SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK

How many of you remember Schoolhouse Rock? All of you? Ok, cool.

Let's relive some of the better videos...

My favorite, by far, is Telegraph Line from 1979. The telegraph line/nervous system analogy is great and that little messenger kid on the bike is too cool.


I also like that wacky Interplanet Janet from 1978...


I especially like the lyrics about the sun.... "It's a star! It's a star! So, Janet got an autograph." I also like Janet's blank look. She kinda looks like a drag queen, too.

Of course, every one's favorite is Conjunction Junction from 1973...


This was part of the first wave of the series. I like it alright, but not as much as some of the others. I do think the premise of this one holds true throughout.

The next favorite is I'm Just a Bill from 1975...


It's funny that this is pretty much not how a bill becomes a law anymore. It was produced as part of America Rock for the US Bicentennial in 1976. The other videos in the 'Merica Rock series go overboard on the patriotism and some border on nationalistic. No More Kings and The Great American Melting Pot are particularly offensive to me. Different times, I guess.

What's your favorite Schoolhouse Rock episode?

WHAT I DIDN'T BUY :: INDY

Hey everyone... I'M BACK! Sorry it's been a YEAR since I last posted. I'm not sure why I stopped updating the blog, it's not like my hands got cut off in some crazy bad ass honey badger accident and I couldn't type.

Anyhoo, I'm just going to start right back in with another edition of WHAT I DIDN'T BUY (at the thrift store)...

A few weeks ago I went to Indianapolis for the weekend to see a friend perform as the Baker's Wife in Into the Woods (she was amazing!) I went up in the morning and spent the day thrifting. I found some great stuff! And I will show you that great stuff at the end of this post. But first, you cheeky monkey, I need to show you WHAT I DIDN'T BUY...

This hutch was great. And it was only $70. But I have no room nor reason to purchase said hutch. So I took a photo and away I went. 

This little guy with a cork head looked like he was supposed to be something vintage and amazing. But I didn't know if he was vintage or retro or something that's worth a billion dollars because he's rare and Scandinavian or something. So I left him. And the large tumbler was fun, but just didn't get my juices flowing (see what I did there).

The wooden tray bowl hybrid was awesomely mod, but it had a nick. And I like the clock, but not that much to buy it for the shop.

Ok, so now on to some of the amazing things I did find in Indy...

Why yes, that's an Alvar Aalto designed Iittala votive candle holder. It's not vintage, but it was only $1. I also found an amazing "TOTE" bag that's perfect for my MacBook. I also kept that brown and blue and tan mod vase. And also that giant paperclip. The black and multi-colored pot, the Orchids of Hawaii tiki mugs and the white enamel kettle are all in the shop.

What DIDN'T you buy recently at the thrift store recently?

WANTED :: TIE TESTERS

 Two years ago I made a batch of ties out of vintage fabrics. I posted a photo on my Flickr page and it became my third most viewed photo. Everyone was asking when I was going to start selling them. At the time I was too afraid of all the hand sewing required so I didn't finish them.

A few days ago I posted the image on Instagram and Facebook and once again, they were a huge hit. I got out the needle and thread and sat my ass down and started sewing. It wasn't that bad and didn't take that long. It went faster while watching a DVD.

I will make more and start selling them but I need to test them first. I want to improve the pattern and know if there are any potential issues.

I need three testers that are willing to wear the a tie over the next 2-3 weeks and then report any issues. I will send you the tie. All you need to do is report back to me. You can keep the tie.

The first THREE readers who comment to this post will receive the ties. I will choose which tie you get. Please be sure to leave an email address. USA and CANADA residents only.

UPDATE :: all spots are filled. Thanks!

WHAT I DIDN'T BUY :: FURNITURE

I have a bunch of "what I didn't buy" photos backing up on my phone. So, I thought I'd put together a few installments by subject. Today... furniture.

These tables could all be great in the right environment. The silver glass combo on the left would be an awesome dining table with some super mod chairs. The green plastic side table could be either super BoHo or minimal mod. The mirrored side table on the right could be totally glam in the right setting.

The wooden chairs on the left would look great around a Saarinen tulip table. And I can picture the yellow office chairs in a mod design or architecture office.

I've always wanted a French-inspired sofa like this. I love mixing antiquey with mod. It would have to be reupholstered in a neutral fabric like tan or gray and maybe the frame repainted.

I always love a good, mod hutch and I see them fairly often. I don't have a need for one, but these two would be great for a dining room or living room. Or how about an artist's studio... I can see two of these sitting side by side holding fabric, paints, etc. It would be cool to paint them something bright, like pink and orange.

I mentioned above I am not looking for a hutch, but I am looking for a smallish sideboard/cabinet like this one. I was standing in the thrift store considering it, when this woman wheeled her cart in front of me and said in a bitchy tone, "Um, I've already claimed that." Ok, whatever, you weren't even anywhere near it when I got there. It wasn't in the best condition anyway.

What DIDN'T you buy at the thrift store recently?

WHAT I DIDN'T BUY :: L.A. EDITION

I was in LA again a few weeks ago and was able to thrift in Culver City and Santa Monica and also around Pasadena and Arcadia. We hit up about 8 stores total... the pickings were slim. Seems like it's the same around the country as I've had very poor luck recently in Ohio, too.

Anyway, to all the stuff I DIDN'T buy...

We stopped at a boutique-y type thrift store across from Sony Studios in Culver City which had a lot of cool stuff. I bought a cool TWA carry-on bag but had to leave the great Mikasa sugar, creamer and mug and the HIS mug.

A few church related charity shops turned up some good finds, like a Dansk fish-shaped trivet that I bought for $2. I also found this cool rooster that reminds me of a Dala horse, this fun Copco Michael Lax style kettle and this groovy, folksy, neonish wall-hanging.

This Y plastic and styrofoam signage would sell well in the shop, but it was too large for my luggage. And this silver carafe is super mod and fun but too large to stuff in to my carry-on.

I find these Dansk pitchers all the time without their lids! And this soup mug set is totally fun and would do well in the shop, but again it was too much to carry home in my luggage across three time zones.

I usually see my friend Robert when I am in LA. This time we went to the Helms Bakery to check out some of the cool designy shops.

We saw lots of cool things, like these overpriced pieces of signage and this creepy clown clock.

There were also some amazing things, like vintage school maps and diagrams, some from Europe.

What DIDN'T you buy at the thrift store lately?

AUCTION

Wouldn't it be great to have the money to spend at an auction full of mid-century furniture and art like this one?! Here are a few of the items that caught my eye...

TWA

I'm loving this new TWA carry-on bag I found while thrifing in LA. It was only $5 which I thought was fair. It's the perfect size for my laptop and other odds 'n ends.

MOD

When I was in LA just over a week ago, I stopped by MOCA to see the "The Total Look". A view in to the creative collaboration between designer Rudi Gernreich, model Peggy Moffit and photographer William Claxton. It was amazing and completely inspiring. I sneaked a few photos...

They had this totally fab film playing on the first level that had me mesmerized. I love the fashion, the modness and the music. So fab!

REFORM

 

Can I have one of everything at Reform Gallery, please?!

:: Evelyn Ackerman "Autumn Leaves" Tapestries by Era Industries
:: Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Rocking Chair
:: "Discontinious II" tapestry by James Bassler
:: Arthur Umanoff Hanging Wall / Desk Unit for Elton

STRIPES

Yesterday I spent the afternoon thrifting. I didn't find too much except for this great Cathrineholm enamel striped bowl. It's only the second time I've found Cathrineholm in the "wild". Great find!

ONE STEP

I've recently found two of these Polaroid OneStep cameras. They are very popular and do well in the shop.

One of the two that I found was in almost new condition, so I have decided to keep it. I have two packs of old Polaroid film that I am anxious to use.

I will be in Los Angles at the end of April and will take the camera along with me. The SoCal light will be a great place to get some good shots.

CUSTOMER PHOTOS

I love when customers send me photos of the items they've bought from the shop. Here are a few of my favorites...

VINTAGE KITCHEN

I love this small collection of vintage Cathrineholm, Dansk and other Scandinavian items in my kitchen.

The two Cathrineholm pieces I found while thrifting. I saw them from across the aisle and pushed a few people out of the way to get to them... haha. The dutch oven is in great shape. The saucier has some small burn marks on the handle, but is otherwise in good condition. One of the only times I have seen Cathrineholm in person.

The white plastic pitcher is great to use for tea. There is no mark so I have no idea of its age, designer or manufacturer. I just like its shape and modness.

I recently found the Dansk pitcher for $14 and did a little happy dance. It's in decent condition. The Dansk pot I use all the time for sauces and pasta. I had two of them but sold the larger one in the shop.

The large white pitcher is by Hammar Plast, designed by Karl-Axel Andersson and possibly Morgan Ferm (if that's even a person). I can't find any info so I don't know much about it other than that.

What vintage items do YOU have in YOUR kitchen?

VINTAGE WISH LIST

Most of my vintage collections and stuff that I find I usually just come across while thrifting, cruising Ebay or Etsy, or some other resource. There are a few items I am always looking for, some of which are pretty elusive...

I've always loved this George Nelson desk. I really doubt I will even come across it in a thrift store or on Craig's List. It's more of a save-my-money-and-someday-buy-it-for-thousands kind of purchase.

I guess I have a thing for George Nelson, because if I ever found these sideboards/cabinets at a decent price I'd pee my pants and jump up and down like a school girl.

These Kaj Bojesen Zooline Monkeys make my heart flutter. I've always loved lighthearted and funny design, and these are definitely humorous! They are almost always on Ebay, but I guess I am not ready to spend $150 of one of them. So, I'm hoping someday I will come across one while thrifting or at an antique mall.

When people would ask me what item I am constantly looking for when thrifting, my standard answer used to be a Eames wood chair. That's not necessarily what I say now, but I'd still be really happy to find one. And a Kaj Franck Finel enamel mushroom bowl would be an amazing thrift find. But like the Zooline monkeys, I'm not really willing to shell out more than $30 for one.

Lately, I've had my eye on black Cathrinholm pieces, especially a tea kettle. A few months ago, there was a black tea kettle on Ebay and I decided not to bid. It "only" sold for $75 which is a steal compared to what the other pieces sell for. I missed my chance! Hopefully, another one will show up soon at a fair price.

What is on YOUR vintage wish list?

THRIFT FINDS

Lately, it seems as though things are picking up at the thrifts. I've been able to find at least one decent item whenever I go thrifting... which is maybe once a week at this point.

:: I love this little metal TEA container. I know it goes with a complete flour-sugar-coffee-tea set, but it's still cute on its own. I'm sure it will sell quickly in the shop.

:: I usually don't like to sell single mugs, but this one was too good to pass up. The pattern and its size makes it unusual.

:: Sets of mugs usually sell well. I couldn't pass up this set of six Japanese mugs. They are in great condition and the glazing is a really cool decorative element.

:: This little, but heavy, ceramic bird was too good to pass up. It has some condition issues, but I'm confident it will sell in the shop. It's signed, "1975 Hartwig."

:: These two pieces of pottery got my attention right away. The vase is signed "Turpin 1986" and the bowl has a West Germany sticker on the bottom. I contemplated keeping them, but I will put them in the shop... I can't keep everything I find!

What have YOU found at the thrift store recently?

WHAT I DIDN'T BUY

I find a lot of mod vintage stuff when I go thrifting. A lot of it is in bad condition or something that's cool, but that I just don't want...

These Rosti bowls are really cool, but I really don't need anything like this. Plus, they were at an antique mall and were pretty expensive. That TV is awesome, but in rough shape.

I find a lot of these Danish modern utensils, but they are usually in gross condition. Yuk!

This funny wooden bird thingy was cool, but I just couldn't bring him home with me. I liked this green glass, but I have a feeling it wasn't vintage and was from IKEA or Pier1 or someplace like that.

I love stuff from the 70s with type on it. But like the utensils above, this would be kinda gross to use. I know a lot of thrifters love these Josef Albers record sleeve designs, but I'm kinda like, "meh".

What DIDN'T you buy at the thrift store?