Hello Vintage Blog. Long time no see!

Once upon a time I used to blog alot and then one day I accidently deleted it by mistake.
Almost 3 years of postings went poof with all the photos etc. I was sick and livid to say the least.
So I started doing a Facebook business fan page instead.
Now I am tip toeing back here as FB drives me silly at times.

I hope your Christmas Holidays went well and I so look forward to 2015.

2014 hands down was the worst year of my life ever.
Concentrating on a business was an after thought. I lost 3 brothers and an aunt and another aunt currently very ill.

Every time I was able to try to do my business something else would of course be much more of a priority.

I do love my business but life and family is everything to me.

2015 cannot get here fast enough. I just want to say bye to 2014.

I have over 300 vintage items in many categories available in my shop currently but have way much more to add and hopefully next year……

I do my business with precision after being a dealer since 1996 and online since 2002.

I sell Exclusive at Ruby Lane as it is way better to concentrate on one shop.
I used to have 7 so now it is a matter of selling and/or rotating stock as Season or special times roll around.

If you see something and then don't it may be available.
You may ask or wait till certain time of year rolls around again. I am a turtle in a hare and turtle race. Always.

Just want to touch base and test the waters back here on my blog.

Enjoy and Happy New Year.

Sandy

www.gracefulantiques.com

Antique and Vintage and Repurposing

As a collector since I was 9 years old and vintage and antiques seller since 1996 I have seen many changes.

I am quite fascinated with how the field has changed all these years and to be honest I have been slow to follow suit.

I read Antique Trader magazine and hold on to every word that Wayne Jordan of Behind the Gavel states in there but I sometimes resist what he is stating. Though I know it is all true.

There is a word that has changed it all I think from my research.

The word is Repurpose.

How did this come about with the younger crowd.

My goal in life as a collector was to acquire the beautiful in as pristine condition as possible.

To find deadstock or mint original in box with tags thrilled me to no end.

One day I ran across a Limoges gorgeous plate. I reached excitedly to pick it up only to find it glued solid to a glass base.

Why? My mind could not comprehend this at all. I was horrified.

Now I like some of the items I see repurposed and have no issue whatsoever with taking items that have out lived the original purpose and creatively doing something with it.

Now it has IMHO gone too far to the extreme. Maybe a better statement would be what treasures will be lost due to the mindset of some.

I should not use a blanket statement and do know many still do appreciate true Antiques and Vintage in its original forms but there really does need to be a swing back in the other direction.

It is not just my inventory but seeing it across the board.

Does education of History need to be taught more?

What will be the one thing if anything to turn it around?

I find this all fascinating and find even designers from the 1960s history have been lost or little information about them can be found through old news and such.

Truly boggles my mind. I love research and will spend hours online and in books when I find a new designer or item. Like putting together a zig saw puzzle.

I do hope both worlds of Antiques and Vintage and Repurposing can be both appreciated and work together. When I see the stats for both of them nearing the same I will quit worrying about it  and what will happen to all the treasures I have accumulated over the years.

Sandy
Graceful Antiques

Autumn or Fall. I love you!

I love Autumn or Fall. I used to live where basically there was one Season. Hot.

Now that I live in a place with 4 actual Seasons I look so forward to this time of year.

We had a year with good rain so the colors should be spectacular soon.

I started and always start getting Fall brain when Schools start back up.

Orange, yellow, golden wheat, reds and plaids. Always plaids.

Decorating of taking the Summer wreath off my door and replacing it with the Fall one.

I like black glass as well as shown above.

I have filled my shop with Fall inventory that will stay on till about a week after Thanksgiving and then crossover with Christmas and Winter offerings.
I love to do Seasonal items and some go away forever when I take them off but some I keep till the following year.

I have been selling online since 2002 and know it is never about my inventory but always about the right one just has not come along yet.

Memories is what steams this Vintage and Antiques love and it is as varied as the person.

Why one reacts to a certain item is all about memories. Their memories.

I confess it always amazes me a bit what does sell and what sits for a bit.

I hope you are all able to enjoy this beautiful Season.

My items can be seen from the links photos on the right of the screen.

My best to you all.

Sandy

Graceful Antiques Antiques and Collectibles