Antique & Collecting News

What better gift for a vintage clothing or vintage jewelry collector than a gift basket full of the things that may assist them on the treasure hunts.

Last week I wrote about the Thomas Glenn ornament collection and how they were picked for the "O" List in Oprah magazine. Well, I have to tell you I got the one I ordered yesterday and was floored. It's absolutely amazing, the glitter is spectacular, the design is very modern and pictures just do not do it justice. If you have a chance, check out the Thomas Glenn collection in person, you'll be very pleasantly surprised.

Hot Pink Cammo Ornament - Once Again originally appeared on About.com Collectibles on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 09:01:35.

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Most items from the Victorian period are easily found at auctions and in antique shops, so it's not difficult to find items to fill the parlor of an old house.

Historic homeowners benefit from architectural salvage businesses when trying to match or restore their homes at reasonable prices or to decorate with antiques.

Welcome to another edition of Make it Merry, where talented crafters share their holiday how-to's.

Advent Candy Tree
Everyone loves counting down to the holidays...add candy to the mix and you've got a fun Advent calendar from Sherri Osborn for the whole family to enjoy.

Pumpkin Cross Stitch Pattern
Use a variegated floss to make a swirling pumpkin that would look great near the Thanksgiving table. Connie G. Barwick has the free pattern.

Knit Wreath Ornament
Scrap knitting makes for fun quick projects that are perfect for any skill level. Sarah E. White has the instructions for this cute wreath.

Miniature Glitter Houses
Snowy villages look great upon every mantle and tabletop. Lesley Shepherd has a free printable so you can make your own tiny houses.

Paper Bead Star Ornament
If you're looking for something a little different to do with your paper beads then take a look at this paper bead star. This project is simple to adapt in a wide variety of ways.

Rustic Pillar Candles
'Tis the season for running out to buy candles. David Fisher will show you how to make these festive pillar candles with the perfect finish.

Pear Diamonds Painted Card
This card has an intricate finish, but it is so easy to make. Tina Jones shows us how to create this colorful card from start to finish.

Christmas Apron Pattern
Just because you've got to bake cookies for the whole family doesn't mean you can't look fabulous! Phyllis Dobbs has created this adorable holiday apron, and she's got the free pattern just for you.

Flower Petal Ornament Cover
Sometimes those plain ornaments just need a little dressing up. Tammy Powley will show you how to use seed beads to create this unique ornament drapery.

Paint a Christmas Tree
Instead of paying a premium for a colored tree, Barbara Crews will show us how to paint your tree red to match the latest holiday trends.

Want to Join Make it Merry to show off your holiday crafts? We will showcase your crafts and recipes of all holiday traditions. Learn more.

Make it Merry - Week Three originally appeared on About.com Collectibles on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 00:27:05.

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A Disney themed tree is a popular choice, who doesn't like Disney. Ideas might be a specific Disney character, such as all Mickey Mouse or as a friend is doing this year - all Little Mermaid tree. This spectacular tree contains Disney, Warner Bros, Wizard of Oz, Star Wars, Dr. Seuss and Muffy ornaments. The upside-down nature of the tree allows the hundreds of ornaments to hang a little freer and be much more visible.

• Margaret's Upside-Down Disney Tree

(c)Glasslinks.org

Theme Trees - Disney Ornament Filled Tree originally appeared on About.com Collectibles on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 20:23:49.

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How wonderful it is to look forward to those bountiful Thanksgiving feasts complete with turkey, stuffing and all the trimmings! A meal like that usually includes a cranberry dish of some sort. Not a real cranberry fan? Well, how about a few pieces of beautiful cranberry glass instead? Whet your appetite for collecting this gorgeous glass while learning about the extraordinary history, craftsmanship and a touch of lovely gold behind all that glimmer.
Read Collect a Crop of Cranberry Glass to find out more.

Collect a Crop of Cranberry Glass originally appeared on About.com Antiques on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 20:20:57.

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I've just updated my Depression Glass Price Guide with a couple of new items and some updated values to help you identify and price your fall glass finds. One of them is the beautiful cobalt blue Moderntone cream soup bowl shown here. Did one like it recently sell on eBay for for $5.50, $55 or $550? Visit the updated price guide to find out!

How Much is a Moderntone Cream Soup Worth These Days? originally appeared on About.com Antiques on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 19:35:12.

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Q: I have a Staffordshire statue of Charles Wesley standing in a pulpit. It belonged to my grandmother. Is it valuable?Login for answer.

Q: I bought a silver tray at a house. This is one of the marks on it. Can you tell me anything about it? Login for answer.

Watch out for fakes. Even museums are fooled. The famous Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam has a "moon rock" that isn't from the moon. The U.S. ambassador had given the rock to the Dutch prime minister when the Apollo 11 astronauts visited the Netherlands in 1969. The former ambassador says he got it from the U.S. State Department and thought it was authentic. When the museum was given the rock in 1988, officials there called NASA and were told that the rock could be real. Now we know it's just a piece of petrified wood. It will stay on display as a "curiosity."

The Rookwood Pottery factory in Cincinnati, fully restored, will host the art pottery auctions that have previously been held at Cincinnati Art Galleries. The art gallery will focus on paintings from not on, so the pottery offered to run the twice-yearly art pottery auctions.

Maytag just traded a brand new washer and dryer for a 52-year-old pink washer and dryer owned by Jane Thompson of Sand Springs, Oklahoma. The latch broke on Jane's dryer, so it needed its first repair. The old machines will go in the Maytag museum. Jane says she wants her pink machines back if the new ones don't work as well as the old ones.

Never put hot glass in cold water or cold glass in hot water. The temperature change can crack the glass. A friend once molded Jell-O in a cut glass bowl, kept in the refrigerator, served it, then put it into hot water in the sink. Her stomach sunk when she heard the bowl crack.

Antique pewter is becoming a trendy collectible again. Learn a little history of pewter in America and get a sense of how much the collector might expect to pay.

Obviously it measures something -- but what? Bonus points: what's an estimated value?

Post your guess in the comment section below.

Last week's Mystery Antique.

• Wordless Wednesdays on About
• See more Wordless Wednesday Blogs
• More Mystery Antique Quizzes

Mystery Antique of the Week originally appeared on About.com Collectibles on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 00:02:18.

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You're a collector with beautiful ornaments that should be shown to their best advantage. What type of tree is best? Do you want a traditional green tree or are you willing to go outside the box for a Christmas tree that may be a little different, but lots of fun? What about a rotating tree stand?

Have you thought about lights, do you want a tree that's Pre-Lit, StayLit or no lights? So many options and so confusing!

Explore these choices to find the best pick for your home and collections.

If you are in the market for a new tree and don't want to go through pages of tree choices, check out the ChristmasTreeforMe.com easy three steps to finding the right tree. They also have a 10% off sale going through this weekend. Just put in the code AboutCollect in the coupon box for an even better price. Sale price is good through Sunday, November 22. Also check out their videos on lighting and tree choices.

Pick the Right Tree and Save 10% in the Process originally appeared on About.com Collectibles on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 16:16:29.

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The amazing Bubble Christmas tree is always a crowd pleaser. It's an unusual tree, but I'm always surprised at how many guests say they "want one". I know most don't order one, but people really love the strange tree that has trunk of water and bubbles.

The tree is decorated with loads of clear glass balls and fish ornaments from Old World Christmas. Since the tree is not made for a tree topper, hanging from the ceiling are six Old World Christmas star fish ornaments hung with clear fishing line.

• The Aquarium Bubble Tree

Theme Trees -- The Aquarium Bubble Christmas Tree originally appeared on About.com Collectibles on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 14:08:25.

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Do you remember the anticipation of finding the right numbered frame and opening the tiny window in the countdown to Christmas? It was a tradition in our house growing up, the problem was there were six kids and one calendar! Today it's a little different, the traditional paper calendars are still readily available, but you can also get themed calendars, permanent calendars, licensed calendars and more. Something for everyone!

Advent Calendar History, Picks and Prices

Photo © Bronners.com

Time to Order Your Advent Calendar! originally appeared on About.com Collectibles on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 07:29:03.

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Learn what to look for and what to avoid when junking. When it's cheap, it's sometimes hard to resist, but if it's not on a list, it's probably not something you wanted.