I went late-ish: I arrived at 8:30. The doors opened at 9 a.m. I was #34. I still was able to get all the vintage Christmas ornaments. And then some. It was quite the time. I saw all the regulars. My peeps.
I came home and organized, intent on getting the goods packed away before DH got home. I was successful. Sally came over. We began organizing some stuff kinda coming together in my Mahalo Lounge. (Big DIY idea comin’ yer way.) Then, I needed a seriously serious cocktail. So now… it’s lucky fer you that I got these photos processed. In any case, the pictures are worth a couple of thousand words, right?
Tip to view photos: On a desktop computer, click any photo and it should double in size on screen. Click ESC or off the photo to return to story.
Kelly says
What a wonderful collection! Thanks for sharing all of the photos. For some reason, the Palmolive gift box led me to realize that it’s palm and olive combined. Not Pal Molive as my brain always pronounced it.
pam kueber says
well golly I never thought of that: yes: palm + olive!
J D Log says
I had a laugh over the invisible men’s Talc
pam kueber says
Well, I had to go look more closely at that after your comment: Invisible indeed!
Lisa Compo says
Would you ever consider selling me just one of the ornaments? I don’t care which one, color or design. I would love to have an autographed Shiny Bright that came from you! It would be such a neat addition to my Christmas collection. After all these years of fun and enjoyment and knowledge I feel like we are a special family on here. It would be way cool to have an authentic Retro Renovation “Pam” ornie on my tree. Uh oh…I may have started something here.
pam kueber says
Let me think about it….
Carolyn says
Astro and his friends might have some input
lynda says
Or maybe you should start a new line of vintage ornament replicas with your name on the box, and/or on each ornament? Martha Stewart has her own ornaments! You certainly have lots of old ornaments for design inspiration.
Carolyn says
Pam, my first comment was how eclectic your purchases are – how much would you say has an immediate use in mind and how much is, “I like this and I’ll figure it out later” (men’s toiletries, the dangly necklace/bracelet, fabric/textiles/tablecloth)?
pam kueber says
I am going to sell the men’s toiletries on ebay (in my spare time haha) because I know folks LOVE to collect these NOS items for bathroom decor.
The dangly necklace is for tiki wear!
The velvet is for broken costume jewelry Christmas trees.
There are two aprons that I am already cleaning — I give them away to folks who come bake with me.
The ‘tablecloth’ is a smock to wear while cooking or crafting — I’ll really wear it! Or maybe you’re looking at the two linen tea cloths — we actually use those every day for drying dishes, they are the best! And I scored a Vera!
The other bunches of fabric are (1) a tiki dress and (2) a krazee velvet tiki jacket thingie very 60s Twiggy Mod that fits me like a dream.
So I have uses for most! Although… I’ll be crafting til the day they put me under that pink marble headstone.
Mr Kim says
Pink marble? By that time, they’ll probably be able to produce quartz stone that looks exactly like glitter laminate.
tammyCA says
I can’t resist sweet ’40s,’50s,’60s ceramic figurines..they just give me a happy lift when I look at them..their cute faces and soft colors. I even adopt the chipped ones (love the one winged Angels) 🙂
Lisa Compo says
I do the same thing. My heart just gravitates toward the little pieces that look a bit tattered or played with, or missing a wing or ear. These precious ones still deserve love..maybe even more than the perfect specimens. I have an elf with a chewed up hat and one that someone wrote the letter “S” on his bottom…so I named him Sam. 🙂
pam kueber says
Land of misfit toys <3
Natalie says
Whoa! Amazing! I expect to see many awesome ornament wreaths this year. 😉
We have a similar child’s table but the laminate on it was shot. We peeled it off and mod podged some vintage bark cloth on it. Then we poured resin over it and it’s amazing. The resin is so easy to clean off too – markers, crayons, food, etc. It all comes off so easily. Plus our kids love it.
Been awhile since I’ve commented. Hi! 🙂
pam kueber says
Hi!
Mary Anne S says
Lots of lovely loot!! I have a child size table and chairs that look very home made, the top of the table is yellow cracked ice Formica and the base and chairs are wood. I think it is just the size of what you would cut out of your cabinet for a place to install your sink. Crafty and thrifty in one! Thanks so much for sharing.
Jen says
I’m thrilled to have just found your website and I’m curious if you know anything about the little house/building ornaments or the creepy elf ornament. Time period or where they were made? I recently found the exact same buildings and a variation of the elf ornament in my grandma’s attic! I LOVE all the treasures you found!
pam kueber says
“Creepy” elf ornament? Not creepy! That’s a beloved pine cone elf! You are not permitted to call him creepy on this blog — not to mention he’s been in some kind of accident (mis-treated!) and needs all the more love! And those are putz houses. Use the search box near the top of the blog. Put in putz house … and then pine cone elf… push the button and you will be delighted and amazed at whatyou find!
Lisa Compo says
Hi Jen, Welcome to the flock. LOL. Oh Boy..if you are new here you will be amazed at the amount of information and fun you will find. I discovered the site about 6 years ago and read and read forever. It can consume days on end. The more you read, the more you will love it here. It’s a very nice bunch of people with great stories all the time. Just be careful not to use bad words ;), …. like the “u” word for the opposite of pretty, the “h” word for intense dislike…we keep it polite and respectful. What one thinks is unattractive could be very dear to someone else. Prepare to learn just about all there is to know about Retro. It’s addictive and so fun.
Rose says
The gold and green beads in the picture with the broken jewelry
are Mardi Gras beads thrown from floats in the New Orleans area.
They are everywhere in the New Orleans area.
We find them at thrift stores, catch them from floats, or buy them
at Mardi Gras stores selling throws and beads for the riders
of the parade organization.
Lynne says
Pam, in the picture with the close up of the Putz houses…..what is that metal thingy right above their roofs? At first I thought a charm bracelet, but it looks too big for that. Do you know what that is?
The “Twiggy” coat…..I gotta see it!
pam kueber says
It’s a necklace, oriental-marine in nature, with fish and ships and huts and temples and the like. I paid some real money for it, it was so wonderful.