Happy Birthday to Us!

 

Our resident horse is decked out in his birthday finery!  This weekend is our anniversary sale!  We are celebrating 16 years of bringing you antiques, vintage, collectible and just plain cool treasures.  This is the weekend where we break out the tents and fill the parking lot.  Saturday & Monday, 10-5; Sunday, 11-5.  The entire store is 10% off with many vendors offering deeper discounts.  This is the sale we save our treasures for all year so there will be inventory you have not seen before.  If there is something you have had your eye on to purchase, this is the weekend to go for it!  Come out and wish us a Happy Birthday and see if there is not just that one thing you have always needed! You must visit and take a "selfie" with our horse mascot; you will not believe how big he is!

That Beautiful Tough Old Ironstone

I can only think of one word to describe old English ironstone and that is classic!  Most of it was made in the United Kingdom during the early to mid-1800’s.  Ironstone is actually glaze covered earthenware.  At that time, it would have been ironstone transferware that was popular first.  You know, the ones with the beautiful little floral patterns decorating the piece.  Somewhere along the way, the American market caught on to ironstone as it was so much cheaper than porcelain.  The American market wanted the undecorated pieces, thus we have the classic solid white pieces that are so loved today.  Most of the vintage ironstone you see was made in England, France or the United States.  The pieces you find today most likely have little chips, hairline cracks or crazing (crazing is the darkened areas where oils and other fluids have seeped in through the glaze).  I think those imperfections speak to a life of being well used and loved so, to me, it just adds interest.  Gather a collection of pieces to sit on a shelf or in a hutch.  They display well with clusters of two or three pieces!  Be sure to stop by South End Antique Mall and check out our selection of white ironstone as well as some beautiful antique ironstone transferware!

This is an example of transferware

Collect ironstone in tureens, pitchers, bowls and plates
for a balanced display

This is an example of ironstone that has crazed.

Note the brownish tint at the top.

Spring in Aurora

Oh the colors of Spring!  I am so ready for the bulbs and trees to flower.  You can bring the beautiful pastels of Spring into your home with vintage pottery and china.  Easter is this Sunday and you can start your Spring decor with some of the vintage and contemporary Easter decor that you will find at South End Antique Mall!   Our resident horse is all decked out in his best bunny attire!  Aurora will be "Hopping" (I know, a terrible pun) this weekend.  Follow the "Bunny Trail" to participating vendors all through town from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  I hear you can even meet "Daisy Bunny" at Three Daisies Vintage. Be sure to stop by South End Antique Mall and downton Aurora for a taste of Spring!

Easter "Putz"

“Putz” houses have been around since about 1928 and continued to be popular well past WWII.  These are tiny houses full of glitter but made from sturdy paper.  The name “Putz” is derived from the German word “Putzen” which means to “decorate or adorn”.   The tradition of creating these little Putz villages began in central Europe.  People would save little bits and pieces of items they could use to decorate and construct these little houses.  It is amazing to me that they last as long as they do!  I am familiar with Christmas putz houses but, I found these darling Easter houses this last week.  I am sure these little Easter or spring pieces are contemporary so am sure they are still being made today.  I love them!  I have always been a fan of miniatures so this just fits the bill for me!  Imagine a little mound of Easter grass with one of these houses surrounded by Easter candies.  A great table centerpiece!  Visit South End Antique Mall where you will find these adorable little Easter Putz houses!

Wow! What a week!

 Well, if you live in the Pacific Northwest, this has been quite a week!  We had a major ice storm that knocked out all electricity, phones and internet for more than a week in some areas.  Unfortunately, our little community of Aurora was out of power for a week.  It is a small town so it also impacted other utility services.  Whew!  We have everythig back online again and are looking forward to seeing all of you again.  Today is our first day open in a week!  We were planning on having our "Sweetheart Sale" last weekend but that just could not happen.  We are wanting to make up for that!  We are having our Sweetheart Sale" this Friday - Sumday, February 19th - 21st.  Everything storewide is 10% off with many vendors offering deeper discounts.  We are warm, have lights on and are eagerly awaiting catching up with all of you and your epic storm stories!

Back in the 17^th century, the Dutch East India Company  began bringing exotic shells back to European collectors.  Obtaining these shells was just for the rich.  They displayed their shells in “cabinets of curiosity”.   At some point in time, ladies of leisure could obtain little packets of these shells, along with a pattern, with which they created beautiful little trinket boxes. These have often been called “sailors valentines”.  They really were not made by sailors, but purchased by them for sweethearts at home.  There was a big industry in a Barbados seaport for these little boxes.  Today they are reproduced, but the vintage ones are still around.  Think about these little boxes as not only works of art, but presentation gift boxes!  Tuck a little cotton in the bottom and add jewelry or even a few fancy chocolates.  Get creative with your Valentine efforts this year and do something really different. South End Antique Mall has a vendor with a beautiful collection of these little vintage boxes. “Follow Your Heart to Aurora” is happening Saturday, February 13^th.  Bring your classic car and join other drivers for a fun day of shopping in Aurora.  It is well worth your time as there is a $100 giveaway!  South End Antique mall is having their “Sweetheart Sale” Friday – Sunday, the 12^th – 14^th.  We are offering 10% off everything in the mall.  Many vendors offer even deeper discounts! Don't miss all the fun in Aurora this weekend!

Enamelware vs Graniteware

Enamelware vs Graniteware! What is the difference?  Enamelware is a solid color (most often white) and usually has a colored trim.  Graniteware has a pattern.  There are several names for this stuff; agateware, speckled ware, etc., but I know it most commonly as enamelware or graniteware.  I think graniteware has more interest and texture with speckles, swirls, mottled, and marbled patterns.  The colors seem to blend into swirls and patterns that give it interest.   Graniteware was much lighter and easier to handle and clean than cast iron which made it very popular! It was popular from the 1870’s till the end of WWII. It was made in both the U.S. and abroad. It usually came in blue, red, purple, brown, greens, pink, grey and white.  Orange can be found but it is very rare!  Enamelware is still being produced today so how do you know if you have an old piece vs a new one?  The first indicator is it is heavier.  The next is if you tap the bottom, a newer piece will have a “tinny” sound to it.  Older pieces have a smooth surface finish and have riveted handles.  Today, they are used as decorative accents or continued to be used as they were initially intended.  Old bundt cake pans, pie pans, and serving platters are great pieces that can still be used in your kitchen today!  A wonderful collectible that can be found at South End Antique Mall just about any time of the year.

This pattern is called "Snow on the Mountain"

This is a great example of white enamelware and grey graniteware