Using your collectibles.

[LolitaHaze]

Ladies... I don't know about you, but for the most part when I collect something vintage/antique I like to be able to use it. Now while I envy your collections that you have shown, the compacts come to mind, I can't see myself picking up more than one or two of them and not using them. That is poorly worded... Let me try this... Nothing against anyone's collection, but I don't see the purpose of having more than one radio (for example) that I don't use. Mind you this question is coming from a gal who hordes everything and can't throw anything out.

Anyway, I was curious what you guys collect that you use in your everyday life and not just to collect/store/have. Clothes are an obvious, but what are some other things?

 

[decodoll]

I tend to be the same. My major collection are my patterns and while I haven't used them all yet, I hope to someday. I won't buy a pattern for something I wouldn't wear even if I think it's the most gorgeous outfit ever...unless by some chance I can get a fabulous deal on it. All my vintage dishes get used. I don't buy clothes I don't intend to wear. Perhaps if I had more money and more space to store and display things, I'd shop differently.

 

[Miss Neecerie]

Funny thing is...

I use all the compacts I have, except one. And that one, was intended to be used but arrived in such perfect shape that I could not face adding powder to it.

The rest of mine, I use, because to me, like shoes, hats, or purses, different compacts go with different outfits.

This is part of why I do not buy picture perfect compacts in general, I tend to get them well loved by their previous owner so that I do not feel guily about scratching them or otherwise messing them up.

 

[LolitaHaze]

Decodoll... I too buy only patterns that I intend on making... unfortunately it is taking me longer than I would hope to get on the ball about that. I eventually want to change my apt over to vintage/antiques, but I am having a hard time doing that because I don't want to buy frivolus (sp?) knick-knacks just because they are vintage... one day I'll be able to sort through it all and figure out what I want... sadly furniture pieces ($) seem to be the base and need to come first. LOL

MissNeecerie... How do you add powder to the compacts? Do you just use loose powder? If so, doesn't it seep out the edges? Speaking of compacts, can you find them in silvers? Most of what I see in mid-century jewelry/beauty is usually golds... I don't like golds. Like you, I don't mind dings (on anything) most of the time because I plan on handling it as well... and if they aren't there to begin with... I am sure I will put them there!

 

[Lady Day]

Id say scarves.

I know scarves can be worn with clothes, but I consider them an accessory, and not a necessity.

I have over 300 right now, and I try to wear, have on my person, or be in the company of one at all times. I an constantly thinking what scarf would look good with 'X'.

Except for clothing/ clothing related items (like scarves ), I cant think of multiple vintage type collectables one would use everyday.

LD

 

[decodoll]

I look at Knick-Knacks this way, as long as I only have an average amount to accessorize my home, they aren't really a collection, and they are being used for their intended purpose in everyday life. So don't feel bad about decorating with some knick-knacks if you like them.

fftopic: Lolita, did you know that you are on TV right now on On Demand? I was watching some Rockabilly shorts this afternoon filmed at VLV and there you were.

 

[LolitaHaze]

I look at Knick-Knacks this way, as long as I only have an average amount to accessorize my home, they aren't really a collection, and they are being used for their intended purpose in everyday life. So don't feel bad about decorating with some knick-knacks if you like them.

fftopic: Lolita, did you know that you are on TV right now on On Demand? I was watching some Rockabilly shorts this afternoon filmed at VLV and there you were.

fftopic: (But with a smiley face) Hehehe Yeah... I have yet to see it, though. I don't have demand. A friend of mine said she'd tape it for me and send it to me. It was filmed at Viva Las Vegas this year. They interviewed us as part of the car show. We were there handing out flyers for the upcoming Miss Exotic World Burlesque pageant in Vegas.

The only trouble with me getting kk's at the moment, is that I really have no place to put them. Grrrrr...

 

[LolitaHaze]

Lady Day... I like scraves, but I find I only wear them in my hair as big bow do rags. I get a lot of compliments on it too... but I usually have rollers underneath!

 

[Shimmy Sally]

Antique Road Show

A close friend of mine collected antique bottle stoppers for a couple years. I thought that was very odd, but she had some beautiful pieces. Mostly glass and porcelain. Then last month, as she packed for a move she said, "Why did I do this?"
She then sold them all at auction for a fortune. I had inherited a vintage salt & pepper shaker collection, but have sold and given away most of it.
Did you ever see the show on PBS with the man who collected vintage toasters and fans? I can imagine a first date reaction to his room full of old fans...

 

[Naama]

I don't know, but I'm not really a collector of special things, but I often buy old things simply because they are old and pretty (Only thing I kind of collect are old cameras) Like, I bought a razor from the 20's, why? I don't know, but I'm sure I won't shave anything with it. I think buying useless things like that all the time is much worse than collection some special kind of useless things.

Naama

 

[LizzieMaine]

Somebody once told me "if you have more than one of anything, it's a collection." So by that standard, there's very few things I *don't* collect -- not so much by intent as by the fact that I'm a terrible pack rat.

But I do try to *use* the things I collect. I have a huge pile of patterns, most of which I've either used already or intend on using as soon as I come across the right fabric (I also have piles of fabric I intend on using as soon as I come across the right pattern.) I also try to use a lot of the kitcheny doodads I've accumulated -- utensils and gadgets and the like. And I try to make very good use of the books and magazines I collect -- many of them were accumulated as research material for my own writing.

I haven't always stuck to the "be practical" rule in collecting -- but one advantage to living in a very small house is that eventually circumstances force you to be practical and only add things you can use -- because you just don't have room for anything else!

 

[jitterbugdoll]

Aside from clothing, I collect compacts, magazines, patterns, vintage pinups, and milk glass.

I use the compacts (I alternate them as the mood strikes me), read and study the magazines, intend to use the patterns someday, and display most of the pinups. I also display some of the milk glass (candy dishes) and use the rest (I have a nearly complete set of dishes.)

I don't really collect anything that I don't use, though I will pick up the occasional vintage cosmetic tin and toiletry bottle. I have them displayed in my bathroom, of course

I also have a number of vintage clocks and lamps, but I consider those to be practical items.

Oh, as for adding powder to compacts, women used loose powder. Some compacts came with a screen, and others came with a metal 'door' that helped contain the loose powder. You can also fill the compact with homemade pressed powder (you don't need the screen then.)

Compacts came in a variety of metals and other materials besides gold tone metal. I actually have an oversized faux tortoiseshell compact from the early 40s in my small collection.

 

[Miss Neecerie]

Oh, as for adding powder to compacts, women used loose powder. Some compacts came with a screen, and others came with a metal 'door' that helped contain the loose powder. You can also fill the compact with homemade pressed powder (you don't need the screen then.)

Compacts came in a variety of metals and other materials besides gold tone metal. I actually have an oversized faux tortoiseshell compact from the early 40s in my small collection.

I will post some pictures of the screens and the doors tonight. I just read this post after I got to work so could not do it this morning.

 

[jitterbugdoll]

Here's an example of a screen:

And an example of a door:

The doors work better than the screens, but both are slightly messy due to the nature of loose powder.

 

[fortworthgal]

I prefer the screens, actually! Every time I open the little door it seems I end up with powder going everywhere. lol

I collect milk glass, USQMC-ware and restaurantware, magazines, WWII cookbooks, clothes and the obvious accessories - bags, hats, etc. I have 3 or 4 compacts but I use all of them in different bags. I don't buy anything I can't use or wear. I don't like to buy pieces just to have them sit on a shelf and look nice.

That being said, I do have what one might call a "collection" of old toiletries that I display in my WWII footlocker. I take it to events and display it for the public. I guess those are things I am not really "using" per se.

 

[RetroModelSari]

Oh wel I got to admit that I have many things that I bought excusing myself "Oh I gonna wear it in a photoshoot" but than it neeeeeeeeeever happens

 

[jitterbugdoll]

I prefer the screens, actually! Every time I open the little door it seems I end up with powder going everywhere.

I'm using one with a screen right now, and every time I close it a cloud of powder poofs out!

 

[Shimmy Sally]

Ladies... I don't know about you, but for the most part when I collect something vintage/antique I like to be able to use it. Anyway, I was curious what you guys collect that you use in your everyday life and not just to collect/store/have.

One of my brothers collects and trades shot glasses on eBay. That's another one I don't get.

I have inherited some vintage and antique furniture, lamps, curtains, fine china, glassware, cookware, silverware, silver plates/dishes, knick knacks, books, photo albums, WWII items, ladies fans, buttons & sewing notions, etc.
I also have an ugly 1940s Hummel gardening girl for sale. I hate Hummel.

The only thing I avidly collect is 1930s-40s filigree and crystal rhinestone jewelry. That started when I inherited a variety of jewelry styles from my great aunts. I have some pearls, cameo, precious stones, shell, and such, but the rhinestone are my favorite. I rotate the jewelry out of a safe deposit box, stored in silk and jewelry chests. I have a vintage jewelry "dresser" and numerous velvet-lined boxes of various sizes and types. I have many pieces which would be too fragile to wear, so no I don't "use" everything I collect.

 

[Rosie]

My favorite compact (thanks Neecerie ) has a screen and a door. I love it, keeps all the loose powder contained.

I don't buy anything I won't use. If I buy it, I like it and will wear it, use it, etc.

 

[Miss_Bella_Hell]

I have two sets of vintage kitchen canisters - one chrome, one enameled orange, that I use in my kitchen and in my bathroom (the Flour canister holds my hair flowers lol). I use vintage drinking glasses, china, and plastic plates (Melmac) every day. I have taken advantage of my current in-process move to weed out non-vintage dinnerware and kitchen things.

All vintage clothing I buy, I wear. Including bathing suits, lingerie, etc. If it's not something I'll wear I don't buy it!