Best of Vintage Etsy: Tole Trays

Tole trays have captivated the hearts of collectors for decades. Many Tole tray designs are painted on white or black trays, and may be most popular for their beautiful floral patterns. Highly collectible and moderately difficult to find, Tole trays are exceptional items to start a collection.

The craftsmanship of these trays is what makes them so loved by collectors all over the world. Here are some of our favorites from Etsy. Click on the image to go directly to seller’s store.

Don’t forget to check out our store at http://cjbcollectibles.etsy.com

You can always email us with questions about milk glass at cjbcollectibles@gmail.com.

Vintage Fairy Lamps: A Victorian Love Affair

There are a literally thousands of different glass categories that you could start to collect on your own, but few are as interesting as fairy lamps.

Fairy lamps are glass candle votives that typically are covered with a small opening on the top to let out heat. They are the primitive version of today’s modern electric lamp.

These charming candle lamps were first made popular in the Victorian era to illuminate hallways at night. They became even more popular in the mid-Nineteenth Century once manufacturers were able to mass-produce both glass and candles. There was even another reemergence in the mid-Twentieth century when Depression glass became popular and affordable. The image below shows a Depression glass fairy lamp from my store, CJB Collectibles.

Depression glass fairy lamp from our store

There also is a romantic presence about fairy lamps. Not only do they give off a soft glow, but also were used by Victorian era parents to help monitor courting rituals. When a young gentleman came to court a young lady during this era, a candle was lit and placed in a fairy lamp. Once the candle burnt out, the gentleman had to leave.

Legend say young couples would bring candles to spend extra time with one another, but parents always seem to have the upper hand. Eventually, fairy lamps were made with a locking mechanism. These were made out of metal and not glass.

Victorian era fairy lamp

Victorian era fairy lamp

Because of the rich history these lamps have, they are excellent pieces to collect. Here are some tips for starting your collection:

1. Pick lamps that you like. Don’t be concerned with resale values or time periods at first. These lamps deserve to be showcased throughout your home and not in a display case.
2. Start looking for Depression glass fairy lamps first. These lamps were made in the 1950s and can be found in excellent condition since they are made extremely thick.
3. Like any item you collect, condition is the most important factor. Stay away from chipped and scratched items unless they are extremely rare.
4. Collect either the same style or cover all of your bases. Having 10 amber glass votives from the 1950s and one Victorian era fairy lamp is not impressive to other collectors. Stick with one specific type or try to collect a great variety.
5. Have fun! These are great conversation pieces.

Don’t forget to check out our store at http://cjbcollectibles.etsy.com

You can always email us with questions about milk glass at cjbcollectibles@gmail.com.

Milk Glass: A Mirror of America

Do you ever what makes milk glass such a desirable item? It seems to be everywhere these days. I see milk glass used as wedding centerpieces, in food magazines holding delicious meals and have even seen it used in some of Anthropologie’s stores.

Maybe it is because it tells the story of America.

Just like many of the world’s finest pieces of art, milk glass can be traced back to the 16^th century in Venice, Italy. But there glass was colorful, including browns, yellows, and reds.

It then became popular in France during the 18^th century and finally came to United States during the 19^th century.

French Milk Glass

In the early part of the century, milk glass was synonymous with the higher class. Its pure and bright white milky texture was a luxury to have your home. Milk glass was manufactured well and became the gem of American glass.

American Milk Glass circa 1850-1900

But then the Great Depression of the 1930s and 1940s hit Americans. The standards for producing milk glass dropped and became a symbol of poverty, and commonly referred to as “depression” glass.

It became very popular in rural areas during this time because it was affordable, yet looked nice in a home.

Depression Era Milk Glass Available At CJB Collectibles

Today, milk glass is once again a cherished and collected item across the United States. Just like many of us, it did not originate from this country, but eventually called America home. It has had good times and bad times and always manages to rise to the top.

If you would like to start collecting milk glass, look for manufacturers’ markings, stay away from discolored items and look for the piece to have a nice opaque look to it. Fenton, Westmoreland, Anchor Hocking and Fostoria are some companies you may be able to find relatively cheap to start your collection.

Don’t forget to check out our store at http://cjbcollectibles.etsy.com

You can always email us with questions about milk glass at cjbcollectibles@gmail.com.

Best of Vintage Etsy: Decanters

Part of owning a vintage collectible shop on Etsy is participating with the community of buyers and sellers. The interactions that we have hand, and the friends that we have made our shop are priceless.

In order to honor them, and our love for vintage items, we will feature our favorite items from the around the Etsy community.

This week’s topic: Decanters

Decanters are exploding into the home décor arena again. Decanters act as a fun way to store alcohol and can also help create a unique feature to the room.

Today’s modern decanters are often made out of clear glass. Why settle for an expensive and plain-looking decanter when you can find a vintage one with character?

A few drinks will lead to some great stories, especially when poured from one of these fabulous decanters.

Vintage Leather Maps Bottle

Venetian Wine Decanter Set

Vintage Delft Decanter Holland

Fordson Tractor Decanter Ezra Brooks 1971

Vintage Avon Sterling Six

Visit http://cjbcollectibles.etsy.com to view our shop!

The Art of Vintage Photography

Vintage is (and has been) making a comeback. Not only are online and brick-and-mortar stores across the country featuring vintage clothing and décor, but photographers also are shooting and processing images to look vintage.

Why am I obsessed with vintage photography? The style gives character to an image and tells a story that would not be present with bright colors. Would a picture of a 1967 Ford Mustang tell more shot with rich colors, or with a faded and unsaturated look? I believe the vintage style gives a rough, classic and American feel to the Mustang.

Here are three of my photos where I used flat colors and cross processing to give a vintage feel to the image. The cherry blossom photo has an airy and angelic feel, while the overhead of Nice, France and the cathedral in Florence, Italy preserve the history of each city with a gritty, postcard-like look. View and purchase my vintage-style photos.

I also use this style in our shop at CJB Collectibles. I want each item we sell to have a story and the vintage-style helps portray that story. Plus, it gives each item a natural feel. Why would I place these items in front of an ultra-modern and white background?

Still, my photography is nowhere near some of these guys below. They all use natural light (a must for best vintage results) and really capture stories within their photos.

If nothing else, shooting in a vintage style adds interest to a relatively boring photo.

Do you have any favorite vintage-style photos?