Glow (a club collectors of antique Christmas items). Antique Feather Tree photos shown courtesy of The Golden Glow.

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff

Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com

Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.