Luv2LuvAntiques.com

A Gathering Place ~ Vintage Train Case Giveaway!

2011-11-24T18:56:00.000-08:00

For several years Rebecca Nelson, of A Gathering Place... A Gathering Place has refurbished and made-over vintage train cases, and sold them to buyers all over the world...France, England, Italy, Singapore, and Japan...as well as all over America. They have been featured in Romantic Homes Magazine!
A vintage 'Gathering Case' from A Gathering Place, is to be given away to a lucky blogger...and I surely hope it is me! :O)
You may enter the giveaway, for a chance to win one of Rebecca's beautiful vintage 'gathering cases' until December 11, 2011 at A Gathering Place blogspot

Luv2LuvAntiques Loves Angels!

2011-05-25T05:38:00.000-07:00

I had started the Luv2LuvAntiques website with the idea of blending my luv of antiques and vintage, with my love of angels. Do you believe in angels? I definitely do! I'll share something personal with you for a moment, but I promise not to get maudlin about it...meaning tearful, or overly emotional....
There were a few times during my life that I had what seemed like a deja vu moment, with a bright positive thought coming through afterwards, with a feeling of being safer and protected! At times of great stress, through tough times, it seemed like some little thing would reach me and touch my heartstrings...
One much more important instance, was years ago when my sons were children, and I was driving the van, with them in it, coming from our family doctor's office. I was stopped at the intersection waiting for the light to turn green. I always check both ways before I proceed, even with having the right of way. Something made me look to my left again...like a little thought or message to look twice! I did, and slammed on the breaks! A car ran their red light at full speed! If I wouldn't have looked back, we would have been seriously injured, especially my son who was sitting in the seat behind me....
That is one instance that really stands out in my mind, as it involves my boys! There are quite a few more, but I'll tell you another extremely important one....
My eldest son, on his first tour of duty in Iraq, was with a combined small unit of soldiers, who were doing searches through part of the town. Two large groups of one enemy faction, came through the town and passed by on both sides of this small unit of men! When my son was able to make a phone call home, he told me about this. He said he had never prayed so hard in his life, and so had all of the unit! He told me how the enemy had not seen them at all, and they should have all been killed....
I told him that I had 'sent' my guardian angel over there to protect him.
I had prayed to my guardian angel, all the time he was over there, through three tours of duty, to watch over and protect my son. A friend of mine told me that she thought it was the hand of God, cloaking the soldiers to make them invisible to the enemy. I would like to think it was my angel, maybe with some others, folding their wings over the men to keep them safe!
Do you believe in angels? I most certainly do! :O)

Luv2LuvAntiques Luvs Recycling And Saving Shipping Costs!

2011-01-20T02:38:00.000-08:00

Luv2LuvAntiques strives to make unique, and lovely, vintage and antique items available, to those who share the luv of 'old things'! Along with decor items, many household, jewelry, and clothing items, still 'have alot of life in them yet'! They can be repurposed, as well as enjoyable to use in the home!
After the fun of 'treasure hunting' is done, photographing and describing each article of clothing, piece of jewelry, household linen, or barware item, (to name a few) down to the tiniest detail, is next. Following a purchase, after a long search for that special piece, the buyer expects safe delivery of their 'find'! This entails very careful packing of the favorite item!
Careful packing of a breakable article includes wrapping properly with tissue, or perhaps heavier paper, bubble wrap securing and cushioning the item, and plenty of styrofoam peanuts packing around it. The trick is to allow a large enough box, for adequate room around that 'precious cargo', while packing firmly in the box so it doesn't move around!
I have had a few purchases of mine arrive damaged and broken, and when it is a long searched for collectible or antique...it is heart breaking! That is why I pack like 'Fort Knox"!
Having always been 'big' on recycling, I'm all for saving money on shipping too. By reusing boxes, bubble wrap, and styrofoam peanuts, that has been received, you, and your buyer, can both save!
On the lighter side...the photo above is the top layer of styrofoam peanuts in a large green garbage bag. It looks fairly nice, doesn't it? Now here is the story...
My darling hubby thought I had 'snapped' when he saw me picking pieces of styrofoam peanuts out of a large box full of mixed packing (that had contained something I had purchased online), which included shredded newspaper, and chunks of styrofoam. He had asked me why I didn't just throw it out! But when I told him the cost of purchasing a bag of 'peanuts packing', he joined in, and became a 'peanuts picker', while we sat and watched an episode of the 'American Pickers"! :O)

Luv2LuvAntiques Luvs The Vintage List Holiday Gift Guides Gifts For Cooks!

2010-12-05T16:26:00.000-08:00

The latest in www.thevintagelist.com 's Holiday Gift Guides, is Gifts For Cooks! I am happy to be a part of this! For a unique vintage gift for that special relative, friend, or coworker, visit www.luv2luvantiques.com for these gift items!

Vintage Cherry Pie Plate Ceramic at Luv2LuvAntiques!

Vintage 1950s Japanese Salad Bowl Set 7 piece Japan at Luv2LuvAntiques!

Thank you Mitzi for featuring these items in your Holiday Gift Guide! :O)
Please visit The Vintage List Holiday Gift Guide for Gifts For Cooks!

Gifts For Cooks - The Vintage List Holiday Gift Guide

Luv2LuvAntiques Has Gifts For Her!

2010-12-05T15:55:00.000-08:00

I am proud to be a part of www.thevintagelist.com 's Holiday Gift Guides! The first one was Gifts For Her. There are many great ideas for gifts for that special friend, loved one, or gift exchange, with vintage or antiques, that are very special and often unique! visit www.luv2luvantiques.com for these gift items!

Vintage Carolee Double Strand Faux Pearl Baroque Style Bracelet at Luv2LuvAntiques!

Vintage Faux Pearl Single Strand Beaded Necklace at Luv2LuvAntiques!

Thank you Mitzi for featuring these items in your Holiday Gift Guide! :O)
Please visit The Vintage List Holiday Gift Guide for Gifts For Her!

Gifts For Her - The Vintage List Holiday Gift Guide

Luv2LuvAntiques For The Man In Your Life!

2010-11-28T13:53:00.000-08:00

Many blogs, and websites, sell and promote vintage an abundance of items for ladies...but let's not forget the men! For that special man in your life...your husband, brother, son, or friend, visit www.luv2luvantiques.com for these gift items!

Vintage 1950s Cotton Cowboy Round Up Barbeque Apron Cowpoke Campfire Cattle Brand Western Rare at Luv2LuvAntiques!

Vintage Glassware Carrier Tropical Coconut Palm Trees at Luv2LuvAntiques!

Thank you Mitzi for featuring these items in your Holiday Gift Guide! :O)
Please visit The Vintage List Holiday Gift Guide for Gifts For Him!

Gifts For Him - The Vintage List Holiday Gift Guide

Vintage And Antiques Can Blend With The New!

2010-10-19T18:31:00.000-07:00

Vintage Mannequin Tea Party!

Julie: "I wonder when Cindy and Marie will arrive...the tea will get cold! My it 'is' warm in here!" (fanning herself vigorously!)

Josette: "Julie, why must you wear a 1920's hat, and jewelry, with 1940's gloves and purse? And you are using a 1960's fan!"
"At least my accessories are all from the 1940's! And my jewelry was featured in the 1947 movie 'Out Of The Past'! (her nose a bit in the air!)

Julie: "uumph!" (with a frown!)

Josette: "Do...do up your bracelet! It's come undone!"
"Your Hallowe'en jack-o-lantern cup is a bit gauche, don't you think? And I know you have chocolate bon bons in that pumpkin candy dish!" (with a slight grimace!)

Julie: "Oh...are you watching your weight?"
(silence....)

Julie 'does' have the right idea in this scenario! Vintage and antiques, from different eras, can blend together quite well, and also with more modern day items!
As you can see, Julie's blended ensemble looks very attractive, and the 1950's tablecloth in the background, adds an autumn harvest flair!

Background Displays Catch The Eye!

2010-09-11T17:08:00.000-07:00

When listing vintage / antique items for sale on your website, or online booth, or shop, the photos are extremely important! You want to attract the customer's attention...catch the eye!
Backgrounds and displays can be used to enhance your item, and correct the lighting for the photo. Vintage jewelry, especially with rhinestones, or vintage china and porcelain, can create glare. Your background setting will help correct this. Remember that white backgrounds reflect light, and black backgrounds will absorb it. Different textured backgrounds can change the look for a different style.
I find it is a continuous learning process. I've taken photos inside and out, and in various rooms of our home. A vintage handkerchief, fabric, or postcard, soft wallpaper, or wooden fence can make a difference!

Vintage 1950s Charel Marbelized Stone Earrings at Luv2LuvAntiques' Bonanzle Booth

Vintage 1940s - 1950s Floral Linen Napkins Pride Of Flanders at Luv2LuvAntiques' Bonanzle Booth

Vintage Faux Pearl Single Strand Beaded Necklace at Luv2LuvAntiques.com

Vintage 1950s Donkey Planter Japan Mint Mexican Tex Mex at Luv2LuvAntiques.com

Information On The History Of Plastics...Celluloid and Bakelite!

2010-08-20T23:43:00.000-07:00

History of Plastics:
The first human-made plastic was invented by Alexander Parkes in 1855 [7]; he called this plastic Parkesine (later called celluloid). It was unveiled at the 1862 Great International Exhibition in London. The development of plastics has come from the use of natural plastic materials (e.g., chewing gum, shellac) to the use of chemically modified natural materials (e.g., rubber, nitrocellulose, collagen, galalite) and finally to completely synthetic molecules (e.g., bakelite, epoxy, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene).

Cellulose-based plastics
In 1855, an Englishman from Birmingham named Alexander Parkes developed a synthetic replacement for ivory which he marketed under the trade name Parkesine, and which won a bronze medal at the 1862 World's fair in London. Parkesine was made from cellulose (the major component of plant cell walls) treated with nitric acid and a solvent. The output of the process (commonly known as cellulose nitrate or pyroxilin) could be dissolved in alcohol and hardened into a transparent and elastic material that could be molded when heated.[8] By incorporating pigments into the product, it could be made to resemble ivory.

Bois Durci is a plastic moulding material based on cellulose. It was patented in Paris by Lepage in 1855. It is made from finely ground wood flour mixed with a binder, either egg or blood albumen, or gelatine. The wood is probably either ebony or rose wood, which gives a black or brown resin. The mixture is dried and ground into a fine powder. The powder is placed in a steel mould and compressed in a powerful hydraulic press whilst being heated by steam. The final product has a highly polished finish imparted by the surface of the steel mould.

Bakelite
Main article: Bakelite
The first plastic based on a synthetic polymer was made from phenol and formaldehyde, with the first viable and cheap synthesis methods invented in 1909 by Leo Hendrik Baekeland, a Belgian-born American living in New York state. Baekeland was searching for an insulating shellac to coat wires in electric motors and generators. He found that mixtures of phenol (C6H5OH) and formaldehyde (HCOH) formed a sticky mass when mixed together and heated, and the mass became extremely hard if allowed to cool. He continued his investigations and found that the material could be mixed with wood flour, asbestos, or slate dust to create "composite" materials with different properties. Most of these compositions were strong and fire resistant. The only problem was that the material tended to foam during synthesis, and the resulting product was of unacceptable quality.

Baekeland built pressure vessels to force out the bubbles and provide a smooth, uniform product. He publicly announced his discovery in 1912, naming it bakelite. It was originally used for electrical and mechanical parts, finally coming into widespread use in consumer goods in the 1920s. When the Bakelite patent expired in 1930, the Catalin Corporation acquired the patent and began manufacturing Catalin plastic using a different process that allowed a wider range of coloring.

Bakelite was the first true plastic. It was a purely synthetic material, not based on any material or even molecule found in nature. It was also the first thermosetting plastic. Conventional thermoplastics can be molded and then melted again, but thermoset plastics form bonds between polymers strands when cured, creating a tangled matrix that cannot be undone without destroying the plastic. Thermoset plastics are tough and temperature resistant.

Bakelite was cheap, strong, and durable. It was molded into thousands of forms, such as cases for radios, telephones and clocks, and billiard balls. The U.S. government even considered making one-cent coins out of it when World War II caused a copper shortage.[citation needed]

Phenol-based ("Phenolic") plastics have been largely replaced by cheaper and less brittle plastics, but they are still used in applications requiring their insulating and heat-resistant properties. For example, some electronic circuit boards are made of sheets of paper or cloth impregnated with phenolic resin.

Phenolic sheets, rods and tubes are produced in a wide variety of grades under various brand names. The most common grades of industrial phenolic are Canvas, Linen and Paper.

(I have more on the industrial use.) This is very informative! Thank you wikipedia! :O)

So, celluloid was used for jewelry in the early 1900's, but it is more flammable! Plastic progressed to bakelite, used for household items in the 1920's, then to catalin in 1930, when the company was sold.
(I'll add jewelry photos soon!)

New Facebook Fan Page For Luv2LuvAntiques.com

2010-08-04T01:38:00.000-07:00

Please 'Like' my fan page for Luv2LuvAntiques.com : Luv2LuvAntiques Facebook Fan Page

Vintage Japanese With A Twist!

2010-04-23T14:57:00.000-07:00

I keep finding wonderful things at estate sales! What is really interesting was a sale where I found several vintage items that were directly from Japan, brought to Texas by a world traveller!
The twist is that when you purchase items made in Japan in the U.S.A., they are stamped Japan, or Made In Japan. When a visitor to Japan purchases products not designed for export, they are unmarked.
I have a gorgeous 7 piece Japanese Salad Bowl Set listed at
Luv2Luv Antiques that was a direct purchase in Japan!

Vintage 1950s Japanese Salad Bowl Set

Old Fashioned Charm.Com's Blog Is Up And Running!

2010-04-14T04:34:00.000-07:00

Come and follow my second website's blog...Old Fashioned Charm.Com
and see how a 'picker' got lucky and found antique treasure!

Vintage Country Cottage In The Woods

2010-02-18T03:17:00.000-08:00

Vintage Country Cottage was the fourth theme idea that I had for my vintage and antiques websites, but I just needed the proper site banner. On one of my estate sale jaunts, I found the perfect framed vintage print of a country cottage with surrounding gardens...my dream of heaven!
And of course I had always liked vintage photos of ladies in their turn of the century garb (now last century!), so I thought a couple of younger ladies would look very much at home there! Vintage wreath and floral wallpaper, with the young ladies, some victrola music, and my direct links to the store, and other sites, welcome you on the main page.
At 'Cottage Comforts' you will find comfy handmade pillows.
'Linens and Lace' has dresser scarves, table runners, doilies, and lacy items for your perusal.
'Delectable Decorations' is where you will find pitchers, vases, vanity/candy dishes, and cake plates, to name a few.
'Gran's Kitchen' holds vintage linens, such as aprons, tea towels, tablecloths, and curtains, cups and saucers, serving dishes, and much, much more!

1940s Ladies Cotton Voile Butterfly Cocktail Apron at Gran's Kitchen

'Country Trappings' is where the down home country look can be found, such as a chenille country horse.

Vintage Chenille Bedspread Country Horse at Country Trappings

So...come down to my little Vintage Country Cottage in the woods, sit and visit a spell, and see what is going on in 'Gran's Kitchen'!

The Vintage Crows Nest...

2010-02-14T14:30:00.000-08:00

I have always had a luv of the sea and all things nautical! I'm very interested in the denizens of the deep, and those that wash up on the seashore!
On my third website, I want to feature unique things from vintage 1970's, all the way back to antiques from Victorian times, that have to do with the sea!
On the front page of the site you can see the site banner, which is U.S. Coast Guard life rings laid against a hammock, on the side of my back yard fence. Believe it or not...these were discards of my neighbor!
Next is a slideshow of photos taken at Mustang Island, of Bob Hall Pier. My Kodak Easyshare Camera was the best thing I could ever have purchased! All you have to do is point and click, according to my son! LOL
The background on the main page was made from a photo of my Wilendur Lobster towel, that I faded out...the photo...not the tea towel! LOL
The direct links to some of the listings are next. You can click on them and go directly to the item. Or, you can use the shop entrance on the banner at the top.
Then I have my email link, and links to my three other websites, and a link to the second page for my favorite links. The music player features a vintage song for your enjoyment!
The second page features a background from one of my beach photos...the waves and sand on the beach! The banner at the top has only one life ring, and the slideshow features photos of a really neat shop on Padre Island!
Another slideshow I made up features a seashell frame with a vintage 1950s couple from a Coca Cola ad. My email life ring, another favorite beach photo, links to the Vintage Tablecloth Lovers Club, Lace Fairy, Sherry's (Ebay ID - Vintagetresors) Vintage Barkcloth Style Names, links to other favorite sellers, and another player with a vintage sea related song, follow!
I had so much fun designing this website! And it gives me much satisfaction to see my ideas starting to come together, especially as I learned each step of the way!
So visit Captain Kidd's Treasure Chest for your favorite costume jewels, Anne Bonny's Booty for knick knacks for your home, Jean Lafitte's Galley for kitchenware, items, and vintage linens, Calico Jack Rackham's Locker for all your clothing needs (whether it be a bathrobe, belt, hat, or scarf), Henry Morgan's Cantina for all your barware needs, Black Beard's Cabin for everything you would find in a captain's cabin...(ie. vintage seashell mirror), and much, much more to come!

Vintage Nautical Tea Towel at Jean Lafitte's Galley

Vintage Nautical Bathrobe at Calico Jack Rackham's Locker

Old Fashioned Charm.com would not wait!

2009-12-10T08:46:00.000-08:00

Even before I had completed the two pages of www.luv2luvantiques.com, www.oldfashionedcharm.com became a reality. The picture of the Victorian Lady stood out in my mind, and I remembered my Gramma, and Grampa, in Edwardian clothing...
I must have a site that I could put vintage and antiques, from the '50's all the way back to the Victorian times...a good mixture of the family tree, so to speak! I decided to make it all flowery, and feminine, as there is at least a bit of that in every female!
I hope to showcase things my, and my husband's, aunts, uncles, parents, and grandparents use to value, or have in their time! Take a look at the shop categories, and you will see what I mean...
And I will also have a second page there, for my favorite sellers, and sites.
These beautiful 1800's Victorian Pink "Fish", Cased Glass, Salt and Pepper Shakers, from the Consolidated Lamp and Glass Company, are an excellent example of gorgeous Victoriana!

Antique Victorian Pink Fish Salt and Pepper Shakers at Miss Margaret's Dining Table

Luv2LuvAntiques: How it all started....

2009-12-01T16:01:00.000-08:00

I've always been an antique / vintage luver, and collector. Years ago, I bought antique furniture, refinished and repaired it if necessary, and resold it. I was always searching for vintage in antique stores, flea markets, junk shops, garage sales, and estate sales.
I had been a vendor at a local antique store, renting a little room, to display my vintage and antiques. This past March the shop closed, as did a few antique businesses, in our town.
I had sold part time on Ebay, and had opened a Bonanzle booth, and an Etsy shop, so I wasn't new to online selling. I felt I needed my own website, but what to do?
I checked into fancy photoshop programs, but the moderate priced one was over $750.00!
Instead I made payments on a super cool Kodak Easy Share Camera, that almost takes the photos for you!
I've learned more about html, rss feeds, gadgets, etc., and I'm still learning all the time!
I purchased five .com domain names, with the idea of using one for my website, and maybe keeping the others for a future investment. I started putting the html, photos, music, links, etc, together for www.luv2luvantiques.com .
My first customer told me that my website was really unique...not generic as all the other ones out there! I thought...what a compliment! But...what am I doing putting all those categories in my shop just like lists of things???? That is sooo generic!!!
I thought...what made me pick my little angel, as my trademark, in the first place? My love of angels of course! So, I did a little research to learn more about the 7 archangels...not just my favorites, Michael and Gabriel...and found that I did not even know their names! Religious scholars even disagree about the last 3 angels names! What a learning experience! I spent quite a few hours reading!
So, if you check out my main website at www.luv2luvantiques.com , take a look inside the shop at the categories. I think you will see something quite unique!
Here is one of the many surprises at www.luv2luvantiques.com!

Vintage 1930s Swallows Nest Quilt at Raphael's Linens & Quilts