For many years now Susan has been making these solder pendants, charms and ornaments. She has largely done her own designs ... using vintage images, her own artwork, inspirational words, initials and names. Every year Susan also does up a selection of 2" x 3" ornaments for Holidays ... Easter, Halloween and Christmas. Above are a Selection of Halloween Ornaments ... Double-Sided 2x3 ... $19.95 each These are Christmas Holiday Ornaments ... Double-Sided 2x3 ... $19.95 each Susan has also created custom pieces for our customers ... special words, personal photos or images, names, dates, etc. During the Holidays a customized ornament makes a perfect gift for the host/hostess, presents at the dinner table instead of place cards, tags for you beautifully wrapped gift. These are the 1-1/8" Bubble Glass Pendants ... $19.95 each These are the 3/4" Bubble Glass Pendants ... $12.95 each Custom pendants, charms or ornament ar...

How time flies! Halloween is almost here. Are you ready? Vintages is! Don't be afraid ... come in and check out our terror-ific and boo-tiful collection! These great wooden signs are created and hand painted by a mother daughter team in Modesto. This wooden raven is watching over a neat selection of Halloween Specialties Eek and Ike ... our last couple on sale! Hats, Masks, Paper Plates and Treat Bags Have a Purrfectly Horrible Halloween!!! Need some table decor? We got it! Houses, Boxes, Hats and more ... Don't loose your head over it ... come in and we will help

We have always admired beautiful handwriting and calligraphy. Love the scrolls ... the flourishes ... the beautifully crafted script. We were inspired by a wonderful shop in Paris at 10 Rue du Pont Louis-Philippe ... Melodies Graphiques . The owners are both calligraphy artists. So we have had some vintage calligraphy pens and nibs in our shop for some time now. Recently we added some new offerings of calligraphy pens and inks, as well as a couple of sets to get you started. Come on in and check them out. High Quality Higgins Black Ink $6.50 / 1oz btl Speedball Calligraphy Nibs $2.50 each Vintage Calligraphy Pens $9.95 each 9-piece Speedball Calligraphy Kit $29.95 per kit Speedball Calligraphy Pen Sets: Pen only $5.95; Pen w/ink $6.95; Pen with 2 inks $13.95  We also have some useful accessories: Wax Seals $9.95 - $11.95 each; Sealing Wax $3.00 each Assorted Packages of Cardstock $16.95 per pad Artist Papers and Watercolors $8...

I just had to pass on this little newspaper article from 1894. It's about a bakery fire in New York City and the response from the policeman when asked about it ... and the added comment about a fire in San Francisco which is just as quote worthy. ER ... that's all folks ...

A Variety of Antique Bird Opium Weights We recently found a fascinating little bronze bird. In researching it we learned about "opium weights." Opium weight? Why were special weights used for measuring opium? Well here is the story ... in short form ... as told by Sylvia Fraser-Lu in Arts of Asia magazine (January/February 1982 Issue):  They are referred to as "opium" weights. The term immediately conjures up visions of dingy secluded rooms off dark winding alleys, where frail trans-parent Orientals with glazed unseeing eyes lie lethargically on platform beds puffing intermittently at long clay pipes packed with a wad of opium which has been carefully measured using one of these weights. It is indeed tempting to contemplate that a notorious substance such as opium, the reliever of pain on the one hand and the cause of untold suffering to many on the other, should have its own distinctive and special set of weights and measures. Thi...

Slide chain necklaces were originally worn by Victorian women as a way to carry their pocket watches or glasses (lorgnettes). These chains, which are generally quite long, came in solid gold, gold-filled and occasionally silver. Victorians were known for mixing form and function in jewelry, so slide chains were very versatile and worn in a number of ways. To keep the length under control, the end piece can be tucked into a pocket or clipped onto a belt or sash. The slide can be used to adjust the length slightly.  These are some Victorian ladies wearing long chains in the 1880s or so. (Photos from our store inventory of Victorian Cartes d'Visite and tintypes.) Slide chains had a brief resurgence in the mid-1900s. Today bib or festoon necklaces are quite popular. The chain can be worn doubled up and clipped in the center to create a festoon style look. A pendant can be added to the clip. Another simple way to wear your slide chain is t...