Antique Buyers, Sellers, Pickers, and Collectors all have something in common. They love to find something unusual or different.
Whether cruising a Flea Market, waving at an Auction, or searching an Estate Sale residence. The unusual will catch their eye. Unrelated items are often “picked” at different times and different places. Those with the knack of putting their odd “finds” together are often rewarded with a totally different creation.
Here is a collection of several items. All unrelated when found. All found at different times. Old Chinese Wooden Doors in the background, a yellow Decorative Metal Box, a Concrete Buddha, a odd pottery Dragon Bowl, and a concrete Asian Pagoda Garden Statue which we electrified with a light.
Using a diamond hole saw and water. A drain hole was bored through the bottom of the dragon. It became a pot for the Bonsai Tree.
A small Creeping Japanese Juniper was purchased to become a living Bonsai Tree. Heavy copper wire was wrapped around the tree roots to form them and provide stability. It was then potted in soil with a little sprinkle of fertilizer. The branches were trimmed to form the more traditional look of a Bonsai. This arrangement was set up in a section of a back yard garden area.
This combination of some rather plain and perhaps boring items, became a serenely peaceful meditation area.
At the time of this writing old window panes are currently “hot” in the Antique/Flea Market trade. At one time, you could pick up a single pane frame, for a dollar or two. At times even snag them for free. You are lucky to find them for under $10 now. We normally pass on ones any higher. But we have paid as high as $40. We are talking wholesale pricing.
We still dig at sales and run into some in the lower price range though. As with anything in this business, “Hot” can turn to “Cold” overnight. We don’t want stuck with something we overpaid on, or stock pile, to find they suddenly have no appeal to buyers.
On the retail side of things, old battered frames are commanding top dollar. $75 is not unusual, and it seems the sky is the limit. depending on what you have. Much depends on a buyers taste and motivation.
It seems like the worse they look, the more people want them. Social media is probably the influencing factor. So many people are re-purposing and posting photos on Pinterest and the like. It gives other people idea’s to create something unique.
We bought a few the past week. We try to flip these and make a few dollars profit. We also invest time and labor in some to increase their selling appeal.
The whole batch we picked up was filthy dirty. It would have taken bottles of windex. The dirt was so thick it would have become a muddy mess. So we lined them up in the back yard and turned the power washer loose on them. We were kind of cautious on some, thinking the glass might literally fall out.
On several the glazing compound was all but completely gone from the exterior side of the glass. We powered off the coating of dirt and with it, half the paint, and putty, that was falling off. One pane we had to re-glaze and set aside for that to cure. Most had to have the wooden frames glued at the corner joints, then pin nailed to prevent them from falling apart. So there is more labor and expense involved, than meets the eye.
We have several that will be held for projects to attempt to return a somewhat larger profit. Others sold as is. The more labor and expense you put into them, the higher the risk of getting no return on your investment. That happens too.
This one shown was embellished with French signage artwork, and will soon be up for sale. Check back to follow some other window projects.
Winter is always too long no matter where you live. February is certainly too early to plant flowers, or is it? We have been looking through some of our vintage glass pieces to price, and put in the shop for sale.
We normally try to avoid selling anything with nicks or chips. In fact some pieces are pulled off the shelf if they become chipped through customer handling. We used to throw these away.
Applying some minor welding skills, and having the proper tools to drill glass, we turn trash pieces into beautiful additions to our garden. They are beautiful and especially so when they catch the sunlight passing through them just right.
The stem is a piece of bent re-bar. A 3/8 nut was welded on the end.
The Stamen or center of this flower is a crystal door knob.
The glass dish was drilled using a diamond bit in a drill press, with adequate cooling water, as well as lots of patience.
A bolt welded to the knob stem is threaded through everything and tightened into the welded nut completes the project.
All that is left is “planting” it in the proper garden spot to catch the sunlight
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Here is a great way to put your antique cast iron finds to good use. Have you picked up a 8 inch Dutch Oven? They are perfect for baking bread.
Mix the day before baking
Recipe and Images: Rick Beach
Artisan Flax Seed Bread
3 Cups Flour
¼ Cup Ground Flax Seed
1 ½ tsp Salt
¼ tsp Instant Yeast (bread machine yeast)
12 oz Beer (Beer varieties change the flavor – Experiment)
* Add salt, yeast, and Ground Flax Seed to the Flour.
* Add beer to the dry ingredients.
* Stir together and completely mixed into a rough ball.
* Cover with plastic wrap 8-18 hours on the counter
* Sometime after 8 hrs, turn proofed dough out on floured board
* Pat dough flat. Fold over on itself 4 or 5 times (no kneading required)
* Oil a bowl. Place dough in oiled bowl. Cover and reproof 1 2/3-3 hours to raise
* Preheat oven to 425°F and an empty Dutch Oven for 30 minutes.
* Dump the proofed dough into the hot Dutch Oven that has just been well greased.
* Bake in covered Dutch Oven 25-30 minutes with the lid on, 3 minutes longer with lid off. Or bake with lid off for a hard crustier bread.
I use a 8 inch Dutch Oven with the lid off the entire time. Mine is too low to use the lid. If you have a deep 8 inch diameter perhaps the lid would work.
* Once baked, remove from oven. Shake the loaf out and cool on rack. For soft crust (As shown in photos) rub all surfaces with butter as soon as the loaf is shaken out of the cast iron.
This is another recipe for those that collect Cast Iron Cookware and are not afraid to put it to use. These are little mini pizza”s done in #3 Cast Iron Skillets.
We normally make them for breakfast as a special treat. Don’t let that stop you from baking some and serving them at other meal times.
We make homemade dough the night before. After the first rise we cover appropriate sized balls of dough with olive oil. Place them in their own individual zip lock bags and store in the fridge over night….or for a couple days.
Take them out and let them warm up to room temperature (about an hour). Then work the dough into a well greased #3 Cast Iron Skillet.
Use well seasoned, 6 inch, greased, and pre-warmed cast iron skillets. A great way to use up leftovers. (Make a 6 inch pizza for each person)
Ingredients
Homemade Pizza or Bread Dough
Olive Oil
Pizza sauce
Any Preferred cooked Breakfast toppings (Left over Home fries, Hash browns, crumbled bacon, diced ham, etc)
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
1 raw egg per mini pizza
Salt and Pepper to taste
Flatten dough into warm greased skillet. Brush olive oil on top of the flattened out dough. Add sauce and toppings. Set aside in a warm place to raise for 15-30 minutes. Use Mozzarella to form a nest. Slip the whole raw egg into the nest. Salt and Pepper to preference. (Makes a single 6 inch pizza for each person)
Preheat oven to 375°. Once raised bake 12-20 minutes or until the egg becomes opaque on top. If bottom appears to be browning before the top is done, turn on broiler to finish off the top. Just keep a close eye on them.
Variation. Mix BBQ sauce 50/50 with pizza sauce. Then use shredded or small chunks of cooked chicken, chopped fresh basil leaves, Mozzarella cheese, egg, salt & pepper. Options are endless.
I find leftover pizza is sometimes better than fresh baked. As with many tomato and herb based foods. Aging seems to increase the flavor. Especially if it is homemade.
How many of you enjoy cold left over pizza for breakfast? I certainly do. How about the re-heated version?
My favorite technique for re-heating leftovers is to use a cast iron skillet. You can’t be in a hurry. If you are in a big rush just throw it in the microwave. If you really want something better than just baked, try using cast iron.
I put my cast iron on a burner set at its lowest setting. I always use gas stoves. If you cook with electric you may have to experiment. As soon as the Cast Iron is warm to the touch (a minute or two) I wipe it with a very thin layer of Crisco vegetable shortening. I place the pizza on the Cast Iron and cover it with a lid or tent of aluminum foil.
I kept the heat as low as possible and allow the pizza to warm slowly until the top cheese is warm and melted. Serve at this point. You will be rewarded with a delightfully crispy bottom crust, and aged sauce that has brought out even more flavor.
My favorite for pizza re-heating is my square vintage BSR (Birmingham Stove & Range) Breakfast Griddle.
“Tis the Season. Make up boxes of cookies, candies, chocolate dipped pretzels, etc. Have these on hand the week before Christmas to spread a little joy and love with your friends, family, and neighbors.
Here are a couple very common recipes to start out with.
Our favorite is right off the bag of Nestle’s ® Chocolate Chip Bag
Nestle’s® Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies
Makes 5 dozen
2 ¼ Cups Flour
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Salt
1 Cup Butter softened
¾ Cup Sugar – White Granulated
¾ Cup Brown Sugar Packed
1 tsp Vanilla
2 Eggs
2 Cups Nestle’s ® Chocolate Chips
1 Cup Nuts Chopped (Optional)
Preheat oven to 375°F.
Combine Flour, Baking Soda, and salt in small bowl.
Beat butter, sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl until creamy. Then add eggs one at a time beating well after adding each egg.
Gradually beat the Flour mixture into the creamy butter mixture.
Stir/Fold in the Chocolate Chips and Nuts.
Drop by rounded Tbsp. onto an ungreased baking sheet.
Bake 9-11 minutes until golden brown. Cool on baking sheet 2 minutes then move to wire rack to cool completely.
********************** Cookie Press Christmas Cookies
Decorate with Icing and Sprinkles
Plain/Vanilla Spritz Cookie Press Cookies
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 cup butter
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
Heat oven to 375°F. In large mixer bowl combine sugar, butter, egg, salt, and vanilla. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until mixture is light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add flour. Beat at low speed, scraping bowl often, until well mixed, 2 to 3 minutes. Place dough in cookie press. Form desired shapes 1 inch apart on cookie sheets. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.
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Chocolate Spritz Cookie Press Cookies
Makes about 60
1-1/4 cups butter
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp Vanilla
2 large eggs
3 ¼ Cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cups cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
Preheat oven to 375 F. In a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer, beat butter and sugars, and vanilla, until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. In another bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. Gradually stir flour mixture into butter mixture. Shape dough into a log and place in your cookie press. Press cookies out onto an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.
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Layered Vanilla and chocolate Cookies
Used press with wide saw toothed die and lay out a long strip.
On top layer a long strip of white/vanilla
Variation use crushed candy, (Crushed candy canes work good) between the layers.
Cut the strips in bite sizes and bake at 350°F for about 10 minutes.
Decorate with white or colored icing and sprinkles.
To make pinwheels
Roll a Layer of the Vanilla dough out on wax paper. On a second piece of wax paper roll out a thin lay of the Chocolate dough. Flip the chocolate layer over on top of the white. Press dough together slightly. Peel off the top layer of wax paper. Roll the double layer of white and chocolate into a log removing the bottom wax paper. Cover the dough log with wax paper. Then cover in foil and chill in the fridge for about an hour. Then remove foil and wax paper, and slice disks off the log about 1/4 inch thick. Arrange on cookie sheet and bake as directed above.
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Chocolate Dipping Sauce
for Pretzels, Ritz Crackers, Oreo Cookies, etc
For every 8 oz of Chips (Chocolate, White, etc) add 2 Tbsp. of Crisco Shortening
In the microwave or double boiler heat and stir until silky smooth
Dip your items in the melted chocolate and lay out on wax paper. You can speed this up by using chilled cookie sheets.
Dipping a second time after the first dip has cooled will make a thicker layer of chocolate. Either way, before chocolate has hardened you can drizzles with sprinkles or colored sugar
Middletown Silver Plated Style #139 Hard white metal
This is a rare piece
See Vendor #24
List price $128.98
Vendor #24 Charleston Antique Mall
560 S. Decatur Blvd
Las Vegas, Nevada 89107
702 228-4783 Click for Map to street address Glass 6ft case just inside the main entrance
Early 2016 we expanded into a Booth area too – Ask front desk for both of our locations Gemstone lapidary specimens finished and Raw
Amethyst Geodes cut and polished
Carved Stone Asian figures – Amethyst, Fluorite, Jade, etc
High end collectibles, Lalique, Baccarat, Crystal, Purses
Sterling & Costume Jewelry
Art & Unique Collectibles
Collects – Sells – Buys
High End used-opened Merchandise and Merchandising products
Wow…we took to the road late last night (Saturday) to be at a Vintage Flea Market in California the following Sunday morning. About 300 miles one way for us. We pulled into the parking lot at about 4am.
Our shopping started before sunrise as vendors set up. While it may be the best time to score before stuff disappears. There is normally not much dickering that time of the morning. So expect to pay a premium. We shopped until 10am and found some real bargains as vendors started adjusting prices more.
With a car load of vintage goodies we then hit the road back to Las Vegas. I unfortunately lost a nights sleep in there. LOL
We found a vendor with this gem of a rig. Of course I am partial to this vendors set-up. It hits home with my camping spirit. A converted 1963 Airstream. Made into a mobile Boutique. The inside was gutted and converted into a rolling retail shop. Complete with a sales counter up by the door, and a changing room in the rear. You couldn’t get better vintage, at a Vintage/Antique Flea Market.
Even with a crazy 600 mile turn around round trip we had fun! Met new contacts, saw many new “Old” items, and snagged a few good deals. We were only limited by our wallets and imagination of what we could do with some of the items.
