stock up the shop: the blues

No, I don't have the blues, but I found lots of blues this week...and browns. Glad I went out early in the week because that allowed me to just stay put and do some listing instead of heading out in the twenty, yes twenty, inches of snow we got over the course of Friday, Friday night, and Saturday. The moisture was much needed around here, and of course the skiers, sledders, and snow-cave-builders are quite thrilled. I actually quite enjoy driving around in the snow, but today I was happy to stay put.

Found these pretty pottery candle holders made by Brayton Pottery of Laguna Beach, California.  Didn't know anything about them until I did research at home. The company existed from 1927 - 1968, producing mostly glossy figurines, some for Walt Disney. Later in the 50s and 60s, they made some more modern home decor items using this "wood tone" finish. Nothing super valuable or astonishing, but an interesting tidbit of history - and actually a couple of really pretty pieces!   

These turquoise blue and gold spatter High Ball or Iced Tea glasses are from Federal's Prestige line. Made popular by Eva Zeisel's contributions to the line, the heavy knob at the base is an indicator of these pieces.
As for the spattering, not sure why, ,when or how that happened, but they're interesting for sure!

This is a really lovely puzzle of Pennsylvania Dutch Hex Signs as painted by artist Marilyn Marshall. In excellent condition with 500 pieces...made the whole family work on it for two days and we got it all together with ...499 pieces! Can you believe it?? It's soooo pretty, I just can't bring myself to list it with one tiny piece missing. What would you do? 

So, I won't list a damaged puzzle, but I did list this beautiful blue
Michael Lax for Copco Denmark spouted sauce pan.
Despite some significant chips around the edges, I just had to pick it up because I adore this blue color. Hopefully someone out there will appreciate picking it up for a great price - it's still very usable!

Just a simple set of teak salad servers...lovely and unmarked.

Is this inappropriate? Found one of Taylor & Ng's Animates mugs with some
let's say, frolicking, bunnies.
I think these are hilarious. Hubs realllllly wants to shock his workmates with it, I'd like to sell it. 

Kinda country, kinda mod... In awesome condition and excellent quality, I just had to grab these pretty farm scene canisters. Made by Anchor Hocking and "signed" Nina 1982.

Superbowl? Anyone care? I don't, now that the Packers are out, but I'm going to use it as an excuse to sit and drink beer at home on a Sunday afternoon...wait, I do that every weekend... Well, enjoy the rest of the weekend, football lovers and haters alike.

~ Jenny

stock up the shop: just a coupla things

Ran around for a bit this weekend and found just a few things. Left several places empty handed, which is disappointing and satisfying at the same time. I've been on a listing frenzy lately, and now actually feel "caught up." So, now it feels good to be able to take my time, be selective, enjoy the process, and take time to learn as much as possible.

OK, on to the finds:

Yes, I already have some similar, Yugoslavian, versions of these in the shop.
After hemming and hawing, I finally decided to grab these  because of their matte undersides... I thought
perhaps Krenit by Herbert Krenchel of Denmark. No real proof that they are unfortunately,
but they're so nice and have great style. Listed here.

This Kolf of Austria fabric has such a cute folksy design to it. I recently sold some Kolf linens, I think they are so fun although I don't know anything about the company. This is a nice large piece, in crispy clean, never-been-washed condition. Vintage fabrics are still so intriguing to me. I have ridiculous amounts of fabric, waiting to be used.
One of these days I'll do a sewing post! This will be listed as soon as I get it measured.

Sometimes I just can't resist the Japanese stoneware. There's a lot of it out there, that's for sure.
Something about these fluttering butterflies caught my eye.

Finally, this is a rare Corning Ware 10" skillet. It coordinates with the classic Cornflower Blue pattern, but it is that beautiful solid blue with a white interior, and nice black and stainless handle. I've only been able to find one listed on Ebay, and nowhere else. I'd like to list it in the shop, but hubs think he might like to cook eggs in it. We'll see.

Have a great week y'all!
~ Jenny

stock up the shop: catch up and fantastic finds

Happy New Year everyone! Oh wow have I neglected this little blog. I've been neglecting my internet duties, but have NOT been neglecting my stock-up-the-shop duties. This post will be mostly eye-candy rather than content, so here are some of my favorite new finds for the new year! Everything's in, or on its way to, the creekhouse shop!

1960s Playplax building toy

Mid Century Plata Moderna Silver Mexican Bar Set

Interdesign Storage Container

Mid Century Loma of Arizona Desertware Mugs

Retro Heart Valentine's Day Mug

Harlequin Mauve Blue Covered Sugar Bowl

Hallmark Japan Danish Modern Style Candle Holder

Cute Japanese Planter

Polish Enameled Stock Pot

Mod Flowers Thermal Coffee Carafe - Not Listed Yet!

Unipet for Upjohn by McCoy Pet Treat Jar
(Lid is a bell! So cute!)
Not listed yet, because I think my dog and cat really like it.

Amazing Rotary Dial White Phone - Not listed yet

Whew! This is a nice sampling of the stuff that I came across over the past few weeks. Forgive me for the somewhat lazy post.
Hey, did I tell you I'm on Twitter? (@thecreekhouse)
Have you checked out Pinterest? So cool, and so tempting to spend hours...but I'm just getting started.
By the way I'm also on Flickr
And Facebook!
I have found some pretty fun stuff that I'll spend more time posting about because I think you'll think it's pretty cool, too. Cheers to 2012!
~ Jenny

stock up the shop: yellows and blues

So, since starting my stock up the shop posts, I've noticed that the purchases seem to "go" together aesthetically. Not every piece, but when I place them on my table to take a photo, I'm struck each week at how nicely they fit together as a little grouping. Interesting, I think. I wonder why? Does this happen to you?

Seems like yellows and blues are the thing this week:

My camera focused funny in the dim Saturday evening light. Sorry for the not-so-crispy image. Here's what I rounded up today:
- Tensor mod "eyeball" lamp (I'm excited to see how this one cleans up.)
- Awesome set of four mint 70s stoneware mugs (Japan I assume...and what IS with all the mugs lately?)
- Gemco giant cream and sugar set in the Pyrex "Butterfly Gold" Pattern (What was that I said about C & S sets last week?)
- Heller glass canister (Gathering up a little collection here...to sell or keep, such a dilemma.)
- Metlox oval bowl (Has a really pretty, almost periwinkle, interior glaze.)
- Copenhagen Porcelain B&G Mors Dag 1974 commemorative plate (Mother's Day...adorable little polar bear cubs snuggling/suckling up to mama bear.)
- Silver clown bank

In my October 1 post, I showed a little wooden humidor I came across. It turned out to be a bit of a treasure, one of those "Should I, Shouldn't I?" moments. Just posting on this blog generated a bit of interest I wasn't prepared for. It turned out to be a highly collectible piece designed by Jean Gillon for Wood Art -made in Brazil in the 1960s. I ended up selling it on Ebay because I wasn't sure how to price it. I'll do a little feature post on it someday.

I don't want to get into the purchase price vs. sale price thing, but I always love that sense of following your gut feeling when treasure-hunting, that feeling of intrigue you get when you find something that seems like it might be something special, but it might very well be not so special. Thought it might be fun to highlight these experiences when they come along...the successes and failures...to provide perhaps some information, or maybe just a good laugh at my expense! :)

~ Jenny

stock up the shop: warm tones

Thought I'd join in the treasure-hunt-sharing trend and start regularly posting my weekend finds. I love seeing the things that other people find, so what the heck...maybe someone wants to see my scores! I know I'm always excited about them! My husband might just appreciate not being the only one who has to see show and tell each weekend.

I'm usually up and out on Saturday mornings, enjoying some much-needed alone time after a busy week of teaching elementary schoolers and being a mom of two, hitting a few favorite local thrift shops and also estate and garage sales. Some days, like today, I'm up and out before anyone is even awake.

So here's my Stock-Up Saturday:
- Dorothy Thorpe punch bowl (Pretty sure it's the real deal.)
- Dansk Tiny Tapers
- Pyrex blue snowflake bowl (I still can't resist some Pyrex now and then.)
- Arcopal France mushroom mug
- Pottery Craft Vino set (Decanter and four cups.)
- Made in Japan stainless and wood fish bottle opener (Husband may not let this go, sorry folks...we'll see.)
- Le Grand Tetras canteen France (I've never hiked with wine, but this might be the perfect excuse to start.)
- Cute little wooden bucket with "locking" lid and cork interior. (Came home and realized it's actually a little humidor for storing loose tobacco...strong smell of pipe tobacco. Hmmm. I like it, BUT...)
- Cattail wall hangings

Think I'll join in the fun over Her Library Adventures' Flea Market Finds on Sundays and Apron Thrift Girl's Thrift Share Mondays. Seems like a great way to get the blog up and going again!

Most of the things pictured here will end up in the creekhouse Etsy shop... I've gotten wayyyyy behind in listing so hopefully this weekend all of this, and more, will be in the shop.

Had a shelf collapse in the garage yesterday. Is that a bad sign?
~ Jenny

stock up the shop: diggin' digsmed

Recently came upon a sweet stash of Danish goodies at my favorite little thrift shop. I'd been curious about Digsmed items, and lo and behold, there they were. Isn't it funny how that happens? I can't find much information on the Digsmed company at this point, but I love the style and the clear smokey gray pieces that compliment the teak. The covered cheese board below is marked Digsmed Danmark, and is missing the original knife.

The Lazy Susan (Am I supposed to capitalize Lazy Susan? It doesn't look right with just "Susan" capitalized, and it doesn't look right with "susan" un-capitalized either.) Anyway, the lazy Susan (see?) is not marked, but the little glass gray dishes lead me to believe it's Digsmed. Even if not, it's a lovely piece!

Digsmed Danmark Covered Cheese Board

Digsmed? Lazy Susan with 8 Glass Dishes

Unfortunately, this baby is sold, but this is the quintessential Digsmed piece to get your hands on!

Click here to see other Digsmed listings on Etsy.

~ Jenny