Vintage Collector..Picker..Dumpster Diver..Hoarder ?

QUESTION ???

Which best describes a vintage collector:

a) picker
b) dumpster diver
c) hoarder
d) all of the above

Answer: 

d) all of the above...
but we like to think that we are not hoarders & that we would never be featured on an episode of "Hoarders".   Although, from the looks of our stockroom...you might want to check back in 5 years !!! ;)

We've done it all...we've picked everywhere (garage sales, yard sales, church sales, estate sales, & every type of auction). We've even dumpster dived a few times (we tell few people about that) !!!

Funny thing is...Lorraine & I have been doing this our whole lives & suddenly it's fashionable. We never realized that we were leading the "Glamorous Life".

What's made it so glamorous ???  Reality TV

&

We're loving TV right now...Reality TV that is...

There are so many shows devoted to finding treasures...

You've got the classic "Antiques Roadshow" (we've been watching & searching for ours for years).

Followed by one of our new favorites "Pawn Stars" (although the Pawn shops we've visited all smelled of cigarette smoke & sold mostly guns, electronics, & jewelry).

"American Pickers" (pssssssssst Frank & Mike...there's a guy on Route 209 in Accord, NY that they might be interested in visiting...from the road it looks like he has a treasure trove for those who like old car parts, pipes, etc...a Junker's Heaven).

"Storage Wars" (we've been to those auctions)...mostly men (Lorraine & I are a minority here)...we liken storage auctions to a scratch off lottery ticket...You buy them & you hope it's a winner. Our "Favorite Storage Auction Find"... a vintage 1940's storage locker. We love, Love, LOVE that era, but the bid went too high & we lost. :(

&

the show that most collectors of anything FEAR...

"Hoarders" (one scary show...after watching, we clean for days).  On second thought, if we don't get that back stock room cleaned...

Hoardville here we come !!!

People never asked us about our hobby/business & now it's all the rage...GO FIGURE !!!

We'd be doing this even if it weren't the latest craze. It's in our blood...you might say "A Family Thing". We remember...our Pop Tony was a picker & when we were kids, he would take us hiking through the woods in seach of old bottles & rocks. As young children, our Mom introduced us to auctions (we loved "Boxed Lots"...treasure chest in a cardboard box). Yard sales, church sales, estate sales, & even bulk pickup night here in Staten Island, NY all call our name. I guess we're just.......

Born Junkers,
Kathleen Sforza
Lorraine Sforza Razzano

Town & Country Gifts
1213 Castleton Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10310
718-447-8237

Websites:
Lorraine's Favorite Finds (an eBay Store)
Kathleen Rose's Collection (an eBay Store)
Lorraine's Favorite Finds (an Etsy Shoppe)

Blogs:
Kathleen Rose's Collection
Accessories by Ashley Rae

THE HURRIER I GO...THE BEHINDER I GET !!!

We couldn't have said it better...

THIS IS US !!!

My sister, Lorraine, & I are on the what we call...

"The Treadmill of Life"

& it must be on real fast because...

This summer is  "OVER"  :(

Where did it go ???

It seems that it was just "Memorial Day" !!! (By the way...this was the last time we posted anything here.)

& now it's "Labor Day" !!!

The entire summer was a roller coaster.

So many commitments & so much change.

Some good...Some not so good...

First...the bad news Lorraine's husband, Joe, was laid off from his job after 30 years. :(

Add to that...we had lots of Proms & Prom Parties (don't ask...it's a NY thing...we think ?),

Graduation Parties (high school & college),

Bridal Showers,

Lots of Birthdays & one very important 21st Birthday,

& our Family Vacation.

We then come home to an Earthquake that neither I nor my sister felt. We were talking to each other on the phone...multi-tasking (our lives are always on the move), when all of a sudden her kids (age 24, 21, & 18) were screaming & she said;

 "I gotta go...the kids are screaming & making so much noise that I can't hear."

I said "Are they ever going to grow up & shut up!".

Turns out they were screaming because the Earth was moving under their feet.

Here's a pic of "Earthquake Damage" floating around on Facebook:

LOL !!!

Then we had the unwelcome visitor "IRENE" !!!

We survived with only minimal damage. Flooded basements & stinky houses from all the water, but when we watch the news from "The Catskills" in upstate NY & parts of NJ, we are thankful that ours was minimal.

So, here it is September 2nd & "Labor Day" is here...

On Sunday, we'll have one last summer "Family BBQ". 

&

We're hoping that we can slow down on this "Treadmill of Life", but dare we say it...

"There are only are only 113 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS !!!"  

Click here for the Christmas Countdown:  Christmas Clock

So here we go...& we are sure that...

THE HURRIER WE GO...THE BEHINDER WE GET !!!

Enjoying the end of Summer,
Kathleen & Lorraine

BTW...This adorable "OWL" is available here. SOLD

Town & Country Gifts
1213 Castleton Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10310
718-447-8237

Websites:
Lorraine's Favorite Finds (Our eBay Store)
Lorraine's Favorite Finds (Our Etsy Shoppe)
Kathleen Rose's Collection (Our eBay Store)


Blogs
Kathleen Rose's Collection
Accessories by Ashley Rae
The Savvy Sisters

Treasure Hunting...Memorial Day in Accord, NY

Memorial Day Weekend...

Means...

Searching for "Our Treasures"...

Here...There...and Everywhere...

We were so happy that most places were OPEN.

First...WE SHOPPED...

THEN WE SORTED...

And soon it will be all listed here:

www.lorrainesfavoritefinds.com

Till' Next Time...We will still be "Treasure Hunting",

Kathleen & Lorraine

Town & Country Gifts

1213 Castleton Avenue

Staten Island, NY 10310

718-447-8237

Websites:

www.lorrainesfavoritefinds.com (an eBay Store)

www.kathleenrosescollection.com (an eBay Store)

Blogs:

www.kathleenrosescollection.blogspot.com

http://www.accessoriesbyashleyrae.blogspot.com/

WARNING...ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK...HOARDER HOUSE SALE !!!

A few weekends ago...we visited two different types of sales...


The first was at a church & here we found some of our most fabulous finds...

BUT today we will tell you about....the second one !!!

WARNING...ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK

"A HOARDER HOUSE SALE"

YIKES !!!

The first word that popped into our minds was...

UNBELIEVABLE...

We were Speechless, Horrified & Sad...All at the same time.

My sister & I had been to this house before...


In the past, we had purchased a few things from the gentlemen who had owned the house. His yard sales were a bit messy, but nothing prepared us for this visit.


When we arrived...his friend told us he had passed...it goes without saying...she was very emotional...& we spoke about how nice a man he was. This was the first time that we had ever entered the house.

As we walked around his home...it saddened us & we wondered how someone could possibly live like this. There were clues to the hoarding, but nothing prepared us for what was actually going on inside.

We all have things that we have a hard time parting with...but this is to the extreme. We looked around & we wanted to find something that we could take away as a remembrance of this kind man.

I was able to find a pretty blue decanter & glasses with the label marked Italy...

My sister, Lorraine found some old maps & bottles...

We have yet to decide if we will sell them.


Maybe we'll keep the memory of this man alive.


On second thought....


& from the looks of our  store stockroom, Lorraine's garage & the buckets in my backyard...maybe we are only one step away from becoming "HOARDERS" & the blue decanter, maps, & bottles might soon be available for sale here: http://www.lorrainesfavoritefinds.com/.


Stay tuned for more adventures from the...


"Savvy Sisters" from Staten Island who "LOVE TO SHOP"...
Kathleen & Lorraine


Town & Country Gifts
1213 Castleton Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10310
718-447-8237


Websites:
http://www.lorrainesfavoritefinds.com/ (an eBay Store)
http://www.kathleenrosescollection.com/ (an eBay Store)
http://www.lorrainesfinds.etsy.com/ (an Etsy Shop)


Blogs:
http://www.kathleenrosescollection.blogspot.com/
http://www.accessoriesbyashleyrae.blogspot.com/

"Trash" or "Treasure"...Have We Found Our Million Dollar Treasure???

The flowers are blooming, the birds are chirping...

It's spring !!! 

For us, it's the beginning of...

"Our Shopping Season" !!! 

We're on the road again...in search of "Our Treasures". 

Maybe this will be the year that we find our...

"Million Dollar Roadshow Treasure" !!!

We feel it...It's almost here... After All...
We've put "The Secret" out there. ;)

So far...we've found a few things...

But...

We may have to call in the experts to see if we have... 

"Trash" or "Treasure" !!! 

Google searched both & we couldn't find another.

Perhaps they are both "OOAK"
(eBay lingo for one-of-a-kind) translation...

 "Maybe More Valuable" !!!

One is a piece of art...

Google Search Engine said...

that the person was a curator in a museum in Europe.  :)

Although,

it could also be someone who won a big lawsuit.  ;)

hmmm...Whom should we hope for ???

 

The other is a pencil drawing...

haven't researched it yet.

One thing we do know...it's no Picasso.

Most of our family & friends laugh at us,

BUT

 It is "Our Passion".

 AND

Maybe one day we too, will be laughing...
All the way to the "BANK" !!!

  
Still Searching...

Kathleen & Lorraine

Town & Country Gifts

1213 Castleton Avenue

Staten Island, NY 10310

718-447-8237

Store Hours: Wednesday through Saturday 10:30 until 5:00

Websites:

http://www.lorrainesfavoritefinds.com/(an eBay Store)

http://www.kathleenrosescollection.com/ (an eBay Store)

Blogs:

http://www.kathleenrosescollection.blogspot.com/

http://www.accessoriesbyashleyrae.blogspot.com/

Martini Time...We're Celebrating !!!

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaay.................

We've done it...We've hit "Our Goal" of 100 items listed in our eBay Store...http://www.lorrainesfavoritefinds.com/. 

We had hoped to accomplish this by February 1st, but "Our Motto" better late than never. Here are few of "Our Finds".

Love this framed print by Margaret Kane...

$99.99 SOLD

Framed Print Measures:  14 1/4" Width x 18 1/4" Height

We consider this print to be in good vintage condition.  It is sooo.... adorable.  We do not know how old it is.  The Print has a chrome frame with a marigold yellow matte.

We offer free shipping on this item to the lower 48 states

(excluding Alaska & Hawaii).

International customers must contact us before purchasing for shipping quotes.

Vintage Laguna Crystal Necklace

$149.99

Approximate Measurements: 16" Long

We found this stunning 1950's choker necklace at an estate sale. It has clusters of crystals and pearls dangling off of a gold tone chain. This piece is very well made and is absolutely beautiful. It is signed on the clasp "Laguna".

Definitely a must have piece! Has an aged vintage look. Just what we love!! It would look amazing with a vintage style wedding dress.

Overall...We consider this choker to be in good vintage condition.

We offer free shipping on this item to the lower 48 states

(excluding Alaska & Hawaii).

International customers must contact us before purchasing for shipping quotes.

Lovely Porcelain Stem Flowers...

$49.99  (SOLD)


We found these porcelain stem flowers at an estate sale. We do not know the age. They are porcelain & have wire stems coated in plastic. Two of the stems have wire exposed (crack in the plastic stem). One of the stems is a rose & another is a pansy. We are not sure what type of flower the other three are. They are all in good vintage condition. The petal edges are rough to the touch & looks like there is one small chip or it maybe just a peeling of the paint on the yellow pansy (we could not get a good picture...it does not take away from the beauty of the flower).

We offer free shipping on this item to the lower 48 states
(excluding Alaska & Hawaii).
International customers must contact us before purchasing for shipping quotes.

Adorable...Vintage Crocheted Apron

$29.99
SOLD

We consider this apron to be in good vintage condition. We have not cleaned the apron because it looks very clean & crisp & no obvious odor. There are no tags. Apron is crocheted (maybe handmade) in ecru & pink. Very cute for a retro/cottage kitchen.

We offer free shipping on this item to the lower 48 states
(excluding Alaska & Hawaii).
International customers must contact us before purchasing for shipping quotes.

Heissner Gnome Planter 

$29.99 SOLD

Gnome Planter Measures: 7" Height x 6" Width x 4" Depth

We found these gnome planter at an estate sale. We do not know the age. We consider the planter to be in good vintage condition. Colors are still bright. Very minor wear. Planter is marked Heisnner...West Germany...967.

We offer free shipping on this item to the lower 48 states
(excluding Alaska & Hawaii).
International customers must contact us before purchasing for shipping quotes.

And this is how we felt after listing everything "NUTS"...We need a "Brandy"

Adorable Vintage Aqua Blue Nut Bowl

This item is up for auction on eBay...click here http://www.lorrainesfavoritefinds.com/ & place your bid...GOOD LUCK !!!

Clicking...Listing...& Hopefully Selling,

Lorraine & Kathleen

Town & Country Gifts

1213 Castleton Avenue

Staten Island, NY 10310

718-447-8237

Websites:

http://www.lorrainesfavoritefinds.com/ (an eBay Store)

http://www.kathleenrosescollection.com/ (an eBay Store)

Blogs:

http://www.kathleenrosescollection.blogspot.com/

http://www.accessoriesbyashleyrae.blogspot.com/

 

 

Washing...Ironing...Listing Vintage Linens on Ebay

Snowy Day...Cabin Fever...Decided to Wash, Iron, & List some vintage linens on eBay. Click on...http://www.lorrainesfavoritefinds.com/ for a peak.

Here are a few of "Our Finds".

As we were listing, a theme emerged...
A Pennsylvania Dutch (German) Retro Theme.

Fabulous Retro Linen Towel...

Love the bright bold colors !!!

 Price...$29.99

We consider this linen towel to be in good vintage condition. We have not cleaned the towel. It appears to have never been used, however, we are not 100% sure. There are no tags. Towel is linen. Very cute for a retro/cottage kitchen.

Please Note: Colors in Photos are whiter than in person. Towel has a more beige look (linen color).

Towel Measure: 29" x 16"

~ Gorgeous Black Tole Painted Folk Art Tray ~

in the
Peter Hunt Style

Price...$99.99

We consider this tray to be in good vintage condition. There are a few scratches (minor considering age) & paint loss with minor rusting (please see photo of girls face ). Overall..we think it is a great piece. Colors are very bright. This is a very cute tray.

Tray measures: 13 1/4" Diameter

...Another Gorgeous Tray in the style of Peter Hunt

$99.99

We consider this tray to be in good vintage condition. There are a few scratches (minor considering age) & paint loss with minor rusting (please see photos). Overall..we think it is a great piece. Colors are very bright. This is a very cute tray.

Tray measures: 13 1/4" Diameter

Please Note:

We offer free shipping on all items to the lower 48 states

(exluding Alaska & Hawaii)

International customers must contact us before purchasing to determine shipping charges.

There is a saying that best describes vintage items...

"If you like new, vintage is not for you."

Funny thing...
Why is it that we don't mind washing & ironing vintage linens???
When in actuality...We "HATE" doing laundry!!!
Go Figure!  ;)

Washing & Ironing,

Lorraine & Kathleen

Town & Country Gifts

1213 Castleton Avenue

Staten Island, NY 10310

718-447-8237

Websites:

http://www.kathleenrosescollection.com/ (an eBay Store)

http://www.lorrainesfavoritefinds.com/ (an eBay Store)

Blogs:

http://www.kathleenrosescollection.blogspot.com/

http://www.lorrainesfavoritefinds.blogspot.com/