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{Glimpses} Vintage Finds

I started visiting thrift shops and antique stores for studio inspiration back in college. I was an art major in a very small town before cruising the world wide web for imagery was even an option. Seeking out vintage typography, colors, textures, and patterns is still one of my favorite things to do. Old packaging and mid century treasures fill my studio shelves for constant reminders of things that once caught my eye and often serves as a way to stir my imagination. Here are my glimpses this week.

Glimpse 1:  Color combinations of yellow, red, and turquoise seems to be a constant favorite of mine. Pair it with cool packaging and unique typography and the chances of those items coming home to my studio is pretty great.

Glimpse 2:  Oh boy do I love all shades of green and mid century textiles and cups!

Glimpse 3: Yellow, mustard, orange, and tomato is another fun, “go to” nostalgic color combination. Vintage fisher price toys, Vera textiles, random buttons, and vintage books are things that I tend to always gravitate towards. 

Glimpse 4: I love the packaging for old games – they often include really fun illustrations. These faces make me smile. 


Glimpse 5:  When I first discovered King Penguin books, I went completely bonkers. Not only are they interesting, but the patterns are always so lovely. Unfortunately they are really hard to find here in the US – particularly the northwest. They are rare gems. 


Is there a particular item you seek out at a thrift or antique shop?

{Vintage Inspiration} Elephant Love…

Every once & awhile, I run into something at a thrift/antique shop that makes me goofy with excitement & Friday I had one of those moments. I stopped by an old favorite antique shop that I used to go to all of the time – it had been awhile & I was on the search for some vintage hooks for a project. After I passed an awesome coin operated elephant, something spotted & happy caught my eye. I had to dig through some stuff to get to it but I’m glad I did. I had a gut reaction to this thing. It was an elephant toy box from the ’60’s & it immediately conjured up memories of the Dumbo & Teacup rides at Disneyland. I have a thing for elephants so I was extra interested in this treasure. The man who owned the antique shop said his kid’s both had this elephant as a toy box but they weren’t interested in keeping it when they were adults. I probably stood in front of this thing for about 15minutes – hemming & hawing. 


After some bartering, I found myself trying to cram this thing into my 2 door VW. It was pretty funny driving home with it. I smiled the whole way. Once I got home, I gave it a good wash down in the back yard then took it up to my studio with me. I was so excited to see Sayer’s reaction to it & hoped he was tickled with it as I was.  I wasn’t exactly sure where it was going to go- I just knew it needed to be in our house.  As I worked, I kept glancing at it – completely giggling. I loved having that thing watching me sew. I actually think it may inspire some new designs.

Sayer responded exactly like I thought he was going to- after all, he is my son. After a loud laugh, he opened the lip & hopped on in to hide from Chris. Then we took the elephant to his room. 

He wanted me to read him his bedtime story while he was curled up in it. He didn’t stay there all night, although he wanted to. Instead he tucked in some of his favorite plush buddies with a pillow & a flashlight. When we put the lid on, the whole thing lit up like a giant nightlight. It was really cool. We have been moving that elephant around all weekend- filling it up & emptying it over & over. Sayer introduced it to my Eames Elephant– he said they got married. They look like long lost friends. Sort of cool that they were both designed around the same time. I think they complete each other. 

So, how was your weekend?

{Vintage Inspiration} four finds ~ primary colors…

I’ve been finding all sorts for fun things for Sayer at the thrift stores lately- all in primary colors. We are big Wallace & Gromit fans at our house & Wallace uses an abacus often- to do his bills of course. Sayer has been particularly interested in what it was so I have been keeping an eye out for a cool old abacus for him. After all, I could use help with the bills around here. I found this great old Playskool one the other day & it has been getting a great deal of attention in his room. Apparently Wallace uses a pencil to move the beads- so that is how Sayer does it too.
The only downfall to bringing home really old toys (other than finding space for everything) is the need to create the missing parts to the toys which I suppose is more of a challenge than a downfall. I’ve been spending time making coins for this Playskool pay phone that I just brought home him. I still don’t have the weight of the coins quite right, but I think I’m getting close.

I had my eye on this rubber doll for a long time. Every time I visited my favorite thrift shop, I would check to see if it was still there. I finally broke down and bought it recently & Sayer keeps it in his “office”. She also serves as a helper in front of his fire house & takes many fire engine rides. 

This little Bonnie Book is really sweet. The  worn down circle on the side moves the images in the illustrated TV. It’ s all about a day on the train. Sayer thought this book was pretty cool too. 

So these are definitely four fun finds that are new additions to Sayer’s space. I love that he knows what an abacus & a pay phone is. Although his pay phone is used for an emergency room next to his fire house most often. Hope you are having a great weekend! 

{Vintage Inspiration} four finds ~ primary colors…

I’ve been finding all sorts for fun things for Sayer at the thrift stores lately- all in primary colors. We are big Wallace & Gromit fans at our house & Wallace uses an abacus often- to do his bills of course. Sayer has been particularly interested in what it was so I have been keeping an eye out for a cool old abacus for him. After all, I could use help with the bills around here. I found this great old Playskool one the other day & it has been getting a great deal of attention in his room. Apparently Wallace uses a pencil to move the beads- so that is how Sayer does it too.
The only downfall to bringing home really old toys (other than finding space for everything) is the need to create the missing parts to the toys which I suppose is more of a challenge than a downfall. I’ve been spending time making coins for this Playskool pay phone that I just brought home him. I still don’t have the weight of the coins quite right, but I think I’m getting close.

I had my eye on this rubber doll for a long time. Every time I visited my favorite thrift shop, I would check to see if it was still there. I finally broke down and bought it recently & Sayer keeps it in his “office”. She also serves as a helper in front of his fire house & takes many fire engine rides. 

This little Bonnie Book is really sweet. The  worn down circle on the side moves the images in the illustrated TV. It’ s all about a day on the train. Sayer thought this book was pretty cool too. 

So these are definitely four fun finds that are new additions to Sayer’s space. I love that he knows what an abacus & a pay phone is. Although his pay phone is used for an emergency room next to his fire house most often. Hope you are having a great weekend!