Mirrors & Fascinators Oh My! Quench your vintage & antique thirst

Dear Readers,

I remember how it spoke to me and the artistry in the air. I am pertaining to last years Ottawa Antique Show.

Get ready to shop 40,000 sq./ft. full of retro, vintage and antique heart warming pieces. I go every year for the vast array of inventory and friendly faces. At this show you will find any object of your affection from rare home furnishings to epic fashions.

This year I am going on the hunt for two things; an ornate [antique] bathroom mirror and funky beaded [vintage] headband also know as a fascinator.

The trick to finding a good aged wall-mounted mirror is to make sure you take note of:

  • The condition of the glass (I look for distortion, fogginess and at the edges, especially the bottom for marks)
  • Check the back of the mirror for how easy it will be to hang (if there is a wire make sure it is secured from left to right)
  • Look for a sturdy frame that can handle the heat (if this item is going in a bathroom chipped paint will not do too well).

A Gothic mirror will be my pick which is anything that dates between the 12th – 16th century. Point of Note: This style came back in the 19th century with a Victorian twist – my chances of finding something from this time frame is more likely. These mirrors are characterized by carvings, scrolling as well as dark frames usually made of oak. The arch of these frames is usually pointed upwards.

When scouting fashion accessories [like a fascinator] there are often different things to consider:

  • Colour (how many things will it match if you plan to where it on more than one occasion)
  • Comfort (when it comes to jewellery or clingy things I always take note of my sensitive skin and how it will feel after a days wear)
  • Versatility (can I dress it up and down)

As some of you know I adore The Flapper Party Look so therefore I really dig headbands. A little beading and a feather here and there is always great. I plan to look for something that will match any dress so will stick to something rose gold or that is more of a neutral shade.

Come on down to the Ottawa Antique Show and don’t miss a beat in the world of vintage and antique.  The crucial deats:

When: October 25 (10am-5pm) and October 26 (10am-4pm) 2014

Where: Carleton University Fieldhouse, Bronson Avenue (at Sunnyside) Ottawa ON

Admission: $10  Under 18: Free Re-admission: Free Parking: $3/day
Sign up for a discount coupon here!

See you there,

Jewelz

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To Market, to Morrisburg

McHaffie Flea Market – Morrisburg, Ontario

Fall was in the air and there was no shortage of vintage and antique treats at this sizeable flea market.

Upon entering I was astounded by the number of vendors and sheer selection of merchandise. Speaking of selection, there were so many walking paths to choose from [left, right, up and down] that I didn’t know where to start. What is superior about the McHaffie market is they can accommodate many people indoors which is a definite plus from both a browsing & buying standpoint especially when there are drizzles of rain and a cool breeze outside.

I stopped at every indoor space at least twice throughout the day in order to give everything a good up and down. I must admit, I am a scanner so I usually only go where my eyes take me first. It usually works in my favor because I find things I adore quickly.

IMG_2544Where did my eyes take me first you ask? They took me to a praiseworthy spot which happened to be stall #26, run by Karin Steenge. She had a dazzling array of retro kitchenware, magazines and single home furnishings. A few things that stood out to me were these smashing [yet sturdy] rose wine glasses and a round, multi-colour over the shoulder purse. After leaving [for the second time] I actually regretted not buying all the wine glasses and an orange kitchen trolley cart she used to display objects. Her tasteful selection will make me a regular customer.IMG_2547

Down the hall and around the corner I went…

My mission of the day was actually to find a certain husband-and-wife-to-be a unique heirloom they can hold dear for years to come. I found a vintage gem [photo to follow soon] sitting in a display case at S & R Collectibles. It boasts hints of turquoise, orange and doesn’t lack luster. In case they [bride & groom] are reading this, the last thing I will say is it comes all the way from Czechoslovakia. I promise to share the full skinny on this gift found at booth #52 & 53 after October 10th, 2014.

My eye was definitely on the prize however after I found it [as noted above] I became drawn to an “Off the Wall” nook which was home to ceramics and some pretty colourful stuff. As people walked by you could tell they were digging all the bright colours of the German pottery and modern glass. Visit the Off the Wall site for more on their showpieces. On the same stretch I wasn’t surprised to see a boat load of military memorabilia, bottles, toys and some vintage jewellery. What I must say was lacking from this flea market was vintage and antique clothing as well as accessories. Though there were a few hats and a fur coat here and there, I could not find any boutiques that solely focused on this type of fashion. That is on my wishlist for my next visit.

I drowned my style sorrows in an amazing Oktoberfest meal from the canteen and rejuvenated my spirits across the hall [from the canteen] after I caught a glimpse of a really delicate and alluring serving plate [ornamental garden gourds were not included].

IMG_2548Now I am going to tell you to, Just Shut Up and Paint your home with some creative pieces designed by Andrea Brehl. She makes recycled goods look gorgeous and really puts her own spin on the vintage and antique pieces she touches. I appreciate the time and effort that goes into making something a captivating contender again [via a lick of paint and some elbow grease] that might otherwise be overlooked.

To be frank, though there were items for sale in the great outdoors, I skipped the stands with the exception of the apple stand on the way out where I purchased a huge home-baked pie.

If you are looking for volume and quality – this market may be for you. Make your down to 5070 County Road 31 (Bank Street) and let Morrisburg, Ontario be your go to place for the best in retro, vintage and antiques. To market, to market, to buy …

 

October Adventures – McHaffie Flea Market -Morrisburg, ON

ID-10057861Good Evening Readers,

I spent over four hours checking out the McHaffie Flea Market today located in Morrisburg, Ontario. Only a few words describe my visit – Time well spent!

I made several trips to the car to drop off items, not only to make room in my bag but to ensure I didn’t break any of my new spine-tingling finds.

Come back tomorrow to hear all about my countryside discoveries.

Jewelz

 

SHOW CANCELLED -The Retro Vintage Antique Show – Coming Sunday, October 5th, 2014 (Ottawa, ON)

*These are not actual items being sold at event
*These are not actual items being sold at event

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It’s time for some Sunday shopping! I am excited to report on a new show [Retro Vintage Antique] coming soon to the Ottawa area.

This show came about to fill the ever-growing need for both functional and unique décor. You will find a variety of items from Ontario and Quebec sellers. I personally enjoy buying from local vendors!

Are you looking for an authentic antique or conversation pieces for the home? If so, I suggest you come take a look and have a few hours of fun in a relaxed and laid back atmosphere.

I should see you there as I am a huge fan of hitting up local events…

The important bits:

Date: Sunday, October 5th, 2014

Time: 8:00 Early Bird Admission, 9:00 General Admission and 3:00 Dealers Begin Packing.

Location (Free Parking): Centurion Event and Conference Center – 170 Colonnade Road South.
The outdoor sales season may be coming to a close but it has paved the way for some intriguing indoor shows.

For more details please visit the event website.
Happy browsing,

Jewelz