Collecting Dolls

This post is for all the doll collectors in the world.  I must admit, I always look at dolls, but it's not my thing. Yes, they are pretty and sweet and the dresses and hair are beautiful, but I want to look at cars and junk art rather than dolls. Call me callus or insensitive, but that's just me.

I did however, find a couple of little dollies that I wanted to share.

Did I say little? 

That's a regular side table and dresser there! This little girl stood a good three feet tall!

Another sister was standing to one side.

I asked: 'Could I please take your photo today?"

I thought I heard a small baby chuckle. I whirled! But no movement!

Your ears are playing tricks on you! I scolded myself!

The beautiful brunette stood watching over her sisters. All stony and certainly silent. Just a doll I said. 

Once more, I turned to the lovely blonde lass and chastised myself!

'You're seeing things that aren't there old girl!' I said!

                                 .....Then oh! What was that?

Is she staring through your soul too?

I ran!

What's Inside? Courtland Warehouse

The Courtland Antique and Collectible Warehouse!


One of the many delights this little village has and well worth the drive or day trip! If you're coming from 'someplace far'... accommodation is only a half hour drive away in Simcoe or Tillsonburg.


This vintage Grist Mill holds a treasure trove of delights for a collector of anything! 

Come inside and see what we've got! 

 

This is a multi dealer mall featuring affordable quality antiques, gifts and collectibles. There's also a small cafe in back offering light refreshments.

One of the first thing to catch my eye was this set of Wedgewood dishes in soft, glossy blue. 

I find the powder blue irresistible!

Notice the old two by sixteens the roof is made of?

Any green glass collectors out there?

I personally love Flo Blue and have several plates of various patterns myself. 

The Fiesta ware pitchers are hard to find around here too!

Anybody building a rec room?

 

These wooden bobbins came from one of the local textile factories that used to be in the area.

They make great candle holders!

Books Galore! Wait! 

Is that a cook book for pies and tarts? I have to buy that!

I hope you've enjoyed tagging along with me and my sister today. 

We both enjoy junking and plan on many more trips.

Don't worry, you can pack on the back anytime!

What's Inside?

Chapter Two: The Courtland Antique Emporium.

If you haven't read yesterday's post, start there first! I promise, you'll smile and be happy! 
Antiques, nostalgic items galore and vintage things! A collector's dream!


We just had so much fun in this tiny Ontario village!
I didn't know what to photograph and what not to, so I just snapped away!

Come fly with me! This baby airplane was about six feet from head to tail!

Of course, I gravitated to the Fenton glass. All this blue just makes me dizzy with want.

 Anything familiar here? 

Go have a look at:

http://thebewilderedbrit.blogspot.com/

He has recently featured Cabbage Patch Dolls.

Remember when taking a picture meant two weeks to see the results? Did you have a Browne like I did?

Ah yes! The Ancient Order of Foresters. 

Google them sometime. An Insurance company actually. 

When I was little, I thought they were woodsmen!

(My uncle was you see...?)

 

The work and detail in this sash is exceptional though.

I couldn't resist this enamel kettle. I should have bought it just for my deck!

The Arrow shirt factory was not too far away in this area. 

This was an entire box of collars!

And every now and then we'd see some Americans!

Roseville pottery! Maybe this isn't as pretty as some of their pieces, but remarkable all the same.

And I walked out with nothing! WaH!

All pictures taken with my digital camera: My Nikon P90

Collecting

As fingers of light bounce from angle to angle,  my eyes are satisfied with the glory of color and warmth. As my fingers caress the softness of the stuff of which it is made, I am rewarded with happiness and a feeling of comfort overwhelms me.

I place the vase back on the shelf and close the cabinet door.

One of the types of glassware that I love is colorful Fenton.



I have a few pieces, although I would buy a gazillion of them if I was a gazillionaire. I love the flowing shapes and how the light plays through the thick, hand blown glass.

We have stopped at the factory in Williamstown, West Virginia and taken the tour on one of our trips to Florida. 



This is my piece of ruby. Purchased at that factory a few years ago when Dick and I stopped.

Hand painted and signed, we've kept the original box and receipt.

This is a brief history taken from their website...


http://www.fentonartglass.com


Founded in 1905 by brothers Frank L. and John W. Fenton, the Fenton Art Glass Company ranks among the world's foremost producers of handmade art glass. Fenton is the largest manufacturer of handmade colored glass in the United States, and the company is renowned for innovative glass colors as well as hand-painted decorations on pressed and blown glassware.


For more than a century, Fenton has developed new colors and patterns, including items enhanced with hand-painted floral decorations and 22k gold accents. Fenton glass appeals to all types of customers, and, over the years, this appeal has led to the company's success.



In 2005, the Fenton Art Glass Company celebrated its 100th anniversary. The firm is now led by third- and fourth-generation Fenton family members, who work side by side with over 100 employees, including skilled glass workers and decorators, to create beautiful, handmade art glass in Williamstown, West Virginia.

These two pieces were given to me as wedding gifts... I think my first wedding in 1972? Both a gift from one of my cousins. The amber one from Irene, who lives in the Muskokas and another: Donna, who lived near a tiny village in Ontario called Courtland. 

 

 

Sadly, Donna was a cancer victim and I am grateful to have this memory of her.



Both antique and brand new, you can find pieces ranging from a few dollars to lots and lots of dollars and collections to fit all sorts and sizes of shelves. Pick some up at an auction, garage sale or Ebay. You don't have to buy new to own some exceptional examples and the selection is almost endless.


White hobnail is a classic with Fenton and just is always beautiful!

Our collections are an indication of who we are. 

I aspire to be as lovely as Fenton!

Christmas Candles A Memory

I have a childhood memory of opening the big old cardboard box that held our families collection of Christmas ornaments and the one thing that I searched out first every single year was the few delightful caricature candles that we owned. 

My childhood wasn't one of plenty nor privilege, but we did have a few awesome little figures and evergreen trees made of wax. Oh No! We never burnt them! That would mean we wouldn't have them next year and they held a place of honor on the TV's top amongst the lush pine boughs my mother would bring in from the yard.  

After the holidays we would carefully wrap the precious little pieces of paraffin in tissues again and I would tuck them into the bog cardboard box once again.  Dad would carry it upstairs to be put in the closet until the following year and we would move on to Valentines and Easter but...

I still put out the little paraffin candles in precious little shapes of  
                      snowmen, Santa's and trees. 

                    They mean Christmas to me.... you see.