Friday, June 19, 2015

Laura Ingalls Little House on the Praire Gold Bar Pin: The Destiny of Things, Story 300

Laura Ingalls Little House on the Praire Gold Bar Pin:  The Destiny of Things, Story 300

Sometimes a heart felt interesting story finally arrives!

More antique and vintage jewelry, here
photo via Hoarder Rehab

Some time ago, an Etsy buyer asked if she could use this photo on her blog and of course, I said, "Yes!" and this is what she said about this brooch she purchased that I called, "Coming Home"

"Here is the amazing gold bar pin I purchased last December for my Laura Ingalls: Christmas Memories presentation. It's amazing how close it fits the description of the gift Laura received from Almanzo the Christmas before they were married."

So cool!  Such a special Christmas gift to Laura from Almanzo!  All kinds of curious thoughts run through my head! I wonder how the description reads and wonder if the original still exists. 

I am so happy this is being used every Christmas season now!  And it's in good hands with someone who has historic clothes to go with it to use in reenactments!   What a fun educational way to entertain!

See her blog here, she has been portraying Historic women since 2008, usually Laura Ingalls and Mrs. Lincoln.

More antique and vintage jewelry, here
photo via Hoarder Rehab
 
Saying Goodbye:  I still love jewelry, unfortunately I'm still allergic to it.  I used to feel conflicted about letting my jewelry go, but now I'm so used to not wearing jewelry that even when I try it on just for photo listing, it feels weird, like something heavy that I don't need, even though I still love the way it looks.

Can you imagine a world without jewelry?  That's my world now.

What I Learned:

1.  I still have a ton of jewelry!  I've probably only listed and sold half of what I've accumulated in my lifetime.  Many of them Christmas and birthday gifts since childhood.  

2.  Even though I'm allergic to jewelry, I still collect beads and other findings to make jewelry!  That's probably a fine line I need to start rethinking as a recovering hoarder and jewelry artist!

3.  I do admit that I prefer the process of designing and improving on things, like jewelry and my own clothes, rather than actually producing a final product.  So I guess I should either start an idea book or set some time aside to put some of my ideas to use and see what happens.
 
4.  I feel as though I am at cross roads with my dehoarding and even though I've improved my hoarding ways, I haven't found a reliable replacement for not hoarding in times of prolonged high stress situations.

At least retail therapy isn't a quick band aid anymore, but still haven't found anything nearly as instant for deep wounds.Thank you Etsy buyer from Hoarder Rehab for sending me an email!  I love the idea that my collar bar brooch is perhaps "out there" teaching history in live performances!
 
5.  What memories of Little House on the Prairie!  My best friend and I would meet every afternoon to watch it on TV.  Wow, was it on everyday?  We'd each have our own bowl with a pint of Dreyer's vanilla ice cream with a half cup of Grape nuts on top!

Here is another piece I think would be great for a re-enactment.
Early 1900s Justin clutch purse with secret locking mechanism, available here
My Aunt told me this was from a relative who was a DAR
photo via VintageToGoEasy
 
Thank you Etsy buyer from Hoarder Rehab for sending me an email and a link to your facebook page!  The Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas brooch looks beautfiul in your photo!
 
I love the idea that my collar bar brooch is "out there" teaching history in live performances with you!
 
Thank you Etsy for the best Hoarder Rehab ever!  Who knows what what my hoard would look like now, if I hadn't started dehoarding!
 
Thank you all readers from all over the world who have stopped by to visit my Hoarder Rehab and The Destiny of Things!
 
1920's fob clip watch accessory, available here
 photo via Hoarder Rehab

My continued dehoarding goal is to maintain at least 200 items at each shop!  I am not looking forward to Etsy deleting the option to list the old way for the new beginning this July or August, so I'm motivated to list as much as possible before I have to relearn how to list again!
 
Click on the shop names to visit new hoard listed daily and/or weekly: HoarderRehab with 200 items, The Destiny of Things- 199 items, VintageToGoEasy - 207 items and now JunkDrawerAndMore - 202 items!  

Maybe you'll find something to take home and share your story too!  Thanks for looking!
 
Looks like I need to list some new items tomorrow!

Thank you for taking part in my Hoarder Rehab and The Destiny of Things!
 

Monday, June 15, 2015

Kidchella Party Favors: The Destiny of Things, Story 299

Kidchella Party Favors:  The Destiny of Things, Story 299

An Etsy buyer said these will make the perfect addition to a Kidchella party!

50 or 100 Fortune Teller Fish, available here
Smaller amounts from 8 -20, available here

Very interesting!  What is a "kidchella" party?  I imagine, it's a mini "Coachella" music and art festival party, rated "G", so all ages and family can enjoy.  An Etsy buyer is having one for her daughter and is including some fun fortune teller fish!

It must be fun to plan and recreate a mini music art festival for children.  I wonder what musical and art venues she is going to add...

50 or 100 Fortune Teller Fish, available here
Smaller amounts from 8 -20, available here

Okay, I googled "Kidchella" party, I found mainly news and images of North West's 1st birthday party.  From the photos hers included a ferris wheel and a jumper.

Also, several stages for a lot of singing and dancing, food and activity booths, like face painting, hair braiding and other tribal bohemian themed fun.

50 or 100 Fortune Teller Fish, available here
Smaller amounts from 8 -20, available here

Saying Goodbye:  I have my own stash of these and pass them out regularly as part of my "thank you" packaging with most orders.  I hope they bring back old memories and make new ones wherever they go!

What I Learned:

1.  Some of my past teaching tools have become popular sellers on all our Etsy shops!  I would have to say these fortune fish are one of our "hot" topics and bring a lot of simple joy to everyone who has one!

2.  I used to pass out one of these to each third grade student in the classroom as a teaching prop to introduce magic, which in this case is science or specifically chemistry.  Students would be shocked and happily surprised as to how much mathematics and science is involved with magic!

Especially when I told them the same concept to this fortune fish helped to invent disposable diapers!

3.  Other teaching props that are popular on our Etsy shops are the tooth fairy keeper treasure chests or tooth locket necklaces.

These mini treasure chests make great cupcake toppers for mermaids and pirates, table confetti, pinata and party favor bag fillers and of course, to hold baby teeth!  Treasure chests, available here


Thank you Etsy buyer from The Destiny of Things for sending me a story that taught me something new!  Now I know more than I ever thought I would about "Kidchella" parties.
Thank you Etsy for the best Hoarder Rehab venue ever!  Endless thank yous! I am very grateful that my items are making new stories and are being shared with me and are either making new memories or bringing magic wherever they are! or both!

Thank you all readers from all over the world who have stopped by to visit my Hoarder Rehab and The Destiny of Things!
 Another teacher prop I used to use that is now a popular item at our Etsy shops
Tooth locket necklaces available here

My continued dehoarding goal is to maintain at least 200 items at each shop and possibly more because I want to list as much as I can before July 1 when Etsy no longer has the option to list the old way.

Click on the shop names to visit new hoard listed daily and/or weekly: HoarderRehab with 201 items, The Destiny of Things- 204 items, VintageToGoEasy - 206 items and now JunkDrawerAndMore - 204 items!  

Maybe you'll find something to take home and share your story too!  Thanks for looking!
 

Thank you for taking part in my Hoarder Rehab and The Destiny of Things!
 Nothing like a mermaid for a party drink or cupcake topper to swim along side some fortune fish!  Mermaid toppers, available here

Friday, June 12, 2015

500 Replacement Fortune Teller Cards for Madame X Penny Napkin Dispenser Machine: The Destiny of Things, Story 298

500 Replacement Fortune Teller Cards for Madame X Penny Napkin Dispenser Machine:  The Destiny of Things, Story 298

Who knew so many people needed these?

500 replacement fortune teller cards for Madame X or Swami machines, here
photo via Hoarder Rehab

I didn't think these would be so popular for Madame X or Swami Fortune Teller Penny Napkin Dispenser machines, as they would as party decor for Twilight Zone and fortune teller parties and weddings, but already 2000 or 3000 have sold to people with penny Madame X or Swami vending machines!

I'd love to have one myself and had been looking for one since my brother took me to a diner in Orange Circle where I fell in love and put as many pennies as I had in the one at our booth.

I had never seen one and my brother couldn't believe it and later during Christmas, we had to watch the Twilight Zone marathon, just so he could introduce me to Nick of Time with William Shatner to watch the episode where the Swami fortunes come true!  I swear he remembers all those episodes by heart and MASH too!

 500 replacement fortune cards, available here

We were thrifting that day, which back then Orange Circle had more antique shops and less than a handful of thrift shops but we'd go window shopping anyway.  During our high school days, when we thrifted it was an all day excursion.  

It started with breakfast and our thrift shop route went from Huntington Beach to lunch in Orange or Long Beach and dinner in Pasadena with our thirft shop routes all plotted and planned out using a phone book and map!

And ever since, I've searched high and low on our long and extensive thrift store route and have never found a working one, either Swami or Madame X.  However, later during our college days our thirfting route expanded to Redondo Beach, Gardena, Torrance, Compton, all over greater Los Angeles and all the way down to Laguna Beach!

Through the years, we also tried all the eating places along the way, but never did find another diner with working Penny fortune teller napkin dispensers!

  500 replacement fortune cards, available here
The diner had the ones just like this with all chrome, but not as shiny new.

Here are the comments I've received about the 500 replacement fortune teller slips for Madame X and Swami machines:

"Excellent product, delivered on time exactly as described. These paper slips work perfectly in my vintage Madam X napkin/fortune vending machine. More than half a century is a long time for paper products to survive, but here they are. My thanks to Etsy and the seller."

"These are great for the vending machine."

"Cool Thanks ! !"

So lucky to own and play with one of these machine dispensers at every meal!  So fun and nice to receive these comments and writing about it brought back many happy memories thrifting and eating with my brother!

Ask Swami machine with a fortune being answered!
500 replacement fortune cards, available here

Saying Goodbye:  These fortune teller slips are part of my "thank you" package when an item gets ordered.  My "thank you" package theme is fortune teller related because without my hoarding and crystal ball, I am moving into a life unknown to me.

 Example of my "thank you" fortune teller themed package 
that comes with any purchase, except miswak or order one here
photo via Hoarder Rehab

What I Learned:

1.  Hoarding and thrifting took up a lot of my free time and now dehoarding is taking up a lot of my time and now that at least half my hoard is gone I have some open space in my life and mind to start dreaming and planning on doing other things that interest me.

2.  Hoarding is like having a full time job and so is dehoaring!  And it appears that I might be able to turn dehoarding into a decent part time job eventually and if I want to.

3.  It's very difficult to STOP hoarding and I don't know if it's just because it's a bad habit to overcome or it's because it's such a good easy comforting familiar way for me to destress or because I have little impulse control with FOMO (fear of missing out, especially with a good deal) or I get a little crazy when my allergies act up or I like blaming it on my allergies or all the above!

4.  I have basically stopped my experiment, which I named, "hoarding without hoarding" or "catch and release hoarding" because even though I made progress and room from over 2 years of dehoarding on Etsy, I started to fill it back up again!  I think I stopped in the nick of time!



Thank you Etsy buyers from Hoarder Rehab  for sending me your stories that give me so much insight into how to stop my hoarding ways!

Thank you Etsy for the best Hoarder Rehab venue ever!  Endless thank yous! I am very grateful that my items are bringing back old memories and making new ones for many others.

Thank you all readers from all over the world who have stopped by to visit my Hoarder Rehab and The Destiny of Things!
 
  Here is the Mystic Seer in color

My continued dehoarding goal is to maintain at least 200 items at each shop!  I am not looking forward to Etsy deleting the option to list the old way for the new way beginning this July, so I'm listing as much as possible before I have to relearn how to list again!
 
Click on the shop names to visit new hoard listed daily and/or weekly: HoarderRehab with 198 items, The Destiny of Things- 203 items, VintageToGoEasy - 206 items and now JunkDrawerAndMore - 207 items!  

Maybe you'll find something to take home and share your story too!  Thanks for looking!
 
Looks like I need to list some new items tomorrow!

Thank you for taking part in my Hoarder Rehab and The Destiny of Things!
 


A pair of newlyweds stopping in a small town are trapped by their own superstition when playing a fortune telling machine in a local diner. 
Watch the promotional for the episode on youtube, here

 and the full episode, Nick of Time on imbd, here
photo via google

Related Stories:  Many fond memories....

1.  My first story about these fortune teller cards:  Ask Swami Fortune Teller Cards:  The Destiny of Things, Story #115 





 Lastly, there are 52 different fortune cards and they come in a set, 
like a deck of cards, available here
photo via Hoarder Rehab

"You unlock this door with the key of imagination. Beyond it is another dimension - a dimension of sound, a dimension of sight, a dimension of mind. You're moving into a land of both shadow and substance, of things and ideas. You've just crossed over into the Twilight Zone"---Opening narration of Seasons 4&5

Friday, June 5, 2015

Red Ball Brand Glass Deer with Japan Sticker: The Destiny of Things, Story 297

Red Ball Brand Glass Deer with Japan Sticker:  The Destiny of Things, Story 297

Remember these?  Another blast from my past!

photo via VintageToGoEasy
This yellowish deer sold, but a pink one is available here

My Aunt and Grandmother had a large collection of both glass Red Ball brand animals and the porcelain animals in families.  There were only four things to play with at her house.  The animal figurines, a BB gun, an old abandoned house and barn.  

The BB gun was not considered a toy and if you used it, you had to go shoot at the birds that were eating the produce on her farm.  I was a good shot and after hitting a bird, I found it too sad to use the BB gun.  We weren't allowed in the abandoned house and barn unless we went in a group and the green houses were off limits, unless with an adult.

So mainly we played with the animal figurines when we were extremely bored.

photo via VintageToGoEasy
This yellowish deer sold, but a pink one is available here

Anyways, that's my story.  Here is the wonderful heartfelt story I received from an Etsy buyer:

Hi Kennedy, 

I just got the deer today, he arrived in perfect condition. Just left you a 5 star review! I also wanted to thank you for the little treasures you sent me! I am going to use them to brighten up the gift packages I give people. Thank you again, what a sweet surprise. 

You asked about why I purchased something from you, well I have a long story to tell about the little deer. I have been collecting glass animals since I was about 8 or 9 years old (I'm 52 now.) There was a Five and Dime store in my neighborhood (remember those? - they were like a discount store - or maybe you are too young). 

Anyway, all of us kids would go there after school. Most of the kids went straight to the candy or toy isles, but I gravitated to the shiny and colorful glass shelf that had miniature glass animals. They were different sizes and sold from .19 cents to .99 cents. I could never afford the .99 centers, I usually bought the .29 to .79 centers. I still have some of those original pieces after all these years. 

I still see them in antique stores and on Etsy, they were made in Japan. Over the years I have collected information about glass miniatures and can recognize styles and where or when the piece was made. When they were first sold, they all had stickers, I even have some that have stickers saying "Made in Occupied Japan." Those are some of my favorite pieces, they are small and very colorful. 

Japan restarted their economy after the war by making little items that American servicemen could send home to their wives and children. Some pieces that have the "Made in Occupied Japan" stickers look like pieces that have the "Red Ball Animal-Japan" sticker like the one you sold me. 

I think it was a company started during the Occupation that continued to manufacture glass animals well into the 1960s or later. Every time I find a piece with a sticker I gain more knowledge about the origins of my collection. I have other pieces with the red ball stickers, and have learned that I have quite a large group from this company. 

They are by far my favorites and I am trying to find out more about this company, I wish I could find a catalog that illustrates their entire line - I might have even more than I thought! 

I now have thousands of glass animals from the 1930s to some that were made for me by Etsy crafters just months ago. They make me happy and represent the beauty and innocence of childhood. Do we ever love anything in our lives more than the treasures of our childhood? 

Only a child can give love so unconditionally, so intensely, even to an inanimate object. I unfortunately suffered and endured some terrible experiences when I was a young child, but at least I can recapture that feeling of wonder, awe, love and excitement when I acquire a new animal or look at my collection. 

This hobby allows me to keep the one magical and precious aspect of youth - the intense joy only a child feels and it has helped me over the years to realize I am a survivor and life is a beautiful thing. I think it is wonderful what you are doing by getting people to share their stories - you understand joy and you have found a way to share it with as many people as possible. Thank you for reading this and I hope to keep in touch with you.

Peace and joy to you!

The sticker reads, Red Ball Glass Animal and inside the red ball it reads, JAPAN.
photo via VintageToGoEasy
This yellowish deer sold, but a pink one is available here

That is the most heartfelt story I've received in a long while and has brought me more than one insight to my hoarding ways.  I think she explains many of the reasons of why I hoard, except I'm not just recapturing positive feelings from my childhood, but all kinds of feelings through out my life time!  I think I have so many defining life moments and I'm keeping them all in my things!

Here is what I wrote back:

Your email was the nicest surprise this morning! Thank you so much for sharing your heart felt story! I can so relate to your story about going into Five and Dime stores and watching all my friends stand in line for the cash register while I could only browse.

I would love to see your entire glass animal collection! Can you send photos? I was hoping when I saw your online name, glasskeeper1 that my deer was going to a special new life and home. I think I have one more glass animal figurine with the Redball sticker. I will dig it up for you and try to list it this week! As a recovering hoarder, thank you for the motivation and inspiration!

I have several more glass animal figurines without stickers.

I know what you mean about loving things from our childhood because as a recovering hoarder, I still collect a lot of toys from our childhood era, mainly those made in Japan. We are about the same age! How cool, is that?

My Grandmother and Aunt had a collection of Redball animals and the porcelain animals in sets of families and my Aunt who was going to school to be a teacher at the time taught me all the names of the animals when they traveled in groups.

I too, have been interested in the history of toys, Made in Japan of our childhood era and I have not found much about Redball or Shiken. I have seen toy catalogs or books of Antique toys of Japan, but don't have one, but have always been curious about them and would love to look through one, however I've have not come across a Redball catalog. If I do, I'll send you the link.

I love your childhood perspective and I love how your collection is a reminder of how to keep the magical little child within us alive and healthy.

I hope with your permission I can use your story on my Hoarder Rehab: The Destiny of Things blog. I will leave you anonymous, of course!

Many many thanks for sharing your story, it brought so much joy and happiness with it. I just LOVE it!

Yes, I would love to keep in touch!
~Kennedy at VintageToGoEasy

PS. Here is the link to my blog where I share the stories:
hoarderrehab.blogspot.com/

photo via VintageToGoEasy
This yellowish deer sold, but a pink one is available here

Saying Goodbye:  I have my own collection of Red Ball and porcelain animal figurines, but my Mom has most of my Aunt's and Grandmother's collection.  I have a few strays that no one would claim, like Snow White and one of her dwarfs and a little Bambi.  

They were the first props we used in photos to list my hoard!  I'm sure you'll recognize them when you see them.

The original childhood prop trio from my Aunt and Grandmother
24 0r 20 treasure chest lockets, available here
photo via Hoarder Rehab

What I Learned:

1.  Kind Etsy buyers continue to bring me insight about my hoarding ways and give me clues on how to change my habits to be more productive other ways, so my life is more balanced.

2.  Some items I keep are indeed magical and hold many strong feelings of awe, remembrance and precious innocence for me too.  And are reminders that I am a survivor too and some things can never been taken away.

3.  Life is a beautiful thing and I hope I can continue transforming it into something very meaningful and special to me without having hoard around me to feel secure in my life.

photo via VintageToGoEasy
I don't know if this is a Red Ball glass animal, but it is available here
She definitely needs a bath by her new owner!


Thank you Etsy buyer from VintageToGoEasy for sending me a story that helped me so much because I could relate to it all and it expanded my insight from my childhood hoard to my never ending toy hoard and more!  Also the information on hand made glass animal figurines from the past to present about Red Ball Japan and your own collection is very interesting!   
I think you know how much joy and peace I receive when someone takes the time to send their story to help me out!  
And I think you've inspired me to return to my old blogging schedule!  Thank you so much!

Thank you Etsy for the best Hoarder Rehab venue ever!  Endless thank yous! I am very grateful that my items are making new stories and are being shared with me and are either making new memories or bringing magic wherever they are! or both!

Thank you all readers from all over the world who have stopped by to visit my Hoarder Rehab and The Destiny of Things!
 Two lost penguins, available here
photo via VintageToGoEasy

My continued dehoarding goal is to maintain at least 200 items at each shop!

Click on the shop names to visit new hoard listed daily and/or weekly: HoarderRehab with 198 items, The Destiny of Things- 200 items, VintageToGoEasy - 201 items and now JunkDrawerAndMore - 205 items!  Maybe you'll find something to take home and share your story too!  Thanks for looking!

 

Looks like I need to list some new items tomorrow!

Thank you for taking part in my Hoarder Rehab and The Destiny of Things!
 photo via Hoarder Rehab
  
"Harmony.  It's not what's lasting or permanent.  It is about individual voices coming together for a moment.  And that moment lasts a length of a breath, or in my instance a transaction.  That's what I think about my time here."---Frank Underwood from House of Cards or in my case, I think it's "destiny, as well as harmony" for me.

View my House of Cards - Frank Underwood, Harmony quote double sided reversible washi tape collage art here, here and here!  It's a series of three so far!