Riding Off Into the Sunset...

This adorable little guy was made by A. H. Heisey & Co. sometime between 1941 and 1952 - near the end of Heisey's 62 year reign as a major producer of high quality tableware in the United States. While Heisey glass is not always marked, if present, the mark is easily distinguishable as a simple capital H inside a diamond - as seen in the figurine pictured above. Heisey & Co. was purchased by Imperial Glass Corp. in 1957.

This figurine is the Standing Pony #1522, or Standing Colt, and is one of several pony figurines. To learn more about Heisey glass, I recommend reading "Heisey Glass 1896 - 1957" by Bredehoft.

Lazy Days

What is it about this time of year that calls my name? Is it because the summer holiday has been impressed into my earliest memories - an embodiment of the lazy days of childhood? The lengthening days seem filled with the promise of laughter, sun-browned faces and whispers of summer love.

Memorial Day...

We cherish too, the Poppy red

That grows on fields where valor led,

It seems to signal to the skies

That blood of heroes never dies.

~Moina Michael, 1915

Enacted to honor those who have fallen while in military service, Memorial Day is set aside to remember and reflect on those who gave their all for our country.

In 2000, Congress established the National Moment of Remembrance asking Americans to pause at 3:00 each Memorial Day for a moment of reflection and national unity. Demonstating our gratitude and respect as one united nation at this moment in time models our appreciation and deep regard for the sacrifices that were made to preserve our liberties.



Join in with the Moment of Remembrance this Memorial Day and unite as one voice in memory of these noble men and women who died to protect our freedoms and the security of our homeland. Be thankful for their great sacrifice that allows me to write this blog...and for you to read it freely.

Collecting Vintage...What's In Your Cupboard?

I have yet to find anything that I do not like about collecting and selling antiques, but some of my favorite days are spent working in The Shop. Yes, I'm surrounded by delightful things - each with its own special history - but best of all, I get to talk with the interesting people that collect and value their treasures as I do. Most of the folks I meet collect items for a specific reason - items that remind them of their childhood, parents, grandparents; items that are native to their home place; items that relate to their line of work - the list goes on and on, including the occasional collection of oddities - like old neti pots.

If you are thinking about starting a collection you might want to start with something easy to find such as vintage postcards from your favorite vacation spot or old hats you can wear to express your own sense of style. These collections will make great conversation starters and even give you opportunities to forge new friendships with fellow collectors!

Expect your collections to change throughout the years as your personal taste and life experiences evolve. My current collections lean toward vintage glass made by any WV glassmaker as well as a deep attraction to the Ohio art potteries. The pictured shelf above contains my childhood collections of my old Busy Boy clock, my Kanawha Glass mouse and Blenko owl, picture of Dad, doll made by Mom, Grandma's brooch, the handtooled leather belt of my bell-bottomed teen years, and most dear to my heart - Dad's diary - an obvious family theme that is steeped with my WV roots.

Russel Wright - Modernism In Dinnerware

American Modern Water Pitchers

The 'Martha Stewart' of his time, Russel Wright believed that art should be part of the everyday life of Americans - he is quoted as saying, " I believe with religious intensity that good design is for everyone" - and by believing in this creed, he gave us American Modern.

American Modern dinnerware was designed in the late 1930's with innovative shapes and most importantly, it was affordable to everyday folks. It brought beautiful form, function and new colors to the tables of Americans across the country from 1939 - 1959 as one of the largest selling dinnerware lines ever produced. The water pitcher, pictured above, is one of my favorite shapes.

For more information, check out Ann Kerr's book, "Collector's Encyclopedia of Russel Wright" - Kerr covers the American Modern line as well as many other creative Wright designs including glassware, pewter, furniture, pottery and aluminum.

Blenko Glass...The Historic Period

Glasshouse of New York, in conjunction with the Blenko Museum, has launched an intriguing new website focused on the historic period of Blenko Glass: 1947 - 1974. This site is an unparalleled, comprehensive resource for the collector of vintage glass.

Go to http://www.blenkoarchive.org/ for a delightful look at Blenko catalogs and colors, as well as some great cleaning tips, general information and links to other noteworthy glass sites. Whether you are a glass enthusiast, dealer or serious collector, this site has much to offer - you won't be disappointed!!

Happy New Year From The Creek...

The decade beginning in 1910 was a busy one...World War I, an influenza pandemic, and women's march for suffrage. On a lighter note, the "in" dance was the Foxtrot, pop-up toasters were invented and Nabisco introduced their new cookie - the "Oreo". New slang terms popped up in conversation, like "Something is not all it's cracked up to be", "No kidding", and "Down to the last detail".

So what will be said of 2010 in a hundred years? Your guess is as good as mine. But no kidding, I sure hope it is all it's cracked up to be... right down to the last detail.


Have a safe and blessed 2010.

Cast Iron Doorstops

American cast iron doorstops were developed around 1820 and quickly became a symbol of American upper-class affluence with their popularity peaking in the 1920s and 30s. The foundrys that produced them typically coated them with a monotone finish and then contracted local women to hand paint each one. This practice made them individually decorative while preserving their important function of propping open doors before the days of central air-conditioning. Smaller doorstops, under 7", were used for interior doors but some exterior stops measure as large as 18".

At the onset of WWII, the doorstop craze was extinguished when scap metal was melted down for the war effort.

To begin a doorstop collection, be sure to look at condition - vibrant original paint and castings with sharp detail. Prices can range from $100 to $1000 and up, depending on rarity and condition. For a starting point, go to http://www.doorstops.com/ for some ideas on the wide variety of antique doorstops available in today's market. Pictured here is Little Southern Belle, she is a full bodied doorstop valued at $175-300